Rae Gee's Blog, page 13
June 21, 2014
Expectant Mother
I'm in expectant mother mode. Not that I've ever had kids, nor am I pregnant. I don't think any of my friends are pregnant either (Like they'd tell me. I tend to give these out as gifts).
No, I've decided to grow something.
From a seed.
As a family, we're not too keen on the overly packaged, overly produced supermarket fruit and veg. We like ours with a bit of dirt on and we don't care if they're not perfect shaped. Honestly, we don't mind wonky carrots and lumpy potatoes. We definitely don't mind peeling them. Last year, we started growing some of our own vegetables and came away with a pretty good crop of peas and chillies (which seem to go into a lot of our meals)
This all started with the “Rae can't cook” comments (I can't. My idea of cooking is to call the local pizza place. In fact, with the invention of online ordering, I don't even have to do that any more. Just select my favourite food, pay with my credit card, and it turns up at my door within the hour. Genius!). Apparently I also can't garden, although I can use a lawn mower, and I'm quite happy to sit out in it on sunny days.
So I started growing some tomatoes at work. Before you think that I've got nothing better to do, my job actually involves keeping elderly people entertained and my (often failed) attempts at gardening start a lot of conversations.
Except that the tomatoes haven't died! Oh no, they've gone from strength to strength and this weekend I bought one home to transfer to a bigger pot. According to the seed packet, they're patio tomatoes and, well, I have a patio. So one of the plants suffered a two mile walk and a single bus journey to make its new home in my back garden.
I was ever so careful when it came to giving it its new home! It has a nice, big pot, lots of new compost, and special food. It also has a special place beside the back door so that I can lean back from little writing spot and look at my new baby.
Needless to say, it's amusing my family and friends, especially my constant fawning over it (Yes, I'm talking to it. I'm not going to sing because then the rain will come again).
Truth be told, I've found the whole experience extremely relaxing and I can see why people are so taken by gardens and gardening. There's something soothing about creating something in such a way and working with nature. As well as that, it's wonderful to be out in the open air and feeling the sun on one's skin.
The battle's not won yet. I've still got to contend with slugs, British weather, and the England-Getting-Kicked-Out-Of-The-World-Cup style tears if no tomatoes appear. But, right now, I managed to grow a plant from a seed and that's all that matters!
From small seeds...
No, I've decided to grow something.
From a seed.
As a family, we're not too keen on the overly packaged, overly produced supermarket fruit and veg. We like ours with a bit of dirt on and we don't care if they're not perfect shaped. Honestly, we don't mind wonky carrots and lumpy potatoes. We definitely don't mind peeling them. Last year, we started growing some of our own vegetables and came away with a pretty good crop of peas and chillies (which seem to go into a lot of our meals)
This all started with the “Rae can't cook” comments (I can't. My idea of cooking is to call the local pizza place. In fact, with the invention of online ordering, I don't even have to do that any more. Just select my favourite food, pay with my credit card, and it turns up at my door within the hour. Genius!). Apparently I also can't garden, although I can use a lawn mower, and I'm quite happy to sit out in it on sunny days.
So I started growing some tomatoes at work. Before you think that I've got nothing better to do, my job actually involves keeping elderly people entertained and my (often failed) attempts at gardening start a lot of conversations.
Except that the tomatoes haven't died! Oh no, they've gone from strength to strength and this weekend I bought one home to transfer to a bigger pot. According to the seed packet, they're patio tomatoes and, well, I have a patio. So one of the plants suffered a two mile walk and a single bus journey to make its new home in my back garden.
I was ever so careful when it came to giving it its new home! It has a nice, big pot, lots of new compost, and special food. It also has a special place beside the back door so that I can lean back from little writing spot and look at my new baby.
Needless to say, it's amusing my family and friends, especially my constant fawning over it (Yes, I'm talking to it. I'm not going to sing because then the rain will come again).
Truth be told, I've found the whole experience extremely relaxing and I can see why people are so taken by gardens and gardening. There's something soothing about creating something in such a way and working with nature. As well as that, it's wonderful to be out in the open air and feeling the sun on one's skin.
The battle's not won yet. I've still got to contend with slugs, British weather, and the England-Getting-Kicked-Out-Of-The-World-Cup style tears if no tomatoes appear. But, right now, I managed to grow a plant from a seed and that's all that matters!
From small seeds...
June 10, 2014
The Spirits of Las Vegas
Las Vegas; a city famed for its bright lights, plentiful drinks, shotgun weddings, and, hopefully, a meeting with Lady Luck. Every year, nearly forty million people make their way to this Mecca of excess to soak up all it has to offer and to, hopefully, get lucky.
But Sin City also has another side to it. For the spiritually aware, this other, often unseen, part of Vegas hovers above the city, a mix of lost souls and spirits. A few moments of standing in a hotel lobby can provoke a wave of different feelings. For Las Vegas is home to more than spirits of the alcoholic kind.
For a single week in April 2014, I stayed at the Luxor hotel. For me, it was the end of a ten year dream, one which had seen me travel half way around the globe to stay in a hotel I’d only seen in photographs. Something had drawn me to the iconic pyramid and I was desperate to stay within its walls. Driving at night from the airport to the hotel was like watching ever Vegas themed movie come to life. The millions of lights, the long, sweeping Strip, and the sound of a million slot machines singing their songs all come into sight as the freeways sweeps up from the airport. It’s an excitement like no other, one which crackles through the air like lightning.
Yet, within a few hours of stepping into my hotel room I began to feel things other than overwhelming excitement. Creeping chills which were more than the air conditioning and an ache in my head that indicated the start of a drop into depression. Without even stepping onto the Strip, I was picking up something other than the city’s vibrant life.
I’ve always been spiritually sensitive. It’s what my Christian mother calls my ability to pick up the vibrations of places and people. Strangely, she doesn’t see it as an odd skill. For her, it’s more of a blessing, a super strengthened sixth sense if you will. But it’s not just the living I’m able to pick up these energies from. It’s those who’ve passed, or those who aren’t even a part of our Earthly plane.
I knew before I went that Las Vegas was going to send this sense into overdrive and that staying in a massive pyramid would only add to the experience. Before I left, I made sure I had enough protection watching over me, and every night I asked for a white, protective light to surround me. Still, I was interested to see exactly what the self-proclaimed City of Light had in store for me.
Within a day of arriving, I had my first experience with a shadowy figure on the twenty-fifth floor of the hotel. For those who’ve never been, the Luxor pyramid holds the record for the world’s largest atrium. Check in desks, a food court, and the casino are crammed into this massive space with the interior of the pyramid stretching upwards for thirty three stories. The rooms are on the outside of the pyramid with the hallways running around the inside. These walkways are open to the atrium with nothing more than a four foot high wall to stop anyone from stepping over the edge. The elevators run up the inclined struts of the pyramid.
It was while exiting the elevators on my floor that I began to notice the shadowy figure. As I was turning onto the first of the long stretches of hallway, it would step up beside me and always on the right side. I never felt any threat from this being. Instead, I felt sadness and pain. By the time I reached my room, the figure had always faded away.
When I returned home, I did some reading on the history of the Luxor and discovered that, in 1996, a woman had jumped to her death from the twenty sixth floor, the floor above mine. A few years later and a gentleman took the same final journey down into the atrium. The Luxor is also supposedly haunted by two construction workers who lost their lives during the building process.
It’s no wonder there are so many lost souls, both human and spirit, wandering the Strip. Las Vegas sadly also holds the title as the suicide capital of America. A mix of huge hotels and a sense of anonymity allows those who’ve lost their way to end their lives without involving friends and family. Sadly, it’s often the hotel staff who are left to deal with the fall out.
Nowhere in the world is the energy concentrated like it is in Vegas. A single four mile road is what many people come to see, and they come in their millions. Most people stay for an average of three days. Nearly all of the major hotels and casinos can be found on the Strip with more being built every year. This causes a massive vortex of energy, a place where souls and spirits are attracted like moths to a flame. Not all are those who’ve lost their way. Some belong to people who fell in love with the city’s crazy lifestyle and chose to return in the afterlife. Others have come from the city’s past, a time when Las Vegas was run by mobsters and the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis put bums on seats. They appear to be more active at night, gathering on street corners and wandering the Strip. Maybe to show an unwary traveller the way, or to guide someone hunting the elusive Lady Luck?
The famous also remain long after they've departed this mortal coil. Elvis is reported to still be in residence as the Hilton, while Liberace haunts Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens.
For me, the casinos were the hotbed of activity. Ghostly fingers whispered across shoulders or there was a sudden overpowering smell of a long discontinued perfume. I noticed it more when I was playing alone. Hunched up at a slot machine, my feet perched on the ledge below, I'd often feel as though there was someone sitting beside me. They were friendly spirits, there because they had once enjoyed what I was now doing. Perhaps they liked the idea of sitting with a rookie gambler, one who had come to the city because she had heard tales of the bright, noisy machines. More than once I felt a hand on my shoulder. Again, it wasn't malicious, more of a reassurance when I found myself feeling lost among the city's crowds. Often the hands felt as though they belonged to a man, and they went no further than my shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, they once belonged to a protective husband?
In its own right, Las Vegas is a beautiful city with many things to offer. But you may come away with more than a spectacular week in this most decadent of cities.
~~~
Rae is an award winning author based in Leicester, England who loves being silly and taking photographs. “The Eve of War”, the third book in her LGBT Steampunk series is out now. Oddly, her ability to communicate with, and see, spirits shocked her more than it did her family. She accepts it now and enjoys travelling to see who she meets, whether living, dead, and from the spirit world.
But Sin City also has another side to it. For the spiritually aware, this other, often unseen, part of Vegas hovers above the city, a mix of lost souls and spirits. A few moments of standing in a hotel lobby can provoke a wave of different feelings. For Las Vegas is home to more than spirits of the alcoholic kind.For a single week in April 2014, I stayed at the Luxor hotel. For me, it was the end of a ten year dream, one which had seen me travel half way around the globe to stay in a hotel I’d only seen in photographs. Something had drawn me to the iconic pyramid and I was desperate to stay within its walls. Driving at night from the airport to the hotel was like watching ever Vegas themed movie come to life. The millions of lights, the long, sweeping Strip, and the sound of a million slot machines singing their songs all come into sight as the freeways sweeps up from the airport. It’s an excitement like no other, one which crackles through the air like lightning.
Yet, within a few hours of stepping into my hotel room I began to feel things other than overwhelming excitement. Creeping chills which were more than the air conditioning and an ache in my head that indicated the start of a drop into depression. Without even stepping onto the Strip, I was picking up something other than the city’s vibrant life.
I’ve always been spiritually sensitive. It’s what my Christian mother calls my ability to pick up the vibrations of places and people. Strangely, she doesn’t see it as an odd skill. For her, it’s more of a blessing, a super strengthened sixth sense if you will. But it’s not just the living I’m able to pick up these energies from. It’s those who’ve passed, or those who aren’t even a part of our Earthly plane.
I knew before I went that Las Vegas was going to send this sense into overdrive and that staying in a massive pyramid would only add to the experience. Before I left, I made sure I had enough protection watching over me, and every night I asked for a white, protective light to surround me. Still, I was interested to see exactly what the self-proclaimed City of Light had in store for me.
Within a day of arriving, I had my first experience with a shadowy figure on the twenty-fifth floor of the hotel. For those who’ve never been, the Luxor pyramid holds the record for the world’s largest atrium. Check in desks, a food court, and the casino are crammed into this massive space with the interior of the pyramid stretching upwards for thirty three stories. The rooms are on the outside of the pyramid with the hallways running around the inside. These walkways are open to the atrium with nothing more than a four foot high wall to stop anyone from stepping over the edge. The elevators run up the inclined struts of the pyramid.
It was while exiting the elevators on my floor that I began to notice the shadowy figure. As I was turning onto the first of the long stretches of hallway, it would step up beside me and always on the right side. I never felt any threat from this being. Instead, I felt sadness and pain. By the time I reached my room, the figure had always faded away.
When I returned home, I did some reading on the history of the Luxor and discovered that, in 1996, a woman had jumped to her death from the twenty sixth floor, the floor above mine. A few years later and a gentleman took the same final journey down into the atrium. The Luxor is also supposedly haunted by two construction workers who lost their lives during the building process.
It’s no wonder there are so many lost souls, both human and spirit, wandering the Strip. Las Vegas sadly also holds the title as the suicide capital of America. A mix of huge hotels and a sense of anonymity allows those who’ve lost their way to end their lives without involving friends and family. Sadly, it’s often the hotel staff who are left to deal with the fall out.
Nowhere in the world is the energy concentrated like it is in Vegas. A single four mile road is what many people come to see, and they come in their millions. Most people stay for an average of three days. Nearly all of the major hotels and casinos can be found on the Strip with more being built every year. This causes a massive vortex of energy, a place where souls and spirits are attracted like moths to a flame. Not all are those who’ve lost their way. Some belong to people who fell in love with the city’s crazy lifestyle and chose to return in the afterlife. Others have come from the city’s past, a time when Las Vegas was run by mobsters and the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis put bums on seats. They appear to be more active at night, gathering on street corners and wandering the Strip. Maybe to show an unwary traveller the way, or to guide someone hunting the elusive Lady Luck?
The famous also remain long after they've departed this mortal coil. Elvis is reported to still be in residence as the Hilton, while Liberace haunts Carluccio's Tivoli Gardens. For me, the casinos were the hotbed of activity. Ghostly fingers whispered across shoulders or there was a sudden overpowering smell of a long discontinued perfume. I noticed it more when I was playing alone. Hunched up at a slot machine, my feet perched on the ledge below, I'd often feel as though there was someone sitting beside me. They were friendly spirits, there because they had once enjoyed what I was now doing. Perhaps they liked the idea of sitting with a rookie gambler, one who had come to the city because she had heard tales of the bright, noisy machines. More than once I felt a hand on my shoulder. Again, it wasn't malicious, more of a reassurance when I found myself feeling lost among the city's crowds. Often the hands felt as though they belonged to a man, and they went no further than my shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, they once belonged to a protective husband?
In its own right, Las Vegas is a beautiful city with many things to offer. But you may come away with more than a spectacular week in this most decadent of cities.
~~~
Rae is an award winning author based in Leicester, England who loves being silly and taking photographs. “The Eve of War”, the third book in her LGBT Steampunk series is out now. Oddly, her ability to communicate with, and see, spirits shocked her more than it did her family. She accepts it now and enjoys travelling to see who she meets, whether living, dead, and from the spirit world.
June 3, 2014
Vegas Tips Part 2!
Back in April, I wrote the first Tips and Tricks of Las Vegas post (primarily aimed at those of us on a budget). Then a friend asked for advice and it's spawned a second post! If you've got any questions, feel free to ask. I've been travelling on a budget for my entire life and there's no such thing as a stupid question. :)
Major bands tend to play there outside of the big touring months so keep an eye on their tour dates. A lot of bands have also taken up residences in Vegas. GN'R are at the Hard Rock at the moment.If you're from Europe, you'll know how crazy a metal or rock show can get. For some reason it doesn't seem to be the same across the pond (Unless the band is from outside of the States) so make the most of it and get to the front.If you're not bothered about staying on the Strip, there are a wealth of cheaper Travelodges and motels just a block or so from the action.The North end of the Strip (Freemont Street etc) is cheaper than the south end. If you're on a budget, you'll find the cheaper places to eat there.If you absolutely can't live without your tea and coffee (like me!), take a travel kettle, drinks, and milk. I bought the sachets of pasturised milk from ebay and they travel well stuffed in the kettle.Be warned that there may not be a fridge in the hotel room, even if you are staying on the Strip! Hence the milk sachets. To find out if your hotel will have either a fridge, coffee making facilities, or both just Google the hotel name and what you're looking for. People tend to post those kinds of things on Trip Advisor. Failing that, email the hotel directly.Also, if you're taking a kettle, be prepared for your suitcase to be searched by the TSA. Mine was and they packed it far neater than I originally did!Speaking of drinks. Bottled water in the Strip hotels is notoriously expensive (we're talking between $5 - $8 a bottle). Go to one of gas stations, smaller shops, or Walgreens and get it from there. I think I paid $1.99+tax at the gas station across the road from the Luxor. The exact same bottle in the hotel? $5+tax.Nevada tap water is drinkable so refill those bottles!Alcohol? We're talking $7+ for a bottle of beer. It's cheaper down Freemont St (although that may be changing as they're looking at making the actual street area alcohol free). Or play the slot machines for a while and wait for a waitress to come and take your order. The cost of that drink? A dollar tip!Google Maps is your friend! It'll show you where everything is. The search function is awesome for finding specific places (Hellllloooo In N' Out Burger!).Internet. Yeah, this is a big one. Some places it's free. Some places it's included in the resort fee. Some places it's supposed to be included in the resort fee but isn't. Some places will give you 48 hours free before charging you. Some places will give you 48 hours free and then charge you even though it's supposed to be included in the resort fee. Some places charge you outright for it. If you don't have a compatible data plan and need to be constantly online, just leave your phone/tablet/computer turned to wireless and scan as you walk. Try every connection which is unlocked because you don't know when you're going to get lucky! If you're going to the States from the UK, you might want to sign up to 3 Mobile. As long as you've been with them for longer than 30 days, you'll be eligible for their “Feel At Home” program. This allows you to use your allotted minutes, texts, and data in the States. If you go over, you will be charged but it'll be lower than the normal roaming rate. Great for if you're in Sound City Studios and you want to call your musician brother to say hi! I did have problems connecting while in LA but this post answered my questions. "Feel At Home" is available for both contract and Pay As You Go customers. If you absolutely need to have a US number Go Sim have some of the best deals.
Brewing up British style in Las Vegas!
Major bands tend to play there outside of the big touring months so keep an eye on their tour dates. A lot of bands have also taken up residences in Vegas. GN'R are at the Hard Rock at the moment.If you're from Europe, you'll know how crazy a metal or rock show can get. For some reason it doesn't seem to be the same across the pond (Unless the band is from outside of the States) so make the most of it and get to the front.If you're not bothered about staying on the Strip, there are a wealth of cheaper Travelodges and motels just a block or so from the action.The North end of the Strip (Freemont Street etc) is cheaper than the south end. If you're on a budget, you'll find the cheaper places to eat there.If you absolutely can't live without your tea and coffee (like me!), take a travel kettle, drinks, and milk. I bought the sachets of pasturised milk from ebay and they travel well stuffed in the kettle.Be warned that there may not be a fridge in the hotel room, even if you are staying on the Strip! Hence the milk sachets. To find out if your hotel will have either a fridge, coffee making facilities, or both just Google the hotel name and what you're looking for. People tend to post those kinds of things on Trip Advisor. Failing that, email the hotel directly.Also, if you're taking a kettle, be prepared for your suitcase to be searched by the TSA. Mine was and they packed it far neater than I originally did!Speaking of drinks. Bottled water in the Strip hotels is notoriously expensive (we're talking between $5 - $8 a bottle). Go to one of gas stations, smaller shops, or Walgreens and get it from there. I think I paid $1.99+tax at the gas station across the road from the Luxor. The exact same bottle in the hotel? $5+tax.Nevada tap water is drinkable so refill those bottles!Alcohol? We're talking $7+ for a bottle of beer. It's cheaper down Freemont St (although that may be changing as they're looking at making the actual street area alcohol free). Or play the slot machines for a while and wait for a waitress to come and take your order. The cost of that drink? A dollar tip!Google Maps is your friend! It'll show you where everything is. The search function is awesome for finding specific places (Hellllloooo In N' Out Burger!).Internet. Yeah, this is a big one. Some places it's free. Some places it's included in the resort fee. Some places it's supposed to be included in the resort fee but isn't. Some places will give you 48 hours free before charging you. Some places will give you 48 hours free and then charge you even though it's supposed to be included in the resort fee. Some places charge you outright for it. If you don't have a compatible data plan and need to be constantly online, just leave your phone/tablet/computer turned to wireless and scan as you walk. Try every connection which is unlocked because you don't know when you're going to get lucky! If you're going to the States from the UK, you might want to sign up to 3 Mobile. As long as you've been with them for longer than 30 days, you'll be eligible for their “Feel At Home” program. This allows you to use your allotted minutes, texts, and data in the States. If you go over, you will be charged but it'll be lower than the normal roaming rate. Great for if you're in Sound City Studios and you want to call your musician brother to say hi! I did have problems connecting while in LA but this post answered my questions. "Feel At Home" is available for both contract and Pay As You Go customers. If you absolutely need to have a US number Go Sim have some of the best deals.
Brewing up British style in Las Vegas!May 28, 2014
The Eve of War (Veetu Industries #3) Out Now!
"The Eve of War", Book 3 in the Veetu Industries Series, is out now!
Torquere Press (Stocks all e-book formats) Amazon US (Kindle and Print) Amazon UK (Kindle and Print) Amazon Germany (Kindle and Print)
If you want to play catch up, you can! Get 20% off "Mars on the Rise" (Veetu Industries #1) and "Selling Mars" (Veetu Industries #2) for this week only over at Torquere Press's website!
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=specials
Torquere Press (Stocks all e-book formats) Amazon US (Kindle and Print) Amazon UK (Kindle and Print) Amazon Germany (Kindle and Print)
If you want to play catch up, you can! Get 20% off "Mars on the Rise" (Veetu Industries #1) and "Selling Mars" (Veetu Industries #2) for this week only over at Torquere Press's website!
http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=specials
May 23, 2014
Inspirational Interview - Ngaire Elder
This week, the lovely Ngaire has agreed to an interview. Ngaire, along with a handful of other indie authors, took me under her wing way back when my first book came out. Together they've helped me find my way through the minefield of being an indie author and I'm forever grateful for their love, help, and wonderful words.
As well as writing, Ngaire runs an awesome blog and is always around to dole out advice and beautiful smiles. Please give her a huge, warm welcome!
~~~
Hi Ngaire! Thank you for stopping by! Firstly, can you please tell us a little about yourself?
I am a married mother of four magnificent children, originally from Scotland and now settled in Southern Spain, in a small farmhouse, surrounded by lovely plants and animals of all types. I have written three well received children's books as part of a series called The Adventures of Cecilia Spark and look forward to carrying on with that. I am a voracious reader and am rarely without an on-going book and as part of my work as a children's author, I visit schools in Spain and the UK and read to young children, with the express purpose of encouraging literacy, a love of animals and the great outdoors.
You write the awesome Cecilia Spark series. What inspired you to write them? Was there anyone in particular you wanted to write them for?
Having 4 children I was a major part of their ‘reading-with-mum-to-reading-on-their-own’ transition. The books we read were amazing and I think I was captured by the juvenile fiction category. Furthermore, this age group (roughly 5-8/9 years) is at such a magical stage in their life for discovering books and defining their reading habits and genre that it seemed a natural place to start my writing.
My aim is to encourage children to read and motivate them to explore the great outdoors. I do this by creating a magical world of rivers and forests and mountains, populated with animals big and small. The adventures are bursting with thrills and spills, with a humorous streak running through each chapter. I hope to inspire their imagination and encourage them to get outside and learn more for themselves, or at least, to pick up a book about the natural world in which they live.
They've had an amazing response from pretty much every corner of the globe and I admit that I'm hooked now as well! Your writing is beautiful and flows so easily. How long have you been writing for? When did you decide it was time to publish a book?
Thank you, Rae, for those lovely words of encouragement for my writing. I have been writing since I was a child; I wrote plays! But it wasn’t until about 7 or 8 years ago I managed to find the time to put pen to paper. I wish I had kept those plays, I am sure I would have had a chuckle reading them again.
You're a big advocate for indie authors and we love you for it! What made you decide to go it alone rather than approach a big publisher? If you went to a big publisher, what kind of reactions did you receive?
My time schedule and the fact I cannot work under pressure. I do set myself deadlines, but if I don’t make it I don’t panic because I am not letting anyone down. Compared with, if I was with a BIG publishing house, I dare say if you miss a deadline they wouldn’t be too happy.I don’t think I could work under that sort of pressure. And yes, at the start of my writing career I approached a handful of publishers. I received a couple of positive replies but nothing definite, but it didn’t put me off publishing on my own. In fact it made me more determined to succeed!
For you, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being an indie author?
Advantages and disadvantages … let me see. For me the main advantage of being indie is being in control of my work, and keeping all rights to my writing. I have also met some great folks whom I am not afraid to approach and ask for their advice on matters. The main disadvantage, in my opinion is distribution and not getting the exposure that a traditionally published author does. Some people still stigmatise Indie authors. You have to handle all, or almost all, your own marketing and that can be pretty time consuming.
The lovely Ngaire!
We've seen a huge shift in the publishing industry in the past decade. Where do you see it going in the next 10 years?
I think a gatekeeper to check on quality is inevitable. I also think Amazon, with their purchases of small publishing houses, will grow increasingly into a publisher and not just a broker/intermediary. Lots more little publishing houses will sprout up and audio books - an area I am involved in - will become more and more prevalent in the area. Writers who don't create audiobooks may struggle to sell their work. I think it is going to be a battle, Rae, and more and more authors will struggle to sell books. However, I don't think people will stop writing, but the expectations of earning money for the vast majority of authors will have to be lessened.
The children's market is obviously huge so how do you find being a part of it? What kinds of things do you have to do differently as opposed to someone who writes adult books?
Coming up with an original idea and theme for your stories. Not to be afraid of exploring other avenues, say for example audio books, an area I have ventured into and I am pleased with the result. Children’s authors have to be prepared to interact with kids. So school and library visits should be at the top of the list. Having fun things to do on your website is a must. And being a big kid helps!
A lot of people want to write children's books. What would your advice be to anyone who's starting out in the industry? Are there any pitfalls that you'd advise them to keep an eye out for?
Don’t try and do things yourself you cannot carry off. See your vision clearly in your mind’s eye. If you have a vision, the story will flow naturally and you should have no problems. If you are just joining in a trend, this will show in your work and you will struggle. Invest in a decent illustrator. Make lots of friends on the social networks and never, ever put a sock in the toaster!Pitfalls, if I have come across any they have not impacted upon me greatly …
Finally, tell us about your books and let us know where to find you online!
My children’s series is an action and adventure series called The Adventures of Cecilia Spark. To date there are 3 books in the series: Brimstone Forest, the Mystical Mountains of Terra, and Dragon’s Star.All books are available as an ebook, paperback and audio book. The series is suitable for boys and girls aged 5-10 years old. The younger children will enjoy hearing the stories being read to them whilst looking at the fabulous illustrations (Peter Maddocks).Another recent publication is My Nature Friends which is an A-Z picture book and was wonderfully illustrated by my daughter, Fearn. I am so proud of her.
I love the research stage for Cecilia Spark’s adventures and I endeavour to base parts of the story on real places; magical and unique locations in our world. In book 2 – The Adventures of Cecilia Spark: the Mystical Mountains of Terra – one place I was drawn to whilst researching for this adventure was the mangroves in Brazil, in particular the Bahia region, and the lake scene at the Mystical Mountains, was inspired by Lake Baikal in Russia. Given this I believe every child that reads a Cecilia Spark adventure will not only enjoy the thrills and spills but will also learn about the world we live in and the importance of friendship.
All books are available from Amazon and other online book shops.
Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ngaire-Elder/e/B006VXOUN8 Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/Ngaire-Elder/e/B006VXOUN8
For the audio books in the series:
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ngaire-elder/id872717777 Audible http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_pd_Kids_D_c2_1_auth?searchAuthor=Ngaire+Elder
My website is a great place to explore - http://www.ceciliaspark.com/
My blog where you’ll read the latest news and indie writer/artist spotlights - http://adventuresofceciliaspark.blogspot.co.uk/
As well as writing, Ngaire runs an awesome blog and is always around to dole out advice and beautiful smiles. Please give her a huge, warm welcome!
~~~
Hi Ngaire! Thank you for stopping by! Firstly, can you please tell us a little about yourself?
I am a married mother of four magnificent children, originally from Scotland and now settled in Southern Spain, in a small farmhouse, surrounded by lovely plants and animals of all types. I have written three well received children's books as part of a series called The Adventures of Cecilia Spark and look forward to carrying on with that. I am a voracious reader and am rarely without an on-going book and as part of my work as a children's author, I visit schools in Spain and the UK and read to young children, with the express purpose of encouraging literacy, a love of animals and the great outdoors.
You write the awesome Cecilia Spark series. What inspired you to write them? Was there anyone in particular you wanted to write them for?
Having 4 children I was a major part of their ‘reading-with-mum-to-reading-on-their-own’ transition. The books we read were amazing and I think I was captured by the juvenile fiction category. Furthermore, this age group (roughly 5-8/9 years) is at such a magical stage in their life for discovering books and defining their reading habits and genre that it seemed a natural place to start my writing.
My aim is to encourage children to read and motivate them to explore the great outdoors. I do this by creating a magical world of rivers and forests and mountains, populated with animals big and small. The adventures are bursting with thrills and spills, with a humorous streak running through each chapter. I hope to inspire their imagination and encourage them to get outside and learn more for themselves, or at least, to pick up a book about the natural world in which they live.
They've had an amazing response from pretty much every corner of the globe and I admit that I'm hooked now as well! Your writing is beautiful and flows so easily. How long have you been writing for? When did you decide it was time to publish a book?
Thank you, Rae, for those lovely words of encouragement for my writing. I have been writing since I was a child; I wrote plays! But it wasn’t until about 7 or 8 years ago I managed to find the time to put pen to paper. I wish I had kept those plays, I am sure I would have had a chuckle reading them again.
You're a big advocate for indie authors and we love you for it! What made you decide to go it alone rather than approach a big publisher? If you went to a big publisher, what kind of reactions did you receive?
My time schedule and the fact I cannot work under pressure. I do set myself deadlines, but if I don’t make it I don’t panic because I am not letting anyone down. Compared with, if I was with a BIG publishing house, I dare say if you miss a deadline they wouldn’t be too happy.I don’t think I could work under that sort of pressure. And yes, at the start of my writing career I approached a handful of publishers. I received a couple of positive replies but nothing definite, but it didn’t put me off publishing on my own. In fact it made me more determined to succeed!
For you, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being an indie author?
Advantages and disadvantages … let me see. For me the main advantage of being indie is being in control of my work, and keeping all rights to my writing. I have also met some great folks whom I am not afraid to approach and ask for their advice on matters. The main disadvantage, in my opinion is distribution and not getting the exposure that a traditionally published author does. Some people still stigmatise Indie authors. You have to handle all, or almost all, your own marketing and that can be pretty time consuming.
The lovely Ngaire!We've seen a huge shift in the publishing industry in the past decade. Where do you see it going in the next 10 years?
I think a gatekeeper to check on quality is inevitable. I also think Amazon, with their purchases of small publishing houses, will grow increasingly into a publisher and not just a broker/intermediary. Lots more little publishing houses will sprout up and audio books - an area I am involved in - will become more and more prevalent in the area. Writers who don't create audiobooks may struggle to sell their work. I think it is going to be a battle, Rae, and more and more authors will struggle to sell books. However, I don't think people will stop writing, but the expectations of earning money for the vast majority of authors will have to be lessened.
The children's market is obviously huge so how do you find being a part of it? What kinds of things do you have to do differently as opposed to someone who writes adult books?
Coming up with an original idea and theme for your stories. Not to be afraid of exploring other avenues, say for example audio books, an area I have ventured into and I am pleased with the result. Children’s authors have to be prepared to interact with kids. So school and library visits should be at the top of the list. Having fun things to do on your website is a must. And being a big kid helps!
A lot of people want to write children's books. What would your advice be to anyone who's starting out in the industry? Are there any pitfalls that you'd advise them to keep an eye out for?
Don’t try and do things yourself you cannot carry off. See your vision clearly in your mind’s eye. If you have a vision, the story will flow naturally and you should have no problems. If you are just joining in a trend, this will show in your work and you will struggle. Invest in a decent illustrator. Make lots of friends on the social networks and never, ever put a sock in the toaster!Pitfalls, if I have come across any they have not impacted upon me greatly …
Finally, tell us about your books and let us know where to find you online!
My children’s series is an action and adventure series called The Adventures of Cecilia Spark. To date there are 3 books in the series: Brimstone Forest, the Mystical Mountains of Terra, and Dragon’s Star.All books are available as an ebook, paperback and audio book. The series is suitable for boys and girls aged 5-10 years old. The younger children will enjoy hearing the stories being read to them whilst looking at the fabulous illustrations (Peter Maddocks).Another recent publication is My Nature Friends which is an A-Z picture book and was wonderfully illustrated by my daughter, Fearn. I am so proud of her.
I love the research stage for Cecilia Spark’s adventures and I endeavour to base parts of the story on real places; magical and unique locations in our world. In book 2 – The Adventures of Cecilia Spark: the Mystical Mountains of Terra – one place I was drawn to whilst researching for this adventure was the mangroves in Brazil, in particular the Bahia region, and the lake scene at the Mystical Mountains, was inspired by Lake Baikal in Russia. Given this I believe every child that reads a Cecilia Spark adventure will not only enjoy the thrills and spills but will also learn about the world we live in and the importance of friendship.
All books are available from Amazon and other online book shops.
Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ngaire-Elder/e/B006VXOUN8 Amazon US - http://www.amazon.com/Ngaire-Elder/e/B006VXOUN8
For the audio books in the series:
iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ngaire-elder/id872717777 Audible http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_pd_Kids_D_c2_1_auth?searchAuthor=Ngaire+Elder
My website is a great place to explore - http://www.ceciliaspark.com/
My blog where you’ll read the latest news and indie writer/artist spotlights - http://adventuresofceciliaspark.blogspot.co.uk/
May 14, 2014
Inspirational Interview - Emm Roy
To counteract some of the dark issues I write about, I like to find people, photos, articles, and quotes which make the world a lighter, brighter, and much nicer place to live. This week I've been honoured to speak to Emm Roy. Emm runs Pleasestopbeingsad over on Tumblr. I discovered her blog a couple of months ago and check in every day for a dose of cute and happiness. Her doodles and advice reach thousands of people and if you need a pick-me-up, or just want to smile a bit more, her blog is guaranteed to do it. Without further ado, please welcome her to the blog!
~~~
"Firstly, tell us a little about yourself."
Hi! I’m a 22 year old French Canadian illustrator. I like cats and drinking a lot of coffee.
“You run the amazing Tumblr blog Pleasestopbeingsad. What inspired you to start it?”
Thanks! It wasn’t always the way it is now. It started because I was in a bad place, and I thought it would be helpful if I had a drawing diary to chronicle my progress as I tried to heal and get out of that bad place. I also wanted to let my friends know how I was doing, so I decided to put it online in blog form instead of keeping a more traditional paperback diary. Eventually, it started getting popular, and I decided to switch the focus of the blog so it would be more about helping people and less about my personal journey.
“Your wonderful doodles make a lot of people smile. What inspired you to start drawing? What do you use to make them? On average how many do you draw a day?”
Again, thank you. I’ve been drawing for as far as I can remember. When I was younger, I was one of those kids who was always drawing in class or skipping class to draw. I mainly draw using a wacom bamboo create tablet and photoshop cs6. It’s hard to tell how many I make a day. “A lot” would be my best guess.
“Sometimes you speak about your daily life. Do you make time to draw every day? Is it an “Okay, for the next hour this is what I’m going to do”? Or do you just sit down and go for it whenever the mood takes you?”
I’m very into scheduling. I make schedules and I plan things so that I can be more efficient and maximize my productivity. Drawing is currently my only source of income, so I always make sure to organize my schedule so that I draw at least 40 hours every week. To be honest though, I’m always so excited about drawing and creating work that my biggest problem is scheduling myself time for rest and breaks. I find it a lot easier to draw than not to draw.
“What advice would you give to someone who wants to be creative but finds themselves with a block? How do you deal with creative blocks?”
I think one of the easiest way to be blocked is to set your expectations too high. I have friends who are very talented, but they want everything they make to be perfect, and as soon as they make a mistake or they reach a hard step, they start getting nervous and unhappy about what they’re doing, and they’re no longer enjoying it as much. It’s important to allow yourself to fail. I think people should try to make bad art just for the sake of it sometimes. It’s fun and it helps put perfectionism in perspective. I’m also a big fan of drawing and painting with other people. It’s an amazing feeling to be alone with your thoughts while working on a painting, but company can be a lot of fun too. I’m also a big fan of taking breaks. Everyone needs to recharge sometimes. It’s okay. You’re not any less of an artist if you need to stop making art for a week.
“You give out a lot of wonderful advice and I always find myself smiling whenever I see it. If you could give one piece of advice to everyone, what would it be?”
Be kind, but don’t mistake kindness for letting people treat you badly. There is nothing mean about standing up for yourself or putting yourself first. It only means that you’re extending your kindness to yourself.
“Many people will agree that the world’s not a great place at the moment. What do you think could be done to make it better?”
People need to be more considerate. So often we hurt people, not because we’re bad people or because we want to hurt them, but because we simply haven’t taken the time to fully consider the consequences of our actions (or lack thereof). I think we need to pause and reflect more on how we’re affecting the world. I believe that positive change can happen, but I believe that it happens in small steps. I don’t expect to end poverty, but I can donate a few dollars to someone who needs it. I don’t expect to end bigotry, but I can tell someone when their actions are hurting me, and I can listen when they tell me that my actions are hurting them. I’m a big fan of the idea that small steps are still important steps.
“The doodles are available in books! Where can we find them?!”
Right now, they’re only available on Lulu.com (http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/pleasestopbeingsad)
“More importantly, where can we find you online?”
you can find me at pleasestopbeingsad.tumblr.com where I doodle little things to make people happy
or at emmisnotshortforemma.tumblr.com where I draw things about my life.
~~~
Thank you so much, Emm! And everyone else, go and check her blog! Go now! You won't be disappointed!
~~~
"Firstly, tell us a little about yourself."
Hi! I’m a 22 year old French Canadian illustrator. I like cats and drinking a lot of coffee.
“You run the amazing Tumblr blog Pleasestopbeingsad. What inspired you to start it?”
Thanks! It wasn’t always the way it is now. It started because I was in a bad place, and I thought it would be helpful if I had a drawing diary to chronicle my progress as I tried to heal and get out of that bad place. I also wanted to let my friends know how I was doing, so I decided to put it online in blog form instead of keeping a more traditional paperback diary. Eventually, it started getting popular, and I decided to switch the focus of the blog so it would be more about helping people and less about my personal journey.
“Your wonderful doodles make a lot of people smile. What inspired you to start drawing? What do you use to make them? On average how many do you draw a day?”
Again, thank you. I’ve been drawing for as far as I can remember. When I was younger, I was one of those kids who was always drawing in class or skipping class to draw. I mainly draw using a wacom bamboo create tablet and photoshop cs6. It’s hard to tell how many I make a day. “A lot” would be my best guess.
“Sometimes you speak about your daily life. Do you make time to draw every day? Is it an “Okay, for the next hour this is what I’m going to do”? Or do you just sit down and go for it whenever the mood takes you?”
I’m very into scheduling. I make schedules and I plan things so that I can be more efficient and maximize my productivity. Drawing is currently my only source of income, so I always make sure to organize my schedule so that I draw at least 40 hours every week. To be honest though, I’m always so excited about drawing and creating work that my biggest problem is scheduling myself time for rest and breaks. I find it a lot easier to draw than not to draw.
“What advice would you give to someone who wants to be creative but finds themselves with a block? How do you deal with creative blocks?”
I think one of the easiest way to be blocked is to set your expectations too high. I have friends who are very talented, but they want everything they make to be perfect, and as soon as they make a mistake or they reach a hard step, they start getting nervous and unhappy about what they’re doing, and they’re no longer enjoying it as much. It’s important to allow yourself to fail. I think people should try to make bad art just for the sake of it sometimes. It’s fun and it helps put perfectionism in perspective. I’m also a big fan of drawing and painting with other people. It’s an amazing feeling to be alone with your thoughts while working on a painting, but company can be a lot of fun too. I’m also a big fan of taking breaks. Everyone needs to recharge sometimes. It’s okay. You’re not any less of an artist if you need to stop making art for a week.
“You give out a lot of wonderful advice and I always find myself smiling whenever I see it. If you could give one piece of advice to everyone, what would it be?”
Be kind, but don’t mistake kindness for letting people treat you badly. There is nothing mean about standing up for yourself or putting yourself first. It only means that you’re extending your kindness to yourself.
“Many people will agree that the world’s not a great place at the moment. What do you think could be done to make it better?”
People need to be more considerate. So often we hurt people, not because we’re bad people or because we want to hurt them, but because we simply haven’t taken the time to fully consider the consequences of our actions (or lack thereof). I think we need to pause and reflect more on how we’re affecting the world. I believe that positive change can happen, but I believe that it happens in small steps. I don’t expect to end poverty, but I can donate a few dollars to someone who needs it. I don’t expect to end bigotry, but I can tell someone when their actions are hurting me, and I can listen when they tell me that my actions are hurting them. I’m a big fan of the idea that small steps are still important steps.
“The doodles are available in books! Where can we find them?!”
Right now, they’re only available on Lulu.com (http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/pleasestopbeingsad)
“More importantly, where can we find you online?”
you can find me at pleasestopbeingsad.tumblr.com where I doodle little things to make people happy
or at emmisnotshortforemma.tumblr.com where I draw things about my life.
~~~
Thank you so much, Emm! And everyone else, go and check her blog! Go now! You won't be disappointed!
May 11, 2014
Keep Moving
Sometimes we have to leave our comfort zones to realise what we want from life. Sometimes we have to stand on the outside and look in to see the changes we need to make.
Which was partly why I went to Vegas. Yes, it has been on my “To Travel To” list for about a decade. But I needed to get away. Needed to look at myself in another light. Needed to let off some of the steam which has been boiling away for the past few years.
Sunrise in Vegas
Everything always looks more exciting when we're there. When we're a tourist we can well imagine ourselves living in the place we're visiting. And many of us chase that dream. A few days after I arrived back from the States a friend of mine moved to LA.
So I've made the decision to change my life. It's been a long time coming but I needed something to kick start it. I needed a change of perspective to see what I have and what I want from life. And boy did I get the kick up the arse that I needed!
British small town life isn't all that great. It's pretty much like anywhere in the world. There's not a lot to do, bands frequently pass you by for the bigger draw of London 100 miles away. Shops are closing faster than they're opening, and the ones that are open don't stock anything you need (Unless you need more greeting cards than you can shake a stick at, clothes that will fall apart after one wash, and more mobile phones than you'll ever need in one lifetime). Jobs are few and far between and the ones you can find don't offer much in the way of promotion or pay. Yes, I know it's like this all over the world. But are the prospects better outside of what I know?
I don't know, which is why I'm trying. I'm still writing but, at the same time, I'm applying for jobs all over the world. I'm looking for new places to live. I want new experiences and I have very little tying me down to where I live now. And I definitely don't want to get to the end of my life thinking, “I wish I'd done that.”
So I'm going to do it. I'm going to knuckle up, get rid of my insecurities and go. It's a big world out there and I don't want to miss any of it.
Which was partly why I went to Vegas. Yes, it has been on my “To Travel To” list for about a decade. But I needed to get away. Needed to look at myself in another light. Needed to let off some of the steam which has been boiling away for the past few years.
Sunrise in VegasEverything always looks more exciting when we're there. When we're a tourist we can well imagine ourselves living in the place we're visiting. And many of us chase that dream. A few days after I arrived back from the States a friend of mine moved to LA.
So I've made the decision to change my life. It's been a long time coming but I needed something to kick start it. I needed a change of perspective to see what I have and what I want from life. And boy did I get the kick up the arse that I needed!
British small town life isn't all that great. It's pretty much like anywhere in the world. There's not a lot to do, bands frequently pass you by for the bigger draw of London 100 miles away. Shops are closing faster than they're opening, and the ones that are open don't stock anything you need (Unless you need more greeting cards than you can shake a stick at, clothes that will fall apart after one wash, and more mobile phones than you'll ever need in one lifetime). Jobs are few and far between and the ones you can find don't offer much in the way of promotion or pay. Yes, I know it's like this all over the world. But are the prospects better outside of what I know?
I don't know, which is why I'm trying. I'm still writing but, at the same time, I'm applying for jobs all over the world. I'm looking for new places to live. I want new experiences and I have very little tying me down to where I live now. And I definitely don't want to get to the end of my life thinking, “I wish I'd done that.”
So I'm going to do it. I'm going to knuckle up, get rid of my insecurities and go. It's a big world out there and I don't want to miss any of it.
May 1, 2014
Sound City
If you're a film or music buff, chances are you've come across the stunning Sound City documentary. The film is Dave Grohl's love letter to a studio which nearly went to the wall, a building which has played host to some of the most famous musicians in history. Fleetwood Mac, Rick Springfield, Buckingham Nicks, Nine Inch Nails, REO Speedwagon, Tom Petty and, of course, Nirvana have all graced the studio.
As we were planning a trip to LA, one of our party (thanks, Kirri!) decided to get in touch with the original owners to see if we could visit and take a look around. All we were told was to turn up before mid-day.
So we did.
They've kept the famous painted sign which welcomes you to the studios. Driving beneath it, you feel a sense of calm and anticipation. How many people have driven through that driveway? How many of them are the same people you now see screaming around a stage in front of 80,000 people? How did they feel when they first arrived? Were they excited? Nervous? Inspired?
We chose to drive up the ramp and onto the parking lot on top of the building, before we realised that actually, we probably should have parked right outside the studio. Oh well...
First port of call was to knock on the door of Fairfax Recordings. The building, unlike the rest of them, is now blue (The others have retained their famous cream colouring). The door was answered by a nervous looking young man who had no idea who we were looking for but kindly allowed us to use the bathroom and clear a few bottles of water from the fridge. Finally, we discovered that Sandy, our contact, hadn't yet arrived on the site.
It was just before 11am. We were closing in on our deadline of mid-day so we decided to take a walk. We found a Denny's a short way up the road and debated what to do. We were hot, tired, and jet lagged. We'd driven for 4 hours. If we didn't get in we'd at least been on the property. We'd driven, and walked, beneath the famous sign and we'd seen a wall of records from many of the artists who'd worked there.
But... There's always a but. What if we didn't try again? We'd regret it for the rest of our lives.
We made the decision to go back and try again. Besides, there was no harm, right? So we trudged back and took another stab at the door. This time it was answered by the wonderful Sandy and we were welcomed in like long lost friends! Suddenly we were standing in the offices and looking around in awe. There were photographs mounted on wooden plaques (what people would be given before the invention of the gold record) and too many other things to take in. Much to our delight, Tom, the founder and owner, was around. Again, there was another big welcome and any nerves we'd been feeling melted away. We were happy and excited. We'd travelled half way around the world for this moment and it felt like every crazy dream you've ever had was coming true.
It was time and, with fluttering hearts, we made our way back to the blue building. The film gives you the sense that the offices and studios are in one building. They're not. You drive under the sign and find yourself in a parking lot with buildings on three sides. The front buildings house the offices while the ones in the back contain the studios. Facing the U-shaped building, the part with the drum room is to your left, while the ones straight ahead and to the right are now leased to other companies (Sandy made the comment that they've gone from leasing studios to leasing property).
We went back through the large, frosted glass door and met the young man we'd originally spoken to. Gone are the brown, carpeted walls. A few of the non-supporting walls have been knocked down to open the space up. You find yourself in a large, white area with a kitchen to your right and a snug, containing books, records, and couches, straight ahead. To your left is a large door.
You're taken to the door and let in. Your head snaps back and your jaw hits the floor. This is the room you've heard so much about. This is the room which is famed for recording drums in (bands, most notably Metallica, have done “blind tests” on such rooms. A piece of drum sound is recorded and sent back to the band. They then choose where to records based on that sound. Metallica recorded “Death Magnetic” at Sound City based purely on the snippet they heard).
And it's not changed. From the black and white photos you've seen, to the film, to actually standing in it, not one inch of it has been altered. No one knows exactly why the room sounds like it does. Some attribute it the building once having been used for making amplification. Others say it's because of whatever was used in the brickwork. Whatever it is, the room has a presence.
The door's closed behind you and a pressure closes around you. Your ears pop. Part of it is to do with it being a studio and it needing to be somewhat soundproof. The rest of it I can only place on the people who have passed though it. Their essence, their blood, sweat, and tears have soaked into the walls and left behind an undeniable presence. You can feel them in the air and see their ghostly images wandering back and forth. As my brother said, rooms like that have a personality all of their own. It's an inspiring place and I'm not sorry to say that I cried while I was there. I could have spent many days just sitting in that room and soaking up the atmosphere. I feel that some of my best work would have come from just being there and I'm desperately trying to cling on to the feelings and emotions which barreled through me.
Typical f-ing drummer. Just stands around and lets everyone else set up for them!
The control room, compared to many, feels basic. It was refreshing, a beautiful break from the constant glare of computers. Again, it's remained the same as it's always been. The famous Neve desk is no longer there, having been bought by Grohl when the studio was closing down. They do have another analogue desk and, much to my excitement, a two inch tape machine. I hadn't seen one of those since my early film-making days and I stared at it like a long lost friend.
We were blessed to be witnesses to a hundred different stories of the people who've been through the studio. We learned a lot and I'm forever grateful to Sandy and Tom for letting us invade their space for an hour. Tom returned to see us off and handed out hugs and smiles like they were candy. It was an experience which I hope, one day, to relive. Fingers crossed, our musical family will wind up there one day. Until then, I'll hold on to my photos, my Sound City shirt (Thanks, Sandy!), my DVD, and my precious memories. Next time, I hope to be working there, with the people who feel like a home away from home. A family, bonded together by their love of music.
Getting as many hugs as possible from the awesome Tom!In 2011, Sound City ceased commercial operations. Thanks to the film, and the resurgence in interest, the studios are now operated by Fairfax Recordings. The famous drum room is still there. It's still analogue (but they do have a ProTools rig). The Neve desk, which features so heavily in the documentary it's pretty much the main character, is now owned by Grohl. So you'll have to go and knock on his front door if you want to use that.
If you haven't seen the film, go and watch it. It really is a love letter, not just to the studio, but to music in general.
http://buy.soundcitymovie.com/
More of Rae's Sound City photos.
April 30, 2014
Bright Lights, Big City
I’m not normally a nervous traveller. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time, both with and without my parents, hopping around the globe. Flying was a freedom and meeting new people was a celebration.
Then 9/11, 7/7, and an overdose happened and suddenly my confidence was shot to Hell. I didn’t want to leave the safety of my own country. Because of it, I missed out on some amazing opportunities.
In mid-2013, I had an email from a friend. Would I like a week in Vegas? Vegas has always been one of those places I’ve wanted to visit. For well over a decade, I pined for the bright lights, the jingling slot machines, and the desert warmth (for the record, I’m not a fan of the heat, nor the sun). I wanted to see what it was like living a higher roller life on a bookies pay cheque.
On April 11th, I boarded my first flight in nearly a decade and, within minutes, was reminded why I love flying so much. There’s a freedom to breaking free to gravity, to feeling the wheels rumble over the asphalt before the ground disappears and the plane makes for the sky. I’d forgotten how nice it was to sit back with a drink and watch a film. I’d forgotten what it was like to make friends with the cabin crew. I’d forgotten what it was like to look out of the window and watch the sea below.
The downside was it was a long flight. Due to cost restraints, I’d split it in two and changed planes in New York. On the upside, I got to show a young girl the New York skyline as we came in to land. She’d never seen it before and it was a pleasure to point out the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Chrysler Building. On the return trip, I had the pleasure of sitting next to a gentleman who was making his first trip to the UK. He was coming to see family he hadn’t seen for over thirty years. It was an honour to sit next to him and talk about our lives. It brought tears to my eyes to be the first to welcome him to the UK.
Vegas is exactly as you’d imagine it to be. It’s all bright lights and loud music. There’s slot machines everywhere and adverts for shows and restaurants decorate the cabs and buildings. Unfortunately it’s no longer the Vegas of yore. Gone are the sub-$5 buffets and no longer do you hear the jangle of thousands of quarters dropping from machines. The hotels crank up charges for whatever they can (beware of the “resort fees” if you ever visit. I knew of them before I went but they were still a shock to the poor credit card on my return).
Yet, Vegas is what you make it and I had experiences that I’ll never get again. How many times are you going to be able to stand comfortably at the carrier of a concert? I did and, in the process, managed to shoot 200+ photos of one of my favourite bands (I’m still sorting through them all!). Where else are you going to have free drinks brought to you while you gamble? Yep, did that as well! Partied down on Freemont Street? I can check that off my Bucket List too! (Incidentally, we’re thinking of staying down there next time. Apparently there will be a next time)
I also had the honour of looking around the legendary Sound City Studios, but that requires a blog post all of its own. We also visited the apartment where Megadeth were formed back in 1983 and did a drive by on Studio 606 (Prize to the first person who can name who that belongs to!). We danced on Santa Monica beach and rode the carousel on the pier. We watched the sun set over Hollywood.
Would I do Vegas and LA again? Oh, heck yes! Without a doubt I’d go again. Hopefully, next time, it’ll be for longer…
Rae’s Vegas Tips and Tricks
Here’s a few tips and tricks I picked up along the way.
Know the resort fees before you go. These change from year to year and the only way to get out of paying them is if you spend enough over your resort. We were with the MGM group so get a player’s card and use it everywhere you can.The player’s card (M-Life if you’re with the MGM group) will get you discounts and helps rack up points towards your next visit. Keep it on you at all times.Carry water with you everywhere. It’s surprising how quickly air conditioning and the desert heat can dry your throat. Some stores and restaurants will refill bottles for free (Lush in Mandalay Bay were awesome for this).Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen – ‘cause that desert sun is brutal.Budget about $200 a day for food, drink, and all the pretties you want to buy. Budget more if you’re going to gamble.If you have an addictive personality, know your limits when it comes to gambling. Give your cards and cash to a friend to hold if you’re worried. All casinos, by law, have to carry the number of Gambling Anonymous. Call it if you need it.All the resorts are linked by trams, monorails, and walkways. Be prepared to walk. A lot.If you don’t want to walk, the buses run 24 hours up and down the Strip. It’s $8 for a 24 hour pass.See all the sights. The Bellagio fountains, the Venetian canals, and the New York New York skyline. They’re free so make the most of them!Do Freemont Street. It’s the old part of Vegas and you’ll find lots of like minded people to let loose with. There’s nothing quite like dancing in the street! Plus, it’s cheaper than the Strip.Talk to people because guidebooks only tell you so much.People don’t care what you look like. Dress up to the nines, or go and play blackjack in your onesie! Go with friends. Or make new ones while you're out there. Vegas is a hell of a lot more fun with company!
April 25, 2014
Ghost and Girl
Back in February, I was given the opportunity to speak on the wonderful Ghost and Girl blog. Sarah and Laura are two amazingly supportive and encouraging women whose idea of paranormal research goes beyond the normal. They've kindly returned the favour and written a post for the Veetu Industries blog. Without further ado, I'll let them speak to you.
~~~
I'd like to start this post by expressing my gratitude to Rae for inviting GHOST & GIRL to make this entry on her blog. It is most appreciated.
The purpose of this post is to tell you about an online paranormal project called GHOST & GIRL. My friend, Laura, and I came up with the idea in the last quarter of 2013, and launched on the 3rd January this year. Both Laura and I have a shared interest in the paranormal, specifically in ghosts and a spiritual realm. Our interest in the topic has come from necessity more so than choice, as we've both had paranormal experiences that stretch right back into early childhood.
As a child, when I would wake in the middle of the night to find shadowy figures moving about my bedroom, I was convinced that the Devil had come to take me. I grew up in a family that simply did not talk of ghosts, ever, but we were a regular church-going Christian family, and as such, I knew who the Devil was. However, as I got older, and with the shadow figures continuing to make a regular appearance, I became less certain of what it is that I was seeing, and the reasoning for it. Logic is forever telling me that there must be a "reasonable explanation" for the things I have seen, heard and felt, and yet I still do not have an answer to the multitude of questions that plague me.
Whilst there are numerous blogs, online journals, websites, and "paranormal research" groups scattered all over the World Wide Web, the information that both we are particularly keen to discover just isn't there. There may be hints of it, traces, scraps and mere mentions, but nothing of real substance. Therefore, the idea behind GHOST & GIRL is to take ghost stories and personal experiences and look at them in great detail from differing perspectives. It's not so much as trying to prove that ghosts and other spiritual entities exist, but rather, trying to discover the common points of interest that may lead someone to have a paranormal experience.
As time passes, we hope that by considering historical, spiritual, scientific and psychological interpretations of the paranormal, we might be able to develop some conclusions. In addition to the personal experience, we also consider the following influences on our understandings of the paranormal:
* The historical development of the spiritual;* Religion and spiritual hierarchies;* Urban legends and the influence of the internet;* Cultural perceptions; * Scientific theories and hypothesis;* The development of spirit communication tools;* Spirit photography;* The rise of the "ghost hunter" in popular culture;* Demonological considerations; and* Parapsychology.
At GHOST & GIRL we are forever mindful that not everything "unexplained" is paranormal, and try our best not to jump to ghostly conclusions. However, we theorise that the key to understanding the paranormal may be found in the personal experience, which we feel is too often dismissed in modern paranormal investigation and research. Yet we do not want to limit the personal experiences shared at GHOST & GIRL to just our own. This would restrict our ability to truly consider the meaning of them.
We hope to use GHOST & GIRL as a means by which we can interact with people right across the globe; that is, the believers, the steadfast sceptics, and the people in between. We want to hear every story, impression and opinion. We would love to hear from laypeople and professionals alike, from a variety of backgrounds. We want to consider and share the knowledge.
Right now, we don't have the answers, but we're embarking on an intelligent journey of discovery to find them.
Can you help?
Sarah
www.ghostandgirl.com twitter: @ghostandgirl333THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL
~~~
I'd like to start this post by expressing my gratitude to Rae for inviting GHOST & GIRL to make this entry on her blog. It is most appreciated.
The purpose of this post is to tell you about an online paranormal project called GHOST & GIRL. My friend, Laura, and I came up with the idea in the last quarter of 2013, and launched on the 3rd January this year. Both Laura and I have a shared interest in the paranormal, specifically in ghosts and a spiritual realm. Our interest in the topic has come from necessity more so than choice, as we've both had paranormal experiences that stretch right back into early childhood.
As a child, when I would wake in the middle of the night to find shadowy figures moving about my bedroom, I was convinced that the Devil had come to take me. I grew up in a family that simply did not talk of ghosts, ever, but we were a regular church-going Christian family, and as such, I knew who the Devil was. However, as I got older, and with the shadow figures continuing to make a regular appearance, I became less certain of what it is that I was seeing, and the reasoning for it. Logic is forever telling me that there must be a "reasonable explanation" for the things I have seen, heard and felt, and yet I still do not have an answer to the multitude of questions that plague me.
Whilst there are numerous blogs, online journals, websites, and "paranormal research" groups scattered all over the World Wide Web, the information that both we are particularly keen to discover just isn't there. There may be hints of it, traces, scraps and mere mentions, but nothing of real substance. Therefore, the idea behind GHOST & GIRL is to take ghost stories and personal experiences and look at them in great detail from differing perspectives. It's not so much as trying to prove that ghosts and other spiritual entities exist, but rather, trying to discover the common points of interest that may lead someone to have a paranormal experience.
As time passes, we hope that by considering historical, spiritual, scientific and psychological interpretations of the paranormal, we might be able to develop some conclusions. In addition to the personal experience, we also consider the following influences on our understandings of the paranormal:
* The historical development of the spiritual;* Religion and spiritual hierarchies;* Urban legends and the influence of the internet;* Cultural perceptions; * Scientific theories and hypothesis;* The development of spirit communication tools;* Spirit photography;* The rise of the "ghost hunter" in popular culture;* Demonological considerations; and* Parapsychology.
At GHOST & GIRL we are forever mindful that not everything "unexplained" is paranormal, and try our best not to jump to ghostly conclusions. However, we theorise that the key to understanding the paranormal may be found in the personal experience, which we feel is too often dismissed in modern paranormal investigation and research. Yet we do not want to limit the personal experiences shared at GHOST & GIRL to just our own. This would restrict our ability to truly consider the meaning of them.
We hope to use GHOST & GIRL as a means by which we can interact with people right across the globe; that is, the believers, the steadfast sceptics, and the people in between. We want to hear every story, impression and opinion. We would love to hear from laypeople and professionals alike, from a variety of backgrounds. We want to consider and share the knowledge.
Right now, we don't have the answers, but we're embarking on an intelligent journey of discovery to find them.
Can you help?
Sarah
www.ghostandgirl.com twitter: @ghostandgirl333THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL
