Albums of 2009 :: Runners Up :: First 15

from "weheartit.com"

Its that time of the year again... where I ramble on about the music that I liked during 2009.

Here are the first 15 "runners up" ... in no particular order::































My thanks to these musicians for making such awesome music that has enhanced my life in some way or another in 2009.

The second 15 then the "top ten" to come...

Tx

A sad day

Today was a sad day. Today saw Borders on Buchanan Street close. Whilst I mourn the loss of the shop that I got all my magazines from... and a ton of music when the sale was just right... what I am traumatised about is the loss of my third space.

The Starbucks in Borders had become a sacred middle ground for me. It was a place where friendships were formed and developed... where podcasts were recorded and books read... where dreams were dreamt and then coaxed into existence. It was my special place.

I never got a chance to say goodbye to the Starbucks in the Borders in the Fort. It was a similar space. I did, however, get a chance to say "cheerio" to the one on Buchanan.

I thanked the Baristas... and was given a used venti mug as a keepsake. I would have taken "my chair" if I could have too.

I then had a fab conversation with my colleague Steven... our friendship being one of those developed in this hallowed environment.

I know no one has died... and all the Baristas have other jobs to go to... but still... it is a sad day for me.

I need to find my new space... and that's going to be harder than you would think.

Anyway... in the meantime... here are some pics :: link.

Tx

Something Beautiful :: goosebumps & justice (advent reflections) :: 2.45

If you don't already listen to the something beautiful podcast then you may want to tune into this episode... where we (JD, Stewart & I...) plus our wives (Laurie, Avril & Olly) contribute to an awesome Advent reflection... with some fab tunes thrown in for good measure.

Please check it out :: something beautiful

This is way cool :: Hipstamatic

I have nearly 3 full pages on my iPhone of photo apps... and wasn't really looking for another one. That is until I saw Hipstamatic and was bowled over.

The app provides a number of choices to create the perfect lo-fi photo.



First off... you can choose the lens you want to use. The app itself comes with two lenses - the "John S" and the "Jimmy". If you buy the "Williamsburg" add-on then you get the "Helga Viking" lens (which is my current fave) and the "Lucifer VI" lens is available if you buy the "Portland" add-on. The lenses offer different vibes... very much in the toycamera aesthetic.



Next up... you can choose the film you want to use. "Ina's 1969" and "Kodot Verichrome" (my current fave) come as standard and recreate their respective films nicely. With "Portland" comes the "Blackeys b+w" film and the raw "Pistil" film comes with the "Williamsburg" pack.



You can then choose a flash, if you need one - The "Standard" comes as standard with "Cadet Blue", "Redeye" and "Laser Lemon" gel flashes included in the "Williamsburg" pack.



Once you are ready to take the pic... you basically point and click. The viewfinder isn't ideal... so it takes a wee bit of getting used to... but once you do its all systems go. It shows you, via a series of lights, the progress of "developing" the pic which is a nice touch. That said... this is where I have noticed a few crashes.



I am very impressed with this app... and have gotten very snap-happy over the last few days. Go here to see a wee set of the pics I have taken with it to date.

The developers need to work on the app's stability... but otherwise, its a fab app. I love the User Interface and look forward to new add-ons. Well recommended if you have an iPhone and love taking lo-fi pics.

Seth Godin has a new ebook out... What Matters Now

Seth Godin has a new ebook out entitled What Matters Now that brings together the thoughts on 70 innovative thinkers.

I've downloaded it and intend to read it over the next few weeks. Check it out.

(via psfk.com with thanks)

This is so cool :: Improv Everywhere's Guerrilla Handbell Strikeforce

Go to the improv everywhere site for the lowdown... which includes this fab quote:

"Well, first I thought they had come from the store here, that they were part of the business. “That’s fine,” I said to myself. I saw that they all had red aprons like me… When the first guy came, I wanted to say, “Hey! Give me that bell, and I’ll give you this one!” Then I saw that they were all coming up surrounding me and I said to myself, “OK, what’s going on?” It’s Christmastime, so we’ve got to be merry… If we’re not merry here amongst ourselves, then what do we have to be merry about? But yeah, the whole thing was really nice."

Brilliant!

Tx

Chrome

141209_ 01_ Chrome, originally uploaded by Headphonaught.

There is a billboard on Motherwell Station (Platform 1) for Google's web browser called Chrome.

I don't want to cast aspersions on the good people of Motherwell... but I'm not sure bleeding edge web browsers are a mainstream concern here.

Nevertheless... I did think it was cool.

Oh and Chrome is now available for Mac... and is pretty good, in my humble opinion.

Tx

Dayna & Miffy

Dayna & Miffy, originally uploaded by Headphonaught.

Taken when Dayna was 6. Love it. The Motherwell Heritage Centre does get its fair share of awesome exhibits.

Tx

Taking photos this weekend...

On Saturday evening... I was asked to take some photos at the West of Scotland Salvation Army's Annual Carol Service. I found the experience terrifying, if I am honest, because there was an expectation on me to deliver professional pics.

I'm not a professional. I am a keen amateur who is only a novice... and is trying to learn all that I can. I didn't do my best - I wasn't allowed to use my tripod for "health and safety reasons"... so I was left trying to hold my Nikon & my dad's Canon. I found myself a nice wee spot and took the majority of photos from there. This is why they have a similar look/feel.

To make matters worse... the lighting was awful and I had wrongly set my camera to 2 stops over exposed. Ooops!

That said... I did get 40 or so that were passable. You can view them here.



This evening... I was free to take some pics at the Bellshill Community Carol Service in which our sections took part.

I have to admit... I prefer these pics. I like to get close to the action and think they are more natural as a result. I also find shooting with my Nikon easier than shooting with my dad's Canon... albeit... I do love my dad's Canon. I think its just a case of me being used to my Nikon.

You can view the full set here.

I love taking photos... and am dedicated in this journey. I want all the practice I can get and am grateful to the folks who gave me the OK to get snap-happy. I think one thing that helps is that I share my photos. I have a non-commercial share creative commons license on them... and actively share the link to the set. I don't make any money off them... so might as well share them with my community. Afterall, without them I wouldn't get the chance to shoot and wouldn't have so many good subjects.

That's me. I hope you like the photos. Please leave a comment either here or on Flickr - your comments encourage & inspire me... and help me find my niche.

Tx

Is this salt and light?

HisBook appears to be the latest attempt at creating a "Facebook for Christians" type social media network platform. I clicked on an ad in Facebook and had a wee nosy around. The site looks fab... is really well designed and has a really nice UI. It is really aimed at its target audience and will definitely meet their needs... as a means of connecting with other likeminded people... and enabling discussion in a "speak easy" environment. For that, I commend them.

However... whilst it is attractive - all shiny & new - I haven't joined it and won't join. I know for some of my fellow followers of Jesus it will work... but it doesn't work for me. Why?

Those who know me will know that I am allergic to anything that separates us from people who do not follow Jesus. I take seriously the words of Jesus in the early part of Matthew.

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Matthew 5: 14-16

I am open, out and public about my faith in all spheres of my life and seek to be the same to everyone who I am connected with. We need to be out there with the light we have been given... and not seek to contain this wonderful gift within wee private members clubs where obeying "the rules" becomes paramount.

I don't want to seem critical to the folks who have done a fab job in making HisWord happen... but surely that effort could have been better channelled into improving Facebook / Bebo?

That's what I think anyway... thoughts anyone?

Tx