November 28th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Before you go looking for easy rock guitar tabs to play you need to buy a nylon string acoustic guitar. The reason your first guitar should have nylon strings is that they are easier on your fingers when you are learning to make chords. Also an acoustic guitar is a little harder to play in some ways than an electric guitar so it will be better training for you. Now, when you go looking for easy rock guitar tabs to start your guitar playing career off, bear in mind that you will be just strumming simple chords on your acoustic rather than playing scales and riffs, but at the same time you need to find the tabs to some popular songs that your audience will recognize and enjoy.
Let me run some songs by you that I found by doing an internet search for “most popular songs”. There are actually hundreds of songs that people think are the most popular, but here is a list of songs that you could say fall into the Rock N Roll category: Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger, I’m a Believer by the Monkees, American Pie by Don McClean, Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf, Johnnie B. Goode by Chuck Berry, Angie by The Rolling Stones, Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, I Remember You by Skid Row, Come As You Are by Nirvana, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan, Horse With No Name by America, A Day In The Life, Here There And Everywhere and Hey Jude by The Beatles, I Walk The Line by Johnny Cash, Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton, Gloria by Van Morrison, Hotel California by The Eagles, Behind Blue Eyes by The Who, White Room by Cream, Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin, Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Maggie Mae by Rod Stewart, Thank God I’m a Country Boy by John Denver, and Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix.
This list is for you to keep for further reference after your guitar playing skills have grown beyond the beginner stage. Out of the above list, the songs that fall into the “easy” classification are: Angie by The Rolling Stones, Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, A Day In The Life, Here, There And Everywhere and Hey Jude by The Beatles, I Walk The Line by Johnny Cash, Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton, Gloria by Van Morrison, Hotel California by The Eagles, Behind Blue Eyes by The Who I Remember You by Skid Row, Come As You Are by Nirvana, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan, Horse With No Name by America and White Room by Cream. According to some guitarists, Horse With No Name is THE easiest rock song to play, using only two chords.
For the easy rock songs I have listed, you only need to know the chords of G, C, D, Am, Em and, for playing Horse With No Name, F#m7sus which is harder to write down than it is to play. So armed with your list of easy rock guitar songs and your short list of basic chords, you can buy your tabs in a music store or take advantage of the wealth of free guitar tabs available on the internet.
Ricky Sharples has been playing guitar his whole life, and is presently engaged in building a blog which features free guitar lessons, videos, articles and reviews to help you Learn The Guitar for free. Ricky updates the blog constantly so if you are interested in learning to play guitar there will be an enormous variety of tips, tools and tutorials for you.
November 9th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Most people think a horoscope is the little four-line piece of advice based on your birthday that you find in the newspaper. OK, that’s one definition, and a dreadful example of what the craft of astrology can do. But a horoscope is also what astrologers call “the chart” and if you have ever had a natal reading, you probably received this strange circular picture with funny signs and symbols, none of which made any sense to you, but, for the price of your reading, this was one of the goodies.
A horoscope, that circular picture, is really a map of the sky, an astrological map of the heavens keyed to the time and place of a specific birth. It is a map that appears typically as a two dimensional chart. It shows the position of the Sun, the Moon, and planet’s at the precise moment of a birth. The format of the map can differ from country to country as well as from culture to culture. But whatever forms the horoscope takes, one thing is common to all horoscopes, and that is that it is based on place, date, and time of birth.
The earth moves from west to east, so the Sun appears to move from east to west. This 360 degree circle of the zodiac is divided into 12 parts, each 30 degrees apart and called the zodiac signs. This is exactly like the twelve numerals on the face of a clock except that everything is backwards from everything you normally know about reading a map.
East is to the left, West is to the right, North is to the bottom, and South is to the top. The Rising sign the sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth is at “the 9 o’clock position.”
The 12 zodiac signs are Aquarius, Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Taurus and Virgo.Each sign has special characteristics that distinguish and mark itself from others. In setting up this astrological map for the birth of a native we divide the circle into twelve sections.
Each of these areas is called houses. Each house defines a specific area. The first house concerns the native’s personal identity. The second house deals with the natives earning power or source of supply. The third house concerns the native’s thoughts or sense of communication.
The horoscope map, in addition to house areas and spatial designators called signs, also contains a third symbol, the planets, including the Sun and Moon. While the houses of the horoscope identify areas of experience and the signs set the stage under which these areas of experience will operate, the planets act as the focus of attention or symbols of force bringing the other two elements together.
A correct interpretation of all these sky bodies exposes much about the native. They could be thought of as weather conditions in the sky at the moment of a native’s birth.
Andrew Gibson is MD of ScopeMyFuture.com. It emails thousands of Free Daily Horoscopes to people each day.Have your future read and receive free daily horoscopes.Your horoscope is read just for you.
November 9th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
One of the most popular young stars in Hollywood today is Miley Cyrus. As most people know she is the star of the wildly popular Disney Channel television series ‘Hannah Montana’, as well as the daughter of country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus. She burst on the scene in 2006 and her fame soared like a rocket along with the popularity of her TV show. Though she comes from a showbiz family of sorts, the amount of fame and popularity she has achieved in just her first couple of years in the public eye is astounding.
Her Name
Many people wonder where she got the name Miley from and some are surprised to find out that it wasn’t her birth name. She has legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus now, but she was born Destiny Hope Cyrus. Her parents called her Miley as a nickname because she was such a “smiley” baby.
Her Career
She has stated that she had wished to be an actress from the time she was about nine years old. She got her start in acting when she appeared in her Dad’s television show “Doc”, sometime later she made her film debut in the movie “Big Fish”. She auditioned for the role of Hannah Montana and also the role of her best friend and at first was turned down because she was so young. She eventually won the role with her personality and her stage presence. On the show she also sings many songs, some of which she has written herself. She went on to put out a couple of albums based mainly on her television persona, but has gone on to release material under her own name now. Her initial concert tour and movie made about the concert tour were huge hits as well.
Her Personal Life
She has an incredibly close relationship with her family and for that reason as well as her young age is with them a great deal. She has made many friends with co-stars of her show, stars of other Disney Channel shows, and also people associated with her live performances. Like any young star in Hollywood, she has had to deal with her share of scandals too, but none so bad that they have wrecked her squeaky clean image as Disney’s teen star of the moment.
With her incredible personality and huge popularity, there is nothing that can keep her from achieving all the career accomplishments she wishes for herself. She has shown the talent and drive that is guaranteed to serve her well long after she finishes her run as a teen pop culture icon.
Mark Allen writes about a number of subjects, some of which are even interesting. You can find out interesting stuff that you don’t know about a number of subjects by visiting 7Things! Including 7 things you don’t know about: Miley Cyrus
November 8th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
If you were born in the Year of Monkey (1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) as per Chinese Astrology Horoscopes, know your Destiny in 2008 in your Career/Business, Health, Wealth, Harmony, Love and Studies. Be aware of your strengths and be warned of the negative energies that you may have to face, to plan your strategies well ahead. Get to know the Feng Shui Enhancers and Cures that can help you, too.
Annual Forecast & Feng Shui Remedies for 2008 : Wu Zi, Year of Yang Brown Earth Rat – Monkey Sign (Chinese Zodiac)
The Chinese Zodiac Astrology is ancient, interesting, accurate and loved by millions across the world. The Chinese Zodiac is based on cyclic concept of time : a cycle of 12 years, repeated again and again. The 12 Years are associated with 12 Celestial Animals : Rat (or Mouse on Mongoose), Ox (or Buffalo or Bull or Cow), Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare or Cat), Dragon, Snake (or Serpent), Horse, Goat (or Sheep or Ram), Monkey, Rooster (or Hen or Cock or Chicken or Phoenix), Dog and Pig (or Boar or Hog). The animal names occasionally differ with the Oriental Country they originate. The Chinese Yearly Horoscopes are basically built around these 12 Animal Signs.
Your Chinese Astrological Zodiac Animal Sign is directly based on the Chinese Lunar Year of Birth that you were born. The Chinese New Year is mobile and could start anywhere between 21st January and 20th February, depending upon the year. If your Date of Birth falls into any of the following Chinese Lunar Years, then, because you are born in the Year of the Monkey, you are symbolically identified by your Celestial Animal, the “Monkey” :
From 02 Feb 1908 to 21 Jan 1909
From 20 Feb 1920 to 07 Feb 1921
From 06 Feb 1932 to 25 Jan 1933
From 25 Jan 1944 to 12 Feb 1945
From 12 Feb 1956 to 30 Jan 1957
From 30 Jan 1968 to 16 Feb 1969
From 16 Feb 1980 to 04 Feb 1981
From 04 Feb 1992 to 22 Jan 1993
From 22 Jan 2004 to 08 Feb 2005
In Chinese Hsia Calender, 2008 is the 4705th year and significantly, is also the fifth year of the New Feng Shui Land Luck Cyclic Period 8. The forthcoming new Chinese Lunar Year is from 7th February 2008 to 25th February 2009. The next Chinese New Year, Ji Chow, the Yin Brown Earth Ox will begin on 26th January 2009.
Enjoy the Annual Forecasts and learn about the suggested Feng Shui & Crystal Remedies that you may need for the coming “New Lunar Year 2008 : Wu Zi, Year of Yang Brown Earth Rat” :
CAREER
An year of highly fluctuating fortunes and changes in all aspects of life. Accept the changes happily, willingly and open-mindedly. Many opportunities will come your way, but you will have to cross many obstacles too. In spite of systematic planning, careful supervising and hard work in implementation, it will be quite tough to reach the set targets. This year the office politics will be quite severe and many devious characters will go out of the way to point finger at you, spread rumors and gossips about you, hurl accusations at you and stab you in the back mercilessly. Do not allow them to distress you – just ignore them. Place a Rose Quartz Crystal Ball or Egg in the West, to downsize these negative energies. Your inventiveness and loyal contacts will see you through the year. Take the opportunity to observe and learn through enrichment courses, pick up new skills and do some serious research. The intellectual adventures that you indulge in this year will pave way and pay dividends next year. The salaried workers will face many setbacks in their achievements and those in business will struggle to sustain the existing clients. Install the special Sacred Geometry Yantra for Career/Business Success and for Overcoming Obstacles/Blocks. Carry a set of 3 Fortune Flower Coins to help you stay in focus of your targets. Certain scheming, shady, vile characters are “eyeing” you this year. Wear an Evil Eye Beads bracelet and carry the genuine, energized photograph of the White Tiger for your protection.
MONEY
Average money luck. Try and preserve what you have. Plan your budget properly. Avoid lavishness and put off large purchases. Cut down expenses and save up for the rainy day. Invest wisely. Do not go for loans and if you definitely have to, make sure you have understood the terms and conditions of the loan. Do not lend money. Do not stand guarantor for anybody. Do not indulge in illegal money schemes, as you may end up with a legal suit. You don’t have much windfall luck this year, so avoid gambling and the share market trading. Plant a Double Phoenix Coin Tree for new financial opportunities and carry a set of 3 Batlock Coins for a better cash flow.
HEALTH
High stress and emotional instability coupled with long hours of hard work lands you with sleeplessness and a deteriorated mental and physical health. You need to relax and take a lot of rest. Meditation and TaiChi will help you too. Quit worrying and cut down on tobacco, hot drinks and sex. Infections and problems related to nerves, liver, kidneys and eyes are areas of concern. While the males may get bladder problems, the females are likely to have gynecological problems. Avoid cold, raw, canned food. Watch out for traffic accidents. Place a set of 3 Sau Health Coins under the bed.
LOVE
Good romance luck. Singles should propose only with serious intent of settling down, as the proposal is likely be accepted. Careful selection of an auspicious wedding date is a must. The married monkey should be loyal to the mate and resist infidelity. Third party involvement and love triangle problems will surface easily, with such strong Plum Blossom Luck. Add to this the intentional spreading of rumors and gossips and you are looking at a very disharmonious picture. Install the statues of Male QuiYong on Dragon and Female QuiYong on Phoenix in the South West of your bedroom and place a set of three Harmony Coins under your bed, for increasing the marital harmony.
STUDIES
Natural biological changes, daydreaming and unwanted relationships will contribute to the fall in your marks and ranks. Self-confidence and trust in your tutors and elders will turn the tide in favor of you. Be wary of new comers around you. Do not get involved in gossips and rumors. Some of you might be subjected to stressful interrogations from officials. To regain your motivation and concentration, display the Dragon Head Turtle carrying Pagoda Tower in the North East. To resist the rebellious thoughts welling from inside you, carry a set of 3 QuiYong Coins with you.
Compatible Sign for 2008 : Rat, Dragon
Auspicious Direction for 2008 : North, South East
Auspicious Color for 2008 : Black, Yellow
Auspicious Number for 2008 : 1, 5
Wealth Gods to pray in 2008 : Tian Hou Sheng Mu, Yu Huang Da Di
NOTE ABOUT REMEDIES : The above analysis has suggested some remedies/cures for reducing the impact of negative energy and has recommended certain enhancers for increasing and improving upon the beneficial energy of the year. For the remedies/enhancers to be effective, they should be cleansed, energised, blessed and programmed not only for the particular individual/family but also for the specific purpose/problem. They should also be placed in the indicated location, to derive the maximum benefit. Any or all of these remedies can be reused for the forthcoming new years, but they may have to be repositioned according to the specific new year.
Janarrdhana Guptha is an Energy Consultant, Kabbalah Energy Numerologist, Crystal Master, Vaastu/Fengshui Researcher, Tarot Reader & Clairvoyant Karma Reader. He channels Cleansed, Blessed, Energised & Programmed Remedies like Feng Shui Enhancers & Cures, Crystals and Sacred Geometry Yantra Talismans, which are directly Programmed to the User, for best possible results. His speciality is permanent Karma Energy Correction through custom-built Crystal Energy Fields. His E-Mail : crystalvaastu@yahoo.com His websites :http://www.crystal-vaastu.com/home.htm, http://www.newage-kabbalah-numerology.com & http://www.fengshui-remedies.com.
November 7th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
As the Republican Nominee for President in 2008, this four term senator has reached the pinnacle of his career. Now with the election only two month away, we are being bombarded with commercial messages telling us what this man is like. The question is, just what is the driving force behind this national figure? Read on and see what his Astrology Numerology combination says about John McCain, possibly the next president of the United States.
Astronumerology; Numerology and Astrology in Combination
The best method I know for learn what someone is really like if I can’t meet them in person is to turn to Astronumerology. This science combines the subject’s sun sign fro Astrology and their Life Path number from Numerology to derive one of (108) different personality types. Determining someone’s Horoscope sign is easy once you know their date of birth. Likewise, finding their Life Path number just involves summing the values of their Birth month, day, and year, and then reducing the total sum with fadic addition. In the case of John McCain, since he was born on August 29th, 1936, his Astrology Numerology combination works out to be Virgo with a Life Path value of (2).
Virgo (2) – The Constructive Consultant
People born with this combination are very private people by nature. They have a hard time sharing their innermost thoughts with anyone but a very select inner circle. These souls are usually journal keepers, and will record their inner thoughts privately rather than sharing them openly. Virgo twos are very hard on themselves, always second guessing their decisions, but hiding even that from the world. They tend to underestimate their own abilities, and be modest and self-effacing to those around them. These souls rarely give themselves the credit they deserve for the hard work they do. They have a rich fantasy life, but they hide it along with the rest of their personal moments.
The other side of the coin is the keen drive to serve others that these souls possess. Virgo twos seek out responsibility and obligations in the world, seeking real and meaningful work that they can accomplish. This work helps them deal with their own worst critic; themselves. Their lives tend to be quiet and orderly. Their peers usually recognize that these souls are excellent mediators, and will come to them with their differences that they can not resolve themselves.
Conclusion
John McCain’s Astrology / Numerology combination shows that he has the making of a good president, particularly when the country needs someone to mediate the differences that us so effectively. His drive to serve others, and his modesty would be refreshing qualities after the last eight years.
Keith Abbott is the developer and owner of -Numerology 4 You- where you can order your own Numerology reading, as well as the free Numerology Chart of over 500 celebrities. Visit him on the web today at http://www.numerology4you.com
November 3rd, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
I tried to tell you in the first of this series. If you are running around with all the signs of a hefty bank account, you are in fact, a yummy, Cuckoo Nest 102 jargon for a sitting duck waiting to be mined by a gold digger.Want a formula to see how good you are at spotting these diamond loving predators who devour yummies while they shop at Tiffany’s? Ok. Read on, male yummies, and see how clever you are. Put on your genuine Rolex, your diamond tiepin, and be sure you wear the snakeskin Gucci’s with a Givency suit. At the next cocktail party you go to, take a close look at the young beauties clustered around the bar waiting for an unsuspecting yummy. Saunter up, flash the Rolex, a smile, and then inch away. At least one will follow. Here’s the drill.
- Gaze into those beautiful eyes, recognize the following: admiration, respect, submission, and suddenly smitten.
- Take a few more sips of your drink and then listen to her as she asks all about your day, your week, your interests.
- Now ask about hers and find out, by some miracle, she loves all the things you’ve told her about. Amazing.
Go to the head of the class. You have found yourself a genuine gold digger, panting for a yummy. Looks like a match, doesn’t it? Nothing but gentle smiles and tinkling laughter. But don’t be fooled. She’s sharpening both incisors. But wait. You know what to do. Roll out the big gun. Tell her, you need another drink even though you know you shouldn’t. She’ll ask why. Now don’t flinch. Stick to our plan. Tell her you’ve been drinking too much. Tell her you’ve got so much on your mind and again she will ask why.Take a deep breath and say the following:
- Your creditors are hauling you into court, before the month is up.
- You are declaring bankruptcy.
- All because your last financial vice president, a boyhood friend since childhood, messed around with the books, stole you blind, didn’t pay the bills.
- The IRS is after him for fraud but he’s left the country, vanished, no where to be found.
- So here you are, left to face all the charges, about to become penniless.
But your ‘re unafraid, you tell her. You’ve got a good lawyer. and you never stole a thing so you’ll be ok. What’s money, you smile bravely. To hell with the apartment over looking the river, the house in the Cayman Islands, the chalet in Switzerland. Excuse me, she says, I need to powder my nose.Clearly, you are in the wrong place for finding someone disinterested in wristwatches! What you need is plan B. You need to realize that materialistic people dominate the earth like cockroaches. Remember Darwin? It is now and has always been survival of the fittest. You need to realize that unless you reach out beyond yourself, you have little chance of meeting people who are caring, sincere, generous, giving. Look for special interest groups where people are indeed giving of themselves instead of acquiring. You might be surprised at what you find. You might be surprised at how good it is to give. And listen, there’s nothing worse than being a yummy!And I haven’t forgotten you glass ceiling smashers. You have to beware of the male gold diggers known as spuddies, (not buddies, but spuddies, hot potatoes that burn your fingers from Cuckoo Nest 102) who are not that different except they open doors for you and send you flowers.Rich or poor, divorce rates are not encouraging. In Britain, they have the highest divorce rate in Europe with more than 40% of marriages ending in divorce. Of course, it is the high profile divorces which catch our attention, with the huge divorce settlements, like the recent Sir Paul Mc Cartney and Heather Mills and the not so recent Donald and Ivana Trump (20 million). And surely these people of extreme wealth realize they are prey and try to protect themselves by using pre nuptial agreements, of which we have many, the Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis being one of the most publicized. Hollywood celebrities are particularly vulnerable. A study of 127 Golden Globe winners from the years 2000 and 2001 by Gregory Baer showed that 68% had been married more than once. The conclusion was that the odds against a celebrity marriage succeeding was about 2 to 1. And one final interesting statistic: The divorced man, our yummy, is more likely to suffer depression than the divorced woman, based on a study done by Michelle Rottermann: (Statistic Canada;Marital Breakdown and subsequent Depression). Just remember, man or woman you don’t want to a yummy.
More information on spuddies, pot holders, all that you successful women need to be sure you don’t get burnt, see the third of this series with other useful information on http://americanmadeyes.com/specialinterest.html And RG has also researched some special interest groups where it’s all about non material things like the environment. I promise you that gold diggers and spuddies are allergic to bird watching.
October 22nd, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
To start examining the topic requires defining and understanding the key terms. Of course the phrase “looking back” implies recollecting and reflecting on what has gone on in the past and in our specific case this is confined to what has gone on in the past quotes the literary arts scene in Sierra Leone which is the former British colony in the West coast of Africa, surrounded by Guinea, Conakry and Liberia which became independent on 27th April 1961.
The word “ART” in The Oxford Dictionaries has been defined as follows:
1. The production of something beautiful, or the skill and ability in such work.
2. Works such as paintings, sculptures produced by skill. Creative activities such as paintings, theatre and story or poetry writings.
3. Skill applied to design, representation or imaginative creation.
4. The conscious use of skilled imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.
These then suggest that the broad gamut of art covers music, cinema, photography, painting, theatre, dance, literature and architecture.
This article, for reasons of space, has been limited to the literary arts. I will as the situation demands be making passing references to other aspects of the arts as we go along.
Literature itself is a central art. It is of course the finer material of theatre and sometimes of dance, more so ballet. It is quotes related to those performing arts in the sense that it also recaptures the dramatic representation of action or slices of life, albeit through the written mode. But depending on the skill of the presentation such representation resonates with life almost as if it were a dramatic recreation or even the very real situation itself. It also captures what the visual arts capture through not the brush of a painter or the camera of the photographer but through its presentation through a carefully selected arranged sequence of words, which convey a vivid and accurate image of that picture.
Through words then, a literary writer recaptures the visual images of a painter or photographer in the written mode. Through the reader’s skills in unraveling the mental images, unveiling of the symbols hidden behind language through mental images, he gets the visual representation of reality that words carry. The rhythm is most prominent in poetry, particularly in drama. This should not suggest that rhythm could not be found in novels and short stories. We all know how deep an ingredient, music and dance is in African drama which the late Dele Charley, John Kolosa Kargbo, Yulisa Amadu Maddy, Raymond De Souza-George and Charley Haffner, often exemplify in their performances.
I intend to look at the literary scene as it was before independence in 1961. Literature was then seen largely through the medium of newspapers of which the famous Sierra Leone Weekly News was the most prominent. It was almost like a literary journal, though printed in the form of a newspaper. Sawyer’s Bookshop at Water Street also played a vital role as not only making wide selections of literary works from the Western world available, but in also publishing small pamphlets and little books from time to time.
At that time clubs flourished and quotes of them had literary activities as part of their program. Clubs like the City Literary Institute and Greenfield Club organized lectures and dramatic shows. The Greenfield Club was aimed particularly at promoting literary activities. The Eccentric Society (a Multiracial group) organized periodic “mind-uplifting concerts. However many of these clubs were short lived. According to historical analysts this was due to the majority of Krios lacking interest in self-improvement and disunity within the ranks of the upper level of Freetown society. This was limited to a few hundred people from whose ranks many of the other clubs drew their membership. With this sort of close-knitted society, personal disagreements were easily brought into these societies thus disrupting their harmony and causing their break up.
It could then be deduced that literary activities then were more or less of an academic and philosophical or religious nature. Seldom were genuine literary efforts displayed. Such a scenario was transferred to the production of books. Many of the books have been more of textbooks or dissertations. One of the first written works by a Sierra Leonean in 1865 reflected this concern. It was the work of the medico James Africanus Horton on West African Political Economy of British West Africa. His second book three years later in 1868 was West African Countries and People, British and Native. This was like many of the other works published in London. There is also A.B.C. Sibthorpe’s monumental historical work on Freetown.
Few creative works during this period were produced by creative writers like Adelaide Casely-Hayford and Gladys Casely-Hayford. Gladys Casely-Hayford was perhaps the best-known from this period. Some of her poems and stories have appeared in American and British publications and are still been included in recent anthologies compiled in the West. One of her poems which she published in a small book of poetry, Take Am So in Freetown in 1948 is written in the country’s lingua franca, krio.
The Educationist Mrs. Adelaide Casely-Hayford (nee Smith) wrote stories following the traditions of Ghanaian writers like Efua Sutherland and Ama Ata Aidoo. The most popular of these is “Mister Courifer” which is part of Paul Geoffrey Edward’s anthology for schools which was widely used in Freetown schools in the early 60s.,West African Narrative This concern for culture is even seen in her work in the educational field. According to historian, Akintola Wyse, after studying in England and Germany and returning home she was so appalled by the system of education for women that she devoted her whole life to introducing a system that gave an important place to African customs, arts and crafts amongst others.
Another poet published during that period was Crispin George whose collection of poems titled Precious Gems was published by a well known vanity publishing outlet, Arthur Stockwell in 1952.
A most important name in Sierra Leone Literature is the broadcaster Thomas Decker. His importance is not only because he spans both the colonial and independence periods, but because his pioneering work in propagating the wider use of Krio for literary purposes was what generated the flowering of Krio plays intensified by Dele Charley, Raymond De Souza George, Esther Taylor-Pearce, Lawrence Kweku-Woode amongst many others. He is seen as the principal poet in Krio on to the mid 50′s. Some of them were published in the mid 60′s in the Sierra Leone Language Review and Sierra Leone Studies. He also came out with Krio adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays like Julius Caesar.
It is difficult to account for all of the creative works published then as many appeared in varying media, newspapers, magazines and journals locally as well as abroad.
Abioseh Nicol’s short stories had achieved renown internationally, appearing in British Literary journals and anthologies. Some of these formed part of his two well known short story collections Two African Tales and The Truly Married Woman and other Stories all published by Cambridge University Press.
This colonial period was marked by little publication of creative works in book form. But with the onset of independence and the publication of Robert Wellesley Cole’s autobiographical work Kossoh Town Boy by Cambridge University Press more works in book form were published.
The plays of Raymond Sarif Easmon. Dear Parent and Ogre, The New Patriot and his novel The Burnt Out Marriage profited from this.
Dr. William Conton’s work, The African was a breakthrough for the Sierra Leone novel. It was almost like our own. Things Fall Apart. Like Things Fall Apart, The African was first published in London. American editions appeared the same year. It was published in 1960 with another edition following a year after. It was reprinted in Great Britain in 1964. Translations of it have been made into Arabic, Hungarian and Russian. EkundayoRowe also had his collection of stories. No Seed For The Soil, self- published in book form.
Later, new names like Yulisa Amadu Maddy, Muctarr Mustapha, Wilfred Taylor, Delphine King and Syl Cheney-Coker all broke out into print in various forms.
From the 70′s onwards more new writers emerged. Yema Lucilda Hunter’s novel Road to Freedom was published in Nigeria by a Sierra Leonean publishing outfit, African Universities Press A.U.P. She has recently published another novel titled Bitter Sweet. Prince Dowu Palmer’s novel The Mocking Stones was published by Longmans in 1982 in their Drumbeat series. The same publisher had a year earlier published Raymond Sarif Easmon’s The Feud and other stories. This period is also characterized by the aggressive promotion of Macmillan publishers in Sierra Leone. They have already three novels from Sierra Leone in their Pacesetter series. This includes two young writers, the journalist and teacher Edison Yongai who came outwith Who killed Mohta and the insurance manager, OsmanConteh, with Double Trouble. From abroad also news of the publication of Yayah Swarray’s plays was received. His worksinclude ‘De Wol Do for Fraide.‘ Other writers, notably, Talabi Aisie Lucan, Melville Stuart, Marilyn Awoonor- Renner, Winston Forde and Clifford N. Fyfe channeled their creative energies into producing children’s literature many of which were published by Evans.
After independence a few newspapers and other magazines of schools, colleges and churches carried limited quantity of creative writing. The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service which was then in the creative hands of the late John Akar, a writer himself, gave much outlet for creativity, whether literary, or performing. SLBS indeed gave prominence to artists like Ebenezer Calendar, Allie Ganda and the Rokel River Boys. There was also a regular short story program in some radio programming quarter. This featured the short stories of young as well as older Sierra Leoneans including two stories of mine. In addition, there were book review programs. The children’s half hour programs in English as well as the national languages were opportunities for the airing and dissemination of the rich folklore of the country. Indeed many of us who had no grandmother at home spinning such rich and interesting yarns for us, the story telling line on SLBS indeed filled in a yawning gap in our social and cultural education.
With independence also there were many newspapers including the Daily Mail which was then a truly daily paper that gave much space to creative writing, short stories as well as stories for children in the children’s corner. There were also regular publications of book reviews as well as some attention given to other artistic activities such as dramatic performances and musical concerts.
But unfortunately today the literary arts no longer receives as much attention as before in the press. The pressmen themselves complain of paucity of space which limits their publication to just political social and economic news. The Daily Mailitself had plummeted to an all time low in which it could no longer be safely termed a weekly or bi-weekly. It too is in dire shortage of space. But today it has finally gone silent. The New Citizen gives some space to the serialized stories of it’s Managing Director and proprietor, I.B. Kargbo.
A commendable trend started in the 70′s with the interest shown by a Swedish Linguist Nevillle Shrimpton in the emerging plays in krio of young as well as older playwrights. Thomas Decker’s translation of Julius Caesar was happily one of the plays he published. Also published in the Shrimpton series have been Lawrence Kweku Woode’s (God pas Konsibul) Raymond De Souza George’s (Bohbohlef) Dele Charley’s (Fatmata, Petikot Korner) and Esther Taylor Pearce’s (Bad Man Pas Emti Os).
There were occasional breakthroughs when Sierra Leonean young writers were published in journals and magazines abroad. A notable medium outside which featured short stories regularly was WEST AFRICA Magazine. Stories of younger writers like Peter Karefa-Smart and Brima Rogers have appeared there. Yet another of Rogers’ stories was broadcast on the BBC’s Short Story programme on World Service. And a lady writer won the short story competition organized by the BBC African Service followed by Mohamed Sheriff who has in addition won several playwrighting contests organized by the B.B.C. His name seems like one to be watched as he has demonstrated consistently strong signs of promise. He has published three works already including a play, Sorie Clever, another play The Crook and the Fools and a novella titled Secret Fear, which was co-winner of the ECOWAS prize for excellence in literature. Macmillan Publishers published it in the McTracks series in 1997.
Arthur Edgar E. Smith was born and schooled in Freetown, Sierra Leone.. He has taught English since 1977 at Prince of Wales School and, Milton Margai College of Education.and is now at Fourah Bay College where he has risen to the rank of Senior Lecturer, lecturing English, Literature, as well as Creative Writing for the past seven years.
Mr Smith is widely published both locally as well as internationally with his writings appearing in local newspapers as well as in West Africa Magazine, Index on Censorship,Focus on Library and Information Work amongst others.
He was one of 17 international visitors who participated in a seminar on contemporary American Literature sponsored by the U.S.State Department from June to August 2006. His growing thoughts and reflections on this trip which took him to various US sights and sounds in Louisville, San Francisco, Cincinnati and Washington D.C. could be read at lisnews.org.
His other publications include: Folktales from Freetown, Langston Hughes: Life and Works Celebrating Black Dignity, and ‘The Struggle of the Book.’
October 22nd, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Below we offer a few Scotland facts, which you may find interesting and which may well make you want to visit this beautiful country. Certainly, there is so much for one to do and see when you visit this part of the British Isles.
We all know that Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and is to be found in the North West part of Europe. However, did you know that it is also the most mountainous part of the country in fact there are 10 mountains altogether in Scotland and the most well known of these and the highest is Ben Nevis.
As well as Scotland being part of the island of Great Britain, it also has over 790 islands and of these only 130 actually have inhabitants on them. Plus it also has more than 600 quotes miles of fresh water lakes (lochs) in it as well.
Along with Robbie Burns, there are plenty of other famous quotes who are from Scotland. These include Sean Connery (actor), Arthur Conan Doyle (author of the Sherlock Holmes novels), Sir Walter Scott (author) and Robert Louis Stevenson, another world-renowned author.
Another fact that you may find interesting about this country, is that its Capital, Edinburgh was the first city in the world, which actually had its own fire brigade. Plus the city itself like Rome in Italy has actually been built on seven hills also. Even though Scotland is actually part of the British Isles up until 1603 this country actually had its own king.
Get more interesting Scotland Facts and also check out the Scotland Real estate news
October 21st, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
The Kilt has been the target of many quotes joke and ribald comment for more years than it can probably remember!
But is it fair for it to be the butt of so many jokes?
After all, not only is the Kilt a recognised fashion item in quotes own right, it’s quotes more importantly a world recognised symbol of a country and the fierce national pride contained within!
Many a soldier has shuddered and shaken in fear in centuries gone when faced with a Scottish Warrior, kilt swirling in steadfast defiance of normality, broadsword or other razor sharp lethal weapon cutting huges scythes in the air as he charged.
Indeed, many fields of war were won purely by the arrival of Scotsmen dressed in their tradional tartan kilts. To many, the knowledge that the wearer wore nothing underneath was cause enough to panic! Add to this the ferocity of such a warrior and not many would stand up in front of them.
But ever since those heady days of hand to hand combat and battles fought face to face, some of the mystery and folklore of the Kilt remains. Ideas that you can only wear a Tartan Kilt if you are a member of that clan still abide today, wrongly in many cases.
Maybe this stops some people wearing a kilt?
Or does the fear of society’s view of a man effectively wearing what many still describe as a skirt also play a strong part?
But then what of those men among us who are recognised as being the manliest of men? Does wearing a kilt reduce their appearance and reputation at all? Famous celebrities such as Sean Connery, Billy Connely, Ewan McGregor or Mel Gibson?
How many women did – and still would – swoon clean away to see Mel Gibson walking towards them, kilt swaying in time to his steps? I strongly suspect – most! It would not be a swoon induced by dislike or scorn neither, more of one where they’re opinion has been enhanced as to the character and strength of the man involved.
I had the great pleasure of wearing a kilt many, many years ago when I was 6. The occassion was as a Page Boy for my Uncle and Aunts wedding. White ruffled shirt, red and blue tartan kilt with sporran and shoes. the only thing missing was the Dirk. For some reason never suitably explained by my parents, they seemed very nervous of letting their 6 year old offspring walk around with a small dagger shoved into the top of his sock! Spoilsports!
Even now, looking back at the old black and white photos – yes, it WAS that long ago – I get a thrill of seeing myself dressed like that.
Why?
Because it was different, unique and – dare I say it – I looked damn good! (I seem to remember it made a huge impression on my fellow official for the occasion, the bridesmaid called Candy, a curly blonde haired girl a year older than me. I have a misty memory of her asking her mom why i was wearing a skirt!)
A kilt nowadays plays a much larger part. Beyond the more well known kilts of Scotland with their heritage of history behind each unique Tartan design, comes the Kilts of Ireland and Wales in family crests or solid colors.
With society relaxing it’s own strict and nonsensical ideas of what is right and what is wrong, more men are coming to wear kilts, enjoying the uniqueness and freedom such a garment gives.
It is now more common to attend company dinners, awards and opening nights and spot one or two men dressed in kilted splendour.
Indeed, a whole new industry is beginning to grow – assisted by the internet with it’s ease of ordering and choosing – where new styles, designs and ideas of the traditional kilt are being tested and reworked.
For example, you can now buy kilts in camo pattern or kilts with pockets either side as opposed to the standard requirement for a sporran.
As for me and the kilt – as I get older and less worried about what other people think of me, the thoughts do stray to when I was 6 years old and how proud I felt dressed in such regal splendour. With the hot weather getting hotter each day a cooling breeze would certainly be more welcome as well!
Now then, where did I put that sporran and dirk?
Rufus Steele is a long time write-a-holic who now adds to his fun by writing for various websites.
You can read more of his kilts based articles on Good-Kilt.com
October 16th, 2008 -- Posted in Story |
Art Galleries are places where art is exhibited and in some cases sold. An introduction to art galleries should explain the difference between a commercial gallery and an art museum.
The term art galleries is used interchangeably between an actual art gallery where art is exhibited and sold for a profit and an art museum where collections of art are merely exhibited for the enjoyment and education of patrons. For the purposes of this introduction to art galleries, the former will be used. Although some of the most famous and important works of art are exhibited in art museums around the world, they are not for sale. The exhibiting of art for the purpose of sale is the major function of the commercial art gallery.
A commercial art gallery exhibits art for the enjoyment of the patrons, but the art is also for sale. This means that the collections in an art gallery are changing quite frequently as works are purchased and removed from the exhibit. The gallery will often have special exhibits featuring individual artists whose works are the centerpiece of special events. In most cases, the art galleries make their profits from taking a commission on the sale of the exhibited art, although in some cases, admission is charged. This is fairly rare in the commercial art gallery business, however. In other galleries, the artist pays a fee to be allowed to exhibit at the gallery.
The majority of work exhibited in art galleries are visual art with paintings being the most common form. Some galleries also exhibit other types of art such as sculpture and photography also. Some galleries that specialize in sculpture are also known as sculpture gardens and those that specialize in photographs are known as photo galleries. The term art gallery is most often used in place of these terms and many galleries feature all of the various forms of art.
The expression contemporary art gallery does not refer to a style of art, but is used to describe the modern commercial for-profit art gallery. The term is used to distinguish it from the art museum. Many contemporary art galleries tend to be clustered together in certain districts in larger cities. Greenwich Village in New York City is an example of this although most medium sized cities will usually have at least one gallery for local artists.
There are also art galleries that are artist collectives and not run for profit, but as a place for the artist to exhibit their own works. Regardless of the type, art galleries and art museums offer the public a chance to enjoy art of all kinds and also the commercial galleries allow them the opportunity to take some of that art home with them to add to their own collections.
Get art gallery listings around the country at ArtGalleryListings.com
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