Being trumpted... twice!

I am not happy! I mean... I am a coolhunter... I am the one who picks up on the latest things... and spreads the word to the nanolog community (and, to be honest, anyone who listens... especially in public places as I rock back and forth in my seat with my eyes bulging in a care in the community kind of way)

First off... the love of my life :: Littlelaughalot :: gets to talk about Ugly Betty before I do. Wow! What a show. Absolute genius. We need more TV like this. Her get-up-and-go was inspiring... and I actually thought some of her outfits were cool. I'm predicting a new icon here in Betty Suarez! Talk about salt and light - making a difference by being honest... normal... dedicated.

Loved it and laughed so hard... especially when she walked into the glass door of the conference room... or when she walked out with the PVC on. Funny. Stuff yer Desperate Housewives and your OC - give me BETTY anyday!

Now... I love my netlabels and I try to keep my finger on the pulse... let you know as soon as I know of some sweet netlabel with a great roster of underground talent. Well I must not be trying enough!

My soon-to-be prayer partner, Chris trumped me with 1-bit wonder - a fab wee netlabel that hosts some fab electronica soundscapes and techno beats.

Downloaded their celebration compilations :: 1 & 2 and am loving them. Recommend you check out 1-bit wonder and fill up your iPod (or other mp3 player) with some glorious, free tunes.

Technorati Tags: ugly betty, netlabels

Sometimes we all need to be surrounded...

...with the people and the possessions and the pleasures that make us happy!

Playing games on new toys (Nintendo DS Lite) and writing secrets on fresh paper...

Playing games for no other reason than the sheer pleasure of doing so... making memories that will shape our very futures.

Taking time to enjoy being in the presence of our loved ones... our very special ones...

Laughing as they make their silly faces!

Savouring simple pleasures like dark chocolate gingers and a pot of freshly brewed tea...

...or creating a "still life" of our favourite things in our favourite restaurants...

...as we celebrate the gift of life that the Creator has given!

Soak in every moment. Capture them... Cherish them... Do what Mary did and ponder them in your heart. When the dark days come... we only have 2 things - the love of our Saviour and our memories.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Chris and Dawn :: Dawn is expecting their first child in July 07. No wonder they were smiling back in December at Nando's!!!

May we indeed live in interesting times!

Technorati Tags: salvation army, pregnancy

Prince2

From Pics from the...

No... not that Prince... although he is funky!

Prince2 is the UK Government's standard for IT project management... and I may get the chance to learn the methodology... as part of my work.

I'm pretty stoked and hope to pursue it. Why? I see Project Management as my niche. Some folk in the ol' nanolog community are great with graphics... others produce movies or make great computer games... some work fulltime with needy people or pastor through thick and thin. This is my niche - bringing people together to make things happen... and I want to develop it.

Who knows? Maybe this is what the Lord wants me to do? It will certainly help with my projects outside work too.

Technorati Tags: prince2

New Music :: Sleepy Town Manufacture :: Insipired By You (Sutemos016)

From Album Covers

Got the heads-up from my contact on Last.FM, awx that Sleepy Town Manufacture had released an album :: Insipired By You :: on Sutemos. Just downloaded it and its FAB!

Its the kind of minimal, ambient electronica that I just adore. Well worth checking out.

Here's what the Sutemos chaps have to say about their 16th release...

For 8 years already Alexander Ananyev has been running this Project of sleepy town (his also known as Beautumn creator of winderful ambient music). Sometimes Anton Lukoyanychev - another founder of STM - joins him, but it happens very occasionally lately. Alex has released 3 albums, more than ten virtual singles and featured all Sutemos compilations and now he present yet one more impressive part of his musical session - fourth album of Sleepy Town Manufacture Inspired By You.

When asked about it Alex answered: "Well, it's a nice album. We worked on it quite a lot and some tracks really took more time than they should have. But finally here it is. You'll also find some songs which is not a common thing for us and I hope it will not scare our listeners".

"I would love to give some credits for the people who appeared in those tracks: Inna Nega - she sings in three songs, Komnata, O Nei and Long Time No See. Lyrics and melody - it's all hers. She's beautiful and I really want to thank her. Alex Kozmidi - he is playing guitar in Papa Miles track. Actually, it is his composition which he's playing live in Germany pretty frequently. Evgeniy Gagarin - he sings in So Soft. I recorded this song three years ago, but lately decided that my voice is not good for it so I asked Evgeniy to sing this one" - Alex continued.

Soak it up. Take it in. Enjoy the atmospheric soundscapes, broken beats and quirky basslines... most of all... enjoy the vocals and otherworldly feel of the album. All this for FREE!!! Love it.

Check it out. Thanks awx... and Sutemos

Technorati Tags: netlabels, sutemos

New Year's Resolutions

I have shared my first New Year's Resolution :: (1) to read more :: here are some more...

(2) Make more time for Olly and the girls. I need to spend more time... especially through the week... to do more stuff with them.

(3) Exercise more. I don't exercise enough and I worry about my health. I need to walk more... and enjoy yoga and cycling again. I hope to do more with others... such as swimming with the family... table tennis with Olly... and possibly even 5-aside.

(4) Get fed as well as organising the meal. Olly and I lead. We spend our time organising things like Alpha and the homegroups... making things happen for others... and this will continue. But we need to spend time getting fed too... both spiritually and creatively. We need to develop and grow. For me, this will come from reading more... but I need to experience more... listen... discuss with others... I could do with a mentor... any offers?

(5) See some personal projects happen. Things like ((deep)), the web thing I am working on, and assisting the Soos in getting a book published (via Lulu). I want to see some results for my efforts. I would also love to be involved in planting a new expression of church somewhere... and help Olly record a CD... but these may not be for this year.

(6) Enjoy my work. I need to incorporate my work into my life. The stuff I focus on... doesn't pay the bills. I need to seek the Lord's guidance for my life to ensure I am still where He wants me to be. In the meantime, I need to focus on doing the best when I work and keeping in the moment.

(7) Keep focussed. I need to get... and stay organised. I need to understand the principles of time management, improve my productivity and subscribe to a method of getting things done. I need to go beyond the to-do lists I have in my moleskines... and focus on the work at hand.

(8) Learn to balance. I need to use all opportunities available to me. Exercise with the family. Learn with Olly or work together. I need to ensure I don't over focus on one thing to the detriment of others... especially my beloved ones or my health.

(9) Make physical connections. I am honoured to be part of something I think is kind of special. I was privileged to meet some fab nanologgers in 2006 (Roy / Dan / Chris) and intend to retain the connection. I would love to meet more of you... and give you a hug.

People I would love to meet in 2007 (no order) ::
* Pernell
* Adele aka Existential Punk
* Andy White
* Johnny Laird
* Lloyd "Lard" Kinsley
* JD
* Nuno
* John & Jean

Who knows... some are a long shot... but it could happen. You are always welcome in Green Gables!

I hope this makes sense. I would welcome your resolutions... and any suggestions for helping me make these resolutions happen.

Technorati Tags: new year resolutions

Moleskine GTD... the hyalineskies way

Thanks to JD for the heads up to this fab article on a new way of getting things done :: the hyalineskies way.

Going to get organised in 2007... and this could be a good way to do it.

Technorati Tags: moleskine, gtd

New Music

From Album Covers

Been after the second Trip piloted by Tom Middleton for a while :: March 06 & September 06... I finally picked it up at the weekend and it is wonderful. It was the soundtrack to our Hogmanay. Two CDs of joy...

The first one, entitled Vertical is full of upbeat tunes such as Kool and the Gang, Breakestra, Lyn Collins, Jungle Brothers and some fab kitsch like the theme from This is your life and the tune from Tony Hart's Gallery. Special!

The second one, entitled Horizontal is chilled and sensuous... with tracks from the elite like Boards Of Canada, Ralph Myers & The Jack Herren Band, Quantic, Thievery Corporation, The Orb with a cheeky wee ambient prog number from Tangerine Dream to tidy things up. Lovely!

Best compilation I have heard in a long, long time. Tom Middleton... I salute you, sir!

From Album Covers

Another CD that I have been waiting patiently for ever since I heard about the band ((link)) is The Red Book Sessions by The Singing Company and again it was worth the wait. I love Eric Himes' vision with his group and the CD - basically they've taken old Salvation Army songs and brought them up-to-date in an indie kind of way. Truly wonderful.

From Album Covers

Lastly... The Gaither Vocal Band's new CD :: Give it away... and before anyone says it - the title track isn't a cover of the Chili Pepper's classic. I love Bill Gaither and his devotion of gospel music. The harmony that his band achieve is simply stunning. Olly is more a fan than me... but we all are big fans.

This album... the first with the new chaps Marshall Hall and Wes Hampton is brilliant... and grammy nominated too! Albeit in some obscure category.

I don't fit into the Christian genre too well... Just because I am a Christian doesn't mean all I should listen to is Christian... Its a Rob Bell thing... Just because its Christian doesn't mean it is good! I am, however, open and proud of my love of the GVB and this album is fab.

Their sound is as familiar as an old tee shirt - they aren't breaking any new ground here... no drum & bass remixes or anything... just good, ol' fashioned, kind of country, vocal gospel.

Check it out.

Technorati Tags: music

Amazon.com :: Bible Store

Thought this was interesting... Amazon(dot)com have opened a Bible Store stating it...

was conceived to help you choose from dozens of editions--from devotional to study Bibles--along with background reference and related titles. Browse our selections and find the perfect gift!

Bet you never knew there were that many translations of the Bible.

Some good discounts advertised... but makes me worry about local shops like GLO who have been selling Bibles and the like for years. Is this an advocate for shopping local?

Anyway... here's a question for the ol' nanolog community... what's your favourite translation of the Bible and why? I dig The Message by Eugene Peterson because its closest to how I speak. What about you?

Technorati Tags: bible

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone who reads the ol' nanolog.

May the Lord bless you and keep you in His care... regardless of whether you believe in Him or not (He believes in you regardless!)

May you love more... smile more... enjoy more... hug more... kiss more... live more in this world!

May you hear great tunes and see fantastic sites and feel the warmth of the sun... and of being loved.

May you dance more... sing more... laugh more than you did in 2006.

May you gain a greater understanding of why you are here... what you have to do... who you are called to be.

2007 is when we all stand strong... and tall (if we can)... and live in His love.

2007 is the year when the poor will become rich... when the proud will be humbled... Everything will get turned upside-down.

2007 will be the interesting times we have prayed for... and I hope to be there... reporting from the frontline... and reading all your posts.

I hope and pray that the Lord will bless you and give you a greater understanding of His love and His purpose for you. I hope to meet more of you... and meet up again with those I have been fortunate to meet in 2006.

I love you all.

Thomas aka Headphonaught