They have a tribute band! Check out this promo for The Project – A Tribute to Velvet Revolver.

I’m ashamed to admit it, but these past few months my creative side has been ignored so much I considered putting my gear on eBay. My work area was littered with half-completed projects, faded scribbled ideas on coffee stained post it notes, and a journal so badly neglected I could barely describe myself as an embodiment participant anymore. It really isn’t good enough so I’ve been spending the last few weeks looking at ways of giving my creativity a kick up the arse and getting back in the flow of the paint, the pen, the glue or whatever tickled my fancy at the time. And while I’m still working on it, I thought I’d share a few tips:

Put your money where your art is

Maybe some new gear would get you going? Even if your art supplies could fill a house by itself, there’s always room for more, and a bit of creative retail therapy might be just the thing. For me, it was a set of Faber-Castell 9000 Art Pencils that got me going again. Opening the tin and seeing, feeling and smelling these gorgeous pencils just made me want to draw. I didn’t care what, and I didn’t care how well it turned out. Which brings me to my next tip.

Forget Quality

If you’re picking up again after a long hiatus, then it’s likely whatever you produce isn’t going to be the best work you’ve ever done. But you’re not doing this work to sell or display, you’re doing this to exercise that creative muscle. You’re doing this to remind yourself just how much fun it is to make stuff again – whether it’s art, craft or music. Little piece of advice, though, if you’re picking up a guitar for the first time in months (I have yet to do this, by the way), play unplugged for a while. At least until you’re sure the old gal’s in tune.

Pick a project and try it

Browse around PigPog to see if anything catches your creative eye. Have a look in our Art, Craft, Music, Photography and Writing listings, or take a look at these:

• 60 Ways to be More Creative
• Things You can be Creative With

If you’re after more in-depth how-tos than you can shake a stick at, try Instructables and, of course, Craftzine or its geekier brother, Make.

Why wait until November?

There are plenty of month-long projects throughout the year to give us creative types the push to actually do something. There’s NaNoWriMo in November, Script Frenzy in June, The Creative Act in February. But if you find that whole group effort thing a bit intimidating, you could always have your own, and spend a month doing whatever creative activity you enjoy, but making sure you do it every day.

Buy a Book

There are a load of books out there designed to motivate and inspire. Here are a few personal favourites:

• Living Out Loud by Keri Smith – an excellent “things to make and do” book.
• Make Your Creative Dreams Real by Sark – anything by Sark is worth a read, but this one offers good, practical advice on how to turn your creative dreams into reality.
• Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory – Danny’s story and illustrations are both touching and inspiring.
• 52 Projects by Jeffery Yamaguchi – little projects and exercises to try if you’re in need of a lift.

Any more tips? Let us know in the comments.

After this week’s fun and games it seemed only right that we should pay a visit to Glastonbury. I guess I was hoping to soak up the positive vibes and general groovy ambience of the town centre, and cosmically send them to Mum, who is recovering well from her op earlier in the week. I loved the town, and its High Street filled with unique stores selling, as Captain Cynical put it “Crystals and New Age hippy crap”. Yeah man, ain’t it great?

I did shop there, but didn’t come away with tarot cards or crystals or incense. My money went on journals. Two, in fact. First from the squeetastically named Lane and Hammett Stationers – a Derwent Moleskinealike complete with two pockets (one in the front and one in the back). Then, in the Abbey giftshop I found myself faced with a rotating stack of pure, unadulterated journal pr0n – Paperblanks. I have been dying to get my hands on a Paperblanks journal for years. Last year Michael bought me a diary, which is lovely, but not as droolsome as the smythe-sewn French Ornate Wrap. So I bought one, and a review will come soon.

In the meantime, while I’m talking about magical matters and angels and the like, I’d just like to mention a few people who have been magical angels themselves this week:

• Michael, as ever. Always supportive, my best friend and soulmate never lets me down.
• Derek Osborne – Mum’s dear friend has been an absolute star during this time, and his kindness will never be forgotten.
• All the doctors and nursing staff at King’s Mill. Yes, it’s your job, but she says she feels like she’s on holiday so you must be doing your job exceptionally well. Thank you.
• Jacki from my Slimming World group for the phone call.
• And everyone who’s offered their best wishes. Even those of you she doesn’t know.
• And of course, Mum. For being as tuff as ow’d boots. Love you loads. QUACK (don’t ask..)

Latest Update: Correction on the Personal size – as Paulien quite rightly points out in the comments, it’s not the same size as the US Classic organisers at all. I’ve updated the bits about my choice, too, as I’ve switched to A5 since writing this post.

Filofax organisers come in a variety of different sizes and styles, and we’ve used most of them at one time or another, so we’ll share our thoughts on them. Sizes quoted are the size of paper, not the size of the binder…

Sizes

Mini

• 67x105mm

The mini is the smallest size – smaller than the pocket, which is a touch confusing. It’s the only one that really is pocketable. The problem is the size of the paper – it’s very small. If all you want is a few little notes whilst you’re about and about, it could do the job. I think they’re a bit too small, personally, but this is one of the few sizes I’ve never actually owned.

Some of the Mini binders have an extra pocket that wraps right around the outside, like a note pocket around a wallet, making them a good substitute for a wallet or purse.

Pocket

• 81x120mm

When they say “Pocket”, I think they mean jacket pocket – these are a bit on the bulky side for a trouser pocket, though mine does fit in my jeans, it makes for a fairly impressive bulge

This is the size I’m using at the moment. The usable size of the paper (ignoring the bit where the holes are) is just a tiny bit smaller than a 3×5″ index card, so if you’re used to a HipsterPDA, this could be a nice way of taking the same idea and wrapping it something that looks a bit more classy.

The Lyndhurst is the only one available in this size with a zipper, or the Executive gives a very slimline option if you don’t want the lines of your jacket to be spoiled too much.

Personal

• 95x171mm

This is the original ‘standard’ size for Filofaxes, and so it’s the size with the most options available for binders and fillings. You get a fair bit more paper area than with the Pocket, but you pretty much give up on being able to fit it in a pocket – though a large coat pocket may still do the job. The paper is quite tall and narrow, and I’ve never found it to be a very useful shape. Good for lists, addresses, and such like, but not as good for mind-mapping and scribbling.

This looks like it’s the same size as the Day Runner Running Mate size, though I’m not certain if the holes are in the same places.

Slimline

The slimline models are just versions of the Personal size with smaller diameter rings and no closure. They’ll slip away into a jacket pocket more easily, but there’s nothing to keep them shut, and they’re often a bit ‘floppy’.

A5

• 148x210mm

The A5 models give you plenty of space for notes and scribbling, but at the expense of a whole lot of size. I find them much too big to carry – they’re not subtle, and when I’ve tried them, I’ve found I don’t feel comfortable taking them with me in public – they’re a bit too noticeable. If you don’t mind that, though, there’s a couple of big advantages…

• More space for mind mapping and brainstorming – the A5 is the first size that gives you room to think.
• It’s a standard paper size – over here in Europe, at least, A5 paper can be bought by the ream, so with a hole punch and the excellent forms at D*I*Y Planner, you’ve got an easy system. The D*I*Y Planner forms are available for Personal too, but if you’re in Europe, it’s a lot easier to do in A5. Also, you can just load your printer with A5 paper, and print stuff out to read later.

A4

• 210×297

The real Man-Size Filofaxes – these are very big and hefty to carry about – probably more useful if you actually don’t want to carry it with you. If I didn’t want to carry it with me, though, I wouldn’t be using a Filofax. The other notable feature of the A4 versions is that they’re very expensive. The model I have as a pocket binder, in A4 size would be over £100 (almost $200 US).

Styles and Features

There’s a whole range of different styles and features available…

Leather

I have a pet hate for things that pretend to be leather. I don’t mind things not being leather, as long as they don’t try to look like leather. PVC with a leather-like grain pressed into it is out for me. I love the real leather models, but if not those, I’m quite happy with the cloth bound ones. The Logic isn’t bad, actually, as it’s PVC without any leather-like patterning, and most of the cover is a microfibre cloth.

The A5 Identity I had for a while just felt cheap and nasty every time I used it. If you don’t like holding the thing, you won’t get the use out of it.

Zip-around

Some have no closure at all, most have a press-stud, and a couple have some sort of elastic strap to hold them closed. If you like the idea of shoving loose sheets in there, or just want the paper inside a bit better protected, the zip-around models might be best.

There’s a couple of drawbacks, though…

• Slower access – zipping and unzipping takes a tiny bit of extra time, so getting to your notes can be a bit slower.
• Bigger size – the overall size of the organiser is increased by the zipper. This also means that the area of paper you get relative to the size of the thing you’re carrying is less than with other closures.

I find the advantages to be worth it, and I love my pocket Lyndhurst. The zip around makes it save to chuck a few loose bits in there, and I know that my pencil and cards can’t get knocked out of the binder and lost.

Fillings

If you pick a size where you can print on the right size paper, or you don’t mind a little effort with a cutter, you’ll love D*I*Y Planner – they make forms that you can download and print for free (though they’d love a donation to help cover the expense of putting these things together) so you get exactly the system you want.

Personally, I find I get on well with plain or lined paper for the most part – I don’t use many forms. It’s probably for the best, as the Pocket takes a strange paper size that would be tricky to get hold of and print on. The HipsterPDA sized forms would probably do the job quite well, though it might mean a bit of scaling.

My Choice

At the time I originally wrote this article, I was using a Pocket Lyndhurst, which did very nicely for me for quite a while. Eventually, though, it just felt a bit too small, and I didn’t like having to keep rushing out and buying Filofax paper. I finally spent the alarmingly large amount of money for an A5 Lyndhurst, and apart from a couple of experiments with alternatives, I’ve used it ever since.

Your Choice

You probably want the biggest area of paper you can carry, but if the binder ends up too big and heavy, you’ll end up leaving it behind. The question to ask is how often you want to have it with you. I wanted to have mine with me in the kitchen when making a cup of tea, so I could make a quick note if I had an idea or realised we needed more milk. Even the personal size is big enough that I’d have left it upstairs in the office, so I had my hands free for the tea. The Mini would have been even more pocketable, and easier to carry, but the paper seemed to small to be useful.

If you only really want to keep it nearby, and you don’t mind having to nip back to another room for it, you could get away with something bigger. I finally gave up on the Pocket, and moved to A5. I keep a few blank business cards in my wallet, so I can still make a note about that milk.

If you’re in Europe, another consideration is the standard paper sizes – there’s a definite advantage to using A5 or A4, whereas in America, the Personal size may be easier to print for. Either way, hole punches are expensive – Filofax sell their own, but they’re around £25 each. If you only intend to use it very occasionally, a single-hole punch can do the job, but it’s more work than you’d want to do too often.

If in doubt, and you’re thinking of spending a lot, it might be worth considering picking up a very cheap (maybe second hand) binder in the size you’re thinking of, so you can make sure the size is right before spending real money. If you can find a dealer that has all the sizes to play with, though, you can probably work it all out there – the staff of our local Staples are very understanding about me spending hours poking all of their binders.

And yes, I mean hours.

• Did you know The Beatles invented Led Zeppelin?

Other folks who frequent these parts may question its fabulousness, but it’s put a smile on my face after a particularly stressful day.

Thanks, Gary!

*UPDATE* Mum’s been demonstrating those kick-ass genes she has by getting through some pretty gruelling surgery, and she’s now recovering back on the ward. If you’re watching, mother, prepare for flowers!

Get well soon, Mum. I love you.

Another week gone, and I feel like I’ve been able to stay in control a little better this week. I decided last week that I was going to loosen up just a smidge, and allow myself an allocation of Syns if I felt like it. It seems to have worked, but I’ll find out for sure tomorrow night.

Last Monday’s weigh-in saw a loss of 2lb which takes my total weight loss to 3st 8 and a half lbs, or 50.5lbs or 22.9kg. I received my seventh weight loss certificate, and another sticker for my book.

The first half of the week saw me hobbling around in pain, having sprained my knee from the various ‘BigWalks’ we did that previous weekend. My GP recommended some ibuprofen gel and now it’s a lot better, which is a good job because it’s been another active weekend.

Friday night was spent at the local football club. No, not because we’ve developed a sudden fascination with The Beautiful Game, we were there to check out the Beatles tribute band playing at the clubhouse. And lo, another tribute act rolled out of Tiverton that night thinking…

“Did you see that big girl on the dancefloor? She was really going for it!”

Yes, I danced my less-ample-than-it-has-been-but-nonetheless-still-ample butt off to their spot-on renditions of Get Back, Please Please Me and Can’t Buy Me Love, among others. And, in the time-honoured fashion adopted by all Beatles tribute acts, naaa-naaaa-naa-NAHNAHNAHHHHNAHHH’d along with the crowd at the end.

The lads (and they were, with the exception of ‘Ringo’, really young lads – without the moptop wigs and the suits they looked more like an Arctic Monkeys tribute band) were all excellent musicians, but ‘George’ well and truly stole the show. He is an awesome guitar player, which only helps to add to the authenticity. As the show came to a close, ‘George’ looked across at me and gave me a smile and a thumbs up. Yeah, if you’re reading this lads, can you come back to Tivvy Town, say, weekly? It’s much more fun than going to the gym!

On Saturday we got up late and took a trip to Taunton. Michael wanted to upgrade his mobile (which he did and no doubt a blog post will follow shortly), and I wanted to upgrade my wardrobe. I’ve reached that wonderful point in my weight-loss odyssey where I need to buy some new gear before my old stuff falls off me. Unfortunately summer fashions aren’t the most flattering, so my options were limited. But I did come away with enough to keep me going. I wonder if I’ll ever feel brave enough to wear the skirt outside the house?

And today we had lunch out again. This time at the Fisherman’s Cot just outside town. The carvery is a fabulous way to enjoy a meal out without screwing things up on an Original day. I enjoyed a plateful of beef, turkey and loads of fresh vegetables. Michael helped by smothering his yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes in horseradish sauce. And today’s post-lunch walk took place at the quay in Exeter. What it lacked in distance in made up for in hill. It was quite a climb back to the car park.

So, all in all I’m hoping for a good loss again this week. Fingers crossed. The journey continues…

I was quite intrigued to read this story on BBC News Online this morning, revealing Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins to be quite the Tommy Cooper fan.

“He always seemed to get the conversation around to Tommy Cooper. He knows all the gags and he’s a big fan. He can do the voice – he’s very good.”

If only someone had provided a red fez on the set of Silence of the Lambs…

In Sensational Soaraway Sun of all places. Enjoy!

• Rockers rule with a Velvet glove

This is a new thread to show off stuff on the GuitarPr0n site. I’ll kick off with a very quick piece I posted about the latest issue of Q magazine:

• You can’t spell SQUEE without Q

Go check out the rest of the site by clicking on Slash’s Les Paul up there ^^.

If you want to write an article for the main site yourself, please do! Just put together whatever you have in mind, email or PM me, along with links to any photos you want to use and I’ll put it on the site!