I was recently told by a 'communications expert' that I should put stuff in here as a way for people to get to know more about me. As if doing the music wasn't enough!

OK, fine. Self-serving or not, these are products, services, individuals and institutions that never fail me.

• The Rational Christian Ranter This is my other blog, so I suppose I should give it a plug. I'm a person of faith, but no ideologue. This blog chronicles the challenges people like me face in a world which seems to be increasingly unable to reconcile sincere belief and the modern world.
• Dubarry Boots Made in Ireland, they are the ultimate in sailing footwear. Don't laugh, cold feet are a sailor's worst nightmare (besides that giant squid thing.) But seriously,, all their boots and luggage are a lifetime investment.
• WolframAlpha.com I can't begin to tell you how much fun and educational it is. I can only describe it as the closest thing yet to 'Computer: What is the atmosphere like on the planet below.' You ask a question about something and it opens up a whole world. I can see kids teaching themselves calculus just by dinking around with this gizmo. Or maybe just finding out the ratio of potato exports between Ireland and Idaho in 1999. If you're at all wonky? Do not click on this unless you've got nothing pressing to do. You'll get lost.
• Dennis Dutton's Arts & Letters Daily Just imagine you're in a waiting room and instead of the crappy 'Holiday' and stale 'People' magazines? You suddenly notice you're surrounded by an endless selection of absolutely the most interesting stuff you've ever seen. And it's all so totally unexpected and engaging you can't stop reading when your number is called. And then it dawns&#8212you're queued up to get into heaven.
• AcademicEarth.Org I just love this site. It's a site with video lectures from the best college profs out there. I first tried it in order to get my own kids jazzed about college, but now I visit there just to (shock) learn. What knocks me out is how much more I would've enjoyed college if my own profs had been half as interesting as these guys.
• Live365.com Shameless plug since I wouldn't have this <cough> 'success' if it weren't for them. The first 'internet radio station' and, in my opinion, still the best. Why? They use real DJs. So, yeah, you get songs targeted to your genre du jour, but they will also try to stretch you a bit--a good thing these days where it's far too easy to only hear the same stuff over and over.
• Canon Video Cameras I've dropped this thing a zillion times and it always works. There may be 'better' cameras but in terms of value for money and ease of use this thing is incredible.
• Honda Motor Cars I've had these things for over twenty years and for whatever reason I have never had a single issue with any of them.
• The Mahabharata The most amazing six hours of acting I have ever seen.
• Johnny's 'Jamaica Me Crazy' Hot Sauce With enough of this stuff I'd happily eat my socks.
• Salumi If the idea of paying $50 to order a 'salami' by mail seems about as sensible as ordering a hot dog in a French restaurant then stop reading here. But if you can accept the idea that a soprasetta can be a transcendent experience? Get some. Or better still, go down to Jackson street at 11am and start queuing for lunch. Just writing this is making me desperate for a sandwich.
• Patton Soundtrack The movie was great, but the score is a real treasure. A great soundtrack is one where you cannot imagine the movie without it. There are very few movies you can say that about these days. Memorable melodies and the best bits of Hindemith. More on important soundtracks here...
• The Debt To Pleasure One of the most interesting books I have ever read; a study of a most entertaining psychotic killer with some darned fine recipes that really taste great! Another plus: it is an absolutely great looking book. The design, typography and even the paper are a perfect match to the book's sensual experience.
• St. John Restaurant My favourite restaurant in the world. They serve up marrows n' toast just like my grandmother used to make. And they're in Smithfield London of all places. Go figure.
• The Salvation Army I have volunteered with them for over twenty years and they have consistently done the best charitable work on the largest scale of which I'm aware. Over 97 cents of every dollar they bring in goes to helping people. And when you work for them you can really see the good you're doing for people in your city.
• And one more charity, if you aren't already warn out? Richard Fuller's Blacksmith Institute, which cleans up the crappiest places on earth; where zillions of people have to live. And they do it for peanuts, using the simplest materials you can think of.
• Arthritis Foundation As a long-timer with this condition, I've seen how much good the AF does. Millions of people live much more active, pain free and happier lives through their efforts. Like the Salvation Army, their efforts are often overlooked by well-meaning people in favour of causes that are more au courant but I want to assure you that there is no cause you can give your dollars to that will have a higher 'bang for buck.'
• The Internet Now In Handy Book Form A spoof site by artist David McCandless. I particularly like the Apple wind-ups, but then, I tend to appreciate anything that takes the piss out of Apple these days.

• OK, Check out Jake Shimabokoru, the most fantastic ukulele player I have ever seen. Yes, ukulele. And let me say that if I could recommend an instrument to teach your child or for yourself, I would pick this. Compact. Cheap. Beautiful. A lifetime of adventure on four strings.
• And what about Irish music? Here ya go:. Liam O' Maonlái and Kila When I want to give people an example of what modern Irish music can be, I recommend these two.
• So you want to dance? So let's go! Check out DiscoMusic.com.

...and of course any of the musical kit I list on my Gear Lust Page.

Thanks for stopping by.