www.flickr.com
Trance-Elbow's photos More of Trance-Elbow's photos

Monday 19 January 2009

Are We To Become a Communist State?

Over the last few months the British Government have spent insane amounts of money trying to bail out the banking system here. Only today the "Westminster Muppet Show" have decided to cover the losses of the Royal Bank of Scotland to the tune of £20bn. I have no idea how many zeros that is.

This means that the "WMS" now owns about 70% of the RBoS. This includes mortgages, loans, credit card debit, the lot. As we all know, this situation is repeated at many more of our banks. Therefore, this means that the Government now owns much of the countries assets.

Communism anyone?

Regards



Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

Sunday 4 January 2009

Saxophone - Brass or Woodwind?

My Son today asked me to describe Jazz Music. Not being an expert or fan of Jazz, I described it as music predominantly comprising of piano and brass instruments.

This got me thinking about whether a Saxophone was a brass or woodwind instrument. My logic told me that despite being made of brass, it uses a reed to produce the sound. Therefore it must be woodwind. My wife disagreed (as wives often do) saying that it's a brass instrument.

The solution was to ask that fountain of all knowledge - Wikipedia. This is what it said,

The saxophone (commonly referred to simply as sax) is a conical-bored transposing musical instrument considered a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and are played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax in 1841, and patented in 1846 in two groups of seven instruments each. Each series consisted of instruments of various sizes in alternating transposition. The series pitched in B and E, designed for military bands, has proved extremely popular and most saxophones encountered today are from this series. A few saxophones remain from the less popular orchestral series pitched in C and F.
This just goes to prove just how good my logic is. Either that or my mind is full of useless information. I know which my Wife thinks!

Wikipedia Link - Saxophone

Regards



Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my Flickr Account

Welcome to 2009

Where did 2008 go? A quick "WHOOSH" and it was gone before I knew it!

It was an rather turbulent year for me. I start the New Year with renewed confidence in my heart and I'm determined not to let life get the better of me anymore.

All I have to do now is get my finger out and embrace the coming year with renew vigour.

Time will tell if I manage it 8-)

However, something never change and my spelling remain as awful as ever. Thank goodness for spell checkers!

Regards



Click Here to E-Mail Me Direct

Click Here to Visit my FlickrFlickr Account