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!