As we all expected, the Jonas Brothers score their first No. 1 album on The Billboard 200 this week with A Little Bit Longer. The set sold 525,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, the third biggest sales frame this year behind Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III (1,006,000) and Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (721,000).

The trio also scores the rare feat of having two albums simultaneously in the upper-most echelon of the chart, as their self-titled sophomore set rises 11-10 with 31,000 (-4%) in its 54th chart week. It's the first time a group has scored two concurrent top 10 albums since 'N Sync on the chart dated Jan. 2, 1999, with Home for Christmas at No. 10 and 'N Sync at No. 2.

But that's not all. The soundtrack to the Disney film Camp Rock, which stars the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, stays put at No. 8 for a second week with 50,000 copies sold this week! :)

We totally knew this would happen! CONGRATS JONAS BROTHERS!!! :D

it was so fun doing a really cute card

hope you all like it

Adam Lane / Lou Grassi / Mark Whitecage - Drunk Butterfly (CF 116)
Connotations of a Drunk Butterfly might sound like a humorous proposition, especially when depicted in a cartoon. But art doesn't necessarily imitate art within this 2008 trio release. Sure, the trio embarks upon a few off-kilter flight patterns. However, the musical aspects present numerous examples steeped within the bop, or free-bop scheme of things. And with three highly revered New York area artists spinning a web of excitement, the music and overall effect convey a democratic engagement that occasionally projects a spiraling trajectory.

Rising-star bassist/composer Adam Lane and veteran drummer Lou Grassi establish a fluent musical bed for alto saxophonist/clarinetist Mark Whitecage, where the trio transparently merges modern mainstream with free expression. In effect, everyone gets his or her day in the sun throughout this irrefutably buoyant jamboree. Listen to Whitecage's bopping and bouncy clarinet lines on the medium-tempo cooker titled “Chichi Rides the Tiger,” which is a theme that sports a sublime, underlying melody. Yet Lane tosses a surprise into this vibrant piece by turning the tide via his frantic, bowed-bass passages that elicit gobs of tension and an air of uncertainty. To that end, the musicians convey more than just a few, aggressively initiated deviations.

Ever the accelerant and agitator, Grassi generates a fervent backbone on the predominance of these up-tempo works. While Lane leverages this rhythmic component with élan and fervor. In various regions of this album, Whitecage integrates North African modalities and staggered swing vamps to contrast his lithely engineered solo spots. Hence, the band covers a lot of musical ground by tempering the various flows and using depth as an asset.

It's partly about controlled firepower coupled with the artists shrewd injections of dynamics that helps keep this train rolling. Each track provides a distinct flavor amid several thought-provoking musical propositions, as the trio astutely balances highly complex improvisational exercises with many conventional implications.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30306

I may be a little late with this one...but, here is Demi Lovato's new album cover, for her new debut album Don't Forget.

It features her new single "Get Back," which entered at No. 6 on iTunes!!! :)

We totally love this album cover, what do you guys think???

Borghezio: «Le medaglie d'oro alle Olimpiadi dimostrano la superiorità etnica padana»

ROMA (13 agosto) - La politica e la presunta "superiorità padana" arrivano anche alle Olimpiadi. A traghettare il sogno, o meglio l'incubo, dell'idea di una parte d'Italia "migliore" per nascita, anzi, per luogo, è il capodelegazione della Lega Nord al Parlamento europeo, Mario Borghezio, secondo il quale le prime medaglie d'oro olimpiche vinte da atleti del Nord testimoniano una «superiorità etnica dei padani». Borghezio ammette, forse con fatica, che le vittorie «hanno certamente motivazioni di vario tipo» ma non si scoraggia e sottolinea che «nessuno, però, sembra avere il coraggio di dire la cosa più ovvia ed evidente e cioè che esse dimostrano la superiorità etnica dei padani, anche in questo campo». E poi l'accusa ai commentatori della Rai quelli «pagati da noi» sottolinea Borghezio, dimentico forse che l'abbonamento viene pagato anche dal resto d'Italia: «Nessuno>> - dice - << è parimenti legittimato a ignorare questa realtà , come stanno facendo i commentatori della Rai». Borghezio ci tiene però a sottolineare che «non si deve certo trarre da questa realtà alcuna conseguenza di tipo razzista». Assolutamente no. Come si potrebbe arrivare a tale conclusione dalla frase nient'affatto dubbia sulla «superiorità etnica padana»?

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Sono destinate a non avere fine, le incresciose accuse della Lega ai danni dei cittadini meridionali.

Ancora una volta siamo costretti a prendere atto dell'assenza di una voce meridionalista che prenda una posizione a difesa dei cittadini meridionali.

Noi del Comitato delle Due Sicilie-Lombardia siamo andati a fare una ricerca "etnica" per capire se davvero gli atleti azzurri che hanno vinto più medaglie avessero i "geni padani"

In questo link sono disponibili tutte le medaglie vinte alle olimpiadi di Pechino, abbiamo fatto una ricerca sulla base dei cognomi per individuare l'effettiva origine dell'atleta in quanto, i meridionali nati al nord, non possedendo "geni padani", non possono certamente essere inseriti nel "medagliere leghista".

Il sito utilizzato per la ricerca genealogica è il famoso GENS LABO ITALIA

Il risultato che abbiamo ottenuto smentisce, come avevamo previsto, le tesi borgheziane ed il medagliere così ordinato, appare molto più equilibrato tra padani e duo-siciliani.

Siamo convinti invece che la causa delle poche medaglie conquistate direttamente da Sud, sia da imputare alla mancanza ed all'insufficienza di strutture sportive, degne di questo nome, nel Meridione d'Italia, tant'è che gli atleti del Sud sono spesso costretti a recarsi al Nord per potersi allenare decentemente.

Per finire, indichiamo un nome tra tanti che secondo noi hanno segnato la storia dell'atletica meridionale:

Pietro Mennea nato a Barletta, detto la "Freccia del Sud", detentore del primato mondiale dei 200 metri piani dal 1979 al 1996 (con il tempo di 19”72) ancora oggi non battuto da altri italiani.

No?

                                                             Here.

Interestingly, the editorial is about how great new technology is, specifically, how we are now able to download tunes into our ipods, create playlists, delete songs we don't like, and virtually be masters of our very own music library. The piece raves on about all the goodies the future holds for those who wait a bit more.

Well, the future has arrived. And CDs, yes, the same ones that came with that magazine are on the way out. Including the music shops that once sold these CDs. That once gave out that magazine.

There was a time when it was cool to hang out at record stores. And buy stuff from them. Everything was just so vibrant, so full of life.

Not quite so now.

And this is happening not only in Manila. In other cities, like Chicago, the huge Virgin Records store sold its last CD last year.

A popular local radio DJ recently remarked that when you walk into a record store now, you get the feeling that they're on life support, that they're gasping for their last breath. They're much smaller, there are less customers, and everything's on sale.

And it gets you thinking: did the mp3 indeed kill the music store?

Don't get me wrong. I love all this new technology. I love my 'tunes. And I will continue to download stuff from the net (I draw the line with local music, though; for these, I go old skool and really buy the CDs, then load them into the pod).

What do artists have to say about all this? They haven't quite agreed yet. A friend who fronts for a local rock band is all for it---sharing music on and getting music from the net. According to him, for non-mainstream artists like his group, it is the fastest, easiest, most inexpensive way to reach out to their fans---and the world beyond. And they now no longer look to earn from album sales. They release albums so people hear their music. Then, people can go to their gigs and concerts. Then, the bands can start earning their keep.

That's a good thought.

Mp3 may have killed the music store but we hope it will never kill the music star.

The CD is 26 years old! Can you believe it? After all these years, it's still the most preferred method for music. Even though there's Super Audio and DVD audio - plain old CD audio still triumphed... that is until the MP3 wave swept in and now more than ever I think there's no turning back.

I've been fighting this for a while because I like having the physical copy of a CD. I like having the booklet, artwork, the disc and the jewel case to look at. I also like having the option of creating MP3s at any bit rate and having the actual CD as a backup incase my files get erased. But now...

I'VE HAD IT WITH CDs!!

It's not the CDs fault though. It's the circumstances of music evolution. CD stores are closing at a rapid rate, Japanese CD prices are on the rise, Western CD prices have dropped but they're constantly re-releasing the same shit, ordering online sucks (shipping is a bitch), and I can't seem to find what I'm looking for at my local music outlets. It's frustrating because everywhere I go they seem to have an endless supply of the top 200 (which is fine - I like them too) but never what I'm looking for. It's not like I'm looking for something that's totally obscure... IT'S POP MUSIC - just not as popular.

While I could never seem to find what I'm looking for in the physical stores - the digital stores seem to have it all. I can always find stuff on iTunes or some other digital music outlet. They have all the artwork and booklets in a digital format and you get what you want instantly at any time! There's one thing though... it's shitty quality!

iTunes encodes their stuff at AAC 128kbps for most of their stuff and AAC 256kbps for stuff on iTunes Plus. I've seen other outlets encode their stuff at 192kbps, VBR, and higher - but no higher than 320kbps. Which brings me to this question - why don't they give people the option of higher bit rates like lossless and others? It would be beneficial to all music lovers and a great boost for business.

Even with the few drawbacks of going digital, it seems to be the most progressive choice. CD stores aren't carrying wide varieties anymore, they're shutting their doors, and constantly have to deal with delays and things getting pushed back. The digital outlets are welcoming us with huge selections, total convenience, and great prices. Plus you can back your stuff up on blank discs or an external storage device.

The Virgin Mega Store (which has been a huge staple in the music industry) will close its doors in February 2009. Is this the end of the CD? Will CD collectors become "digital collectors"? Or will it stick around and become cool again like vinyl?

What do you guys think?

OK Computer - Radiohead
In Rainbows - Radiohead
Alchemy Index, Vol. 1 & 2: Fire and Water - Thrice
Alchemy Index, Vol. 3 & 4: Air and Earth - Thrice
Artist in the Ambulance - Thrice
Tell All Your Friends - Taking Back Sunday
The Police (2CD Anthology) - The Police
Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
PUMP - Aerosmith 
Continuum - John Mayer
Where The Light Is Live In Los Angeles - John Mayer
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles 
Queen's Greatest Hits (Vol. 1 & 2) - Queen
Late Registration - Kanye West
Musique Vol.1 1993-2005 - Daft Punk
Employment - Kaiser Chiefs
(What's The Story) Morning Glory - Oasis
They're Only Chasing Safety - Underoath
Pride & Prejudice (Music From The Motion Picture) - Various Artists

BOLD = A Must Buy.

Zoals iedereen zijn zwakheden heeft, is het voor ons onmogelijk om een objectieve recensie te schrijven van werk van The Triffids. Sinds ‘The Black Swan’ (het afscheidsalbum nota bene) eind jaren tachtig in de cd-speler verdween en David McCombs bariton in Too Hot To Move, Too Hot To Think door de kamer galmde, zijn wij verkocht. Nu dit album terug wordt uitgebracht met extra’s en tegelijkertijd debuutplaat ‘Treeless Plain’ en samenraapsel ‘Beautiful Waste And Other Songs’ op de markt wordt gegooid, mag dit niet ongemerkt voorbijgaan. Maar neemt u onze superlatieven gerust met een korreltje zout. Ook dan zal u zien dat het werk van The Triffids meer dan de moeite waard is.

Doorbraakalbum ‘Born Sandy Devotional’ werd eerder al samen met ‘In The Pines’ en ‘Calenture’ heruitgebracht. En als u een zwak heeft voor indie, heeft u vast al wel eens Wide Open Road of Bury Me Deep In Love gehoord. Maar er is dus meer.

‘Treeless Plain’ verscheen in 1983 en brak toen al met alle conventies die in de Australische muziek bestonden. Niet alleen was er de fantastische stem van McComb die stof deed opwaaien. Ook zijn teksten waren anders. Wat anders te denken van titels als My Baby Thinks She’s A Train. Daarbij komt nog de wat eigenzinnige muziek en het geluid van The Triffids was geboren. Samen met oer-Triffid Alsy Mcdonald, die ook occasioneel de vocalen voor haar rekening nam, was het geluid van deze Australiërs geboren uit de punk. Toch leunt dit album (hetgeen trouwens ook duidelijk te merken valt op ‘Beautiful Waste And Other Songs’) veel dichter aan tegen de newwave. Er is die duidelijke doe-het-zelfinstelling, maar het geweld is eerder onderhuids aanwezig dan dat de agressie ervan afspat.

Merkwaardig is ook de evolutie die de band heeft doorgemaakt. Op The Black Swan merk je dat de groep van newwavebandje is geëvolueerd naar een popgroep met een voorliefde voor geladen songs. Uiteraard is deze cd meer gelikt dan het debuut dat op een dag werd opgenomen. Naar verluidt zou het resultaat van de productie trouwens niet helemaal naar de zin geweest zijn van McComb en dat zou dan weer de aanleiding geweest zijn tot de split. Dat de songs van The Black Swan behoorlijk werden opgekalefaterd, kan je merken aan de bijgevoegde cd met demo’s. Daarop zijn diezelfde nummers vaak veel kaler en meer uitgekleed dan wat uiteindelijk de plaat haalde. U bepaalt zelf maar waar u de voorkeur aan geeft. Feit is wel dat dit een fantastisch idee geeft van wat een producer met muziek kan aanvangen.

Tenslotte is er nog ‘Beautiful Waste And Other Songs’, samengesteld uit enkele vroege mini-albums (‘Raining Pleasure’ en ‘Lawson Square Infirmary’, een nevenproject van McComb & Co), een EP (‘Field Of Glass’), enkele b-kantjes en een nog niet gereleased nummer. De eigenzinnigheid, de afzondering ook (midden jaren tachtig was er nog geen sprake van internet) maken dit werk interessant. Niet dat de kwaliteit er zo vanaf straalt, maar voor Triffidsfans is dit desondanks verplichte kost. Voor zover zij de vinylversies van dit materiaal nog niet in de kast hebben staan.

Het blijft eeuwige zonde dat een talent als David McComb op dergelijke jonge leeftijd moest sterven. Voor hem zal ongetwijfeld nooit een cultus ontstaan zoals dat het geval was voor Jim Morrison of Kurt Cobain. Toch was hij een minstens even interessant figuur, die op zijn manier, wars van alle invloeden, zijn eigen weg koos. Indien u zich Triffidsfan noemt, heeft u dit allemaal vast al in uw collectie. Is dat niet het geval, is dit een unieke kans. Begin met ‘Born Sandy Devotional’. De rest volgt ongetwijfeld vanzelf.

im also doing glenda s cds this time as well as andys .

anyway i hope you like this card

By Jeanne Hambleton © 2008

Sorry if Folly Pogs sounds a bit of a silly name – but to be honest our official title was more than the 21 letters allowed on our new account cheque book, so we started to play around with shortened names. Guess who drew the short straw?

Although the East Hampshire Borders Fibromyalgia Philanthropists Support Group aka Folly Pogs may sound flippant, we do have serious business in mind.

Our mission is raising funds for research into fibromyalgia to find a cure.

Fibromites will know after they are finally diagnosed – often after years – they are certainly relieved to have a name for the aches and pains 24/7, chronic fatigue, sleeplessness, forgetfulness, dizziness, stumbling, headaches, IBS – shall I go on or are you nodding off?

Once you know you have fibromyalgia you are told there is no cure and it will not kill you. What a relief! However you then suddenly realise that you will live in pain for the rest of your natural life. Not a great prospect.

When it happened to me I was angry about this damn condition which I felt had stolen my life – one I was living at top speed – and at first I was in denial. I felt no one would employ me if they thought I was ill. Then it dawned on me that I really could not work full time ever again and I had to come to terms of living with my invisible disability.

Fibromyalgia is described as invisible because you look so well but feel to awful. You long to dance again, ride a bike, play with the children in the park, even do your own housework – get those curtains down, washed, dried and back up again before dark. All this becomes a pipe dream especially when some folk think your inability is just laziness.

Do you know what hurts the most? When people think you are pretending, swinging the lead, pulling a flanker, skiving – yes all those terms are used. When in fact you just wish you were able to do all those things and felt like you did in days gone by.

Depression often plays a big part in fibromyalgia as people suffer pain and know it will not go away.  But once you afire down in the doldrums, there is just one way to go, and that is back up.

You must learn to live with your fibromyalgia - think positive and occupy your mind so it is so busy enjoying something you like, that the brain forgets to send out pain signals. It sounds simple but it does work.

NEW SUPPORT GROUP

This new group came about as I had several friends who found travelling the long distance to the meetings of the nearest group too hard and painful.

So now we are organising social lunches. We start at 11.30am – giving fibromites time to stumble out of bed and fight with washing and dressing themselves.  We chat, socialise and have lunch and enjoy the company of like-minded people.

We have just had two meetings and already the numbers are growing.

If you have fibromyalgia or think you might have this condition and want to talk about it, you are welcome to join us if you can get to The Selsey Tram public house, Donnington, Chichester, off the A.27. We have big plans for our Christmas lunch on December 11 2008.

You will need to email me for the details at follypogs@me.com

FUND RAISING

Our first biggest venture for raising money for research is The Folly Pogs Ball. This is due to take place on Friday September 12 2008 at the Chichester Park Hotel, Westhampnett, Chichester.

Conscious that laughter is the best medicine we have arranged an award winning comedy cabaret – Dominic Dry who appears on the same bill at Joe Longthorne, Frank Carson and Mick Miller on the Blackpool circuits.  He is so funny.

It was Dominic who wrote our Fibro What CD with three of his own humorous backing tracks. He donated the music to us to help our research funds.

Log on to www.domcollins.co.uk/MYSPACE to here the music.

The Fibro What CD has been so popular we are already selling copies for Christmas gifts – not bad at £5 including packing and postage in the UK.  You do not have to have fibromyalgia to laugh with Dominic and his funny backing tracks.

The Fibro What? slogan went so well that we also have tote bags, great with the loss of shopkeepers’ plastic bags. These announce “Fibro What? Fibromyalgia” and my favourite “My F Word - Fibromyalgia”. Much better than Gordon Ramsay’s F word I think. These are also a good price for Christmas as well as practical for Mum, Grandma, or family members.

IT IS ALL HAPPENING

Yes we are planning on moving mountains down here in the south and if you would like to become a supporter and virtual member of the Folly Pogs with newsletters and invitations to future events, in return for a donation to our research fund do let me hear from you.

Maybe you would like to come to the Ball. Just buying a ticket will benefit research and help two million fibromites who are waiting to be cured.  We are doing a charity auction and would love any unwanted gifts, trinkets or nice things.

If you have just been diagnosed by a doctor who said there is no cure, go away and look at the Internet, talk to us, we will help.

If your GP thinks you are a mad malingerer and the pains are all in your head - contact like-minded people – us. It is real – yes, fibromyalgia is a real pain and it hurts.

If you are suffering with stress overload, juggling your career with home, family and the credit crunch and are full of mysterious pains and think you might be one of us – get in touch - that is what we are here for. Stress and trauma are major triggers for fibromyalgia, who is thought to be hereditary. Did your parents have ‘arthritis’ – but was it arthritis or undiagnosed fibromyalgia? Maybe you had growing pains as a teenager – could be the first sign.

In the States they believe fibromyalgia is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. Is it coming to a house near you?

Why not come to the Folly Pogs Ball  – forget your aches and pains just for one night and meet some like-minded people – not mention having a good laugh. It promises to be a night to remember but you should book before September 2^nd to sort out menu choices.  If you book after the 2nd the only option may be no starter, baked beans on toast, warm ice cream, no After Eight Mints, and cold coffee no cream.

Why not join us and enjoy yourself - if only because you’re worth it!

Telephone 0845 345 5942 for tickets or information about fibromyalgia or email follypogs@me.com or jeannehambleton@mac.com

Traditionally music was played or sung by anyone who felt the urge; then we started specializing and paying traveling bards a coin or two for their songs; then we were able to record music and distribute the same voice singing the same song all over the world; and before you know it millions of dollars are being exchanged between bands and recording companies and fans and merchandise and what have you. The fight over control of music on the Internet, and digital music in general, is just a symptom to a larger issue of what are songs worth and what are people willing to pay for music.

Bands use the Internet all the time to promote their own music on their websites. Music fans copy, download, and share digitized songs and music videos for free. Lots of websites sell songs to consumers, and you can purchase a band's CDs from third party websites. Recording companies want royalties paid for songs played on all radio stations or by other bands, on the Internet or off.

I honestly am not sure where I stand on this issue - I believe that artists should be paid fairly for their work, and my job for years was to be an expert on copyright rules, but at the same time I have downloaded music for free (though not for several years), and if someone gives me a burned CD as a birthday present I'm certainly going to play it. Some bands are fine with their music being shared for free, others are vehemently against it. Overall, this is an issue where the current laws are counter to the current culture and behavior, and there needs to be a consensus made around the issue, especially in this era of the "Communications Revolution" as the world becomes more and more dependent on the Internet and modern technology.

Below you'll find links to the syllabi for the three classes, AP Statistics, Discrete, and Geometry, that I'm teaching this year.  Just click and download away.  Trust me...you won't be disappointed!

AP Statistics Syllabus

Discrete Math

Geometry Syllabus

http://www.gigwise.com/article?id=45429&image=3

Is this true?  I know the future of music is digital, but isn't the way the music is presented still important?  Shouldn't there be artwork that we can at least download once we're in a disc-less era?  Or am I just being old fashioned? 

I am still feeling sad about the fact that in order to ship my CD collection of around 3,000 albums from England I threw away the plastic cases to save on space in my NY appartment.  But I still kept the bookets cos I wanted the artwork and the infomation contained on the paper.

I am also someone who was hoping for a revival of the picture disc.  I guess that's out of the question.

We wanted to take this questions back to the original roots of the question, and focus on what in the Christian Music Industry, (that is supposed to be centered around Christ) doing for the will of God?

Where is actual ministry taking place? (Sorry but selling cd's, t-shrits, and concert tickets to a circle of believers does not classify as ministry) 

What are some of the vision and mission statements that Christian Industry Organization have to reach people that don't know Christ?

Team IML 

You laughed enchanted by my intellect
Or maybe you didn't...

... The world has turned and left me here
Just where I was before you appeared.
And in your place an empty space
Has filled the void behind my face.

Weezer are geniuses, dammit. Listening to their first album, I feel about 14 years old all over again. And The World has turned and left me here is the soundtrack to how I'm currently feeling on a pissy Monday morning. The Sweater Song is my personal anthem and Only in dreams is such a beautiful, beautiful song. It's that riff. Gets me every time.

In a random fit of nostalgia, I went through my entire CD and cassette collection last night. I wonder why I've stopped collecting CDs. I used to be such an anal anorak when it came to bands and albums. Bloody hell... blowing hundreds and hundreds of dollars in a single CD shopping spree. Yes, I have them arranged in alphabetical and chronological order. They used to be lined up next to a massive stack of SELECT magazines (anyone remember those?), VOX and Q. Sigh.

While I appreciate the convenience of downloading music, nothing beats buying the real thing. It's a process, dammit. Removing the price tag, opening the case and taking a big sniff... gently removing the CD and loading it up. The first listen is always one where you just listen to the first 30 seconds of each song, while examining the sleeve/booklet in fine detail. Damn. I miss doing all that. I wonder where I can get a cassette player too. Play. Stop. Rewind. Fast Forward. Over and over again until the tape warps. I feel old now.

Fuck getting a new handbag. Next month, I'm going to blow all my money on a massive CD binge.

In other news...

I had another manic weekend. A manic but very productive weekend. :D

So... the wedding. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. It wasn't as taxing as I thought. All my anxiety was for nothing. I managed to rock the vile mushy peas Christmas tree of a dress. The dress came with some complicated hair ornaments. Problem. My hair isn't long enough for anything. And I had a mild panic attack because I was hyperventilating and I was running late and my hair was just not fucking working out (yeah, it was important that I looked good. I knew that the other two BMs would be super-gorgeous.) Aaaargh. So whatever. I managed to tame it while I was in the cab. It didn't look half as nice as the other two's (they had their hair curled and artfully arranged to frame their faces) but it was off my face and I had the hair ornament thing stuck in, so there ;p

Yeah, while others spent shitloads on professional hair and make-up... I did my own, and I think I managed to look half-human. Hahaha

But rocked the dress, I did... and I was happy and many compliments from married men, I got (Ugh. WHY? Why are all the interested ones either married or old or fucking creepy/ugly or all of the above? WHY???). Photos to come later so there's some evidence of what I'm talking about (my vain self, not the old, creepy/ugly married men).

The bride was beautiful (but, of course) and the groom... I've never seen him so happy. I was also the ring-bearer. Bride said it's because I was there when the newlyweds first set eyes upon each other, 9 years ago. But anyway... me being me... I can never do anything right. Yes... it was an eventful ceremony thanks to my innate need to spaz out:

I freaked out on the way down (up?) the aisle. I was told to walk really sloooooooooooooooowly. So running through my head was, "Walk slowly, walk slowly" as I practically galloped down. Fast, slow. Fast, slow. Fucking retard. Quickly made my way to the front in 10 seconds flat (when I was supposed to walk for 30 seconds), stumbling a little. Yes, I was sober. Heard some laughter which I just took in stride, smiled and waved at the audience.

Standing next to the groom, while they were exchanging vows, I still managed to fuck up. I was standing still. Standing still. Nothing could possibly go wrong, right?

"T-iiiiiiiiing"

A metallic clink echoed through the silent courtyard (it was a garden wedding, by the lake).

I looked down into my ring bouquet and a ring was missing. A ring. Was. Missing.

Luckily it landed next to my feet and didn't roll into the lake! Fucking hell. My heart just stopped.

Calmly, I bent down. Calmly, I picked it up. Calmly, I placed it back into the bouquet. Calmly, I looked into the audience who greeted me with laughter and calmly, I shrugged at them and smiled. Yes, both the bride and groom were laughing too.

I am seriously a total and utter dumbass/retard/spazzo. Fuck.

But you know what? If none of that happened, there would have been nothing for people to talk about. People will remember the wedding, forever. It's entertainment and it's a great ice-breaker too - at least that's how I'm consoling myself.

The only thing I didn't fuck up was the speech/toast I made for the two of them, at dinner. People laughed at my lame/silly joke... they participated and were responsive when I asked them a question and everyone cheered and joined in the toast. I think that redeemed me a little. God. Why can't I just be normal like everyone else?

On saying that... I've not been hit on by so many men in a single night. On the other hand, there were quite a number of displeased wives and girlfriends. I dunno. I know I stood out (not only because of my spastications, but also because most of tattoos were on display, red wine constantly in one hand and cigarette in another)... I think I kind of sent out the message that I am a "good time girl"... you know... one to have fun and flings with but nothing more. Ugh. I just can't do anything right. Yeah, so anyway. Rather horrific - married men asking for my number. None of them got it. I told them to get it from the bride or groom. :D

I did give out my card to a photographer, though.

Only because he was taking so many pictures of me. :D

After the wedding, I rushed down to my usual watering holes to party with The Boys and a couple of Joe's mates from London. Usual drunken havoc. Two and a half bottles of Absolut's finest, in two hours. I actually woke up yesterday still somewhat drunk. The room was spinning and my heart was exploding. Then Ez called me up and said that we need to get sober so let's go get some coffee. I thought, yeah ok.

Coffee. We were only supposed to have coffee. Walked past Laundry and we looked at each other and...

Me: We have to... no, we MUST... practice some self-restraint.
Ez: Yes, we should. Let's just have one.
Me: Yeah, ONE jug sounds like a good idea.
Ez: I'll buy.

And one led to two, led to three. Called Joe up and he's all like, "Wait there! I'm coming over with M and C!" So... you know... that's how life is.

I'm in recovery mode. I think my body is currently made up of about 80% vodka and 20% fat.

This week - Project Detox. It's back to the gym for me.

Meditation is an art that focuses on total concentration. It is a unique union of body and mind one experiences while in the state of meditation. Most people meditate regularly.

Different set of people meditate for different purposes. Some aim to find solace and relief from the problems they face in their daily life, some desire improvement in health, desire want to enhance memory and other would like to transform their personality or want to get acquainted to their true self.

This is amazing yet true because there are several benefits of meditating.

However, most people who are keen on learning meditation cannot actually learn this unique art because they are unaware of how to do it correctly or how to actually start if off and continue it for the coming future. They are just not able to focus on their main aim to meditating.

If you are keen on learning meditation and don't know how to go about it, here is an elaborated information on how to learn meditation.

There are several courses on meditation available these days. You can easily learn all meditation techniques via enrolling into one of these meditation courses.

Another method to learn meditation is the self help method. Try to visit a local library or a website and study old materials available on this subject. This will arouse your interest in meditation. You will start believing in the benefits produced by meditation. This further let you meditate more seriously and passionately.

Another method is to trust a meditation starter pack available on the market, these days. You can also purchase a CD that will guide you through the process of learning meditation.

You can easily purchase these CDs from an online retailer. These are not very expensive.

Try to find a personal trainer who would train you on how to meditate. Make sure that the trainer you appoint for yourself is experience and has been practicing for a long time. Try to talk to him personally and discuss what meditation is, how it works and what benefits you can enjoy while practicing it. His answers of these topics will definitely give you an idea on how to meditation and whether the trainer is skilled enough to train you on meditation.

While learning meditation, you need to focus on there important aspects. Here are some of the aspects you need to be concerned about while meditating:

a) Posture

This is an important part of a meditation session. This helps you to learn how to relax. You would also learn how to keep your spine straight. This in turn, improves blood circulation in your body and also improves nerves and its' functioning. You are an alert person now.

b) Breathing

It is an important element when learning meditation. When meditating, a person learns to take slow even breaths that come through diaphragm.

c) Attitude

Correct and positive attitude is very important when learning how to meditation.

Meditation is a great technique to make you lead a comfortable life. Learn meditation to make your life more beautiful, stress free, healthy and problem free.

For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about MEDITATION and YOGA please visit MEDITATION BUZZ and YOGA TIPS

So... here are the highlights and lessons from our walkabout.

• A good friend is one who will drive you and your stuff to the airport.
(A great friend will pick you up and then serve en-route snacks and beverages.)

• A good host will serve a good meal or two while you are there.
(A awesome host will bake pastries in the morning so you wake up to yumminess.)

• Warhammer Quest is fun when played in NM.
(After some discussion, we've decided that NM does not count as a stop on the WHQ World Tour. Since it counts as home base for half our party, it doesn't count as a tour stop.)

• You know it is a good restaurant when everyone enjoys what they ordered.
(You know you are dining with good friends when everyone shares what they ordered.)

• Santa Fe is cool.
(Friends who drive to Santa Fe to "exchange" us host-to-host are cooler.)

• Restaurants that are also bakeries do not always have the best desserts.
(But the sandwiches and the pizzas were deeeeelicious.)

• The Moon Rabbit is a toy store run by really nice, friendly folks.
(Zombie Flux is a cool game. Less with the backstabbing and friend-eating--see Zombies.)

• The Chuck Jones Studio Gallery is my new favorite gallery.
(I'm adding the Sorcerer's Apprentice print to my b-day list.)

• The Santa Fe Cathedral is worth visiting and is very awe-inspiring.
(At the very least, the statue of a winged St. Francis dancing has to be seen.)

• Again with the friends cooking us breakfast. How did we ever get such good friends?

• Bandelier National Monument is very cool. We did not climb the ladders or tour the caves.
(Don't miss the nature trail. We saw prairie lizards, mountain skinks, a garter snake, and a pocket gopher.)

• Visiting the White Rock overlook is a good idea.
(Stopping at the grocery store and picking up stuff for a picnic lunch at the overlook is absolutely brilliant.)

• Back to Santa Fe for another host-to-host exchange.
(The best brisket we've ever had was at the restaurant where we met. Yummy. The Tres Leche cake is also amazing and unique.)

More WHQ. More games. More good food and good friends.

• Zombies is not a bad game.
(Unless you don't like games where you stab your friends in the back, mess with them, and generally win by successfully feeding them to the zombies. For the record, C does not like those kinds of games.)

More bakery to greet us in the morning.

• The Wildlife West Nature Park was the best $7 (per person) we've ever spent. The park only takes in animals native to the southwest that are unable to be released to the wild. Some are injured, but most are victims of being illegally kept as pets or imprinted to the point where they can't fend for themselves.
** I can tell you how many front teeth an elk has, and what their breath smell like.
** Bears eat a lot and they get very itchy when it starts to rain on them.
** Gray foxes smell almost as bad as skunks, but are way cuter.
** Mountain Lions are really fast and sneaky and their teeth are HUGE.
** One of the mountain lions has a crush on our friend.
** If you go, try to be at the mountain lions at 1:30 when the handler goes in and "plays" with them. (We missed that. Maybe next time.)
** If you are smart enough to bring your camera, and smart enough to put the camera strap around your wrist, do not bump the battery compartment latch while leaning over the animal enclosure. (When we get the pictures, we'll try to post them.)

• Being on a television set is very cool. Watching them film a television show is interesting/boring depending on your point of view.

• Geocaching looks like it might be fun.
(I'm adding a mobile gps unit to my b-day list.)

• Pizza on the grill is yummylicious.
(Grilled pizza on the deck of a friend's house watching the sun set on the mountains is...priceless.)

Hey, look, more WHQ. (We're told they haven't put the game away yet. They're waiting for us to come back. Awwww... that's sweet.)

And now we're back.
And the biggest highlight of the whole trip:
being cared for and pampered by such good friends.

It is better than we deserve and more than we could have hoped for.
And we're going to go back.

But the important bit is the music….

The first disc is the entire Wayne One album. Wayne’s fantastic voice belts out from each track. The vocals are wonderfully rounded and powerful. Stand out tracks on this disc are Star Of Eastern Street, Come On Home, Always Something There To Remind Me and the closing cut Internal Circles, although if I’m honest there isn’t a track I would call a skipper and I enjoy sitting back and playing the disc as a whole.

The bonus disc contains 22 tracks (that’s ten more than the actual album.) It is made up of A and B sides. The track that gets the most play from me is Something Keeps Calling Me Back, I do love this song! Other highlights are 24 Sycamore, In My World, Never An Everyday Thing and We’re Building A Love, though like with the main disc there aren’t really any tracks you should be skipping. If you haven’t guessed these disc are on heavy rotation in my playlists and probably will be for quite a while. Cracking stuff!

This has led me on a long line of thought about how living in the veritable cultural backwash of Dallas suburbs and shitty radio (they are somewhat better now...OK, not really) and having friends that were in their 20's and knew what bands influenced the watered down version of 'music' on the radio set up this kind of "There's always a gem out there," mindset for me with regards to used cd shops.  I would often randomly discover something great that people in other parts of the country were into but was virtually unknown in my place among people my age.  I think this has ended up with me not valuing enough the bedrock of music and cultural influences that influenced me at crucial times in my life.

It's ok to like what you like, what other people think be damned.  That can't be said enough.  Be what you love, surround yourself with things you find beautiful and rewarding regardless of how others see those things, and people you have real things in common with will find you.  People are social creatures, but this often causes us to second-guess ourselves and not express who we really are, in hopes of inventing commonality with others.  This leads to not being able to connect with anyone in a real way.  Be yourself, and the people you can connect with will find you.

But everywhere and in every scene, beware of assholes.  ;)

So how can you make money at your gigs? One good way is merch, aka merchandise. If you can get someone to man a mechandise table, this is a good way to sell some extra product and help build and support your fanbase.

First thing of course is your CD's. Even when I am playing at an open mike or bar gig, I often get asked for CD's that people can purchase. My recordings to date are all demo's and while they are reasonable, they are far from professional quality, for a start I don't have a drummer on them, not by choice, I just haven't got round to finding someone to help me with that. Nevertheless, if I had some I could sell them.

So the next thing is because they are demo's and not of a quality that I would want to produce professionally in volume, I have decided to burn my own for now. To that end I bought a Canon PIXMA iP4500 inkjet printer which will print straight onto printable CD's and DVD's. SO I can burn my CD's from my TASCAM recording unit, or from my PC. I can print labels locally and buy DVD cases, so that I can also easily print slicks to go in them. I can now produce a pretty professional disk for around $3 and sell it for $10 which I think is reasonable. I can also print quality demo's to go with my Press Kit. If it's a demo, you could also add other material on the CD including your EPK, lyric sheets in Word or PDF format, video's etc.

If you have a real following, you can do things like print T Shirts, there are companies all over that can do this for you. In New Zealand, one that is possible is Closet. There are also loads of companies that sell promotional products and there are lot of things that would work for you and many of them are quite cheap, even with screenprinting. One good example is Designagift. Think about what fits with your type of music and the type of audience you have and make sure the Merch you have made is suitable and would be attractive to them.

Adam Lane, Lou Grassi , Mark Whitecage,- Drunk Butterfly (CF 116)
****½
I've just come back from a festival where I saw performances by Charles Lloyd with Jason Moran, Dré Pallemaerts with Bill Carrothers, Pharoah Sanders quartet (actually four musicians playing consecutively, tune after tune!), and I also saw Han Bennink doing an entertaining solo performance for the kids at the festival. Bennink was the most entertaining of all, the rest was mediocre to poor, so in order to get rid of my musical frustration, when I came home I put on this record, which I already heard several times in the past week and which was certain to warm my heart and my bones after the disappointing (and chilly) concert. This is a new trio of three musicians who got lots of releases on the CIMP label and now they play together for the first time on Clean Feed: Lane on bass, Grassi on drums, Whitecage on sax. And it is a winner: warm, melodic and rhythmic. Every tune is composed with a clear theme, but the improvisations can be quite free, and the three Adam Lane tunes are very bluesy. His "Sanctum" is an example in case, with a beautiful tune, vaguely reminiscent of French bass player Henri Texier's take at composition. Mark Whitecage adds three compositions, starting with "Like Nothing Else" and again it is typical for the release, half of his tune consists of arco bass and drums, the sax only joining for the last part. Typical because these musicians play for one another, and for the music in the first place. The album is a delight for its variation and coherence. Variation because the tunes can evoke heartbreaking agony, intense menace, or bring some joyful lightly dancing tunes, even within the same piece, as on "Chichi Rides The Tiger", on which the whole middle piece consists of dark free form, with the main theme lightly touched upon, and then it arises out of the chaos like a beautiful flower. The Grassi compositions are the more boppish, the Lane compositions more bluesy or with world influences, the Whitecage compositions the most abstract, but each track is more than worth listening to, if only for the strong collective performance, the coherence and the emotional expressiveness. Heart-warming and bone-warming music. The jazz of today is often better than the jazz of yesterday. I wish all concert organizers would start understanding that. For those of you living in New York, this band opens the Clean Feed festival starting on September 19. Don't miss it. It will certainly be better than the one I just came from.
http://freejazz-stef.blogspot.com/