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Apologies for an unexpected break and a Happy New Year
30 Saturday Dec 2017
Posted in highlanders, Musicuans, Scottish
Category Archives: Musicuans
Kevin Cooper, Kits, Caboodles and Hamsters.
07 Monday Nov 2016
Posted in Author Interviews, book tour, Musicuans, writing
Kev…
Er, Caboodle is not exactly a hamster Caboodle, though I’m quite sure that hamsters the world over will like it all the same as it also includes short stories of interviews with all kinds of characters as well as other stories, and poetry about all kinds of things. (Why oh why didn’t I do an interview one with a hamster?!!!) But…..dudes! Let me start by saying, it’s a real honour to be interviewed by such famous outstanding hamster dudes who have graciously provided me with an opportunity to talk about my latest book release, Caboodle & The Whole Kit.
Kev. Well… Er, Caboodle is not really about people and things as much; it’s more about experiences in life. I’m quite sure you dudes will be able to relate to some it it… sort of… (Big open smile)
Kev. Er, no. (Kev fidgets with his fingers and toes and moves about uncomfortably while waiting for the next question.)
The wonderful collection of short stories, poetry, and songs has been grouped together to bring a variety of tales that are mostly based upon true events, people can easily relate to.
Kev. (Oh dear!) Mm… Good question! Yes. You do make an excellent point. I think somebody should, er, definitely write something about you. After all, you are the most excellent hamster dudes I’ve ever met.
Kev. I had several completed works lying around and several others that I was still working on which didn’t seem to relate to one particular genre or topic, so I thought, Why not throw them all into one work, grouped into their respective genres/topics and that way, I will have everything I’ve written to date (apart from my memoir and fantasy sequel which I’m still working on) published and out there for folks to enjoy… That’s pretty much how Caboodle & The Whole Kit came about.
Kev. That was my most difficult challenge. I couldn’t for ages think of a suitable title, then one day while I was musing over it and having a really good talk with myself (as you do) I said to myself, it’s sort of like the whole kit and caboodle… then it hit me (a stroke of genius, I must admit) I’ll call it Caboodle & The Whole Kit! I love my mouse!
Kev. Er, I mean muse. I like hamsters too…
Kev. I’m more of a songwriter than an artist. I’ve had four single releases so far, three of which will become part of my album: The Right One when it’s finished. Christmas Time was my first release, last year. I will be promoting it again this year and it will probably become part of a second album I’m working on which I haven’t decided upon a name for yet.
Kev. My music is varied, but The Right One will bring together all my love songs and ballads with a couple of folk & country songs in the mix.
My second album will focus more on my less serious topics including The Boogie Song and a few other bouncy, dancy, wobbelly jobbelly type of songs… Pretty much all humour.
Kev. I perform live in my spare room and around the house occasionally if that counts. Aragorn likes to hear me sing and watch me play the guitar. Sometimes, we dance together. Rico looks at us like we’re stark raving bonkers then tends to disappear which is probably what my audience would do if I performed on stage… Don’t know why though, I do all my own moves. We should do a gig together sometime, we could call it Kev and the Hamster Dudes. Play that banjo!
Oh yes, definitely! I’ve seen him, or her, didn’t exactly get to ask about the gender.
But that’s how I got to know the hamster dude called, Clarence.
I was having a stroll in the woods one day, minding my own as you do when this big, wet blobby grassy, er mossy things jumps out of nowhere and blocks my path.
“Yuuu’man!” It growled
“Who me?”
“Yuuu’man!” It repeated
I looked around. Nobody. “Oh, you must mean me.”
“You, yuuu’man!”
“Oh, you mean, I’m human! It’s actually pronounced with an H, you know. Like this, Hu… man. Go on, give it a try.”
“I eat yuuu’man for halloween treat!”
“Ah, right, well… That changes things a bit doesn’t it?”
Just as the moss monster was about to pounce upon me, some strange music started playing… it sounded like a clarinet. The moss monster turned and ran towards the music. Living with cats for all these years, curiosity got the better of me, so I followed it to see who was playing the clarinet.
Turns out it was a hamster dude called, Clarence who upon seeing me in danger had gotten out his clarinet to distract the moss monster. Then he ran to the edge of a cliff and hid behind a rock while playing his clarinet. The moss monster, confused by the echo the music coming from the cliff’s edge ran over it and fell into the ravine.
If it hadn’t been for the hamster dude, Clarence and his clarinet that he played like the pied piper, I would have become the moss monster’s Halloween treat.
This is an exclusive for the hamster dudes. Copyright. Kevin Cooper.
Well, I’m currently working on my final memoir: Miedo 3: Fragments of Fear. I’m doing it as an unedited serialisation on my blog at the moment. Since, my son had a hamster, there will most definitely be a mention of that later on in the book. I still have fantasy sequel to write as well, but I’m also thinking about writing Animal Tales 2 which will definitely have a couple of hamster tales in it along short stories of other famous animals.
Thanks again for having me over on your site hamster dudes. I’ve really enjoyed it.
Kevin Cooper was born in Hull, East Yorkshire, England in 1963 and moved to the USA in 1985 when he was 21 years old.
Having left high school in England with only three CSE’s (Certificate of Secondary Education) in English Composition, Maths, and English Literature, he spent his first year in America studying for a GED followed by ACT. After passing his college entrance exams, he studied both music and religion for two years at Western Kentucky University before transferring to Asbury College to enroll in their pre-professional track in psychology. He obtained a recognition on the Dean’s List, and graduated with a BA in Psychology with a minor in Classical Greek.
Kevin started post-graduate studies in counselling and psychotherapy at Asbury Theological Seminary where he remained for two years before transferring to the Grand Canyon University in Arizona where he was awarded a research scholarship in their M.Ed program. He did his teaching practicum at Phoenix High School, completed his student teaching year at Peoria High School, and graduated from Grand Canyon University with a M.Ed.
While in America, Kevin has been a College Lecturer of General Studies, a Manager for The Hertz Corporation, who acknowledged him with awards of recognition for his service and dedication to the company. He was a Substitute Teacher for several years, a Private Tutor, a university tutor, and even did volunteer work as a children’s reading mentor in a Phoenix library.
Kevin now resides in England with his wife, and is an established Author of several works.
Connect with him here https://kcbooksandmusic.wordpress.com/
Caboodle is filled with relaxing episodes of life, family, love & romance, faith, and even the odd, inadvertent run-ins with some quite unsavory characters.
The wonderful collection of short stories, poetry, and songs has been grouped together to bring a variety of tales that are mostly based upon true events, people can easily relate to.
The whole kit is designed to ignite a mixture of emotions to bring smile, laughter, and moisture to the eyes. There is something for everyone in Caboodle.
Neatly real and aspiring awards
30 Saturday May 2015
Well, dudes, I’m glad we are agreed on something. So what we have here today are two awards.
TYPEWRITER Version
AND
The Very inspiring blogger is from the lovely Aquileana
https://aquileana.wordpress.com/author/aquileana/
If you don’t know Aquileana, she’s well worth visiting. Not only is her blog, dedicated to Greek mythology is a visual treat and she sets out to find the little known facts about the gods and goddesses, she also invites poets to show off their work AND she’s a super poet herself, as well as an awesome person. So if you have a moment to spare, I guarantee it won’t be wasted.
The rules of this award are simple,
Thank the person who nominated you for the award.
♠ Add the logo to your post.
♠Nominate ten (10) bloggers you admire and inform your nominees by commenting on their blogs.
So….Bobby Bub?
Hoping Aquileana will ignore that…. Here are the ten.
I don’t think so……….
SKD http://aromasandflavours.com/
Emily Guido http://emilyguido.com/
Adrienne Morris http://middlemaybooks.com/author/middlemayfarm/
Jane Austin http://t.co/giVRPcOGAN
Sharon Struth http://t.co/fwHWRlJXmk
Emmanuel Muema https://mynameistune.wordpress.com/author/mynameistune/
Linda Rose http://t.co/ErUcNGtqoO
Ralpha Man who has an award free zone but I want to nominate him anyway. http://bluefishway.com/
Mike Steeden who is the same but both these guys have brill blogs. https://mikesteeden.wordpress.com/
Antonia Van Zandt. http://t.co/AIE1TeBnVL
NOW the Real Neat Blog Award from Dan Hoger. Dan’s blog http://missingthemuse.com/ is a mixture of nerdy stuff, personal stuff and his writing. And it’s also very, very honest. Dan’s a freelance writer and co-wrote the screenplay for Deacon’s Choice which was produced by Hawkfilmz Enterprize and will be released this year. 
- Here are the rules.
- Put the award logo on your blog. ( DON’T RUN AWAY AND HIDE if you gave the award…sorry Dan, couldn’t help it.)
- Answer 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
- Thank the people who nominated you, linking to their blogs.
- Nominate any number of bloggers you like, linking to their blogs.
Take it away Bobby Bub.
.
- What’s your favorite kind of sandwich?
Shey ….peanut butter.
How would you describe your ideal man?
- Was that previous question too personal?
If you could be any kind of sea creature, what would you choose?
Who would win in a fight between Gandalf and Darth Vader?
What is your opinion of Doritos?
- On a scale of one to ten, how lame are these questions?
Now here are the bloggers.
Noelle Clark http://www.noelleclark.net/
Jane Hunt http://t.co/4ktfW6aOWL
Catherine Cavendish http://www.catherinecavendish.com/2015/05/the-northamptonshire-witches-settling.html
Kev http://kevs-domain.net/author/cooper1963/
Carol Balawyder http://carolbalawyder.com/
D.G Kaye j http://t.co/OQnIaqz3Cc
And now the questions
1 If you could own a hamstah what would you name them.
2 If you had one second left to grab a possession, what would it be?
3 We know there’s no such thing as a fav but what painting means a lot to you
4 And why?
5 What is your earliest memory?
6 If you could choose a historical figure to be who would you choose?
7 And why?
Having Met the Family……
09 Thursday Jan 2014
Tags
Antonia Van Zandt, Etopia Press, Falco, Jeanny, Loving Lady Lazuli, Seducing Amanda, Shehanne Moore, Vienna Valentine
Well, I must say aren’t the Addams and the Griswolds popular bunches. Yes, the Waltons are there too AND the Von Trapps. SO far we prefer watching Downton Abbey to being a Crawley (maybe it’s the name). No-one wants to be a Robinson and live in space, or a Corleone. I think Dev would vote Coreleone. After all he makes Sapphire an offer she can’t refuse. Although he does say should she even think about doing so…
I’m not mean. You have ten minutes.
When it comes to head starts. He’s nice that way.
Of course, talking families, I never included this bunch.
A ton of pros. But the cons? Oh come on. Star inserts in your head. Hair that would hit the doorframe. Enough.
Today, having met the lovely Hawleys, we continue Devorlane Hawley’s homecoming, kindly put on by a wonderful bunch of authors and writers I have come to know….
to help me celebrate the release of my new book, Loving Lady Lazuli AND the start of the London Jewel Thieves series, on Jan 17th. So far we’ve heard from Pietro Lombardi, the hero of Noelle Clark’s Rosamanti. Pietro is taking care of the nibbles.
https://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/you-are-cordially-invited/
Today, it’s time to turn our attention to the music. Devorlane’s sister Tilly, organized a little recital but there’s a problem with Tilly…. As Sapphire says…
Oh, Tilly said? And she’s sober enough a quarter of the time to remember her own name, let alone anybody else’s?
And what Tilly’s busily arranging is a recital headed by Belle and Sapphire, playing and singing this number…
Yes. Except playing is a generous term when Sapphire can’t play and Belle can’t sing. And really, do we imagine a man bent on turning Chessington into a pleasure palace is going to want to listen even if they could? I don’t know Dev would like the music of the era.
So, here today we have the lovely Antonia Van Zandt, author of Seducing Amanda and Vienna Valentine, taking the program in hand.
The Jeanny Saga by Antonia Van Zandt
Johannes Hölzel – the Austrian rapper-singer-songwriter known as Falco – caused major controversy with his song Jeanny.
He was accused of glorifying rape and child abduction, even though the lyrics are nothing to do with that. They tell of a nineteen year old woman who goes missing. It is unclear whether the older man, who is the narrator of the song, has abducted her or if the pair always intended to cement their illicit relationship by running off together.
Whatever the cause of her disappearance, it is clear she is not an unwilling partner to the alleged crime that has been committed – i.e. her ‘abduction’.
The man sings of his determination that Jeanny should not be found. “Niemand wird dich finden. Du bist bei mir!” (“No one will find you. You are with me”.) In a passionate performance by Falco, we are left in no doubt of the man’s obsessive love for his young girlfriend.
The song was banned by various radio stations in Germany and Austria when it was first released in December 1985 – a fact that boosted sales and gave him one of his all time bestsellers. Should they have banned it? Have a listen (the lyrics are given in German and English and Falco sings the chorus in English as well)
Encouraged by the success of the song and the controversy surrounding it, Falco decided to follow it up a year later. Coming Home – Jeanny Part II brings us up to date with what happened.
From the lyrics we can safely assume that the couple were found and the man was convicted (of something not requiring him to serve more than a year in prison). Now he’s back and his love for Jeanny is as strong as ever. But will she be there for him?
This is a live version, so you can see the man himself in action. No screen lyrics this time, so I have included them below.
Coming Home
Trans. by David Hookham
One Year ago, a year like an eternity
But it was love at first sight
Nobody wanted to understand us.
You and I – against the world
You (the world) have condemned us – you have condemned me
But our time will come, if a dream becomes reality
Coming home, I’m coming home
Let me show you who I am
Let me show you I’m your man
I would give anything just to see you again
Coming home, I’m coming home
Let me show you that I care,
Let me show that I share
I would give anything to see Jeanny again – coming home
You have changed, we have changed
Life has changed
If you still think of me, you feel it still
For ever and ever, you are with me
I am very close – take care – because I’m
Coming home, I’m coming home
Let me show you who I am
Let me show you I’m your man
I would give anything just to see you again
Coming home, I’m coming home
Let me show you that I care,
Let me show that I share
I would give anything to see Jeanny again – coming home
Do you still think of me?
Do you love me still?
Where are you?
Will you come back?
Do you still think of me?
Do you love me still?
Where are you?
Coming home, yeah he’s coming home
Love will never die, Love will never fade away (repeat*4)
Coming home, I’m coming home
Let me show you who I am
Let me show you I’m your man
I would give anything just to see you again
Coming home, I’m coming home
Let me show you that I care,
Let me show that I share
I would give anything to see Jeanny again – coming home
Falco had planned a third and final song in the Jeanny Saga, but it wasn’t to be, despite some assertions to the contrary.
These relate to various, previously unpublished songs found in the years following his tragic death in 1998. None of these seem to relate to the continuing tale, so most people discount the claims.
I happen to believe that Jeanny had moved on in that year, leaving her much older former lover bereft and lonely in the night…….
So…There we have the first program item. I must say that Saff and Dev are roughly the same age. But let’s be clear he does come home to her…..
Is it in ways he has imagined for ten years though after she not only left him lonely in the night she saw he was banged up in the army for ten years ? For that you will have to wait till next week. It only remains for me to say three things. Firstly, thank you Antonia for dropping by to help Tilly. Secondly tomorrow we’ve got incy Black heading up the security…..
Vital with all these jewel thieves about. Some of them anyway. Thirdly it remains for me to show you Antonia’s fabulously sizzling work.
You can connect with Antonia here:
http://antoniavanzandt.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/antonia.vanzandt
https://www.facebook.com/HotWriters
https://twitter.com/AntoniavanZandt_._,_.__
Her two sizzlingly erotic novellas are available on Amazon and other online bookstore:
Vienna Valentine
On a hot summer’s night in Vienna, wolves dream of passion…
Seducing Amanda
A lonely girl, a haunted house, and a ghostly passion from the past.
related posts.
https://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/meet-the-family/
https://shehannemoore.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/you-are-cordially-invited/
