CQ Magazine November 2016

Edition 3 Issue 1

Creative quarterly - November 2016

CQ international

Editors note Call us mavericks or rebels if you wish, but to be honest, we can see no real reason to repeat, time and again and in each edition of CQ Magazine, the legal statements and notifications that have come to dominate the majority of publications.

some new articles from some wonderful people who now have regular columns or features in CQ Magazine Let me introduce Kazz Mossman with her book review page, Dorothy Berry-Lound giving us an insight into life of an artist from an Italian Mountain and

The global aspect of CQ continues with African art from Eletu Fasilat Omolola and Japanese ‘Tanka’ by Rika Inami.

Canada, America and the United These notices, the terms and conditions, Kingdom are all represented too. the cop-outs and disclaimers have grown Other changes are happening, many to ridiculous proportions over the last ‘behind the scenes’ and some far more few years as the compensation culture obvious; like the introduction of a small, has invaded every part of our daily lives. token fee to read CQ Magazine. The It is a combination of fear and greed that reason for this is simple, we like to has been the root cause for their growth. encourage people to participate in the It is sufficient that such statements, at arts, by making a nominal charge it will least those which are legally required, are enable us to offer prizes or winnings to readily available on CQ International’s successful entrants in our Short Story information webpages. If you really want Challenges, Poetry contests, Cover to whittle away some hours of your Creation Games and Artwork events. valuable life reading such dry and dull drivel then please, go fill your boots at

https://cqmagazineblog. wordpress.com/ However, if you do have a life and enjoy reading and the arts, then please carry on turning these pages. We have a host of wonderful ‘stuff’ for you sandwiched betwixt these covers.

You may also notice a few changes, like

Who knows, the winner might be you!

Whether you read CQ for pleasure, out of professional curiosity, or because you want to enter one of our forthcoming challenges we hope you enjoy the magazine. Remember to become a subscriber, that way you will not miss a single article, feature or competition.

The Editor.

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C ONTENTS

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Cherry picking the best, Just for you!

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age 2

Authors note

age 4

Contents

age 6

Kurt Hugo Schneider

Musician & Composer

age 8

Stephanie Slater

Short Story Challenge #1

age 14 Joe Fig

Artist/Model maker/Photographer

age 20 Kazz’s Book Reviews

Regular Feature

age 24 Eletu Fasilat Omolola

Painter

age 32 David Snape

Blog & Radio show

age 36 Jone Vasaitis

Photographer

age 44 Bodun Gbajabiamila

Poet

age 46 Josh LaMore

Travel/Outdoors Feature

age 52 Promocave

Book Promoion

age 54 Story Challenge #2

Winners announced

age 56 Calgary 2016

Year of Music

age 60 PeeJay Design

Studio Collection

age 62 Dorothy Berry-Lound

Regular columnist

age 66 Hull

City of Culture 2017

age 74 Perplexia X

Musician

age 78 Paul White

Understanding Black

age 84 Jessica Rosenstein & Rusty Rimes Poetry

age 85 Rika Inami

Tanka

age 90 The List

10 Essential books for Writers

age 97 C.A.Keith

Poem

Original cover image Cristi Yor of Romania.

Digitally altered by PeeJay designs.

K URT H U

Kurt was born in Baltimore in 1988 and grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He become involved in musical theatre in high school and quickly developed a love of music and performance. He majored in mathematics in college, while developing his musical and technical abilities by creating content for his YouTube channel. In 2009, he created the production company NoodleHouse Studios. In 2011 he moved to Los Angeles, where he lives and works– composing, producing , performing, and directing.

Kurt Hugo Schneider is a composer, music producer, and director. Most of his work is on his YouTube channel

http://youtube.com/KurtHugoSchneider, created in October 2007, now with over 3MM subscribers and over 600MM views.

UGO

S CHNEIDER

“ I love to experience a great performance–so much so that I want to create my own productions. I love to play with all those elements that go into making something wonderful for me–great music and great visuals. I love to collaborate with my team of musicians and artists to make it all come together as if it were the most natural and easy thing to do in the world. I go for the magic”.

Cups - pitch perfect Kurt Schneider, Sam Tsui, Kina Granni, Alex G.

https://youtu.be/6y1aOg_UO_A

Third place, in the 1st CQ Short Story Challenge went to

Stephanie Slater, for

Human foolishness and a nice twist made ‘Only You’ a favourite of the panel.

Stephanie’s story truly captivates the reader.

The following picture was the subject for the basis, the muse of the story.

S TEPHANIE S LATER Only You He told her he loved her - only her. Delia took the news well, considering that he’d burst in on her while she was in the bath. She took a languorous puff of her cigarette and smiled at him.

“Oh Harry, that’s so sweet - and such a surprise. Like your visit. By the way, how did you get into my apartment?”

“I had a copy of your key made last month – as a safety precaution.”

Fortunately, Delia didn’t press him to elaborate about what precaution for what safety he had in mind – or how he’d managed to make a copy of a key she had never given him. She took another puff of her Lucky Strike.

“That’s very - dedicated of you,” she said carefully.

“Yes, yes! I am dedicated to you! Only you! Dedicated, devoted – and definitely in love!”

Harry hoped she would be impressed by his passion and his ingenuity in reaching her to declare himself.

Harry, honey, why don’t you wait in the parlour while I get dressed? We can talk when I’m decent.”

Delia’s words didn’t sink in though. Harry stared in a daze at the bubbles bobbing and dipping so enticingly at the top of her breasts. It was the most he’d yet seen of her soft, white skin and he was entranced. He’d been entranced since he’d met her just three short months ago.

She’d come into the bank where he worked to ask for a loan to pay for acting and singing lessons. Those beautiful brown eyes had filled with tears when he told her it was out of the question given her lack of collateral and her meagre wage as a waitress.

He’d handed her his hanky, breathing in a heady whiff of floral scent as he reached out to her.

She dried her eyes and then took his right hand in both of hers as she thanked him for his kindness. He had nearly fainted right then. Instead, he collected himself and boldly asked if he could buy her a cup of coffee while she told him more about her plans.

He’d handed her his hanky, breathing in a heady whiff of floral scent as he reached out to her. She dried her eyes and then took his right hand in both of hers as she thanked him for his kindness. He had nearly fainted right then. Instead, he collected himself and boldly asked if he could buy her a cup of coffee while she told him more about her plans.

Her smile and look of gratitude nearly undid him. He’d never had such a beautiful woman look at him like that. Over coffee, Delia had poured out her hopes to break into show business. She’d arrived in the city three months ago. So far, her only step forward was to change her name from Doris Wipinksi to Delia Warren. Talent agents – the good ones – told her to take singing and acting lessons and then come back. The bad ones were only interested in auditioning her “between the sheets” she confessed in a whisper, looking down at her cup in embarrassment.

Harry was instantly outraged. To think that a sweet woman like this could be subjected to such outrageous treatment! Suddenly he saw himself as her protector, her friend, her guide to this city that could be glittering and yet oh so harsh to a delicate creature like Delia.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have your loan,” he declared firmly. “It will be in your account by tomorrow.”

And it was. What Harry didn’t say was that he transferred the money from his own savings account – and then from his mother’s savings account when Delia’s first round of acting lessons was over. Delia asked for another loan to fund a suitable wardrobe and he fudged the books and transferred money from the inactive accounts of long time customers.

Meanwhile, he took her to dinner once a week and to musicals at the Colonnade and to theatre performances at the Belmont and the Orpheum. He showed her the city and even took her home for lunch with his mother one Sunday, although that had not gone well.

“Cheap trash,” his mother had pronounced later. Ethel’s disapproval was clear throughout the painful encounter, although Delia tried gracefully to impress, with compliments about his mother’s collection of china figurines and polite questions about Ethel’s impressive array of teacups displayed on the Welsh dresser in the dark dining room.

“Don’t worry,” he’d assured Delia later. “It’s just that she smelled cigarettes on you. She doesn’t think women should smoke.”

Harry didn’t like smoking either, but with Delia, it added an air of mystery and elegance. He was charmed when she told him she smoked Lucky Strikes because she imagined every cigarette was foretelling success for her. And he was touched when she confessed she only took up smoking to keep herself from eating too much.

“A girlish figure is so important in my profession,” she confided.

Harry admired Delia’s dedication to her profession, which so far consisted of her acting and

singing lessons and a series of unsuccessful open auditions. He was less admiring when she gently explained, soon after the lunch with Ethel, that she needed to concentrate on her work and wouldn’t be available for their outings.

“I know you understand, Harry, that if I’m to get ahead I simply can’t take the time for personal activities – no matter how pleasurable they are.”

She had kissed his cheek then and he felt he had no choice but to act the gentleman and honour her wishes. Only he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He started following her after her work shifts and her lessons. Sometimes Delia and her fellow acting students went out to Big John’s for drinks after their classes. Harry worked up the nerve to enter the club last week and was shocked to see Big John Andrews himself leaning close to Delia and calling for a martini – on the house – for her.

Meanwhile, he took her to dinner once a week and to musicals at the Colonnade and to theatre performances at the Belmont and the Orpheum. He showed her the city and even took her home for lunch with his mother one Sunday, although that had not gone well.

“Cheap trash,” his mother had pronounced later. Ethel’s disapproval was clear throughout the painful encounter, although Delia tried gracefully to impress, with compliments about his mother’s collection of china figurines and polite questions about Ethel’s impressive array of teacups displayed on the Welsh dresser in the dark dining room.

“Don’t worry,” he’d assured Delia later. “It’s just that she smelled cigarettes on you. She doesn’t think women should smoke.”

Harry didn’t like smoking either, but with Delia, it added an air of mystery and elegance. He was charmed when she told him she smoked Lucky Strikes because she imagined every cigarette was foretelling success for her. And he was touched when she confessed she only took up smoking to keep herself from eating too much.

“A girlish figure is so important in my profession,” she confided.

Harry admired Delia’s dedication to her profession, which so far consisted of her acting and singing lessons and a series of unsuccessful open auditions. He was less admiring when she gently explained, soon after the lunch with Ethel, that she needed to concentrate on her work and wouldn’t be available for their outings.

“I know you understand, Harry, that if I’m to get ahead I simply can’t take the time for personal activities – no matter how pleasurable they are.”

She had kissed his cheek then and he felt he had no choice but to act the gentleman and honour her wishes. Only he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He started following her after her work shifts and her lessons. Sometimes Delia and her fellow acting students went out to Big John’s for drinks after their classes. Harry worked up the nerve to enter the club last week

and was shocked to see Big John Andrews himself leaning close to Delia and calling for a martini – on the house – for her.

Delia’s look of gratitude and rapt attention toward Big John cut through Harry like a sword. That was the look she’d given him so many times in the last few weeks! That was his look!

Harry could hardly sleep and barely ate. He was jumpy and distracted and his work suffered. His boss started to look at him questioningly and Harry worried it was only a matter of time before his illegitimate transactions came to light.

Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer. With no real plan – only a desperate sense that he had to do something – he slipped the Remington Double Deringer from his mother’s bedside table drawer and took his ill-gotten key to Delia’s apartment. He followed her there one Saturday afternoon after she finished her shift at Gracie’s Café.

And here he was, staring wildly at her bubbles, the round waves of her golden blonde hair, and the enticing red lips that made a delicate “O” as they blew smoke toward him. He had not yet kissed those lips, although he’d spent hours dreaming of doing so.

“Harry, you must know we can’t let a romantic relationship develop, your mother would never approve. And I know we couldn’t make it work without Ethel’s blessing,” Delia’s voice was soft, pleading.

“No! She doesn’t matter. I love only you!” Harry cried.

Delia tried again. “But Harry, if you love me, you’ll know how important it is to me that I concentrate on my career right now.”

“Then what about Big John? I know you’re seeing him! And he can’t possibly love you like I do!

Only I love you!”

Harry had the pistol out now and was waving it with flailing arms. Delia’s eyes widened and she put her cigarette on the ashtray at her side.

“Harry, I had no idea,” she purred. “I didn’t realize you felt so strongly about me. I see now how blind I’ve been. Why don’t you join me in the tub, and we can explore our love?”

She smiled and his heart melted. He had only needed to tell her how he felt. Everything would be alright now.

“Just put that pistol down by my ashtray and take your clothes off, darling,” Delia instructed.

“You can hang them on that hook behind the door. You’ll want to keep them dry so you can take me out for dinner later.”

Dazed with success, Harry followed her instructions. When he turned back from the door, Delia had the Derringer in her hand. He blinked at her and she shot him twice. Four small spots of

blood materialized on his chest. He stared down at them, and then slid silently down the wall onto the white, tiled floor.

Delia picked up her cigarette and smoked it while staring back and forth from the Deringer to Harry’s now-quiet body. She sighed deeply. She didn’t doubt Harry was the only man who loved her right now but it was clear weeks ago that he had outlasted his usefulness.

“Oh Harry, if only I had loved you,” she murmured. Then she stubbed out her cigarette, climbed out of the tub, and put on her robe. She stepped over Harry’s body and went to the phone in her living room.

“John? It’s Delia. I have a problem and I need your help.” Her voice caught in a near sob. “Only you can help me John. Only you.”

THE END The debut novel from

Rush Leaming Ramanya, a former rebel soldier from Burma (Myanmar), now lives as a Buddhist monk in Thailand. One morning, a strange man appears at his temple and says that Ramanya’s family, which Ramanya had long thought dead, is actually alive and in hiding back in Burma.

Is it true? Or just a trick by the ruling junta to lure him back and execute him for war crimes?

Kindle/eBook & Paperback

A hostage crisis in downtown Bangkok rockets up tension between the two countries. Armies mobilize and head to the border. Ramanya and two of his closest confidants — an American teacher and a British priest— have 48 hours to get to Three Pagodas Pass and sneak him past the military before the border is completely sealed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dont-GoRamanya-Rush-Leaming-ebook/dp/ B01KU37QT4

Three men running from secrets and tragedies in their past. Four tense days in and around Bangkok.

Joe Fig is an American painter and sculptor who began exploring artists’ working methods by interviewing over 50 artists, asking the same 15 questions of each. The intimate insights gleaned from the interviews led Fig to create meticulously crafted miniature models or dioramas of the artists at work in their studios. It also culminated in a book entitled, Inside the Painter’s Studio.

Inside an art gallery, it is easy to forget that the paintings there are the end products of a process involving not only creative inspiration, but also plenty of physical and logistical details. It is these “cruder,” more mundane aspects of a painter’s daily routine that motivated artist Joe Fig to embark almost ten years ago on a highly unorthodox, multi-layered exploration of the working life of the professional artist.

He is author of the critically acclaimed Inside the Painter's Studio and Inside the Artist's Studio. Fig is represented by Cristin Tierney Gallery in New York and Carroll and Sons Gallery in Boston.

JOE FIG

Ross Bleckner ‘in studio’ miniature diorama By

Joe Fig

http://www.joefig.com

Malcom Morley ‘In-studio’ miniature diorama by Joe

Fig

Above: working on Below:

Chuck Close

Tom Friedman

Ursula Vonrydingsvard

Bosses and Blackjacks,

Base

Politics in Philadelphia is a rough game...has be

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power struggles, and murder! Find out—Who imported New York's "Frog Hollow Gang?" day? Who is really in charge in "The Bloody Fifth?"

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KAZZ’S BOOK REVIEWS. Hello, and welcome to the first Kazz’s Book

Reviews.

I am a writer and a supporter of Indie authors.

In each forthcoming edition of CQ Magazine I shall be reviewing and talking books.

I hope you will enjoy my views and insights into the book I review.

My first book review for CQ Magazine is

Maybe I shall help you discover your next favourite read, or even introduce you to a new author whose books you just ‘have’ to read, every one of them!

Dangerous Metal by Mariah Avix Dangerous Minds is about Eva, whose injured body parts are replaced by metal technology.

We’re told of a trauma she goes through and we learn that her boyfriend did it to her. Her parents invite her and her ex-boyfriend to dinner, not knowing that their relationship ended badly. He, it seems, is after her technology and eventually breaks into her house to get it.

Luckily a stranger also breaks in, but he is on Eva's side.

Is it a series?

No, not that I am aware of, but it could very well be in the future.

How easy is it to read?

This was an audio book and so whether it is different in print to interpret, I’m not sure. I found it easy to listen to regarding the technology. The author was able to describe it in a way that can easily be understood by the layperson.

K AZZ ’ S R EVIEW This isn’t my usual read and I was offered the audio version when it appeared on my Book Buzz Blog. (https://karensbookbuzz.wordpress.com/2016/07/21/dangerous-metal/) I was pleasantly surprised with this as often with stories that involve science fiction, it can be difficult to follow and often terms and names are used that you can’t pronounce and have to guess at as you go along.

Apart from the technology and implants the main character has, it was a thriller, too. I really enjoyed it and loved the fact that Eva, the main character, has a third hand and a data screen, which allows her to pull up things in her brain. Pull up as in finding data from various places, a bit like Google but obviously more technical. It was very cleverly written and I hadn’t realized at first, but thought it cool that the author narrates her own book.

What I liked Best Eva could actually arm her fingers; the implants were tasers in her fingertips. Although they could be used as a weapon, they could also be used for massage. I also liked the way she could disappear or go offline as she did things in her head with her third arm. It was really clever.

And the Rest Eva did not tell her parents why she split up with her ex-boyfriend, Ernie. The fact that she was in hospital suffering a serious injury seemed lost on them. Why she didn’t tell them he was her ex, I’m not really sure. But if she had, we would have missed that great awkward dinner scene where she turns up and there he is.

They thought they were doing the right thing inviting him round and poor Eva was mortified.

However, although they knew they had broken up, clever Ernie kept in touch with them, checking up to see how they were every now and again. What he really wanted was her knowledge and technology, one that could take the world by storm.

I loved the idea of this whole book and hope we see more of Eva in the future.

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dangerous-Metal/dp/B01IBUOIOO/ref=sr_1_1_twi_audd_2? ie=UTF8&qid=1473262613&sr=8-1&keywords=Dangerous+Metal Amazon US https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dangerous-Metal/dp/B01IBUOIOO/ref=sr_1_1_twi_audd_2? ie=UTF8&qid=1473262613&sr=8-1&keywords=Dangerous+Metal

T HE S ECRET Kerry’s boyfriend is Howard and she is already bored with him. Just when s he was wondering if there was more to li fe than this , she m e e t s To m m y, a b i ke r a n d i s m e s m e r i ze d b y h i m .

Finishing with Howard, Kerry starts falling in love for the first time.

To m m y i s e v e r y t h i n g s h e e v e r d r e a m e d a b o u t , b u t r e l a t i o n s h i p s r a r e l y r u n t h a t s m o o t h l y. To m m y h a s a n e x g i r l f r i e n d w h o h e i s r e f u s i n g t o talk about. When she confronts Kerry and threatens her to leave him a l o n e , t h i n g s g o b a d l y w r o n g a n d i t r e s u l t s i n To m m y a n d K e r r y ’ s r o w.

K e r r y h a s h e r o w n s e c r e t , o n e t h a t s h e c a n ’ t s h a r e w i t h To m m y o r anyone. Bill, her stepfather is abusive and Kerry has to protect her little sister and finds it hard watching her mum suffer at his hands.

To m m y ’ s f a m i l y a r e d e c e n t a n d n o r m a l , h i s m u m i s a n u r s e a n d h i s dad a crane operator at the local docks. They would not understand h o w t h i n g s w e r e i n h e r h o u s e . T h e y p u t u p w i t h a l o t f r o m To m m y ’ s ex, so the last thing Kerry wants is to bring trouble to their doorstep.

She is not immune to Bill ’s erratic behaviour and hiding the marks f r o m To m m y g e t s m o r e d i f f i c u l t . D e s p i t e e v e r y t h i n g , t h e i r l o v e f o r e a c h o t h e r b e c o m e s s t r o n g e r a n d To m m y i s w o r r i e d a b o u t w h a t K e r r y is not telling him.

As her secret becomes harder to hide, Bill plays his hand, and Kerry is left on the streets in the middle of the night, frightened, hurt, and all alone.

N o t o n l y w i l l To m m y k n o w h e r s e c r e t , h i s p a r e n t s a n d f r i e n d s a r e there to witness it. Can Kerry hold it together and face her worst n i g h t m a r e ? W i l l To m m y s t a n d b y h e r ? A n d w o r s t o f a l l , i s r e v e n g e really that sweet?

The Secret by Karen J Mossman Set in 1970s Manchester, a tale of love and betrayal, of families at war and includes all the fashion and music from that time.

Find out more by reading here -

bit.ly/SampleTS Available on kindle or paperback from Amazon.

Just follow the sample link.

Eletu Fasilat Omolola is 27 years old.

She is from Lagos, Nigeria and is a graduate of Political science, Lagos state university.

Eletu studied art at Jap arts Studios and Art Gbegi gallery, Idadan. She is now a professional artist and has her own gallery, the Fasel Arts Gallery in Lagos.

Eletu has built an appreciative clientele both at home and internationally. Her art tells stories of Africa, the Black race, and of Women’.

She says that, “art to me speaks louder than words”

ELETU FASILAT OMOLOLA

ca.keith12@yahoo.ca

www.charlottes-webstories.com

Occasionally, very occasionally, something out of the ordinary comes along, something that breaks the mould, breaks with tradition, something that stands out, head and shoulders, above the crowd.

Paul White’s new book, the illustrated hardback, special edition of Teardrops & White Doves does precisely this.

Firstly, it is a large book, a full A4 tome.

The cover design is simply stunning, both front and rear, is a true design classic. I am sure it will look amazing on your coffee table at home, or on your office desk.

Inside the highest of quality continues, as do the amazing eye-catching images, photographs and paintings, all printed to the on heavy high gloss paper.

Of course, all this wonderful artwork and design is solely in support of the main reason that Teardrops & White Doves exists, that is to bring you some of Paul White’s most distinctive and defining poetry.

The selected poetry in Teardrops and White Doves are poignant, often disquieting and always emotionally charged. Once you have read Paul’s words they will stay with you…forever.

Teardrops and White Doves has to be the new ‘must have’, for all discerning readers. It is this years book to add to your library, a collector’s true volume .

It is ‘the’ stand out piece to have on you book shelf or coffee table, but will also make that special, unexpected and most thoughtful of gifts for a family member, a friend or lover on their birthday, anniversary, or indeed as a most wonderful present this Christmas as it is also an Objet d’art, a statement piece.

Order your copy(s) of Teardrops & White Doves today and own this very special, never to be repeated, limited edition book.

Teardrops & White Doves

https:// www.peecho.com/ print/en/230161

David Snape & Friends Hello folks, Since I started doing my blog on WordPress, I can’t believe the amount of views and likes that have been happening and I want to thank you guys so much for following and supporting me throughout this time A place to be inspired and show off your skills is what this blog is all about. Email me at davidsnape2@gmail.com or use @davidsnape7 on Twitter to present to me your stuff and I will post them for you. I want to see your inspiration, what makes you tick, if your are lucky, I will mention the story on my radio show, now exclusively on Mixcloud.

https://davidsnape.me/

David Snape Radio Show My radio show on Mixcloud will have a brand new episode every Monday so look out for every new edition on my posts and enjoy the show. There will be news topics, post of the week, fascinating interviews and great music for all genres. Look on my radio show page for more info.

https://www.mixcloud.com/david-snape/

AN INTERVIEW WITH

DAVID

SNAPE I started blogging a couple of years ago as I wanted to release a lot of emotions in the past that I was holding inside me and wanted it to come out. Once it all come out, I felt better overall, even though for me it is an ongoing thing. Now I'm using my site as an opportunist for other bloggers to showcase their talent either by sending in their posts which could be poems, stories, opinions, reviews etc. or taking part on my radio show.

The idea for a radio show came about from a good friend of mine who asked me if I wanted to do a radio show for his station called SouthWaves Radio. It was a relatively new online station at the time and I agreed to take the chance and see what I can do with it. Done the radio show for about a year with SouthWaves and then took the opportunity via Mixcloud to do the show using this. Also to have the entire Wordpress community to listen to the show whenever and wherever they want, is a big bonus.

I am contemplating doing a vlog which is a video form and need to come up with a plan for that, once I have moved house that could be a possibility. We are looking for artist and bands to either have an interview or let me play their songs as part of the new artist showcase. Anyone can have an interview for my radio show, if you email me at davidsnape2@gmail.com and we can arrange something out.

For me, autism has always been a part of my life, even now I feel like anyone else in this world, my unique identity. I realise there are so many different types of people on the autism spectrum, some have their bigger differences to others. I think for people how are struggling I will say this, make the most of your only time on this earth, find yourself something you love to do and enjoy, have the best fun you can possible have. There will be things you would struggle with,

that's part of life, don't be unhappy about it. Use every opportunity you have to make friends, develop some hobbies and be the very best you can possible be.

You’re an inspiration, remember that.

I realise being autistic that I have a very different mind to other people and can use that to my advantage in certain situations, thinking of things out of the top of my head and sometimes coming up with fabulous ideas, even if some of them are completely random. One of the pictures I have on my phone is a shirt saying, “normal is boring” and that says about me completely, be unique and have a laugh and get rid of the normal day to day lives.

My website is davidsnape.me where all the posts and promotion are on there. You can find my radio show post every Monday, look at my recent posts on the right hand side to find out. You can alternatively go into Mixcloud and type in David Snape for a full list on my radio shows I've done so far.

If you fancy doing a guest post for my blog or take part in an interview, email me at

davidsnpe2@gmail.com There is also weekly posts on Ask David? Where you can ask me anything you like and I will answer them in my radio show.

The Big question every Thursday where you can take part and answer.

Also you can request a song on my radio show every Tuesday as well.

A fun, light-hearted trip down memory lane. My experiences as a player, coach and avid fan of all Boston sports. Confessions is a story of my recovery from two rounds of life-threatening brain surgeries to play on three championship softball teams in two states. It is also a story of love and devotion between a son and his father

https:// amzn.com/153338763X

Andy Warhol at the Whitworth 19 November 2016 - 16 April 2017 Andy Warhol's work will be featuring at the Whitworth as part of their 'Artists Room' exhibitions which will show the sharp critical opinions of an artist known to many primarily as art salesman, purveyor of product and celebrant of capitalism.

Supported by Arts Council, Art Fund and Creative Scotland, the exhibition is drawn from 'Artist Rooms', a collection of international modern and contemporary art owned by National Galleries of Scotland and Tate on behalf of the public. These exhibitions focus on themes of death, politics and identity will present audiences with Warhol's reading of the American Dream at a time when the country will be under scrutiny just days after the 2016 US Presidential election.

http://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/

Jone Vasaitis is a Lithuanian fine art photographer who likes to emotionally challenge the viewer.

Each artwork has its own message, however, you cannot always expect that message to be crystal clear from the very first sight.

To Jone art is not a dessert which should be swallowed all at once.

"It's always worth to dedicate some time for contemplation, your mental trip while focused on an artwork. No matter if it is poetry, a painting, sculpture or photography. When you allow yourself to take that trip, it's not about the author anymore. Not a technique. It's about you," she says.

http://www.jonevasaitis.com

JABBERING MIND

Red Clown Am I the only one who feels uncomfortable when seeing clowns? I honestly don’t know how to react to their jokes… most of the time there is nothing funny in it but hey, that guy is trying to make me laugh, so it would be rude to stand with frozen face expression? With all respect, I believe it’s a really complicated and challenging profession, but sadness squeezed my heart when I saw his eyes…

←←← (Preceding page) Jabbering Mind This artwork is a joke to be honest. It was inspired by the brilliant song of Melanie Martinez, but the meaning of “Jabbering Mind” is not the same as of her song.

While listening to “Soap”, I started to think how many unnecessary thoughts per day can generate in a woman’s mind. Brain turned into popping soap bubbles in my imagination and of course there also has to be beautiful red lips which could speak out all those “popping bubbles”.

Deity of Winds It’s been a long time since I wanted to capture the beauty of pale summer day near the sea. That evening it felt as if the entire Universe is getting ready for something important to happen. Dramatically muted tones all around, insistent smell of dry sand, salt and seaweeds invading your nostrils and prickly wind attacking skin created that special atmosphere which I was searching for so long‌ I’m also grateful to my model Melisa, who was so patient and kept her positive mood even when we ended up with our hair, eyes and teeth full of sand. A storm has started few hours later, so my applause for her tolerance of cold!

Rebirth Water, earth, air and fire- these are four classical elements of western culture and my aim was to interweave them all into “Rebirth”. A symbol of cleansing, life and freedom; water naturally becomes the main subject of the photo, meanwhile girl with a white dress represents purity of the newly born soul. There’s no need to search for angelic soaring here as neither birth, nor rebirth comes easily. It’s a physical and mental struggle for yourself which is supposed to make you stronger with each breath…

Shake It Off There are such moments when you just can’t stay still and collected. All earthy problems seem faraway and insignificant. You can’t stop smiling, for no apparent reason. You don’t even see those who wish you bad luck. This makes you strong, powerful in fact. Raise your head and make others feel the same way as you do!

Conservation Redlist is a documentary magazine is dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging support of the most critical wildlife protection and conservation efforts around the globe.

Red list is the term used by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to classify threatened species.

This edition focuses on three main mammals under the increasing threat of extinction. The African Elephant, the Tiger and the Rhinoceros.

We make no distinction between the various species of Tiger or Rhinoceros because they are all critically endangered species.

CQ Magazines, publishers of Conservation Redlist, is working to raise awareness and funds to help in the anti-poaching fight and conservation projects.

Please give Conservation Redlist a gift, a small donation of a dollar, a pound, a euro of two. You may just save an animals life, or indeed an entire species from extinction.

Donate here, thank you READ NOW

Conservation Redlist simply click on the cover image opposite.

You can subscribe too so you never miss a future edition

I'M A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD I'm a citizen of the world I mean,

Its sluggish waters fetched cold,

The very Earth that fathered me.

For a very long time I was told;

Here in a world within wide world

Still it drizzles more the golds

I live it all over like a curious gypsy

To be syphoned by the olds.

Its sluggish patters grizzled;

Left with me the kayat of hope;

Held down to query the sky,

The very meadow I can cope,

Drenched in search of vuvuzela

To slope by will for challenge cup;

To blow loud the trumpet of Africa

I will paddle you across Europe.

Sorry I cannot walk further the night,

I do not forgive others for Africa

The forest Valleys slip the foresters;

Nor adore Asia for America;

Till the revolution of another day;

Take me for none than the Earth:

I may salute and obey the last order.

I wish each earth grows its earth

A WIDOW THROUGH THE WINDOW

Through this window of tomorrow sorrow

Alas! They're gone but they are never done;

Lenses fallen walls on decaying generations

Sooner or later a mayhem towards WestphaI hope you reminisce this future relics of ago- lia. ny; Dear Syrians at ceased towns on torn gowns, I've survived several symphonies till dawns

O dear son, the old men have matched home

Buried myself in open mortuary around here, With your father the battle gone as gunned; Two days wallowing in grace of labour loss;

The brave Syrians shielded to save the State

Awaken! I heard your cry for my lullaby.

That Damascus may deepen peace in pieces;

It was you I found into my life again; listen!

Dear son in your toddling years of war

Boldness humiliated, dreams dared the deadly,

You're welcome as you long to be strong,

A plot that triggered the ethos of my pathos

In the town torn against itself by ourselves

With metamorphosis of hope that grows within

To wake the sounds buried underground "Help!" Viral volcanic vibrations or bomb?

The birth of your father again.

Smokes declared eclipse on our household,

Poems courtesy of

Bodun Gbajabiamila (Copyright 2016)

JOSH LaMore Stepping into the great outdoors The music blog, Midwest Action describes Josh LaMore as an “Adventurer, musician, and writer. A midwest native and Brooklyn, New York, resident with a California drivers license.”

They aren’t too far off, although he no longer has the California license and it is the adventure of writing that occupies him most. To be more precise, he says he tries to create music with words.

In 2014, his poem “Desert Flies” was awarded the John & Agnes McCarten Memorial Award, sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. That same year, Liquid: Journal of Arts & Letters published his poem, “My Unknown”. In 2015, his Valedictorian Speech at Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, was published in the Honors Department’s Spectrum Journal and the National Park newspaper for Cedar Breaks National Monument published his short nonfiction piece, “The Grand Circle-A Classic Experience” Then, Zion Natural History Association commissioned him to write a 20,000 word book titled: Beauty Beyond Telling: The Story of Cedar Breaks National Monument (to be published spring of 2017). Also this year, CQ International: Creative Quarterly International Magazine awarded his short fiction story, “The Iberian Coast” second place in a short fiction contest and Long Island University Press published his reflection piece, “Defining Wilderness” in a National Park and wilderness education book titled: Partners in the Parks Monograph VOL II.

If you ask Josh what he’s up to he will probably tell you he is out exploring and that writing and adventure are practically interchangeable.

It has been a little less than a hundred years since United States National Parks Director, Stephen Mather attempted to turn southern Utah’s enchanting, diverse, and oftentimes unbelievable natural wonders into a year round resort and recreation land for tourists. In my mind, this natural holy land (not the religious kind, but more so the natural, spiritual kind that Emily Dickinson so deeply believed in: nature as the church) has never needed human implemented entertainments. For, this land, filled with some of the world’s oldest trees; strangest rock formations; narrow, wide, and unpredictable canyons; mesas; highlands; deserts; thick forests; and mystic waters, is invoking enough on its own. But, progress, the cloud on the horizon Edward Abbey describes in Desert Solitaire as being “no bigger than [his] hand,” has grown exponentially. Development in these lands of wonder has become prolific. But luckily, it is still possible to find solitude, bewilderment, and natural beauty, The Church, unencumbered by the “improvements” of man.

Take for example where I currently live, Cedar Breaks National Monument, on the edge of the subalpine forested Markagunt Plateau, at 10,355 feet above sea level. While the area was designated a Monument for its geologic significance in 1933, visitors today find it’s best asset to be its quiet and solitary nature, which provide an escape from the chaotic and overpopulated Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks that surround it. Also, as of now, very few “improvements” have been added to the park.

But what I yearn for most are places where roads, rest stops, and gift shops do not exist; places where humans are truly only visitors.

Besides their development, most National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and BLM lands harbour large expanses that fulfil this desire.

That’s how I first found myself in the Ashdown Wilderness, just outside the Monument’s boundary.

On the last trip, after filling packs with food, water, sleeping bags, and tents, my girlfriend, Joanna and I lead our two New York City friends down the steep, winding switchbacks of the Rattlesnake Creek Trail. Quickly we descend from high altitude spruce/fur forest at over 10,000 feet, through a thick aspen grove, out to a jutting high plateau meadow, and down to a land of giant boulder washes and whispering creeks over 2,000 feet below the rim of the Breaks.

We set up camp on the main creek’s high banks, where the only evidence of human interaction were the stones that were put together to make a fire pit. We relished in the thought that throughout the day’s hike, we hadn’t found a single footprint on the trail besides our own and therefore were truly alone. After the sun went down, the Milky Way lit up the night sky and garnered our campsite with the heavens’ celestial glow while we drifted off to sleep.

Unimpaired views eventually become spotted with roads, cars, buildings, and people. The celestial bodies no longer imprint the ground with their glow. And nature’s masterpieces, The Churches, lose respect. Over time after such development, I’m concerned there will be danger that people will forget that the world is divine.

Day two on the Rattle Snake Creek trail is always a surprise and a pleasure. From this point, the creek itself becomes the trail and the banks quickly elevate, providing miles and miles of sheer rock wall spectacle.

The Ashdown Gorge is almost impossible to describe. To me, it’s a cathedral, one that Gaudi must have studied before beginning to plan Barcelona, Spain’s Segrada de Familia. I also find myself describing it to others as a quieter version of the Narrows found at Zion National Park, but no matter the explanation, they all express that the Ashdown Gorge is one of Nature’s many masterpieces.

Oftentimes our first reaction when we see a sacred natural site is to “improve” the area around it. Our wish being to make it easier for others to get to. When enough people get behind the idea, we make parking lots, comfort stations, picnic tables, and roads; widen and straighten trails; and thus, make it an area that can be “experienced” in a matter of hours. Soon, silence is lost to human sounds.

This is the "Breaks" of Cedar Breaks National Monument, during the peak of the wildflower season in mid July.

Look closely and you will see Joanna in the distance sauntering through the Ashdown Gorge.

This is Zion National Park from the top of a famous monolith called "Angel's Landing".

One of the many aspen groves we pass as we wind down the trail. It may interest you to know that these trees are in actuality, connected at the roots, making this grove potentially only one single tree.

A beautiful highland meadow we stopped at to have lunch on our way down to the boulder washes near the beginning of the Gorge.

This is in the Ashdown Gorge.

At the top of Rattle Snake Creek Trail, looking into the valley where the Gorge begins. The deadwood and some of the trees nearby are Ancient Bristlecones. These Bristlecones pictured are probably only about 2,000 years old. The oldest Bristlecones, said to be over 5,000 years old, are in the White Mountains of California.

This is Bryce Canyon and a path that winds through its city of Hoodoos.

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Way back in May...

CQ Magazine launched the 2nd Short Story Challenge. The inspiration for this challenge was, once again a visual stimuli.

There were no words, no guidelines as to content, simply a single image to use as a premise for the entire story.

These stories will be published in the February 2017, edition of CQ Magazine

The winners are: 1st PLACE Bill Engleson’s tale, ‘A tumbling of tender rain’, written with a haunting narrative and hidden agenda won the day.

We could not separate the stories of Francis de Aguilar and Paulesta Suzanne Joshi, so both claim a second spot.

Francis de Aguilar came at us sideways with ‘Bulseye’ a psychological chilling breeze blowing in from the west wing. 2ND (JOINT)

Paulesta’s story ‘Memories of Miranda’ also had a psychological bent, but from a point of jealousy rather than revenge….or maybe not! 2ND (JOINT)

Our 4th place is a position we created especially for Saskia Jonker as we deemed her story, ‘A cold day in Paris’ reads as a poetic narrative, giving a whole new dimension to the challenge.

Maybe even setting a benchmark for innovation in short story telling?

Photo’s: JUSTIN LIVINGSTON

Performing works by Rameau, Berio, Beethoven and Debussy, this friends and alumni duo plays an homage to French Music and its influence throughout Europe, including familiar and lesser known works.

International prize-winning organist Neil Cockburn joins forces with founding member of I FURIOSI Baroque ensemble, Felix Deak. This concert will feature music with organ and harpsichord including works by J S Bach and Marin Marias.

PeeJay, the Yorkshire based bespoke designers have, in conjunction with CQ International Publishing and Redbubble.com, released a number of their in-house designs, branded as the ‘Studio Collection’ so that they are now available on a range of clothing items, from simple tee shirts and leggings through to mini skirts. An added extra are the studio collection designer tote and drawstring bags.

The studio collection has also been used to give accessories like phone and computer covers, along with notebooks and journals an uplifting makeover.

The fun does not stop there. Selected studio designs have been integrated onto soft furnishings such as scatter cushions and duvets so you can carry the PeeJay design aspect into your home.

C LICK ON ANY IMAGE TO SEE MORE

DUVET COVER IN ‘RAINBOW WORDS’ DESIGN

‘RED BALLERINA’ NOTEBOOK

‘LOVE AFRICA’ TOTE BAG

LOVE AFRICA SCATTER CUSHION

‘BLUE HYDRANT’ ‘RAINBOW WORDS’ CONTRAST TANK

R’ED BALLERINA’ LEGGINS

WALL TAPESTRY

‘LOVE AFRICA’ SAMSUNG PHONE CASE

In this edition of CQ International Magazine we

Brighton, England and ran a very successful research and evalua Magazine) and (now) a semi-retired consultant researcher Doro where she now lives. Dorothy currently has an exhibition of her

You can follow Dorot

http://dor There is something sad about putting away your summer clothes and sandals, and starting to wear socks, full length trousers and long sleeve tops. But that is an inevitable part of the onset of autumn here in Italy. It almost seemed like it happened overnight, sitting outside enjoying the warm evenings and avoiding mosquitoes one day, commenting on the cool breeze and choosing to spend the evening indoors the next. Mind you, I like being able to light the candles and switch on the low lighting that we use in our old farmhouse; it creates a great relaxing atmosphere, so cosy. We don’t have television so our winter evenings are spent snuggled up with our animals listening to music and chatting to friends via the

computer.

I have to say I like this time of year as the evenings draw in, but the days are still sunny and warm. It is a time of harvest here in Italy. The grapes are now harvested (picked in September) and everyone is awaiting the new wine.

Traditionally, in November we have the new wine with chestnuts which are roasted on an open fire. I remember having chestnuts as a kid at home in Brighton, Mum used to put them in a row along the grate in front of the fire and they used to suddenly explode! Here they have a cut made in their shells and are cooked in a special chestnut roaster that is placed in the heat of the fire.

As with everything here, there is a traditional way to approach these things.

are introducing a new columnist. Dorothy Berry-Lound was born in

ation consultancy in Horsham, England. An artist (awarded ‘Best Photopainter 2015’ by CQ othy will be sharing her view of the world from half way up a mountain in Paciano in Umbria, Italy r art work taking place in the Palazzo Baldeschi in Paciano that runs to 6 January 2017.

thy’s blog and her latest art work on her website

rothyberryloundart.com.

Late autumn/early winter signals olive picking! All of us who have olive groves begin by strimming the grass around the trees and by getting out our olive nets and making sure there are no big holes in them!

Whilst the USA Presidential election is underway we will be outside, hopefully in the sunshine, picking olives. It is hard work but you do get nice soft hands from the oil in the fruit!

By the way, Italy is due to have its own ‘constitutional referendum’ in December 2016 to approve, or otherwise, a constitution bill that has been proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The outcome of the vote is critical to Renzi who has said he will resign if the vote goes against him.

There is a danger that people will use the vote as an opportunity to register a protest against the government and the sluggish economy.

But all that seems a long way off as we contemplate new wine, new olive oil (that rich peppery taste of freshly milled olive oil really can’t be beaten) and chocolate. Say what??? You heard me, chocolate. The annual Eurochocolate Festival takes place in Perugia (about an hour from here) during October. This includes lots of stalls selling chocolate (what else?), demonstrations of making things with chocolate, competitions involving chocolate – I think you get the idea.

People will just have stopped surreptitiously wiping the remains of chocolate from their faces when we go into the first week of November and the Fiere dei Morti market in Perugia.

This is the most important market of the year in Perugia and dates back to medieval times when it was an ‘All Saints Fair’. The market now has over 500 stalls selling all manner of clothing, household, food and craft items. It is the ideal place to buy Christmas presents! According to our timing, it takes three hours just to walk around it.

So, worn out from olive picking, vaguely tipsy from new wine and

feeling sick from eating too much chocolate, with blisters on our feet from walking round the market several times and with a credit card that is no longer speaking to us, we will crawl into December and welcome long evenings in front of the log fire as the cold weather starts to arrive. But don’t feel too badly for us as we have the Umbria Jazz Winter event to keep us occupied over the final days of the year and into the New Year. An extension of the famous Umbria Jazz event that takes place in August each year, Umbria Jazz Winter adds a bit of culture to counter the excesses of the preceding months.

At 20.17 on Sunday 1 January 2017, an epic firework display will fill the skies above Hull. Set to the sounds of the city it will mark the start of our year in the spotlight.

The opening event, to which everyone is invited, will also use large-scale projection on buildings, illuminated skylines, soundscapes, shop windows and live performance to celebrate the last 70 years of life in the city.

Staged across the city centre, Made in Hull tells the story of the city in surprising and stunning ways through a series of commissions by local and international artists. From the devastation of the Second World War, through the good times and the hard times, this is an exploration of Hull’s heritage and its characters at work and play.

Curated by Sean McAllister.

See the city like you’ve never seen

it before. Join us on a spectacular trail where the streets speak and buildings tell stories.

Take to the trail for an hour, spend the whole evening, or come back for more.

Sean is best-known for his Baftanominated film A Syrian Love Story, a moving fly-on-the-wall

documentary that follows a family from war-torn Syria to Europe over the course of five years. Released in 2015, the film continues to collect awards all over the world.

HULL, or to give the city its full title

Has been selected to represent Great Britain as the

City of culture 2017

A musical Humber Bridge, a 14th-Century masterpiece, a circus in a cemetery and the Spiders From Mars will be part of Hull's year as UK City of Culture.

The ÂŁ32million programme will take over streets and venues throughout 2017.

Hull will celebrate famous local figures including poet Philip Larkin and director Anthony Minghella.

And it will put the spotlight on unsung heroines like 1940s and '50s boxing champion "Battling"

Barbara Buttrick and pioneering musician Ethel Leginska.

The year will begin with an outdoor extravaganza from 1-7 January using projections and performances to tell the story of Hull.

Pietro Lorenzetti's 14th-Century masterpiece Christ Between Saints Paul and Peter will go on show at the refurbished Ferens art gallery after four years of conservation by the National Gallery.

Photographs of thousands of naked painted

people on the streets of Hull, taken by US photographer Spencer Tunick in July, will go on show at the Ferens art gallery.

As previously announced, the gallery will host the 2017 Turner Prize exhibition and ceremony.

The new Humber Street Gallery will dedicate an exhibition to pioneering art and music collective COUM

Transmissions, who gained notoriety in the 1960s and 1970s for improvised and chaotic sets featuring nudity, bodily fluids, live maggots and self-mutilation.

Philip Larkin, perhaps Hull's most famous cultural export, will be the focus of an exhibition at the University of Hull's Brynmor Jones Library, where he worked as librarian for 30 years.

The world premiere of The Hypocrite by Hull-born Richard Bean, best known for One Man, Two Guvnors, billed as a "riotous comedy" about Hull's role at the star of the English Civil War, will be staged at the Hull Truck theatre, starring Mark Addy.

Northern Broadsides theatre company will return with Richard III, 25 years after staging the play as their first production in a boat shed in the city.

The premiere of Mighty Atoms, a play inspired by "Battling" Barbara Buttrick, a boxing champion in the 1940s and '50s, by Amanda Whittington, will also take place at the Hull Truck.Theater A cemetery will be the venue for Depart, an "ethereal" performance by Australian circus artists

Circa.

Holy Holy, the band made up of Hull's own Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey, David Bowie producer Tony Visconti and Heaven 17's Glenn Gregory will perform The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars live for the first time.

A three-day festival will celebrate Hull's ambient music pioneer Basil Kirchin, and will feature Goldfrapp's Will Gregory, saxophonist Evan Parker and The Specials' Jerry Dammers.

Singer-songwriter John Grant will curate a festival of Nordic music, tapping into the city's links with northern Europe.

Opera North will turn the Humber Bridge into an "epic musical installation", with sounds that change depending on your route and the climate.

A retrospective of the late English Patient director Anthony Minghella, who went to university in Hull, will be staged.

Two film festivals will examine dystopian visions of a digital future and Hull's contribution to British film and TV. The BBC is staging a new four-day spoken word and poetry festival titled Contains Strong Language.

Festival LGBT 50 will mark the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

WOW (Women of the World) Hull will take place, with a focus on Hull-born pianist, composer and conductor pioneer Ethel Leginska.

A year-long programme of artists’ works made specifically for Hull’s public places and spaces. Designed to challenge people’s perceptions of Hull and offer different ways to experience the city.

Look Up will present a series of new artworks to intrigue and inspire throughout 2017, created in partnership with organisations including The Deep, GF Smith and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Featured artists include: Nayan Kulkarni, Bob and Roberta Smith, Michael Pinsky, Tania Kovats,

Claire Barber, Sarah Daniels and Claire Morgan.

So, look up from your phone, look out of your window, look around you –who knows what you’ll see!

Find out More

https://www.hull2017.co.uk/

PAUL WHITE the award winning author, lives just outside of the main city in one of the East Hull villages.

He says “Being awarded the City of Culture status

is one of the best things to happen to the city in decades” Pauls books include his best selling novel, The Abduction of Rupert DeVille.

The wonderfully misleading and thought provoking trilogy Tales of Crime & Violence.

Miriam’s Hex, a dark story of greed, selfishness and latent curses, laced with black humour, in a light hearted way! (eBook & Kindle ONLY) Paul also has two books of emotive and poignant poetry, Shadows of Emotion & his award winning Teardrops & White Doves.

Paul has recently produced an exclusive, extra large, fully illustrated, hardback version, a ‘coffee table’ edition, of Teardrops & White Doves which is ONLY available via the author himself.

To find out more about Paul, his books, his current projects and works in progress please visit his website. HERE

WATCH the SESH https://youtu.be/PE10akKw-GU

Pinky's mural commissioned by Michele Davy for the ArtSesh 'Made in Hull' @ the Humber St Sesh 2013. Funded by Roots and Wings . Photo Michele

Find out More https://vimeo.com/178574742

I was born in March,1960, the baby of the family!

I was serenaded by family and family friends while I was in the womb...

My brother played his violin to me, my sister her clarinet, my other brother his guitar...

Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, all came and serenaded me!

I went through all the schooling up to graduation, and basically every other year I was in choir!

When I was three, I got my first taste of Making music... a little plastic Harmonica!

Moving onward through the years, I got a little plastic guitar... not a Uke, but it was enough to learn a little bit, a paper drum kit, but I tore through that pretty quick!

Somewhere between 5 and 7 years old, I was laying on the couch one day while my mother was playing the organ, which she did almost everyday while I did homework or played or just relaxed and listened... she turned it off, and I begged for one more,she responds about having to make dinner, so she played my favourite, turned it back off, I begged again, she responded again with having to make dinner, but I begged a little more and she called me over, set me on her lap, told me to put my hands on her hands, and she proceeded to show me the chords on the left, and the melody on the right!

She then set me on the bench, said something to the effect of "Okay, your turn!"

I complained as she went into the kitchen, but she didn't return, so I decided to just go ahead and try... by the time I'd finished the song, kind of embellishing my own ending, I sensed her behind me,I turned, there was a look of complete astonishment on her face, and she asked if I wanted a tutor...

"What's a tutor?" "Someone to teach you!" "You just did! What's that other song I like"

I had that figured out in a few minutes, and after finishing, she was right beside me, more astonished, asking again about a tutor! "Why, I got it!... what's that other song I like!"

When I was thirteen, my sister got an upright piano... same thing as an organ to me, you just play it differently, but it needed to be tuned! When I got home from school the next day she was waiting for the piano tuner to come.

Well, when they arrived, I was told to be careful around him, I soon understood why, his wife led him up to the piano, he asked what kind of piano it was, she told him, he played a little classical tune, said "Fork!"

She hit the tuning fork (Middle C) and he went to work... funny side note, when my brother got home, He got his oscilloscope out and checked, it was in perfect tune!

Over the years I started a collection of everything I could get my hands on! I already had a Zither (Autoharp) and a Casio keyboard I got with Blue Chip Stamps, we had a Conga Drum, I ended up getting bongos, a banjo,

an accordion (I think it said Majesty on it!) a real acoustic and then an electric Guitar, with an old PA amp my dad had (but it worked lol) a double Harmonica (Key of C and it switched over to Am), Tambourine, then for Graduation My dad took me somewhere where a guy was selling his drum set, a nice Kingfisher metallic blue 5-piece, but I turned it into a 10-piece!

I don't think I chose music, I think it chose me!!!

After High School. I joined the services for 6 years, traveled around for a bit forming groups that went nowhere really... nobody you would have heard of, anyway! lol Came back home, found out an old friend was making music, we made a song, then an album, then another album, we started buying equipment for better production, what we could afford to get (a lot of what I had was gone - sold,lost or stolen) I still had my little POS Acoustic guitar, and about 60 original songs (what was left to me anyway, we actually had about 150), we bought a Kawai PH-50 keyboard, a cheap Harmony electric guitar, a little Roland Amp, a couple of cheap microphones, an Alesis FX board, and a Tascam Porta-03 4-track mini-studio. We had created over 600 pieces of music between us... and some of it is actually pretty good!

I recently got the news about Prostate Cancer, and a few other major medical conditions, I have probably less than a year, but maybe two years! but the musical story continues... for as long as I can! :-) ...and please remember... Smiles are contagious... so spread the disease!!! :-D

My Main YT Channel... Perplexia

X:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCPS1k9xbzsk70F_5yF55Q2Q

Perplexia X 2... the instrumentals for the songs, like a karaoke site:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCWjEu21ZZLObq15GiP0CH5A PXBesides... most of the older hand-made stuff, more like Demo material, and some oddball Magix Music Maker stuff not good enough for my main site

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCT4y1nji6ttEFrroM7buncw A few years ago, we got computers and some Magix Music Maker Programs :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2pTpXYZNlw People I've collaborated with :

Nightyyou

https://www.youtube.com/user/Nightyyou Aztlan Music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UC0r3Bc2hCxnOBvsjxp6hmJQ Magic Music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwhczXS5Dt2Mp9Z1PdBexjg and, of course, my musical partner and friend since 1975, M.J. :

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWorstPartyOnEarth

Understanding Be it poetry, the opening scene of short story or an emotive section of a novel, the colour black is often utilised by writers to project or convey a ‘certain feeling’ to the reader.

But how many of us have actually considered why we perceive black in the way we do?

As one of the tools in our wordsmithing armoury, should we not understand why the word black can be such a powerful device?

Generally black embodies the values of death, depression and evil. It can be used to describe something terrible or maybe a void.

But why do we identify black with badness, immorality or malevolent actions?

It is common in our society to use the word black as an exclusion, such as blacklist, black mark, or black sheep. We also apply it to people who we perceive of unpleasant actions, such as saying they have a black heart or black soul.

You may say it is because one wears black to a funeral, or it is the colour of mourning. But that is not necessarily so. In other cultures, such as China and India the traditional colour for mourning and reflecting death is white.

Not until Bollywood adopted and merged some western ideology into the Indian cinema, would you ever see anyone wearing anything but white sari at a funeral. In fact it would be considered impolite to wear black at any Hindu funeral.

Much of this form of the perception of black is a Christian/Western opinion based on ancient observation or teachings, much based on historical legend.

Ancient Greek myth has it that at the beginning there was just ‘Chaos’ or Khaos. (This does not mean ‘Disorder’ in the contemporary sense, but rather ‘Chasm’, in the sense of a dark, gaping space).

Khaos gave birth to Erebus, the darkness of the Underworld and Nyx.

BLACK

by Paul White

Much of this form of the perception of black is a Christian/Western opinion based on ancient observation or teachings, much based on historical legend.

Ancient Greek myth has it that at the beginning there was just ‘Chaos’ or Khaos.

(This does not mean ‘Disorder’ in the contemporary sense, but rather ‘Chasm’, in the sense of a dark, gaping space).

Khaos gave birth to Erebus, the darkness of the Underworld and Nyx. Nyx was the goddess of the night, one of the ancient Protogenoi (first-born elemental gods). In the cosmogony of Hesiod she was born of (Khaos) and breeding with Darkness (Erebos), produced Light (Aither) and Day (Hemera), first components of the primeval universe. Alone, she spawned a brood of dark spirits, including the fates, Sleep, Death, Strife and Pain.

Nyx was a primeval goddess usually represented as simply the substance of night: a dark veil of mist drawn forth from the underworld which blotted out the light of Aither (shining upper atmosphere).Even in Nordic legend black has a prominence.

The fire giant whose sparks made the universe.

Surt is the King of Fire in Norse mythology, the Lord of the Fire-Giants of the realm of Muspellheim.

In the beginning, there was only the blackness of Ginnungagap, and then Surt appeared out of the blackness with his flaming sword and touched the land, it lit up and became the Realm of Fire.

Eventually it drew close enough to Niflheim, the primal Realm of Ice, that it warmed and melted the frozen earth, revealing Ymir the primal frost-giant and Audumhla the Great Cow. In this way, life was created from the meeting of fire and ice.

Modern knowledge may have more acceptable theories such as the big bang, yet even here it is suggested that it was many thousand millennia after the bang before the first stars began to form, which is almost inconceivable to comprehend.

The thoughts of endless night, a total void of nothingness, a black hole encompassing the entire universe is frightening to most.

So it is not surprising that based on tradition, folklore, socially established conventions and custom that we westerners perceive black to hold the qualities of evil, depravity and immorality. Much of this is due to our cultural dread and fear of the unknown, the unseen and the minus light of darkness.

Now, add a touch of Hollywood movie, conjoined with mass media and you have an ideal breeding ground to spread rumour, fabrication, falsehood and fiction; all of which so easily becomes assimilated into the psyche of modern society.

Suddenly black is the epitome of all evil, it is the quintessence of Goyan nightmares, of original sin, of death, of satanic rituals, black mass, sexual depravation and transgression.

Black becomes the cloak of darkness for vampires, the

shadow where werewolves lurk, forests of malevolent spirits and the embodiment of evil itself.

Or does it?

Because there is another side to black, a lighter, brighter side to this deepest of darkness.

Fashion, glamour, opulence, style and desirability.

Black is the new black.

Here lies a social and perceptive disjuncture.

The sleek aesthetics of glossy black fashion, a world of sequins, leather of obsidian Jet chic and metallic black Ferraris.

Here is a transgression from black’s authority of depression and nightmare.

This is a juncture where modern mindfulness separates the black associated with the natural world, the world of dark recesses and shadows of mystery and myth, from the brighter black of the contemporary, enlightened and progressive world of today.

The little black dress, appealing, sensual, hinting at naughtiness, suggestive of

excitement. This is sexy black, the black of lacy underwear, of thin straps revealing rather than concealing, the offering of promise.

Yet even here the evocative black is tinged with an inference of deprivation, of transgression from the acceptable. It is that, the allure of going beyond the boundaries, the immorality of wild or illicit acts which is attractive, which whets our carnal appetites.

The modern black, the black of this world is the white light black of Newton and Robert Boyle.

So be it.

Therefore to know, to understand which black to choose when weaving that spell in your novel of dark fantasy, or which black to spill across the pages of a bloody thriller is a most important element.

Select the modern black, the industrial manufactured black for seduction and pride, for sex and sheen.

Take hold of the natural, the organic, ancient, primordial black which seeps uncertainty, drips terror and dread for your dark scenes, your night horrors and death itself.

Choose your darkness well my friends, write admirably and when the shadows of sleep creep upon your wearied eyelids, shutting the out the light, sleep soundly in the comfort of the black night‌‌

If you dare. https:// ramblingsfromawritersmind.wordpress.com/

Fashion on the Ration at IWM 27 May 2016 - 01 May 2017 From 'onesies' to wear in the air raid shelter to jewellery created from aeroplane parts, Fashion on the Ration looks at how fashion survived and even flourished under the strict rules of rationing in 1940s Britain, often in new and unexpected ways.

"Quite simply, it's unmissable". Stylist Magazine This exhibition explores how men and women found new ways to dress as clothes rationing took hold. Displays of original clothes from the era, including military uniforms and functional fashion, reveal what life was really like on the home front in wartime Britain.

"A new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum celebrates the ingenuity,

determination, and just plain battiness of the attempts by the stylish to get around rationing and shortages of everything from knicker elastic to buttons".

Maev Kennedy, The Guardian

More information: goo.gl/ADqhHd.

A poem from

Jessica Rosenstein Jessica missed out on the CQ poetry challenge as her entry arrived after the deadline. We did like her poem though and have reproduced it here for you enjoy too.

As a reminder, it was ‘One poem. Ten lines. Five words per line’. The muse to be taken from this image.

Jessica, get your entry in on time in the future!...You may have won1

I find myself here again Stuck in purgatory drinking gin Words echo through my mind A distraction I must find What better than a "friend" Just tonight let's play pretend

Don't ask me any questions I owe you no explanation's Now come fill my glass He's a memory, gone, past

The Fruited Oasis

Rusty Rimes In honour of my friend Paul White, for his great works

In the great waste of shifting sands,

scene

an oasis beckons with open hands.

feed the great palms, which offer sun screens,

The fruit of the desert sweetly awaits, on waving palm fronds, of the delicate date.

As the waters of life in this beautiful

take your respite, gather your strength, for to travel this far is but half the length.

This book is the second of "TANKA HARAKO" series in which Rika Inami 稲美 里佳's original Japanese Tanka works are translated into English. It is written in both Japanese and English. こ

ちらの本は、稲美里佳の短歌集「原狐」の第2巻目の本です。

Rika Inami lives in Akita Prefecture, Japan, graduated from the First Department of Literature, Waseda University, and a membership of “Muro Saisei Society”, “Kaze-no-Kai”, and a former membership of “Tanka Topos”. 秋田県在住 早稲田大学第一文学部卒業 「室生犀星学会」会員/ 「風の会」会員/ 「短歌ト

Rika Inami’s Author Page

ポス」元会員

I published the poetic anthologies “TANKA HARAKO Ⅱ” on 7th. August. This day is the star festival in Akita Prefecture, Japan where I live. Following this day, from 13th to 15th August, we have the biggest event for Japanese Buddhists, Obon, which is the memorial service for the deceased spirits. After Obon, we have Seeing-off-Obon. Total Obon is for six days. During Obon, we offer special foods to the dead souls and fire to welcome them and see them off.

The star festival is called Tanabata in Japan and the day it is held depends on the districts, July 7 or August 7. It is held in August in Akita Prefecture.

According to the Tanabata legend of Japan, Orihimeboshi, Vega, first-magnitude star of Lyra and Hikoboshi, Altair fell in love and they are allowed to meet over the Milky Way only once a year under various circumstances. On the day of Tanabata, we decorate small bamboos with some ornaments or paper strips containing our written wishes and put the bamboo on the front of the entrance. It is the Tanabata star festival.

That day, we, people in Akita surely cerebrate the star festival and we also begin to prepare for welcoming Obon, visiting the family grave to clean it. As it were, from the day, the invisible spirits of power in the other world prepare to come down to this world Because publishing day was far later than the expected day under some

situations, I decided to do it on the day of the star festival and I did it with my prayer that my book will be read by a lot of readers.

“The Existent Poetry”, this is my Tanka Poetry.

Although I came across Tanka Poetry through my social life, it became one of the ways to express myself.

I started it with a light heart. Following my friend’s strong recommendation, I joined a Tanka Poetry club. Those days, somehow, I composed works every day.

I constructed a Home Page for my works.

However, I could not help suspending it for a while under some life conditions.

Though, I have managed to continue it.

It is my Tanka Poetry.

Now, I truly think that to keep composing Tanka is good for me, because I feel it is sublimation between reason and emotion in my life.

I live in the countryside of Akita Prefecture, Japan. It is a paddy field zone surrounded by the Ou Mountains.

I have composed Tanka Poetry with my feelings flowing, having seen the transition of four seasons, capturing each.

Most of my works included in this book were previously posted to Google+, and my blog. They cover the seasons from autumn to spring. Autumn is filled with colorful leaves, fiery red, yellow and rusty leaves.

Winter for us in Northeast Japan is the hardest, with heavy piled snow. Spring is the time we recover various colors from a black-white world. I have lived in these four seasons, from which I have felt some transition, and I expressed these feelings with Tanka Poetry.

“TANKA” is surely tanka poetry and “HARAKO” is the name of a place, where I walk. If I translate this literally, it is “Field of Fox”. The cover image is one of my photographs of Harako. I chose one from seasonal photographs in Harako for the book cover,

To add information about the title of the book, “TANKA HARAKO”,

I truly hope you enjoy this existent Tanka having roots in the environment of Japan.

On a beautiful day in October, 2016 Rika Inami 稲美 里佳

虚空より降りし言葉を詠ひとめ星のまつりに上梓たてまつる https://www.amazon.com/TANKA-HARAKO-%E2%85%A1-%E7%9F% AD%E6%AD%8C%E3%80%80%E5%8E%9F%E7%8B%90-ebook/dp/ B01JVWXG9Y/

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The

list CQ Magazine believes that these are ten essential books that every writer should own and read. Each book, written by a literary great, gives advice, guidance, wisdom and wit, along with hugs of literary warmth.

These book will help every writer with their quest of literary perfection.

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