Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better.
Read MorePost Tagged with: "header"
My Journey with the Trumpet: The Godfather Tunes (Composed by: Nino Rota)
Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better. Inspiration from the Maestro & […]
Read MoreMy Journey with the Trumpet: The Way We Were (Composed by: Marvin Hamlisch)
Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better.
Read MoreMy Journey with the Trumpet: Love Changes Everything (Composed by: Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better.
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: Keeping Theresa May Warm & Comfy
Theresa May says a no-deal Brexit ‘wouldn’t be the end of the world’. Of course TM a No Deal BREXIT is NOT the end of the World; as a matter of fact why the hell waste time negotiating further; let’s just call it quits to save a quid or 2 […]
Read MoreMacron suggests Europe can't rely on the U.S for Security
French President Emmanuel Macron told France’s overseas ambassadors gathered in Paris on Monday that Europe can “no longer rely” upon the US for its security. While it is true – and has been for a while now if we haven’t been wasting time daydreaming – that the EU needs a […]
Read MorePolitical Flicks: The Conspiracy Theory Phenomenon
A very interesting article – link below – about the role (causes/effects) of conspiracy theories in Turkey and how they’re driving an increasing level of antagonism against the United States – a recommended read for anyone interested in this concept and/or this region. What I would add is that conspiracy theories […]
Read MoreRemembering Senator John McCain
These are moments that should NOT just live on in memory but be ones that should be some of the defining moments for the Democracy irrespective of country region or continent in the context of 2 simple facts; Democracy treats Freedom as a Human Right for All NOT as a Luxury […]
Read MoreMy Journey with the Trumpet: from The Immigrant by An Immigrant (Composed by: Nino Rota)
Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better.
Read MoreMy Journey with the Trumpet: Serenade for Violin (Composed by: Franz Schubert)
Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better.
Read MoreSenator John McCain Dies Aged 81
Very sad to hear today about the death of Senator John McCain a war hero who served in the U.S Navy from 1958 – 1981 and entered into politics in the 1982 when he entered the U.S. House of Representatives then the Senate in 1987 where he won re-election 5 […]
Read MoreMy Journey with the Trumpet: Bolero (Composed by: Ravel)
Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better.
Read MoreMy Journey with the Trumpet: You Raise Me Up (Composed by: Rolf Løvland)
Tunes for the Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Note these videos are more for training/tracking my own progress. Also for me it’s more about technique rather than sophisticated back music hence recording solo to make it simple and effective. If someone does enjoy the tunes all the better.
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: Yet Another BREXIT Proposition on the Table for UK Labour
Labour straight out of the hat produce yet another stunning proposition on the Table. Let me tell you there is NOT much room to spare on their BREXIT Table. The good news this time however is that this proposition is more generic so it can adapt to different situations, that […]
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: The Government Champions of BREXIT Talk Tu'Fish' when Things Look Sluggish
Today we continue to see/hear “clan” ministers continue to put a brave face when talking BREXIT to European partners/allies. This is a brief commentary on their silly statements because really it merits no further effort for any detailed response because they’re in a fix and it’s common news, so here […]
Read MoreGreat Speech/Initiative Senator Elizabeth Warren, but are we missing something?
First let me just say that Senator Elizabeth Warren is one of the most inspiration figures in the U.S Congress, and one that I entirely respect – and this from merely following some for her work online. I would recommend watching this speech because it proposes an anticorruption initiative which can […]
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: Oh Lucky One, How Ungrateful!
We read with amusement today titles like; Jeremy Hunt calls for fresh EU sanctions against Russia Jeremy Hunt wants ‘malign’ Russia to face tougher sanctions Really exciting stuff, but then again it’s quite remarkable that you call for firm action against Russia when we all know now for a fact […]
Read MoreIt's All a Matter of Title
Now this is NOT intended to be a major point but it is certainly a valid one, to me anyway. While watching former CIA Director John Brennan on TV interviews lately I noticed he always refers to Trump as Mr. Trump NOT President Trump. Turns out I do the same […]
Read MoreGreat Interview CNN, but You're Loosing your Bearings
I came across this interview today on CNN with Lt. Col. Ralph Peters on Reliable Sources hosted by Brian Stelter and thought it useful to share. The reason is simply; I totally/utterly agree with the guest’s views on Trump and the way in which he articulates them, so that’s good […]
Read MorePower Play Politics & It's Diminishing Returns
Power play politics is not new as we all know. It has been used effectively in the past to alleviate threats by adversaries whether political or economic and many experts can probably come up with a long list of historical precedence where power play really did work. What I would […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: No Mr. Dominic Raab, NOT Responsibility from the Government but Accountability for the Government
Now that a crash seems a likely prospect for BREXIT the government decides to do the “Responsible” thing by publishing a series of technical notices designed to prepare the UK for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. Now just to get us started here – on a weekend – let […]
Read MoreA BREXITEER Like a Fox is back with his Good Old Union Jack Sox
We heard the exciting news that Nigel Farage is finally back to save the country from a certain demise. The only difficultly this time around of course is that unlike previous times when life was rosy and people could be led to believe the hogwash about the great prospects post […]
Read MoreThe Music Hour: All That Brass!
Great music by the Belgian Brass accompanied by the extremely talented American Trumpeter Adam Rapa a true inspiration to watch. I was actually considering posting my newest musical efforts on the Trumpet, but now I am not so sure 🙁 Not to worry, I mean “Worry” cause I will do just […]
Read MoreMember of the Good Old ButHeads (GOB) Party Calls Off a Butthead, Really?
Now that’s a novel approach for a member of Congress to call of a former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency a Butthead – we’re talking about the US CIA here; and that’s not even taking into account an impeccable career of John Brenann spanning 25 years in service at […]
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: Trade Wars in the Context of BREXIT
8The mere occurrence of the trade/economic warfare nowadays particularly when propagated by an unstable leader – sorry Covfefe – irrespective of where they lead demonstrates in no uncertain terms why Great Britain (including “England” just for those who believe we’re loosing our English “identity”) needs to be part of the […]
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: Half of Brits want second referendum if UK doesn't get a deal with EU – Really?
Is this really the best we can hope to salvage our Democracy; accept a fudged non-inclusive process that delivers a morphed definition of BREXIT based on a flawed Referendum that has been proven to be driven by foreign influence and some illegal and other questionable campaign financing – and we […]
Read MoreThe "Deal of the Century" or an "Ordeal of the Century"
An excellent article – link below – by Anne Irfan Teaching Fellow in Middle Eastern History, University of Sussex tries to effectively unpack what is termed the “Deal of the Century” devised the political genius Jared Kushner mmmm…Son in Law of the President of the United States. I would suggest […]
Read MoreIain Duncan Smith is Confused
Today I receive with great shock the sad news that Iain Duncan Smith may be confused about that reaction in the Tory party to Boris Johnson’s comments about the Burka. I am devastated Mr. Smith but let me confuse you even more. I agree that Freedom of Speech is a […]
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: The CBI Calling Again, Sorry No Answer!
Now where have we heard this before; CBI urges government to drop ‘blunt target’ on immigration numbers CBI warns UK car industry faces ‘extinction’ on exit from customs union The CBI warns Liam Fox’s Brexit trade plans could bankrupt British companies CBI warns of cost rises if UK strays from […]
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: Time to Swing or Expect a Sting
Let me first set the stage for BREXITEER’s in case any of them decides to read this post; Yes, this is fear-mongering from your very clear/blind perspective, because what we’re actually seeing in terms of economic indicators, weak government/support, shambolic process are pigments of our imagination; business prospects are extremely […]
Read MoreTrump & Team Acting Guilty Until Proven Innocent
I truly find it hard to imagine there could a precedence in legal history where the defendant & legal team are making all moves that suggest guilt even before any proposition for a trial. The Trump/Giuliani partnership is truly one made in heaven, that is for any prosecutor. What we know […]
Read MoreThe Spat between Canada & Saudi Arabia (some thoughts)
This political spat between Saudi Arabia and Canada truly puts in context the choices we now face in the West between protecting our Democratic values/freedoms or surrender these to The Power of the Purse. In layman terms here is the proposition on the table; we’re NOT only supposed to do […]
Read MoreThe Changing Faces of Mike Pence
Unearthed writings by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in 1999 that have been discovered by CNN – the Mike Pence in the Past Tense – really demonstrates in no uncertain terms the shift in perception of Leadership in Covfefe territory. Hold on a second, this is actually less about perceptions and more about […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: The Question of Identity & A Nation Divided (updated)
I came across a very interesting lecture by Prof John Denham, former Labour MP in Speaker’s House at the House of Commons on June 27th. Having read the complete transcript let me suggest it is certainly worth a read – links below of video & transcript. The lecture itself is […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: To Bluff or NOT to Bluff this is the Real Bluff…..What?
Let me start by putting some context here so we can to try and make sense of the situation cause it is a bit confusing; On July 20 Michel Barnier warns EU to step up NO DEAL BREXIT preparation On July 22 Dominic Raab the “then” new BREXIT Secretary criticises Michel […]
Read MoreThe Weekend BREXIT Nugget: Finally a Government in Sync and we're heading for the Sink
One really can do nothing but praise this British government for the unprecedented levels of coordination on policy & messaging. I know some may complain the cabinet was a bit fluid in the first 2 years of the PM’s “rule”, but these things happen and it takes a bit of […]
Read MoreBREXIT Flicks: Freedom of Information Reveals There's No Information to Reveal
As BREXIT looms being 8 months away North East councils haven’t done any impact assessment for their regions. The reason can be summed up quite simply by New Castle’s deputy leader Joyce McCarty; “Right now many councils are unable to plan for the future as a result of the Government’s […]
Read MoreGoogle in China; The Evolution of an Old Motto to a New Motto, the "AutoMotto" if you like!
Google is reportedly developing a censored version of it’s search engine specifically for China. So the old Google motto of 2010 that led it to leave China “Don’t be evil”, has been magically transformed to; “Don’t be evil, just adapt your systems to it”. Is that kind of like censoring […]
Read MoreThe NRA and the Russian Connection
An excellent reporting by MSNBC’s Ari Melber about the National Rifle Association–NRA and the Russian connection. Quite fascinating stuff and again demonstrates the many vulnerabilities in our western Democracies being used by power brokers from Lobbyists to Special interest groups – hence my previous post (link below). Will we ever […]
Read MoreA Petition to Protect our Democracy from all forms of Subversive Influence
I call on the British government and all political parties to reaffirm our commitment as a nation to equal rights/protections to all groups irrespective of colour, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation; it is a reaffirmation that ensures equal treatment to all under the law. It follows from this foundational principle […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: A Nugget Served with Exquisite French Cuisine
After a comfy European Holiday Theresa May discusses the BREXIT nugget served with exquisite French food & a touch of classy/tasty French wine – now who can ever fail to reach a deal with all that luxury lifestyle? More importantly how desperate can Theresa Maybe to break her wonderful Italian holiday […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: Responding to a BREXIT Supporter
(this post has been updated) Today I read an article in The Independent by Naomi Firsht, making her views loud & clear on BREXIT (link below). I decided to dedicate this post in responding to Ms. Firsht, so here goes; I kind of understand your dilemma, because well we’re all […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Macro Nugget: Jeremy Hunt Discusses Family as an Icebreaker for Chinese Post BREXIT Deal
That’s a novel way to start off negotiations for post BREXIT deals. Never mind that you got your own wife’s nationality wrong suggesting she’s Japanese rather than Chinese – in China of all places; so Mr. Hunt where the hell do we go from here in negotiating trade deals? That […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: What Looks like Rot, Smells like Rot Is Probably Rot; Do We Really Need to Taste It…every time?
We read today about how UK think tanks are being used as a bridge for US donors in providing access to UK government ministers and civil servants; in this case to raise cash for research to support the free-trade deals demanded by hardline Brexiters which translates to throwing our Democracy under a […]
Read MoreMike Pompeo Testifies: Look, Listen & Learn
Introduction Quite an interesting hearing at the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee which I would recommend watching in full. There is plenty to unpack from the discussions in the hearing but I will ignore my urge to comment on each important point made, and will only focus on 2. Suffice […]
Read MoreSound the Trumpet
As some may know I am a big fan of brass instruments, particularly the Trumpet & Flugelhorn. I came across this clip today of a performance – based on Google translation (blame it on Google if wrong) – in a student musical competition in Japan. Now I have to admit I […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: Democracy at Risk but the Show Must Go On!
A parliamentary inquiry into the BREXIT referendum concludes that urgent action is needed to combat ‘relentless targeting of hyper-partisan views’; well that’s good news. More importantly they come up with a set of recommendations to safe guard our electoral system which is encouraging though they are missing some root issues […]
Read MoreTime for a Permanent Holiday Theresa May
Dear Mrs. May We hear you’re about to take your summer break – and goodness gracious me – do we deserve it. My suggestion however is that you extend this break to one that it permanent. Come on now, with a permanent holiday the sky is the limit with activities […]
Read MoreA BREXIT Nugget: The Devil is Truly in the Detail
In the previous post here I eluded to the fact that politicians seem to be focused on details of a BREXIT deal, party conflicts/compromises, opt ins/outs among others. Of course this is all right/proper under normal circumstances. The reason there is significant difficulties here is the flawed process that got […]
Read MoreJewish Papers Unite Against Corbyn (commentary)
I am certainly no fan of Jeremy Corbyn or the Labour Party on policy – particularly when it comes to BREXIT – but I am utterly against any indication of political influence in our nation based on religion, ethnicity or culture. Religious freedoms should NOT translate to political influence and […]
Read More