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Mt. Hammer, "Dionysus"
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Mt. Hammer are described as a psychedelic metal blues duo, and well, that's exactly what they deliver. On their first EP Dionysus, you'll hear a melange of sounds that range from what sounds like a mix between '70s rock, southern soul, and gut-retching blues. There are five tracks on the EP and it's just enough to wet your palate to all that Mt. Hammer has to offer. "John The Revalator" or "JTR" is a big song with several accompaniment changes, and it stands as the perfect introduction to this quintessential indie album. "Icarus" is another track that showcases the fact that this duo also has a great sense of humor. Not sure if it was intended to put a smirk on your face but the stop and go beat at the beginning, coupled with lyrics that are at times inaudible screeches, are kind of crazy but when the vocals actually kick in proper, you'll appreciate that helter skelter beginning. Mt. Hammer has just completed a demo for "Asleep Beneath the Stars," that is an 11-minute psychedelic metal blues opus, as they call it, and it definitely can't be put into a musical box. All in all, Dionysus is a decent beginning; it is difficult to put the EP into a box which isn't a negative thing, and you get the sense that its exactly what Mr. Hammer are going for. 3.5/5
Spartacus, "Spartacus"
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Spartacus is the self-titled debut full-length album from the three-piece band Spartacus (Kris Simeon on vocals, guitar; Sean Simeon on drums, and Phillip Federis on bass). Without a doubt, this is the kind of band that you would kill to see live but the album is a decent substitute. On "Please Don't Let it Get to Your Head" and "People Listen" you are exposed to indie rock at its finest, but then on "11" Spartacus mixes it up with a reggae-inspired accompaniment and forlorn lyrics that are honest and reveal a vulnerability that works. For all you music enthusiasts out there, Spartacus is the kind of album/band that will remind you of someone else but after a few listens you'll realize that what these guys are doing is actually special. Sure, some tracks on the album are less inspiring than others, but at 9-tracks, you barely have time to dwell on it. For example, "Lonesome Holiday" and "I Won't Be Alone" toward the album's end might have been placed at different ends of the album as the former, with its driving backbeat and melodic chorus seems a bit ajar with the latter track, with its heavy guitar riff intro and ska-like beat. But these minor missteps don't detract from the earnestness of the album. Spartacus is definitely worth a listen, or two, or three. 3/5
Brooklyn Soul Stew, "Abandoned Tracks"
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Brooklyn Soul Stew is representing Brooklyn, but not the NYC borough you might be thinking of. In this case, Brooklyn is a nickname for Brynäs, a district of Gävle where several of the members grew up or lived later in life and where the band also had its first rehearsal studio. This nine-piece band is from Sweden, but their sound is very reminiscent of the early seventies rock era. On "International Playboy" for instance, you might hear a little hint of Tom Jones, with its catchy hooks and sultry vocals, it might also conjure up visions of Austin Powers International Man of Mystery a la Mike Myers. Even though this is a debut album, Brooklyn Soul Stew are seasoned and poised musicians. On "A Man Size Job" and "Barefootin'" you get a good taste for what this band has to offer. They're not just singing songs, but telling stories. The album truly is a throwback in terms of accompaniment and lyrics. "Breaking Up Somebody's Home" could very easily have been plucked out of a late-60s playlist, with its falsetto vocals backed by a pronounced baseline, the track is old school but oh so good. The only problem with the album is that there is no standout track that could perhaps serve as a lead in to get people interested in what Brooklyn Soul Stew has to offer. That said, this is the kind of band that would be killer live but until then, Abandoned Tracks will do just fine. 4/5
Dany Laj and The Looks, "Telepathic Voices"
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Dany Laj and The Looks aren't just another indie band from Montreal. Sure, they're an indie band currently making waves in Montreal but they are they are doing their own thing. I first came across this band when I checked out their video "Chamberlain Sessions" on youtube, and well, don't take our word for it, get a sense for yourself what's so fresh about this band and their four-track EP Telepathic Voices. On "Mr. Rebound" you get a good taste of Dany Laj's vocals but what also stands out is the simplicity of the track. It's the kind of track that would serve as the perfect backdrop to a teenage angst film. "Take It Away" and "799 Queen St West" are quintessential Canadian rock songs with hard guitar riffs, defined back beat, and cheeky lyrics. And finally, "What's Wrong with You" is an indie rock song through and through. With its forlorn lyrics and background vocals, if you don't like this tune, it begs the exact same question, what's wrong with you?4/5
Morning Fame, "Back and Forth"
Reviewed by Cheryl T
You gotta love a band in 2012 that has no qualms about calling itself an "alternative rock band" and well, their music is definitely not what's currently considered "mainstream." Toronto-based Morning Fame just keeps it simple. With Joe Liranzo on guitar, Vik Kapur on vocals, Al Dennis on drums, and Rob Gilberti on bass, nothing on Back and Forth is overdone. The album is a follow-up compilation to their 2011 EP, A Lasting Place. Off the top, "The Colour of Sound" and "Turn to Stone" with their classic rock back beats and heartfelt lyrics remind you of REM or Gin Blossoms from the '90s. In fact, you might also confuse "The Colour of Sound" for an REM track because the sound is so similar. But then on "Jokers Game" the album gets rougher and edgier in a sort of Coldplay-like way. By the time you get to "Blinded," "Something on My Mind," and "Time" you know exactly what Morning Fame is all about – heavy rock riffs, subtle baselines, pounding back beats, and tender yet earnest vocals. Finally, the album's end track, "Long Time Waiting" is sullen and mysterious but it seems fitting after the journey you've been through with the album. Overall, Morning Fame just needs to keep doing what they're doing because "alternative" ain't going anywhere anytime soon. 4/5
The Autumn Portrait, "Tired Love"
Reviewed by Cheryl T
Tired Love is the new album from Freddie Mojallal aka The Autumn Portrait. It's definitely a mood album as most of the tracks are sullen, sad, and, for some, depressing. But while that may sound like negatives, there is music for happy times and music for sad or introspective times and Tired Love definitely fits the latter. In addition to Mojallal's vocals, the accompaniment on the album is simple – acoustic guitar, violin, and drums. On the heels of his debut full-length, The Design is Over, this 9-track disc just feels like Autumn – the start of something new, but the end of something great. On the title track, you feel the earnestness of Mojallal's singing and if you really listen to the lyrics it is just a sweet ode to a love gone by. You don't often see male singers show their vulnerable side in music today and it is refreshing. The only problem with the disc is that it begins to sound rather repetitive. On "You Help Me See the Light" and "This Air Don't Fill My Lungs" you almost feel like you're hearing versions of the same song. Ultimately, Tired Love is a theme album and if you're in the mood for it, it'll likely be just what the music doctor ordered. 3.5/5
Mak, "Self-Titled"
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Montreal's Mak emanates a kind of warmth that's not commonly found in today's music. Mak fuses an array of genres, including classic rock, jazz and hip-hop – this fusion comes together in a breathtaking way that will leave you wanting more. Mak's self-titled debut full-length delivers nine electrifying tracks that will move you, in addition to Jesse MacCormack's endearing vocals. The album opens with "She's Got a Habit," a song that is reminiscent of Air's melodies on The Virgin Suicides' soundtrack. The song is soothing and gives you a sense of not having a care in the world. You can lose yourself in its music and soulful vocals. "She's Got a Habit" is neatly tied to its successor, "Cause to Effect" but there's a sequential value to both songs. "Cause to Effect" fuses many elements together while having a Radiohead-esque vibe to it. The instrumentation is simply beautiful, and this song is the perfect example of why this album will appeal to an array of people. Other songs on the album find their bearing in a delirious haze like "Reverse" or they will fill you with an awareness of melancholy like "Young Lads," a song that transforms with its electro beats. Mak also dabbles in numerous genres. For example, "Stab Me" has an industrial start with a futuristic tone while "Bulletproof Love" is on the folk tip with a rock twist. Just as the song "She's Got a Habit" says, "push me to the edge, and I'll be at your knees," this album will have you on your knees begging for more. 4.5/5
Me and Cassity, "Appearances"
Tapete Records
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Hamburg's Dirk Darmstaedter is a man of many creative endeavors. His latest music effort is Appearances under the moniker, Me and Cassity. Appearances marks Darmstaedter's 16th album release – an album that he insisted on recording live in the studio right onto analog tape. Support on the album comes from a line-up featuring drummer Lars Plogschties, bassist Ben Schadow, and keyboardist Nikko Weidemann. Additional touches were made with the help of vocalists Therese Johannson and Kristofer Aström, Anne de Wolff (Neko Case and Calexico) adding strings, and Martin Wenk (Wilco, Arcade Fire and Nada Surf) on horn duty. Appearances draws on classic American folk music – it has that homegrown feel to it. Classic guitar combined with simple, yet appropriate, vocals that reflect the everyday life of a regular Joe. The album opens with "Time To Put The Hammer Down," a song that combines the former elements plus harmonica breakdowns and a horn section. You can hear the reminiscence of Bob Dylan in Dirk Darmstaedter's vocals, especially pre-chorus in "This Side of Tomorrow" and "One Step Ahead of Me." The token upbeat track "The Last Troubadour" has a keyboard breakdown, and "Fred Astaire" showcases great chemistry and harmony with an uplifting vibe. Noteworthy tracks include "Lovers of Solitude" and the album's self-titled track. Every element on Appearances carries itself effortlessly; it is well orchestrated to say the least. 4/5
Rick Reid, "Reid Sings Loree"
Clamour Records
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Recorded between January and March, 2012 in Montreal, Reid Sings Loree is an EP with a LP flare. The 4-song disc (or download) is an interpretative collection of songs by western Canadian bands, Greyhound Tragedy and Jr. Gone Wild, specifically those of the songwriter/producer Steve Loree, hence the EP name. "Cold Fusion" is best described as ambient folk-rock. It is a melancholy track that is heartfelt and would set the perfect backdrop to an introspective day. This is followed by "Money Tree" an electro-grunge tune that might not be everyone's cup of tea but it is definitely in line with the EP's gritty audio aesthetic. "Akit's Hill" is led by an acoustic guitar which is paired nicely to Reid's earnest vocals. You can't help but visualize the lyrics of this track, as it is beautifully sung and delivered. And finally, the EP closes with "Space Cadet," an electro-rock track that is infused with a melange of sounds and cosmic high tones. Overall, Reid Sings Loree is not a pick me up recording in the least bit but it doesn't pretend to be anything than what it is – depressingly awesome Prairie rock! 3.5/5
Breaching Vista, "Vera City"
Bright Side Records
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Though based out of Kitchener, Ontario, Breaching Vista's talent is much bigger than their geographic location. Their music is unmistakably rock but it's punchy with a lot of edge. Tracks like "Nervous," "Sleep" and "Give Me a Reason" are heavy guitar driven high energy songs that would work perfectly on any film soundtrack. This band's sound is epic, there's just no other way to describe it. They go big on everything and while that can sometimes overpower the listener, you'll find Vera City reaches some level of balance. It probably helps that the songs run short so you don't have enough time to get bored. They do slow it down a few times; on "Reverie" and "Letters" so it's not all heavy. "Little Thoughts," the album's closing track is so high energy you can't help but love these guys. Admittedly, they are not reinventing the wheel on Vera City, but what they are doing is sticking true to a genre that most people screw up. For those who pick up the CD, the insert is beautifully done and tries to tell the story of Vera City, it also includes the lyrics to the album's songs. 3.5/5
Duncan McEntyre, "Simple Music For A Complicated Life"
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
An album like Simple Music For A Complicated Life finds its beauty in the voice of Duncan McEntyre and his music. Singer songwriter Duncan McEntyre brings the listener in with an instrumental driven intro track entitled, "For My Friends." The hallow sound to it is daunting. It can at best be described as hauntingly beautiful. You first hear McEntyre's voice in the album's second track "Lonely Hearts (Parts 1 & 2)"; it is layered with echo undertones. Sometimes it even gets lost in the music but that's forgivable simply because of how good the music is. There is a crisp guitar sound that gives you a clear audible sense of the strumming on the guitar. At approximately three minutes and five seconds into the song there's an airy transcendence into rhythms that are musically driven and peaceful. Parts 1 & 2 could easily be divided into two separate tracks. Why they are kept together in this union is something I would love to ask McEntyre himself. His lyrics are swayed by sentiments and you can hear the vulnerability in his voice; this is especially true of the tracks "The Stone Trilogy" and "Lightning". Although Simple Music is generally acoustic driven, McEntyre allows the electric guitar to take a very brief lead with acoustics used in the background midway through "Call Me Out" (2:51); it also makes for an alluring reappearance later on. The album closes with the bonus track "Brothers & Sisters." It's the first song on the album to incorporate a harmonica into the mix. It's a good thing it's the last track or this review might have been won over right from the get go; you just can't go wrong with the inclusion of a harmonica or an accordion. 3.5/5
Breaking Laces, "When You Find Out"
Tenacity Records/Breaking Laces LLC
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Released on May 17th, When You Find Out is the third full-length album from Breaking Laces, a Brooklyn-based trio. This album follows 2005's Lemonade, the 2006 EP, Astronomy Is My Life, But I Love You, and 2009's Live at Seaside Studios. The album opens strong with its first track, "What We Need." With its repetitive acoustics and solid transition into the chorus, this song screams radio single and could be easily a chart topper. Lead singer Willem Hartog's voice feels almost familiar, yet at the same time refreshing and endearing. The band recorded When You Find Out in New York and Nashville alongside producer Ed Tuton whose resume includes artists such as, Mary J. Blige, Eagle Eye Cherry, and even Aerosmith. What you'll like about the album is that the majority of tracks follow a similar pattern as the lead track. They are all overwhelmingly heartfelt with lyrics that appear to be directed towards a potential significant other. In the album's title track "When You Find Out" Hartog is confessing his love while acknowledging the anxiety that accompanies that sort of confession with lyrics like, "will you break my heart…or feel the same." Many of the songs on When You Find Out depend on an acoustic introduction that builds with intensity to form a robust sound. There are, however, two songs that stand out as being odd on the album – "God in Training" and "Angeline". The former gives the listener a clap worthy anthem with funky underwritten bass lines while the latter begins with a dark bass vibe followed by a grungier rock sound. Both come across as forced and far from the trio's forte. But in the end, it could be a matter of Breaking Laces finding their voice in love ballads that are accompanied by acoustics, funky bass lines, and gratifying drum beats. 3.5/5
Shortwave, "The Skyline Verses"
El Camino Productions
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
This album has aptly been described as new-wave indie rock, and well if you're a fan of both, you'll be in heaven. The lead track, "Esther" has a driving rock backbeat, but the vocals sound totally '80s with a modern edge. For the most part this band is from Toronto and well you definitely can tell they've honed their skills singing in one of the city's many indie bars. On "The Sublime", with an up tempo beat and heartfelt guitar riffs, Shortwave really show you who they are and how they merge a little of the old with something new. As a debut release, The Skyline Verses has a great tone and each track seems to build on the next, like "Your Face is a Mirror," "It's Time" and "Motown". Towards the album's end, "Maybe Science" is a heavy drum-led tune with sexy lyrics and well-timed background vocals. If you didn't get a good sense for what these guys can do, this track brings it all together. The only drawback to the album is that all the tracks, for the most part, are up tempo with heavy guitar and rock rhythms. Some might like this but others might not. With the exception of a few tracks at the end, there are not enough soft tunes on the disc, which would demonstrate that there's some variety behind all the loudness. Perhaps the top heavy song selection has something to do with that, but otherwise, this is a solid debut. 4/5
Carmen Townsend, "Waitin' and Seein'"
Company House/EMI
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Born and raised in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Carmen Townsend has a rich and layered tone in her voice and on Waitin' and Seein' you can tell this woman has been singing for years. The album is part rock, part folk but all heart. On "Nothing Last Forever" Townsend is vulnerable but sexy at same time with her slightly raspy and full vocal paired to a prominent acoustic guitar (which she is undoubtedly playing), but this is followed up with "Hands and Mouths," a darker track with heavy guitar riffs and an almost harrowing vocal. It might, for some, be too much of a contrast from the prior track's sweetness. And then "Sweet Little Bird" swings the pendulum in the opposite direction yet again. The biggest problem with this album is its flow not the talent. Townsend is a brilliant vocalist and the accompaniment on each track is stellar but this album simply lacks flow. By the time you get to the down tempo, chilled out vibe of the title track, you're a bit exhausted from the back and forth tempos. That said, towards the album's end, "All That Was Left" just kind of gets you; it's a beautiful track. I can imagine that Townsend puts on a stellar live performance given her undeniable talent but that gets a little lost on this release. 3/5
The Autumn Portrait, "The Design is Over"
Company House/EMI
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Coming straight out of Vancouver, The Autumn Portrait is Canadian indie rock personified. Lead singer and songwriter Freddie Mojallal has a commanding yet vulnerable voice and the accompaniment (Dyllon Mitchell on bass and Sean Lavoy on drums) ain't so bad either. Standing at only nine tracks, The Design is Over does feel a little short but what this band lacks in quantity they make up for in quality. From "Jealous" to "Welcome to the Night" to "Awake," you feel like you're being taken on a musical adventure through the eyes of three young talented men whose voices are fettered by the harshness of the world. And then you get to "Have I Waited?" and you feel the earnest sincerity of The Autumn Portrait; its a tune with a driving backbeat paired nicely to layered vocals, definitely a standout track. The only drawback to this album is that after a while it all kind of starts to sound the same, a little more variety in terms of rhythms and guitar riffs would add to the complexity of this talented group and also differentiate them from the plethora of Canadian indie rock bands out there. 3.5/5
Scott Lanaway, "Mergers & Acquisitions"
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
With many things in life, in this case an album, a person's appeal or attraction to something is often an acquired taste. This is unquestionably one of those circumstances. Music buffs will either dig Scott Lanaway's latest album Mergers & Acquisitions or will absolutely have an aversion to it. Lanaway's voice follows a singsong pattern for the greater part of his album. Translation: his singing technique holds a chronic and monotonous rising and falling intonation, in other words, the pitch of voice is victim to a repetitive disposition that lacks versatility. The previous comment may seem a bit cruel but people often forget that the majority of successful and popular artists/bands lack versatility within their own "creative" realm, this supposed negative attribute may very well work in his favour. Now onto the musical side of things, regrettably the music follows suit with the vocals. The beats tend to be repetitive and also lack the versatility that some of us crave, you'll find that this statement is true when listening to almost every song on Mergers & Acquisitions not including track number six, "Juliet of the Spirits". Towards the end Scott Lanaway strays away from his exhausting singsong technique and tries a successful new approach. Instantaneously the listener will experience a more "natural" vocal performance, you begin to hear and sense emotion in his voice, it's refreshing to say the least. Other noteworthy tracks include "It's a Long Way Home" and "The Ice Storm". 2/5
The City Streets, "The Jazz Age"
Clamour Records
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Growing up in Edmonton, Alberta and strategically positioning themselves in musically endowed Montreal, Quebec, The City Streets are making their presence known to fellow Canadians and independent music lovers. With the release of their latest album The Jazz Age and an all-embracing North American tour these boys are endeavouring to gain musical support first and foremost on a local basis and now on a national scale. The City Streets are no strangers to the world of musical festivals, making appearances at NXNE, SXSW, CMW, Pop Montreal, and Halifax Pop Explosion. Why all the mileage? The City Streets are on the road to promote The Jazz Age. Their new album opens with the titled track "Midnight Sun," a song that gives the active listener a music-based introduction over a minute long. As Rick Reid's voice unites with his guitar playing, Matt Leddy's bass, and Mark Chmilar's drums there's a likeness in sound with Welland, Ontario natives Attack in Black (at least that comment applies to their album Marriage). Reid's voice is far more mature than the vocals coming out of Attack in Black, at least in terms of his rough-edge sound. The album offers versatility through its various songs but to achieve its full impact it must be listened to with headphones, external speakers just doesn't do their album any kind of justice. The Jazz Age opens up hard and softens up as it progresses. Be prepared for a prolong ending with "Slothrop's Ghost". 3/5
Marsmobil, "(Why Don't You Take) The Other Side?"
Compost Records
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
What do you get when you have a song with dominant vocals, that's heavily keyboard concentrated, and favours harmonization? Patience, the first track off Marsmobil's new album (Why Don't You Take) The Other Side? Roberto Di Gioia, the man behind Marsmobil, has a fresh light-hearted voice that is packed with an airy seductive sound, but seductive in a platonic kind of way. After listening to this album you'll find yourself sitting there pondering who he vocally reminds you of. There's something so familiar about his voice. Di Gioia not only lends his voice to the Marsmobil project but also is responsible for almost every single instrument on the album, including organs, drums, electric guitars, sitar, percussion, cello, and let's not forget the blues harp. The disc's second track, "Crazy Colored Lights," a song doused in a sound that can only be attributed to the musical vibe of the sixties (minus The Illusionists who is actually featured). On the whole, the songs on (Why Don't You Take) The Other Side? tend to have a psychedelic sound to them, some are a bit rushed lyrically ("Insane"), some are a tad tacky ("Moon of Dust"), and some have a strange indescribable appeal ("Spirit of the Dark"). The standout tracks on Marsmobil's latest album include "Gonna Be My Day" and "Revolution Girl". This is the kind of album that could find a home on a soundtrack or before bedtime in the comfort of your own home. 3.5/5
Andrew Collberg, "On The Wreath"
Le Pop Musik
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Andrew Collberg has what some folks like to call an "indie" sound, and who can disagree? He's kind of like the cheerful version of Death Cab for Cutie, but a tad bit more upbeat and feel-good. His voice emphasizes echo-based vocals, like on "Clementine." Mr. Collberg is guilty of repeating lyrics in his song "To The Road" to the point where it's a bit too much for the average listener, but you have to give him this much, you'll never for a split second forget the title of the third track. The only other criticism is more of an observation. It's the oh-so-apparent nasal sound of his voice on "Wait Inside." The song shows versatility and the slower tempo and softer side of Collberg is stimulating. Two standout tracks are "Plastic Bows" and the "The Tide Below." "Plastic Bows" has an upbeat, sweet appeal to it. The inclusion of brass instruments followed by the lyrics "little one it's all O.K" can be credited for that appeal. "The Tide Below" is amazing for two reasons. First, the song has a banjo incorporated into it (score). Second, it has some pretty solid lyrics going on for it. For example, the line "I've grown down and you've grown up". It also highlights his vocals and his use of harmonization. Lastly, but certainly not least, the last track on the album, "Make It Right" leaves Collberg's voice lingering in the back of your mind. 4/5
Jon & Roy, "Homes"
Reviewed by Vee Manzerrolle
Jon & Roy's latest album Homes opens with the track "Any Day," a wise choice that lets the listener know the overall vibe of what is to come in the following tracks. "Any Day" draws you in with its rhythmic guitar accompanied by soft bongos. The sound of bongos and the vigour to grab a hold of a listener's attention is immediately apparent; you cannot help but bob your head to the instrument's rhythmic powers. The vocals have a soothing appeal to them with reggae influences and they make "Any Day" a song well suited for summer. A lot of the tracks on Homes follow a similar formula, musically simple and content. "Get Myself A Gun" is no different. It exemplifies a simple formula with the inclusion of harmonic sounds and calming vocals, and this formula is far from a bad thing. The sounds of Homes do not strictly abide by one sound. "Boom 'Elm" gives off an east-coast vibe with a dominant fiddle but let's just say, if you're looking for some country twang in your life, look no further then "947". If country twang isn't really your style maybe a song with faster rhythms will entice you, like "Cuban B." Overall, the first half of Homes is significantly stronger than the second half. Let it be said, a day out in the sun will be a day well spent with Jon & Roy. 3.5/5
The Dudes, "Blood Guts Bruises Cuts"
Load Music
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Following their 2006 release of Brain Heart and Guitar the new album Blood Guts Bruises Cuts by The Dudes proves that not only does a fine wine get better with age, a bands music also gets better the longer they've been making music together. The album opens with "Honest Mistake," a strong start to a strong album. The music and the vocals compliment each other perfectly. With the spoken words of "not my fault" followed by a musical breakdown it's hard not to like "Honest Mistake". The Dudes are often described as having a rock and roll soul sound to them, if you ask The Dudes they'll tell you straight up that they're a rock band. The confusion of being considered a soul band can be attributed to vocalist Danny Vacon having an actual singing voice not strictly limited to the typical rock sound. Usually I condemn clapping in a song especially during a live performance but I will not and cannot condemn the dudes for using light clapping in the background of "Ever been to Taiwan?" If you're a sucker for a sing-a-long tune be sure to check out their track "Terrified" and you'll be harmonizing with the song in no time. Overall, the album has a consistent good flow to it from start to finish. The Dudes also include a bonus DVD by the title of Breakfast at Rock Central full of goodies and a little bonus at the end of their album. Warning: View the DVD only after eating a mean breakfast and prepare yourself to be teleported back to 1996. 4/5
Little Foot Long Foot, "Harsh Words"
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Opening with a track entitled, "King Hipster" should be your first indication that what you're about to witness is an album packed with witty, sarcastic, and catchy lyrics accompanied by naturally catchy beats and rhythms. This formula continues to swarm all the following tracks. Little Foot Long Foot mocks not only the hipster phenomenon but follows suit on the idea of marriage and fake cowboys. They may even be the first rock band to make an anthem for strippers everywhere, although I highly doubt that. Harsh Words is a rock album that is saturated with a blues and country underlining that may cause an influx of country/blues album sales for those who have yet to dabble in such genres. It's a perfect example that the two-piece band is slowly taking over the infamous four-five-piece ensemble. Joan Smith packs a powerful voice. She would be the perfect candidate to challenge the rock stereotype that female singers cannot rock because she undoubtedly does. The strongest tracks on this album are "June Bug", "No Holiday", and "Thank You". "June Bug" starts off with a catchy guitar riff that's soon followed by a solid drumbeat courtesy of Isaac Klein. The vocals exhibit a strong emotional tie with the music, one that only gets stronger during the chorus. "No Holiday" juxtaposes "June Bug" by starting with softer vocals from Joan Smith and light guitar followed by an increasing drumbeat beat that speeds up as the song progresses. Each time you give the album a listen you're guaranteed to find another track that's your favourite. Little Foot Long Foot has created an ideal album for the anticipated coming summer. 4/5
Spookey Ruben, "Mechanical Royalty"
Hi-Hat Recordings
Reviewed by Vee Manzerolle
Spookey Ruben is a self-proclaimed master of all that comes out of his new album Mechanical Royalty. Not only does he write and produce the album but he also credits himself with musical instruments, sound effects, and vocals. This makes for a very impressive resume that only pushes the average artist harder to be the sole genius of your album's outcome in the music industry. The album's title is also a "track" on the album, I say track in quotation marks because it's more of a tale than a song. In the CD's sleeve it lists chapters during the above-mentioned track. It's also an astonishingly long at 15 minutes and 18 seconds in length. It opens with fast-paced guitar riffs and drumming that hold a certain mental flavor. It progresses with hints of keyboard with a slower pace, and that only accounts for the first three chapters of Mechanical Royalty. There are a total of seven chapters within that single track. The rest of the album varies from extremely short songs like, "Cat and Mouse" (1:52) to the standard three-to-four minute songs. Several Spookey Ruben songs on Mechanical Royalty can be characterized by their synthesized sound, including the vocals. Probably the most unique song, aside from "Mechanical Royalty", would be "American Processed Cheese". With its electronic sound accompanied by single worded lyrics, a demonic voice chants 'cheese' meanwhile a childlike voice repeats the word 'smile'. This track is like a videogame; something you would most likely find on the original Nintendo system. The strongest tracks on Mechanical Royalty are "Rachel" and "Just Another Way". Overall the album has a formula with a distinctive sound and it sticks to it. Warning: songs will get stuck in your head. 3/5
Jessi Hamilton, "Rebirth"
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
In the tradition of Jewel, Sarah McLachlan, and Chantal Kreviazuk, Jessi Hamilton is a singer/songwriter with a masterful command of the piano and a beautiful voice to match. Rebirth, her sophomore release, is part folk/rock part Christian, but a whole lot of heart and intimacy. With each song, Hamilton brings you into her world and creates a picture in your head for the story being told. Tracks like "Land of Illusion," "Afraid to be Alive," and "Feed the Fire" are emotional yet inspirational and deep. Hamilton has a wonderful ability to not let her voice overpower the subtleness of her piano accompaniment and even if this is not your genre, you can't help but be drawn into each track. Comprised of 12 self-produced, recorded and performed songs, Hamilton is the complete package. It is also worth noting that she's sung backup for rock group Foreigner's lead singer, Lou Gramm and has been featured on numerous songs. The album runs a tad short but otherwise, Hamilton is a name you should expect to see for many years to come. 4/5
Arkells, "Jackson Square"
Dine Alone Records
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
This five-piece rock band from Hamilton, Canada, is definitely an example of Canada's stellar independent rock scene. In the same vein as Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Arkells are a band that rocks hard with earnest lyrics. Jackson Square, as their first full-length release makes you feel excited about rock music. Songs like "Deadlines," "Pullin' Punches," "Oh, the Boss is Coming," and "Tragic Flaw" are full of upbeat rhythms and edgy guitar riffs that excite without being too over the top. But what makes this group even more appealing is the catchiness of their hooks and sheer excitement in their vocals. This is Canadian rock music at its best. But what Arkells also does well is balance the hard rock tunes with slow ballads, like "No Champagne Socialist," "Abigail" and "I'm Not the Sun." While there's nothing on this album that you can call groundbreaking, it is a solid contribution to the world of rock. 4/5
Mystéfy, "Spark Within"
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Mystéfy is an Ottawa, Canada-based artist whose music harkens back to yesteryear, like the 1950s when women sang love songs with innocence, with only a slight hint of sexiness. On the title track for instance, her vocals are earnest and simple. The only problem with this album is that there is not enough of that "it' factor to separate it from say the last 30 years of jazz/folk music. Mystéfy gives it a valiant effort on "Eye Candy", with a Minnie Riperton like scatting sequence, then on "Beware" her vocal styling is reminiscent of Doris Day, and "I Dream of You" sounds like a song Sarah Vaughan might have covered during her prime. Mystéfy is a talented vocalist with a style that leaves an impression, however, this album would have benefited from more originality in its production and perhaps a bigger contemporary vibe. 2/5
Sleepercar, "West Texas"
Doghouse Records
Reviewed by Martin John
West Texas is as American as apple pie. This dry, arid piece of land was sometimes home to a young George W. Bush, its largest city, El Paso. This is the area that Jim Ward of 'Sparta' and the late 'At the Drive-In' has named his Sleepercar album after. With the help of Chris Heinrich, who also plays ukulele on Jim's solo album, Jim's father Jeff and various others, Jim has crafted an album of what he calls "American roots rock-n-roll." Opening track "Death of a Broken Promise" is the album's catchiest tune, a survival song about moving past a period with soul intact, steel pedal guitar working seamlessly with the crunchy guitars and clean vocals before digressing into radio-friendly rock. The ballad "Wednesday Nights" has the smokiest, grittiest, country-iest vocals with pedal steel guitar haunting the song like a ghostly steed. "All Will End Well" with Maura Davis singing in the background is short, sweet and sincere with Jim singing "I'd give up the world to make you feel okay ..." over a quiet piano piece. Thematically the album seems like a catharsis of sorts; plans that weren't fulfilled and finding the strength and courage to push through it, whatever it takes. Musically, the album lacks originality, but that is often sacrificed for commercial appeal. In a market that seems to be opening up to alt-country, Sleepercar's album seems arid like West Texas, with the odd spring to bring you back to the living. 2/5
Kae Sun, "Ghost Town Prophecy"
Last Press Label
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
SoulMatters checked out Kae Sun's live show in Toronto this February and to call this guy original is putting it lightly. Not only is his flow incredibly tight, so too is his band. Ghost Town Prophecy can best be described as part folk, part rock, part hip-hop but 100% heart. Sun has produced a conscious EP that's about life, and the trials and tribulations of our times through his eyes. On "Kidnapped," heavy guitar riffs are paired to earnest lyrics; then he slows it right down with "Stay Up," a tune that reminds you of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" in terms of the universality of its humanitarian message. Undoubtedly, "Living in the City" is the album's standout track. With its funky beat, and catchy lyrics like "living in the city/ain't what it used to be," these are words that anyone living in a city can relate to. While Ghost Town Prophecy is just an EP, it's a great introduction to an artist whose name we're sure to hear for years to come. 5/5
Lima Charlie, "It's So Easy To Be Creepy"
Reviewed by Cheryl Thompson
Lima Charlie is a band keeping the independent spirit alive. Since 2004, they've been mostly playing live clubs in the northeast US, while releasing an album along the way – 2005's More Medication, Please. Having not heard their debut disc, I take It's So Easy To Be Creepy as it is, and it's the kind of disc that you'd probably really enjoy hearing live (this probably explains their touring success). With song titles that range from "Banana Boat" to "Menopause Graudate" to "Average Caucasian Blues," you can tell this is a band with a sense of humour. Comprised of Pete Van Leeuwen, Jim O'Mahony, Dave Morrison, and Tom Ash, this group's sound can best be described as a wide-ranging blend of rock, folk and a subtle edge that's controlled enough to keep even the non-rock/folk person interested. 3/5
Jackson Analogue, "And Then Nothing"
Groove Attack
Reviewed by Dan Verbin
Whether Jackson Analogue were purposely trying to be ironic or not, naming their debut, And Then Nothing is certainly something of an odd choice. Perhaps, it's possible they were just taking a page from their more famous '60s-influenced brethren Supergrass, who once titled one of their albums In It For The Money, or maybe they thought the title made them seem clever in a self-deprecating Warren Zevon kind of way. Whatever the band's reasoning, they could not have picked a worse name for their album had they called it Smell the Glove. It's not that there's anything particularly wrong with And Then Nothing. It's just that there's nothing particularly right with it either. It's as if Jackson Analogue is stuck in some bizarre time warp limbo, not sure whether they want to be Jethro Tull or the next Nickelback. At times, largely because of this absurd duality, it's hard to decide whether to appreciate the band's attempt to stay true to their classic rock roots or to be disdainful of all the cringe-inducing moments where you could swear the vocals morph into Chad Kroeger territory. The album starts off pleasingly enough with the one-two-three punch of the potent garage rock of "Day Is Done," the Jet-like "Stop," and the CD's only real standout, the aptly titled anthemic "Come On". Then things start to go downhill. Even the soothing mid-album ballad, "Concrete Hands" can't slow the album's descent into the epitome of banal classic rock muzak. There's no denying And Then Nothing contains occasional flashes of utter brilliance – check out the extended coda on prog rockish closer "Moody Man Left." However, Jackson Analogue still sound like they haven't abandoned their pubescent dream of being Led Zeppelin. The only way to genuinely mature as a band is to either realize that it's not going to happen or to ask Jimmy Page for the Devil's phone number. If Jackson Analogue were smart, for their next album, they should take a page from fellow Isle of Wight retro-enthusiasts, The Bees, and dispense with all the tried and true clichés by realizing their potential by coming up with an album that's about something. Instead, this album is about nothing. 1.5/5
Rayna, "Empty Room"
Reviewed by Dan V
If you like your singer-songwriters to be one third Jann Arden, one third Chantal Kreviazuk and one third Holly McNarland with a pinch of Amy Lee's gothic heartache thrown into the mix, then Rayna just might be your new saviour. But catch her in a few years. Rayna's self-released debut, Empty Room, shows promise in buckets. However, apart from "Standing In The Doorway," an epic atmospheric song full of mournful loss straight out of a coming of age movie, and the last track, "Unarmed Angel," a dreamy, melodic folksy ballad perfect for listening to while laying outside on your back, staring at the night sky, Rayna's songwriting doesn't display the lyrical maturity or pop sensibility needed to break away from the pack. Most of the songs on Empty Room could be rightfully called middle of the road. Simple melodies flow over simple progressions, which flow into simple but capable choruses. Not that there's anything wrong with middle of the road, but to be fair to Rayna, from the musical and emotional complexity she displays on the last two songs, she is obviously capable of much, much more as a songwriter. After all, the former Toronto backup singer has only been writing songs for three years. Hopefully her next release will do her distinct vocal and lyrical musings justice. 3/5
Maniacal Plan, "Casualty of Sound"
Dirty Smile Records
Although just an EP, Maniacal's Casualty of Sound is the kind of debut that sets the stage for bigger things to come. Based out of NYC, this indie rock group is all about music you can feel. It's not soft rock for your grandma, nor is it pop rock for an over-hyped watered down radio station; on the contrary, this group is about heavy guitar driven rock music with hard pounding drums, and earnest vocals. On "Anathema," lead vocalist Dan O'Berry draws you into Maniacal's world of mystery and intrigue. It's easy to tell that he's the centre of this group. While some might categorize this album as being too much of a throw back to the '90s grunge era, others will definitely find tracks like "NUMB" and "Filter" a refreshing rememberance to a time when power ballads reigned supreme. Overall, this is a solid introduction to a band that has the potential to shatter a few eardrums, as they will the critics. 4/5
JP Jones, "Magical Thinking"
Vision Company Records
While there are some who think that folk music is a dead genre, artists like JP Jones are living proof that it's a live and well. While Magical Thinking is Jones' 12th independent release, there's a fresh flare to his acoustic guitar, and subtle vulnerability in his lyrical prose. From the album's lead song, "A Man Stands Up" to "Us and Them" and "That's All Right," each spans the folk/blues/rock gamut. Admittedly, Magical Thinking is not a disc that is going to appeal to everyone since its sound is reminiscent of an era gone by, yet, like Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, when you sing from your heart and are uncompromising in your music, people will always listen. Thus, this disc is definitely worth a listen or two. 4/5


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Michael Ealy
Idris Elba Talks 'Takers,' Rapper-Actors and Mastering the Mixtape
By Rossiter Drake on August 26, 2010 9:00 PM
Idris Elba, who, with Matt Dillon, heads a potent ensemble cast in the new heist drama Takers, doesn't plan to play a drug dealer anytime soon, as he did most famously in three seasons of HBO's The Wire. And please don't ask him about The Wire, either – he cherished the experience, but has been fielding questions about it for eight years. Enough is enough.
A Saintly Will Smith Contemplates the Ills of the World in Seven Pounds
Will Smith has played an alcoholic superhero, a mystical caddie and a fighter pilot on a mission to save the planet from aliens, but Ben Thomas, the guilt-ridden do-gooder at the heart of Seven Pounds, might just be the most unbelievable role of them all.

subset: commoncrawl


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Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Schnibbles Times Two: Quilts from 5" or 10" Squares
by Carrie Nelson
No current Talk conversations about this book.
An excellent book full of wonderful projects, all well written with great visuals and inspirational photos. Love it!
link to my review: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2010/07/schnibbles-times-two.html
Wonderful book. Well written with excellent insights and visuals. Inspirational. I highly recommend it.
For more insights: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2010/07/schnibbles-times-two.html
References to this work on external resources.
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What could be more fun than a small quilt from 5" charm squares? A large one just like it from 10" Layer Cake squares! Enjoy 12 pairs of beautiful quilts, with a large and small quilt in each design, from the creative mind behind Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. Each quilt includes a materials and cutting list, and the assembly directions are the same for both quilts in each set. Learn from Moda's go-to gal for quilt designs. - taken from cover.… (more)
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The Make-up Myth: The Introduction
October 28, 2010 by The Interpreter
Filed under Culture & Society, Dating & Relationships
Masters of the lie, the visual lie.
Look at you.
You got on heels, you ain't that tall.
You got on makeup,
your face don't look like that.
You got a weave, your hair ain't that long.
You got a Wonderbra on,
your titties ain't that big.
Everything about you is a lie,
and you expect me to tell the truth?
F*ck you!
~ Chris Rock, Bigger & Blacker
Okay, that's a bit much but it lies adjacent to a different point that we here at AfroThought have been meaning to tackle. Recently an associate expressed befuddlement that guys always approach her when she feels she is not looking her best or at least not presented in a way she would prefer her first impression to appear aesthetically. She gave an example of an instance when she was approached while she had no make-up on. We doubt she was busted, but apparently she didn't expect to be seen. Conversely, whenever she is out on the town looking like a "vision of perfection" from her "hair follicles to her toe nails" only the C-team steps to her. We figured we should clear any misconceptions over this image phenomenon by presenting our perspectives.
The Make-up Myth: The Prophecy
October 28, 2010 by The Prophet
Filed under Dating & Relationships
Recently a female friend asked us:
"Why do guys always approach her when she's not looking so hot, but when she's all dolled up and on point, none of the fine guys step to her, only the C-team."
Here's what The Prophet had to say about it:
Here's the deal. The reason why guys aren't really approaching you when you are looking your best isn't because of what your makeup is saying about you or that we are selectively sniping our targets. The reason is that dudes these days are just timid and lazy. Yep. You ladies were right. We are just reluctant to talk to you for fear of rejection.
You see, guys have extremely fragile egos. Rejection is something that most guys need to be able to deal with and a key part of life but something that only a very small percentage of guys are capable of handling without batting an eye. The problem is that the overwhelming majority of guys who have the balls to come up to you when you are looking your best are card-carrying members of the C-team. These are the guys I believe that The Genius was talking about as being "That Dude". So what about the other guys? The guys belonging to the A-team, hell even the B-team? Why aren't they talking to you? The answer is simple: Hoes.
First of all, let me start off by saying that I do not run around calling women bitches and hoes. My mother is a woman and so are my sisters, best friends, and family members. Teachers, religious mentors, neighbors, girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, and mail-lady. But everyone needs to stop fronting and realize that hoes do exist. All women are not bitches or hoes, we're talking 20-25% tops. And it's this segment that messes everything up for all you quality women out there who got it going on both physically and mentally. This is because the hoes are actually the ones doing the sniping. They feed on all the men from the A-team, B-team, and C-team in that very order and as wonderful as I think the male race is, we are lazy as hell.
Conditioning is the reason we are not talking to you. Most of your good-looking male friends are perfectly capable of getting "attention" from pretty women without even doing anything. It may not be as easy or as often as it is for even the averagest looking woman, but give it some time, and they will come.
Let's recap. Men these days are confronted with a dilemma, one that we chose the easiest course of action to solve. On one hand, we are faced with possible rejection from women who know that they look good and know their own worth. On the other hand, we are also well aware that if we just chill for long enough, hoes will make their presence known and we will get "candy" from them. Because guys are lazy, we choose the hoes option because it's easier and still keeps our egos in tact. I personally believe this is the reason that men are typically attracted to crazy ass women. Sorry ladies, but the truth is just as brutal as you thought. Also, I am very aware that I just used the word "averagest" in the last paragraph. I do not regret that at all. I was just too lazy to change it.
See, told you.
What do you think? Let us know.
The Make-up Myth: The Introduction
The Make-up Myth: Analyzed by a Genius
October 28, 2010 by The Genius
Filed under Dating & Relationships
Recently a female friend asked us:
"Why do guys always approach her when she's not looking so hot, but when she's all dolled up and on point, none of the fine guys step to her, only the C-team?"
Here's what The Genius had to say about it:
With all due respect to my fellow colleague The Gentleman, I think maybe he got the purpose of this article confused himself, or maybe he chose to comment on just the makeup, which is ONE aspect of the larger issue.; however, his points can also be applicable to the bigger issue, which is "Accuracy".
Makeup aside, women get into dress-up battles with themselves and their friends when they go out. It's all fun and games, and I personally don't really see anything wrong with it. The problem, or should I say confusion, comes in when their attire does not match their surroundings, or how I perceive my surroundings.
I don't consider myself a Casanova by any means. But I am a firm believer in social engineering and the chief advocate against the Law of Large Numbers (as applied to dating). This means that I'm all about accuracy when I approach women. Not all men are like this, but usually the ones you want to talk to are. You see, the C-Team that you speak of is only interested in your superficial appearance, that is after all the main reason he approached you; he has nothing else to go off of. His M.O. is "Hey, might as well try, right? Worst that can happen is she'll say 'No'. I'll live". Which actually, is true. The problem is that if you DO say no, where does that put me? Am I to just hang it up that night, or am I to move onto the next woman? For these guys, the latter is the preferred choice of action. But after 2 or 3 rejections, he becomes "That Dude" at the club who is trying to hit on everyone. And no girl likes "That Dude". You certainly don't.
When "That Dude" approaches you, you all are instantly turned off by him and say to yourself, and sometimes to him directly, "Why are you hollerin' at me, I'm just another number to you." Now let's assume that you and "That Dude" would have actually hit it off and started a wonderful relationship together had he just approached you first. His chances of achieving success with women he actually stands a chance with significantly decreases with each approach and rejection he gets. And ladies, you are not stupid. You can smell this strategy on a guy from a mile away. If he doesn't make you feel special, then he's not. Drop him.
Now let me ask you this: Why would I put myself in that position? I don't go headhunting for "chicks" when I go out. If I decide to talk to a woman while out in a public setting, I understand that by doing so, I am crossing out several other women from contention. It would makes sense to me to find the ones that I think mesh better with my character and vice-versa rather than just one that "looks good". I'm a sniper, not Infantry. It's all about accuracy. One shot, one kill.
How can I tell which ones mesh the best with me and who I have a better chance with? Simple, I'm a confident and intelligent person, so I have my best chances with a woman who has the same qualities. Typically, women who I deem as overdressed for the occasion have something to compensate for. Not all of you, but enough. I've went to a dive bar to watch a fight and saw a group of women dressed in those bandage dresses (I don't know what they're called but they are tight) and expensive looking shoes. Sure they looked good, and they were approached by every bar slob in the place. To me, that looks like these girls want to step out and get noticed. But at a Dive Bar? Really? Am I going to include myself in the folds of men who flock as soon as they see eyeliner and boobies. Nah homie. I'm straight.
To me, overdressing = confidence issues or attention deficiency disorder.
"If my tit is hanging out my dress, the night is gonna be interesting!"
I know you women have fun turning guys down. We know that. Hell, we have fun turning women down. Ok, tha's a lie. We don't turn them down, we keep them around anyway, but like you, we do it because we just want our ego stroked.
I know some of you women are of course saying, "I don't do that. I dress for me, myself, and I."
Yeh, I'm sure you do. But I personally think that this type of woman represents about 30% of you all. So for the sake of that 30%, I'm hollering at none of ya'll. Blame them, not me.
Thirty percent! That may seem too low to be casting off the vast majority of women, but when you talk about accuracy, it makes sense. Look at the women who dress sophisticated, appropriate, and leave enough to the imagination to pique my interest. Ladies, our definitions of those words are different than yours. I want the girl who dresses comfortably over provocatively, reserved over liberally, confident over attention-starved. Out of all the women that dress like that, I have a better rate of success with these ladies than the flashy, makeup intensive, fashion overloaded ones. Out of both groups, the latter yields significantly less false positives than the former with a much higher conversion ratio. I'm gonna do what benefits me, so will the rest of the A-team.
We scan you before you even see us and the logic that drives the male brain will always do the math. Some are just better than others at it. The C-team does the Law of Large Numbers thing while the A-team provides a hypothesis and formulates a proof. So if you feel that the girls that dress up and have no substance don't include you: No offense, I'm just tryina keep my stats up. I've done the math, and it's sound. Trust me, I'm a genius.
Discuss below and be sure to check out what my colleagues think. Let them know how right I am.
The Make-up Myth: The Introduction


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Lau Ghonto…Bottle Gourd cooked with Mung Dal…another one of my mother in law's recipe...I was super skeptical the first time I saw her making this…she was sure I wouldn't eat it and so was I J…then, one bite and I was hooked...ok, so I think I have cribbed often enough that I was (am) not too fond of veggies...except a few…give me ghiya, tori, tinda (squashes) and I will gobble them merrily without any complaints…But, this being made without any spices or onions, garlic and tomatoes had me worried…super worried…but like I said, my first bite and I was hooked
Lau Ghonto/Bottle Gourd cooked with Mung Dal
- Lau/Lauki/Ghiya/Bottle Gourd, 500 gms
- Sona Mung Dal/Mung Dhuli Dal/Split Skinless Mung, ½ cup (yellow dal in the below picture)
- Ghee, 1 tbsp
- Cumin seeds, ½ tsp
- Dried red chilies, whole 1-2
- Salt, to taste
- Sugar, ½ tsp or to taste
Dry roast the mung dal on low heat, till it changes colour to golden brown. Take it off heat and let it cool. Wash in cold water, drain very well and spread it out on a plate.
Peel and cut lau into thin short pieces. (Peel off slightly thicker peels and save them for the next recipe coming up)
In a kadhai/wok, put chopped lau and roasted dal. Cover with a lid and place the kadhai on low heat. The lau will release water while cooking and the dal will cook in that water. Check and stir once or twice – stir lightly so that the lau pieces or dal doesn't break. Add salt and sugar.
Mix well but lightly and let it cook further – dal needs to cook completely without losing its shape and water needs to dry out completely.
Heat ghee in a small pan. Add cumin seeds and the dried red chili to the oil. Once the seeds start spluttering, switch off the heat and add this tempering to the lau. Mix well, check seasoning and add coriander leaves.
- Normally if the lau is fresh you wouldn't need to add additional water and both will be cook in the water released from the lau. So check while stirring and sprinkle a little water only if necessary.
- Since there are no spices in this, pls. ensure the seasoning is just perfect.
- For my lau hating husband I add more dal than is normally put in this – in the above picture have used ½ cup dal, in the below picture 1 cup dal…normally one would not add more than ¼ cup dal for 500 gms of lau. So adjust based on whether or not you are lau loving or lau hating person!!


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These Coconut-Speckled Cubes of Chocolate-Dipped Cake Are Truly Australian
Sports fans are familiar with the fierce rivalry between Australia and New Zealand when the two square off on the rugby field. Less known are the skirmishes in the field of food.
Take pavlova. Who created that fluffy, super-sugary meringue, fruit and whipped cream dessert extravaganza? We did, say the Australians. No, it's ours, the Kiwis cry. Similar scuffles occur over the origins of the Anzac biscuit, a kind of sweet oatcake that more likely developed from a Scottish staple.
Fortunately for us Aussies, it seems our Kiwi cousins aren't interested in claiming lamingtons -- at least not yet.
These coconut-speckled cubes of chocolate-coated sponge cake (butter cake is better, some argue) are as much a part of an Australian childhood as a smear of that black, salty-smelly sandwich spread called Vegemite. Unlike Vegemite, lamingtons seem to have universal appeal. Australians of every cultural background are fond of them, and lamingtons now are found far afield in such places as Hong Kong and Singapore.
The History
Most iconic baked goods, it seems, are shrouded in myth and legend. The lamington is no exception.
Recipes for the small cakes first appeared in the early 1900s, following the departure from Australia's northeastern shores of the British peer, Baron Charles Wallace Alexander Napier Cochrane-Baillie -- Lord Lamington for short (after the Scottish town from which he hailed). The baron was governor of the state of Queensland from 1896 to 1901, and it's said that the lamington was named after him.
The Queensland National Trust, which recognized the cake as a state icon in 2006, goes a step farther and suggests it was created by Lord Lamington's head chef, Jules Armand Galland.
Urban myth, on the other hand, gives the credit to Lady Lamington. Panicked by the sudden appearance of afternoon tea guests and nothing but stale cake to serve, she commanded her kitchen staff, the story goes, to revive the offending cake by cutting it into squares, dipping it in chocolate and rolling it in desiccated coconut.
Official records of Lord and Lady Lamington eating or serving the encrusted square sweets are hard to find, however. And the tiny Scottish village of Lamington, where the baron ended his days, lays no claim to their creation.
Food historian Michael Symons deftly avoids too much exploration of any theories on the origin of the lamington, preferring to note in his encyclopedic "One Continuous Picnic: A Gastronomic History of Australia" that recipes for lamingtons became hugely popular around the time of World War I, as part of an Australia-wide fashion for "dainty" afternoon teas.
Mr. Symons does acknowledge the Lord Lamington connection, but adds a further theory: That "the name refers to a 'lamina' of golden apricot jam filling, used to provide moisture to leftover cake." Sadly for Mr. Symons, however, the Country Women's Association cookbook -- the gold standard in Australia for such things -- makes no mention of a jam filling. And certainly not apricot.
The Setting
Once upon a time, one bought lamingtons in a lamington drive -- a fund-raising activity of yesteryear in which home-baked lamingtons were sold by the dozen to raise money for a school or community charity. These days a school fete or fund-raiser is more likely to involve selling boxes of commercial chocolate bars or Krispy Kreme donuts.
The lamington itself, however, is alive and well. Not many people make the cakes at home anymore but there is no shortage of outlets in Australia in which to acquire one, or a dozen. Brisbane bakery Uncle Bobs sells them, like beer, by the six-pack. And Uncle Bobs owner Brett Noy is keen to go even further. Inspired by lemon-flavored versions of the iconic Aussie cake he found on a recent visit to Singapore and Hong Kong, he now serves lemon lamingtons as well as chocolate. With new styles and flavors, the lamington may have a bright future.
The Judgment
The Country Women's Association, or CWA, sets the standard for the traditional "country show" lamington, baked by large-armed cooks who compete for the glory of a blue ribbon at town fairs around Australia. A proper show lamington should be a single square layer of cake with sides typically measuring four centimeters or five centimeters.
Then there's the sponge cake versus butter cake debate.
Mr. Noy, whose bakery chain sells around 1,000 lamingtons a week, warns against using what's known in the trade as horatio or utility cake, a slightly dense butter cake. "It's too heavy and dries out too quickly," he says. "We prefer to use a sponge (cake). It absorbs the chocolate dipping sauce a bit further and protects the cake. You get this mild absorption of chocolate into this beautiful, light fluffy cake that's just perfect."
Mr. Symons, the food historian, might be pleased to learn that Mr. Noy uses a little raspberry jam in the icing, along with cocoa and icing sugar, for added moistness. A few cooks go further by cutting the lamington into two layers and spreading raspberry jam in between.
Finally, there are those who swear that a lamington should contain a layer of cream in the middle. No way, critics say.
The Sources
As the home of lamingtons (mythically or otherwise), Brisbane is a good place to find them.
Uncle Bobs
Popular here are the fresh-cream-filled lamingtons, sold individually ($1.65) "We get the occasional request for mock cream," says owner and baker Mr. Noy. A six-pack of plain lamingtons, on the other hand, costs $5.55.
- 185 Belmont Rd., Belmont, 61-7-3890-3255
Stradbroke Street, Redland Bay, 61-7-3829-0688
Upmarket deli/cafes Tognini's does a wonderful gigantic lamington version. Measuring about 12-by-9-by-9 centimeters and lined with chocolate ganache, they're a whopping $4.90 each but can feed at least two. They also come in lemon and lemon curd.
- Milton Shopping Village, Baroona Road, Milton, 61-7-3369-0915
Spring Hill Market Place, Spring Hill, 61-7-3831-5300
State Library of Queensland Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, 61-7-3840-7546
The Bakery on Oriel Park
In the fashionable suburb of Ascot, this bakery specializes in good old-fashioned cakes, tarts and breads. The hallmark of the lamingtons here is they are light and fluffy ($1.65).
- 31 Alexandra Rd., Ascot, 61-7-3262-8088
—Joanna Savill is a writer based in Sydney.


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Welcome to My Site!
I'm Shawn Underwood and I live in the suburbs of Seattle with my husband, Craig, three nearly grown kids and two misbehaved dogs Mr. Big and Mr. Small.
When we can coordinate everyone's schedules, we drag our children around the world for fun and a little education. What happens after we leave the four corners of the U.S. (I'm not geographically inclined) does not 'stay in Timbuktu'. Much to my tribe's dismay, it becomes fodder for my latest story—a mother and wife's just revenge.I've posted about all of these trips on this website. I just published a memoir of that amazing year in France called Mommy, are we French Yet? My shaky grasp of French led to some hilariously awkward moments.
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By Dan E. Burns
Macbeth shall never vanquished be until
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Hill
Shall come against him. – Witches prophecy, Macbeth, IV.i
I asked Ruth Christ Sullivan in a radio interview, "What would you do if you had another 30 years to live?" Ruth is the eighty-plus-year-old founder of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which guarantees a free and appropriate education for our disabled kids. She said, "I would go back to Washington. And I would make residential care for our adult children a Federal entitlement, not a Medicaid waiting room."
Great idea; thank you, Ruth. Then she passed the torch: "You do it."
So I journeyed to Washington, DC, carrying my torch through the Rayburn House Office Building, Dunsinane, bleak and regular as an egg carton. My plan was to roam the halls, top floor to bottom, knocking on Texas Representatives' doors. I tried to imagine myself a prophet in the corridors of power, Jonah on mission in Nineveh; but the closed doors, identical as post office boxes, reminded me more of those kids' books where you lift the flap to see the surprise behind it.
Here's a Texas door. "Repent!" I cried, lifting the flap. The young staffer, who was alone and had not yet opened his mail, offered me a cup of coffee.
My message was this. "In Texas, we have a wave of disabled children on the autism spectrum graduating from high school and headed for the streets. Most of them will need support all their lives. It costs $100K to $160K per year to house a disabled adult in a state institution. It costs half that to support him in a traditional group home. Through our pilot project An Independent Me, a residential and vocational center, the Autism Trust USA is modeling how that support might work to lower the cost and improve the quality of life for these young adults in a community, village, or campus setting."
"I'm listening," said the note-jotting staffer.
"Let's say we get the cost down to $60K per year," I went on. "One-third of that comes from enterprise income, because with the support of Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services we are putting these young adults to work in micro-enterprises, self-employment, and jobs. One third comes from private pay -- trust funds, insurance, family savings, and fundraising. The last third, that's where we're asking for help: permanent, reliable, Federal funding for long-term residential support. Give us the tools, and we will build these communities."
The staffer put down his pencil and said, "You know, I can sell this idea to the boss as a deficit-reduction measure." And I thought, Yes, Yes, Hallelujah Amen!
Picking up the pace, I roamed the corridors opening doors, thirty-six of them. I found four staffers willing to engage: two Democrats and two Republicans. That's the start of a network that can grow to make An Independent Me and hundreds of communities like it a dream come true.
My sense is that Washington can be stirred, and we must do the stirring. Representative Dan Burton recently published a call to action, HERE, for Congressional hearings into the causes of autism (including mercury and vaccines), the inadequacy of the Federal government's response to the autism epidemic, and the failure of the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. "The autistic children of today," he writes, "will be the autistic adults and autistic seniors of tomorrow. Our nation is ill prepared to deal with the complex challenges posed by a generation of autistic individuals. We need prominent and influential leaders to step forward and spark a national debate on autism."
Do you see prominent and influential leaders stepping forward? I don't. But we can lead the way. There are more House Office Buildings to traverse, Cannon and Longworth. You too can grasp Ruth Sullivan's torch. Within these vast and lonely halls are pigeon holes, Congressional offices as plain as a small-town library. Private chamber in the back; government-issued reception desk on right and left. Behind the desks, staffers open the mail and read the news: Autism Is Stealing Our Kids. One in 88 twelve-year olds, on top of the uncounted younger children and grandchildren swelling the ranks.
The staffers know the numbers. The reps are waking up; some are primed to listen. They have kids and grandkids too.
Cornered in his fortress, twisted by greed and ambition, innocent blood on his hands, Macbeth fights on. But once the opposition rallies, there is no doubt how the play will end.
So I would encourage you to take your issue peacefully to Washington. Vaccines; environment; housing, safety, and a job for your child with ASD as he or she heads toward the high school exit. The time is now. Birnan wood is stirring. The doors of Dunsinane conceal a secret labyrinth of high-tension power lines extending into the vast and varied reaches of America herself.
And there's nothing between you and your representative's staffer except an unlocked door.
Dan E. Burns, Ph.D., is the father of a 24-year-old son on the autism spectrum and the author of the award-winning Saving Ben: A Father's Story of Autism. Dr. Burns is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism and is Adult Issues Liaison for AutismOne. He chairs The Autism Trust USA, (www.theautismtrustusa.org), a 501(c)3 charity focused on empowering parents to organize communities where their ASD children and others can live and work, enjoy life, continue to heal, and give back to society.
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Dan: I can't think of any single thing that is as important right now as federal entitlement for adults, and I would not stop at residential but also include day program services/supported employment in the mix. In California, thanks to the Lanterman Act, we DO have these entitlements and adults (at least those living near larger cities) usually have a range of options. We need this same scenario occurring nationally. I salute you for carrying the torch and will support you in your federal-level mission.
Dan -
Thank you for taking such a bold initiative, and it appears you may have made some of your legislators aware of the looming disaster.
Yes, residential care should be a Federal entitlement for adults with autism. Beyond providing lifespan care , it should also stimulate more down to earth investigation of reasons for the recent horrendous increase in autism and other childhood problems.
Dadvocate and Harry Hofher, thanks also for your comments. I thought I responded to this post the other day, but can't find it now. My son's experience in a state hospital was far superior to that in the group home where he lives now, but the hospital was closed for the ideal of getting everyone into "the community."
Staff in the group home earn minimum wage, and weekends relief staff take over. They do nothing. All weekend, one cigarette every hour on the hour on the back porch is the only outdoor time the residents get. I have been taking my son out Sundays for fresh air, fresh experiences, and he is working on writing his second memoir. We come home to a group of zombies sitting in front of the TV.
@Joanna Karpasea-Jones
Thank you Joanna for writing those terrific prepared letters and for your campaign against vaccinating children in secondary schools. I have messaged you on Facebook with my adaptation sent to Scottish Depute First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who in the past expessed some concerns about the MMR vaccine, but that was when the SNP were in opposition!!
My family has two children potentially affected by Nicola's 'catch up' vaccine campaign. My pretty teenage grandaughter is fully up to date MMR vaccinated, but I am presently attempting to persuade her mum (my elder daughter) NOT to allow her to be vaccinated with Gardasil. My youngest grandson is the sibling of our 'Wakefield Babe'; my younger daughter, parent of both boys, paid to have this child fully vaccinated with SEPARATE and spaced out measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. She is very concerned that he might be 'persuaded' to have an MMR booster at school.
Joanna's campaign letters link:-
As an aside from a 'local'. Dunsinane Hill is being slowly, but surely, removed by a massive quarrying process. The stone chips are used for road building and repairs, including the notorious trunk road A9. This dangerous road, which has a very high accident/death rate often called 'carnage', passes through Birnam Wood. Successive Scottish governments have stubbornly refused to find the cash to fully 'dual' the road carriageways from Dunblane to Inverness; (it's partially dualled, which confuses drivers who overtake, on stretches of single carriageway, with dire consequences). It seems the witches' curse still prevails!!
Thank you to commentators for mentioning my take vaccines out of school's campaign. The way Barry summed it up is indeed why it is important to keep vaccines away from schools, so parents have a say and kids aren't bullied or forced into it. I didn't know about MMR catch up in Scotland, I will write another example letter about MMR too (in the next couple of days).
From Joanna who got an auditary processing disorder from BCG vaccine.
Great article, Dan!
It is important to advocate at the federal level. We can make a difference. Wonderful that you took the time and energy to do so and you are encouraging us all to do the same!
It is important that there should be different living options and choices offered. One size does not fit all. Hopefully the powers that be realize different options must be available.
Ah yes the prophecy of Macbeth....and there are some Bible prophecies that predict the outcome for those engaging in fraud, murder and deceit of innocents...so I predict that it will take an Act of God to overcome the power of the vaccine industry. The Bible promises that "you can be certain that the truth shall be made known"...eventually that is, but who knows how that may manifest in this regard. An army of families with autism educating thier representatives in Congress could result in Act of Congress; the first solution is to simply reverse the 1986 act that allows the vaccine industry exemption from liability. Then Changes would happen fast out of necessity for the vaccine manufacturers to protect thier financial empire. Since they obviously have no concern for their fellow man, their only motivation would be to avoid financial damages from lawsuits against them. But if that never happens, my only consolation is knowing that God has a Plan...
Dan Burns can write as creatively as Shakespeare, so perhaps he will consider writing a play about autism...that is a screenplay for a movie. Maybe he could hook up with Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carey. That way the message gets taken to the public in case the good people in congress are outnumbered by the politicians who will continue to back the vaccine industry for the benefit of all of those campaign donations.
For parents seeking employment for their adult or near-adult ASD children, you might want to read the revised Federal mandate, which has been expanded to include the most severely impacted DD adults. Google "Rehabilitation of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders" and download the PDF file. For parents of tough cases like my son Ben, it's an eye-opener.
Barry says:-
"The problem really isn't "where" a vaccine is administered, it is "that" a vaccine is administered."
I disagree. When child vaccines are administered at a medical centre, the parents have a CHOICE and can choose when or even if these vaccines are administered to their child. They can also insist on full disclosure of vaccine inserts which detail any known risks or side effects. This is called informed consent.
In the UK, child vaccines are NOT mandatory, so our sneaky governments, are attempting to get round parental permissions in the case of older children, by administering HPV and other vaccines in secondary schools. Under UK laws older children can consent themselves; most teenage girls (and boys) would 'swallow' vaccine propaganda about the 'dangers' of cervical cancer, particularly if that 'propaganda' fails to inform them about the dangers associated with the Gardasil vaccine.
In Scotland, our Government has decided, 'in its wisdom' to administer a 'catch up' MMR vaccine dose to 15 year olds at the same time as administering the Gardasil. This ignorant decision on the part of our admistration leaders makes my hair curl!! There have been measles outbreaks in Europe, but NO official stats about whether or not those infected were vaccinated against measles. Government spokespersons in the UK now talk about 'fully vaccinated' -whatever that means. It sounds like an excuse to yet again blame parents and administer even more unwanted boosters!!
In the UK, thousands of young men are contracting mumps in their teens and early twenties. In many cases this has rendered them unable to father children. Some of these men were too old to receive MMR post 1988 when it was introduced, but this does NOT explain the mumps outbreaks in fully MMR vaccinated teenagers. Again, Governments blame parents for not ensuring booster MMR vaccine doses are up to date, but these sterile young men must curse the system which prevented them from contracting mumps in infancy, when it is far less serious. This betrayal of our young persons cannot be remedied by administering yet more booster doses of vaccine.
Similar things seem to be happening with pertussis, which is plainly 'getting round' the vaccine immunity, which is just not immunising children against the disease.
Governments MUST collectively rethink their immunisation strategies NOW!!
For those of you with small children, or teenagers pay all of this never a mind and live for only today.
I was told one time by a professional that even if a child was perfectly normal - no parent wants to nor should try to plan too much into the future.
That is good advice.
This is what the state of Kentucky is offering employers if they hire disabled.
Business Tax Incentives
If you own or operate a business, you should be aware of two tax incentives for hiring workers with disabilities:
•Deduction for removal of Barriers (Internal Revenue Services Code Section 190) - You may deduct expenses for making a facility or vehicle used in your business more accessible to persons with disabilities
•Accessibility Credit (Internal Revenue Services Code Section 44) - An eligible small business which pays or incurs expenses for providing access to persons with disabilities is allowed a tax credit
That is not much???!!!!!
This is more of paying an employer back for services incured from hiring someone with a disability - not an incentive to begin with.
Is this it?
Is this all the state does.
Today I went with my son for the first meeting at vocational rehabilitation since he is not good at communicating and I wanted to make sure of a few things. 1.) They help write a resume. 2.) They will do role playing and try to prepare him for interviews. 3.) To give them them a good look-over for myself
There was only one girl there and she was very young and she mainly wanted to know what the problems were with him. I also got to hear about her husband's construction company had no more jobs after a road job. Times are tough - and her boss who I think was suppose to be there and could really help with the resume was not there, so they would give my son a call and have him return back to tomorrow - 30 minute trip.
Apparently they do not communicate with the main office of State Rehabilitation - the state must be hiring out to this different company???? I am confussed about all this. But they did not know anything about him. I told them he is a man of few words, he had PDD-NOS a mild type of autism, and epilepsy, didn't have the heart to say in front of him that he also has mild tourettes, major OCD, attention defecit.
But what little I did say - we get a long explaination of - they were not allowed to tell the employer what his disabilites are - that is left up to my son to tell his employers.
The girl resented me being there. Tough good luck for her, - she just don't know it.
She said that there were two girls from our area that she had to go see that would require vocational training and it would pages upon pages of writing on her part.
Anything that has to do with the state or federal government could mean the death of an entire Daniel Boone National forest for paper. So get ready for someone to write and write and write and not make much difference.
Perhaps some future date a historian will go to these records and write a book on the "The 20 and 21 Century Mass Posioning of a Population, and the After Effects"
Kathy Purple Cherry;
How does that work right now, in most states.
Does states vocational rehabiltiation programs offer employers any Incentive to hire those with disabilities?
Dan - I totally agree with the concept that this must be tackled at the Federal level. I recently visited our state DDA department to discuss the concept of a private / public partnership in light of the fact that many of our kids can be viably employed, and possibly through time and repeated efforts, require less supported employment dollars. When you think about the cost of supported employement from 21 to say 65 for our children and transfer a portion of those dollars to funding a successful project that assists in developing vocational and life skills, it is apparent that it is an overall savings at the state level. The challenge is the states are mandating inclusion and see these settings as institutional. So, the pendulum has swung too far, and we need to move it back a bit at the Federal level so that the states can follow. Count me in for the next trip you make to DC. I am 30 minutes from the Capital and happy to help effect change for the future!
"... This was posted on Facebook by a vaccine safety awareness person. The campaign aims to have child vaccine administration taken out of schools and confined to medical centres. ..."
The problem really isn't "where" a vaccine is administered, it is "that" a vaccine is administered.
This autism experience has taught me a lot of things, but the most important lesson of all, is that there's no such thing as a safe vaccine.
A poison, is a poison, is a poison...no matter who decides to give it to you. Just like taking less of any poison, will never make it any less of a poison.
Dadvocate is 100% correct. We need parents of children with autism to tell the CMS that we need to keep all options open for adult housing as we enter The Autism Tsunami.
Not all adults, especially those with sensory issues will be able to live, and live safely, in an urban or suburban setting. The ideologues who advocate strictly for the urban or suburban group home setting are missing a critical point. As Dr. Rimland wrote 20 years ago, "Many group homes in the U.S. are located in places that would be better described as urban jungles than communities." Urban isn't always better. That is why some people have always preferred to live in a less crowded environment.
Some disability advocates are trapped in an urban state of mind and don't grasp that we have come a long way from the days of Willowbrook. Parents that are advocating for alternative community options for their children are aware of the bad old days and are working hard creating community models that take into account the needs of their loved ones for a safe, secure, and nurturing environment. This is commonly referred to as evolution. Residential, employment, and community options for adults with autism need to continue the forward evolution. We need to maximize the use of all options, including the agricultural community model, to adequately care for all our kids, especially the most vulnerable among us.
As is often stated on this site, "one size doesn't fit all", especially in caring for our kids as they become adults. Let's make sure all options are kept open. Whether you agree or not, please let the HHS know your feelings. We only have until June 14th
If anyone is interested in a successful, residential, employment, and community model for adults with autism they can check out www.ac-aa.org
This was posted on Facebook by a vaccine safety awareness person. The campaign aims to have child vaccine administration taken out of schools and confined to medical centres. These pre written letters can be adapted and sent to our political representatives, with special responsibility for health issues.
I adapted one of the letters and e-mailed it to our Depute First Minister in Scotland, who also has reponsibility for health issues. A 'catch up' vaccination programme is being implemented in secondary schools, in response to recent outbreaks of measles in England and Europe. It is planned to administer MMR vaccine alongside the HPV Gardasil vaccine. As far as I am aware there have been NO safety studies researching possible adverse effects of administering this 'mix' of assorted live viruses all at the same time.
If enough of us protest, we can indeed influence those in the 'corridors of power'.
Dan -
It should be noted that Dr. Ruth Sullivan is also a co-founder of both the Autism Society of America and NARPAA, the National Association of Residential Providers for Adults with Autism (http://www.narpaa.org/). She is a terrific role model for all of us who advocate on autism related issues.
Your readers may also want to know that the definition of what is (and isn't) defined by the CMS as "community based" for the purposes of reimbursement by Medicaid HCBS waiver is yet again out for public comment (Due by June 4). It appears that the ideologues in the Dept of Health and Human Services and their allies in the disabilty advocacy circles aren't listening to the large number of people telling them that their proposed definitions are far too narrow, inflexible, defy reason, and will sharply limit the development of any campus or small footprint community for people with autism (like your proposed model). You can find these choice limiting proposals here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2012-10385.pdf I strongly urge all to make their views known on this issue. Person centric planning and opportunities for independent living are certainly critical but the one size fits all proposal of scattered 4 person or less residential settings only, to the exclusion of any intentional community, flies in the face of the needs of many adults with autism spectrum disorders.
"Not every residence over 15 beds is a Willowbrook; not every group home is a utopia. We must be wary of advocates who strive to close out options which are not to their personal liking." - The late Dr. Bernard Rimland, Co-Founder ASA and ARI.
Thank you Dan for laying out a road map that many can and hopefully will pursue.
Thanks, Dan for carrying the torch. I'm trying but we need an army of torch-bearers!
"The staffer put down his pencil and said, "You know, I can sell this idea to the boss as a deficit-reduction measure." And I thought, Yes, Yes, Hallelujah Amen!"
You make it look easy to participate meaningfully in government and make an impact. Imagine the influence we could all have if more of us were willing to take a trip to DC (or even to our state capitol where senators and representatives also have offices). Keep up the great work - you're an inspiration!
My state representative has an excellent staffer.
I written my senator five or six times,and his staffer actually called me twice.
He was very nice.
But he did not believe me that the vaccines were the problem, but was very professional about it.
My representative had polio.
I think him having this disease would has made him blind to the problem.
Still his staffer did not ignore me, and he wrote all of it down to pass on to Mitch McConnell.
Now Hal Rogers - I have written and written,but he only answers with a form letter if at all. I pass his - well I am not sure what it is??? His regional building ever once in a while, I wonder what is in there?
I am going today with my son to a place the state has hired to help my son with his resume, and practice interviews and I will be passing Hal Rogers place. But I don't know if it is right to have my son with me.
Coming up new politician is at this moment - a recently retired admiral that has moved back home. He even said he wanted to start a more intense vocational school
WS-Thanks-My School Shakespeare was a long time ago!! Incidently, theatrical companies always call this 'The Scottish Play' because of the superstition associated with the name 'Macbeth, widely believed to carry a curse!!
Great article, Dan! I was wowed by your comments on Ruth Christ Sullivan.
I would also encourage Washington to permit more flexibility on how funding is used for the population with ASD. ASD wasn't even on the table when disability advocates worked with the federal government to create guidelines. It certainly makes sense that a physically disabled person may do best in an individual apartment or in a group home with 2 or 3 other people. But that model can be isolating for a person with ASD, and it certainly doesn't provide adequate safeguards for a person with ASD who is known to wander. A better model would be senior living - some seniors live in their own homes, some live in independent apartments, some live in assisted living. THEY choose what is right for them. And the government doesn't come along and say it is discriminatory for people to voluntarily choose to live together, or put roadblocks in the way of anyone trying to create such alternative housing.
Macduff's "chickens".
The ghost of the murdered Banquo at the feast lives on, along with all his 'little (slaughtered children) chickens'. Dunsinane Hill is one of my favourite geological 'stamping grounds', but the oppressive atmosphere of battles past remains.
Macbeth's murdering misdeeds ultimately destroyed him, as the present day political and corporate betrayal of our world's children will ultimately destroy those culpable perpetrators.
To quote the Scottish play:
'Finger of birth strangled babe
Ditch delivered by a drab,
Make the gruel thick and slab.
Add thereto a tiger's chawdron
For the ingredients of our cawdron.
Double, double, toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.'
It took four hundred years of social evolution before doctors started to use human fetal tissue in medication.
BTW, for those unfamiliar with 'the Scottish play' this explains its reputation:
Dan and I have been recently discussing the "Scottish play". In this context it might be worth remarking that although the pivotal action of the play is the murder of an elderly king, it is also liberally laced with imagery of murdered infants and children.
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