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Another wonderful radio clip for you today from NPR (The World) — This one is about Mark, who is podcasting from Scotland, and choosing some great sounds for us to hear.

I was especially impressed with how many people his podcast brought together for local bands’ performances in clubs. Yes, you CAN build a fan base this way.

You’ll enjoy his lilt whether you read or listen to his interview.

Mark is, in his own words, “just a guy,” living and working in Glasgow, Scotland. He’s got a wife, and two kids. He runs a small window and office cleaning business. Mark’s not a musician. He’s not a broadcaster. But he is a podcaster.

Mark’s show, tartanpodcast, aims to bring Scottish music to a wider audience. The format’s straightforward — three featured tunes with “a wee bit of chat” in between. – from the NPR interview…

Enjoy, enjoy…

Just listening to this brief story today on NPR (The World) made me feel that all is not lost.

Click here to see the photos of rifles being re-crafted into guitars … yes, instruments that actually play music — guaranteed to make you smile.

Even the Dalai Lama has ordered one!

Colombians turning arms into art

“A Colombian musician in Bogota has teamed up with a craftsman to turn Colombia’s military arms into art. The World’s Quil Lawrence reports from Bogota on guns that shoot music. ” – from the upper right corner of the site.

I knew it! I knew it! And so did you … which is why each of us raised holy heck when companies started adding infinitely long rows of cubicles for people to work in … what were they thinking?

Ahh, but to confirm our beliefs … check this one out:

Brain Death by Dull Cubicle.

And for those of you reading this whilst sitting in a cubicle, it’s okay. Now you can stop gnawing on your file cabinet handles … we’re here and we feel your pain. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

I just love this article on Angela Booth’s Writing Blog: Top 10 Writing Tips to Help You to Write More.

I know I’ve posted lists of writers’ tips before … but this one really hits the nail (or the top 10 nails) on the head.

Personally, #6 is my favorite: Make writing the first thing you do each day.

I find that when I do this (now it’s a habit), my head is more clear and organized for the whole rest of the day … plus I feel I’ve already accomplished something. Now I’m at the point where it’s like not brushing my teeth if I don’t write at the top of the day. Yecch.

Enjoy!

2006 is the 40th birthday of the L.A. County Museum of Art. Happy birthday!

To celebrate, a special exhibition of art given or promised to the museum will run through April 16th.

An appreciation of the art of giving, the exhibit showcases 150 gifts, including important 20th century paintings, sculptures and drawings by the usual suspects, including Picasso, Klee, Giacometti, Calder, et al.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California.
www.lacma.org

If you are a songwriter or composer, you really must take a moment to listen to these sound clips: Andy Trudeau on Oscar-Nominated Film Scores – NPR.org …

Andy Trudeau has been providing note-by-note analyses of each film score nominated for the Academy Awards (TV broadcast is tonight). You can hear his critiques for the past couple weeks as well, and see his list of the Top 10 all-time best.

Whether you care at all about movies or awards programs is beside the point. Listening to his detailed descriptions of melodies (or non-melodies) with and without lyrics, is very much like attending one of this country’s best music education classes.

If for nothing else, Andy Trudeau provides you an excellent example of what you should expect from anyone who is critiquing your song … whether you agree with his opinions or not.

Enjoy!

I loved this little article … and I hated it too. (Like looking too closely in a magnifying mirror.)

Sure puts a spotlight on how we get in our own way. I do ask myself why I put off doing certain things. Sometimes I think it’s actually good to let things ‘sit for a bit.’ Let those projects get some ‘air.’ Might decide later they weren’t worth pursuing after all. That’s not to be confused with procrastinating. So, you see? I can play this game as well as anybody.

I appreciate a former supervisor who suggested, when I told her I was overwhelmed with too much to do and how I “didn’t have time,” that I try instead to use the mantra, “I’ve got time.” It helped me shift my energy into a much more relaxed and productive state. I still use it. After all, time is your perception of it.

Another of her suggestions was to write a “To Done” list for a week. That means that, aside from my regular “To Do” list, I should jot down things I had actually done, daily, if not hourly. You’d be surprised at the many little things for which you don’t give yourself credit. When I get a bit stressed, I can review my accomplishments rather than the list of uncompleted tasks. Again, it refocuses my attention in a positive way and gets me going again.

Article: The Feng Shui (fung shway) of Procrastination.

For those of you who want to play guitar (or for those of you have already begun), this is a sweet site containing tidbits, including “Lesson #1.” I like that they tell you to just leave it alone for awhile, and come back later. The Zen Guitar Dojo.

[Note: Dojo = A school for training in Japanese arts of self-defense, such as judo and karate.]

Never can get enough suggestions for improving brainstorming techniques.

Here’s a good article to help you whether you’re brainstorming just for yourself, or in a group setting. It’s from Mind Tools.

Enjoy!

Some of these ideas are just downright kooky, but I love well-designed products (doesn’t everyone?) … so take a look … and maybe you can add your own to this site for designers:

www.designspotter.com/