Blog

I have a friend absolutely obsessed by music. Well, more the ´Long Player´ album than simply just music. To him it’s like a ritual that is handed from the producer and musician directly to his ears. He considers it a curated aural show personally for him.

Ian Weisberg reintroduced me to the LP with the added significance of selecting one’s desert island discs. For some time, my listening pleasure had devolved to a point of playlists and track skipping. Rarely have I been listening to an album entirely from start to finish and never without some other activity that distracts me from solely appreciating the music.

As far as determining what records Id take to a desert island, the main criteria would be that is so good well put together, you are compelled to listen from start to finish without interruption or distraction.

These are my 3 records that fulfill that criteria.

Tricky- Maxinquaye. Island Records (1995)
Named after Tricky’s late mother, ´Maxinquaye´ remains foremost my favourite album. From the first haunting calls on ´Ponderosa´ with its punctuating pipes and unusually awkward rhythms set to lyrics of Massive Attack´s ´Karmacoma´, this record never fails to capture my attention. It transports me directly to a specific time and place of Bristol in the 1990´s, evoking scenes of urban deprivation and struggle contrasted against the attachments of love and sex.

It’s a darker vision of what was considered at the time ´Trip Hop´.
The spatial structure to beats and evocative sampling of wind instruments compliment Tricky´s raspily spoken word, interjected with the velvety rich tones of Martina Topley-Bird´s vocals. It’s like an overheard conversation of a dysfunctional relationship.

It’s a visual album and pulls me into the indulgence of melancholy and introspection to which I find myself the most inspired.

Blur – Parklife. Food Records. (1994)

Undefinable as a record while offering a depth of story-telling,
Parklife plays out like patchwork of blighted British lives set to various genre defining soundtracks. From synth pop, punk and new wave, it always felt like having a book read to you whilst working through someone’s record collection.

For this reason, you could easily sit and listen through the entire record, following the maligned characters’ lives as their inner worlds start to unravel like some tragic story in a play. Hugely compelling and entertaining, it always left enough room to imagine these people as familiars in your own life.

The album functions as a snapshot of life in Southern England, at a time of tumultuous changes in the 90´s. I was growing up there at the time and finding myself more curious about the world around me, ´Parklife´ crystallised this moment for me.
Further references to TV shows and the shipping forecast made it comfortably familiar. Something I would need on a desert island!

Pink Floyd – Piper at the Gates of Dawn. EMI. (1967)

A friendship defining album is how I would describe Pink Floyd’s debut record. My oldest friend Sam Mckeone introduced me to this album in my formative years at school revealing my curiosity into music and how experimental sound could alleviate your mind to a euphoric state of being.

At the time of first hearing it, I had started playing electric guitar but getting increasingly frustrated by the typical formulas of rock music. This album opened up the possibilities of noise through feedback and recording techniques and as a result encouraged me to play music with other musicians.

Hypnotic and mind altering, it’s an example of how potent music can be.

If you enjoyed this article and want to read more from I Write a Lot, check out our blog category.

Peter Zieve is a considered something of a hero here in Mukilteo, Washington, and in Seattle for that matter, and news outlets such as the Herald often speak about how great he is. Peter however is not famous for politics or sports nor for his insane success as CEO of Electroimpact, Peter has become a local hero because of the outstanding work that he does in the community. Peter has a business program here which helps out young kids, he also heads up a campaign for more money to be given to struggling communities and he is vociferous in bringing about change, both here in Mukilteo, Washington and beyond. With Peter’s story in mind, I wanted to write a quick blog post about why you should help out your community, just like Peter has.

Feels Good

Let’s start with that selfish side of us which almost everyone has, it feels great to do some good for others in your community. We all of that slight ‘what’s in it for me?’ approach when considering giving up our time or our money and in this case, there is something in it for everyone. The person or people who you help will have had their lives changed and you will walk away feeling like you really made a difference and that will make you feel good, as long as everyone is happy there is no shame in feeling good.

Could Be You 

We are never many steps away from running into problems that could see us require the help of the community so there is a school of thought which suggests that we should be some kindness forward. Just imagine if you were in the situation that some within your community are in, and nobody wanted to help you, how do you think that would make you feel? Pretty terrible I imagine, and that is how others may feel when you aren’t helping.  

The People 

The erosion of the community over the last 2 decades alone are a clear indicator that politicians don’t care about the community and in truth they would probably prefer to divide and conquer rather than see us come together. Social injustice and socio-economic problems are actually beneficial for government and big businesses because it keeps the people down where they can be controlled. This is precisely why the people within small and large communities need to come together and do something on our own. If we rely on the support of each other and can count on it, then as a unit we are much stronger and we can create a loving and positive community that is built on a network of trust and support.

There are all kinds of ways that you can give up your time, expertise for money in order to help your local community, so there is very little excuse as to why you can’t, go do something positive today!

If you want to learn more about our blog, please click here.

Celebrities and sports stars have difficult jobs. He must perform at the highest level constantly prove to those who pay them so much money that they are in fact worth the expense. This means that they have to have successful movies, television shows, music albums, or sports careers. The amount of focus, energy and stress related to accomplishing this overtime is tremendous and not something that the average person can manage. This is part of the reason why we respect and love these personalities so much.

There is another element to being a celebrity or sports star that is just as challenging and that is to protect your reputation. Before the internet, it was much less of a challenge because information did not get disseminated so quickly or thoroughly. If a bad story that was either untrue or mischaracterized came out about someone and it was true, it was easy to isolate who had written that story and then to come up with a strategy to make it ineffective.

With the invention and popularity of the internet however, it is has become extremely difficult to prevent and stop bad information from being disseminated. The reason is because the same thing that makes dancing that’s so appealing which is that you can send information to anyone anywhere instantaneously and that information go viral just as quickly, also makes the internet extraordinarily elite dangerous to the reputation of those who live by their reputations today anyone can say anything about anyone and share this information online. That information will stay there unless it is challenged by someone. With more than 1 billion websites on the internet, locating and putting down this information is a job that do celebrities and sports stars can handle on their own.

Using a Reputation Management Company

Celebrities in sports stars higher companies that specialize in dealing with negative, and false information about them on the Internet. A reputation management company is a firm that utilizes specific tools and strategies to help remove this type of information wherever it is found online. In many cases they can get a website to remove negative, false or defamatory information about a celebrity or sports star. In some cases however this information just cannot be removed. Miss case the reputation management company who created campaign for burying the information so deeply on internet searches that it will not be seen by the vast majority of those searching. Reputation management companies also monitor internet for the appliance and look for any negative information that might be posted. When they find things, they alerted clients and creative strategy for dealing with the improper information. This is a constant fight it needs vigilance and focus. The best reputation management companies have plenty of both and as a result do great jobs for their celebrities and sports clients.

Reputation Management Companies Work With Everyone

Reputation management companies’ client’s however I’m not limited to those who are high-profile and constantly in the public eye. they also deal with executives, students, and anyone who wants to monitor and manage their online reputation. If you have concerns about your online reputation, you should contact reputable reputation management company.

 

With the explosion of the home improvement shows on cable homeowners are now looking at ways to get involved in their home improvement projects. This means sometimes doing them themselves and also helping those they hire to get things done in order to save money and time. Many homeowners are now conversant in the language of contractors and are big helps with some of the projects that go on in their homes. Although contractors are reluctant to let them do anything that might cause an insurance claim, they can sometimes lend a hand.

Here are a few home improvement projects that homeowners can either take on alone or do some parts of, alongside the professionals.

Building Decking

Many people have lovely outdoor decks in their home that they use to kick back on, hold events and barbecue. Many also use it as a entertainment area outside of the home. The gal with a deck is to have it be a beautiful and solid area where people can gather and have a good time.

Stainless steel nails are weatherproof so they are perfect for a deck that sits in the front or backyard of your home. You should use stainless steel nails with an invisible head so that they do not ruin the look of your deck and of course they do not protrude out. These nails are easy to work with ad can are also inexpensive.

Making Cabinets

For those homeowners who are very handy one great project to take on is building cabinets for the kitchen or other areas in the home. In addition to having the pride of knowing you built them and being able to tell all of those who enter your home that you did, you can also make custom cabinets in the materials you want and to fit the exact dimensions you want as well. When you do you should use stainless steel panel pins to put the cabinets together. Once you have built a set of cabinets for one room, you will no doubt move on to other rooms in the house.

Laying Carpet

Laying carpet can be tricky for many homeowners but those who are very handy can take on this job with a little preparation. You should learn all you can online and work first on a room that is one where traffic is minimal.  Lay the carpet using stainless steel asphalt nails which are smaller than ordinary nails and designed with flat heads. As a result that are great for securing carpet. If you find that this job is tricky give yourself a bit more time and try another room. If ii is still too tough then all in a professional.

These jobs are for those homeowners who are very handy and know their way around construction tools. If this describes you, then first do some research on how to complete these projects. The internet is a great resource for finding instructions on how to do a project and get yourself out of a jam.

 

Any major purchase can result in buyer’s remorse. You might even feel regret for buying something as insignificant as a new blouse. If you are this kind of person, imagine how you would feel after purchasing a piece of land that doesn’t meet your expectations.

For this reason and more, it is essential to consider every important aspect when searching for lands for sale. Owning your own large outdoor space is a beautiful thing, so keep it that way by not feeling buyer’s remorse after the fact. Here are the main considerations and questions to ask yourself before signing the papers and investing in a large property.

Establish your reasons for buying the land

Before the hunt for your outdoor space begins, think about what you plan on using it for. Will it just be a serene place for you to settle down and eventually retire? Or are you hoping to start a farm and grow crops? Whatever the reason may be, it is essential to establish this beforehand.

Knowing the purpose of the land will allow you to eliminate properties that don’t fit the bill early on. For instance, if you plan on growing a wide variety of crops you’ll want to evaluate the state of the soil. There is no point purchasing on infertile ground if your main hope is developing a farm.

Shop around and avoid an impulse purchase

Many land buyers start feeling the pressures early on and fear that the perfect piece of land isn’t out there. They end up settling with a less than ideal purchase with an impulse buy. You might think your options are limited, but there is a lot of land for sale that just is not publicly marketed. So take your time and don’t make the purchase until it feels right.

Think about the area’s growth potential

You might think the phrase “location is key” is overrated, but this is where you’re wrong. Location is everything when it comes to buying and selling land, so always consider the location of your potential purchase. You don’t necessarily need to be near a large city or stunning beachfront, but look for signs of investment to infrastructure in the nearby area.

Proper surveying is key before a land purchase

When purchasing a house, you would never finalize the sale until a proper inspection is done. The same goes for buying land; it is essential to hire a professional surveyor to determine the value of the land in question. He or she can tell you everything from the property boundaries to the risk of flooding in the area.

Search for an agent that specializes in large land sales

No matter the type of property you’re hoping to purchase, going at it alone is always difficult. Try to find an agent in your area who has expertise in large land sales. Once you tell the agent your criteria and hopes for your future property, he or she will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

For more articles like this one, check out the I Write a Lot Blog.

 

Most of us are attached to the place we’ve grown up in or have special memories with. A wedding is one of the biggest events in one’s life, and thus, getting married in a place you are heartily attached to will undoubtedly be the best thing.

One thing to keep in mind is that arranging a marriage function in a backyard won’t be as easy as it sounds. It isn’t impossible, but has to be well-planned and executed to make it a memorable event and help you save money on your big day.

Below mentioned are a few things you definitely need to keep in your mind when planning to conduct a wedding in your backyard:

1. Your Backyard Should Have Ample Space:

First things first, make sure you’ve got ample space in your backyard to make it a wedding venue. Approximate the number of guests and the function that has to be held and then analyze whether the place you have can accommodate all the guests, furniture, decorations, car parking etc. without making it clumsy or suffocating.

2. Make Things Organized by Dividing Tasks:

Organizing the complete function alone won’t happen overnight. There are plenty of things that are to be planned, done, and coordinated. For this, you’ll need good and effective help, both professional and personal. Hire people for taking care of cleaning, food, cake etc. and assign different tasks to different family members and friends for conducting everything on time in a well-organized manner.

3. Prepare Your Backyard for a Perfect Wedding Venue:

This is something really important. Irrespective of the fact that your backyard is beautiful enough for your house, it isn’t prepared to be a wedding venue. You need to have the grass of accurate height, clean and spacious surroundings, add beautiful floral plants etc. in your backyard to make it eligible for hosting a function with glory. Make sure you plant the floras as per the season after consulting a professional.

4. Be Prepared with the Arrangement of Backups:

You need to be prepared in advance to handle any situation going wrong. A generator, some extra furniture, a good quantity of food, and some basic things that might be required for an emergency should be kept prepared in case they are required. These might cost you a couple of extra dollars, but will definitely save you from unexpected embarrassment and insult.

5. Decorations:

As because a home is a home, converting it in a perfect wedding party venue need good and interesting decorations. The decorations are to be done on the basis of the decided theme which would further decide the bride’s dress and the bridesmaid dresses as well. For example, if the theme of the wedding is Garden Party, Champagne colored bride’s dress and dusty rose bridesmaid dresses are what would do the best with it. Therefore, decorations will behold the complete appearance of your event.

6. All the struggle is worth it

Make sure that you know that all the planning and the hard work that you are putting in this to conduct the biggest event of your life at a place closest to your heart is worth every effort that you make. Because, when you say “I Do” in a place you’re emotionally attached to, the feeling is irreplaceable.

These are a few things that are necessary to be under your notice while planning out the Wedding in your backyard. It will undoubtedly be the best and the most memorable day of your life.

 

Winter is no longer coming, it is very much here and it is high time that you dusted out the cobwebs and fired up that hearth to keep yourself warm on the winter nights. You can use your central heating if you like but why not do away with technology and take things back a bit with a real open fire. There is something about the feeling and the smell of a real fire that warms the bottom of your heart and soul and there are few things better than relaxing in front of it with a warm drink and a good book. Once you have cleaned out the hearth and chopped up some wood for the winter, here are the fireplace tools which you will need.

Bellows

Using bellows will help you to pump air into the fire giving it much needed oxygen. This is perfect for when you are first trying to light the fire or for when the fire is dying to a little and you need to give it a touch of encouragement. There are many bellows which you could choose from and you should try to get one which looks decorative so that it fits in with the style of the fireplace which you have. The function is the same with any set of bellows.

Poker

Very often you will need to move the fire around a bit to ensure that it is burning evenly and this is when you will need a good solid, cast iron poker to use. The poker should also have a heat proof handle, some don’t so make sure that you check beforehand. The last thing that you need is a burning hot poker stuck to your hand and a trip to the hospital on the horizon.

Tongs

Sometimes you will need to remove things from the fire or move large items so you will need a good set of long tongs to do this with. Much like the poker you should make sure that the tongs have a high quality heat proof handle, to make using them simple and easy.

Fireplace Screen

The most important tool in your arsenal when it comes to a real fire is a fireplace screen. Fireplace safety should be your top priority. You may not like the idea of covering up the flames but it is absolutely worthwhile. Even the smallest of embers that shoots out of the fire can cause a fire in the house if it even touches a carpet, something which you will of course want to avoid. There are many screens which you can buy that are designed in such a way that you will be able to view and enjoy the fire in all its glory. The choice of screen is yours but just make sure that you invest in one, for your own safety.

Finally try to get tools for your fireplace that will match, they look great when they all hang on the side of the fireplace.

For more tips, check out the I Write a Lot blog: http://www.iwritealot.com/blog/

If you are recruiting new staff for your business then it is very important that you carry out a background check on the possible candidates. Not only is this something which can greatly help your company and its reputation, a free background check can give you all kinds of supporting information which can help you in the recruitment process. All companies must carry out these checks on their people and if you have any hesitation at all in terms of doing these checks, here are just a few reasons why it is absolutely worthwhile.

The Cost

There are many services that offer you a free background check and it will not even cost you very much time to put it all together. given the abundance of information that you can find out about a persons history when you carry out a background check, it is really a no-brainer in terms of whether you should do it or not, especially when you save money on the process.

The Dangers

There are many dangers which a company must avoid when hiring its staff, dangers which can be easily avoided through a solid background check. Let’s say for example that you hire someone who has a criminal history of being violent, and that they have not declared this on their application form. Let’s also say that you then hire this person without a background check and they go on to attack someone in the workplace, when news comes out about their past, your company reputation can be highly damaged because you failed to perform a solid background check on the person.

Helping Find The Right People

Regardless of what business you are in you will of course wish to find the very best people for the job and a background check can greatly help with that. Let’s say for instance you are hiring for a job which entails driving, wouldn’t you want to know that this person is the best candidate for the job based on their driving history? In this example you can use the background check to find out the status of their license, any driving offenses which they have made, how many accidents that they have been involved in and whether or not they have any convictions for driving.

Background checks can also help you to find out the integrity of a person, imagine that they have lied about their education on their application form and you find out the truth via a background check. In this instance the lack of education may not be important but the very fact that they decided to lie most certainly is.

Whatever position you are trying to fill you must ensure that the people that you are bringing in to the company are those who are honest and who have a history that won’t come back to bite the company. A free background check therefore is the most sensible thing to do for every potential employee that you are considering.

To learn more about I Write a Lot, click here.