I like flowers and gardens a lot having visited a good many in my boyhood although getting around them with my disabilities isn't easy as I'm not good on my feet and I tire easy.
One of the places I like to visit is Bodnant Gardens in North Wales, UK.
Here's a couple of pictures I took originated on film shot on HD mode using APS
As you can see the flowers in full bloom and I was rewarded with a bright sunny day which made taking a decent picture using a relatively simple camera easier.
Had I of realized it, I'd of shoot them on 35mm film on my Minolta X500 slr going wide and cropping to HD or Panorama style using the computer.
Fast approaching end of Summer Hols which for me at least signifies the start of the Autumn Term and getting all your school requirements such as uniform sorted, ironed, ready to go.
You know pretty much what my uniform is, and what it means to me so apart from anything else making sure everything is in top top shape really matters so old socks with bobbling get chucked out and replaced by new knee one
Adult little boys like me are purposely kept in shorts.
Back in 1972, a year I remember well with moving home, there were a number of acts that later on you realized were about to break big one of which was David Bowie who released the seminal Ziggy Stardust album that year and there was Roxy Music.
Roxy Music are an English art rock group formed in November 1970 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera (guitar), Andy Mackay (saxophone and oboe) and Paul Thompson (drums and percussion).
Former members include Brian Eno (synthesizer and "treatments"), and Eddie Jobson (synthesizer and violin). Although they disbanded in 1983 they reunited early this century releasing live albums but nothing new in the studio.
Roxy Music were one of the first English bands I got into buying their records over the years band one first artists to have their catalogues fully released on cd back in the mid 80's before the Stones or even Beatles and they have been reissued three times with the last set suffering from a very loud screechy sound that lead me toward buying my favourite albums by them on original vinyl.
Last Monday this 10 cd box set came out called The Complete Studio Recordings and I sprung for it although it's different than originally intended probably for cost reasons so here's a few thoughts on it.
It's not an ultimate set with a coffee table book and posts plus unfortunately a background capsule booklet wasn't included which is a shame because it would of helped to set the context of each album (and the singles) release for the casual fan but the packaging is otherwise of a high standard with thick card sleeves and a paper inner to protect the disc.
The card looks durable so shouldn't suffer damage in regular use with a bit of care. The box is sturdy and functional allowing you to slide out the core to retrieve an album for playing when it is on your shelf something I appreciate having had experiences of the sort so big you end up putting them at the top of the closet!
For this set Roxy Music (self titled) loses Virginia Plain which was never part of the original lp and 1979's Manifesto gains for the first time on cd the album versions of Angel Eyes and Dance Away rather than the disco inspired remakes issued originally for the 45's and all are present in the 2cds covering non album singles, b sides and odd mixes
.
The mastering for this set is different than the 1999 HDCD discs which remain available new, preserving far the better the difference between the quieter and louder passages so when you listen to a track like Street Life, it doesn't tire your ear and you can tell the difference between tracks with more softer passages and those that don't .
It seems they redid the transfers from original analogue tape which coupled with newer analogue to digital converters results in much smoother sound compared to previous cds.
I've had quite a blast this week playing all these albums back comparing with other versions finding this set to the best sounding yet.
To sum up, it may not be the ultimate set when it comes to features but is a extremely good sounding set, well presented being available at a modest Fifty Pounds suitable for either a casual fan as a one stop purchase or for those looking for upgraded sound.
Over the last few months thought has been given towards establishing a kind of uniform look for me beyond just wearing some combinations of boys attire that are based upon what I wore as young boy.
An obvious start point is to look back at where those parts around being a Little Boy stem from which means some sort of school uniform.
My Infant and Junior days were in a state school which while having a uniform were fairly minimalist being a blue jersey, grey shirt, red and white tie, grey shorts and grey socks.
Personally I'd of sooner gone to a Prep School which recognized actual Middle School age bands rather than splitting them between junior and senior schools as lets be honest being eleven and a half is no where emotionally and developmentally near being fifteen plus and that's discounting my personal issues.
Something like this more sense because a boy within my developmental age benefits for a few disciplines such as learning and expecting to put on and fasten a shirt and tie in front of adults.
Having a proper school jersey rather than a sweatshirt is both more grown up and by having a matching colour trim on the v neck shows the tie off.
While I have for a long time worn shorts not least with positively hating long trousers rebelling in my mid teens, they tended to either more outdoor combat casual shorts from people like BHS or soccer shorts from JD sports.
My shorts need to be proper grey or black school shorts worn by actual boys who attend school to ensure I am not seen wearing shorts as a man but as a adult little boy who is be treated as a little boy.
My socks need to be something like this, old school turnover grey socks with stripe rather than thin calf length ones never mind ankle socks.
This should be my look.
