It's been a while since I've posted, here's a few:

BBC News, The Guardian, Reddit and New Statesman. Special interest - RockPaperShotgun (PC Gaming) and AndroidPolice (Android news)

Thank you, that's a really sweet thing to say!

It's definitely hard to pick but like you said without overthinking, here goes. I had a few that very nearly made it.

  1. Elliott Smith, Either/Or

  2. Nick Drake, Pink Moon

  3. Joni Mitchell, Blue

  4. Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

  5. Beck, Sea Change

I listened to this again recently for the first time in a long while, fantastic album.

It definitely seems plausible. Here's an academic's response to the theory.

I actually visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam recently, absolutely amazing place. Definitely worth checking out if you ever visit.

I was recommended AIrbnb by a friend and am possibly going to be using it to visit Amsterdam next week because I've got a week off from work. Any recommendations for places to see and things to do?

Been on a bit of a James Taylor kick lately

I love Cat Stevens

Françoise Hardy too

Currently working at a mortgage company doing admin, I'm saving up for the future.

I might make a trip to Canada next year but I'm not sure yet. I've got a working holiday visa (lasts a year) but I'm not that keen on the idea because I originally got it so I could live with my ex-girlfriend which unfortunately didn't work out. I'm not sure if I want to still go because I'd be totally alone without any support over there while I'm working and/or travelling.

I had a go in DADGAD tuning, I don't have a recording setup so just used my webcam's microphone, so apologies for the quality. The only edits I made was a fade in and fade out at the end. I find it much harder improvising singing than I do guitar.

Link here

1. The Tallest Man on Earth - Where Do My Bluebirds Fly

It's a beautiful song, I think it's appropriate for this time of year too - kind of an autumnal feel. I love the rough feel of his guitar and voice.

I'm really digging the Cranberries at the minute and here's some other stuff too:

Apathy filled him

A Late Walk by Robert Frost

  When I go up through the mowing field,
  The headless aftermath,
  Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,
  Half closes the garden path.

  And when I come to the garden ground,
  The whir of sober birds
  Up from the tangle of withered weeds
  Is sadder than any words

  A tree beside the wall stands bare,
  But a leaf that lingered brown,
  Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,
  Comes softly rattling down.

  I end not far from my going forth
  By picking the faded blue
  Of the last remaining aster flower
  To carry again to you.

Makes me think of this Buddy Holly song

I've been listening to a lot of classic albums this week

Haven't posted in a while but here goes:

Try MusicBee, I switched from iTunes recently and I find it better in almost every way.

Find a teacher, I'm guilty of not doing this myself but I would be the first person to recommend you find one. If they're good they'll be able to guide you in the right direction, I'm sure of it.

If not, check out this guy's videos he's a fantastic teacher.

Thanks, that was great, absolute gem in the comments section too.

2. Jeff Buckley - Corpus Christi Carol

I think the vocal style is pretty similar and also the fact that it is a historical song, albeit sung by a contemporary musician.

Lyrics here

I've been looking to forward to sharing this guy. I really like his sound:

Here's some happy songs:

and finally some Joni Mitchell:

Also if anyone is looking for an alternative to iTunes, Musicbee is a fantastic alternative. I've been using it for a couple of days now and it's pretty much better in every way.

Here's some songs I've been listening to:

You might have missed this

I had this procedure done when I was 16. They gave me a lot of morphine but I was in agony for at least a month afterwards.

No darling! To die, it's easy... but you have to struggle for life! Until the last moment we must struggle together! I need you! And you'll see that together we'll survive.

From The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman

Here's my recent listenings:

My last fm is more accurate than my iTunes because that's been reset a few times. Not sure why the numbering on the left is messed up. I went through an Astral Weeks kick a while ago, probably why Van Morrison's got so many plays. fantastic album that took me a while to really get.

Hey I'm a sensitive guy too. To me being a man is being a good person, being self-aware of your place in the world, caring for others and yourself. I think people tend to think of masculinity and femininity as binaries, when in reality they are a spectrum with most people falling somewhere in-between. I reject many of the traditional personality traits that men are expected to follow, like in this diagram:

Here's some things I learned living with my ex:

1) Small issues really matter and they can build up into resentments over time if they aren't addressed

2) Talking about the relationship often is a good thing to do

3) Differing future plans and expectations can be really bad for the longevity of a relationship

4) It's really important to appreciate your partner and do things for them and the relationship

5) Living in a very small apartment with someone who really needs a lot of space is a bad idea, especially if you're unemployed and home all the time.

6) It's easy to lose your sense of identity in the relationship if you don't work to maintain it - especially if you have weak personal boundaries

7) Mental health issues can really fuck up a relationship - depression (this was me) anxiety and insecurities can be damaging

8) It's easy to stagnate, neglect yourself and live with unhappiness because it's comfortable

9) Physical intimacy is super important, it's a bad sign if this starts to go down hill

10) It's an amazing feeling to feel loved by someone else and to be intimate with them, there's nothing quite like it. I miss it greatly.

11) Trust is so important, even if it's small things. If you say you're going to do something for your partner do it. Don't be lazy about it because it just gradually erodes trust over time if you keep not keeping your word. Even if it's just something like picking up your clothes off the floor.

12) If your partner makes something creative, really show them how much you appreciate it and praise them for it genuinely. I'm guilty of not doing this and really regret it now.

13) Don't rely on the other person to be your source of happiness/self-esteem, it isn't healthy