Benjamin Franklin – Inventions, Life, Quotes, and the 13 virtues

Benjamin Franklin wrote the 13 virtues. If you would like to learn more about them please click here

Rodin Auguste, Sculptor, Creator of The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell

To learn all about the genius of Rodin please click here

Modern Finance and Financial Theory: Financial Engineering

Want to know all about financial engineering? Then please click here

FINEST QUOTES: The best of the best Best, Funniest, Leadership, Life and Love Quotes

For the best of the best, funniest, leadership, love and life quotes please click here

Lost and Buried Treasure: Revealed; The locations of the World’s Buried Treasure

Want to know where to find lost and buried treasure? Then please click here

The Beginners Guide to Penny Stocks

There could be money to be made in penny stocks. For some hints and tips please click here

Making Money Online: Pocket Money Opportunities

Need some ideas for earning pocket money online then please click here

Making Money Offline: Some ideas to get you thinking

Need some ideas for making money offline? Then please click here

How to Plan and Organise a Handfasting Pagan Wedding

If you would like to know how to plan and organise a pagan wedding please click here

101 Ways to Say Goodbye: Famous Last Words

Ever wondered what the final words of the famous were? Then please click here

How to Write an Impressive Letter Asking a Billionaire or Millionaire for Money

Want to learn how to write a letter to a millionaire or billionaire to ask for finance? Click here

The Nine Muses of Greek Mythology

Find out how the nine muses lived and died by reading more here

Freezing, Melting, and Boiling Points of Solids, Liquids, and Gases in general Use Today

Have you ever wanted to know about the freezing, boiling and melting points of solids, liquids and gases? If so read on here

Halcyon Inspirations (Destinies of the Mind)

Everyone at some point in their life may need a little inspiration to get them through another day, a life event, or bad times. Words sometimes do not come easy, but then again sometimes words are all that are needed to inspire and bring hope. To read more please click here

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (LESSON 12A) Friends’ Requests

As a wee addition to the other twelve lessons here’s a special episode of viewers requests. If you would like to watch please click here

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 12) Little Words with Big Meanings

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the twelfth and final lesson.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 11) Criminal Activity and some Rubbish

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the eleventh of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 10) Random favourites of mine

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the tenth of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 9) Negative, Positive and Indecision

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the ninth of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 8) Domestic and Residential Life

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the eighth of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 7) Establishments Vending Alcoholic Beverages

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the seventh of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 6) Feelings or Personal Conditions

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the sixth of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 5) Questions, Enquires and Requests

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the fifth of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 4) Hygiene, Cleanliness and Health

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the fourth of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 3) Insults and Fighting Talk

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the third of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 2) Words in the 1st Person Singular

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the second of 12 lessons.

SPEAKING “SCOTS” (Lesson 1) An Introduction

Have you ever wanted to learn how to speak Scottish Slang then please click here for the first of 12 lessons.

RAINBOW OBSIDIAN (NOSTRADAMUS)

The Story behind Rainbow Obsidian

Some of you may find the last subject rather unusual, but I will explain. I had finished recording four songs and felt that I had accomplished what I set out to do, so I hung up my guitar and pen. Then one day as I walked along a beautiful wind swept beach on the West coast of Scotland glistening on the ground was a small dark rock. After some research it was identified as Rainbow Obsidian which interestingly was used by Nostradamus as part of his mixture in a bowl of brine to create a mirror to predict the future. Whether you believe this, or not, further study revealed that he was certainly an intriguing character. From that information on his life, predictions, and death the song Rainbow Obsidian was created.

The life and death of Nostradamus in song. To listen please click here

MY LOYAL OLD FRIEND

The story behind My Loyal Old Friend

I had written a poem after we lost our beloved Labrador Nero to cancer to celebrate his life and how we thought of him not as a pet but as a friend. The title was never in doubt. We considered our Labrador to be more than a pet but “My Loyal Old Friend”.

Two years later I decided to put the poem to music. I wanted to give the song a universal appeal to anyone who had lost a pet whether it was a dog, a cat, a rabbit, or any other pet. The important part was to have everyone who listened to the song share their thoughts and memories of a beloved pet. The song/poem embraces the sad memories of losing a pet but also the happy memories of the time someone’s pet was with them.

I didn’t deliberately set out to make people cry but I knew the lyrics would, and they have on a number of occasions. Don’t ever be ashamed or afraid to cry.

If you would like to hear the saddest song ever about losing a pet then please click here

THE LAST QUESTION Someone, Somewhere, Someday, will ask the last question.

The story behind The Last Question

Someone, Somewhere, Someday, will ask the last question and Mother Nature will no longer be there to answer or care. Those words came into my mind one day when I was watching the video by Linkin Park “What I’ve Done”. This is well worth watching as it has a strong environmental message and of course is sung by the much missed Chester Bennington. If only I could write a song similar to that was my initial thought, even though I knew it would never be as incredible as “What I’ve Done”. Well I gave it a try using the tag lines “nobody cares”, “someone else will sort it”, “not my problem” and the theme of losing our precious animals, insects, birds, trees, flowers, marine life, and even sand and rocks bit by bit until there is nothing left. So if there is nothing left then, there will not be any humans either. Please keep asking the right questions until we get the right answers.

What is the last question? If you would like to know then please click here

MY WORLD, OUR WORLD, ONE WORLD (The most beautiful love song ever)

The story behind My World, Our World, One World

My beautiful wife Valerie, who guides and supports me everyday, was the inspiration for My World, Our World, One World. She along knows and trusts me like no other and the song reflects our reciprocal feelings for each other. From the first time we met to what our future together will be like, Forevermore. I hope others find a partner to love and care for and be loved and cared for by them with mutual respect.

To listen to the most beautiful love song ever please click here

MAMA USED TO SAY (HEY KIDS ITS CHRISTMAS DAY)

The story behind Mama Used to Say (hey kids its Christmas Day)

I set out to write the Christmas Song I would like to hear. It had to be unique to stand out from the other Christmas songs that have been around for years and played over and over again.

I started with a list of what I wanted incorporated into the lyrical themes of the song;

● Warm childhood memories,

● Lovely memories of a person’s mother,

● Sad slow verses,

● Natural flowing engaging lyrics with an original approach,

● A Radio, TV and Social Media friendly melody,

● A sing-a-long easy to remember chorus,

● An introduction that ensures people listening instantly know what song is about to play.

Having a detailed list made writing the song so much easier. With everything on the list then integrated into the song. I included in the chorus two prompt phrases used in everyday life “Don’t do that. You can’t do that.” which I hoped would mean that when these phrases were randomly used by an individual in everyday life it would trigger memories of the chorus and the song.

Coming up with a uniquely memorable introduction was more difficult. For no other reason than the fact I hadn’t heard it start any other song I chose an Old Ship’s bell. I then incorporated a reference to why the bell was used in the third verse with regard to the children’s granddaddy.

So far the prompt phrases in the chorus have been well received and people comment that it does make you think of the song when they say “Don’t do that” or “You can’t do that”. Any comments on this melodic theme are most welcome.

If you want to listen to the best sing-a-long christmas song ever written then please click here