Toy Story - Children Around The World

Children are children, regardless of their country, culture, race, sex or situation, they still want to have fun and experience the joys of life without its complexities and responsibilities - at least this is how it should be!

Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti has travelled the world to take photos of children and their most prized toys. The project is titled Toy Story and is a combination of absolute beauty and sadness. 

Tangawizi - Keekorok, Kenya by Gabriele Galimberti

Cun Zi Yi - Chongqing, China 

Arafa & Aisha - Bububu, Zanzibar by  Gabriele Galimberti 

Heineken Job Interview

I would love a job interview like this!

Happy Birthday Einstein - now eat some Pi

The famous German-born theoretical physicist, developer of the general theory of relativity, Mr Albert Einstein would be celebrating his 134th birthday today, had he not died in 1955.

Coincidentally, Einstein`s birthday falls on Pi day. What the hell is that, you are wondering...

Basically, it is the celebration of "The number π is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, and is approximately equal to 3.14159."

No surprise that this concept is American! It is using their date format that the chosen day for celebrating Pi is 14 March - 3/14.

Across the States, especially at universities, they organize Pi and Einstein tributes, whereby in turn American fashion, they eat pie and dress up.

New Pope - Jorge Mario Bergoglio

White smoke (fumata bianca) has billowed out of the Sistine Chapel Chimney, signifying the agreement of the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.

The chosen one is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, from Argentina and he is the first Latin American to become Pope - The Catholic Church, mixing it up since 2013.

hello there.

I`m not sure why he has to call himself by another name but he is going with Pope Francis  I.

Are you a psychopath?

I first came across The Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R), in Jon Ronson`s (rather comical book), The Psychopath Test.

Dr. Robert D. Hare is a researcher of criminal psychology and he put a list together, as a tool to diagnosis psychopathic behavior and tendencies.  It works on a symptom rating scale which allows for the comparison of a subject's degree of psychopathy to be measured against that of a prototypical psychopath.

Robert Hare`s general commentary on Ronson`s book  surmise: "In short, we think that Ronson’s book trivializes a serious personality disorder and its measurement, which is not helpful to those who have the disorder or to their unfortunate victims."

Whilst it is reiterated that this checklist should only be used by trained and experienced clinicians, you can`t but help look at those around or even at yourself and think..... maybe? 

The Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PLC-R) - this is this revised version.
1.) Glibness and superficial charm
2.) Grandiose (exaggeratedly high) sense of self worth
3.) Need for stimulation/ Prone to boredom
4.) Pathological lying
5.) Cunning and manipulative
6.) Lack of remorse or guilt
7.) Shallow affect (superficial emotional responsiveness)
8.) Callousness and lack of empathy
9.) Parasitic lifestyle
10.) Poor behavioral controls
11.) Sexual promiscuity
12.) Early behavior problems
13.) Lack of realistic long-term goals
14.) Impulsivity
15.) Irresponsibility
16.) Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
17.)  Many short-term marital relationships
18.) Juvenile delinquency
19.) Revocation of conditional release
20.) Criminal versatility

A psychopath is defined as "A person with an antisocial personality disorder, manifested in aggressive, perverted, criminal, or amoral behavior without empathy or remorse." Therefore, it doesn`t mean that a psychopath will inevitably be a serial killer or anything of that sort.
Apparently psychopathic characteristics are prevalent in our society and tend to gravitate towards certain professions. These are the job fields most like to have psychopaths (this has never been proven though):
CEO, Lawyers, Media, Sales, Surgeons, Journalists, Police Officers, Clergyperson, Chef, Civil Servants. 


Best movies with psychopathic characters:
- Alfred Hitchcock`s, Psycho (1960) - Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins)
- Stanley Kubrick, A Clockwork Orange (1971) - Alex DeLarge ( Malcolm McDowell )
- Rob Reiner`s, Misery (1990) - Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates)
- Jonathan Demme`s, Silence of the Lambs (1991) - Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins)
- Oliver Stone`s, Natural Born Killers (1994) - Mickey Knox (Woody Harrelson) Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis,)
-  Ben Stiller`s, The Cable Guy (1996) - The cable guy  (Jim Carrey)
- David Fincher`s, Fight Club (1999) - The Narrator/Tyler Durden (Edward Norton)
- Mary Harron`s, American Psycho (2000) - Patrick Bateman (Christopher Bale)
-  Christopher Nolan`s,  The Dark Knight (2008) - The Joker (Heath Ledger)

Sorry Morales, I wouldn`t call that a horror!

Spanish `horror` movies have seen quiet a hype around them in the past few years but I must say, I think they may have got the genre wrong. 

Julia's Eyes ( Los ojos de Julia) is apparently a `critically acclaimed Spanish horror`, it came out in 2011 and was directed by Guillem Morales. I watched it last night and whilst it is a good movie, thrilling and creepy it is definitely not a horror.

Many aspects are also rather reminiscent of 2007 movie, The Orphanage (El Orfanato) directed by J.A. Bayona and that is not just due to the fact that both movies have Belén Rueda (who is amazing) as the main character.

Although their story lines are different, both movies have this aspect of `search` involved, always look for something and usually it highlights a key and several key holes that are tried. The wife/husband relationships are also similar, fragmented by distrust/disbelief and accompanied with the husband threatening to leave.

Don`t get me wrong I enjoyed both movies, they are well structured and well filmed. They don`t have the gore but the psychological gruesomeness that has been lacking from movies lately.  Maybe it is just the influence of Guillermo del Toro as the producer that results in the small similarities.

As Morales said in an interview "I see myself as more of a thriller filmmaker than a horror filmmaker though," - thankfully there is no disillusion there.

There needs to be a variation of Mother`s Day cards.

Usually I try to get really arts and crafty when it comes to cards, especially for my parents, who still have all the homemade card creations from my childhood.

Alas, this year I gave in and went to buy one and found it to be quite a task. Firstly, they only have the words `MUM` - does everyone here use that? What about mom, mommy, mother? Secondly, there is no middle ground between really cheesy and `humorous`.

Before the `card hunt` I didn`t realize that there was a difference between Mother`s Day and Mothering Sunday or the fact that they had completely different origins.

Both are dedicated to celebrating mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds. But Mothering Sunday is a Christian holiday which celebrates the fourth Sunday during Lent and dates back to the 16th century. Whereas, the history of Mother`s Day varies from country to country, culture to culture. 

The origin of the commercial Mother`s Day that is celebrated today, is apparently the result of one woman... In 1908 Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in West Virginia, USA. She thereafter pushed for Mother`s Day to be recognized as a holiday in the States and by 1914 she had succeeded..

It has been argued that no credit was paid to Julia Ward Howe, advocate of women`s suffrage, who in 1870 wrote her Mother's Day Proclamation, which called on woman of the world to united in peace.

However it begun, I think it is good to have a day that reminds people just how important your mom is. Because in the fast paced world that we live in, it is easy to omit our appreciation and love for all the things that have done and continue to do.

My adorable mom.

Gorgeous gran (Nini)

Congratulations to yet another criminal in power!

How convenient that Kenya’s richest man (who coincidentally was also Finance Minister), the son of Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta - Uhuru Kenyatta has won the elections by .07%.
Yes, I know that people are `innocent before proven guilty` but the man has been accused by the International Crimes Committee for crimes against humanity - this is not something to bat an eyelid at, especially when that man is now President!
Even if he wasn`t involved in orchestrating the violence which erupted after the 2007 elections, he is still being investigated, surely that would make people weary enough of giving him power?

Appropriate? 

I am woman, hear me roar!

"I am woman, hear me roar" are the first lyrics of Helen Reddy`s song, which became a popular anthem for Second-wave feminism in the 1960s.

International Woman`s Day celebrates equality and the fight of women through the decades to obtain and maintain that equal standing.

The reason why there is so much emphasis on a day to celebrate woman is because historically we have been seen as the inferior sex and unfortunately even today there are countries and cultures which still practice this primitive bias.

---- I`m side stepping here but can`t help think of this song:  `Sister Suffragette` from Mary Poppins.

From the 1900s women`s movements began to gain real momentum and International Women`s Day (IWD) was first observed across the USA on 28 February 1909 as part of a declaration signed by the Socialist Party of America.

In 1913, it was agreed that IWD would be celebrated across the globe on the same day- 8 March. 

One of the most powerful woman`s movements was in 1917, when Russia woman led a strike calling for `bread and peace`. This strike lasted four days and is a significant part of the February Revolution which ended with the abdication of Czar Nicholas II.

The UN signed a Charter in 1945, declaring support for equality. Article 1 of this Charter is “To achieve international co-operation … in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion."

Additionally, each year the UN comes up with a `theme` to address problems still facing women, for example: In 2012 the theme was `Empower Rural Women - End Poverty and Hunger.` 

This years theme is `A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to end Violence Against Women` - you can have a look at the proposal here. 

2012, NYC

Gloria Steinem, one of the most well-known advocates for women`s rights said: “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” 

In that case, it could be argued that Plato was one of the earliest feminists to speak out. In fact this argument is still of great debate today.

"Nothing can be more absurd than the practice that prevails in our country of men and women not following the same pursuits with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, the state instead of being whole is reduced to half." (Plato)

Dan Pallotta: The way we think about charity is dead wrong.

Dan Pallotta is an American activist and fundraiser, he is passionate about charity, which is a topic close to my heart.

There are many skeptics out there when it comes to giving money/time away, even when it is for someone who desperately needs it. 

I thoroughly enjoy the factual and passionate manner that he presents his views/argument. It also puts a few things into perspective. Have a look...

Much Ado About Nothing.

Mutli-talented Josh Whedon has created a 21st century, American suburbian adaptation of Shakespeare`s play, Much Ado About Nothing.

Apparently using most of the text from the original play, Whedon filmed the entire movie in just 12 days, at his home in Santa Monica, California.

Set to be released on the 7th June , let`s just hope that a classic has not been massacred.

No dramatic exist for Chavez

The `21st century socialist`, Hugo Chavez, 58, has died of cancer.

For such a charismatic and rather dramatic man, you can`t help but feel sightly disappointed that he didn`t kick the bucket in a more eccentric manner.

The opinions of Mr Chavez both in Venezuela and especially internationally have always been divided but there is no denying that he was a character from whom you wanted to hear what he had to say (even if it took him a long time to say it)

It`s no wonder that Venezuelans are upset, Chavez was their president for 14 years. 

Getting his political career going with a failed military coup in 1992, Chavez rose to power rather quickly and was happy to change laws, constitutions to assist him.

Vice-President Maduro (United Socialist Party) is set to assume the presidency until an election is called - within 30 days. His biggest opponent will be Henrique Capriles (who Chavez defeated in October 2012)

Known for some arbitrary commentary, in his memory, here are a few of his absolute gems:
- On capitalism destroying life in Mars: "I have always said, heard, that it would not be strange that there had been civilization on Mars, but maybe capitalism arrived there, imperialism arrived and finished off the planet."

- On former President George Bush: "Yesterday the devil came here. Right here. And it smells of sulfur still today."

- On former UK PM Tony Blair: "You are an imperialist pawn who attempts to curry favour with Danger Bush-Hitler, the number one mass-murderer and assassin there is on this planet. Go straight to hell, Mr Blair."

And my personal favorite.... On Bush: "I nationalized strategic companies and get criticized, but when Bush does it, it`s OK." .... "Bush is turning socialist. How are you, Comrade Bush?)

Kenyan general elections

Kenya`s general elections commence today and concerns are high due to past experiences. The two main contenders are Mr Oginga and Uhuru Kenyatta.

After the last elections, 2007-2008, Kenya erupted into post-election chaos, accompanied by extreme violence-Over 1000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced.

Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki (The National Rainbow Coalition), won the elections but was accussed by his main opponent Hon Raila Odinga(Orange Democratic Movement) that the outcome of the votes had somehow been rigged in Kibakis favor. Thus sparking off the rampage.

Influencial persons across Africa assisted in brokering peace between President Kibaki and Hon. Odinga which lead to the signing of The National Accord and Reconciliation Agreement. The Agreement amended that structure of the Government by introducing new posts such as Prime Minister.

The most important result of the NARA was the formation of the Grand Coalition between the Presidents party and the Orange Democratic Movement Party.

Most believe that these elections will be peaceful but travel alerts have been issued.

Searching for Sugar Man

You know that feeling of slight resentment when you have been a fan of a band/artist for years and then all of a sudden they become popular and everyone knows about them? 

Well that has happened with `70s rock icon Rodriguez except I could not be happier that he is finally getting the world wide recognition that he deserves.

The documentary Searching for Sugar Man tells the story of Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, an American singer from Detroit whose musically career never amounted to much anywhere in the world except in South Africa.

This Swedish-British production is based on the search for information about Rodriguez in the `90s, who was rumored to have committed suicide on stage.

In 1997, Stephen "Sugar" Segerman set up a website called "The Great Rodriguz Hunt".

Rodriguez was so important to South Africans because in a time of severe government control, the Apartheid regime, Rodriguez offered an alternative, he sang of anti-establishment and freedom.

Even though the Apartheid government was scratching records, the popularity of Rodriguez never died out but intensified. It is said that in South Africa in the `70s he was even more famous than Elvis and Bob Dylan, selling an estimated 500 million copies.

At the 2013 Oscars, Searching for Sugar Man won Best Documentary and finally people are aware of one of the greatest musicians.

I have seen him live once before in London town and it is still one of the best performances that I have ever see.

I am so excited to see him again in June at the Hammersmith Apollo and you should too. 

Dr. Seuss

"We are all a little weird and life`s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."

The American writer and cartoonist, most commonly known as Dr. Seuss would be celebrating his 109th birthday today.

His real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel and his birthday has been marked as National Read Across America Day. (even though this year it was celebrated on March 1st)

Dr. Seuss is a childhood favorite, having written books like Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in The Hat and The Grinch who Stole Christmas and The Lorax.

Dr. Seuss children`s literature is so unique as it promotes creativity, it captures that silly essence of what it means to be a child. 

And most importantly he lets your imagination run riot as there is no sense of conformity or normality in his work.

"Today you are you,  that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than you."

Petition to release Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu`s petition, with support from Amnesty International, is calling for the release of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia. 
Signed by over 450,000 people from 130 different countries, the petitions were delivered to Chinese embassies across the globe -  Berlin, Hong Kong, Taipei, Paris, London, New York, and Washington DC, on 28 February.

Liu Xiaobo has been in jail since 2008 and his wife Liu Xia is still under house arrest in Jinzhou, Liaoning, The People`s Republic of China.

Mr Xiaobo is a writer, political commentator and human rights activist who is serving a 11 year sentence for his role in drafting the manifesto known as Chapter 08, which urged the single-party, communist  party to establish a more democratic, multiparty system of government.
"Chapter 08  has been called the most important political statement since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. " 

In 2010, the Norwegian Nobel Committee  awarded Dr. Liu its Peace Prize in recognition of his “long and non-violent struggle for fundamental rights in China." Significantly, he is the first Chinese person to win the Noble Peace Price.

Liu Xiaobo deserves his freedom and you can be part of the fight for it. It is not too late - sign the petition today - Click on me!