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!)