Another reason to like Hitch

I was saddened to hear recently that Christopher Hitchens has been diagnosed with cancer. I wish him well.

Hitch is not a 'light in time of darkness' but a small glow of rationality which, I hope, may herald a sunrise. I like his wit, erudition, honesty and unshakable self confidence. Even in illness he is a wise sage:

Christopher Hitchens Interviewed by Anderson Cooper


But Hitch is just Hitch:

Christopher Hitchens - The State of Human Intelligence
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A thought for a Sunday

"Why shouldn't we give our teachers a license to obtain software, all software, any software, for nothing? Does anyone demand a licensing fee, each time a child is taught the alphabet?"


William Gibson (b. 1948) Grow into these trousers... >>

A thought for a Sunday

"The really good idea is always traceable back quite a long way, often to a not very good idea which sparked off another idea that was only slightly better, which somebody else misunderstood in such a way that they then said something which was really rather interesting".

John Cleese (b. 1939) Grow into these trousers... >>

I'm just taking a break...

...from playing bass guitar. We've a series of gigs over the next couple of months, and more in the pipeline, so I've been practicing a lot over the last few days. Right now my fingers hurt so I'm typing gently.

Got to get my stamina (staying power?) up to scratch, the last thing I want is for my hands to cramp up on stage. I don't use a plectrum, just my digits, and some songs are a relentless top-speed thrash! I love it but the 6 fingers I use to play (4 left hand, 2 right) are growing thick calluses. Not like the old days when I had to trim my finger-ends with a razor blade, but enough so I notice a diminished sense of touch. It's strange what we do to ourselves for fun!

What am I learning? I'll post them here, mainly for myself so I can easily fire them up and play along. This is why my fingers hurt:

Joey Ramone - What A Wonderful World


Quiet Riot - Cum On Feel The Noize


Bad Company "Can't Get Enough" Live 1974
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A thought for a Sunday

"Our belief is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith. We do not rely soley upon science and reason, because these are necessary rather than sufficient factors, but we distrust anything that contradicts science or outrages reason. We may differ on many things, but what we respect is free inquiry, openmindedness, and the pursuit of ideas for their own sake."

Christopher Hitchens (b. 1949) Grow into these trousers... >>

I can say no more... than this...

"Offensive Ideas" - Campaign for Free Expression PSA #1
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When words are not as they seem

I had half forgotten the poignancy and comic genius of Ivor Cutler until I caught a repeat on the radio (thanks to the excellent BBC Radio 7).

I am at a loss as to which YouTube clips to post so search here and watch them all. You will be much enlightened!

Ivor Cutler [Shoplifters]
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Just for a chuckle

For the first time in weeks the weather total crap today. It's damp, cool and windy so I'm staying indoors.

Here's a cartoon that raised a smile - click through for the punchline.

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Thinking of Debbie Harry

Here's a couple of old tunes.

This first one I would really like a shot at playing (band members? What you think?)

Blondie - Hanging On The Telephone (Orignal Video)


The second I know our lead singer has mentioned. I find it a bit creepy/spooky/stalkey but it is a good song. It's featured in a half decent movie (Coyote Ugly) and was the theme tune to Sugar Rush, a UK comedy about a young girl discovering her innate feelings for a same-sex relationship. That sounds serious but it was well written and quite funny, so if you ever get a chance to see 'Sugar Rush' do so! Anyway...

Blondie: One Way or Another w/ subtitles
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A thought for a Sunday

"I don't mind if my skull ends up on a shelf as long as it's got my name on it".



Debbie Harry (b. 1945) Grow into these trousers... >>