Welcome to the Wonky Spanner

Okay... So this site has been through a few overhauls in the last few years and here we go again.

The Wonky Spanner is simply my little corner of the net. Me being Spindles that is.

On the site you're likely to find a mixture of Stuff What I Do. That includes (but is not limited to): Writings, Music, Blog Posts, Software and things I happen to find interesting.

By all means have a look through... I hope you find something of interest... You can always drop me a line on twitter if you do... I like hearing from people every once in a while. :)

Spindles

Recent Posts

Too much to do...
23/11/2011 - 09:25

Getting involved with Armaleggan and the folk scene in general has re-awakened my need to make music again. Over the last couple of years I've been gradually amassing bits of musical techy bits, MIDI controllers, amps, effects pedals etc. To be fair, I haven't really done much with them other than dust them off every few months, have a quick tinker and them put them back to bed again. This weekend that all changed...

Blog Post
Superman's Song
19/11/2011 - 21:35

So this is the results of a day's playing with my new Boss ME-25, my Alesis Photon X25 and Cakewalk Sonar.

All instruments and vocals by me, and backing vocals by Emma and Megan. :)

It's not quite finished yet I need to add more cello, some piano and some violin. But this is what we managed to do in an afternoon.

And for anyone who doesn't know it, the song is called Superman's Song, originally by Crash Test Dummies.

Update on 23/11/2011 - Added cello part and tweaked some levels.

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Music
In conversation with a stranger...
11/11/2011 - 16:11

It all began last night when I got a text from an unknown number. At first I ignored it. Then, after the second message, I decided to respond in order to let the person know that they had the wrong number. This seemed entirely reasonable to me as I wouldn't like them to think that they were being ignored by a loved one. The conversation went as follows (all sic):

Yesterday, 17:05 (unknown): Think i no dem not sure x

Today, 08:44 (unknown): Babe miss yu soo much want you wid me now x :(

Today, 13:34 (me): You know what. I really think you've got the wrong number.

Blog Post
On meeting the father of free software
06/11/2011 - 23:15

The first impression you get from Richard Stallman is that of a slightly eccentric grandfather figure. Despite the slightly belated entrance into a room comprised of geeks of all shapes and sizes you can physically feel the palpable excitement associated with the arrival of The Last of the True Hackers. The general hubbub is quieted as he enters the room, removes his shoes and dons a radio mic. All eyes turn to the front of a packed and sweaty lecture theatre, recently vacated by a handful of students and the gathered assemblage awaits the first utterances.

Blog Post

My current favourite albums: