Hed writer Lesley goes old school with a look at the kikki.K organizer...

I've been using a kiki. K organiser this year and it's been great. I discovered it by accident while shopping in Queen Victoria Building (QVB), and from the moment I stepped in the shop, I knew I'd have to buy something or I'd never forgive myself.

The Outside

This is my organiser. It's A6 in size, soft green and cloth-covered. There are, however, many other variations to choose from; all of which you can see here.

An elastic band, a shade lighter than that of the organiser, snaps squarely round the middle. The difference in width between the inside pages and the cover form a groove giving me just enough space to put my pen. The elastic band acts to secure it tightly in its place. I'm not sure if the organiser was actually designed to hold a pen in that fashion, but I'm really glad it does. It's so much more convenient to have pen and paper bundled together in such a neat package.

There's also a length of satin, of similar colour to the elastic band, that acts as a page marker. And I'm pleased to say it has yet to unravel!! Although I am waiting for the day that it does as I have yet to see a page maker that hasn't. It's too good to be true.My inner pessimist would like to point out that it is still only April.





The Inside

The organiser dedicates its first few pages to personal information, a calender, a monthly planner and a list of Australian public holidays. After which it launches straight into daily mode with Monday to Wednesday on the left page and Thursday to Sunday on the right. There are 6 lines allocated for each day. I personally find this sufficient because for me, the convenience of being able to carry my small A6 sized organiser with me everywhere outweighs having a large space to write in.

At the back, a generous 14 pages is provided for notes and 23 pages for contacts. Though, I'm not really sure why they thought it was necessary to allot spaces for 115 (23 x 5) addresses in this day and age.

So far my little green book has yet to fail me. It's compact, I can securely attach my pen and it's in a soothing green colour. And the Ooohs I get everytime I take it out help too!

Anyone have any good recommendations for similar organizers in the US and Europe?

What can I say...it’s water...it’s minty. It’s minty water...

Now I've shared this stuff with a number of people and there's a breakdown of about 50% of people who love it and 50% of people who think it tastes like drinking chewing gum.

Here's my favorite way to enjoy Metromint:

First, take a leaf of berggarten sage and lemon balm.

Fill a glass half full of crushed ice, put the leaves in and shake the glass (covered) to bruise the leaves.

Grab yourself a bottle of spearmint Metromint...

And fill it up to the top...

Mmmmmmm....refreshing!

Here are some recipes via their website:

Metromint Ice Cubes. Good in all sorts of beverages from ice tea, to cranberry juice, to gin and tonics.

Metromint Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the juice of 4 lemons, 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 2 1/2 cups of Metromint. Stir briskly to dissolve the sugar. Pour over ice, add lemon slices and enjoy. Try a Metromint-Arnold Palmer by adding ice tea to your lemonade.

Metromint Morrocan Tea: Bring 2 cups of Metromint to a boil. Pour into a mug over 2 teaspoons (or 2 tea bags) of Darjeeling tea and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Steep for 3 minutes and enjoy. Makes two servings.

Metromint Mojito: Dissolve 1 tbsp of sugar in the juice of 1 lime in a tall glass. Add 1 1/2 oz. of white rum and and 1/2 cup of Metromint. Pour over ice and enjoy responsibly.

Metromint Julep: In a short glass, stir 3 tbsp of Metromint with 1 tbsp of sugar until sugar dissolves. Add 3 oz of bourbon and pour over ice. Enjoy responsibly.

Metromint Hot Chocolate: When preparing a package of instant hot chocolate, add Metromint.

I’m quickly developing a bottle-a-day addiction.

Farewell

And so it goes and so it goes

And so it goes and so it goes

But where it's goin' no one knows

-Nick Lowe

“The pen is mightier than the sword if the sword is very short, and the pen is very sharp”

-Terry Pratchett

From Hed Writer Lesley:

There's something comforting about having a favourite pen. Mine is Pilot's G-TEC-C4. I remember being obsessed with it back when I was just 10 years old. We used it to compete in class to see who could write in the tiniest handwriting. I doubt our teacher appreciated our competitive spirit.

10 years on, the g-tec (as I ever-so-affectionately like to call it) remains my favourite pen.

I like lists. So here's one on why the g-tec is so awesome:

1. It feels like it's engineered to be twirled.

Yes I'm one of those. The g-tec's cap clip is ideal for pushing off from and the pen's top heavy-ness creates the perfect centre of gravity that allows me to complete several rounds (and there you were thinking pen twirling's an art!)

2. Unlike most other ink-based pens, the g-tec doesn't have to be capped immediately to prevent it from drying out.

In fact, just last night I forgot to cap my pen before going to sleep. Needless to say, it was working just as perfectly as ever this morning. This feature is especially important to me because I tend to set out all my pens in front of me before I start to do work. And I find it a lot easier to just uncap them all, allowing me to grab and go!

3. It's inky, but not to an annoying extent.

Everyone knows that the advantage of an inky pen is that it's inky. But everyone also knows that that's its disadvantage too. Most inky pens tend to do that annoying thing where they form huge blobs if left in 1 spot for too long. Fortunately, the g-tec doesn't.

4. This is a bit juvenile, but I just love seeing the ink level decrease with use.

I find it so satisfying being able to mark my work levels just by looking at how fast I use up g-tec refills. Which is my next point...

5. The g-tec has refills!

These refills cost about half the price of the entire pen which is both financially and environmentally economical.

6. It comes in many, many colours!

This might sound equally as juvenile but it really isn't. The different colours really help when it comes to note taking. This picture really doesn't do the colour range justice though. These are just the colours that I have. Fluorescent and metallic shades are available as well.

7. It's fine point (pun intended).

I'm one of those people whose handwriting always seems to change and there are just some pens which produce good handwriting and some pens which don't. And yes, for those who ensure Captain Obvious of his job, the g-tec is a pen that does produce good handwriting.

8. The ink flow remains smooth even after extensive dropping. Capped, that is.

Although, I have dropped it capless before and despite having a bent nib, it still worked fine. Unfortunately, I tried to straighten it out but ended up breaking it (That wasn't a problem at all however, because I just replaced it with a new refill).

For a more detailed description of the G-TEC-C4, you can look at Cult Pens' writeup.

So now that you know all about my favourite pen, what about yours?

I would like to introduce one of our new contributing writers...

My name is Lesley and I think there ought to be more dancing. I also think there ought to be more good coffee in the world. Fortunately, I go to university in Sydney, Australia, where awesome coffee abounds. Not so fortunately, I come from Singapore where saying "Hi! Can I get an affogato please?" is met with blank and annoyed stares.

When I'm not busy studying accounting, I'm usually updating my blog, playing ultimate frisbee, watching dvds or having a coffee with friends.

I'm here because there's alot of stuff I love and depend on to get me through my day and hopefully, I'll be able to tell you about some of them.

And that's me, pretty much!

Welcome aboard!

Lot's of people think their model of dog is best, but I'm here to state for a fact that the Jameson v1.0 is the best model available.

Here's why....

First, the Jameson is a streamlined small and efficient design. Although it's stature is smaller than many other models, it is still extremely stylish.

The Jameson is also very compact which means it uses much less space than most.

Our research has shown that compared to other models, the Jameson is at least 40% more photogenic that other dogs, meaning that you get more value from your camera, since it requires less photos.

We've seen the Jameson "out-cute" other models by at least 80%.

Because of the efficiency of the design you'll find that the Jameson is easier to de-tangle than other models.

There are multiple skins you can choose to customize your Jameson.

Can be customized depending on the seasonal or holiday changes.

Best of all the Jameson is safe near water. The Jameson will approach but never, ever enter water. This means you can take the Jameson practically anywhere.

There are also a number of exceptionally useful features that come built-in with the Jameson. For one, the Jameson is a highly accurate tool for making measurements.

The Jameson will keep you warmer during those cold winter nights, without all the heavy bulk of those larger models.

Plus, the Jameson is highly energy efficient. When not running, the Jameson has an automatic sleep mode to save energy, thus requiring less fuel.

And finally, the Jameson Model 1.0 continues it's tradition of being eco-friendly.

Thus concludes the overview of the Jameson Model v1.0. While there are many excellent models of dog, it is clear to see that the Jameson is the finest model out there. Oh yeah...and did I mention...shes all mine!

Each month I'm going to dig into my library and post 9 albums/artists you should own.

Lindsey Buckingham
Former half of Buckingham Nicks and the driving force of Fleetwood Mac (post blues), Lindsey Buckingham is a genius whose solo releases are too far and few between. While there are a number of people who have probably reached their tolerance level of Mac tunes, Buckingham is often under appreciated for his contributions to music, and that's unfortunate.

The thing about Lindsey is that he not only has a sense of harmony so perfect that it is on par with Brian Wilson and Jeff Lynne, but his skills as a guitarist are often ignored and overshadowed by his work with Fleetwood Mac.

The great thing for me about Lindsey is that he has a "sound." Now some people consider this a detraction, but for many of us, it is what we love most of all. Some artists work their entire lives and never reach the level of perfection that you'll find in his playing and song writing. The Buckingham sound is clean and precise, but not just through production...he's just that good of a singer and player. Remember this live rendition of Big Love?

On the opening track of his new album, Under the Skin, there is a sense of sadness and longing for that recognition...a sense that he lives within the shadow of this enormous weight, this superstar group that he'll always be associated with, that sells millions of albums...and yet when he steps from that shadow...he's nearly forgotten.

And isn't that an interesting curse we see with any group that reaches that level of stature...that when you are ready to move on to new things...the audience isn't ready to move with you?

Which is really odd, because I can name countless solo artists whose work I've enjoyed more after they left the comfort and security of their "supergroup."

Fleetwood Mac has given Lindsey the financial freedom to explore himself as an artist, but as an artist...what good is creating that art if no one else hears it. Lindsey is on tour right now, and unfortunately I missed his show when he was around here (snif), but I highly recommend you catch him if he's around your way.

Here's a few tracks I love off the new album.

Buy It

Antibalas

I was sitting in the car one night waiting to pick someone up, when I ran across a song on the radio. I was hooked by it, but I missed who it was...and after trying very hard to locate it online, I finally emailed the station and described it. It was Che Che Colo by Antibalas. Digging a little deeper, I've become an enormous fan of the band.

From Wikipedia:

Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra is a Bushwick, Brooklyn based afrobeat band that is modelled after Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band and Eddie Palmieri's Harlem River Drive Orchestra. Although their music is primarily afrobeat, their music incorporates elements of jazz, funk, dub, improvised music, and traditional drumming from Cuba and West Africa.Founded 1998 by Martín Perna as "Conjunto Antibalas," the group played its inaugural concert in May 26, 1998 at St. Nicks Pub in Harlem at a night organized by artist Xaviera Simmons. Over the course of the next few months, the group solidified with a core of eleven band members and began to develop a repertoire of original songs. Guitarist and producer/engineer Gabriel Roth wrote several of the earlier tunes and oversaw recording and production of the first three records.

Buy It

Gary Numan

While you are probably more familiar with Gary Numan's nuwave hit Cars, he's been steadily making music all these years. About 10 years ago he had a bit of an artistic rebirth (as he is wont to do) as a bit of a tech/goth genius. It is certainly not for everyone, but if you are a fan of NIN, you'll probably like his newer work.

Here's my favorite track from the album Jagged, called Halo:

What's funny is that there are a number of YouTube video mashups of Numan's music with video from the game Halo. It actually works very well together, so when you make that movie, Peter Jackson, maybe you should consider Numan for the soundtrack?

Buy It

Robert Plant
Do I really need to write anything about Robert Plant? All I can say is that if you were ever wondering if an artist with as long of a history as Plant, can still be musically and socially relevant, this album cements that as fact. While other artists like the Stones are going out and cashing in, Plant is making compelling music with a statement on the political affairs of the day. Mighty Rearranger is an outstanding and challenging album that I love.

Here's a great track on iTunes called Shine It All Around

Buy It

Ted Hawkins

From Wikipedia:

Hawkins was an enigmatic figure through most of his career; he split his time between his adopted hometown of Venice Beach, California where he was a mostly-anonymous street performer, and Europe, where he and his songs were better-known and well-received in clubs and small concert halls.

When I played the first track off this album, it was like a sip of 100 year old scotch...smooth with a slight burn at that end...but delicious nonetheless, leaving me wanting for more.

It is hard to find any of his tracks online to point to, but go to this iTunes link and listen to the sample of the track Strange Conversation. I defy you to not buy the album after that track.

Ojos de Brujo

From Wikipedia:

("Wizard's Eyes" in English) is an eight-piece band from Barcelona, who describe their style as "hiphop flamenkillo" (hip-hop with a little flamenco). The band sold over 100,000 copies of their self-produced Barí album, and has received several awards, among these the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for Europe in 2004 (having also been nominated in 2003).Their success is also notable for being achieved without the aid of label backing; they set up their own label, La Fábrica de Colores, to get complete artistic freedom for Barí, away from the pressure they perceived from their record company Edel Records for their debut Vengue [4]

Buy It

Los Lobos
The Town and the City

When I was 13 (23 years ago)...I heard the album How Will The Wolf Survive? and it touched me in one of those ways that only music can...and after all these years it still speaks to me. In my mind I can still hear the pop and hiss of the album vinyl over those Advent A4's (those were some beautiful speakers).

I still play that album and I still feel broken up inside when I hear tracks like A Matter of Time, not to mention Is This All There Is?, and The Mess We're In from their follow up album, By The Light of the Moon.

I've been a rabid Los Lobos fan since that time (every side project & album), and this work continues to cement a place in my heart for them. This is a beautiful album, and another heartfelt one from the band from East LA.

Here's some of my favorite tracks from Los Lobos over the years, and a couple of great performance.

And the great Cesar Rosas performing Anselma

Oscar Brown Jr.

What can I say about the late great Oscar Brown Jr...?

Songwriter, activist, singer, poet.

Favorite Tracks?

But I Was Cool
Dat Dere
Hazel's Hips
Signifyin' Monkey

Probably the best compilation.

Scritti Politti

Oh Green Gartside...you just can't be pegged can you? Always on a path of musical self discovery, you've flipped on me once again. The first new album in 7 years since Anomie & Bonhamie, I have to say I like this album a lot. Green sounds as good today as he did 20+ years ago...and for that I'm jealous.

People tend to get a little miffed at bands that they loved that continue to reinvent themselves...since it violates some memory they had when they were in junior high making out in somebody's basement...but I not only respect it, I look for it. The new album is another departure and a welcome one. It is smooth, unexpected, goes left when you think it will go right...a challenge at times to listen to, but very rewarding.

One of my favorites is Cooking:

And here's a throwback from Anomie & Bonhamie, Tinseltown to Boogie Down. Some people were shocked to hear this record. They felt Green sold out to make a hip hop album, but I think that's an uneducated knee jerk reaction. This is a good album, and the inclusion of Mos Def here is unexpected but welcome. I actually love the blending of these two opposites...the well constructed hip hop with the tight perfection of Green's voice. Very interesting.

Buy White Bread Black Beer

Can you have a crush on an album?

I'm not sure where, but last year I heard a track off Pauline Croze's self title debut album, and I was instantly smitten with it. It took me some time, but I tracked down the album on Amazon (as an import). It's been about a year now, and even with my 80+ Gigs of music AND Rhapsody, I still find myself putting this album on once or twice a month.

Since my french is quite rusty...I have no idea what she's singing about, but I could care less. Her songs envelop you like warm blanket and her voice is sublime.

This is the perfect album to put in if driving down the coast in the sun...or perhaps through a winding wooded road...the sunlight peeking through the gaps in the leaves.

You can listen to her music on LastFM and pick the album up on Amazon.

Here are two of my favorite tracks off the album:

And I've managed to track down two videos

"Only when I am asked out to tea I am never offered any."

-The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde

A lot of people have been writing about blooming teas recently, but I've been serving them at my home for the past two years, and while I don't drink them regularly, they make an outstanding treat for guests.

The Chinese art of sewing leaves into these teas is centuries old...but a new experience for many of us.

The company I buy my "display teas," as they call them, is Adagio...the same company I buy almost all my tea from.

When guests come over for tea I like to prepare my blooming teas in a large wine or martini glass. It really adds to the presentation. However, I have been known to serve them in a more ornamental bowl. The trick is that you want the bloom open enough to display the treasure hidden inside, so small tea cups or mugs are simply a waste.

However you choose to present them, it works quickly so you don't want to waste any time. Simply place the bloom into the glass of your choice and add the hot water.

You'll notice the bloom will start to open, but don't stir it or force it in any way. If you use a spoon or any other instrument on the bloom, you will likely dislodge the flowers within.

Adagio sells two types of blooming teas, a red bloom and a jasmine bloom. The red bloom is much more dramatic, but I actually prefer the taste of the jasmine bloom. One thing you might consider is that if your guests choose one of the tea flavors, you might select the other for yourself. This allows everyone to experience what both teas look like.

I have two Joost invitations to give to Med Heds.

Click through to find out how to snag one.

In case you haven't heard of Joost (pronounced "juiced"), it is the new online TV distribution project from the founders of Skype and Kazaa. Essentially you download the Joost client (Mac & PC) and watch TV from a selection of channels they provide.

From Wikipedia:

The program is based on P2PTV technology and is expected to deliver near-TV resolution images. It turns a PC into an instant on-demand TV without any need for additional set top box. News updates, discussion forums, show ratings, and multi-user chat sessions (often linked to the active stream/channel) are made possible through the use of semi-transparent widget overlays.

Viacom Inc. and Joost entered into a content provider agreement for the Joost platform on February 20, 2007. Under the agreement divisions of Viacom (including MTV Networks, BET Networks and Paramount Pictures) will license their "television and theatrical programing" to Joost.

I have two beta invitations to give away to Heds, so if you are interested in getting your hands on it before anyone else, just leave a comment below and I'll randomly pick two people. Remember, you have to be a Hed to be considered, so if you haven't yet signed up, do so now, it's free.

I'll be giving these away this week.

I also have three more to give away on my ZDNet blog.