She's upset my plans yet again. I've been having a busy week, granted, but on top of this I've had to contend with black thoughts; things seemingly ending; para-fucking-noia; stress, crying... oh blah blah blah, poor me.
I can see the end of the tunnel though, it's not too far - then I'll be back to happy old me (not Andrew-trist-Williams, as Alison calls it).
Keeping busy is key (though not work-busy, which is detrimental). I'm making some remixes at the moment: Scott Walker, Belinda Carlisle, not sure who else to do yet though. I want to finish these ones first.
Even getting ID'd in the supermarket just now isn't enough to cheer me up (I had no ID on me either, so the boy behind the till had to call a supervisor. My argument consisted of showing her my white hairs and telling her I was born in the same year as Star Wars. She seemed satified with that.)
Maybe a lazy day reading the paper will help. Maybe some unexpected emails from faraway friends will arrive today, maybe I'll get texted some unexpected loveliness. Who knows. The world (as far as the living room, study and garden) is my mollusc.
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Podcast 7.0
A piece of soundart I have made to commemorate and celebrate the joining together of two fantastic organisations: RNIB Cymru (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and CIB (Cardiff Institute for the Blind).
I have again used braille as the focus of the work, but this time I have used the bilingual strapline of both organisations: RNIB Cymru and CIB working together to support blind and partially sighted people / RNIB Cymru a CIB yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i gefnogi pobl ddall ac â golwg rhannol.
I allocated each dot of the Braille cell a different note of a version of the pentatonic scale, and used the above strapline as the base. I then transcribed it into Braille, and carefully placed each note according to itâs braille counterpart. So one letter in my transcribed version can be up to five notes played together.
The percussion is made up entirely of sounds I sampled from a Perkins brailler. The kick drum is the sound of a Perkins being put down on a desk, and the snare and other percussion noises are made from the various keys and knobs being pressed and turned.
Download here.
I have again used braille as the focus of the work, but this time I have used the bilingual strapline of both organisations: RNIB Cymru and CIB working together to support blind and partially sighted people / RNIB Cymru a CIB yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i gefnogi pobl ddall ac â golwg rhannol.
I allocated each dot of the Braille cell a different note of a version of the pentatonic scale, and used the above strapline as the base. I then transcribed it into Braille, and carefully placed each note according to itâs braille counterpart. So one letter in my transcribed version can be up to five notes played together.
The percussion is made up entirely of sounds I sampled from a Perkins brailler. The kick drum is the sound of a Perkins being put down on a desk, and the snare and other percussion noises are made from the various keys and knobs being pressed and turned.
Download here.
This player might not work with all browsers. Sorry
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Film meme
1.Name a film that you have seen more than 10 times.
Star Wars – all of them
2.Name a film that you’ve seen multiple times in the cinema.
Revenge of the Sith, but it was only twice. Honest!
3.Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a film.
Scarlett Johansson
4.Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a film.
Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell; also Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lyndsey Lohan
5.Name a film that you can and do quote from.
Withnail and I
6.Name a film musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.
Little Mermaid
7.Name a film that you have been known to sing along with.
See above
8.Name a film that you would recommend everyone see.
Princess Mononoke
9.Name a film that you own.
Barbarella
10.Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting ability.
Björk – Dancer in the Dark
11.Have you ever seen a film in a drive-in?
No, but I would love to
12. Name a film that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t got around to yet.
The House of Flying Daggers
13.Ever walked out of a film?
Yes, Diary of the Dead. What a waste of time
14.Name a film that made you cry in the cinema.
A Very Long Engagement
15.What’s the last film you saw in the cinema?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
16.What’s your favourite/preferred genre of film?
Magical realism
17.What’s the first film you remember seeing in the cinema?
The Fox and the Hound
18.What film do you wish you had never seen?
No Country for Old Men
19.What is the weirdest film you enjoyed?
Häxan
20.What is the scariest film you’ve seen?
My Little Eye, Ringu, 28 Days Later
21.What is the funniest film you’ve seen?
Superbad
Star Wars – all of them
2.Name a film that you’ve seen multiple times in the cinema.
Revenge of the Sith, but it was only twice. Honest!
3.Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a film.
Scarlett Johansson
4.Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a film.
Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell; also Sarah Michelle Gellar, Lyndsey Lohan
5.Name a film that you can and do quote from.
Withnail and I
6.Name a film musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs.
Little Mermaid
7.Name a film that you have been known to sing along with.
See above
8.Name a film that you would recommend everyone see.
Princess Mononoke
9.Name a film that you own.
Barbarella
10.Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting ability.
Björk – Dancer in the Dark
11.Have you ever seen a film in a drive-in?
No, but I would love to
12. Name a film that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t got around to yet.
The House of Flying Daggers
13.Ever walked out of a film?
Yes, Diary of the Dead. What a waste of time
14.Name a film that made you cry in the cinema.
A Very Long Engagement
15.What’s the last film you saw in the cinema?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
16.What’s your favourite/preferred genre of film?
Magical realism
17.What’s the first film you remember seeing in the cinema?
The Fox and the Hound
18.What film do you wish you had never seen?
No Country for Old Men
19.What is the weirdest film you enjoyed?
Häxan
20.What is the scariest film you’ve seen?
My Little Eye, Ringu, 28 Days Later
21.What is the funniest film you’ve seen?
Superbad
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Buzz
I'm full of ideas at the moment, literally buzzing. I'm working on a new piece of soundart, but this one needs somewhere expansive to exhibit it - and I'm at a loss, frankly! If you know somewhere/someone who would exhibit my piece, please pass on my details.
I'm interested in vinyl recordings at the moment. Everything from the hiss and crackle of old vinyl, to the effects you can get by slowing something down from 45 to 33.
I'll put it up here when I'm done.
Edit: I think I'll release a downloadable album of all my soundart. Here's the tracklisting so far:
She Machine
Blodeuwedd's Song
A Tree is a Poem Too
Perkins
Conversation
and I'll make (at least) one exclusively for the LP. Should keep me out of trouble for a while.
I'm interested in vinyl recordings at the moment. Everything from the hiss and crackle of old vinyl, to the effects you can get by slowing something down from 45 to 33.
I'll put it up here when I'm done.
Edit: I think I'll release a downloadable album of all my soundart. Here's the tracklisting so far:
She Machine
Blodeuwedd's Song
A Tree is a Poem Too
Perkins
Conversation
and I'll make (at least) one exclusively for the LP. Should keep me out of trouble for a while.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Podcast 6.0
A piece of soundart I have made to highlight problems faced by deaf people. If a deaf person was to receive a CD through the post, or listen to an advert, they would not be able to hear it - or hear very little of it. I am deaf in one ear, and last year started a British Sign Language course; I am now a level one signer having completed my Foundation Course.
Download here.
This piece of soundart is a conversation recorded today at RNIB Cymru's studios between myself and Nerys Probert, South Wales Group Co-ordinator for Deafblind Cymru. If a hearing person listens to this recording, they will not understand what the conversation was about - also, it is not accessible for deaf people either. I want to question, and raise the question of, accessibility; something I am passionate about.
This player might not work with all browsers. Sorry.
Download here.
This piece of soundart is a conversation recorded today at RNIB Cymru's studios between myself and Nerys Probert, South Wales Group Co-ordinator for Deafblind Cymru. If a hearing person listens to this recording, they will not understand what the conversation was about - also, it is not accessible for deaf people either. I want to question, and raise the question of, accessibility; something I am passionate about.
This player might not work with all browsers. Sorry.
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Tootsie - Sandy apologises
"I don't want to make trouble.
I shouldn't have people over. They never show up."
I shouldn't have people over. They never show up."
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Soundart update
My Blodeuwedd soundart is now exhibiting in RNIB Cymru's Cardiff office foyer, and its twinkling, chirruping loveliness makes people smile as they come into the office. I'm very happy that I found a place to exhibit it this year, being Louis Braille's bicentenary and all.
RNIB Cymru have also asked me to write another piece of soundart based on their new strapline, as they have now joined forces with CIB (Cardiff Institute for the Blind) - a fantastic local society that helps blind and partially sighted people in Cardiff and the Vale. It will be exhibited during a VIP launch to promote the joining together of two brilliant organisations.
RNIB Cymru and CIB working together to support blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB Cymru a CIB yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i gefnogi pobl ddall ac â golwg rhannol.
I've made a start on it, and it's come out totally different from Blodeuwedd. I sampled a Perkins Brailler, and transcribed the notes as I did for Blodeuwedd - but it's ended up as this minimalist techno thing. Quite reminiscent of Matmos - which I'm rather happy with.
Already making plans for my next piece, but not sure where/how I can get it exhibited. Answers on a postcard please.
RNIB Cymru have also asked me to write another piece of soundart based on their new strapline, as they have now joined forces with CIB (Cardiff Institute for the Blind) - a fantastic local society that helps blind and partially sighted people in Cardiff and the Vale. It will be exhibited during a VIP launch to promote the joining together of two brilliant organisations.
RNIB Cymru and CIB working together to support blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB Cymru a CIB yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i gefnogi pobl ddall ac â golwg rhannol.
I've made a start on it, and it's come out totally different from Blodeuwedd. I sampled a Perkins Brailler, and transcribed the notes as I did for Blodeuwedd - but it's ended up as this minimalist techno thing. Quite reminiscent of Matmos - which I'm rather happy with.
Already making plans for my next piece, but not sure where/how I can get it exhibited. Answers on a postcard please.
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Birthday angst
In five days I'll be 32 years old. How on Earth did this happen? I remember being 21; partying, being creative, writing ALL the time, as if it was yesterday. Now I have a real job that I love and want to continue working my way up in, and things do seem to be going right... but everything is in a state of flux. My job is not secure, I don't have enough time to be creative - whether that's knitting, making my film, writing (don't get me started on how little time I have for that), finishing off all the projects I start. I'm trying very hard to shape my life, but every time I think I've figured something out something happens to throw it all off balance again. I dunno.
I'm happy. But I am also confused. Every year I get a year older and think I should have understood more by now. Does that even make sense? I remember thinking that when I was in my thirties I'd have a lot more sorted: living in a house with a mortgage for one, having a book published by now, possibly being married by now. I have none of those things, not that I'm worse off for not having them, don't get me wrong - but my plans are not going exactly as I planned!
By the time I'm 40 maybe...
I'm happy. But I am also confused. Every year I get a year older and think I should have understood more by now. Does that even make sense? I remember thinking that when I was in my thirties I'd have a lot more sorted: living in a house with a mortgage for one, having a book published by now, possibly being married by now. I have none of those things, not that I'm worse off for not having them, don't get me wrong - but my plans are not going exactly as I planned!
By the time I'm 40 maybe...
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Cam
Mae’r statws yn dweud ‘segur’,
dwi di bod yn checio
am hanner awr.
Mae ei glebran wedi sychu lan,
di diflannu fel y gwin gwyn
yn fy ngwydryn;
a nawr mae’r lleuad yn sibrwd ei
diffyg amynedd, eisiau mynd i’r gwely.
Ar fin y nos, dyma fi
dal yn aros i’r neges, aros
i’r bîp neu’r bing.
Yn oer heb fy ngŵn llofft,
yn ymwybyddu galwadau fy nghorff.
Mae o wedi dianc.
Mae’r haul yn synnu, roedd o wedi
rhoi sioe anghrediniol.
dwi di bod yn checio
am hanner awr.
Mae ei glebran wedi sychu lan,
di diflannu fel y gwin gwyn
yn fy ngwydryn;
a nawr mae’r lleuad yn sibrwd ei
diffyg amynedd, eisiau mynd i’r gwely.
Ar fin y nos, dyma fi
dal yn aros i’r neges, aros
i’r bîp neu’r bing.
Yn oer heb fy ngŵn llofft,
yn ymwybyddu galwadau fy nghorff.
Mae o wedi dianc.
Mae’r haul yn synnu, roedd o wedi
rhoi sioe anghrediniol.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Podcast 5.0
I've been making more soundart experiments, using tree and woodland noises.
Download A Tree is a Poem Too.
This player might not work with all browsers. Sorry.
Download A Tree is a Poem Too.
This player might not work with all browsers. Sorry.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
My knitting obsession - update
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibres)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
Recently, I've started knitting with a higher % of wool mix, but I will knit anything.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I'd like to, but can't.
3. Do you have any allergies? (Smoke, pets, fibres, perfume, etc.)
Only hayfever.
4. How long have you been knitting?
Since about 2006
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes of course.
6. What’s your favourite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla, ylang ylang, dragon’s blood, lemon, cinnamon, clove. In that order.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes I do, unfortunately.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I love making anything: writing, music, sewing, painting, drawing, cooking...
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
I love all music, but I'm an indie kid at heart.
10. What’s your favourite colour? Or–do you have a colour family/season/palette you prefer? Any colours you just can’t stand?
Lately, purple.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Houseshare, no pets.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Goodness me! To get a book published, to carry on working in my current job, to get more of my art exhibited, to get married (someday).
13. What is/are your favourite yarn/s to knit with?
Wendy fusion, and Sirdar escape; I also love anything chunky/bulky.
14. What fibres do you absolutely *not* like?
Eyelash sucks.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Blankets.
16. What is/are your favourite item/s to knit?
Toys on dpns. Love it.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Blankets for a den under my computer table. I'm such a kid.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
They're a bit last Tuesday.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular or dpns for me.
20. Bamboo, aluminium, plastic?
Metal is my fave, but I've just bought my first set of bamboos but not had a chance to try them out yet.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Life is too short to knit socks!
22. How did you learn to knit?
Inherited the knitting gene from my Mam, and taught myself (with help from my Mam).
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Months and months old!
24. What is your favourite animated character?
Spongebob Squarepants.
25. What is your favourite holiday?
Samhain.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Too many things!
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Knitty.com, and I browse Ravelry daily.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
None at the moment.
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven’t bought for one reason or another?
I get all mine from off of the internets. I am cheap.
30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like? Size 8. Cabled socks please.
Recently, I've started knitting with a higher % of wool mix, but I will knit anything.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I'd like to, but can't.
3. Do you have any allergies? (Smoke, pets, fibres, perfume, etc.)
Only hayfever.
4. How long have you been knitting?
Since about 2006
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes of course.
6. What’s your favourite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Vanilla, ylang ylang, dragon’s blood, lemon, cinnamon, clove. In that order.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes I do, unfortunately.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I love making anything: writing, music, sewing, painting, drawing, cooking...
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
I love all music, but I'm an indie kid at heart.
10. What’s your favourite colour? Or–do you have a colour family/season/palette you prefer? Any colours you just can’t stand?
Lately, purple.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Houseshare, no pets.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
Goodness me! To get a book published, to carry on working in my current job, to get more of my art exhibited, to get married (someday).
13. What is/are your favourite yarn/s to knit with?
Wendy fusion, and Sirdar escape; I also love anything chunky/bulky.
14. What fibres do you absolutely *not* like?
Eyelash sucks.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Blankets.
16. What is/are your favourite item/s to knit?
Toys on dpns. Love it.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Blankets for a den under my computer table. I'm such a kid.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
They're a bit last Tuesday.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circular or dpns for me.
20. Bamboo, aluminium, plastic?
Metal is my fave, but I've just bought my first set of bamboos but not had a chance to try them out yet.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Life is too short to knit socks!
22. How did you learn to knit?
Inherited the knitting gene from my Mam, and taught myself (with help from my Mam).
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Months and months old!
24. What is your favourite animated character?
Spongebob Squarepants.
25. What is your favourite holiday?
Samhain.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Too many things!
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Knitty.com, and I browse Ravelry daily.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
None at the moment.
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven’t bought for one reason or another?
I get all mine from off of the internets. I am cheap.
30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like? Size 8. Cabled socks please.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
If I had a gun
A few weeks ago Patrick and I went to the big Sainbury's to do some food shopping, and as we were walking back through Splott along a road with a bit of a traffic jam on it. We were busy chatting away, and as we walked past a pickup truck a little chav leaned out and shouted,
"Ow!" so I looked round. He continued, "Which one's the bitch?" I carried on talking to Patrick and heard him shout back at us, "Fucking queers."
Normally this kind of thing doesn't bother me, and I usually don't even notice - but this time I got really fucking angry and a upset. Who the hell does he think he is? An ugly little chav (he was probably about 17) shouting at me in the street! With his bumfluff moustache, fat pregnant girlfriend at home on benefits, illiteracy, ugliness... hmm, I went all Daily Mail then.
How dare he think that anyone cares about his opinion, he is nothing: a little cowboy builder with no qualifications, social skills, prospects or aspirations. It's very rare that I hate real people (I hate a lot of celebrities, but they don't count) but he really fucked me off. Patrick didn't seem bothered, perhaps because he didn't hear him (bless him, he was listening to me) but partly because he says he wouldn't let a non-entity like that upset him. As the night wore on, I got more and more angry with the little runt. If he'd been walking past Patrick and I on his own, I doubt he would even have looked at us; but because he was in a van with two fat builders he thought it would be funny to shout at two people walking on the street. I know the best way to deal with little cunts like that is to ignore them, which I did, but oh my god... if I had a gun.
"Ow!" so I looked round. He continued, "Which one's the bitch?" I carried on talking to Patrick and heard him shout back at us, "Fucking queers."
Normally this kind of thing doesn't bother me, and I usually don't even notice - but this time I got really fucking angry and a upset. Who the hell does he think he is? An ugly little chav (he was probably about 17) shouting at me in the street! With his bumfluff moustache, fat pregnant girlfriend at home on benefits, illiteracy, ugliness... hmm, I went all Daily Mail then.
How dare he think that anyone cares about his opinion, he is nothing: a little cowboy builder with no qualifications, social skills, prospects or aspirations. It's very rare that I hate real people (I hate a lot of celebrities, but they don't count) but he really fucked me off. Patrick didn't seem bothered, perhaps because he didn't hear him (bless him, he was listening to me) but partly because he says he wouldn't let a non-entity like that upset him. As the night wore on, I got more and more angry with the little runt. If he'd been walking past Patrick and I on his own, I doubt he would even have looked at us; but because he was in a van with two fat builders he thought it would be funny to shout at two people walking on the street. I know the best way to deal with little cunts like that is to ignore them, which I did, but oh my god... if I had a gun.
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Andy’s low fat apple and blueberry muffins
Makes 12
You will need:
100g low fat margarine
75g sugar
1 large free range egg (lightly beaten)
225g self raising flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
A good pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
150-175 ml skimmed milk
1 large organic cooking apple
1 small tub organic blueberries
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 220 Celsius (gas mark 7), and put paper cases in a 12 cup muffin tin.
2. Peel, core and chop the apple; wash and drain the blueberries removing any stalks.
3. Cream the margarine and sugar until fluffy.
4. Mix in the egg.
5. Sift flour, salt and spices, and stir in lightly – do not overmix.
6. Add apple, blueberries and 150 ml of milk, stir lightly adding the remaining milk if needed. Batter should be fluffy and spongy but quite thick. Don’t worry if it looks too stodgy, the apple will add moisture while cooking.
7. Spoon evenly into the paper cases.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until muffins are just starting to go golden on top. Test for doneness with a skewer, if ready the skewer will come out clean. If not, bake for a further 2 or 3 minutes.
9. Remove from muffin tin carefully (don’t burn your fingers), and leave to cool on a wire stand.
10. Enjoy with a drizzle of double cream, or without if counting calories. They make a lovely breakfast.
You will need:
100g low fat margarine
75g sugar
1 large free range egg (lightly beaten)
225g self raising flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
A good pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
150-175 ml skimmed milk
1 large organic cooking apple
1 small tub organic blueberries
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 220 Celsius (gas mark 7), and put paper cases in a 12 cup muffin tin.
2. Peel, core and chop the apple; wash and drain the blueberries removing any stalks.
3. Cream the margarine and sugar until fluffy.
4. Mix in the egg.
5. Sift flour, salt and spices, and stir in lightly – do not overmix.
6. Add apple, blueberries and 150 ml of milk, stir lightly adding the remaining milk if needed. Batter should be fluffy and spongy but quite thick. Don’t worry if it looks too stodgy, the apple will add moisture while cooking.
7. Spoon evenly into the paper cases.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until muffins are just starting to go golden on top. Test for doneness with a skewer, if ready the skewer will come out clean. If not, bake for a further 2 or 3 minutes.
9. Remove from muffin tin carefully (don’t burn your fingers), and leave to cool on a wire stand.
10. Enjoy with a drizzle of double cream, or without if counting calories. They make a lovely breakfast.
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