Monday, 11 June 2012
Friday, 8 June 2012
Bring Down The Wall!
Disassociation
Drug Dependency
Fear
Loss of a father
Rejoicing
Pink Floyd's The Wall conjures up many images and can be possibly be interpreted in a million and one different ways. As the director of this evening's performance put it, "The Wall makes the current recession look like a walk in the park". Tonight I had the privilege of seeing it performed live in Tamworth.
Mixing up live music, dance, a light show, pyrotechnics, graffiti, performance, poetry and film, the modern re-telling of the wall touches on a lot of recent subjects - the war in Afghanistan, the death and mourning of our soldiers, racism, the London riots, the phone hacking scandal, ageism. Often uncomfortable to watch, it brought up many different emotions within myself - sadness, pain, remembrance of past events in my life, the need to fit in and, finally, the realisation and jubilation that I'm "Not just a brick in the wall", that I don't have to be part of the system, that I don't have to "conform" to what the "system" wants me to be. Wrenched through these emotions, by the final act, I was on my feet, screaming along for the wall to be torn down.
The music was incredible! Provided by Floydian Slip, it was amazing to hear songs which I've only ever heard on CD. The kicker for me was hearing "Goodbye Blue Sky" performed live. This song has a special place in my heart, gifted to me by friends in wake of the 9/11 attacks as a way of helping to cope and deal with the strains and stresses of not knowing where NYC-bound friends were. I've carried it with me since that day and to see it coupled with images of war memorials really brought it home.
The dancers, actors, poets, vocal artists - all were brilliant! There were often times when you didn't know where to look, who to focus on. They were all a wonderful addition, weaving in and out of the craziness that is The Wall. I can't fault any of them. They were all amazing and I hope that they're proud of themselves.
You're not just a brick in the wall! Never forget that! Don't let the people around bring you down. Be you and be amazing!
Check back soon; hopefully I'll be able to get hold of some photos of it. Until then, I'm going to go and purchase the original!
"Pink Floyd were the Rage Against the Machine of their time." (Thanks Dad for putting into perspective for me!)
Isolation
Drug Dependency
Pain
Fear
Overbearing mothers
Loss of a father
Rebellion
Rejoicing
"All in all, you're just another brick in the wall..."
Pink Floyd's The Wall conjures up many images and can be possibly be interpreted in a million and one different ways. As the director of this evening's performance put it, "The Wall makes the current recession look like a walk in the park". Tonight I had the privilege of seeing it performed live in Tamworth.
Mixing up live music, dance, a light show, pyrotechnics, graffiti, performance, poetry and film, the modern re-telling of the wall touches on a lot of recent subjects - the war in Afghanistan, the death and mourning of our soldiers, racism, the London riots, the phone hacking scandal, ageism. Often uncomfortable to watch, it brought up many different emotions within myself - sadness, pain, remembrance of past events in my life, the need to fit in and, finally, the realisation and jubilation that I'm "Not just a brick in the wall", that I don't have to be part of the system, that I don't have to "conform" to what the "system" wants me to be. Wrenched through these emotions, by the final act, I was on my feet, screaming along for the wall to be torn down.
The music was incredible! Provided by Floydian Slip, it was amazing to hear songs which I've only ever heard on CD. The kicker for me was hearing "Goodbye Blue Sky" performed live. This song has a special place in my heart, gifted to me by friends in wake of the 9/11 attacks as a way of helping to cope and deal with the strains and stresses of not knowing where NYC-bound friends were. I've carried it with me since that day and to see it coupled with images of war memorials really brought it home.
The dancers, actors, poets, vocal artists - all were brilliant! There were often times when you didn't know where to look, who to focus on. They were all a wonderful addition, weaving in and out of the craziness that is The Wall. I can't fault any of them. They were all amazing and I hope that they're proud of themselves.
You're not just a brick in the wall! Never forget that! Don't let the people around bring you down. Be you and be amazing!
Check back soon; hopefully I'll be able to get hold of some photos of it. Until then, I'm going to go and purchase the original!
"Pink Floyd were the Rage Against the Machine of their time." (Thanks Dad for putting into perspective for me!)
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Who Or What Is Veetu Industries?
Many people have asked how Veetu
Industries ties in with “Mars on the Rise”. Read on to find
out...
~~~~
Welcome. The year is 1895 and you are
currently standing in a top secret facility on the edge of Svenfur.
This building covers 1,300,000 square feet. The roof above you is
arched and sunlight streams in through high set windows.
If you look up, you will see the latest
in stealth warfare. With a black outer skin and gondola and near
silent props, The Nightcreeper is just one of the many weapons in our
arsenal.
Veetu Industries are the country's
largest weapons manufacturer. Founded in 1841 by Erus Veetu, we
specialise in keeping your borders secure and evil at bay. You may
ask how Erus remains so young while maintaining a fifty year old
business. I'm afraid that I cannot answer as it is a closely guarded
government secret.
Our workforce stretches from the
rolling Downs of Svenfur to the Highlands in the North. No inch of
this great country is left unguarded. If war were to break out
tomorrow you would find yourself in the arms of the safest country on
the planet.
Our motto – Safe, Strong, Steadfast –
means exactly that. We offer strength and reliability. Should any of
our machines fail in the heat of battle then we will compensate you
to double the cost of the failed weapon as well as for any crew lives
lost. The safety of your crew is just as important to us as the
safety of your country. All of our weapons are put through a
multitude of tests which is why we offer you this guarantee of
excellence.
I can see that you are interested. If
you would just like to step this way we can begin the purchasing
process.
Veetu Industries: Safe, Strong,
Steadfast.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
God Save Our Gracious Queen!
This weekend, the UK will be celebrating 60 years of the Queen being on the throne. The only other Queen to reach her Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria.
In honour of this illustrious time, we present a recipe that was devised for Queen Elizabeth's coronation. Enjoy and happy Jubilee weekend!
Ingredients
1.5kg/4lb free-range chicken
4 spring onions, sliced
6 garlic cloves, peeled, left whole
1 tbsp sea salt
10 whole black peppercorns
For the sauce
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp tomato purée
85ml/3fl oz red wine
150ml/¼pint water
1 bay leaf
salt and freshly ground black pepper
caster sugar
2 slices lemon
squeeze of lemon juice
425ml/15fl oz good-quality mayonnaise
2 tbsp apricot purée (made by blending 4-5 stoned, dried apricots with 3 tbsp water)
3 tbsp whipped cream
To serve
1 tbsp roughly chopped coriander
rice, cooked according to packet instructions
Preparation method
1.Place the chicken into a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, cover with water and add the spring onions, garlic, salt and peppercorns.
2. Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes, turning the chicken once during the cooking process. Cover with a lid and switch off the heat. Leave for one hour, then remove the chicken, allow to cool completely, and tear the chicken from the bones into rough pieces.
3. Meanwhile, for the sauce, heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook gently for 3-4 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook for a further two minutes, stirring well. Add the tomato purée, wine, water and bay leaf.
4. Bring the mixture to the boil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then add the sugar, lemon slices and lemon juice, to taste. Reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering and simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine meshed sieve and set aside to cool.
5. Gradually fold in the mayonnaise and apricot purée, to taste. Add more lemon juice, as necessary.
6. Fold in the whipped cream.
7. To serve, arrange the portioned chicken on a large platter, pour the sauce over the top, sprinkle with the coriander and serve immediately, with rice.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Having a Good Natter!
For the past week I've had the privilege of chatting to writing website WEbook about Mars on the Rise, promotion, friendships and how writing saved my life. I've been a member with them since 2009 and they've always been really supportive of anything I've written. It's a great site and I recommend it for writers and readers. If you've never been, go over and give them a go!
Part 1 - Writing to Live
Part 2 - Learning to Relax
Part 3 - Becoming a Brand
Also coming up is this nifty little contest. Get hooked up with the Torquere Facebook and Twitter (the links are part of the image) and then watch out for my posts about the book. Then comment on it and share with friends. Your comment will enter you to win a free copy of the ebook. Everyone participating and commenting will also receive a coupon code for discounted shopping. Posts will begin to appear on June 1st. Don't forget - you've got to be in it to win it!
Part 1 - Writing to Live
Part 2 - Learning to Relax
Part 3 - Becoming a Brand
Also coming up is this nifty little contest. Get hooked up with the Torquere Facebook and Twitter (the links are part of the image) and then watch out for my posts about the book. Then comment on it and share with friends. Your comment will enter you to win a free copy of the ebook. Everyone participating and commenting will also receive a coupon code for discounted shopping. Posts will begin to appear on June 1st. Don't forget - you've got to be in it to win it!
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Spread Some Happiness!
Everyday is a new day,
I'm thankful for every breath I take.
'Alive' - POD
What does the world need more of?
It needs a lot of things - peace, prosperity, an end to war and hatred.
But what can we, the normal people, do about it? The people in power don't listen to us. It seems that they don't even believe that we exist.
So what can we do?
Spread happiness and kindness!
Seriously, it's that simple! Say hello to someone, or even just smile. In Islam, smiling is a form of charity, meaning that even those with no other to give have a way of giving back to others.
Smiling in the face of your brother is charity - Prophet Muhammad
And it's true. We don't have to be multi-millionaires to make the world a better place. We don't have to be some kind of celebrity. We can give back by just being ourselves. We smile, chat to someone, spend a little time with someone who's lonely. It's simple.
Kindness is cool - pass it on!
If all of us did just one kind thing every day, the world would be a better place. And kindness and happiness are contagious! We have to look beyond the world's me-me-me culture and begin to think on a broader scale. Think about the people next door to us, on our street, in our suburb, in our town. Think about the people we work with, the people we see in the shops, the people we see on the bus.
You don't have to be a great person to pass on kindness. You just have to be you!
The world needs a change. The world needs a helping hand.
How about we start that change?
I'm thankful for every breath I take.
'Alive' - POD
What does the world need more of?
It needs a lot of things - peace, prosperity, an end to war and hatred.
But what can we, the normal people, do about it? The people in power don't listen to us. It seems that they don't even believe that we exist.
So what can we do?
Spread happiness and kindness!
Seriously, it's that simple! Say hello to someone, or even just smile. In Islam, smiling is a form of charity, meaning that even those with no other to give have a way of giving back to others.
Smiling in the face of your brother is charity - Prophet Muhammad
And it's true. We don't have to be multi-millionaires to make the world a better place. We don't have to be some kind of celebrity. We can give back by just being ourselves. We smile, chat to someone, spend a little time with someone who's lonely. It's simple.
Kindness is cool - pass it on!
If all of us did just one kind thing every day, the world would be a better place. And kindness and happiness are contagious! We have to look beyond the world's me-me-me culture and begin to think on a broader scale. Think about the people next door to us, on our street, in our suburb, in our town. Think about the people we work with, the people we see in the shops, the people we see on the bus.
You don't have to be a great person to pass on kindness. You just have to be you!
The world needs a change. The world needs a helping hand.
How about we start that change?
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Claim Your Free Stuff!
To celebrate Mars on the Rise coming out as a print book, I'm giving away goodie bags! The contain exclusive Mars on the Rise artwork, handmade bookmark, teabags and, for a limited time only, a DVD with the book trailer and specially commissioned music (DVD not pictured). To claim yours, just leave a comment with an email address (or some way of contacting you).
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