Idioms, Metaphors and Expressions...

After buying the book IT'S RAINING CATS AND DOGS, Written by Micheal Barton. I felt I needed to express my admiration.

It's a guide book for people who fall on the autistic spectrum written and illustrated by a high functioning autistic young man, who found the way we talk and the world we live in very confusing whilst growing up.

For someone who is autistic meanings are very literal. There is no Reading Between The Lines...

You will find a high functioning autistic person or someone who may have aspergers syndrome can be obsessively logical with their comprehension of language.

They often have very good memories and very good vocabularies. So people will over estimate the ability for them to understand some of the more archaic concepts.

This can cause a breakdown in communication between someone whose brain functions autistically to what we call neuro-typical, someone whose brain processes information and can easily think in context.

The idea for Micheal's book came about as he started to illustrate the phrases he found hard to understand and writing what they really mean underneath the picture so he would remember.
Over the years Micheal had collected folders and folders of these illustrations though he didn't know at the time, these were the start of this book.

The simplicity of this idea and being brought together into a nice companion for the everyday world we live in and the way we talk is perfect for young people growing up who are autistic and for those who are communicating around them.

Since buying this book my child and I have read it each evening, the humour it brings along with understanding makes it very near perfect for us.

Covering: Classic Idioms, Shortened Expressions, Everyday Expressions and Sayings, Double Meanings, Metaphors, Instructions and Statements...

Being written by someone who has achieved so much as Micheal Barton who is currently studying a degree in physics, talks at conferences, and plays jazz piano and french horn and I believe very good in judo, he serves as an inspiration and encouragement to parents, carers, teachers and friends of anyone who has autism and also helps to show a little more understanding and sense to this weird and wonderful world that can seem so overwhelming for children who are high functioning autistic.

So now you know what your Christmas present is going to be!!! ;-)

Batman is cool... but one thing is COOLER!

Batman... he's the fictional character of many a girls dream, the dark knight... mean and brooding, good looking and a playboy to boot. He'd be quite a catch for any girl.... if he was real.


Personally Batman = Baggage so what's even cooler than the man himself? 


His CAR OF COURSE!!


After going to The Dark Knight Rises last week and seeing the new Nissan advert Juke Built To Thrill...sparked some thoughts on how the Batmobile has be used in genuine advertisements.

I'm sure there is many many more than my quick Internet search but have included a couple which I thought were the best/worst/funniest. But before all that? why the Batmobile and not the Black Beauty, The Spider Mobile or say the Sandmans Sand Car?

Well, for me it all comes down to design. If you think about it... the majority of cars as in what can/could/would have been in the world of Batman have been more realistic than other vehicles related to super heroes. I can't get excited about Wonder Womans invisible plane. But I can sure get excited about some of the gorgeous designs that came from America during the great depression and beyond!

Batman #5 1941 was the first time we saw what was called the Batmobile. Due to artists different interpretations the Batmobile changed frequently in it's size and shape and what features there are on each design and during it's 71 years there has been some ''Oh Yeah'' moments to the ''what on earth... ewww!'' moments of Batman history So without further ado! Presenting an advert from the 90s in the UK for the Austin Metro. I have to rate this a 10/10 for spoof plus it also refers to another advert with the quote ''Pick Up A Penguin''!

Just for kicks... It's Nissan again, but it's a 4/10. It's certainly Batman tv show inspired, But... it's rather half arsed.

So all in all I didn't come across that much but I'm sure there is someone out there that would know about this kinda stuff if I searched a little harder. It you favour the car easy on the eye then you should go and visit here!! FlyingBatmobile

Superhero Lipstick Art!

Two of my favourite things combine once more!

The brains behind this idea was photographer Jonathan Knowles! who teamed up with make up artist Celine Nonon.

So pucker up and meet some of the funkiest lips in the world!

Mwahhhhh! <3

Two Days Of Insight, Laughs and So Much More...

It has been three weeks since my home town of Manchester had a four day visit by the Dalai Lama.

For many years, I have read the basics of his teachings on love and compassion. It has been something that I am naturally drawn too. I don't require much to be happy, I'm not a person fueled by money or possessions but rather seek a calm and happiness which I can never quite reach in a very busy life of juggling too many things at once and not knowing how to slow down on it all.

I'm a regular Western mother trying to do my best with bringing up my son, with what he and I need to sustain a happy life, not exist but to live!

As well as having enough time and energy for myself of course! seemed a far out dream.

Like most, by the time you reach your early 30s, you have had ups and downs and have seen sad and bad times, but sometimes these times are the memories that tend to overtake and indulge my being

Not Healthy. Not Nice. Not a place I like to be in... 

When I read the Dalai Lama was paying my town a visit due to the violence that we had seen through last years riots. It was an opportunity that I saw to pay a personal respect to a man whose wise words have got me through some lonely times.

It has taken me three weeks to get this blog together as I received so much information I wanted time to digest what I had heard and a read over the weekend.


It is hard to put down in a sensible way; so I have chosen to use a header and some basic suggestions around such topic.
I attended the public interaction, Buddhism in the Western World and Buddhism and Psychotherapy talk.
The public talk I shall cover in this blog, but will touch upon the other two in blogs of their own.
Sat was family day and many youngsters visited from schools around the borough who performed and awards were given to some inspirational young people for the work they have provided in the community.
The atmosphere here was electric! such a good feel to the place.


Sunday was the start of the big talks and lectures.

In my heart of being the ''eternal student'', I came equipped with notepad and pen to take notes, it is these notes that I will be working from in this blog.
The event started with an introduction by comedian Russel Brand, who introduced the Dalai Lama to the stage, it was clearly apparent that this man is as happy as he is wise.

I seriously think it would be hard to find someone with no political angst towards him fail to be charmed as I have never seen anyone smiling and laughing as much as he did...
 He doesn't take himself seriously and was joking along all the way...

The local Tibetan community put on some traditional songs and dances.
It started with a song about the Himalayas and the land below which is used for farming and was sung to insight a good farming year.
The instruments were beautifully sounding, there was four Tibetan Loots, hammered dulcimer and bells. Percussion and beat was created by the dancing and stamping of the feet.
Children from the community came on to perform a song they had put together for his visit. 
They were adorable, all dressed in traditional fineray, about a dozen four to six year olds, they did so well performing to 20,000 people and the Dalai Lama sat on stage with them.


Translations of the words were being streamed upon two huge screens at the side of the stage.

The Dalai Lama started his talks saying that whilst he was here; his thoughts were with the people of Greece and that of the international Environmental meetings that were taking place around the globe.

He then went on to address that it was indeed Fathers Day, but he prefers mothers day.

Mothers are the nurturers.... Sharing stories of his own childhood, where his father was grumpy and would lay down the rules, but his mother was loving and caring.

He would ride on her back pretending she was a yak, and pull on her ears as to what direction he wanted her to go in.

How important that bond is, and the bond a mother has with a child, where he has seen total sacrifice for her children.

Human and animals alike-

We are one.

We're all social animals,

We like positive atmospheres, honesty, truthfulness, trust and confidence.

Humans have a biological factor of compassion but we need attachments, but we should aim for attachment on an un-bias level.

Through education and science, NOT religion or prayer, one can build and achieve these things to better oneself and the environment we live in.

Talks were about our hectic lifestyles and ecology and how with a few small and simple changes we all could make a greater impact for the better.

We should look at our health and mental state, and try to create a balance.

FEAR, ANGER, ANXIETY, eating away at our immune system so our body and mind can not achieve that important balance to live and enjoy our lives to the full in a non-selfish way.

CRISIS- Is it our own creation? man-made?, can we fix it with patience and working hard? does worry fix the problem?... NO. = Self torture.

Keep calm on an environmental level, we will experience emotions, but the mind and body should be thought of like the sea.

On the top we can see the waves, the waves represent emotion and impulse, but deep down there is calm, it is this calm that we should try to channel before acting or saying something we may later regret.

Nine times failure = Nine times effort... I liked this saying as we fail each time, we learn a little more for next and so on, till we succeed.

He shared ideas on how we can become better parents: Patience and sacrifice of our time and possessions for our children.

Showing affection and not being TOO KIND....

Something with the increasing shops that sell everything can become a lot easier for the parent on the shopping trip to give in to the ''I want''.

Grief: How we feel helpless and it creates an instant worry and inner stress, however sad we are will not change the situation.

Mindfulness; would the person you are grieving for want you to be going through so much sadness?

There is no solution to grief, so there is no point in being overwhelmed by it.
Look from a distance; It's sad... It's bad... but you're okay.

AND... he pointed out he has no healing powers or anything special, if he gets a rash, he sees a doctor, so if you are overwhelmed then seek a psychological specialist.

Karma- Good karma is created by ACTION. Blessing is only a form of word which means zero.

Basic human qualities is best blessing of all, Education is important NOT religion.

Education must include moral ethics, imprint from the bad experiences then use our intelligence, there is no use in keeping inner bad feelings.

That only HURTS OURSELVES.

Happiness: Is a sensory experience hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, feeling.
What one action takes in so many of our senses??

SEX of course!!

we shouldn't have hang ups about our sensuality.

Fate: Reduce our self centred attitude and negative emotions as if we don't we can become week in mind and body.
We shouldn't seek to change what is natural about ourselves.

Man and Woman- Spiritually there are no differences.

But it's proven that Females are more sensitive to emotional pain as we take a more active roll in caring as naturally we hold more compassion.

These are just a few things which really jumped out at me at this talk but at the very end of the question and answer session someone asked about whether he remembers any past lives?

Something I'm sure many are/would be interested in.

So he talked of the fact that they knew he was to become the Dalai Lama at the age of two.
The things that he talked about and could cite were not the normal thoughts and conversations of a two year old child.

Some of these things were to believed as ''past lives''.


But these are not important.

He is he, and he should be meaningful in HIS life, not past ones!!

As experience and thought develop those thoughts he once had as a young child soon get replaced with the present, as it should be.

He has never experienced visions or anything like this.

So is probably the least interesting Dalai Lama in regards to Buddha.

But he is sure he's the NUMBER ONE in POPULARITY!!

That's one thing I certainly do not doubt.

from ''A Return To Love''

This was handed to me on a piece of paper yesterday, it is part of a poem which was given to Nelson Mandela, but this excerpt can be used for so many others in so many ways.

The words are strong and make you think.

.................................................................

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We are ourselves:

''Who am I. To be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?''

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people around you won't feel insecure
.
We are meant to shine, as children do.

We are born to manifest the glory of
the God that is within us.

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously
give other people to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically
liberates others.

Marianne Williamson.

15 Years, NOT moving SWIFTLY along.

The Swallow, Swift and House Martin are beautiful, agile birds that are similar. There are, however, individual features that tell them apart.

Swallows, swifts, and house martins are all summer visitors migrating to and from southern Africa. 

In the United Kingdom it is possible to observe these birds, usually in flight, and to hear them trilling and calling to each other.

Traditionally the return of the swallows has always been associated with the coming of Spring. 

Because these three birds are alike, they are often mistaken for each other. However, with practise and careful observation it is possible to distinguish between them fairly easily.

Some Interesting Facts About the House Martin

• House martins are often mistaken for swallows
• House martins are known to be attracted to hot air balloons and can soar above the rising current of warm air.
• The Latin name for this breed is Delichon urbica.
• House martins lay their eggs between May and August, laying, on average, 4 eggs.
• These birds build their nests under the eaves of houses.
• House martins have a blue-black upper body with a metallic sheen to their feathers.

Some Interesting Facts About the Swallow

• Swallows are thought, by some communities, to bring good luck. This is why farmers do not destroy their nests and birds can re-use them for many years.
• The scientific name for swallows is Hirundo rustica.
• Swallows are agile flyer's and seldom seen near the ground.
• Unlike swifts and house martins, the swallow has a deeply forked tail which can measure 8cm in length.
• Swallows also have a beautiful red throat.
• Fewer swallows are coming to the UK than ever before, but the reason for this is unknown.
• You can often see swallows perching on wires, especially around migration time, when they gather in flocks.

Some Interesting Facts About the Swift

• Swifts are often seen chasing each other around in the sky.
• This bird has a unique "crescent" or "boomerang" shape when in flight, which is more pronounced than in swallows and house martins.
• Breeding is the only time swifts stop flying - they even eat in flight by catching insects and sleep in the air.
• The swift population in the UK has decreased over recent years.
• Swifts build their nests on an almost vertical surface using their saliva as a "glue".
• The Latin name for this breed is Apus apus.

Spend some time looking at the skies to see if you can spot the differences between the Swallow, House martin and Swift! 

If you look carefully you should be able to see the nests of at least one of these birds.

However my specific interest for the past 15 years has been studying the Swift for the British Society Ornithologists (BSO).

The swifts are a family, Apodidae, of highly aerial birds. They are superficially similar to swallows, but are not closely related to passerine species at all; swifts are in the separate order of Apodiformes, which they share with hummingbirds.

The resemblances between swifts and swallows are due to convergent evolution, reflecting similar life styles based on catching insects in flight.

Swifts are a larger species and are amongst the fastest fliers in the animal kingdom, having been reported flying at up to 169 km/h and cruising at 5 to 14 metres per second (18–50 km/h, 11–31 mph).

In a single year the common swift can cover at least 200,000 km.

The taxonomy of the Swift is widely debated and in general complicated, with genus and species boundaries widely disputed.

Analysis of behaviour and vocalisations is complicated by common parallel evolution, while analyses of different morphological traits and of various DNA sequences have yielded equivocal and partly contradictory results.

All these things make this bird one of my personal favourite species on earth, to watch, listen to and study.

Apart from biological developmental interest of this bird, why is it relevant and important NOW?.

Well; findings show that the number of swifts breeding in Britain has declined considerably over the last 15 years.  

Much of this decline is caused by the loss of nesting sites due to building repairs or even simple re-pointing of brickwork, which means that swifts can no longer access traditional sites.

Gathering information about where swifts are nesting makes it easier to preserve this bird.  Existing nest places can be reinstated, new ones designed and built into eaves.  Swift nest boxes can also be installed. 

Without knowing nesting information and location, they will continue to be lost and so will the birds.

During 2011 in a regional part of Britain there had been 130 ‘Swift buildings’ identified

containing several hundred nests.

The network consists of about 30 people who have Swifts nesting in their property, or who look out for Swifts and their nests, and send in records.

Many councils have since been contacted and with the help other conservation organisations funding has been granted to provide churches with appropriate nesting boxes and council owned property to keep in mind that these birds use the buildings when it comes to repairs and redesign.

The future is bright for these magnificent birds if we can all take the time to listen, look and observe.

15 years ago I was studying 30 pairs of nesting swifts. 

2005 it was down by half. 

2009 I was observing six pairs of whom I believed to be the offspring from year before.

We installed nest boxes… 

2012 I am now observing 12 pairs of birds.

Whether these birds are birds which had originally moved on from the area as nesting places had declined and have now returned is yet to be confirmed. 

But it is an interesting outcome and positive outlook for the species IF we can work together.

If you hear or see these birds in your property please contact your local conservation group, ranger service or council as they can put you in contact with people who can advise the best way to preserve these birds for years to come.

G.

Reality TV At It's Best and Most Brutal.

Well it’s that time of year again, and a time in my household where my computer is fixed upon live webcams (4am-Midnight.)

It’s the best reality TV show to ever hit the airwaves.

The births, the deaths, the near deaths and the unexpected, we cheer, we cry, we’re amazed and repulsed...

In many a way, it's like having the BBC move in for three weeks, you find yourself sat there waiting for that last egg to hatch, or for those damn badgers to make an appearance.

I remember one year, the badger cams ran throughout the night, no presenting, but you could txt in to the show and they'd txt back.

It was the same names each evening along with the same camera crew... many a lame joke was shared, and then we all disappear for a year and you meet up once again on line or via interactive TV the following year.

It is quite the community.

Local parks and library's get inspired and host family fun days. It is has become a real live British event which is embraced by so many.

It is of course the BBCs Springwatch the annual  television series which chart the fortunes of British wildlife of the United Kingdom.

The programmes are broadcast live from locations around the country in a prime time evening slot on BBC Two and run for three weeks.

Many of the cameras are hidden and operated remotely to record natural behaviour, for example, of birds in their nests and badgers outside their sett.

The Springwatch brand has expanded to incorporate further TV spin-offs and specials, and also has a strong online presence.
The BBC Springwatch website offers further video content and allows viewers and programme makers to interact through a message board, Flickr photography group, blogs and the @BBC_Springwatch Twitter account.

Its aim is getting viewers to actively participate in wildlife conservation.

It expands right across the BBC to the childrens TV channels CBBC and CBeebies with their own version and tie-ins of the show and what is going on, being seen and how to become pro-active within conservation in some fun and simple ways.

And sports one the best theme songs on kids tv.

My son and I have sang along with this for the past four years! (also autumnwatch, check back in five months.)

Originally the presenters were the wondrous Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Simon King.

Bill left after the 2008 programmes and was replaced by Chris Packham, someone who I have grown up watching on TV and was quite an inspiration to a young me in my own career choice when watching the 1980s childrens TV show The Really Wild Show.

Martin Hughes-Games, formerly a Springwatch producer, also joined the team when Simon King announced he was leaving to pursue other projects in Africa.

This year we have seen Kate leave to pursue other projects and become a mum!

Springwatch is scheduled to return on 28 May 2012, live and direct from Ynys-hir RSPB reserve in Wales for three weeks, Monday to Thursday.

Chris and Martin will present the show, with Kate Humble being replaced by presenter and another former Really Wild show cohort Michaela Strachan.

This year we will see the trials and tribulations of some the regulars like; Blue Tits, Owls and rascally Badgers! 

But there are two new web cams to feast our eyes upon, Grass Snakes and a Wren Family.

So who knows what will happen in one of the most brutal and uncensored TV shows.

Tune in. Be There Or Be A Rhombus!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/18035848

Rallying Call To Arms!?... Not so much.

Hoorah!!

Lets have a celebratory drink as perennial agit-punk folk rockers The Levellers are back with a new album.

The release of Static on the Airwaves will soon be on us - and gives some us ageing and jaded protesters a clutch of new anthems to rally around.

 

This will the bands tenth album and the days of artists having a large back catalogue of material has been left behind with a relentless boom and bust of bands now being the norm.

 

Yet here are the Levellers are setting another trend, and doing it in style.

 

'Static on the Airwaves' is a more mature collection of songs.

 

The fire is still there, and it's apparent on every track, but the impression is that they don't feel the need to roar the message any more, and I like that.

 

It feels like band and fans are all growing in the same direction, and at a similar pace.

 

What we have is a reasoned and incisive level of global commentary that cuts to the bone just as hard as it would if it was the rallying call to arms of old.

 

The soundtrack to a night of drunken revelry and politics has been dropped, and in its place a more coherent argument for seeking out an alternative to the status quo is advanced.

 

It's all rather clever, a catalyst to reconsidering your understanding of the world we live in.

 

So much of it will be considered as preaching to the already converted, but there's never any harm in being reminded that politically while we may feel lost and alone that none of us really are.

 

It's a timely reminder that there is nothing new under the sun and what we are seeing is the age old rise and fall of empires going on around us.

 

Maybe some young music lovers looking for something new will listen to the album and be able to read the writing on the wall as so many of us did when the Levellers first arrived on the scene all those many years ago.

 

I sincerely hope so.

 

 

 

Twenty years on, and I'm still has hooked on these guys as I ever was.

 

It's a way of life and is my life... may that never change for the both of us.

And all the people were singin'... For Levon

I was introduced to the Band through listening to Bob Dylan and reading up on the notorious 'JUDAS' debate which happened in the 60s when Bobby was playing in my hometown of Manchester.

Who were these guys who caused such a stir? Of course, they were The Band.

As soon as I heard the opening track Across The Great Divide, they got my attention, the full on roots vibe, the earthy feel and look of the album known as the Brown album, was quite an attraction, nothing better than getting back to nature and in a way this album is a the perfect soundtrack for that kinda thing.

It's REAL... 

That southern twang and easy on the ear voice in which I heard on The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was that of drummer Levon Helm.

I could sing the praises of this band all day long and if you don't own the albums Music From Big Pink and the self titled The Band (Brown album) I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed if you ever chose to pick them up.

For myself Levon was an inspiration, not only was he a drummer who's unique style of playing I could get to grips with, as you'd sometimes see him play is high-hat with his left hand, I also choose to do that as at the time I was playing in a band, but my true love has always been with the instrument the mandolin.

My fingers too small for guitar, the mandolin was the ideal solution...

Low and behold LEVON PLAYED MANDOLIN...

He could sing!!

A drummer which took the drummer stereotype and through it right out of the window.

I had a HERO!

Not only was he vastly talented you never ever hear a bad word about the guy.

Mentioned in so many biographies and music discographies and if there is an anecdote to be told Levon shines as a voice of reason and stand up guy through and through.

When the news was released this week that we should keep him in our thoughts and prayers, my heart sunk.

Levon was too ill to play the last time he was supposed to be in the UK and the tour had to be cancelled but I always thought I'd catch him at some point even if it meant travelling to the States as he would host workshops alongside other musical endeavours.

It makes me a little sad to think that the world has lost another great and magnificent musician, but reading the blogs and posts from the people who were the closest to him and knew and loved him I hope Levon has found peace where's there's no more pain and suffering.

The strong legacy of the music he made will never fade and it will continue to thrill, cheer and delight for generations to come, he'll always be alongside us.

Love ya Levon!

Beat Those Eggs To A PULP!

Happy Easter, Passover or anything else you wish to celebrate this weekend!


For me Easter is a time for the joys of spring, we see new life all around us.

Flowers in our gardens, buds on the trees, the smell of blossoms, magnolia and honeysuckle.


First broods of birds, mammals soon to be giving birth and the migratory birds which we associate with summer will soon be hitting our shores!


It's a lovely time of year to enjoy.


Hoping you don't stuff yourselves with TOO much chocolate, just enough to put on the added pound or two and make you feel a little uncomfortable.


Happy Eggy Pulpy Easter!

(Apologies for the poor eggsultation of ''cutting'' out of these, but it's the thought that counts!!!)

WOMANTHOLOGY! l'imagination femelle en collaboration

It’s here! Its NOW! And it’s on the shelves at your local comic book store!!

So what has got me all excited this week!!

Well, it’s the new IDW released book WOMANTHOLOGY.

Back in May of 2011 comic book artist and busy mum, Renae De Liz was the brains behind this fabulous tweeted idea which took the heights of 8 miles high in 60 mins.

Her idea being of course putting a anthology together by a handful of women with in the comics industry and proceeds would go to charity.

This book put together the top ranking professional females with the less experienced which offered up huge chances to gain knowledge and experience.

As soon as you were part of this project, you never felt left out, at whatever minor level you played.

We were constantly updated on new trials and tribulations that the idea faced getting of the ground, sure… the idea soared, but there was still the concern of a publisher AND it being put together for charity.

Not long after, publisher IDW stepped up, this lent credibility which opened up the project as well as letting over 150 women be published by a major company distributing their work worldwide.

BUT… There was HUGE printing costs to consider, so the kickstart campaign began.

Womanthology had to meet the $25,000 mark in 30 days for full support. 

Within 19 hours it reached its 25,000 goal, by 30 days, it had the backing of $109,301 with 2,001 people confirming they would back the project, support coming from, comix, films, high profile creators (like Stephen King) and beyond right across the globe!

Now we have this beautiful featured book…

Crammed with stories being displayed via teams. 

The book kicks off with Team Jessica! (Jessica Hickman) and the story SUPERLESS HERO, written by Kelly Thompson and illustrated by French artist Stephanie Hans.

Team Jessica, gives us stats and professional tips and glorious art by the likes of June Brigman and Stephanie Buscema.

We see some classic noir in the story The Spinster, which really is a treat for the eyes.

I have been introduced to the classic art of Netherlands artist Lois Van Baarle who puts her fine art skills straddled with fantasy illustration harmoniously.

The story of The Aviator and the Elephant by Kimberly Komatsu is oh so poignant and its sentiments hit me hard and is probably one of my favourite stories of the book.

This takes us to into Team Mariah (Mariah McCourt)

Here in team Mariah we see tips and advice into breaking in the world comix, why it’s hard, but why it's rewarding?

The feel of the stories change from the classic illustration kicking it off MANGA style!

We have back to back stories covering the majority of genres showing that us women can truly kick all kinds of ass!

Kicking that arse right into team three; Team Bonnie (Bonnie Burton) who is a script writer, her section lends the feel of animated TV programs through and through, think Ben 10 and Avatar crossed with steampunk and you won’t go far wrong. 

Beautiful examples of digital illustration and graphics. 

This section of the book has introduced me to concepts and ideas that I wouldn’t necessarily have chosen to read but it’s been pleasurable and expanded my views and opinions within this area positively.

We learn how to social network and balance the personal/professional divides as well as putting together a great portfolio.

Onto Team Suzannah, part four (Suzannah Rowntree)

Team Suzannah puts together stories which focus on relationship and adolecance and is combined with a snippet about what it was like to be the only girl reading Spiderman…. funny, witty and will strike a chord with many geek girl.

This section can get quite dark and touches upon some serious subjects, it’s intense, and shows how powerful a few correctly chosen words can be.

We get tips from Devin Grayson on how to be self-employed and what it actually means by self-employment which leads into a lighter tone to the chapter.

Part Five is presented by Team Nicole, (Nicole Falk) who designs packaging for toy manufactures.

This chapter is full of super heroics, from goddesses, warriors and mythology to a beautiful one page piece by Beck Seashols of little girl’s dreams of becoming a superhero and rescuing kitties!

Which is the end to our Team chapters?

The next section of the book in my opinion is a perfect companion to this love letter of feminine creativity. 

It showcases children’s and teenagers ideas for comix and more:

Paula Pansy comes in handy,

Paula Pansy, she also loves candy,

When the bad guys push her down,

She grows up tall and stomps around (on bad guys)

Then she grows small happily.

PAULA PANSY.

By Grace Miner aged 6.

Then we come to the nitty gritty chapters on how to write comix, How to Ink? Pencil! colour! Become a letterer....

How to draw monsters! digital colouring, and sketching…

Tons of interviews, by creators such as Colleen Doran, Devin Grayson, June Brigman, Louise Simonson, Nicola Scott, Robin Furth, Wendy Pini, and Posy Simmonds.

There are tributes and looks into the lives of women of the past, the wonderful Tarpe Mills, Nell Brinkley, Rose, O’Neil, and Ethel Hays. 

So here lies the most important part of this trip… (for me anyhow.)

This Monday I walked into my local Forbidden Planet to be greeted with ‘It’s in!!!,  Gill, it’s in!’

There up on the top shelf with is glisten glory, creaky spine and new book smell… 

Flicking the pages to see whether I was in there?

Back in Sept 2011 I submitted my application with full description and WIPs of the Joker bust that I wheel out every now again, as it's what I feel to be my magnum opus.

I got the email to say my name and moniker would be in there… 

But to actually see it in print was a thrill and to buy it from the comic store an even bigger thrill!!

In fact my name is in twice, as I’m under creator and backer sections, and I feel very proud to have been part of this project, even in such a tiny way.

Also, BIG THANKS to Elliot S Maggin, who pointed me in the direction of it!! :) :) :) (even my dear old mum was proud!)

Late To The Party - Happy Birthday Doc!

Always restless, always on the move, forever hunted, forever hunting...


Crisscrossing the country following the almighty dollar, trying to make his way by the only way he knows how,


through scheming, cheating, and the exercise of brute force.


Parker is by no means, evil, merciless or insane, he straddles a blurring distinction between madness and sanity, justice and mercy.


Not sick... just blank, humanity stripped to its essentials, callous, guilt free, lacking empathy and incapable of learning from his own life's bitter pill, 


Parker feels no embarrassment or pain, never afflicted or careworn, the hero of madmen, blameless but utterly free....

The internet is a funny old thing, but something I am ever so thankful for as I made so many new acquaintances.


One of these being Doc, who I consider to be one of my closest and bestest and by far no longer an acquaintance!!


He's remarkable, artistic, funny, and oh so humble to name just a few and he has the most delectable taste and I am very honoured to have been able to collaborate with him on these kinda blogs and bounce ideas off of that noggin' of his!


He is the force who made me pick up a paint brush again and try something new, which was making and customising figures.... he praises when you've done good and chides when you've done bad!


I like that!


So... I raise a glass to you sir, and wish you the very best for your birthday!


Happy Birthday Doc!

Daydream Bereaver

Yesterday was quite the shocker as we saw the death of popular TV and music star Davy Jones who made his name in the TV show The Monkees.

Davy has always been a household name for me for as long as I can remember. 

Watching the TV show on Sun evening with mum and dad whilst growing up my dad would always regale us with tales of ‘’I used to know him’’ etc. etc… yawn.

This was due to the fact that Manchester born Davy and my dad along with many other young people born in the 1940s found the love for rock n’ roll.

Manchester was happening back then also, with famed club the Twisted Wheel, this club was where the Beatles and Stones would hang when they were in town. 

When other clubs closed their doors the Twisted Wheel carried on serving drinks by hostess and playing the best and latest sounds straight from the US.

The bizarre element of Davy in the Monkees is still quite a surreal one to this day. In England he was a stage school kid appearing soap operas and straddling the sporting world as a jockey training with Basil Foster.

If it wasn’t for his training with him, Davy would have never got cast in the theatre production Oliver as the Artful Dodger, from here he went on to perform in the Broadway production and it was here that Davy Jones was found to be the perfect cast member for the TV show .

And that’s how we all got know him…

Bringing classic northern music hall with a cheeky grin and good boy mop top charms to American teens to swoon over… 

Crazy with an upper case C for sure!! 

Whether it was the producers of the show or Davy himself? he never appeared to sell himself out.

He loved the sap, the uncool; he was hangin’ with the likes of Zappa but never did abandon those traditional Mancunian and Northern roots.

In 2004 I got to see Davy play a social club, in Ashton- Under- Lyne, it was a sit down doo full of 50 plus year old women swooning away over this orange skinned,  greying haired Monkee with the pearliest blinding set of teeth I’d ever seen… this sure was Hollywood does Manchester.

He sang Day Dream Believer but that was only nod he gave. 

This was show tunes all the way baby!!

I remember looking around the hall at all the smiling faces and that knasher filled mouth twinkling back at them… as much as I wanted to disapprove I couldn’t resist but sit there and grin like a love sick puppy just like the rest of them...

This pint sized star knew how to work the ladies for sure, talking and flirting in-between songs. 

Granted it’s not at the top of my list for coolest gigs, but it’s certainly up there with one of the most charming.

As the news of Davys death has sunk in overnight, I’ve been listening to the albums and took it upon myself to get the A to Z out and head up to Openshaw and see if 20 Leamington Street was still around, disappointingly it wasn’t. 

The whole area is undergoing redevelopment and they are building a new school where the terrace houses once stood.

But just like everything and everyone…. 

There comes a time where you have to bow out, but when that time comes make sure you’re like Davy… where you will forever be remembered, watched, listened, and loved by the millions, you’ll forever leave your mark in this realm to carry on to even greater things within the next.

So… so long Davy! 

I’m sure that twinkliest star that’s in our skies, are your teeth!!

R.I.P

Davys' backings make this song, and this is my all time faveourite Monkees song!

BATMAN- Will You Marry Me!!??

 Brave & Bold #64 Batman rescues a flame haired girl about to be shot by a bowman using his skill and prowess with a rope.

The girl faints, she wakes to find they recognise each other...

''But why was that bow buzzard trying to ventilate your beautiful torso?"

exclaims BATMAN!!

(Head to flashback:)

Marcia was beautiful but spoilt and rich, and Batman had both rescued and erm... awkward... 


put her across his knee to ''tame'' her.

(I kid not!!!)

Marcia teams up with Bats. 

And before you know it, when they're not busting up crime gangs, they're steaming up the windows of the Batmobile!!!


Then she dumps him, which brings us up to the point where they rediscover each other.

Batman got dumped for a low life called Nicky, but if that wasn't bad enough for our heart broken hero!

Marcia wants him to pinch a jewel which Nicky stole before he died.

So BINGO!  You got it... she's available again.

Batman gets caught out as it looks like he was stealing the gem and ends up sobbing into his palms behind bars.

We find out, Marcia is  a crook working for a syndicate known as Cyclops.

She freed Eclipso from the body he shares with Dr Bruce Gordon, so that he can join her on a rampage throughout Gotham City.

But Marcia has been forced to work for Cyclops because they threatened to kill her dad.

So it's okay that she dumped our hero... until now that is!!


So now we know the origin, but here:


29th February 2012 sees Marcia back in her QUEEN BEE identity to take this leap year with force:

WILL YOU MARRY ME BATMAN!!???


Who knows what we might find come another four years???

Have a great leap year folks and those girlie's who plan to take the plunge with their fellas!! 

Wishing you all the best for a happy future!!

Birthday edition- This Is Your Life ROD KEITH!!

Disclaimer!- Anyone featured in this blog bears no resemblance to anyone who customise little plastic men or women. (To the best of my knowledge.)

Welcome to this week’s edition of This is Your Life!

This person is SUPER friendly,

They’re HERO about town,

And a dab hand with a paintbrush!

And these are just a tiny selection of the great work that he brings to our lives!

Our guest tonight is at this very moment enjoying a quiet dinner in a restaurant just across the road!

Let’s go and surprise them!

Here’s our on the spot reporter with that very important figure!

She's wonderful, the work is meticulous, simply, a master piece!

ULTRA- The Multi Alien!!!

Well we’ve come to the end of his week’s edition of This is Your Life.

I hope you at home enjoyed the show, and we hope you, Rod enjoyed reviewing your life?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! to one of the kindest, nicest, creative guys that I have ever known, and I’m honoured to be able to call you friend.

Have a good day!

G.

(Thanks to Doc, for helping string this idea together!)