Month: July 2009

My new obsession

I always knew that my dad had an accordion and had seen it a couple of times (always coated in a grey layer of cobwebs,) and on visiting his house this weekend I saw that it had been placed in my room….!!!

A few of the keys look rather funny and wonky and definitely need righting and it needs a lot of looking after. It belonged to my dad’s grandfather. The make is Alvari and after doing a little research online I discovered that the Italian company dissolved just after World War II.

I found this picture of a 1938 model and believe it must be of a similar age to my great grandfather’s instrument due to the decorative carving of the side panels, the branding on the instrument in the picture is also painted on rather than carved in a solid material and attached. I believe that this is a feature of later models such as this one.

Anyone who knows me well, knows I love instruments. I’ve always wanted an accordion and was tempted to buy a child’s version at Hobgoblin’s music shop (next to the custard factory) but resisted (I was also verging on buying a melodica.) Seeing as I’ve wanted to play this instrument ever since seeing it come out of my nan’s loft many years ago I was a bit nervous about picking it up and trying it out – for fear it was soundless or that I might break it.

Below is a video of me trying it out for the first time.

I have to say it was wonderful! I had to play it for a while before I got the hang of it and just experimented with suspending and resolving chords etc… but it just felt a wee bit…well magical! In fact I’ve had to leave it now but I still feel excited about it. My mic on my pc isn’t very good so won’t give you a good idea of the sound at all unfortunately, but it sometimes verges on synthlike and sometimes something ‘purer’ – words cannot describe!

The thing about accordions is that if you don’t play them, they apparently deteriorate, just as if you play them too harshly. We’re lucky that this accordion has survived despite probably being unused for over 20 years (I have no idea if my dad ever played it and I doubt that my granddad did.) The miracle with this particular instrument is that its probably verging on 80 years old, and is still able to produce what I believe is a dreamy sound.

Hopefully my dad will get it looked at, and, if he’s feeling extra nice (plllllllleeeeeeeeeease!!!) he will let me borrow it for a bit and try recording with it. In return father dear, you may have my electric guitar!!! (Sorry Deb!)

If anyone has any tips, including what key accordions are in (I wasn’t sure if it was C, like a piano – I’m guessing it is,) I’ll also get proper pics on it too.

I shall dream of it tonight. I am pining already!

Sigh!

Just read some more stuff and believe the accordion is actually a melodeon as it plays different notes for each bass key depending on whether you are pushing or pulling the bellows – like sucking/blowing on a harmonica…

Deposit Dilemma – Please Help!

I received a letter from my previous landlords/agency (they own all of the properties that they let out) and was shocked (and quite distressed.)

My deposit was £400. I left my room in the condition I found it (except maybe a little cleaner!) and cannot believe what I am being charged for. We received a letter outlining fines and costs (i.e unclean toilet – £25) and made sure all requests made by the landlords were completed to a high standard.

So why am I now being told my deposit has had £148.20 deducted because of a so called missing key (that firstly was not for my room, and secondly, was returned,) windows of an unspecified location (mine were bloomin shiny!) as well as blatently ridiculous ‘administration fees’ and a service charge (for an inspection!?!?!?!?!)

The appalling letter from rooms4every1.com

The letter also features incredibly poor grammar and presentation. The word ‘whatsoever’ has been separated into three words, my name has a small ‘f’ and a scribbed out ‘C’ in front of it and also a lack of proper signature at the bottom of the letter. Accounts is not a person and whoever on earth they are, they clearly didn’t do very well in maths class.

My cheque, which I’m unsure if I can post has £251.20 written in the numerical amount space and the written amount is a barely legible ‘one hundred and fifty one pounds’….so they’re trying to keep an extra £100.20 (or get the cheque to bounce so that I don’t get anything.)

If anyone can help me. I’m still a student and not earning much for my current work experience position (so I need this money) please, PLEASE let me know. I’m thinking of making a trip to Birmingham on Saturday (in fact I AM) so that I can go to the office and express my feelings….

The incorrect cheque (bank details covered)

Thanks everyone.

Frankie x

We are coming…

On the brilliant blog of James Moran (chief writer of Torchwood: Children of Earth‘s third episode) a post on tuesday 7th July foretold;

 ‘I predict the internet will *explode* when you see a certain something through a security camera feed.’

I bet Moran himself was thrilled to find out that John Barrowman had agreed to a brief full frontal nude shot…until finding out that the writer for episode two had called it. I guess that left him just one option…subliminally tell his readers that compared to Wednesday’s episode, Tuesdays was a ‘load of old spuds’ writing;

‘potatoes play a very significant role at a crucial moment.’

…Anyone would think Torchwood was set in Ireland?!

Just kidding, James Moran is an experienced writer and sings the praises of his co workers, including Russell T. Davies (RTD.) Over on 4OD I have been having an RTD fest, devouring (if thats an appropriate term) Queer as Folk and Queer as Folk 2, which despite appearing a real product of the nineties, show RTD’s real flair for subtly outlining characters to the point where they feel like next door neighbours. I’ve reserved a book at my local library called ‘Doctor Who; The Writer’s Tale‘ by RTD which features emails from the writer to Doctor Who’s Executive Producer. Internet reviews have all been generous in their praise so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and hopefully learning a little on the way…

Are you enjoying Torchwood? Let me know (comments, @Getfrank, snail mail….)

Melonz Mag Launch

I am always interested in all things ‘Created in Birmingham‘ and think I’ve found the latest project to follow…

Melonzmag is a new magazine venture developed by Birmingham City University 3rd year media students Natalie Chillington, Laura Blood and Katherine Higgs.

From reading the blog it seems that the girls are huge kitsch jewellery fans which is awesome given that I’m overly partial to sites such as Heidi Seeker and Lady Luck Rules OK! Plus the blog provides links to some cool vintage stuff. They also feature some music events from the Midlands area (surely I have a ‘Melonz shaped heart’!?!)

You can grab a copy of Melonz Mags’ first issue soon hopefully! They’ll be taking it to all good independent record stores, so I guess the best thing is to keep an eye at the Melonz Mag blog for details…

The following is taken from the ‘about page’ of the Melonz blog and I’m guessing pretty much sums up the magazine too…

Would you rather gouge your eyes out with a shoehorn than watch Hollyoaks?  Welcome one and all to the blog page of Melonz Magazine.

We are a new, small (but not underestimated), West Midlands-based women’s magazine for women who believe there is more to life than celebrities, X-Factor and diet fads. We promise to deliver a witty, honest and entertaining outlook on life for those of us who would rather live an interesting existence than talk about Paris Hilton and the price of bread.