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One side of the coin

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I prefer the other side of the coin but this is an interesting point of view (also remember “Heaven” has a different meaning in China):

“Thus, when Heaven is going to confer a great responsibility on someone, it first makes his mind endure suffering. It makes his sinews and bones experience toil, and his body to suffer hunger. It inflicts him with poverty and knocks down everything he tries to build.
In this way Heaven stimulates his mind, stabilizes his temper and develops his weak points. People will always err, but it is only after making mistakes that they can correct themselves. Only when you have been mentally constricted can you become creative. It will show in your face and be heard in your voice, such that you will affect others. In your own state, if you don’t have legal specialists and impartial advisors, and outside your state, you don’t have enemy states to harass you, your own state will certainly fall to ruin. From this we can know that life is stimulated from adversity and anxiety, and death results from relaxation and pleasure.”

– Mencius

Orkus Magazine Interview

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Eyelid-size snowflakes continue to fall and cover the sleepy town that is Pine Beach and I will probably be snowed in today (maybe a meter of snow) but you can’t stop the press. If there is enough interest I will put the original English versions of the interviews online.
Click on the image to enlarge.

Sea Shanty Schooling

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I finally listened to an old traditional American song and sea shanty called “New York Gals” in its entirety and nearly fell off my chair. This version was by Carl Peterson. Now, I’m not saying the lyrics are true (I love my hometown Yankee gals) but they’re definitely funny.

“Your hard-earned cash will disappear, Your breeks and boots as well
For Yankee girls are tougher, Than the other side of hell.”

They get better, check here for more lyrics:
http://www.darachweb.net/SongLyrics/NewYorkGals.html

and different lyrics along with other sea shanties:
http://theseashanty.net/The_Sea_Shanty_Shanty_Lyrics_and_Sheet_Music.html

and others:
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/gangsofnewyork/newyorkgirls.htm

“So I wrapped my glad rags ’round me and to the docks did steer
goodbye you little New York gals, I’ll stick with rum and beer”

http://goireland.about.com/od/irishtradandfolkmusic/qt/irishfolknewyor.htm

There is some great spirit to some of the old songs, they don’t pull any punches.

“Scars Forever” Saloon Version

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A Saloon version of Frank the Baptist’s “Scars Forever” that was recorded in The Speakeasy Berlin by Ragnar will be on the second volume of Thomas Thyssen’s “Darkness Before Dawn”- sampler series and will be out just in time for this year’s WGT and officially in stores two weeks afterwards (ca. mid-June). We let this one breathe a bit and I’m glad. The Restless Saloon Spectres of the Speakeasy whirl about on Piano, Guitar, Bass, drums, and vocals for the delight of poker table and the whiskey stained camptown girls… you were there, you know.

cans

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The other day on the train I saw a woman with a nice set of cans (Sennheiser HD 650’s I believe). Sound men and musicians will know what I mean, everyone else will think I’m a pig.