S.o.t.D. - Far Red – Gacha

Far Red – Gacha

Really emblematic of Majestic Casual. Fun, trippy beat, and with that cascading acoustic guitar.

S.o.t.D. - Zyti – Qelaion

Zyti – Qelaion

S.o.t.D. - For You – Phaeleh

For You – Phaeleh

Another blissful toe tapper from the great Phaeleh.

S.o.t.D. - Bastion – AntiGravity

Bastion – AntiGravity

Cookie Butter

I feel sorry for all you non-Hollanders who didn’t get to grow up with this. That’s right suckers! Chocolate sprinkles. On bread. White bread. With butter. And this was a fairly frequent thing. Cry for what you missed. Basically, we used any means possible to turn breakfast or lunch into dessert!

Another component of that healthy Hollandic diet were cookie sandwiches. Yes, weep my friends. I was sent to school with sandwiches with speculaas cookies in between two slices of white bread. And look at me today.

I’m in a groceteria last week and I see this. Get out! So much more convenient than cookies which can break and may not perfectly fit the bread you’re using, there is now speculaas spread. What will they think of next. (Not that I’m actually going to buy it and try it or anything.)

S.o.t.D. - Hypersensitive Lover – Isaac Tichauer

Hypersensitive Lover – Isaac Tichauer

Great tempo.

S.o.t.D. - As Long As It Takes – Seba

As Long As It Takes – Seba

Always a solid producer.

S.o.t.D. - Shorty’s Judgement – The Herbaliser

Shorty’s Judgement – The Herbaliser

This entire album (Blow Your Headphones) is spectacular, but this is one of the stand out tracks.

Spencer’s Gorge, August 22, 2015

I was delighted to have my pal Michelle and her son Liam come down to Hamilton, and give me an opportunity to show them some of the natural beauty to be found in this perceived to be grimy, industrial city. They wanted to see some water falls, and this city has lots of them to offer, what with the Niagara Escarpment running right through it. We had a quick War of 1812 historical interlude, when I showed the ramparts in the Hamilton Cemetery. Took them to Borer’s Falls, where we saw a half dozen people. Stopped in the bucolic village of Dundas for an ice cream. Then went to Spencer’s Gorge where there were loooots of people. Took in Webster’s Falls and the underperforming Tew’s Falls. Then walked out to Dundas Peak.

Liam and I on the trail up to Borer’s Falls. (Photo by Michelle.)

Me and the YakBakDekPak, Ouch’mups, Slurp’mups, and Map’mups. (Photo by Michelle.)

(I was a schmuck and forgot my camera in the car, and I didn’t feel like jogging back to get it. Live in the moment and all that. So no photos of that part of the hike. Reports from previous hikes.)

Webster’s Falls.

Fishies.

Didn’t get a very good picture of Tew’s Falls.

A glimpse of Spencer’s Gorge.

When my career as a hedge fund manager takes off, I think I’ll buy this as one of my homes....

....just because this is the view.

At about the halfway point to Dundas Peak.

The view from the peak. Looking back the way we came up the Spencer’s Gorge and west across the Dundas Valley. The Niagara Escarpment curves around and can be seen on the other side.

Taking in the view.

S.o.t.D. - Let It Happen – Shutta

Let It Happen – Shutta

Nice shuffly beat with lush vocals and tinkly piano bits.

S.o.t.D. - Moments Lost – BOZCO?

Moments Lost – BOZCO?

Dreamy with a nicely tempoed beat. Love tracks that just use one or two little vocal snippets and create a great hook from it.

S.o.t.D. - Insane Love – J Δ Y E E M

Insane Love – J Δ Y E E M 

Some more ambient, future garage from Mexico.

S.o.t.D. - Executioner (Adamson Mix) – The Wolfgang Press

Executioner (Adamson Mix) – Wolfgang Press

More than a year since the last appearance of Wolfgang Press? Too long.

From their twilight. I like the moody arpeggios Barry Adamson uses here.

S.o.t.D. - Finola – Seba, Krazy

Finola – Seba, Krazy

What I’ve come to expect from Seba. Intense, yet suffused with subtlety.

S.o.t.D. - Broken Rumours – Pennygiles

Broken Rumours – Pennygiles

I like the quieter parts more then when the beats kick in, but this is hard and dark.

S.o.t.D. - Action Tape 1 (Mad Scope Revision by Aim) – Search

Action Tape 1 (Mad Scope Revision by Aim) – Search

I believe the only word that can adequately sum this up is “dope”.

S.o.t.D. - Pistols At Dawn – Seinabo Sey

Pistols At Dawn – Seinabo Sey

Interesting song, intriguing video. Thanks Trish for making me aware of it.

S.o.t.D. - Time Rewind – Speh

Time Rewind – Speh

Dreamy.

S.o.t.D. - The Naphosisous Wars – Jacob’s Optical Stairway

The Naphosisous Wars – Jacob’s Optical Stairway

All I really know about this track/act is: unwieldy names, Josh Wink is involved somehow, and it’s pretty good.

S.o.t.D. - Nayru – Audialist & Nomi

Nayru – Audialist & Nomi

S.o.t.D. - Secrets, Accusations & Charges (Max Cooper Reconstruction) – Michael Nyman & David McAlmont

Secrets, Accusations & Charges (Max Cooper Reconstruction) – Michael Nyman & David McAlmont

A little slice of loveliness.

We Belong To It - Ray Mears in Northern Ontario

Another choice film from Ray Mears. This time in one of my favourite places, northern Ontario. Artsy little video, lots of close up, slow motion shots.

S.o.t.D. - Purple (A Tribe Called Quest Remix) – Crustation

Purple (A Tribe Called Quest Remix) – Crustation

Smoke em if you’ve got em. Head nodding, toe tapping goodness.

S.o.t.D. - Ananda Project - Glory Glory (The Timewriter’s Saints and Sinners Remix)

Ananda Project - Glory Glory (The Timewriter’s Saints and Sinners Remix)

Timewriter is one of those artists, like Tom Middleton, that you know, sound unheard, that a remix will be an excellent slice of grooviness.

S.o.t.D. - Tha – Aphex Twin

Tha – Aphex Twin

From his very brilliant Selected Ambient Works 85-92.

Burlington Bay and Locomotive

View of Burlington Bay and Hamilton from the High Level Bridge.

BIbliophilia: Sew & Repair Your Outdoor Gear – Louise Lindgren

Sew & Repair Your Outdoor Gear – Louise Lindgren

(Just a quick note, the author goes by the surname Summer now. Remarried, reverted to her maiden name - not sure. But worth noting.)

Excellent for anyone interested in this subject. Descriptions of tools and their use, descriptions of fabrics and their properties, descriptions of various notions, sewing techniques, special considerations for repairing gear, and a variety of sewing projects and patterns. Stuff sack, poncho, cagoule, first aid kit, anorak, wind / rain pants, mitts, and gaiters. While the ideas could be followed to the letter, the creative will see just techniques to guide them.

All the photos are black and white, and I appreciate that all the projects were done in a very light colour to make distinguishing details possible.

Since it was published in 1988, it’s a bit dated. Quite a few fabrics have emerged since then, the list of suppliers is probably not so relevant any more (not to mention it’s quaint to see no URLs listed). Several textile research organizations are listed, but again almost 30 years on, I don’t know how accurate that info is. But the vast majority of this book is still very relevant to anyone who wants to repair their stuff or have a crack at making their own.

S.o.t.D. - 5 Weeks – Fokus & Lomax

5 Weeks – Fokus & Lomax

It only appears sporadically, but that “mwahmwahmwah” bass sound is soooo good.

Ruck’mups pt. 6

Yoke stapled on to be sewn in place.

The two back pieces sewn together, showing the outside and the inside, with the yoke sewn on.

The two back pieces sewn together, showing the outside and the inside, with the shoulder straps attached to the yoke.

Since what I make are essentially just prototypes, I may want to go back at some point and make revisions. Partially deconstruct it, take parts out, add other parts, etc. So to that end I usually do sections in different coloured thread to help me distinguish what is what. If the thread is to be visible I usually use a matching colour. But for anything that will be hidden, different colour thread helps if I need to revise or fix at some point down the way. Not to mention that black on black kinda sucks. White on black is just easier to deal with.

S.o.t.D. - Bax – Mosca

Bax – Mosca

Oh that bass drop at 00:57! Garagey goodness.

S.o.t.D. - Harlequin Dream – Boy & Bear

Harlequin Dream – Boy & Bear

Video is an odd affair, but the song is lovely.

Ruck’mups pt. 5

Two pieces for the back. The orange parts are foam cut from a yoga mat. They’ll sit beneath the stay pockets, providing a bit of padding against my back. They’re glued on to the fabric, and then the two pieces will be mated.

And if anyone is particularly interested, the glue I used to stick the foam to the fabric.

S.o.t.D. - Stealing A Broken Tear – Modu

Stealing A Broken Tear – Modu

Never cease to be amazed at finding ever more artists producing great stuff in this genre.

James Street Stairs

The James Street stairs up the Niagara Escarpment. On the right you can see the pillars that were part of the incline railway, that operated here from 1892 to 1931.

James Street stairs up the Niagara Escarpment.

Scouting headquarters. The walls that surround it on four sides (in the foreground is about a 3 or 4 meter drop) at one time formed an open topped reservoir. I believe it may have been the first reservoir in Hamilton.

And a view from inside the reservoir. Or should I say, walled parking lot.

Ruck’mups pt. 4

Shoulder straps, back. I used a mesh fabric with a layer of, drum roll please, grippy, non skid drawer liner beneath it. Yeah, the stuff you put under carpets to prevent them slipping, or in the bottom of a drawer to prevent the cutlery tray from banging around. Perhaps a completely ghetto solution, but it’s perforated, allowing for some breathability while still providing some padding.

Shoulder straps, front. PALS webbing on the lower part to allow for mounting of a phone pouch or the like to.

When I’m done I intend to make another set of shoulder straps, this one out of a plasticized mesh, somewhat similar to the straps on some Deuter packs. Swap them out in summer time for more breathability in really hot weather.

S.o.t.D. - Believe Me – Manu Shrine

Believe Me – Manu Shrine

Have to put up some more Manu Shrine. What a loss. I believe this is a remix / reworking of a Lenny Kravitz song.

S.o.t.D. - Obsession – Clan of Xymox

Obsession – Clan of Xymox

Off of Twist of Shadows. They had already left 4AD by this stage. Probably the last album of theirs I really paid attention to. Possibly because it was the last album Pieter Nooten had anything to do with. I went to see them on this tour and it was where this mind blower of a story happened.

S.o.t.D. - Disciple – LM1 & Nelver

Disciple – LM1 & Nelver

Indescribably great. Love the way this is put together. The bass alone is a trip, the beats are stellar and the piano line makes it creamy. So good.

Lexicon Drawings by Bram De Does

The beautiful ink on paper drawings for Lexicon by Bram De Does.

http://www.teff.nl/fonts/lexicon/

http://luc.devroye.org/fonts-24691.html

And there is also a documentary about him and his work, Systematisch Slordig (Systematically Sloppy). You have to be a Dutchman to understand any of this, and few will appreciate this degree of typographic dorkitude, but oh, the examples of book design. Drooling.
Documentary about the Dutch type designer Bram de Does, creator of Trinité (1982) and Lexicon (1992)

S.o.t.D. - Lie – Manu Shrine

Lie – Manu Shrine

Apparently Sergei Deulin has passed away. I saw a mention of it, and now I can’t relocate it, or find any other mention of it any where. I hope it isn’t true, as the depth and passion on this track (and frankly this whole album) are stellar.

S.o.t.D. - Victory – Gramatik

Victory – Gramatik

This is what all hip hop should aspire to.

Ruck’mups pt. 3

The yoke across the upper back, with 2" webbing that will connect to the shoulder straps and a tubular webbing carry handle.

State of the Blog: A to Z

There are 3562 posts on my blog.
They are tagged with 3173 tags.
265 books have been reviewed.
1969 songs have been featured.
I’ve received 648 comments.
Every letter of the alphabet is represented. There are 7 entries under Q, but only 4 under X.
Look hard enough and you’ll locate a Hidden Agenda and a Hidden Orchestra.
It wavers between extremes of Solid State or Fragile State.
The funky house of Motorbass and the metal mayhem of Motorhead rub shoulders.
J. G. Ballard & J. G. Thirlwell are neighbours.
Lake Ontario is more popular than Lake Erie.
6 Fenix flashlights are reviewed.
There are Wicked Plants and Wicked Bugs.
The rocking of Jah Rocker causes Jah Wobble to wobble.
You can find The Bees, The Cobra, The Eagles, The Flamingos, The Black Dog and The Wolf at the Door.
The subject of DIY is brought up 131 times.
There’s a Jarkko and a Jaakko.
Coldplay and Coldcut each get 3 entries.
Hod Lipson & Hol Baumann live near one another. 
Cootes Paradise is mentioned 31 times.
Nico appears 6 times, but not once is it the 60’s chanteuse.
Add up the Jon’s, John’s, Jonny’s, Johnny’s and Jonathan’s and it amounts to 26.
There are 24 Dave’s or David’s.
Michael’s, Mike’s, Miguel’s and Mick’s represent 18 entries.
Rob’s, Robert’s, Robin’s, Robyn’s, Bob’s also amount to 18.
Jesus Jones gets a mention, but Jesus Christ does not.
Graphic design is discussed 137, typography 109, type design 67, and logos 33 times.
There are 12 DJ something or others.
Both Bin Laden and Shakespeare have been killed.
Ten Madison gets 2 mentions, Ten Walls only gets 1.
Hamilton is represented 117 times.
There’s a Hardfloor and a Hardkiss. 
You can go Inside Combat Rescue or Inside Delta Force.
Decide between Big Bud or Bigga Bush.
Lego appears 39 times and tattoos 33 times.
You can be either Above the Smoke or Below the Boat.
Doc Scott, Doctor Rockit and Dr. Seuss will see you now.
I’m sweet on both Sugar Hill Gang and Sugar Shack Tattoos.
Of all the music featured, Bluetech is far and away the most popular, with 37 entries. Synkro is next with 22, Lusine with 20, Tipper 15, Phaeleh 14, Tom Middleton and Skinny Puppy tied for 13, Swans and Global Communication tied for 11, and Wolfgang Press, Coil and Burial in a 3 way tie for 10.
Locals and pals Legion of Green Men have 11 and Watershell has 9.
4AD is a record label that gets more mention than NinjaTune or On-U-Sound. 53 to 24 to 11. 
There are 27 products I’ve designed and made with the “-----------’mups” designation.
Pick a colour: Al Green, Big Black, Blue Haze, Red House Painters, White Stripes or Yellow Magic Orchestra.
Zero One and Zero 7 vie for some of the last spots.