tom's tiny treats

What I listened to

2010-02-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

The last three months have been interesting. The new Breakestra album sure had an impact on my listening habits. Osaka Monaurail and Prince obviously strong, as usual.

2 much music

2009-12-10T00:53:00.001-08:00

Yes, there an be too much music. In particular, when you are drowning in choice. I really really want to hear it all.

A bit like all the e-newsletters you subscribe to and then there is twitter, Facebook and your e-mail - all five accounts. Then my Google Wave account was confirmed today.

OK, you say, not the same, because I can listen to music WHILE I read my e-mail, work, read newsletters or change my daughter's diapers. BUT THERE IS JUST SO MUCH !

I have CDs on iTunes, then there is Gu's Homediggin', weekly editions of WeFunk Radio, Swissgroove I haven't listened to in ages, he Craig Charles Funk Show on BBC6... speaking of BBC6, there is so much good stuff on there. Then last.fm, audiomagnet and Soundcloud where new music is suggested to me. Bassinda I found while browsing through Myspace profiles, so I should do that again sometime. Oh and then all the labels drop new funk. Daptone, Strut, Unique, Freestyle, Recordkicks etc. etc.

Oh recommendations from Amazon, Jazzthing, uptown strut, and the miriad of other online and offline media. Not to forget all the online music services I haven't even touched yet like Pandora, Lala, Spotify, etc.

There is only one way I can get all this into my head: move back to London and commute again. That way I have hours and hours stuck undergrond without Internet or phone signals and can listen to the iPod.

*sigh* Problems of the 21st Century.

Schtuff I listened to the last 6 months

2009-10-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

New Music Pt 1 - Prince

2009-04-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

The two constant guests on my iPod are currently Prince & Maceo. The artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince has opened the doors to his new website lotusflow3r.com on March 24th. Those who can click and find the clues on the homepage get the privelege to pay 77 dollars for an annual subscripton to the site. What one gets is unclear apart from access to the new three albums lotusflower, MPLsOUNDS and Elixer. The latter a coproduction by the heir and Bria Valente.

Instant favourite is Dreamer from the first album. A classic guitar riff and straight song with clever guitar solos. Ol' School Company from the second album also feels like back in the days... which is not surprising, given the name. Of Bria's songs the title track is my current favourite. All three are very different in style and that is a good thing. If you are in the US, drop by your nearest Target and get all three for just under 12 dollars. Otherwise, pick up your plastic and pay the fee for the three albums and access to exclusive videos on the site.

So much more to say, so little time.. next issue: Maceo.

T

I'm really 27

2008-03-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

Which is nice, isn't it? Want to find out how old or young you really are? Here a little tool that helps you along the way... or not, depending on the outcome, obviously.

Good luck!

http://www.platinnetz.de/game/age/start

Missing James Brown? Experience the sound LIVE

2007-12-01T04:06:00.000-08:00

We've said it before, we'll say it again. Why? Because this is a once in a livetime chance to see something really special.

You'll never forgive yourself, if you miss this band! When was the last time you heard a really good live band? Too long ago. Go and get your ticket today, because this might well sell out shortly !

LIVE from Japan:
Osaka Monaurail in concert

Our Label Artists Osaka Monaurail are touring through Europe. We proudly present their stop in Bremen, Germany: December 7th, 8 pm @ Lagerhaus, Bremen + a massive After Show Version of the Urban Jazz Groove with special guests DJ Pari (Soulpower), DJ Gu (Our Label Records) & DJ Ubeyde Cimen (Urban Jazz family).
Tickets available now! More info at http://www.ujg.de. Don't miss it!

See you there ;)

Bettel Rap (geddit?)

2007-11-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

He almost jumps at u from the undefined pulp of the crowd.

Two months ago on Reeperbahn, just now in Altona. I am not a big fan of people asking for money but this guy earns it. Quick, rhyming and extremely friendly. Yes, he wants dosh but at least he is smiling and providing a service, unrequested as it may be. Today I was only carrying a hanky and my keys which I showed him silently as we strolled down the street to the sound of his rap and the hussle and bussle of the street as his backing. He incorporated both items into his rhyme b4 leaving with a wave. As quickly as he had appeared he was gone.

I hope to see him again soon. People like him can really make your day.

German essentials

2007-10-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hola,

it has now been more than three months back in the beautiful and wet North of Germany and the biggest problem I encountered thus was not knowing the right reply when wits fail. Luckily my sister offered invaluable help and sent me this link:

Sprichwoerter

Now, in a moment of need I can always refer to the wisdom of the ancient.

Linde and Arni, another one for you :)

Noch'n Spruch / Catch phrases

2007-05-28T06:48:00.001-07:00

Sorry guys, but this only works in German. Dedicated to Arni and Linde. The first one is extremely suitable for this post, you will agree ;-)

Besser spaet als nie

Was Du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf Morgen

Was nicht toetet haertet ab

Wat mut dat mut

Man hat's nicht leicht, aber leicht hat's einen

Man mus das Wetter ja auch nutzen

Man wird ja nicht juenger

Muss ja alle werden

Wie man sich bettet ...

Wer nichts wird wird Wirt - und wem auch das nicht gelungen, der geht zu den Versicherungen

Stille Wasser sind tief

Was sich neckt, dass liebt sich

Wer A sagt muss auch B sagen

Wer nicht will, der hat schon

Wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt

Ohne Fleiss kein Preis

Wer sein Rad liebt, der schiebt

Es wird gegessen, was suf den Tisch kommt

Man soll die Feste feiern, wie sie fallen

Wer feste feiern kann, kann auch feste arbeiten

Immer mit der Ruhe und dann mit 'nem Ruck

Je spaeter der Abend, desto schoener die Gaeste

Zwischen Leber und Milz passt immer ein Pils

Nicht lange Schnacken, Kopf in' Nacken

Da faellt mir nichts mehr zu ein

Der fruehe Vogel faengt den Wurm

Der kann mich mal an die Fuesse fassen

Scheiss-Job, aber einer muss ihn ja machen

Freie Fahrt fuer freie Buerger

Noch so'n Spruck Kieferbruch

Noch so'ne These Kieferprothese

Woll'n ja man nicht rasen

Besser ein Spatz in der Hand, als ne Taube auf dem Dach

Von der Hand in den Mund

Jedes Boehnchen gibt ein Toenchen, jede Erbse gibt nen Knall

Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnuegen

Versuch macht kluch

Viel hilft viel

Wenn ich die See seh', brauch' ich kein Meer mehr

Eine Schwalbe macht noch lange keinen Sommer

Was nicht passt, wird passend gemacht

Da haben wir noch mal Schwein gehabt

Das eine was man will, das andere, was man muss

... to be continued...

Brekkie

2007-05-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

Usually, we only endulge in a hearty English Brekkie when we have distinguished guests, like Anke last Sunday. For all of you who would like to smell the beans on a normal working day this website provides a quick and easy way to select your favourite breakfast and present it on your desktop, ready to eat.

barebadges.com

Dig in!

Back in time

2007-04-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered what the eBay website looked like in 1997? Remember when you re-designed that website and now wonder if you could see a 'before' and 'after' although this took place in 2000? Waybackmachine is the solution:

Archive.org

It really is quite interesting... and scary to think that all those mistakes you made in the past are still out there. For example, use the system to show you www.cd.co.uk in 1999 and then again in 2000. That was my first re-design for an employer.

Enjoy

European English

2007-04-11T03:51:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to my sister for informing me of this important development that I would like to share with you.

European English

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5-year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".

In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where! more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.

Political Correctness

2007-04-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

Germans do like anything English. Or American, depending on which school you went to. Political correctness is obviously one of the thre pillars of the British spirit and thereby extremely popular with my fellow country men and women. The wonder of Internet TV allows a whole program to be dedicated to the German approach. Have a look at www.mypctv.de to see what I mean.

Oh and in case you were wondering, the other two pilars are arrogance and ignorance, of course.

Don't wait for the new iPhone

2007-01-19T07:01:00.000-08:00

Can't wait 2 years for the new iPhone? Mike Butcher of MBites found a way to get there quicker:

http://www.mbites.com/2007/01/16/fold_your_own_iphone

Merry Christmas

2006-12-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

A small selection of time wasters :-) Give 'em a try.

'On the C Vegas fellas':
http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

'Click the reindeer':
http://www.icq.com/friendship/pages/browse_page_7944.html

Happy holidays, my American friends. Anyone else, have a merry Christmas !

Tom

Andreas Gutjahr Communications

2006-10-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

It is time to reveal what I have been up to the last months. Say hello to my new PR Consultancy Andreas Gutjahr Communications.

This new PR firm focuses on bringing effective PR to market research companies. Have a look at the site - www.andreasgutjahr.com - and let me know what you think. I already have some ideas for an overhaul but need to concentrate on servicing my first clients for now ;-)

T.

Lovely [Update]

2006-07-31T11:36:00.000-07:00

Angela and Alf graced us with their presence last weekend and as soon as my hard disk has made up its mind about whether it has actually died or not, I shall upload a few piccies to celebrate the occasion.

Here then an outtake of a quick beer after work near Covent Garden with Angela, Alf, Wiebke, Per and Nico.

Lovely.

You can never leave

2006-07-01T03:21:00.000-07:00

If you ever thought that you are using the Internet by choice, you are badly mistaken. Below an example of what happens when you want to stop using the Internet... well, ok, only if you are an AOL subscriber.

=====
An incredible video from CNBC shows an AOL customer trying to cancel his account, but a phone rep won't let him do it. What customer Vincent Ferrari got when he tried to cancel his account was a lot of frustration.

It took him 15 minutes waiting on the phone just to reach a real, live person.

And, what happened next was recorded by Ferrari on audio and lasted about four minutes:

CLOCK READOUT - 00:00

AOL REPRESENTATIVE: Hi this is John at AOL... how may I help you today?

VINCENT FERRARI: I wanted to cancel my account.

AOL: : Sorry to hear that. Let's pull your account up here real quick. Can I have your name please?

VINCENT: Vincent Ferrari.

CLOCK READOUT - 00:30

AOL: : You've had this account for a long time.

VINCENT: Yup.

AOL: : Use this quite a bit. What was the cause of wanting to turn this off today?

VINCENT: I just don't use it anymore.

AOL: : Do you have a high speed connection, like the DSL or cable?

VINCENT: Yup.

AOL: : How long have you had that...

VINCENT: Years...

AOL: : ...the high speed?

VINCENT: ...years.

AOL: : Well, actually I'm showing a lot of usage on this account.

VINCENT: Yeah, a long time, a long time ago, not recently...

CLOCK READOUT - 01:47

AOL: : Okay, I mean is there a problem with the software itself?

VINCENT: No. I just don't use it, I don't need it, I don't want it. I just don't need it anymore.

AOL: : Okay. So when you use this... I mean, use the computer, I'm saying, is that for business or for... for school?

VINCENT: Dude, what difference does it make. I don't want the AOL account anymore. Can we please cancel it?

CLOCK READOUT - 02:21

AOL: : Last year was 545, last month was 545 hours of usage...

VINCENT: I don't know how to make this any clearer, so I'm just gonna say it one last time. Cancel the account.

AOL: : Well explain to me what's, why...

VINCENT: I'm not explaining anything to you. Cancel the account.

AOL: Well, what's the matter man? We're just, I'm just trying to help here.

VINCENT: You're not helping me. You're helping me...

AOL: I am trying to help.

VINCENT: Helping... listen, I called to cancel the account. Helping me would be canceling the account. Please help me and cancel the account.

AOL: No, it wouldn't actually...

VINCENT: Cancel my account...

AOL: : Turning off your account...

VINCENT: ...cancel the account...

AOL: : ...would be the worst thing that...

VINCENT: ...cancel the account.

CLOCK READOUT - 03:02

AOL: Okay, cause I'm just trying to figure out...

VINCENT: Cancel the account. I don't know how to make this any clearer for you. Cancel the account. When I say cancel the account, I don't mean help me figure out how to keep it, I mean cancel the account.

AOL: : Well, I'm sorry, I don't know what anybody's done to you Vincent because all I'm...

VINCENT: Will you please cancel the account.

CLOCK READOUT - 03:32

AOL: : Alright, some day when you calmed down you're gonna realize that all I was trying to do was help you... and it was actually in your best interest to listen to me.

VINCENT: Wonderful, Okay.

CLOCK READOUT - 03:39

"I've never ever experienced anything like that," Ferrari told CNBC.

He recounts how the AOL representative - as a last resort even asked if his dad was home.

"I think I could've put up with everything, but at the point when he asked to speak to my father, I came very close to losing it at that point," said the 30-year-old Ferrari.

Ferrari then posted the call online, and the response was tremendous.

AOL sent him an apology and said the customer service rep was no longer with the company.

=====

Sandra und Winfried in London - Juni 2006

2006-06-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Sandra und Winfried in London - Juni 2006
Originally uploaded by Tom Gutjahr.

Chech (hihi) it out!
Sandra and Winfried spend some of the most sunny days in history in London. Or ... some of the most sunny days in London were graced by the presence of their royal highnesessesses Lady Sandra the Pretty and Sir Winfried the Tall.

Have a look at what they were up to, including famous London landmarks, breakfast in Finchley and strolling through Kew.

Flowers from Pennig

2006-06-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

A colourful contribution to our celebration from Pennig.
Also thanks to all the lovely messages and wishes from everybody :-)

Thank you!

... and a chance for me to embarrass myself in the attempt to use imaging software...

She said yes

2006-06-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

And for all you Brits, no, there isn't supposed to be one and yes, it is supposed to be on that hand until the big day. Look it up in your book of German traditions.

;-)

A day in Reading

2006-05-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

The only half decent day this bank holiday weekend and I decided to drop down to Reading. After my 30 minute train journey during which a German father annoyed everybody on the coach by reading a story to his child (I am guessing that the child was asleep otherwise it surely would have been annoyed, too), I met Mark outside the station. Unfortunately, Sweeney Todd's pie place was closed so we had asian food at the place that apparently once had terrible service but good food. My impression was that they were back on their way to decrease the amount of effort going into hospitality, but maybe that was only the smell. Were they hiding a homeless under our table? Were we sitting too close to the toilets or did the group behind us experiment with pushing the boundaries of personal hygiene? We will never know, because we didn't ask.

Mark, sporting headgear that apparently is vital to make the vehicle move at all, then took me home for a bl**din' cuppa tea in the garden before we enjoyed a pint at the Clubbed Man... the ... err... Canned Mistress ... no. What was it called? The Cultivated Mascarpone, the Cramped Muscle, the Cardiganwearing Maneater, the Custard Mullet... hang on.... I go it: The Cumulative Mathematician. No, that wasn't it either. Anyway.

Sea of cheese

2006-05-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Cheese indeed. I have just re-covered the alternative band Primus. Not everybody's slice of cheese but definitely one of the more creative bands in a long long time. Well, actually, they have been around a bit already but hey, if you have no idea who they are and what music they play they are kinda new to you, aren't they?

Check out their website [http://www.primusville.com], get bored and then buy 'Suck on this' the live album they recorded in the 17th century.

There. Don't say I hadn't told you.

Budapest Pt. 2

2006-05-20T05:02:00.000-07:00

Click here to view the slideshow
Originally uploaded by Tom Gutjahr.

... the second batch of photos from our trip in Feb this year.

Budapest Pt. 1

2006-05-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

Click to view slideshow
Originally uploaded by Tom Gutjahr.

Now that I have changed systems I want to share some of the pictures that you all want to see. Well, or I want to see them and you are reading this so you don't really have much choice anymore.

First batch of pictures from our Budapest trip in Feburary 2006.

Previously on TTT

2006-05-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

Moin moin,

as fellow country-men would slurr.

Ah, and then you thought you have missed it all. But fret not. Previous posts can still be found hither: http://www.eba98.com/tom

enjoy.