On Steve Jobs

I'd like to think I don't believe in getting overly-sentimental about the death of someone I don't know, just because there's a lot of media hype. Steve Jobs however, was a great facilitator to men; he was a technological humanitarian, he contributed by making his unique impact.

I own an iphone and a Macbook, and throughout the last week a SJ's tribute has been steadfastly posted on the Apple homepage. Unfortunately if you live under a rock aka a Blackberry then you may not know or care. Statistically two to three people die a second in this world, that's 259,200 people a day according to my not infallible maths, and a quick look at the PeterRussell World Clock. What I'm trying to say is that if you live by numbers the ending of SJ's life is insignificant. What a horribly fatalistic line of argument and way to live you life that would be..

Alternatively what I'm suggesting is to champion and rekindle an attitude that seems to be fading in our era of get-famous-quick; there's absolutely nothing wrong in being sentimental when someone genuinely great is gone.

SJ's legacy - to affect change and facilitate people's creativity- is evident within the products that we see all around us. Jobs made it his mission to make an impact and he found his inspiration in knowing how precious, impermanent and fragile life is, this poignant ethos is what strikes a chord with me and he sums it up most adeptly at the Stanford Commencement Speech in 2005.

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." ~ 

Evocative stuff; go forth and produce creative people of Mancunia!

On Lisa Hannigan

This lovely lady is the Irish singer, songwriter Lisa Hannigan. Once apart of Damien Rice's band and having performed at Glastonbury both solo and with Rice, I'm assured they had something especially strong. However, Hannigan felt compelled to tread her own creative path and began the revival of her solo career in 2009 with album 'Sea saw'. Her Norah Jones-esque husky melodies will have you soothed into bed double-quick, either with a cup of hot coco or a hottie named Coco...maybe that's just me. With bundles of wholesome offbeat charm and enough stoic warmth to brighten even those darker days her new album 'Passenger' arrives just in time for Winter.

Catch her near you at St. Phillip's Church, Salford NOV 25th.

Mystery link..

nyan.cat

The Rambling Brilliance of Mr Kelly

Falafel falafel erh…do you know how gibbons move throughout he trees so quick. It's because they have a ball and socket joint which gives them so much more manoeuvrability. And they do on occasion have accidents because they can get a bit cocky sometimes. But if you ever see a gibbon actually going through the trees you'd be very impressed; It's a sight to behold. I've always considered it to be one of the natural wonders of the world. Why can't an evolutionary trait be considered a natural wonder; in fact that should be a natural wonder above all else…because it is nature. Because what we've built is not necessarily natural. So yeah I think a Gibbon moving through the trees is a marvel.  

Do you know the Mayfly larvae has one of the fastest reactions of the Animal Kingdom? It has like a concertina jaw that zips out and catches krill. Krill I think is an ocean fairing society. Did you know bats always turn left, when bats leave a cave they always turn left.

Did you know all the baby elephants in Chester Zoo are in-bred? Oh yeah! They're all doing it. And possibly, Chester Zoo is the only zoo that has managed to drown an aquatic animal?! Sealions are alright, you know they're all right…until you actually get to know one. Giraffes don't make any noise, they're incapable of making noise. Apart from grunts. And the Giraffe; it's actual greatest risk of dying is when they drink water because they have to do the splits and often, more often that you think they can't pull their legs back together…and they die.

Do you know it's actually funny because people come up to us, 'You know your cheetahs, they should be allowed to run free.' It only has a 40% success rate when they hunt. And while they hunt they borderline heart attack. Technically he'd only have 2 out of 5 kills and he'd nearly have a heart attack so i'm sure he'd quite happily have a piece of meat just thrown in for him.

Joule's

Chances are most of you will never of heard of this charming little brewers tucked away in deepest Shropshire and may never even sample its traditional nectars, but it has in essence been around for hundreds of years. 'First Brewed by Monks' their simple slogan is a proud testament to a brand rich in heritage. Sadly in the 70's and at the height of its local popularity Joules was bought out by Bass and swiftly, unceremoniously decommissioned. Fortunately one of the original recipes for the ale survived and just last year the Joules brand was resurrected. 

It's hard to say what's most adorable about this quintessentially English ale, it has so many quirks. For me the trademarks, illustrations and vintage posters alone are a brander's wet dream but this humble ale never had any commercial ambitions or sights set further than the local pub or their heartland of Shropshire. If you were thinking of sampling said tastiness you'll be hard-pressed to find a tap North of Chester. To see such dedication of locality is rare and is at the core of Joules' unostentatious brand values. Joules in short is a champion to the tradition of the local pub, of sitting around with good mates, a good pint and good banter.

Joules brew three separate ales: the Slumbering Monk...nutty, malty and mildly caramel...my favourite, then there's the traditional Pale Ale made from the age-old recipe and the more commercial, continental Blonde.

For local watering-holes or more information direct your attention here: 

www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

what the FCUK?!

Massive shout out to Miss Roberts for bringing this one to my attention. Simply take a look at their shopping bags and you'll realise French Connections have struck a chord of genius with their recent rebrand as champions of the utterly ridiculous and wonderfully bizarre. This advert however - which you may not see on TV - takes it to the next level without missing a single sartorial beat.