#lachlan hamilton

[snappingthewalls]

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Slowly getting a handle on this YouTube thing. Take a look at what’s on my iPhone 6s Plus!

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First (of many?) vlog for 2015

My first vlog for 2015! Would you like to see more of these?

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I'm Still Here

Good morning (at least at the time of writing)!

Some of my keener followers may have noticed an absence of any sort of regular posts on this blog. Those observers would be correct. Indeed, there have been less posts, nay zero posts over the last few months, and I’m here to let my millions of fans know that this will change! I am still here, and I’m re-energised (re-energized for my diligent American friends) to refocus my blog content.

Whilst I am passionate about all that I have written about, that being music, technology and the human condition, I find myself more attracted to writing on technology. Whilst I am aware that I’ll essentially be competing with the thousands of other technology blogs on the Internet, all of you in internet-land (remember when radio disc jockeys used to refer to us, the listeners, as being in radio land?) should know that I won’t be seeing my blog in the same race. I’m not making money from my blog, although it would be nice if it were to be picked up (wink wink nudge nudge), I’m writing because I love technology. I don’t think there are enough knowledgable technology writers, particularly in mainstream print and media.

As an active community radio presenter too, I understand the benefits of things like community radio, blogs, anything where the content is determined by the creator. In other words, on community radio, the music is chosen by the person presenting, unlike commercial radio, where all the music is forced upon you by incredibly wealthy record labels, pushing their latest next best thing down your throat.

I’m hoping that I can provide honest, accurate, informative and entertaining writing on technology that everyone can enjoy to some extent. So stay tuned! Tell your friends! I hope to see you all back here soon :-)

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So This Is Christmas...

Despite the reasons for most people celebrating Christmas, there's no denying that it brings (most) families together, regardless of what has happened throughout the year. 

Yes, I'm alive! Firstly, sincere apologies for dropping off the face of the blogosphere. Whilst I had every intention of keeping this blog as regular as possible, life got in the way, and so my blog remained stagnant for a time. Even now, I can't promise regular updates - but there's a wealth of what I hope to be wisdom if you scrawl back through my previous posts. It's been nice seeing people and hearing them say things like, "I used to read your blog all the time, but I haven't seen any updates for a while!". To those people, thank you, and apologies. 

However, being that time of year, I thought it appropriate to deliver a brief message for the holiday season. Now more than ever, given recent events, either well known about, such as the recent shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut; or more private events, such as those closest to you, not knowing if they'll make it through the night; now is the perfect reminder to all to cherish those near and dear to you. Your health at this time is the greatest gift to have. Whilst Christmas is known as a time of giving to others, don't forget to give to yourself also. It's a time to indulge, if you can, enjoy time off work, and perhaps reflect on the year gone, and rethink the year ahead. Always put yourself first - because there's only so much you can do for others if you can't do anything for yourself. 

I sincerely hope everyone thoroughly enjoys the week ahead, with lots of food, friends and family around.

And I'm still around! Speaking of the year ahead - I have a lot planned. If you're not seeing much activity from me here, you can find me in many other places on the interwebs. Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, Instagram, or my own website.

Happy Holidays!

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This opinion piece echoes my own sentiments about the recent Apple vs Samsung trial. I may write my own piece if I decide I can add anything to this piece.

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What I try to live by...

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Get On With It

Whilst all of my blogs have been somewhat reflective of my thoughts and opinions, this one — at least for me — I feel a little more apprehensive about. It cuts straight to my core, and I find that revealing. My other blogs, for the most part, have been written in some way for other people, hoping I may inspire action or at least provoke thought. Today I write for myself. Consider this a public journal entry. This is how I’m feeling right now.

I really need to get on with it. Get on with the introduction to this blog. Get on with my career. Get on with my relationships. Get on with life. Those that know me might think I’ve already been this. Those that know me better know I should be much further ahead than I am. I have a few ideas as to how this might happen. Let’s start by ending this introduction, and getting on with this blog!

My career. I’ve criticised recently about people that are promoting themselves so heavily without a product to sell. They talk as if they’ve already “made it”. I’d like to think that as much as I advocate action, and selling great products (as a musician, music is my product), I do so with at least the humility that I’m aware of how much work lies ahead of me to achieve the grand ideas I have been suggesting. I’m lucky enough to at least have a clear goal of where I’m headed. There are plenty of people lacking direction. I recently prepared and performed a concert with a very good friend of mine, Nic Jeffries. There was a lot of work that went on behind the scenes. But there could have been more. There will be tweaks made to some of the arrangements in the set. Tunes will be cut, tunes will be added. By all accounts the night was a success. And this proves to me a very important point. If you put a lot of effort into something you’re passionate about, the results will speak for themselves. Rest is important. You can’t expect your brain to function on no sleep after you’ve been trying to be creative for weeks on end. So every so often, take a few days, travel somewhere remote and quiet, and take in the bigger picture. The details can wait until you get back. But when you do get back…get on with it!

My relationships. Here is the cold and honest truth, which is not just confronting for those reading, in fact if anything it’s more confronting for me. I will remain single for the rest of my life unless I connect with someone that truly enhances my life in all facets. And I would not expect to enter a relationship with them unless they, too, felt that I could reciprocally enhance theirs. I’m aware that there is a chance this may never happen, as it is a tall order to fill. However, there is absolutely no need for this type of relationship if it is going to be anything less ideal. I would say that 99% of my readers are going to disagree with me on this. It is so engrained in us that as we go through life, we find one person to settle down with, marry, and live happily ever after. Because of this, as far as I’m concerned anyway, people will find and marry the people that tick “most” of the boxes. Sometimes people will settle for even less.

But not me.

A romantic relationship is not necessary. In a lot of cases, they’re incredibly destructive. They inhibit creativity, productivity - and in too many cases, happiness. It is for these reasons I remain single. If the day comes, when I connect with the type of person aforementioned, where our lives are mutually enhanced, some degree of discipline is required to keep the relationship like that. Constant pushing. Constant inspiration. It’s so easy to spiral into what I call an insular relationship, where the entire focus of the relationship is inward. The focus, in my opinion, should be outward. Helping each other achieve the most out of life.

My life. Life will always move on. And it’s up to you to keep up. That sometimes means closing chapters, and opening new doors. It can be hard to close a chapter. Often, when you close a chapter of your life, people involved won’t understand why. If they did, they probably would have closed it earlier for you. By it’s very definition, when you close a chapter in your life, it means you are looking ahead when others are not. Perhaps they don’t need to. But what is most important is that you always do.

This blog is a hobby for me. There’s only ever going to be so many people I can reach. But if I’ve provoked any sort of reaction, positive or negative, inspired or angered, I implore you to pass it on, and then get on with it!