Rosa Park`s seat in the U.S Capitol

Standing nine feet tall and weighing in at 2,100 pounds, is civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

The statue of Miss Parks was revealed yesterday at the National Statuary Hall inside the U.S. Capitol.

To my surprise, there are many people who are of the opinion that Miss Parks didn`t really do anything of value. 

All she did was refuse to give up her seat on?

Possible if you look at this on the small scale it seems insignificant but on a larger scale, it signifies the resistance towards discrimination and racial segregation which was so prevalent in American , especially in the south.

Her brave act of defiance on 1 December 1955, started off the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which ended on 20 December 1056 when The United States Supreme Court declared that laws which segregated buses in Montgomery and Alabama was unconstitutional.

President Obama was there for the unveiling of the statue and put things in perspective:  "Rosa Parks held no elected office," he said. "She possessed no fortune; lived her life far from the formal seats of power. And yet today, she takes her rightful place among those who’ve shaped this nation’s course."

Rosa Parks, 100th birthday was celebrated on the 4th February 2013 and her requests have been fulfilled when she said: "I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free."

South African Police, law unto themselves!

The police are supposed to keep citizens safe by detecting and preventing crime. They are supposed to be responsible for maintaining public order and leading by example.

The reality in South Africa is that they behave however they choose with a complete disregard for the actual law and human rights.

The latest humiliation of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has now gone viral.

Tuesday, 26th February: Amateur video footage shows Mido Macia, 27 year old, taxi driver from Mozambique, handcuffed to the back of a police van being dragged down the road.

Mr Macia was confronted by police because his taxi was said to be blocking traffic, in Daveytown, east of Johannesburg.

It is not clear how the situation escalated. Mr Macia began to resist them as they tried to put him into the police van. Eventually they just decided to chain him to the van and drive off to the police station.

The police allege that Mr Macia assaulted an officer and somehow took his gun off of him. This sounds and looks like absolute rubbish, especially if you watch the beginning of the video.

Mr Macia was found dead in his cell two hours later. The post mortem concluded that he died from severe head injuries and internal bleeding, which indicates that he was probably beaten under police custody (police claim that other prisoners had attacked him)

Riah Phiyega, South African Police Commissioner has confirmed that the eight police men involved in the incident have been suspended and have been disarmed. (well I should damn well hope so)

In a country that has so much to offer, so much potential it is constantly downgraded by the immense corruption and brutality of nearly every facet of its governance. 

You would think that after the Marikana Massacre, a miner`s strike in August 2012 that resulted in the death of 47 people as police open-fired on the crowd, that they would be on their best behaviour….. But I suppose that would be far too rational.

Today, I understand why people refer to policemen as pigs!

Old Wives Tales

Before you start reading, put this song on: Stevie Wonder - Very Superstitious.

Whilst growing up, you are told certain `tales` aimed at discouraging some sort of unwanted behaviour. For example: "If you keep pulling those faces, the winds might change and your face will be stuck like that forever." Needless to saw, my expressions were somewhat subdued in windy weather.
It is interesting to find that these tales are not exclusive to childhood, as they follow you through life. Even if you don`t believe in them, there will always be someone telling another way in which you can cure, prevent or foresee something.

Old Wives Tales are urban legends mixed with superstition. The belief is that this `wisdom` was passed down through generations and goes so far back that they are in fact beyond the reach of scientific evaluation. (Please take note of the sarcasm)

The reason I am writing about this is because I am ill. I`ve been wheezing, sneezing and moaning for over a week now and have heard an array of `cures` for my aliments. This got me thinking... I am not particularly superstitious but there are things that I always think about if I do see a black cat or walk under a ladder.

Below are the old wives tales and common superstitions that I grew up with:

1.) An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
2.) Drinking warm milk, will help you sleep
3.) Chocolate causes acne
4.) Don`t swollen your gum, it will stay in your stomach for 7 years
5.) Eating carrots improves your eyesight... How do you think Bugs Bunny can see underground?
6.) To remove a wart: On a night of a full moon, Rub half a potato on your wart and bury the potato in the ground
7.) Put brandy or whisky on the gums of a teething baby, to sooth pain (pretty sure this is not advisable)
8.) Spilling salt is bad luck... Through some over your left shoulder to counteract this.
9.) Put butter on a burn - probably one of the worst things you could actually do.
10.) Prevent night time leg cramps.... by putting a bar of soap in your bed.... obviously?
11.) Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis
12.) You will get sick if you go out with wet hair
13.) If your ears twitch, someone is talking about you
14.) To stop hiccups: drink a glass of water with your head upside down OR ask someone when they last  saw a horse was.
15.) If you make a wish, you can`t tell anyone or else it wont come true.
16.) After eating you should wait a hour before swimming.
17.) Breaking a mirror means 7 years of bad luck.
18.) To prevent watering eyes whilst chopping an onion... Put a matchstick OR spoon in your mouth.
19.) If you get stung by a jelly fish.... allow someone to pee on you.
20.) And the favorite of many of my friends: `Have the hair of the dog that bit you` - meaning the best way to cure a hangover is to have another drink.

Oscar-mania.

In most awards in life, there are winners and losers. I don`t think this can be really be said for Hollywood because even if an actor/actress doesn`t win a little golden man, they are still ridiculously rich and that`s pretty much a win.
The 85th Academy Awards Ceremony (officially re-branded as The Oscars this February) has had media networks buzzing for the past 24hours+.

Daniel Day-Lewis won Best Actor for his lead role in Lincoln (as Lincoln) making Oscar history, as he is the only man to win 3 Oscars for best actor- My Left Foot (1990), There Will Be Blood (2008). 
The only other man to come close to this achievement is Jack Nicholson, with two Best Actor awards- One Flew Over The Cuckoo`s Nest (1975) and As Good As It Gets (1997) and one Best Supporting Actor award- Terms of Endearment

*Katherine Hepburn is the only person to have ever received four Best Actress Awards - Morning Glory (1933), Guess Who`s Coming To Dinner (1967), The Lion In Winter (1968), On Golden Pond (1981), 

Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress for her lead role in Silver Linings Playbook, in which she plays a recovering sex addict. I have recently come across a massive fan base for Miss Lawrence online and having watched a few interviews and her general presence when on camera, I find her pretty entertaining
Have a look:  http://www.buzzfeed.com/kmallikarjuna/the-best-jennifer-lawrence-quotes-of-2012

Best Supporting Actor award went to Christoph Waltz for his role as a bounty hunter in Django Unchained.

Best Supporting Actress was won by Anne Hathaway for her role in Les Miserables

Ang Lee`s, Life of Pi, won Oscars for Cinematography, Directing, Music (original score) and Visual Effects.

Argo won Best Picture. Directed by Ben Affleck, it follows the story of six American diplomats during a hostage crisis in Iran. Additionally, Argo won the film editing award.

J.K Rowling - Harvard Commencement Speech

I have never read a Harry Potter book, to be honest, it just really was not my sort of thing.

However, the author of said books, J.K Rowling, is one hell of a rhetorician.

I had been told about this speech which she gave at the 2008 Harvard Graduation but  never really paid much attention to it..... What a pity I waited so long.

Rowling`s speech is titled: `The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination.` 

I find this speech humorous, sincere and inspiring. One criticism would be that she does express a bit of self pity, especially in saying that others "might not experience failure on her level" (I can imagine far worse things than being poor in England, where there is aid and assistance from the government)

Back onto the positives though, I found her speech honest and enjoyed how it highlighted the proverbial `silver lining`. 

Particularly like this quote: "Failure meant a stripping away of the inessential"

The Poet, David Wright

At school in South Africa, we were never taught about David Wright. He was never discussed or even really mentioned. 

It was only once I had moved to the UK, did I learn of him and the fact that he was being called "the foremost South African poet of his generation" by the Daily Telegraph.

David Wright was born in South Africa 23 February 1920. At seven years old, he was deafened as a result of scarlet fever. Moving to England seven years later.

By Patrick Swift (1960)

On a Friend Dying 
by David Wright

I should speak in the past tense 

But do not, for it seems 

What was has an existence, 

If only of images. 

Remains a scene as still 

As water, as fragile, 

Floating a ghostly 

Reflection. Immobile 

Summer of long late-lit 

Evenings in a dingy street. 

A swung glow of the Marquis 

Door seen from Rathbone Place. 

And there remains a large room full of flowers 

    Imaged on canvases, the real ones still in the garden, 

And books and objects I've known for thirty years. 

    Unknown to me I am taking a final leave of them 

And the woman no longer young but more beautiful 

    Than the young girl had been, who held all these together. 

Yet that web woven over so long shall not unravel, 

    Though the lives and bonds disperse like the furniture 

To disassociation. Eternity, when one thinks of it, 

    Exists in what has been, there residing. 

In what's done and can't be changed is immortality, 

    Though I may not be long remembering. 

The summer of pilotless planes, 

Of searchlit nights and soft, 

When once upon a scare 

Together we ran out 

Into the naked garden 

High over Archway, and 

The warm leaves of laurel 

Trembled in no wind. 

Larger in death, mythical, those figures, 

Yankel Adler, David Archer, Colquhoun and MacBryde; 

Not failed gods, because our gods were failures 

Standing in broken shoes with half-pints of Scotch ale. 

Now would I say that it is nine o'clock at the Wheatsheaf, 

That it will not be long before the place is full. 

Who was it who said 

Friends are born, not made? 

I remember, as now 

You no longer do, 

The recognition 

Across a long room; 

After the eyes met 

Was articulate 

Before we had spoken 

What had always been. 

Real Life Bubble Boy

Imagine spending your whole life in a plastic bubble?

This was the case for David Vetter, who died at the age of 12 years old, today in 1984.

Mr Vetter was born with a severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and unlike the comedy Bubble Boy with Jake Gyllenhaal, his life was not as adventurous. 

After just 10 seconds in this world, he was placed into a plastic incubator and it was beneath this that he would spend the rest of his life.

Approximately 1 in 1 million people are born with SCID.

 And just to think, I start getting cabin fever if I haven`t left the house all day... 

Danny Elfman and Tim Burton

Composer Danny Elfman and Director Tim Burton are a magical duo created in movie and music heaven.

And now they are teaming up again at Royal Albert Hall in October. Unfortunately, all the tickets are already sold out.

I was first introduced to Tim Burton when I watched The Nightmare Before Christmas and developed a childhood crush on Jake Skellington, the main character, who was coincidentally voiced by Danny Elfman.

This talented pair are long-time friends who have worked on numerous movies together.
My favorites are:

1.) Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Favorite scene: At the end when Edward is carving the snow to make it snow, so that Kim can dance in the snow.
Best quote: Kim (as an old lady) - "I don`t think it would be snowing now if he weren`t still up there. Sometimes you can still catch me dancing in it."




2.) The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Favorite scene: Mr Oogie Boogie`s song
Best quote: Jack - "And since I am dead, I can take off my head to recite Shakespearean quotationssss."






3.) Beetlejuice (1988)
Favorite scene: When Adam and Barbara make the new family and guests, dance around the table to Day-Oh! (The banana boat song)
Best quote: Lydia - "You can`t scare her, she`s sleeping with Prince Valium tonight."




4.) Big Fish (2003)
Favorite scene: In the circus tent, when Edward first sees Sandra (the love of this life). Time stops and Edward walks through suspended popcorn.
Best quote: Young Ed Bloom - "There comes a point when any reasonable man will swallo his pride and admit he made a mistake.The truth is... I was never a reasonable man."

5.) Mars Attacks! (1996)
Favorite scene: When the martians are sneaky into the grandma`s house, her headphones unplug and the music makes the martians freak out and their heads explode into green glue.
Best quote: Richie - "Wow, he just made the international sign for doughnut."

Students struck by lightning in Joburg.

One of my favorite things about Johannesburg is the afternoon storms in summer.

From a bright sunny day the sky transforms into a charismatic orchestra of deep thunder accompanied by a moody sky and the bursting whips of lightning. 

It usually does not last very long but cools the earth, slows the day down and allows you a few moments to appreciate the beauty of mother nature.

But you know what they say.... "Don`t f#*k with mother nature" as there are more than 260 lightning caused deaths a year in South Africa!

Last week , 13 students in Joburg were struck by lightning. One girl and two boys still remain in critical care.  This happened at two different incidents, one involving 4 teenage girls walking home from school in Soweto and the second involving nine teenage boys from King Edward VII School (KES)

I have quite a few close friends that went to KES and as an old, all-boys school they pride themselves on unity and `brotherhood`, all very traditional if you will. My favorite part..... they chant! 

A few ex-KES boys posted this on facebook, in support of the injured. It`s quite a long video but watch the first 2 minutes and you`ll understand what i`m talking about.

Being a Blogger

Skeptical as I was at first, I think i`m beginning to understand the motive behind blogging.

I`ve been at this for nearly a month and whilst it seemed to be a burden at first, I have realised that I am paying much more attention to things because I might be able to use them as a subject matter to discuss and write about. Even small details have become that much more interesting.


As someone who has rather strong and at times contradictory views, I find myself having mundane, politically correct conversations with many people because I don`t want to offend or argue about my opinions.

In hindsight, this is quite sad really because there is so much to talk about, so many different perspectives and views just waiting to be heard and acknowledged, that this sort of mentality is closing us off from so much.

Movie review - Django Unchained

As a Quentin Tarantino fan I was quite excited to see Django Unchained and have been ear-blocking and hushing all that have seen it and tried to speak to me about it.

Last night I went to watch it with all the enthusiasm as a small child would have going to a fun fair but walked out rather disappointed.

As far as movies go, it was enjoyable. Visually effective and the characters were incredible, for me Christoph Waltz stole the show and his character had the perfect combination.  However, I didn`t feel that sense of internal mild anarchy that is usually evoked after a Tarantino film.

Internal anarchy, you ask? It`s a tough concept to explain but to put it in layman`s terms, it just didn`t light that fire inside whereby you desire being involved in something bigger than yourself, something raw and exciting.

There is something about his movie genre makes it easy to identify his work. It is dark and non-linear, separating the good and the bad but in, what I believe, to be a more realistic division and that is one that is very thin and easy to confuse. Tarantino is a story teller and often accused of promoting violence and obscenity when in fact he is showing the perspective that is not clean cut, with rainbows and unicorns.

The story takes place two years before the America Civil War (1861-65) and  is rather simple when you come to think about it. A slave (Jamie Foxx) is `rescued` by a bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) who requires his assistance in tracking down three men, who were the `masters` of Foxx and his wife (Kerry Washington) until they found out that they were married, resulting in harsh beatings and selling them, separately.

Foxx becomes a bounty hunter and after the winter they set off to save his wife, who is now a slave at Candie Land, run by Leonardo DiCaprio. He rescues his wife after killing lots of Southerns with his super slick gun skills. And that is about it.

Most of Tarantino`s movies have a strong theme of revenge but there is usually other aspects of it that make it a bit more well rounded, which was not the case with Django Unchained. Furthermore, it was long and it felt long which is never a good sign.

Let`s just say... It was no Pulp Fiction.

Music review - Mr Scruff at Koko

After an exhausting week, the thought of going out and dancing was the furthest thing from my mind. However, it turned out to be the medicine needed to relax, as I literally danced all my worries and concerns away.

Playing a six hour set and maintaining the happy go-lucky vibe of the night, is not an easy feat but Mr Scruff knows what he is doing and after the gig he jumped down to have a chat with us, everyday people and I left at 3:30 am with a spring in my step and much more optimistic about the week to come.

The artist was Mr Scruff a DJ from Manchester, whose real name is Andy Carthy. Mr Scruff is the perfect blend of eccentric, quirky and insanely creative. One thing that sets him apart is that he plays up to 6 consecutive hours of music that you can`t help but smile and dance to.  Accompanied with his little sketches on two big screens and his own brand of tea that is on sale.

The venue was Koko in Camden Town and what a venue it is. Initially opened in 1900 as the Camden Theatre, you can`t help but feel that sense of nostalgia and awe, especially when standing in front of the stage and look back, up at the four tiers with a massive disco ball hanging from the beautiful ceiling.

For smokers, it is a dream because you can exit onto the balcony from the second floor and overlook the bustling street. For drinkers, it is a breeze because the service is fast and friendly.

The event was sold out but the abundance of space meant that it had the atmosphere without the usual not-being-able-to-move claustrophobia that accompanies most gigs in London.

Mr Scruff came on around 9:30 pm starting with very chilled set that gradually escalated until the climax of the bass pumping, heart thumping tempo of " Get a move on".

"I am the bullet in the chamber" - seems pretty accurate

Oscar Pistorius, is a South Africa sprinter that competed in the 2012 London Olympic games. He has no legs below his knee and is known as the `Blade Runner`. And it seems pretty clear that he shot and killed his girlfriend, South Africa model Reeva Steenkamp.

The information surrounding this case seems quite confused, as it keeps evolving. 

At first it was reported that Mr Pistorius shot his girlfriend by mistake, thinking that it was an intruder (in his heavily guarded home) and it was him that called the police.

The second report was that his neighbors had heard fighting and called the police. Miss Steenkamp was shot for times through the bathroom door.

Now there are rumors about a bloodied cricket bat being found.

I woke up on Valentines Day, checked my facebook and saw people`s `outrage` towards the police and journalists, in defense of Mr Pistorius, with comments such as "He would never do such a thing" and "Stop with all the Pistorius jokes guys, imagine how hard this is for him."

Yes, I`m sure it is hard for him, to have killed his girlfriend and now rightly so spend the rest of his life in jail. However, I am pretty sure it is harder for the 29 year old woman that has lost her life and the family that have to deal with it!

This story is another example of why people should not hold athletes and celebrities on a pedestal!

Weather you have two legs, no legs or are walking on your hands, you are not above the law and don`t deserve any special treatment or sensitivity.

The irony of this Nike advert is incredible!

Harlem-shaking-it

Internet crazes are a phenomenon that sweep through the world for a split second in history and then die out, only to be replaced by something just as random as before.

The latest craze is called the Harlem Shake and in the past month there have been 49,100 videos uploaded onto YouTube.

Of course it is ridiculous and just a little bit of fun but it is not stuck in the confines of cyper-space. Yesterday, Baauer`s short song became number one on iTunes and today he has sold out his concert in New York, as a result.

Today Buckingham did their very own Harlem Shake:

If you want to Harlem-shake-it, here is how:
1.) One person, with a random mask/outfit, starts dancing to the music. 
- most common move is limp arms and rocking pelvis.
- everyone else in the room goes on as normal, not paying any attention.
2.) Everyone goes crazy... outfits, props and color make it even better.
- I`ve noticed in most videos there are common moves such as: punching teddy bears, humping inanimate objects, someone not moving at all.

Enjoy x

Valentine`s Day (Wellington`s Day, Thursday or ingenious marketing scheme day)

In an ideal world people wouldn`t need a specific day to express and celebrate their love but alas this is not the case in the world that we live in. Our world is imperfect and peculiar

So stop complaining and be a little bit more lovely to those you love. 

And for all those bitter types, here is Sacha`s Top 30, mostly love related playlist.

HAPPY VALENTINE`S DAY (Wellington`s Day, Thursday or ingenious marketing scheme day)

1.) Rod Stewart - "Baby Jane"
2.) The Ronettes- "Be My Baby"
3.) The Captain and Tenille - "Love will keep us together"
4.) Van Morrsion - "Have I Told You Lately"
5.) Pink Floyd - "Wish you were here"
6.) Dexys Midnight Runners- "Come On Eileen” 
7.)John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John - “You’re the One That I Want” 
8.) Ben Howard - "Only Love"
9.)The Archies- “Sugar Sugar” 
10.)Little Peggy March - “I Will Follow Him” 
11.)The Temptations - "My Girl"
12.)Nat King Cole - "When I fall in love"
13.)Sonny and Cher - "I got you babe"
14.) Queen - "Somebody To Love"
15.) Elvis Presly - "Love Me Tender"
16.)Barry White - "You`re The First, The Last, My Everything" 
17.)Joe Cocker - You Are So Beautiful” 
18.) Cheap Trick - "I want you to want me"
19.) Willie Nelson - " Always on My Mind"
20.) The Troggs - "Wild Thing"
21.) The Police - "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"
22.) Marvin Gaye - "Let`s get it on"
23.) Stevie Wonder - “I Just Called to Say I Love You” 
24.)Eric Clapton - “Wonderful Tonight” 
25.) Kim Mazelle - "Young Hearts Run Free"
26.) Van Morrsion - "Someone Like You"
27.) Bon Iver - "Skinny Love"
28.) Mickey and Silvia - "Love is Strange"
29.) Eagles - "The Best Of My Love"
30.) The Beatles - "All you need is love"

Pope Benedict XVI resigns

In the past few days, the news has been focused on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and I can imagine that for the Catholic community, it is rather an exciting event, especially since Catholicism is not really keen on much changing.

There have been eight others who have resigned from this position, the last being Pope Gregory XII in 1415.

The link has been made between the Pope`s resignation and the start of Lent and for this reason, I share the following poem (which I found online)


"Today the Pope resigned
Leaving a dispute about some crimes

It's said sex abuse has been covered up
Priests simply shifted across to a new chalice cup

For the first time in more than 600 years,
The Pope stepped down, the Cardinals in tears.

I don't blame him, not a bit
Why shouldn't the Pope be allowed to quit?

Now all the cardinals have to sit in a room,
Amid Bibles and dust and plenty of gloom
their task is to decide who's up next
without the usage of phone lines or texts

He announced it the day before Marti Gras
In my opinion, that's quite the faux pas

See my theory is that he realized Lent starts tomorrow
And couldn't give up any more sweets without sorrow
Think about it, for it only makes sense
The Pope's a smart guy, it's not that he's dense

Because he's worked towards this job for most of his life
And he's certainly not quitting to spend time with his wife."

Global Poverty Course

Leading universities in America such as Harvard,Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Berkeley have teamed up to create an online learning platform that is called EdX, which is a not-for-profit enterprise.

These universities have created online courses covering a variety of subjects from `The Ancient Greek Hero` to `Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Computation`.

There is no age requirement, no set prerequisites (only advisable ones) and most importantly these courses are being offered for FREE. All you need is an internet connection.

Today is the start of the 14.73x: The Challenges to Global Poverty, through MITx. I signed up a few weeks ago and have now received access to this weeks lecture videos, reading material and requirements.  

"This is a course for those who are interested in the challenge posed by massive and
persistent world poverty, and are hopeful that economists might have something useful to
say about this challenge."

The course syllabus covers; Food, Health, Education, Family, Risk and Insurance, Credit, Savings, The Poor and Their Businesses, Institutions

Especially with the increase in university fees, courses like this are extremely helpful and a way forward in rising awareness and giving being the knowledge necessary to act.

Nelson Mandela`s freedom

For South Africans today is quite memorable in our history, as Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years.

At this time Mandela was the vice-president of the African National Congress (ANC), a year later he became president of the party and three years after that he became president of our country.

In June 1964 he was convicted of treason and sabotage, sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island.

Even after being released he never advocated racism, he never cast blame. Instead he focused of moving forward, changing the social structure in South Africa.

For me Mandela is an inspiration. He fought for what he  believed in, he kept fighting and even after experiencing decades of discrimination and cruelty he came out on top. Humble, determined and accepting.

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”
  

Happy Anniversary United Kingdom

Arriving on Mud Island four years ago, my intention was never to stay for four years but alas here we are.

I`ve been to some amazing places:

Made beautiful, weird and embarrassing memories:

And most importantly, I have met some incredible characters from every crevice of the globe:

Bill Haley and His Comets

There are some songs that always put you in a good mood and you can`t help but dance around to them.

Bill Haley is one of the artists of two such songs: Rock Around The Clock and Shake, Rattle and Roll.

Haley passed away on the 9th Feb 1981 and is a legend in every right.


Rock Around The Clock - I remember dancing to this song at a school play when I was 10/11 years old

 Shake, Rattle and Roll - Originally a Big Joe Turner song

Buckingham Societies - All for the title?

Many universities have active societies and being part of them is something prestigious, rewarding and of course sociable.

At the university of Buckingham, this does not appear to be the case!

Apart from a few societies that make a concerted effort to host parties and organize trips, there seems to be many that don`t do very much at all.

The society that I am calling into question is Amnesty International.

Apart from being a member of Amnesty for a few years, of late my responsibilities have been limited to donations and reading their newsletter.

Last year at the student fair I decided to join Buckingham`s Amnesty International society, I paid the required £5 fee and waited to hear what cause I would be able to volunteer for. Alas, this naive optimism led to a dead end - NOTHING! Not an email, not a meeting.

At the beginning of this year I decided to follow up on the situation of the society. Yes, admittedly my email was direct and may have come across as impatient. I used the word `scam` because money is being taken from people wanting to be members and where has that money gone? It certainly has not gone towards anything even mildly productive!

Last week Friday was the first meeting, in who knows how long. It was unorganized, the Executive were all late but it was positive and enthusiastic, which gave me hope.

It was agreed that another meeting would be held today at 5pm and surprise, surprise, it was cancelled. I went straight there from a tutorial so I didn`t have time to see the email that was sent at 3pm rescheduling the meeting.

Yes, I understand that there are personal reasons involved, which is why one member of the executive, understandably would not have been able to come but when you get told that the meeting was cancelled because the President of the Society is out of town and then you see said president in the parking lot waiting for a bus to Milton Keynes! You can`t help but wonder what intentions are really behind some of these societies.

The valid conclusion that I can come up with is that people want to have something to put on their C.V that makes it look like they give a shit!

Everyone is busy, everyone has other commitments BUT if you can`t handle it, the answer is pretty simple - DO NOT DO IT! I am sick of hearing peoples excuses for being completely self absorbed and inefficient.

It might seem like i`m getting worked up for nothing (which is what some of my housemates believe) but let me explain why this is bugging me so much:

1.) Amnesty International is an amazing cause and I would love to be more actively involved in doing some good in this world - what ever it may be.

2.) I don`t like the thought of someone using the title of a good cause, simply for their C.V. Hand it over to someone who is passionate and willing.

3.) Where is the money going? £5 membership. I`ve spoken to people throughout last year who had joined up and never heard anything. So again, what has been done with the money?

4.) Why does nobody seem to care about this? So many people are complaining but nothing is being done? Shouldn`t the Student Union set an ultimatium? Shouldn`t there be basic requirements for a Society?
And if nothing is being done why should the society exist?

I understand that you want your C.V to be something that stands out when you leave university but here is an idea... How about you actually do something to be rewarded with the title?

The Beatles

The Beatles first big radio hit in the USA was "I want to hold your hand" and from that point on The Beatles found everlasting fame and admiration.

Forty-nine years ago today (1964 for those not great at maths) The Beatles landed in New York at JFK Airport and were met by a hysterical mob of thousands of fans! This was their first time in the United States and it was clear just how much their influence had spread across the Atlantic Ocean.

Beatlemania is a phenomenon that grasped  the world in the 1960s,  with loyal and new supports staying true to this day.

It is pretty hard to decide which songs are my favorite but if I had to choose I would say that:
My favorite Beatles songs would have to be: 
1.)  Let It Be
2.) I Want To Hold Your Hand
3.) Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
4.) Here Comes The Sun
5.) Come Together
6.) Hey Jude - Watch this adorable little boy do his version of this song.
7.) All You Need Is Love
8.) Eight Days A Week
9.) With A Little help From My Friends
10.)A Hard Day`s Night

If you`re a Beatles fan I would recommend that you watch the movie Across The Universe, have a look at the trailer.
I was highly skeptical but ended up really enjoying it. They use 33 Beatles songs and most of the covers are fantastic. The story does get quite psychedelic in the middle and I think they drew on that a little bit too much but apart from this, it is worth your time.