We are offline at home again :(
Back soon I hope. Thank you faithful readers, stay tuned.
Monday, October 13, 2008
You know for sure you're down under when...
We bought bikes this weekend, taking advantage of a killer exchange rate and being quick before retailers get their next orders in with the 'new' pricing. When test riding the bikes a little quirk came to light...pressure on the right brake only will topple you over the handlebars. For those of you who aren't avid riders, that's because the brake cables are reversed from US standards here.
In the US (and as far as I know the rest of the world) when you squeeze the right lever the rear brake grabs slowly bringing you to a safe stop. Here, it's the front brake. Flip city. Good thing to know before taking off down some gnarly bike track (luckily I was gently navigating the parking lot behind the bike shop).
In the US (and as far as I know the rest of the world) when you squeeze the right lever the rear brake grabs slowly bringing you to a safe stop. Here, it's the front brake. Flip city. Good thing to know before taking off down some gnarly bike track (luckily I was gently navigating the parking lot behind the bike shop).
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Sunflow
An update from my friend Nancy...order now for holiday gift giving!
The Moon Rises Over Trans-Atlantic Duo -- Sunflow
"Under the Stars" Release for Digital Download
(DUBLIN, Ireland)"Under the Stars" a ten-song collection of lush, sweet melodies to help get to Slumberland, will be available for advance digital download to the press and bloggers globally from October 6.
The new duo, SUNFLOW, is the brainchild of two trans-atlantic songwriters Nancy Falkow(USA) and Fran King(IRELAND). Upon a chance meeting at a train station in Dublin, Ireland, Falkow and King became fast friends due to their mutual musical interests.
A few years and ten timeless tracks later, "Under the Stars" was born.Originally intended as a lullaby album, the songs seemed to take on a life of their own. Drafted in to augment this project was producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist Duncan Maitland (The Honeybus/Colin Hare), who elegantly and effortlessly brought out the best in each composition.
Having both recently become parents, Falkow and King had searched in vain to find music on the market to equal such time honoured records as Harry Nilsson's classic "The Point" and Carole King’s “Really Rosie.” They then decided to put together an album of their own-- music for parents and children to enjoy together-- and Sunflow shone.
"After I heard Fran's song, 'Eve's Lullaby,' I was inspired to write something for my little girl," explained Falkow. "I would be honoured if kids that hear this, grow up and revisit it with their kids someday."
Sumptuous, warm vocal arrangements rest comfortably on beds of acoustic guitars, strings, and keys. The result is an enchantingly refreshing album that celebrates childhood innocence & parenthood. “Under the Stars” is a must for any new parent, and lovers of songs that brim with melodic harmony! "After listening back to the final masters of this album, I became very aware of the reality that songs and records of this style are almost a lost art," discussed King. "I had Harry Nilsson in one ear, and James Taylor at my shoulder (in my head anyway) with Carole King waxing the melodies--I hope this album inspires listeners as much as it's influences have inspired us."
Fran King, native of Dublin, is a pop/rock artist with an internationally acclaimed debut album (“Beautification”/Head Space Records/2006) already under his belt, and a follow up album "Anywhere but Here" due for release in 2009. Nancy Falkow is a native of Philadelphia (via New Jersey)currently based in Dublin, with three equally melodic albums already in her discography, her last release being the well received, Clear View(2004.)
“Sailing along on an ocean of sound on a ship that's always homeward bound, With you on my shoulders as I hold the wheel, you make every moment, a moment to steal.” - 'Daisies and Orchids' (fran king)
The album will be available to the public digitally via ItsAboutMusic.comand hard copies with lovely artwork will be available from the end of November.
View the video for "I Wish You Love" and be our friend here:http://www.myspace.com/sunflowmusic Thank you for taking the time to download and try not to fall asleep!
*****************************************
More notes from Nancy:
SO if you need the actual disc (which looks fantastic) wait a little bit or pre-order(and it will make a great gift for the holidays or new baby I tells ya!)....but if you can't wait...get downloading!
Go directly here:
http://www.itsaboutmusic.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=434_929 Click DOWNLOAD
OR Pre-order the cd and look at our fancy new page here:http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/sunflow.html
The Moon Rises Over Trans-Atlantic Duo -- Sunflow
"Under the Stars" Release for Digital Download
(DUBLIN, Ireland)"Under the Stars" a ten-song collection of lush, sweet melodies to help get to Slumberland, will be available for advance digital download to the press and bloggers globally from October 6.
The new duo, SUNFLOW, is the brainchild of two trans-atlantic songwriters Nancy Falkow(USA) and Fran King(IRELAND). Upon a chance meeting at a train station in Dublin, Ireland, Falkow and King became fast friends due to their mutual musical interests.
A few years and ten timeless tracks later, "Under the Stars" was born.Originally intended as a lullaby album, the songs seemed to take on a life of their own. Drafted in to augment this project was producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist Duncan Maitland (The Honeybus/Colin Hare), who elegantly and effortlessly brought out the best in each composition.
Having both recently become parents, Falkow and King had searched in vain to find music on the market to equal such time honoured records as Harry Nilsson's classic "The Point" and Carole King’s “Really Rosie.” They then decided to put together an album of their own-- music for parents and children to enjoy together-- and Sunflow shone.
"After I heard Fran's song, 'Eve's Lullaby,' I was inspired to write something for my little girl," explained Falkow. "I would be honoured if kids that hear this, grow up and revisit it with their kids someday."
Sumptuous, warm vocal arrangements rest comfortably on beds of acoustic guitars, strings, and keys. The result is an enchantingly refreshing album that celebrates childhood innocence & parenthood. “Under the Stars” is a must for any new parent, and lovers of songs that brim with melodic harmony! "After listening back to the final masters of this album, I became very aware of the reality that songs and records of this style are almost a lost art," discussed King. "I had Harry Nilsson in one ear, and James Taylor at my shoulder (in my head anyway) with Carole King waxing the melodies--I hope this album inspires listeners as much as it's influences have inspired us."
Fran King, native of Dublin, is a pop/rock artist with an internationally acclaimed debut album (“Beautification”/Head Space Records/2006) already under his belt, and a follow up album "Anywhere but Here" due for release in 2009. Nancy Falkow is a native of Philadelphia (via New Jersey)currently based in Dublin, with three equally melodic albums already in her discography, her last release being the well received, Clear View(2004.)
“Sailing along on an ocean of sound on a ship that's always homeward bound, With you on my shoulders as I hold the wheel, you make every moment, a moment to steal.” - 'Daisies and Orchids' (fran king)
The album will be available to the public digitally via ItsAboutMusic.comand hard copies with lovely artwork will be available from the end of November.
View the video for "I Wish You Love" and be our friend here:http://www.myspace.com/sunflowmusic Thank you for taking the time to download and try not to fall asleep!
*****************************************
More notes from Nancy:
SO if you need the actual disc (which looks fantastic) wait a little bit or pre-order(and it will make a great gift for the holidays or new baby I tells ya!)....but if you can't wait...get downloading!
Go directly here:
http://www.itsaboutmusic.net/catalog/index.php?cPath=434_929 Click DOWNLOAD
OR Pre-order the cd and look at our fancy new page here:http://www.itsaboutmusic.com/sunflow.html
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Home (or quick quick before I lose internet again!)
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Thursday, October 2, 2008
Local color
In no particular order, and since I keep forgetting to finish taking pictures of the house, some other stuff that we've been doing to distract you.
At the Perth Royal Show (which is extremely similar to the Ekka) FFM rode his first carousel. He's also had his first professional haircut and looks quite dashing but the responsible parent I try to be he's got his hat on to protect his fair little head so you really can't see it.
At the Perth Royal Show (which is extremely similar to the Ekka) FFM rode his first carousel. He's also had his first professional haircut and looks quite dashing but the responsible parent I try to be he's got his hat on to protect his fair little head so you really can't see it.
Thanks to Katie for such nice photos! We trooped all through the Royal Show with the Edsalls who all survived and even came away with a few showbags.
The weekend before the Perth Royal show we went to a huge park here in the city called King's Park. It's got botanical gardens, a treetop walk, huge wild open spaces, and even a couple of playgrounds. The day we went was so windy the treetop walk was closed, but the spring wildflowers were cooperating nicely and were being very showy. Travis got some nice shots.

