Twit!

So I've joined the twitter world after holding off for a few years. My thinking for not getting it before is 'I've got Facebook, why complicate life with more distractions?' and 'Twitter sounds like an OAP's book club not a serious forward thinking slice of modern social media".

So, the reason I have finally given in to it is; I've been thinking a lot about networking and how important it is in my future work, blah, blah, blah... and more publicity can't hurt.

Here is a link to my twitter. Go follow me http://twitter.com/#!/TeaLeif and I'll probably follow you back, 'cause I'm kind like that and couldn't deal with the confrontation that may result in not doing so.

OK, so already I have a justification for being on Twitter:

Being a big fan of Bright Eyes one of the first Twitters I followed was, what I presume to be, a Bright eyes fan sight. And the first post I look at is tour dates in Britain. I fall off my chair in excitement. This is incredible! As far as I was aware Conner Oberst was still doing his Mystic Valley Band (who are brilliant, but no Bright Eyes).

Getting back up onto my chair I realise all the UK dates are SOLD OUT. Fuck.

After crying for a couple of hours, I put this down to my own reluctance to get on Twitter. I'm a stubborn bastard and this is my punishment. I will never turn my nose up at any form of social networking again. - Unless it's Bebo, which everyone knows is for ten year olds.

As well as the tour I have also discovered that Bright Eyes have a new album out on the 15th of Feb. Here is a taster track:

The Album's called The People's Key. I can't bloody wait.

Doing cartoons...

El moustache once prim an proper, grew to long for Old Bill's lip.

The Tangled dread blew off Bill's head and was set free with one swift rip.

The family that sings together...

My little bro introduced me to this and I am very grateful. Really brightens my day every time I watch it!

I'm not generally a fan of cover versions (especially when I'm a big fan of the artists, like The Magnetic Zeros) but this has got me thinking what are my favorite cover versions of all time? Sooo tricky to do a comprehensive list but I will just give you a few off the top of my head sarting with...

1. All Along the Watch Tower - Jimi Hendrix

Again as much as I love Dylan you can't argue with that squealing guitar.

2. Going to Acapulco - Jim James and Calixico

Another Dylan Cover but what can I say the man writes good songs. This one, incase you don't realise, is off the I'm not there soundtrack. Good film.

3. The Man Who Sold the World - Nirvana

I really think Bowie wrote this for Kurt Cobain. His voice haunts me - very much like the voice of my next cover.

4. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley

It's an obvious choice and to be honest I like the Cohen version just as much. And Hallelujah barely stands up in Grace compared to songs like Mojo Pin and Lilac Wine.

5. Hurt - Johnny Cash

I'll be honest I've never heard the Nine Inch Nails version. Is that a crime? In some ways I don't want to taint a song that is so near perfect even though it's not the original.

6. I Just Don't Know what to do with Myself - The White Stripes

For nostalgias sake and for a young Kate Moss.

7. Stairway to Heaven - Rodrigo y Gabriela

All I can say is I love these guys 'Tamacun' one of my all time favourites - unfortunately not a cover.

8. Thirteen - Elliott Smith

The melancholy of Elliott Smith never fails to uplift me. A well covered song the versions by Wilco and Kathryn Williams are also very good.

9. Police & Thieves - The Clash

Slowing down a little now. Though I do like Fought the Law this is in my mind the better Clash cover. I thought I should get one in somewhere.

10. Gloria - Patti Smith

Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine.

I forgot how much old school rock and punk I liked.

Worst ways to die... for kids.

This is my new project. I'm planning to write a collection of short stories on the worst ways to die. But written for a young audience 7 - 10, or there abouts.

My thinking behind this is... Kids love the macabre! I've had an interest in death ever since my mum told me at the age of seven that people have been known to wake up in their coffins after they're buried. To my seven year old mind this was a horrifying idea, but one that made me fascinated with how and why people die. I believe we give children to little credit these days, they have the ability to understand death maybe even better than we can and have the right to know the truth about it. After all one day they, like us, will die.

I will post a couple up as I go.

One less window licker on the planet.

Justice is served quick from the old sow's tit

She was pinker once but the colour drained along with her faith in human kindness.