Hamilton Saint

I have the ipod classic (160 GB). And I use i-tunes to copy over my CDs as WAV files. I also record BBC podcasts to my ipod via i-tunes. I use the ipod mostly in my car - it sits in my glove compartment, connected to the car sound system via a cable. Excellent set-up!

But from which era? The blues band that was Peter Green's FM? Or the slick pop-rock of Lindsay Buckingham's FM? Or another incarnation of the group?

No, I haven't heard that. I'll check it out. Thanks!

This brings to mind the great parody of Desiderata written by Christopher Guest which appears on the National Lampoon LP Radio Dinner from 1972. Here's the original poem Desiderata: Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, Be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others - Even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons - they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career - However humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection, neither be cynical about love. For in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, It is as perenial as the grass. Take kindly the council of the years, Gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune, But do not distress yourself with imaginings - Many fears are borne of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe. No less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, Keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. Here's the Christopher Guest parody, called Deteriorata Go placidly amid the noise and waste, And remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof. Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep. Rotate your tires. Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself, And heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys. Know what to kiss, and when. Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do. Wherever possible, put people on hold. Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment, and despite the changing fortunes of time, There is always a big future in computer maintenance. Remember The Pueblo. Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate. Know yourself. If you need help, call the FBI. Exercise caution in your daily affairs, Especially with those persons closest to you - That lemon on your left, for instance. Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls Would scarcely get your feet wet. Fall not in love therefore. It will stick to your face. Gracefully surrender the things of youth: birds, clean air, tuna, Taiwan. And let not the sands of time get in your lunch. Hire people with hooks. For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Ken. Take heart in the deepening gloom That your dog is finally getting enough cheese. And reflect that whatever fortune may be your lot, It could only be worse in Milwaukee. You are a fluke of the universe. You have no right to be here. And whether you can hear it or not, The universe is laughing behind your back. Therefore, make peace with your god, Whatever you perceive him to be - hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin. With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal, The world continues to deteriorate. Give up!

I wasn't familiar with that Kipling poem. Thanks!

One of my favourite pieces of Christmas music is A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. It features a boys' choir (trebles) and harp. To me the true sound of Christmas is carols sung by a cathedral choir. I like some popular Christmas songs done by well-known singers, but I hate it when shops start playing them in mid-November.

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." That, I believe, is a Groucho Marx quote Some more Groucho Marx quotes: A man's only as old as the woman he feels. A woman is an occasional pleasure but a cigar is always a smoke. Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough. I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. I intend to live forever, or die trying. I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception. Those are my principles, and if you don't like them ... well, I have others. Women should be obscene and not heard. Man does not control his own fate. The women in his life do that for him. Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution? The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you've got it made.

Confucius say, "Man who fart in church sit in own pew".

Perhaps she could teach you some English?

Wrong word - should be 'relevant'.

I finally got around to watching Gangs of New York the other night. What is it with Scorsese and ultra-violence? A beautiful film to look at (especially since I watched a blu-ray version), but it's the kind of film that turns me off because of the relentless violence. And not a very interesting story, I thought.

I've read it several times. Very enjoyable. I'd class it as a young man's book. I read after my first visit to Greece in the early 70s. More atmospheric if you've been there, perhaps? It was first published in 1965, but a revised version came out in 1977. They made an awful film of the book in 1968 - with Anthony Quinn, Michael Caine and Candice Bergen. Avoid. An even better book by Fowles is The French Lieutenant's Woman.

Acronyms don't use full stops; abbreviations do. But OK is not an acronym and it is not an abbreviation.

"Full-stop" shouldn't be hyphenated. "Ok" should be written as OK. Small numbers should be written with letters, not given as numerals.

Dusty in Memphis by Dusty Springfield (1969), produced by Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin. I have the 1999 Deluxe Edition released by Rhino Records in the US; it has 14 bonus tracks.

Fantastic!

Come on, more of the same, please!

everywhere!

To my ears, it's all Saints!!!

Same here!

Fouls?

That's not what I hear.

It's a tough one today. Come on, Saints!

When I got that message, it meant that it was time to renew my subscription!

Well, the classic pop song structure (familiar from all those great songs by Gershwin, Porter, Arlen, Berlin, etc.,) is the 32-bar song, written in four sections in the form of A-A-B-A. Each of those four sections is made up of 8 bars (or "measures") of music. The first, second and fourth sections are the "verses"; the third section is the "bridge", or "middle 8". The verses are written in the home key ("tonic); the middle 8 modulates to a related key. The majority of The Beatles songs, for example, are written in this form - especially the early stuff. Actually, this format, as practised by some of the greats, like the Gershwins, also included an 8-bar intoduction, which was usually set in a modulated key, other than the home key ("tonic") found in the verses. In the 50s and 60s, many singers would drop these intros ang go straight into the first verse. So, when you first start listening to singers like Ella Fitzgerald, it's a big surprise to hear her always begin these classic songs with the introduction, before getting to the very familiar phrase of the opening verse. Later exponents of this form (like The Beatles) dropped this 8-bar intro and stuck to the 32-bar form (A-A-B-A).