AMR - James Blake

First up, apologies for the delay in getting something to you the last few days. We've had a bit of a knees-up celebrating Thanksgiving. So, my deepest apologies. Not that you lot noticed anyway....

So today is the first AMR - and it's about a song I've adored for weeks. This is just magical music. Completely different, and just stunning. Getting some airplay the last week or so, but this is just remarkable. One of those records you just have to step back and listen to how incredible it actually is. The man in question is a guy called James Blake, and the record, released today, is called 'Limit To Your Love'. Expect some big, big things from him the next few years.

AMR - What The Hell Is It?!

Today I'm introducing something I've wanted to do for years. It's called AMR.

As you all know by now - I absolutely adore my music. Country to pop, R&B to soul, rock to indie, classical to electronic - the lot. I will give anything a go. Well, bar the religious stuff. Unless it's gospel. Now that's cool.

I've wanted to write a music blog for ages - where I can pop my thoughts on what's new, what's God awful, and what I've discovered on my many wacky website travels. Now I have an opportunity, seeing as this place is a mish mash and a blend of whatever goes on in my head.

So I'm introducing something called AMR. Very simply, this stands for Adam's Musical Recommendations. Simple, cheesy, but going to be very effective.

So if you happen to see AMR flashed about over the coming weeks and months, you'll know what it's all about. I mean, it isn't that difficult. Is it?!

First one coming up in a little bit....

Welcome To The Mad House

Welcome indeed to the mad house. I'm sure some of you have arrived having been with us for Day Dedication, and I'm positive a couple of you have just been redirected from My Food Revolution. And I'm really, really hoping that some of you have just arrived thanks to the wonderful world of the big wide web. Either way, welcome to Ever The Optimist, your new home for moaning.

I know that my glass is occasionally half empty, and that sometimes, I can be a bit grouchy and pissed off. Aren't we all? But thanks to Isobel (my lovely girlfriend, for those of you who have actually just arrived...), I've been told I'm a pessimist, and that I should be more positive. And no, we're not going for a Yes Man rip off again.

Instead, this is my new little area of the web. Somewhere for me to shy away, have a good moan, or bring to your attention some new band, or someone I've met, or something interesting I've found on the web. It's my own little muse, I guess. I've been meaning to do this for a little while actually.

Been something I've wanted to do since pre-Day Dedication. But I feel DD proved something - people who read it felt good if it were about them, and we had so much positive feedback from celebrities and big publishing companies, and we were in fact approached by a few too. Now I don't mean to bring it right down again, but this one could be a good laugh. I dunno - I haven't started it yet. But this one isn't planned, oh no. I can write what I want, when I want, and see what I can come up with. Just me, my screens and that think tank in my head. This could be a good giggle.

And yes, that it me in the big picture at the top. I'm sorry if your eyes now hurt. Don't blame me, blame the gene pool.

But hello. Guten Tag. Bonsoir. And all the other hellos around the world, just know that every visit here may not always leave you with a smile. It just might make you realise you hate something just as much as I do.

Happy frowning.