Missing Parts

A short post this week, as I write this on Wednesday. Although written in the past, I am writing in the future! As ever, this will be published on Friday (I hope). I am busy on Friday, meaning that these notes are fewer,compiled in a shorter period...

Confused? Not important.

I am such a fan of this tune, I post again. A 'small' artist, I can only find his Facebook page, and Soundcloud offerings, no official webpage yet. Magical music, from the heart.

To Bear Sir -twitter link

Missing parts

I am living, but I am not. Due to my 'new' restrictions, I am admittedly, using it as an excuse for not having, doing, playing, seeing, going, being (etc), a seemingly endless list of things. All equals, and so I can see amazing positives elsewhere in my life. I am incredibly lucky, but as my life is extremely difficult to comprehend, myself, no-one else has a chance!

Just live.

Just (live)

;) back in the day, 22 years ago!

Deep thinking...

I think that everyone has a pre-determined destiny. We all like to think that our free-will allows us to reach in whatever way we choose, and we can (or we believe such, fortunately). However, we all reach our individual destiny, somehow. Relax, in the knowledge that what is supposed to happen, happens. The route to your destiny may seem to be far too complex, but unlikely things happen! Have faith in your mind.

I finish by urging you to support my friend, Kate. A fellow Surbiton resident, I have known her for just over one year, and she has always struck me as possessing such a strong mind. It has driven her towards working for, and supporting such a super charitable organisation, Macmillan Cancer Support. For much of the past year, she has required her focus to be on the challenge that she has set herself, this weekend. A 100km hike, along the South Coast! I knew that she had heartbreakingly been affected by losing her father over ten years ago. However, by reading Kate's story on the JustGiving webpage, I wanted to gather as much support for her, as possible.

Please follow the link, and support my friend.

Kate Barker - JustGiving

maybe tomorrow

I want to share my findings, on this blog. Music provides me so much pleasure, I hope that you are all as similar. As I discover things that please my own ear, I feel desire to promote the piece amongst friends.

I should have predicted that an 'acoustic album' was destined to be released by Jack White (such an amazing guitarist). His undoubted passion for music (felt through 'White Stripes', 'Raconteurs', 'Dead Weather' albums, Live performances, and more), culminates through one of the most obvious routes, an acoustic album! :)

The White Stripes - "City Lights” (Audio) from Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016

Jack White Acoustic Recordings 1998-2016 out September 9th

The main purpose of this blog, is to attempt to provide people with power to yield some recognition of how lucky we all are. Only with such power can we maintain 'humanity' as something of such beauty. Not 'aesthetic beauty', but 'psychological/conceptual beauty'. Fortunately humans cannot desire further than what is realistically possible. Therefore maintenance and sustainability of our world, is so essential. To progress, we must maintain.

Sat-nav

Modern technology. Mobile phones. Androids and Smart phones.

I am sent an email, informing me of an event at an unfamiliar destination. I am free to experiment the trip, the following day, so do. I have the postcode. I sit on the bus, tracking myself through 'GoogleMAPS', on my iPhone. I reach my destination, astounded by how easy it is. I feel like I have cheated, and realise that I have pretty much just stared at my phone for navigation, and not opened my eyes and looked around. It is with realising this fact, that I am horrified, thinking that people do not need to navigate with their eyes, anymore. This is such a basic cognitive ability we must not lose.

On the positive side, we should all realise that this 'SatNav ability', opens the door to everything, everywhere and everyone! This world is small.

Second music piece, this week, is so much smaller, and needs further investigation, promotion etc.

Welshman Llantwit Major is on very small, early steps, recording as 'To Bear Sir'.

Regular readers of this blog will not be surprised to find that he is an artist who uses his vocal talents along with electro-acoustic guitar.

https://soundcloud.com/tobearsir

Llantwit Major - Wales

to bear sir - missing parts (official video)

I love this :)

I hope you do too!

Identities

Instagram. I do not like seeing photos of myself. I do not understand the concept of 'selfies'. I think it is for people who fancy themselves more than others. I cannot smile naturally, at myself (who can?). I enjoy the power of my outward-looking mind. I cannot stand what people see when they view me, but I know that I am strong enough to battle this. I know that if I like whatever/wherever I see, then I may record it through photography. I am fortunate that I don't have to view me, but I get to be me. My mind is soooo deep. I know for sure, that humans only view each other by aesthetic surfaces, primarily, but our minds are soooo much deeper.

Sorry, I have had a 'cull' of who I follow on Instagram. If I still follow you, you are a good friend! :)

Above, was a personal note, to me, reminding me that a 'cull' was needed!

Facebook identity

My new 'profile pic' is a combination of both a quirky photograph, and my 'PG logo' (previously used). Unique (obviously).

Embarrassed, I hang my head in shame. On hearing the single, 'Drive' on the radio, this week, I incorrectly named the artist as 'Agnes Obel'. Marissa Nadler released her first album, 'July' in 2013, and I played it non-stop. I loved it. I only discovered 'Philharmonics' by Agnes Obel in the same year. My pathetic excuse. 

Marissa Nadler

Anyhow, she has a 2016 album, 'Strangers'. Very good. Personally, I have only listened to it a couple of times, so I cannot comment in detail.

http://www.marissanadler.com

In the supermarket, Monday afternoon. A smiling lady approached me. I pulled a puzzled face, as I was unaware.

'Hello I've been reading your blog.'

I cannot remember whether she actually introduced her name, or not (sorry, if I've forgotten).

Pleased, I was reminded that you readers are not just numbers, but actual people!

I am in a chain cafe, having had a small hot chocolate (rare), and I could really do with some water. However, I refuse to be given a cardboard cup (previously explained sustainability issues). I am given a glass of water! :)

Thank you Anna!

It saddens that all drinks are now sold in these ‘plastic/card cups’. All drinks are primarily marketed to us, for ‘consuming-on-the-go’. Has everyone lost the ability to taste a drink? Drinks are now sold to be used as a hydration method, rather than a taste experience! 

New music.

Warpaint.

http://www.thevpme.com/2016/08/02/track-day-warpaint-new-song/

Oh mannnnn!

Frustration. 

I no longer have the pure 'drive and determination' that I have used successfully for the past ten years. 

Well actually, I am just very tired currently! ;)

I made the above note, I was tired, but rules are rules, so I must include it in my blog post!

Monster from...!

Hmmm, I am not in a good, relaxed mood, as I usually am when typing. Good coffee accompanies us, so we will see!

Sunday RideLondon

The 'RideLondon' bike ride was on the Sunday just gone. It is an amazing, eye-opening event. I was soooooo happy to view my brother on local roads, part of the amateur ride in the morning. It was so good to know that similar wonders of cycling continue to be felt by my family, to some of the benefits that I once felt.

Unfortunately this years ride was tarnished by the sad news of some very bad accidents. I do not want to comment too greatly, as I don't know the details, but people should not be surprised. We are a country whose population is not used to cycling, by encouraging such vast numbers to participate, it doesn't surprise me that things went wrong.

Professional Road Racing

I am unsure about how I feel about the big popularity of cycling, in Britain, in the sunshine! 'My sport' is only magical and mystical, because it is supposed to be for Europeans on the continent. Britain in the sun? Madness!

One minute we are stupid enough to vote away from Europe, but we want to copy this (it's a European sport).

Photos

I originally thought 'Tom Boonen' (my target), but no. 

Michael Matthews follows team-mate through town.

Winner, Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quickstep) is followed through Kingston by Tyler Farrar (DD- Quebeka).

I check my Calendar after session on the bike. A good session, maybe too good (I don't want to 'peak' too early)!?

My third and final ‘peak’ this year is the World Championships (hehehe, time of year). I check and find it to be in mid-October. This should be perfect for me, although I find that in ‘the world of Professional Road Cycling’, the 'Worlds' now exist after ‘The Tour of Lombardy’! What!?

Madness, i tell ye!

This Italian ‘Classic’ has always been hosted after the World Championships! 

Alarm!! ‘My sport’ is changing, the 'Worlds' are not held in a European town, but in Doha!

:S!!! 

Times, they are a changin'

Monster from hell!

Surbiton is a magical place, but it is in England. England is proportionally, quite far from the Tropical Equator.

Tuesday evening, I was cooling down. It had been a hot day, so I sat at my desk, without a top on. I was on my Mac, charging my mobile phone. I felt a fly on the back of my left-shoulder. It was tickling me, so I tapped my shoulder. I felt it jump across to my right-shoulder. I moved my right side, and noticed it had jumped forward to my desk.

Amazed, startled, I took a photo.

I don't know what it is, but it's day-glo, bright green colour saved it's life, from me. I soon decided that it had done me no harm, risked me no danger (I thought),  so I let it be. 

Female 'Americana'

Wednesday, a thought-provoking discovery...

In 'Henry's Kitchen' cafe near Hampton Court Palace, unsurprisingly, I had a black coffee. It annoys me that this is referred to as an 'Americano', but this one is not. I have an 'Americana'. I inquire about the name, to which I am told the obvious. 

'Oh, it is just a female version.'

So, I am served a small version of an 'Americano' accompanied with a little metal cup of milk (to mix in, if I wish). 
Hmmm, interesting...
...The 'female' version, is slightly smaller, with milk supplied.

Coffee should NOT be drunk 'on the go'!

American-style culture

Starb***s and the b****rdisation of coffee

Cardboard cups are instant-rubbish. They are NOT 100% cardboard.  

Not very recyclable!
Not sustainable at all!

:(

I was complimented yesterday (well, I took it as a compliment). A new member of staff was apparently understandable to other staff, when thinking that I was Italian.

Thank you for the compliment, on hearing me speak Italian.

'Well, you look Italian…'

My accent was obviously convincing enough, combined with appearance!!!

;)

I like being a symbol of thoughts, rather than a face of a broken body.

I do have a face, but...

Coffee finished, good mood ;)