GreenAbby

Farewell a-ha!

2010-12-04T10:19:00.002Z

Today a-ha perform their LAST EVER concert in Oslo, Norway.

I have been a big fan of them ever since I was a kid....and I was fortunate enough to see them in concert twice - once last year in London, and then finally on their farewell tour in Berlin, Germany.

Their last single has the typical a-ha sound and I really love it. See below!

A-ha: thank you for the music and the memories.....

All quiet on the GreenAbby front

2010-09-18T17:11:00.002Z

I think this may be a sign of my times.....there's lots going on for me right now. I have less inclination to write about or share thoughts on here at this moment.

I am sure I may well return to blogging as and when the mood and circumstances suit me. Until then I offer this tuneful thought to those pausing in the GreenAbby neck of cyberspace woods, just coz I like the song...

Speaking negatively, sorry - positively

2010-06-30T20:18:00.000Z

Dr Vandana Shiva talking about pollution, oil, G8/G20

2010-06-27T08:25:00.000Z

Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York!

2010-06-20T11:27:00.004Z

I am off to watch Sex & the City 2 tonight with friends. It's had some pretty dire reviews but hey - it's a chick flick and it's not designed to be taken seriously. It's fun! :) I will let you know what I think of it in due course....

Quite possibly one of the best things to come out of the movie is this song by Alicia Keys. It's brilliant, and destined to be a classic which will be played millions/zillions of times - for as long as New York the City exists (I predict; along with Frank Sinatra's own song 'New York, New York'). This is a live version which sounds just as good as the polished version on her album.

Busy busy busy, now fun fun fun?

2010-06-14T18:24:00.003Z

The last few months, well in fact the last 9 months have been pretty busy. I am currently studying for a MSc on top of my full time job, so most evenings are spent reading articles and books and that kind of thing.

Most of the time it's interesting and I do enjoy the opportunity to learn and absorb new things, but this is admittedly quite challenging to do successfully when you're so busy and have commitments to work, family and friends.

The end of year 1 is nearly in sight - fingers crossed - I did an exam this afternoon which I think went OK but you never know for sure I guess....I will discover by the end of July if I have passed but I think they give us the actual results in September or October.

In the meantime I would love to think I have a long summer break, but alas that is not the case - starting this Sunday we have two more weeks of online conferencing where we will discuss what research we are going to do for our dissertation. And then there follows two months of reading and research as we have to write a 3000 word research proposal which is due in end August.

At least I have September off.

And then the studying machine begins again in earnest in October through to March. April-August 2011 will be filled with revision for two more exams, another 3000 word essay and a 12-15000 word dissertation. Joy!

Here's some uplifting dance music to keep your spirits high, that I find quite catchy....

No One Alicia Keys

2010-06-07T18:00:00.001Z

This song reminds me of my god daughter as she used to sing it, and sing it, and sing it, when I lived with her and her Mum etc until last year. This is a live version, and it's blooming brilliant!

Mambo Italiano

2010-05-02T14:21:00.003Z

My Saturday nights currently consist of watching the BBC show 'Over The Rainbow' which is a talent competition to find someone who can play Dorothy in the West End.

These kind of shows are my guilty pleasure. This one in particular I have a strong interest in because one of the girls - Danielle Hope - goes to the High School I attended as a teenager.

So no bias (!), but seriously she is one of the best! This evening we will find out who has been knocked out; I am fairly confident it is not her on the basis of this spectacular and cheeky performance. Enjoy...

Stress Management

2010-04-18T19:19:00.002Z

Got this on an email circular and I thought it was good for sharing on my bloggy blog blog :)
No idea who wrote it. If it was you - it's really good, thank you - and I hope you don't mind me printing these words of wisdom and insight here.

Stress

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, 'How heavy is this glass of water?' Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'

He continued, 'And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, the burden will become increasingly heavy: and we won't be able to carry on.'

'As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again..
When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down: don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can.'

So, my friend, put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Just accept that, some days, you're the pigeon: and, some days, you're the statue.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

* Always wear stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be "recalled" by their maker.

* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.

* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty; and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours; but they all have to live in the same box.

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have an awesome day!

The Power of Synthetic Happiness

2010-03-13T22:40:00.000Z

Good if you have 20 minutes to spare

Sport Relief Sponsorship

2010-03-07T18:00:00.005Z

It has been a long while since I have done any serious running...when I first set this blog up a number of years ago now, I used it as a place to record my progress with running, and to advertise the fact that I was running for charities and therefore begging for people's kindhearted sponsorship!

I don't run so much these days (well not strenuously anyway!) given a bit of a dodgy back and knee. However I would like to keep it up and perhaps do a bit more than I am at the moment.

Which brings me to the reason for this posting - I am doing a very SMALL run in aid of Sport Relief on Sunday 21st March. I am running with my god-daughter, her sister and cousins; plus their parents and friends. We'd really love to raise at least £200 and have already managed to raise £130 as I type this.

We would all love your support, so if you can help us at all we would really be grateful. All the money raised will go to help people of all ages in the UK and overseas who are going through hard times as a result of poverty etc.

Here's the link!

www.mysportrelief.com/greenabby

I will put some piccies up on my blog afterwards fingers crossed!

Thank you.

The joy of singing and movement

2010-03-04T19:50:00.000Z

Life Book 2010

2010-02-20T19:48:00.002Z

I received the below in an email forward towards the beginning of this year. No idea who wrote it or where it originated from. But there are some good principles to follow here, no matter what year it is!

Health
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time for prayer
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did last year
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day ---- and while you walk, smile

Personality
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
13. Don't over do ; keep your limits
14. Don't take yourself so seriously ; no one else does
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community
25. Call your family often
26. Each day give something good to others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life
32. Do the right things
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
34. GOD heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least
40. Do forward this to everyone you care about.

Or in the case of this blog - forward a link of this blog posting to your friends and family. :)

Robin Hood and his Merry Men

2010-02-11T20:27:00.003Z

This idea may have flaws but it has the potential to be brilliant, and ever so slightly fair - AT THE VERY LEAST!

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure

2010-02-05T23:31:00.001Z

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure Video on TED.com

This is a good video to watch....20 minutes if you can spare, worth it tho.

Happy February!

Ecosia the way to do it!

2010-01-04T22:17:00.003Z

Wow, my second posting of the year already!
This is all thanks to my Dad for suggesting this wonderful search engine concept http://ecosia.org

Why not make a green new year resolution, and adopt it as your regular search engine. Spread the word. Be a Hero. Save the cheerleader. Save the rainforests. Save the world.

Happy New Year, with some Feelgood Oprah Factor

2010-01-02T23:37:00.003Z

Happy New Year Readers!

I hope that 2010 will be a bright, positive year for you - full of growth, happiness, understanding, learning, and laughter (if these are the kind of things you choose).

Today I met up with close friends and they told me about a recent 'flashmob' event which took place in September 2009, and was broadcast on the Oprah Winfrey show.

If you're reading this from the USA you may already know about it....to open Oprah's 24th season, the Black Eyed Peas performed their hit single 'I gotta feeling' - and lots of people danced to it, in a very unique way!

The wikipedia definition of flashmob is: a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse.

Enjoy this flashmob, and I hope the good feeling it may produce in you is just the start of a wonderful, uplifting year. Saying this reminds me of a quote which I heard on a recent documentary interview with former Archbishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa. Asked if he was an Optimist, he replied 'No....I am a prisoner of hope'.

Christmas, Boxing Day and looking forward to 2010

2009-12-26T18:05:00.002Z

My blogging has been fairly inconsistent in 2009. It's been a very busy year, what with moving to a new place, starting a Masters, travelling to America to visit family a couple of times, and being inundated with seemingly endless Government/Regulatory inspections at my place of work (I work in the Public Sector).

I realise I will never be a very regular blogger (as often as I would like, perhaps) however I do hope to keep it up. I resolve to blog at least once a month!

Right now I am sat in my living room chilling out listening to my new digital DAB radio which a Special Someone kindly got for me :)

My folks came down for Christmas and we did all the usual things we do on Christmas Day....a nice, late breakfast; a walk; watching the Queen's Speech at 3pm, followed by Christmas dinner (a free-range, happy chicken as opposed to a hormone-injected turkey). In my head I felt compelled to name the chicken....settled on Chris, as it's Christmas....

In the evening we watched a bit of TV (Doctor Who), and then watched a DVD - No Country for Old Men. It's a very good, if slightly dark/gruesome action thriller starring Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin.

It was a good day.

So my slightly belated Christmas gift to all my blog readers (I guess not too many of you out there, but it's quality not quantity eh?!) is a Youtube video of Shirley Bassey singing a most amazing Tom Baxter song 'Almost There'. The visuals/sound maybe slightly out of sync unfortunately, but keep watching and when you reach about 3 mins 10 seconds you might even feel some shivers down your spine - this music is SOOOOO good!! Have a wonderful, happy, healthy New Year 2010.

Submitted, now Christmas preparations

2009-12-10T21:07:00.004Z

This evening I submitted my first essay for my MSc - Phew!

I actually finished it last weekend, but have had a busy week (it was my Work Christmas party last night; I am on the Social Committee...it was very good, as ever!) so I didn't actually get around to handing it in (A Round Tuit...I have one of those, somewhere?!) until today.

'Handing in' my assignment is a bit "old-school" now, semantically that is. It's all done electronically, so there's no handing any paper to someone. It's marked 'blind' as well....there is only my student ID number to identify me, so tutors shouldn't really have a clue or preconceptions about the papers/people they are looking at. Which should make it a bit fairer I guess.

So all it remains for me to do this evening is to put up a few Christmas decorations (I don't have many; I am going to buy a few more to adorn my little tree...which is very little, very plastic, but this means I can recycle it for decades to come in an understated kind of way haha...??!!), write a few Christmas cards, and relax and chill listening to Beverley Knight's new album called '100%'. Oh, then I will probably watch Question Time.

Bev Knight is a wonderful, amazing singer...soul/RnB with a truly outstanding voice. I have seen her perform live a couple of times and she is simply breathtaking! I recommend her.

I will post a video of one of her latest singles on here soon.

At some point (who knows when), I will get the mark for my assignment eek! If I pass - yey! :) - if I don't, well I have one more chance......but let's not worry about that until 2010.

A Prayer and The Final Analysis

2009-12-02T21:36:00.003Z

I received this prayer in one of those ever-so-slightly-irksome-but-well-meaning-and-interesting email forwards from a dear friend.

It is a bunch of words which, when put together, are really quite positive and reassuring/inspiring for some. So I thought I would spread this good vibe via my blog.

Saint Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Just doing a bit of googling around about St Theresa and I chanced upon the following ditty called 'The Final Analysis' - some sources quoting it was written by Mother Teresa, others claiming it was actually written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 and was titled the 'The Paradoxical Commandments', which Mother Teresa eventually got a version of and stuck on a wall in Calcutta somewhere. Whoever wrote it, and whatever version I now present - I think is interesting because it asks us to consider where do all these kinds of ideas in the world originate from? Who owns them, as such? Does it really matter? Does it matter if the words are not the original words? I think the main thing to focus on is the words as they present themselves to you now, and what they mean to you.

The Final Analysis
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;...Forgive them anyway!
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;...Be kind anyway!
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;...Succeed anyway!
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;...Be honest and frank anyway!
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;...Build anyway!
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;...Be happy anyway!
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;...Do good anyway!
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;...Give the world the best you've got anyway!
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;It was never between you and them anyway.

Remember, Remember

2009-11-08T20:00:00.005Z

So tis November. A month which gives us a chance to pause and reflect on things past/passed. Last week we had Guy Fawkes night...

'Remember Remember the 5th of November
Gunpowder Treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot'

Apparently this rhyme came about only one year after Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. From 1606, it became an annual custom for the King to commission a sermon commemorating the event. It serves as a warning to each new generation that treason will never be forgotten.

I am not quite sure what happens re the sermon nowadays, but there is no chance of forgetting the event as year-on-year there are thousands of bonfire and fireworks displays across the UK on or around the 5th November.

On Saturday I could hear loads of fireworks going off outside. I didn't go to watch any, but I did have a chocolate covered apple (as opposed to a toffee apple!) as my own mini-remembrance.
I have discovered that the main reason for having toffee apples (candy apples in America) is simply because the festival falls at the time of the annual apple harvest. They are generally more popularly eaten at Guy Fawkes night in the UK, as opposed to Hallowe'en which is the week before.

And then today of course is another very special day for remembering. It is Armistice Day on 11th November - on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month we commemorate and remember when warring countries agreed to cease fighting in the 1st World War. More generally, it is Remembrance Sunday (the 2nd Sunday of November) when many across the world may pause to remember the lives that have fallen and been sacrificed during all wars.

Many show their remembrance wearing a poppy - and purchasing one gives financial aid to injured soldiers, their families and the families of soldiers who have died.

Therefore in this blog posting I remember these things that are part of my culture and history.

I also remember to think of the NOW. The word remember to me essentially means to 're-memorise'.

The English word Memory comes from the Latin 'Memor', which according to my 'Dictionary of Word Origins' means Mindful.

So we can all be mindful of our past/what has passed, but also be mindful of what is before us NOW....in the present. Let us not forget that either!

Til next time..... (whenever that may be)!

The last month or so

2009-10-04T17:59:00.002Z

The frequency of my blogging has deteriorated considerably over the last few months. I would like to blog more often but life kind of gets in the way. What with spending time with family, new and old friends, boyfriend, nieces and nephews, plus recently embarking on new learning activities (life drawing classes and a Masters) -it means I have less time to spend on computer-based pursuits.

I see this as a very positive thing, as it indicates that I have a busy and full life with lots of special people and opportunities for which I am very grateful and humbled by.

As I said, I have just begun a Masters degree, part-time, which I will be doing via distance learning plus a residential weekend every term. I have just completed my first weekend - it was really interesting, very intense, a bit daunting, but quite exciting as well in terms of what I am going to learn and how it will (hopefully) encourage me to develop my critical thinking skills.

So for your entertainment (those who still bother to read my blog, there can't be that many of you!), here's a collection of images from the last couple of months to record and reflect what I have been up to. After my heavy academic weekend, I need to chill out and switch off a bit. So I am currently sipping some sherry (how decadent!) and reminiscing these memories which I share with you now....back to the journal reading tomorrow!

The Sins of Greenwashing...

2009-09-07T19:20:00.001Z

An interesting game to play which may help you to understand how manipulated we can all be when buying products which purport to be 'green'.

Click here!

Monday 3rd August 2009

2009-09-05T22:38:00.002Z

In my previous post I stated that I may give a few updates on what has been happening in the last couple of months.

One particularly memorable and historic day in the world of GreenAbby is Monday 3rd August 2009. Lots of special things happened on this day and I can't imagine I will ever forget it....

Firstly, I went to work. Well, nothing too exciting to say about that!

I then went down to Trafalgar Square in the afternoon to watch my Mum who was lucky enough to get a one hour spot on the 4th Plinth! This is a living art project devised by Anthony Gormley called one & other. The website is www.oneandother.co.uk

Both my Mum and I, along with 30,000 others, applied for one of the 2,400 available places - to stand on the plinth for one full hour and do whatever you like as long as it isn't illegal. I am very pleased to say that my Mum was one of the lucky ones (and I was not!)

I guess I have to hold my hands up here and say that I did a fair amount of egging on of my Mum, convincing her of the uniqueness and brilliance of participating in such a project. OK - I actually applied on her behalf without telling her as well (but she was on holiday when applications opened and she didn't have internet access, and we had already talked about it!). Well anyway, as it turned out she had a really wonderful time up there on that famous plinth and she informed me afterwards she'd have happily stayed up there for another hour! haha ;) I guess she was in her element....

I would just like to say 'Well Done Mum' - you did yourself and all of us very proud!

What made this extra special is that whilst she was 'doing her thing' on the plinth, she discovered she had become a Grandmother! My Dad and I shouted up to her the good news whilst my brother was informing us on the mobile phone.....her reaction was a picture. In fact you can watch her reaction by clicking on the link below and then if you drag/scroll the video forward to about minute 48....I hope it will make you smile :)

http://www.oneandother.co.uk/participants/Joyce_H

So that means I am now an Aunty! Aunty GreenAbby :)

And then in the evening, after a lovely meal with a generous helping of champagne (well, we had lots to celebrate didn't we?!) we all went to watch Oliver! the musical in the West End.

Jodie Prenger was Nancy, and Iranian comic Omid Djalili played Fagin. I have seen Omid perform his standup show at a BBC recording studio and he is extremely funny. He was also very good playing the role of Fagin.

It was a fantastic finale to a great day.

As a taster, here is Jodie performing 'As Long as he Needs Me' - I think she performs this really well and you can truly feel the emotion in her voice and through her facial acting! Enjoy...

Back online; Going Ape

2009-09-04T21:43:00.005Z

Well, quite a lot has happened in the last month, hence the quietness with respect to blogging.... I moved flat!

I am now living in a flat all on my own. This is after spending two precious, happy and memorable years living with my best friend and her family, including my wonderful god-daughter and her older sister.

They have now moved away from London, and this synchronously came at the right time for me as I had been thinking for a while about getting my own place.

So here I am. I miss my old flatmates terribly at times, but I am also excited about this new chapter in my life. There are so many dreams I have for my life, so I have to give as many of them a chance to manifest....with the right mixture of luck, timing, motivation and the right environment - some of them must surely materialise! Other dreams may splutter and fade, but this is the nature of life right? Survival and realisation of dreams are dependent on much the same 'things' as Life itself.....hey, that sounds like an essay question..... Discuss..... Answers on a postcard please.....

It took over a month to get my internet connection sorted out, which is the reason for such an absence of postings on my blog.

There are numerous highlights from the last 6 weeks. I may get to wax about them at some stage, for your interest. For now, I will just add a video which shows me launching off a zip wire when I did a thing called 'Go Ape' last bank holiday weekend. It was lots of fun! If you're up for it, I recommend you do it or something similar. It certainly gets the adrenalin going, muscles working, and endorphins pumping...you spend a whole three hours climbing ladders, walking across wire bridges suspended between treetops, descending from high to low attached to zip wires, and performing 'tarzan-style' swings from one platform to another - yippeee! :)

All Quiet on the GreenAbby front

2009-07-21T17:55:00.002Z

I haven't blogged recently, nor do I expect to in the coming few weeks.

A couple of reasons for this:

- Current internet connection has decided to become decidedly dodgy. I think it's something to do with the router, or something to do with the Sky dish that was installed near outside my room the other week. Ever since then my internet connection has been really slow, and my mobile phone is playing up and doesn't work in my room. Hmmm, what's-a goin on?!

Well, it's just as well then that I am:

- Moving. This weekend. Which means it will take a while for me to settle into my new digs and then arrange for internet to be installed and set up.

So until then, stay safe. Say 'Oink off' to Swine Flu (it's pandemic, you know) and stay happy :)

Michael Jackson...Gone too Soon?

2009-06-26T21:52:00.005Z

The biggest news of the week, as we probably all know, is the untimely passing of the self-proclaimed King of Pop - Michael Jackson.

He was a living legend, with his own unique brand, style and life. He is immortalised in a number of great tracks which will live on forever. I love Michael's dancing - even now watching his Thriller video more than 25 years since it was made, one cannot fail to be mesmerised watching the slick and snazzy moves against those electronic beats and bass.

I remember growing up with his music. Notably Thriller and Smooth Criminal really stand out with my early memories of childhood and adolescence. I think I really got into Michael Jackson's music when I was at university in the mid 1990's - I copied a tape of his greatest hits from one of my housemates. And when Diana, Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in Paris 1997, the tribute album for her was given to me as a gift. There's one track on it by Michael called 'Gone too Soon' - a gentle, beautiful track written originally about a boy who died of AIDS. I am sure many of his die-hard fans will apply the sentiment of this to Michael himself.

Michael wasn't perfect by any means. He was human like the rest of us, and severely misunderstood by many. In my opinion his talent reached its peak in the late 70's and early-mid 80's - it's his music from this era which, for me, epitomises the greatness of Michael at his best.

I was lucky to get a ticket to see him in concert at the O2 in London in September. Unfortunately I will not get the chance to watch the man perform live now. The biggest and primary concerns must now be for his children, because the world will never forget him..... As my tribute to Michael's talent and life, here are two songs which I love:
1) Rock with You
2) Gone too Soon

Thank you Michael....

The Occasional Inspirational Email

2009-06-09T18:45:00.002Z

You've all had them I am sure - every now and again (or even more often than that!) you receive chain emails that have been sent around thousands if not millions of times between different people across the globe who are lucky enough to know what a computer is and how to use one.

The novelty for me wore off a long time ago. Indeed, some are quite similar to ones previously received, and I am sure I have received circulars of emails I previously read 5-10 years ago haha! But some are very amusing, and there are still some that continue to strike a chord, resonate with positivity and force me to reflect, even if momentarily, amidst my daily grind and busyness.

Two such emails recently arrived into my inbox in the last few days. Rather than add any more email traffic to the internet, I am posting up the key messages here. So, email numero uno:

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer,
Cleveland , Ohio.
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons
life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea
what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry;
God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life,
don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy
lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words-
'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of
anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone
else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.( keep your fork...)

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

I have checked out snopes.com and can verify that Regina Brett and this email are both legitimate! Except she isn't 90 years old but 53!

Email numero dos:

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty.'

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders.. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

To me, 'prayer' is a word to describe directed and focused thought and attention - and you don't need to be religious or spiritual to do that!

USA Trip Part 3

2009-06-01T20:51:00.002Z

The final leg of my holiday took me by train to New York. I spent five days doing all the sights, including:
- Times Square
- The UN
- The Empire State Building
- Sex and the City Tour
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Meeting with my dancing friend Jonathan. We ate, partied and danced!

I then came home....:( BUT I had a really great holiday.

USA Trip Part 2

2009-05-25T20:25:00.002Z

Leaving Houston I caught the plane to Washington DC via Charlotte.

I was lucky enough to stay in a lovely hotel just three blocks away from the White House - so it was a great location to visit the famous sites, including a number of the seventeen museums in Washington DC which are part of the Smithsonian Institute and are free to visit.

Which was just as well because the day after I arrived it rained fairly relentlessly. So museums were a great way to pass the time. I visited:
- The Museum of American History
- The Hirschhorn Museum of Art
- The Museum of American Indians
- The National Portrait Gallery

All pretty good stuff! Here's just a few photos of my time in DC...

USA Trip Part 1

2009-05-24T12:13:00.001Z

Here's a selection of some images from the first part of my trip to the USA. It rained quite a lot at various stages across the fortnight....

Say what you need to say

2009-05-23T16:04:00.002Z

I have been so busy since I got back from my holiday in the USA that I haven't really had time to sort through my photos to put a selection onto my blog. They will be here soon....

In the meantime, here's a song I kept hearing on American radio - I must have heard it about 5 times. Which is strange because it's a couple of years old. I guess they must really like John Mayer.

It's quite a nice song. It was used in the film 'The Bucket List'. Now I saw this film on the plane when I flew over to America LAST year!

A big GREEN Apple

2009-05-10T14:51:00.004Z

I have been over the pond the the last couple of weeks visiting rellies in the Lone Star State of Texas, followed by a spell in DC and then the Big Apple - New York!

I had a great holiday and will fill you in with some stories and pictures when I get my feet and mind back into gear so to speak.

In the meantime, please can I suggest you consider signing up to this website:

http://www.onehundredmonths.org/

Also, here's a youtube video showing one perspective of some recent events that occurred when World Leaders met for the G8 conference in London last month. There are always two sides to every story, but this version is nontheless pretty compelling.

Last Chance Harvey - film review

2009-04-21T21:05:00.003Z

Last week I attended a review screening of a film which was released earlier this year called 'Last Chance Harvey'. It's being released on DVD/Blu Ray in May 09. Here's my film review which I have written for the staff magazine at my place of work....it's a while since I have exercised my 'journalistic muscle', so don't expect this to be very well-written... you've been warned!

'Last Chance Harvey' tracks the seeming misfortunes of two singles from different sides of the Atlantic pond - whose lives eventually collide in fairly unassuming circumstances after a series of missed opportunities.

Dustin Hoffman plays Harvey Shine - an advertising-jingle-writing, jazz-piano-playing divorcee from Los Angeles - whose career and complicated relationship with his daughter both hang precariously in the balance.

Emma Thompson plays Kate Walker who leads a busy but underwhelming existence in London - a mediocre job, a loveable but draining and neurotic mother, a vain and hopeless search for love with the help of everyone around her.

Last Chance Harvey is a gentle and sensitive romantic comedy-drama - incorporating an archetypal joker-type down on his luck, falling for an equally archetypal happy but wistful spinster - who each end up saving one another from the relative misery of their single lives.

This is not said as a criticism - more as a way to manage expectations - there's no ground breaking revelations or insights achieved in this film! Additionally there are some sub-plots which are predictable and unoriginal.

Having said this, the film is clever in its ability to challenge the viewers' assumptions right from the start. It also takes a light-hearted look at the stereotypical British character in a fairly forthright manner. Moreover, this film considers the perspectives, challenges, excitement and complexities of finding love when you're older than the youthful characters usually found in a Hollywood script - reminding the audience that true romantic emotions, and the fear of loneliness, can affect you no matter your age.

There are some really funny scenes with Hoffman, and Thompson's fine acting talent is clear to see in some very poignant and touching moments.

If you're single you may well laugh at, and relate to, this film. If you're in an established relationship, you could well laugh with relief.

I give this film 3.5 out of 5.

WAKE UP and smell the CWAFFEE!

2009-04-18T10:22:00.001Z

Rock

2009-04-16T22:51:00.002Z

Just a little bit of me is a 'Rock Chick'....

I find it fascinating how sometimes you need to listen to a certain genre of music to reflect or express the mood you're in at a particular time. These two are, in my opinion, great contemporary rock songs. First up Foo Fighters, and then the Kings of Leon.

a time to be happy

2009-04-09T22:05:00.003Z

I reckon that Easter is a really good time of year! For one thing, it means I get 4 days off! A lovely, long weekend.

I am catching up with family, friends, and movies....hope to watch a couple that a friend has lent me, and I will watch a Fred and Ginger movie as well from a boxset my parents gave me for Christmas.

The other day I was listening to Sarah Kennedy on BBC Radio 2 whilst getting ready for work. Every morning at about 0720 hours she plays a 'show tune' which is really good fun - songs from musicals and shows of today and yesteryear. She played the title song to the 1933 musical '42nd Street'. It was so uplifting! It really got me in the mood and I was dancing around in my room with the feelgood factor exploding through the cells in my body. It certainly put a spring in my step on the way to work that day!

Rather synchronous as well as I will be going to New York soon, for the first time, which I am really excited about. I definitely intend to watch a musical on Broadway...if 42nd Street is showing then that may well be the show I plump for!

I have tried to locate an original, professional recording on Youtube to no great avail. So instead I have found the opening to the 55th Tony Awards which plays this song with some funky choreography.

Happy Easter! May you have a spring in your step like this song, and like all the Easter Bunnies haha! The essence and spirit of Easter - for me - is a time of birth, new beginnings, fresh ideas, creativity, growth, new horizons. :)

Hallelujah

2009-04-03T18:46:00.000Z

A M A Z I N G

Please Don't Stop the Rain

2009-04-01T17:59:00.002Z

Below a section from a book my brother and belle-soeur got me for Christmas a couple of years ago - 'The Art of Happiness' by the Dalai Lama. I have ad-libbed a bit and I hope the Dalai does not mind me transcribing a few of his wise thoughts on my blog. HH Dalai Lama, or the author Howard Cutler: if you're reading this and you do mind, please let me know:

Although pain and suffering are universal human phenomena, that doesn't mean we have an easy time accepting them. Human beings have devised a vast repertoire of strategies for avoiding having to experience suffering. Sometimes we use external means, such as chemicals - deadening or medicating our emotional pain with drugs and alcohol. We have an array of internal mechanisms as well - psychological defences, often unconscious, that buffer us from feeling too much emotional pain or anguish when we are confronted with problems. Sometimes these defence mechanisms can be quite primitive, such as simply refusing to recognise that a problem exists.

At other times, we may vaguely recognise that we have a problem but immerse ourselves in a million distractions or entertainments to avoid thinking about it. Or, we might use projection - unable to accept we have a problem, we unconsciously project it onto others and blame them for our suffering.

Suffering can only be avoided temporarily. But like a disease that's left untreated, the disease invariably worsens. The high from drugs/food/alcohol can certainly ease pain for a while, but continued use will do physical damage to our bodies, social life and the people and environment around us. The internal psychological defences like denial or repression may shield and protect us from feeling the pain a little longer, but it still doesn't make the suffering disappear.

It's a good book, I recommend it.

Preserving freedom

2009-03-16T22:07:00.003Z

The website www.modernliberty.net is slowly uploading videos from the event I attended a couple of weeks ago.

One keynote speech which I found particularly compelling was from the author Philip Pullman (who wrote His Dark Materials trilogy - I have read two out of three and they are excellent!). They have added this speech to Youtube so it is below for your enjoyment. Before that please watch Conservative MP David Davis who helps to explain why this issue is so important for the UK.

PS - slightly annoying, but Philip Pullman's speech does not sync the sound withthe visuals perfectly, unfortunately. However, to compensate (??!!), if you watch the speech really closely you may spot one or two people that you recognise ;)

Liberty in the Modern World

2009-03-11T22:05:00.002Z

Just over a week ago I attended a unique and inspiring event in London which discussed and debated the concept of 'modern liberty' in the United Kingdom today. The UK has long been perceived as a beacon and advocate of freedom and liberty of the individual within a democratic society. There's now a growing and increasingly urgent concern over the slow erosion of these long held, almost taken-for-granted rights.

The Convention of Modern Liberty brought together some of the finest minds and orators in this country - lawyers, politicians, journalists, authors, lobbyists; together with over a thousand members of the general public in London, plus linking up with similar, smaller events across major UK cities.

I left the event feeling almost 'drunk' on the richness of the debates and speeches I observed. It certainly raised my own awareness and has acted as a personal 'wake up call' over how our society has been effectively sleepwalking towards an authoritarian police-esque state. We're not there yet, by all means, but I do believe if we do nothing then we are heading towards a dangerous and more oppressive future.

Here's a couple of short videos which no doubt encapsulate the flavour of the day, and what it's trying to achieve, much better than I can.

A is for Amsterdam.... Z is for Zoo

2009-02-21T22:52:00.006Z

The last month has been busy - work, work, work; snow, snow, snow; and also a bit of play, play, play! :)

One weekend I went home to see my folks for the weekend and took my best friend and her family as well. Their youngest daughter is my god-daughter, and I love this family dearly-dearly! We took the kids to the Zoo, which they loved.

Then there was lots of snow early February. This was around the time I wasn't feeling too well (see previous posting). I didn't venture out in it until it had all fallen, or thereabouts. But I had a great view from the balcony which comes off my bedroom. It was all white, cold and sparkly....lovely!

Last weekend I went to Amsterdam with some school friends. I also met up with a friend who I know from when I went to India to teach English for a few months. He was there with SEVENTEEN of his university friends, no less!

We had a lovely weekend - eating lovely food like traditional Dutch pancakes. There was a stunning flower market on the Saturday; and we went on a boat trip on the canals. I also visited Anne Frank's House which was humbling and fascinating...I recommend it if you've not been. We finished the weekend off with a trip to the Sex Museum which was hilarious! Well, that's Amsterdam for you.....!

Here are some pictures. I have kept the photos of our trip to the Sex Museum as 'safe' as I dare!

Laughter is the best medicine...?

2009-01-31T09:12:00.002Z

Right now I am not feeling too well. I think it's sinusitis and a bad cold. It's laid me up however, so this weekend I am doing nothing much except rest. There's also meant to be a wind chill factor of minus 6 centigrade, with snow expected Monday/Tuesday.

In an effort to heal myself, I plan to watch comedy films and programmes on DVD. I know there have been many studies done which show that laughter releases feel-good healing chemicals that support and strengthen the immune system.

So this morning I have been watching one of my favourite comedians on Youtube - Michael McIntyre. I saw this chap perform live in Edinburgh last year when I went to experience the festival with my mum. The excerpt below is when he performed at the Hammersmith Apollo. He does some hilarious mocking of Londoners, Scots and Brits in general. Enjoy!

Excerpts of Obama's Inauguration Speech which I like

2009-01-20T19:20:00.002Z

In the end I watched Obama's inauguration speech at work, in the canteen, displayed on a big screen. I enjoyed his speech, and he said some good things......here's a few quotes which resonate the most to me.....

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long, no longer apply.

This crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.

With old friends and former foes, we'll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat and roll back the specter of a warming planet.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.

And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.
These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.
What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

"Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

Barack Obama gives hope, focus and inspiration to many, including me.
Now, his real work begins. And so does ours no matter where we are in the world as I believe his message is truly global.

Chill out, because in the words of Obama "Yes, we Can!"

2009-01-19T21:11:00.004Z

Barack Obama will be inaugurated as President of the USA tomorrow and I feel quite excited about it. I was reading thelondonpaper on the way home from work and laughed out loud on the tube because Ben & Jerry's have released a special edition of ice cream called "Yes, Pecan!"
hahahahaha :)

So I think this is a wonderful, simple and poweful motto which is very affirming and opens our minds to opportunity which has potential to manifest (Yes, Pecan and Yes We Can!)

I will try to leave work as close after 4pm GMT to race home so I can see it happen live on the television. I reckon his speech will be legendary, inspiring and also sobering given the current realities of our economy, our climate and the conflicts which are all around us.

On a slightly different note, I just read an interesting article on the BBC website - a study which indicates that if you're calm and relaxed throughout life, you're less likely to develop dementia in your old age. So all I can say then is to do your best to CHILL OUT, be happy, and try not to worry too much because it doesn't do anyone any good, least of all yourself.

Go OBAMA, O-BA-MA, O-BA-MA! :o)

10 Things Science says will make you happy

2009-01-11T16:09:00.001Z

A friend of mine in New Zealand sent me this list and I think some of them are really worth trying to hold onto and practice. They were read out on New Zealand's National Radio by a DJ called Jim Mora just before Christmas. If you click this link you may still be able to listen to the actual broadcast: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/20081218 The list was compiled by someone called Jen Angel.

Apparently groups of people were studied to ascertain these pointers. Don't ask me to reference the actual studies because, well, I don't know. I guess the best way to know if they work is to test them for yourself. I am currently doing number 8 in a proactive way, and I try and do all the others as often as I can! :) I think they work most of the time.....

1) Savour every day moments – stop and smell that rose

Study participants who took time to slow down showed significant increases in happiness and reductions in depression

2) Avoid comparisons – instead of comparing ourselves with others, focusing on our own personal achievements leads to greater satisfaction

3) Put money low on the list – people who put money high on it, are more at risk of depression, anxiety and low self esteem. The finding hold true across nations and cultures. The more we seek satisfaction in material goodies the less we find it there. Money seekers score lower on tests of vitality.

4) Have meaningful goals – people who strive for something significant are far happier than those who don’t have strong dreams or aspirations. Humans need meaning.

5) Take initiative at work – when we express ourselves, help others,suggest improvements or do additional tasks on the job, our work feels more rewarding and we feel more in control.

6) Make friends, treasure family – happier people have good families friends and supportive relationships.

Quote “I set out to find friends and found none. I set out to be a friend and found many”

7) Smile even when you don’t feel like it – people acting positively see possibilities, opportunities, success. Even if you weren’t born to see the glass as half full, with practice a positive outlook can become a habit.
Abraham Lincoln said “you end up as happy as you decide to be”.

8) Say thank you like you mean it – people who keep gratitude journals on a weekly basis, are healthier, more optimistic and more likely to make progress towards achieving goals. People who express appreciation to someone who made a difference in their lives score higher for happiness and lower for depression, and the effects last for weeks.

9) Get out and exercise – exercise may be just as effective as drugs as in treating depression, without all the side effects. Regular exercise offers a sense of accomplishment, opportunity for social interaction and endorphin release and a heightening of self esteem.

10) Give it away – make altruism and giving part of your life. Helping a neighbour, volunteering, donating goods and services results in a helpless high and you get more benefits than you do from exercise. Those who spent money on others, report much greater happiness than those who spent it on themselves.

Hitting back with New Year Resolutions

2009-01-06T19:57:00.003Z

It's been a while since posting anything, so a warm Happy New Year to my small following of readers! May 2009 bring you much happiness, laughter and inner peace.

So what's in store this year? By look of it, on a global level, hardship is present for many: in economic terms what with the credit crunch, warzones, famine, misguided dictators etc. I could go on and on.

All these negative things often make me feel very powerless and limited. I have to remind/reassure myself that one mustn't get too disheartened, but simultaneously it is not the best approach to develop a victim-no-can-do attitude either.

In 2009 I will endeavour to stay focused on the things which are important to me, to not get sidetracked so often; to stay focused on my core values, my positivity, my potential, my inherent goodness and lightness. And to focus on this in other people as well. I believe we're all of us inherently full of goodness - we just ALL get sidetracked, misled, scared, comfortable etc.

Environmental issues seem to have dropped off the media's radar somewhat since recession hit, Israel hit, Baby P hit the headlines, Mugabe hit the Zimbabwean spirit yet again etc. Let's hit back with positivity; some solutions and ideas/creativity to our own 'problems'; some action and speaking out against ignorance, corruption; some dialogue with our politicians and one another about how to really ENGAGE with the issues of our time. I admit I am guilty of burying my head in the sand all too often. So I really want to fight this laziness in me. I have learnt though, for myself, that quality and considered use of my time and thoughts is generally more productive, satisfying and fun than spreading myself too thinly and trying to achieve too much.

So I will use my blog to talk about things as and when I feel the inspiration - for 'green' things, political things, things that matter to me.

This includes some positive, more light-hearted and entertaining stuff as well which inspires me or makes me smile :)

Have a fun January in spite of the COLD, and don't let the buggers get you down....

999, Emergency

2008-12-06T16:53:00.006Z

A facebook friend of mine recently posted a link on their page to an audio transcript of a 999 call...The Guardian online published a feature last weekend on the role of the 999 emergency service in the UK.

Simply fascinating to learn more about how the service works, but moreover especially moving to listen to a few real-life dramas unfold. I became quite emotional listening to some of them. Particularly 'The Epileptic Fit', 'The Birth' and reading 'The Amputation'.

Have a read and listen. Also, by listening to the Heimlich Manoeuvre recording, you will hopefully know what to do now (if you don't already) if someone chokes and is unable to cough themselves back to normality.

Click here to access the article and audio files.

Amazing Milonga

2008-11-27T21:34:00.002Z

Every now and again on Strictly Come Dancing (my favourite TV show at the moment, with 'Heroes' following closely behind) there's a dance performed which takes my breath away. Last Saturday professional dancers Vincent and Flavia danced the Milonga, which is a predecessor to the Tango. It's simply wonderful. Just watch their footwork and I promise you will be overwhelmed by their choreography, timing and complexity! Enjoy ...

Chilling out in Edinburgh

2008-11-22T12:18:00.002Z

Last week I went to Edinburgh for a few days.

Here's some photos so you can see what I got up to!

Congratulations Barack Obama!

2008-11-05T20:17:00.004Z

Last night I was quite anxious and excited to know what the outcome of the US presidential elections were, and I was mildly tempted to stay up all night to watch the BBC coverage of this momentous, historical event. I made it until about 00.40 hours GMT(!!)...McCain was leading by 8 votes to 3. I really didn't want to go to sleep knowing that McCain was in the lead; however I resigned myself to the fact that I needed sleep and que sera sera, so to speak!

I stirred way in advance of my 06.40 hours alarm call - eyes blearily opening just before 06.00 hours GMT. I fumbled in the dark for the switch on my radio to catch the headlines on BBC Radio 4. At the pips they played a short section of Obama's infamous speech-to-be, at which point I knew he was elected President - wahey!!!! This pleased me, and I turned off the radio and got a bit more kip before waking up properly to embark on my day. At breakfast time I was teaching my niece and god-daughter (aged 5 and 2 years old respectively) to say 'Barack Obama'!

Everyone at work has been talking about it, and most people seem to feel very excited and pleased about the result.

From an environmental/green perspective, I really hope Obama lives up to the promises he has made to the people of his country, and consequently the world. He has some tough decisions and obstacles to overcome in the future - but if anyone can do this , I have a strong feeling that he is well equipped to cope and succeed. I wish him and his family safety from harm, as they may unfortunately be the target of some crazy, deluded and ignorant people along the way :(

For a brief insight into Obama's stance on environmental/energy issues...see the Youtube clip below.

Good luck Obama, and thank you for the hope and inspiration you've brought out in many of us!

Lost in Translation, and Happy Birthday

2008-10-31T19:33:00.005Z

I had to share this news article on the BBC - about how a sign was wrongly translated from English into Welsh for folk in Swansea, South Wales. Hilarious!! God Bless the Welsh....

Also, a few day's ago it was my Dad's birthday. I won't tell you how old he is, but he had a lovely day I believe. Here's some music to celebrate this momentous occasion....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD, I love you!

Obama, Palin, Damon, Astaire!

2008-10-20T19:03:00.005Z

In recent weeks I have been taking more of an interest in the upcoming US presidential election which will take place on 4th November.

Currently, it appears that Barack Obama is leading ahead of John McCain.

I am not a US citizen, but I have an interest in the outcome of the election as it will inevitably have an impact on the future of the globe in terms of environmental and economic policies, decision-making; and the outcome/development of existing international relations, levels of peace/safety, commitment to human rights and welfare etc. Although there are now many powerful players on the world stage, there can be no denying of the level of power and influence which resides in the hands of the USA.

Barack Obama seems to give many people hope and encouragement - he appears to have that special mix of intelligence, wit, depth, charm and charisma that makes him a natural leader with the ability to inspire and potential to facilitate and direct change in his country and the world at large.

John McCain seems to have a wealth of experience which may well give him some edge over Barack. He has made an interesting choice for his Vice Presidential Running Mate - Sarah Palin. Recently she has been receiving a lot of media interest, and she has more recently tried to embrace the satire which has surrounded her rather than deny or ignore the fact that it exists.

The media can be biased. We can be manipulated, us Joe Public (which includes Joe the Plumber hahahaha!!) without even realising it.

With this in mind, I still continue to love some of the video clips currently circulating Youtube:

To be fair, here's a 'blooper' from Joe Biden, Barack's VP who is talking to someone here in a wheelchair:

But hey, at the end of the day, Palin is stirring a lot of controversy and comment:

And here's a fun game to play so you can imagine what it might be like if the Republicans win and John McCain doesn't last a full term in office...

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

Well who knows what's going to happen. May the best and right man win. Whatever happens in the midst of the credit crunch crisis, pending recessions, changes in the political makeup of the world - we can all take a leaf out of dear Fred Astaire's book....

Credit Crunch

2008-10-11T16:10:00.003Z

Well not a day goes by currently without there being headlines spread all across the UK media about the current financial woes which are currently bestowing themselves on the world's markets, Governments and people.

In some ways I feel a bit removed from it all - so far I haven't felt the effects too much because I rent where I live, I use public transport, and I work in the public sector (not Local Government!). So far my bank has just managed to avoid falling through a hole. But food shopping has definitely become more expensive in recent months...that I have noticed on the monthly shopping bill.

But it's everywhere you go and everyone seems to be talking about it. The media certainly don't help and have exacerbated the problem. But that is the age we live in now and it is an integral part of how we exist and communicate with each other, and to make some sense of the world we live in.

Well anyway, I found this helpful link on the BBC website which explains what all these financial and economic terms actually mean - we are hearing them all of the time in the UK but maybe you're not exactly sure what the journalists and commentators are always talking about.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7642138.stm

At least now I know exactly what the term 'Credit Crunch' specifically means - banks have stopped lending to one another because they're not sure how much/if they have any money to actually lend! This has caused loan rates to rise, and it can now be stupidly hard for people to secure a loan/mortgage deal. (There goes me buying a flat/house in the foreseeable future then!). And this is why banks are now collapsing and asking for money from Governments. Well, what Silly Wally Bankers we have.... ;)

There's some fascinating terminology on this site as well, including:
- Bear Markets and Bull Markets
- Dead Cat Bounce
- Spiv (spin-off from 2WW flashy chancers who dealt in the black market, now being used to refer to chancy 21st Century traders)

It looks like it might take a while indeed for economies to recover properly from all of this.....seems like everyone is waiting to see what will happen. A bit of belt-tightening, prudence and appreciation of the simpler things in life in the meantime won't do anyone any harm I hope.

What to Eat now

2008-10-02T20:14:00.002Z

If you live in the UK, or maybe even Europe (can't comment on places beyond!), then apparently the best things to eat right now, which are in season are:

- Butternut Squash
- Blackberries

So get squashing, and picking!

Dancing the Cha Cha Cha

2008-09-28T17:14:00.002Z

I have recently re-started my ballroom dancing classes. These are a lot of fun. I am now in the 'intermediate' class but if I am really honest I think this is still quite a beginner's class!

There's a surplus of ladies in the class, which I guess is to be expected. My male partner Jonathan from my beginner's class has now returned to New York to continue his medical studies. Therefore the two ladies, one chap and myself from my previous class are like a mini-group and we swap round with one another for each dance that we study - one lady will dance with Christopher (the chap, in case you were wondering!!) and the other two ladies will partner each other which means one of us learns the male dance moves.

So last week I was getting to grips with the male steps for our cha cha cha sequence. Cha Cha Cha is one of my favourite dances I think, and it was good to learn and understand the dance more - rather than just seeing it/doing it from the lady's perspective.

I don't think I will ever reach the heights of Aleesha Dixon (who won the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show last year), however here she shows you how it's really done! Strictly is back with a new series on the BBC now, and I am so into it, it's fabulous!!!! :)

Can Mushrooms save the world?!

2008-08-23T17:25:00.002Z

Science and all that kind of thing was never my strongest subject at school. However this chap explains things in a really clear way, and gives some hope and ideas around how the mushroom family may help with environmental accidents, infection epidemics, food shortages, insect infestations and ecological stability. Fascinating, with almost scary potential. It's 17 minutes viewing but well worth it if you have the time.

Birthdays birthdays

2008-08-17T20:24:00.002Z

Last weekend it was my birthday and I travelled to Edinburgh by the train with my Mum (whose blog is listed down the right hand side). We had a fabulous time, enjoying the entertainment on offer at the annual Fringe Festival.

When I got back to London I celebrated it again with my dear housemates, including Jason whose birthday is the day after mine.

Then last weekend I celebrated the 1st birthday of my second cousin (my cousin's son).

Here are some photos showing the highlights of these happy times.

One day soon I will reflect on something 'green', and the state of this world, on my blog!

Music Meme

2008-08-12T20:00:00.003Z

OK, I am really liking the memes which Barbara is posting on her blog recently. And I had to do this one.....

Select the top 7 songs which you're really into right now. And then tag 7 friends who can then do it. If you wish to join in, then please do (I'm not going to tag anyone!)

So here are my seven counted down (in no particular order, mind), complete with a youtube link.

IN AT NUMBER 7
It's Beverley Knight and her funky choon 'Queen of Starting Over'. This is an live version. I have seen her perform live twice and she is simply an AMAZING vocalist. This has been playing in my head a lot recently.

IT'S A NON-MOVER AT 6
This track is the most-played on my ipod, so I must like it I guess! It's a bit sombre tho. It's 'I'd Wait for Life' by Take That.

FLOATING IN AT NUMBER 5
Madonna's 'Hung Up', using a rip from the Abba song 'Gimme, Gimme, Gimme'. I like this a lot, and I also went to see the film 'Mamma Mia' last weekend with my Mum so I have lots of Abba tunes whizzing through my brain at the moment too.

FUNKY NUMBER 4
This is such a COOL dance track and everytime I listen to it, I have to dance and shake my booty! ;) It's 'Feels Like some Kinda Rush' by Booty Luv!

SO< DOWN TO OUR TOP THREE
Well, there's two fantastic songs by Tom Baxter (who else?!), the first one being 'The Moon and Me' which I listen to a lot.

And then there's 'Hot Wax to a Stone' - not on his albums, but on an EP and he often plays it live - and it's just wonderful...this particular recording is not amazing because it's recorded live in one of his concerts. I guess you need to be there to really appreciate it! :) I have the EP version on my ipod and I do listen to this a lot when I want to chill and be reflective.

FINALLY, THE NUMBER ONE IS....
These are in no particular order. However, this song 'She has No Time' by Keane is one of my favourite tracks of theirs.

So there, a mixture of uplifting dancey stuff, with a good dose introspective lyrics/chords ....

Doing a Meme

2008-07-31T18:29:00.003Z

I don't really do Memes but I like the one most recently posted on Barbara's blog. Like Barbara says, it's short and sweet. You have to list the last four things you bought and how much they cost. So here's some light, trivial information on recent purchases in the exciting life of Abigail....

1) The last thing I bought was a Lipton Ice Peach flavour drink from the local shop on the way home. Cost: 99p. In this current hot weather I always try to ensure I have some water/fluid with me when I go on the tube. Normally I carry a water bottle which I fill up at work but I left this at home last night so needed a new one this evening. It's been a hot and muggy day and the last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a tube tunnel gasping for a drink, starting to feel faint!

2) I was on a course today so I went to lunch with other course delegates to a cafe where they make sandwiches, salad and hot deli foods. I had a brie, tomato and lettuce mini-baguette and a Lipton Ice Mango flavour drink. As you can see, I am rather fond of Lipton Ice (like Barbara!) - I have to be in the mood for fizzy stuff and sometimes water is not 'enough', and juice is too sweet. Cost: £3.95
On balance I would say the peach flavour is nicer than the mango. But they are both delicious.

3) The previous day I also bought lunch (I go through phases of making my own lunch and bringing it to work with me, and then other times when I can't be bothered or don't get up early enough so I buy it. Evidently I amcurrently fulfilling the latter). I bought an Egg & Cress sandwich from Tesco, which set me back 99p.

4) I bought some little Cadbury chocolate bars as a little treat for members of my team that I work with. There were 4 team members around yesterday so that cost me 4 x 10p = 40p.

Let Yourself Go

2008-07-29T19:31:00.002Z

I am on a bit of a Fred Astaire fix at the moment. Here's some fantastic footwork of his and Ginger. I wonder how many hours it took them to rehearse. Pure class....

A poem for a Woman by Maya Angelou

2008-07-27T20:30:00.003Z

This poem was emailed to me by a friend in Australia. Written by the famous and reknowned author/poet Maya Angelou.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without
ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to live alone.. even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year

Babbitt & the Bromide

2008-07-24T21:33:00.002Z

Pure dancing genius from Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.
Enjoy, and smile! :)

Signs of the Times

2008-07-19T12:29:00.002Z

This blog evolved early on to track my progress with running. I run for a number of reasons, a key one being to maintain and improve my overall health. Recently it has become apparent that running may no longer be doing my health much good.

Before Christmas I fell over onto my knees, hurting my left one quite badly. It has taken a long time to recover properly, with regular visits to the physio at work. It's almost normal now, but still as episodes when it clicks a lot and occasionally uncomfortable.

So anyway, a few weeks ago I decided to do a small run, with a view to building up my running practice slowly. The run was fine but later on in the evening my back felt twingey and the following morning it was not good. Sciatic pain down my legs etc. Not very nice. It took just over a week to get back to almost normal. And then I had to move some furniture at work. I thought I was being really careful and sensible - moving lifting and pushing in all the right ways. But it was obviously too much too soon and my back 'went' again.

It's slowly but surely on the mend but is taking longer than I had hoped. Bit frustrating, bit disabling in a way as well. It has slowed me down! One positive I guess is that it does make you feel more compassionate towards other people who are in pain or who might walk a bit slowly for some reason (other than laziness/doziness). I am always rushing here there and everywhere at break-neck speed usually.

So I have decided that running is probably not the best form of exercise for me right now. In its place (when my back feels more back to normal), my main forms of exercise will be:
- walking everywhere as much as possible
- ballroom dancing
- keep fit DVD
- yoga/pilates - pilates will be good for strengthening the muscles in my abdomen/back and core strength area

So enough of me and my exercise/health foibles. A couple of weekends ago I went to the Cornbury Music Festival in Oxfordshire with my friend Anne. It was really good. Below is a slide show of what we sae/got up to. As you will see, quite a few photos of my favourite artist right now - TOM Baxter :)
We were lucky to get right to the front of the stage so I could enjoy an uninterrupted view! Later on in the day he walked straight past me and was stood only about 10 feet away from us as we watched some other music. However, I was too cool (or was that teenage-giggly-excited??!) to walk over and say hi/ask for his autograph!

The highlights for me were Tom Baxter (obviously), Beverley Knight and Paul Simon. There was also Crowded House, KT Tunstall, Bellowhead and The Bangles playing who were very good too.

My 100th posting! Greetings from Waipu Cove

2008-06-21T09:07:00.005Z

According to Blogger, this is my 100th posting.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, here's another video I managed to upload to Youtube. You will note I developed minor delusions of being some kind of 'Holiday' TV presenter. Hahaha! But it was so beautiful I just wanted to try and 'capture' the awe I felt towards this little spot on the east coast of New Zealand, about 1.5 hours or so north of Auckland.

Moving Images of New Zealand

2008-06-15T21:06:00.002Z

One of the true highlights of my trip in New Zealand was the Tongariro Crossing - an 8 hour trek over and alongside mountains and volcanoes.

The following videos show some of the magnificent scenery and experience which I was lucky to have. I managed to upload them YouTube!

Happy watching....

1) This is a view standing atop of the Red Volcano - names as such because it is red in colour. The ground was warm/hot to touch. The 'cloud' you see is actually sulphur coming off the ground. You can hear me panting from the steep uphill climb which preceded the making of this oscar-winning film! ;)

2) This video shows the descent down towards the Emerald Lakes. It was very steep and very shale-y and unstable. I hope the video gives some impression of what it was like - very precarious with steep falls on either side!

The Final Leg

2008-06-07T18:56:00.002Z

After a long 12 hour flight from Auckland to LA, I dumped my stuff at my hotel in Santa Monica (the Hotel California - for the record, I have checked out and as far as I can tell I have left as well!)

I wandered around the shops/promenade areas and the beaches of Santa Monica, including Muscle Beach where apparently lots of posers hang around working out and showing off their pecks....but I didn't really see much action!

After a meal of crabcakes in a restaurant on the pier, I returned to my hotel was lucky enough to find a TV channel showing my favourite TV programme 'Sex and the City'.

Next day I did an organised LA tour. We went to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Universal Studios and Mulholland Drive. I really enjoyed it.

I then caught a shuttle back to LAX to endure another 10 hour flight back to London. Then it was back to work the next day....

2nd week in New Zealand

2008-05-31T12:33:00.002Z

When I got back to Auckland, I stayed with a dear friend Anita for a few days and did some travelling around. Anita is the cousin of my god-daughter's Mum (are you with me?!). Here's a summary of some of the key things I did:

- Spent a day mooching around Auckland. Went up the famous Sky Tower for a 360 view of Auckland and the surrounding seas and islands.
- Went to Waiheke Island for the day and met with Adjowa (Anita's sister), her kids and nieces/nephew.
- Had a picnic with my friend Gail in Cornwall Park in Auckland.
- Hired a car (called her Jewel because she was gold and shiny). Drove to the North part of the Northland. Spent time pottering about in the Hokianga Harbour area, including Rawene which has lots of artists.
- Drove back down the East side of the coast - stopping off at Kawakawa (where Austrian-born artist Hundertwasser settled. He designed some public toilets for this small town, and it now attracts tourists who go to the loo whether they need to or not!); and stopped at Waipu Cove for lunch which was simply a beautiful and stunning place. If I had more time I would have chilled out there for a while
- Met a couple more friends on my last night and day - Matt, and Mark - before catching my plane back to LA.

I will post photos of LA next, and maybe a couple of videos if I can work out how to upload them!

My first week in New Zealand

2008-05-25T15:26:00.002Z

My first week in New Zealand was busy and packed, but I really enjoyed it.

Here's a brief summary of what happened:

- Left LA 10pm Saturday, arrived 5am Monday after a 12 hour flight (that's time zones for you!)
- Caught my Stray bus from Manukau, south of Auckland.
- We drove to the Coromandel Peninsula which is very picturesque, hilly, green and lush
- Settled at Hahei, a small village on the coast - stayed in a backpackers lodge on a caravan park
- Walked to Cathedral Cove which was lovely
- Had a barbeque with the 20 or so other backpackers/travellers. Most of them were in their early-mid 20's. There were a couple about my age. But I was the oldest! What was nice however, was that everyone thought I was about 24-25!! Thanks Mum and Dad for the young-looking genes! :)

- Next day drove to Raglan, a surf town on the West Coast. I was tempted to learn to surf but instead went for a good walk around the town and chilled out for an afternoon drinking coffee and chatting to one of the Strays. Had fish and chips for tea....yum

- Went on a 'Lost World' experience...this involved completing a 100 metre abseil down a large sinkhole, followed by a climb into a cave. It was very physical - walking over and bending my body round and over rocks. We ended up in a very dark part of the cave and saw glow-worms. It really was rather magical. But did you know that the glowing part of glow-worms is actually their poo! Had to ascend a 30 metre ladder to get out of the cave. That was quite scary, and hard work on the upper body strength. Thank goodness for the safety harness, that's all I can say.

- We were treated to a typically touristy Maori evening. After some traditional Maori food, we enjoyed watching some Maori dancing and singing. Boys and girls were separated and the boys learnt the 'Haka' whilst us ladies were taught how to do the 'Poi' dance. It was good fun. We all kipped overnight in the Marae (Maori Meeting House). It was like one big dormitory.

- Visited Rotorua to see the smelly bubbling mudpools.

- Went on a fantastic walk - the Tongariro Crossing. This took about 7 hours, walking past Mount Ruapeho, which is a young live volcano, and then past/over a couple of dead/dormant ones. It was a wonderful walk, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mount Ruapeho is Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies.

- Spent a day chilling out in the National Park Village (in proximity to Mount Doom), before catching my bus back to Auckland for week 2 - which I will write about next time.

Enjoy the slide show.

Living, walking and rice

2008-05-17T21:38:00.005Z

It's funny to think I have been back from my travels for over 1.5 weeks and have already done two weeks of work (a 4 day, and 5 day week).

Been rather busy since my return and haven't really stopped. Work is really busy (as ever), and my weekend was full last weekend catching up with friends.

This weekend is also busyish - quieter today just chilling with my god-daughter (took her to the park this afternoon), and tomorrow I am meeting a friend for lunch then popping up to visit my Grandma in the afternoon.

I am also planning to go for a run in the morning as one is long overdue and I am feeling the effects of (relative) inactivity - this is compared to the regular episodes of running I have managed to achieve in the past. Plus compared to my very active first week in New Zealand when I did lots of walking and active stuff.

Walking in New Zealand reminded me how much I really do enjoy walking, and how good physically it makes me feel. So I might join the Ramblers Association or something.

Photos of my time in New Zealand will follow, when I dig out my round tuit.

In the meantime, here's a fabulous little website which is quite good fun and beneficial at the same time. It's called FreeRice (click) and the aims of it are that you will:

- Learn/improve your vocabulary by identifying the correct meaning of words from a choice of four options
- The more you get right, the harder the words and choices become
- For each word meaning you correctly identify, the sponsors of the website donate 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Programme.

This may not sound very much, but I guess the more people who do this (even in their spare time for just a few minutes a day), the more rice will be donated to the programme thereby helping to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. It says 33 billion grains of rice have been donated through the site so far. That's quite a lot of rice.

And it's good for you as an individual as well - your vocabulary and understanding of the english language will improve.

So try it, and continue to do it if you can - nothing to lose, only your brain and hungry people can gain!

Living in America

2008-05-14T19:30:00.003Z

Well it's been over a month since my last posting. Lots has happened during that time. I spent over three weeks travelling far and wide.

OK this isn't exactly environmentally friendly, particularly considering it involved flying long-haul. However I do intend to contribute some money to environmental causes to try and redress my carbon footprint.

My first week was spent in Houston, Texas visiting my brother and sister-in-law.

My folks were also there at the same time. We did lots of fab things such as:
- going to a state park with lots of alligators sitting on the pavement
- visiting a big butterfly farm
- going shopping in a big mall the size of a large village
- visiting Houston Space Center where Mission Control (for trips to space and the moon) is based

I also hooked up with my friend Myke who I got to know in the UK but is now back living in the USA. We went to Galveston - a sleepy seaside town on the Gulf of Mexico coast.

I then got a plane up to LA via Las Vegas (whereupon I said 'G'bye' to my family).

Here's some pictures to give you a flavour.

More postings will follow at some stage, where you can learn and see all about what happened next!

My small token of support for Tibet

2008-04-10T18:26:00.002Z

On Sunday I joined in a peaceful protest rally in central London to campaign about the situation in Tibet.

This has really struck a chord with me for some reason - I really care about it, and want what is best and right for the Tibetan people. I do believe the majority of Tibetans would like their independence and autonomy - to make their own decisions and not have their culture and identity swallowed up by China.

I personally have nothing against the Chinese people. China is an amazing nation which has experienced an incredible journey through history, and which has so much to offer to the world. It does sadden me, however, when the Government of China appears to dictate and suppress a set of people who simply want to live in peace, without fear or coercion, and want to worship and honour the values and traditions which are so integral and fundamental to their culture and way of life.

I hope that this year's Olympics will be an opportunity for Tibet to gain the recognition and independence which it is striving for. I hope the Olympics are a great success. I hope China can learn to release its grip on the freedoms of individuals and allow human rights and dignity to flourish in its people. Then it really can be the great, proud nation which it so fervently appears to want to be - and the rest of the world can look towards it with respect.

Here are some photos of my time at the rally.

This chap is a Mongolian monk who I saw the previous week at a talk for the Tibetan Foundation which I literally stumbled upon at St James' Church in Piccadilly ! I recognised him, but I don't think he recognised me.... ;)

This chap opened the rally with some bagpipe-playing

Super, darling

2008-04-04T18:56:00.003Z

A positive, happy tune which makes me smile.

I promise more blogs to follow about more 'grown-up' and important things soon.....

Until then, have fun and a lovely weekend!

Human rights, Environmental costs

2008-03-30T13:11:00.003Z

My friend Scott forwarded me a campaigns letter from the World Development Movement about a UK-based company which is proposing to open a coal mine in Bangladesh. So what, you might ask? The rights and wishes of the community appear largely to be ignored - 40000 people will be displaced from their homes with limited compensation (most workers in the area do not own the land they work on). Building the mine will affect: livelihoods, quality of and access to fresh water, stability of food resources in the area. No one in the Community seems to really want this mine. The wishes of the people are being ignored with no opportunity for them to formally have their concerns addressed. This video is an interesting summary of the problems (I can't vouch for it's balanced reporting however).

IF you'd like to send a letter to CGM click here! Thanks

Tom Baxter

2008-03-20T19:10:00.002Z

Tom Baxter is one of my favourite music artists at the moment. I have just found these new youtube postings. only one of them is on his latest album 'Skybound'. So it's really great to hear some new material!

So really, I am adding these to my blog for pure self-indulgence! But if you like listening to him as well, then that's a bonus for the world as far as I am concerned! :)

It will all get better in time

2008-03-16T00:04:00.002Z

Leona Lewis - amazing and beautiful singer, natural and exceptional talent; excellent song

I can't embed, so here's the link to youtube

OK GO!

2008-03-13T23:39:00.002Z

This posting on Youtube has had over 31 million hits which is might impressive. I really like it - combines many things which I love - music, choreography/dancing, running (machines/treadmills), humour and innovation.

Please watch and enjoy/appreciate this piece of modern art....

Graduating & Running

2008-03-11T19:43:00.003Z

My dear mother has summarised very well what happened to me last week, on her blog which she writes with friends from her college days.

I will let her describe the afternoon's proceedings....click here!

Physiotherapist at work looked at my knee last week and gave me some exercises/massage to do to make sure it's in tiptop condition. I need to build my running up very slowly and gradually. This will be much easier to do now that the evenings are getting lighter - I won't have qualms pounding the streets after work.

But this Sunday I am still running one mile for Sport Relief! I am running with the 'Lazy Town Team' - which consists of Little Miss God Daughter, niece, nephews and their parents! If you would like to sponsor (I have a modest fundraising target of £20), please click on my link and sponsor moi! The money will go towards helping those who live unimaginably tough lives overseas.

http://www.mysportrelief.com/greenabby

Thank you, merci, danke schon, gracias, grazie, nandri etc etc

A very addictive dance track

2008-03-10T19:54:00.001Z

I can't get this out of my head, it's really big on the feel-good factor. I bet they have a really BIG carbon footprint.... ENJOY! :)

Are you Happy?

2008-03-05T19:04:00.003Z

Gosh, I am on a roll this week.

Just read an article on the BBC news website where they claim that your level of happiness is determined half by your genes, the other half by lifestyle, career and relationships. Thought-provoking...read it here.

I guess this kind of research leads to a deeper consideration for me of what is actually meant by happiness. I assume they no doubt would have provided a definition of happiness upon which to base this research, but I can't see it referred to explicitly in the article.

So, here's a definition I found doing a google:

Happiness is an emotional or affective state that is characterized by feelings of enjoyment and satisfaction. As a state and a subject, it has been pursued and commented on extensively throughout world history. This reflects the universal importance that humans place on happiness (Wikipedia)

How much we can rest on Wikipedia's definition I am not sure, but it's food for thought. My brother and belle-soeur bought me the Dalai Lama's book 'The Art of Happiness' two Christmases ago, and a very good book it is too. It is rather Buddhist in its outlook (well, there's a surprise) but common sense too. Underlines the ideas of non-attachment - because if you become attached to things this will only cause suffering and misery as nothing lasts. And encourages you to develop compassion and goodwill towards others which should raise your happiness levels because you are giving, and helping others kind of thing.

The BBC article states that researchers who did this believe that even if one is more predisposed to feelings of unhappiness than happiness, there are things we can all do to increase our happiness levels.

So these are some of the things I do to try and maintain a healthy dose of happiness in my life:

- Meditate
- Running
- Singing and dancing to music
- Drinking wine occasionally (like right now - haha! well, I have had a tiring day!) ;)
- Spending time with my family and friends and friends' children (especially Little Miss GodDaughter!)
- Writing down whatever stuff comes into my head

Lots lots more besides but they're some of the immediate things that have popped into my head. Nothing particularly unusual or out of the ordinary.

I hope you are all happy and remember to invest your time and energy into the things that make you feel happy and give you a sense of fulfilment and joy.

So as a parting note, here's yet another youtube video of a man whose music makes me very happy. I think I must be one of his biggest fans - he's fab! This is him singing on dear old Richard & Judy...

Fabulous tune

2008-03-04T22:05:00.002Z

Very Catchy...it's been in my head for some days now. The piano bit underneath the rocky beat and mood is groovy.

I give you Muse.....

Not Running Half a Marathon...yet

2008-03-01T23:00:00.006Z

I decided earlier in February to withdraw from running the Bath Half Marathon which is scheduled for 16th March. This is down largely to my dodgy knee which I fell on just before Christmas, and has only really in the last week or two got back to normal. Even though I was running in the New Year this (as a result of my fall) ended up exacerbating an old injury on the same knee (which was caused by another fall a few years ago!) so I have been resting. I have also had a persistent cold which has not cleared up properly for weeks. Therefore I made the decision to not push myself to run 13.1 miles just now. I hope to postpone my entry until next year.

In the meantime I will continue to run with my running club. I have a physio appointment this week through work, and thereafter intend to start running again properly. I'd like to do another 10km run sometime later this year, so will look into that.

I am spending this weekend trying to sort things out, that have been sat around for ages. It's very boring, mundane stuff so I won't bother describing it.

I wrote an email the other day to the British Olympic Association to complain about the rumour that athletes wishing to compete at the Beijing Olympics will effectively have a gagging order imposed on their contracts which prevents them from speaking out against human rights issues in Darfur and China. I just think this is plain wrong and to my mind contradicts the principles of Olympism. Read this article for more information if you are interested. Thankfully, the article does insinuate that the 'final draft' of the contract will now NOT contain wording which implies athletes will be gagged. Let's hope so.

Here's a happy photo of Little Miss GodDaughter to help raise a smile or two out there xx

Wooaahhh Im a Scatman!

2008-03-01T22:41:00.001Z

Surfing Youtube I found this song which is such a reminder to me of my days at University - I LOVED this track....good to dance to, and to try and sing along to haha! Play it and you will see what I mean! :)

Catching Up

2008-02-17T20:09:00.005Z

I haven't written a post for quite a long time, almost a month - as you can see by the date!

I had a week off a week ago - went on a retreat to a converted barn in Devon. It was very nice and relaxing, and great to simply switch off from the madness, hustle bustle media-consumer-driven lifestyle that Londoners can so easily fall into the trap of.

I reconnected with nature, my 'inner self', did some meditation, and simply existed in a fairly simple way. The weather was nice too for most of the week, which was a bonus!

I also had jobs to do each day on the retreat - every morning I fed their two cats Bramble and Marmalade, feed some grain to the geese, released the chickens from their coop, and fed them fresh water and grain. All this in the middle of quiet Devon countryside, where all you could here were birds twittering, wind being windy, rain being rainy, and the odd sheep/cow bleeting or mooing.

Since I have got back I have been working fairly relentlessly - my week of solace, quiet and peace seems a bit like a distant dream now. I have tried to maintain formal meditation practice, but it's very difficult without others around you doing it, and a routine which facilitates it. Ah well, I will just try my best and not worry about it too much....worrying will only undo all the good work of de-stressing which the week itself began to achieve!

Whilst I was on the retreat, I read 'Wild Swans' by Jung Chang which has been selected for my reading group. It's a big book (700 pages), but it was a seriously fascinating, incredible read and is not a book I will forget in a hurry. The atrocities and behaviour of the Communist Chinese in the 50's-70's was, quite simply, astonishing. I look at the whole Beijing Olympics/Darfur debate with a renewed/different perspective now I know the kinds of things which the Chinese people sadly afflicted on each other in the past. Arguably, they continue to violate and infringe human rights even today. If you haven't read this book, I urge you to read it. It's jaw-dropping on virtually every page. Reading it I feel so blessed and lucky to be living in the society I am in. It's by no means perfect, but we have also got a lot of things right.

This weekend has been good, but fairly quiet - no mad partying for me. My god-daughter's mum is very ill unfortunately, so yesterday I spent quality time with my god-daughter whilst her older sister went to her cousin's and her Dad went to work. We played together, had lunch, I took her to the park to play on the swings, slide and climbing frame, made her dinner, put her to bed - the whole works.

Today I ended up nursing her mum who's effectively bed-bound, while the kids went to their grandparents. She's on the mend slowly but it has truly knocked her for six.

Here's some photo's of Little Miss GodDaughter playing in my room, and trying on my hat.

Belated New Year Wisdom

2008-01-19T00:19:00.000Z

My dear friend (for the sake of this blog entry I'll call SS), who's a bit of a traveller/free spirit, but simultaneously very grounded, sent her friends a New Year email message.

Her words come from her own experience and insight, which includes most recently upping sticks to spend at least a year living in Lviv, Ukraine where she has recently rediscovered family. Her father escaped Poland when the Second World War broke out, and he ended up as a refugee in the UK. He'd believed until about 2 years ago that all of his family - parents, siblings, cousins etc - had been killed. Only to discover that most of them survived! What a shock that must have been....many have died from natural causes, but he's met his sister again after 60+ years. SS's rediscovered family are now Ukranian because of border changes which occurred around the time of war.

SS has decided to reconnect with this lost part of her heritage and background. She's over there learning the Ukrainian language, and teaching English to the Lvivians! Perhaps living with her family in an Eastern European country which is not part of the EU, has helped her to see life in a different way. I don't intend for this to sound patronising; I send much respect and love her way.....so over to SS :) :

I want to remind you all of something really really simple that I realised recently: Time is the most valuable and finite resource that we have and it seems ridiculous to me that so many of us waste it doing things that don't enrich our lives or the lives of the people around us, or trade it for money - which there's an infinite amount of in the world (okay, maybe it's not in our pockets, but is it really more important than time?).

Doing the things that you feel you should do, or doing something just because you've always done it might just be a great big waste of time. It's all too easy to get sucked into the vortex of doom and gloom created by the press - a week reading the British papers has made that all too clear - but life is pretty much what you make of it and it has occurred to me that there are a million and one great things going on out there. At least. So make up your mind that you want to be a part of it! Forget about making the usual trite New Year's resolutions that you will fail to keep (you know it's true - that's why you make them at New Year, because the fact that it's traditional to fail provides you with every excuse not to see them through!). Make 2008 really count. Take a risk and do the stuff that you WANT to do and the stuff that will make you, and the people you care most about, happy. Don't make excuses.

First Run with a Running Club

2008-01-12T13:22:00.000Z

Today I embarked on a trial run with a running club, to see if I would like to join them. They meet every Saturday morning and once a week in the evening after work. I arrived at the leisure centre this morning where they have a runner's locker room; I was almost late because the bus was delayed.

Nevertheless, I was able to join all the other runners; and after a warmup we ran around some parks.

I was with a group of runners (both new and established regulars) who were running around 2 parks. Before we did this, I did a mile warmup run to the park with one of the veteran runners - a lovely chap called Bob who's been with the club since 1983, and who started running in 1982 when he was 51, so I think he's about 76?! Our speeds were quite well matched!! But he was telling me he has run 18 marathons, and it was evident he used to be much, much quicker. He has also run the Bath Half Marathon which, knee-pending, I will do March. He did it in 84 minutes....I will be lucky if I complete it in double that time haha!

So anyway, after our warmup and stretch we ran around 2 parks - equating to 4.3 miles. I did this without stopping at all, yippee! Ok, so I ended up pretty much AT THE BACK, with Bob and another lady about 50 yards behind me. But hey, I am not in this for the competition, I am in it for my health. I haven't really run properly for about 2 weeks, and I wasn't keeping a strict eye on the time but I think I did it in about 45 minutes. So that's about 10 minutes a mile.

I am back home now resting. My knee isn't too bad....I just need to rest it well in between my runs and keep a close eye on it.

I enjoyed running with the club - everyone seemed friendly and chatty, and it was motivating for me to run with others around me - sometimes I ran on my own, and sometimes I ran alongside others. I even chatted a bit when running, but this proved difficult for me- to speak coherently and also listen effectively because my heart was pounding and breath panting!

So I think I will join them and keep it up. At the MOMENT, I WILL run the Bath Half. But before I set up my online sponsorship page, I will just test my knee a little bit more to check it has the endurance required.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-05T19:11:00.000Z

A happy new year to all my readers, wherever you are, however many of you there may be - I hope it's a good one full of love, happiness, fun, joy, green, growth, awareness, peace etc etc you get the picture! :)

I am looking forward to 2008 being a bigger, better, brighter year.

One of my friends forwarded me this link and I just thought it was really sad and frankly unnecessary.

Today I met my friend at a shopping centre and we had breakfast and did a bit of mooching around. I bought a present for another friend's son who turned 4 on Thursday - it's his birthday party tomorrow so I will go along to that for a shimmy and a shake.

I want to go running and am intending to join a running club next weekend. However my left knee is a bit dodgy (I fell over, and onto both knees just before Christmas right outside where I work, it was not a good look) so I need to rest and allow it to recover really. But this is a little bit worrying as I am running the Bath Half Marathon in March - it's only about 10 weeks away! At this rate that run is only going to happen for me if my knee sorts itself out! So I might try and get an appointment with my physiotherapist at work to determine if this problem is bigger than I want it to be - as it's an intermittent niggle and not painful as such.

Now supping beer after listening to Tom Baxter perform a couple of songs on Radio 2. He's fabulous and I'm going to see him with my friend in concert at the end of this month!

MERRY CHRISTMAS READERS!

2007-12-22T00:43:00.000Z

This is a 'green' Christmas card....in as much that this posting has a frog theme, and most frogs tend to be green.

The following is one of my most favourite Christmas songs - even though it doesn't sing about Christmas, it was the UK Christmas number 1 in 1985.

And here's a more light-hearted frog song, which just made me smile, and gave me cheer. May your Christmas be full of green, cheer, positivity, good feeling and good action. The same goes for 2008!!! :)

A catchy song by Kate Nash

2007-12-20T22:40:00.000Z

This is a very current 'sound' in British pop music at the moment.

Happy watching. A proper post to follow soon (I've been a busy girl here, there and everywhere - literally! - of late).

A tribute to Sue A

2007-11-26T19:57:00.000Z

On the weekend, a lady from my work died after a sustained battle with cancer.

Sue was my boss for 4 years, until I left my work for a short break of a few months in Summer 2005. When I returned in January 06 to a new role, she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment. This was successful and she came back part-time in a different role.

Unfortunately however, the cancer returned earlier this year and the medical professions were unable to sort it out. She passed away in a hospice and leaves her partner, mum, sister, niece, and of course many friends.

I will remember Sue with gratitude and love - she was instrumental in helping me get my career off the ground. She saw I was eager, keen, and gave me development, autonomy and projects which were outside my assigned role because she knew I could take them on and run with them. I was privileged to have a manager that supported and encouraged me in this way.

Sue absolutely LOVED cricket, the opera, and always took her cup of tea VERY strong (she'd happily put 2 teabags in a cup). She had a mad laugh, I can even hear it now in my mind! Sue was a very humble and thoughtful person and I know all of us at my work miss her.

When I started running, my first proper run was for Cancer Research UK (5km), and I ran for Sue A. See here for my posting vaguely linked to it (my blog-writing started a few weeks afterwards).

The youtube link below is of Delta Goodrem. I have no idea if Sue liked her; she would probably have preferred a good dose of long opera! I find Delta inspirational because she is a fantastic talent, sings beautiful rousing songs, and has been through some personal battles of her own (which she talks about in this link). Sadly, Sue lost her fight with cancer. I thank life that I was lucky to work with and learn from her. This humble posting of mine is a small expression of that gratitude. May she rest in peace, now free from all pain and suffering.

Long time no blog

2007-11-25T16:33:00.000Z

Hello

I have been a busy busy girl the last few weeks. Lots of things going on.

Went on holiday to see a friend in Bristol for a few days, and then I went home to see my mum and dad. We went to Northern Ireland for a few days too. NI is fab! I really liked it and I'd happily go back!
We went to Giants Causeway, Derry, popped into Eire for the day (it was cold and rainy), and went to Belfast to watch an Operetta (The Merry Widow). Twas a lovely time.
Then when I got back I had a few manic days at work before I went off again, to Bristol, to be a bridesmaid for a friend who got married!
And since I have been back, I have been busy working (long days, no rest!) and going to college (final term, nearly there). And this weekend, well today, I have been writing reflective logs for my coursework. It's all due in a week and a half if I want to complete my course in January and graduate (fingers crossed) in April.
So now it's 4.38pm and my brain is going a bit mushy. I am even singing these words as I type them. That's a sign I am losing it hahahahahaha! :)

Well, anyway, here's a few photos from my holiday, and some from my dear friend's wedding that I pulled off facebook (I didn't take any, was too busy being a bridesmaid!)

More on being green another day. Life has got in the way of that, what a feeble excuse. But we did go on a boat to N. Ireland, we didn't fly. And I took the train to Bristol both times. And I went shopping yesterday and apart from the bananas I think all fruit and veg were British.

Giant's Causeway...

Anthony Gormley sculpture...

Derry Murals...

In The Crown, Belfast's most beautiful Victorian era pub. It's unchanged from 150 years ago! But the guinness is fresh....

The wedding....can you spot me? The flowergirl is my niece (see earlier postings for a better piccie of her)

The Bride and her Dad...
Husband and Wife....
Xrissie's Chinese Wedding dress - lucky girl, she had TWO beautiful dresses to wear in one day! :)

Ok, the next stage of my running 'career'

2007-10-21T18:03:00.001Z

Beckons!

I have decided to do a HALF marathon (that's 13.1 miles/21.097494 km) next year, March 2008. It is taking place in the beautiful city of Bath!

I have booked and paid for it, so now what?

- Get off my lazy arse and start training
- Choose a charity to run for
- Think 'eek!' at the prospect!

No, there's nothing to fear.....? I am going to DO this all the way! The website says I have to do it within 3 hours though. Which I think I must be able to do, I hope!

I did two 10km runs in just over an hour (one was with hills), so doing a 21km run should be doable.

When I have got myself into 2nd gear, and started doing some of the above - you see, I'm still in first gear and the handbrake is still on, but the clutch is raising ;) so to speak - then I will let you know what charity I am doing this for - and you can sponsor me, dear readers!

Rows and Columns

2007-10-19T20:31:00.000Z

Powerful, because it's so simple

A bowl of sunshine

2007-10-07T21:26:00.000Z

Here's a picture of my wonderful Goddaughter, now nearly 18 months old. She's such a character, and a joy.

And here's her big sister, who started school a couple of weeks ago. Both of them wonderful, and a bit naughty too!

Can you hear?

2007-10-04T21:12:00.000Z

Green Politics in the UK

2007-09-30T08:35:00.000Z

The Woodland Trust has emailed me a really interesting link to a report which has been published by The Green Alliance. It looks at all the key policy areas in relation to the environment, and assessed the performance, targets, proposals etc from the three main UK political parties - Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats. It has attempted to cut through the spin and gloss which we so often hear in the media - I think we all know being 'green' is seen as quite fashionable at the moment, so all parties are trying to jump on the bandwagon in order to gain popularity/potential votes.

The link to the report is: HERE!

If you can't be bothered to read it, (I have only read the executive summary myself), I can tell you that:

- There were six areas that the parties were measured against, using a traffic light system to grade them.
- No party performed consistently across all six areas e.g. where one party is performing well, another is doing less well; and vice versa.
- Overall, the Conservatives performed most poorly - they scored no green lights. This is in spite of their success in bringing green issues to the attention of many through the mainstream media. They scored 2 red lights, the rest amber.
- Labour scored one green light, one red light, 4 amber.
- Lib Dems are performing the best overall, with three green lights. However they also scored one red light, followed by two amber.

Finally back online

2007-09-26T21:27:00.000Z

A busy few weeks, hence my silence...

I moved to new digs nearly three weeks ago. It's only now that we have got online. Before that there were a couple of sporadic attempts to jump on the back of someone's unsecured wireless network, but the signal was very weak.

I had to hire a car to do the move of all my possessions, and did a fair few trips between London and Bedfordshire to drop things off at my new flat, and also to leave a few things in storage at my Grandma's house.

Saturday 8th September I truly didn't know if I was coming or going. I was up at 0630 and had spent virtually all of the day packing the car (4-5 loads, I lost count), driving, sitting in traffic jams, unpacking, cleaning the old flat etc. I finally 'finished' the move at about 2300 hours, and then collapsed on my bed just after midnight completely exhausted and almost delirious. I hadn't even managed to eat anything until about half three in the afternoon when we stopped at a drive-thru Macdonalds of all places, to refuel my body and brain. I very rarely eat Macdonalds...only when I am really desperate - and this was one of those days! They're hardly a pinnacle of green-conscious living, but then it's hard to be very green when you're moving house whilst also embarking on a fairly stressful period in ones life (it's not just been a flat move which has been stressing me out!)

Well, now I am online properly and I will start putting entries on my blog much more regularly.

Currently listening to chillout radio station Magic 105.4fm - listening to

Meeeeeee-eeeee-eeeeee and Misses, Misses Joooonnnnesss Misses Jones Misses Jones.......... :)

A poem

2007-09-03T21:58:00.000Z

The energy of living
Rising and falling

like breathing

sometimes there's a moment
when air is sucking in
breath is gathering
holding
anticipation giving way
to release
relief
uncertainty
peace

A beating heart
felt more readily in the breast

Reminding
Remembering
that I am simply living

nothing more
nothing less

What a week

2007-08-31T17:20:00.000Z

A busy, busy week workwise and lifewise. It's been a long one in spite of only working four days because of Bank Holiday Monday. I have been writing my assignment for my college course, which I handed in this afternoon 15 minutes before the deadline - eek! It went reasonably OK I think, but by the time I reached the conclusion I had sort of lost the will to live so I dread to think what my tutor will make of what I wrote in the final stages of my 3000 word epic!

Moving out of current digs next weekend so currently getting things packed up and ready to go. Some of it going in 'storage', some of it in the new, temporary abode.

I am so glad it's the weekend. I plan to go running on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. I ran last weekend a couple of times - Saturday and Monday, and felt SOOOO much better afterwards. Such a relief, such a release.

Tonight I plan to do some more packing and sorting, whilst enjoying the Big Brother Finale on the box, and supping ice-cold cider....well after the week I have had, I need some light, trivial relief!!

Enjoy your weekend readers.

(Wannabe)GreenAbby x

Feeling Lazy

2007-08-20T20:30:00.000Z

Too lazy at the moment to:

- Go running regularly (and I can feel it as well...I am piling on the pounds and ounces. Well it feels like it)
- Be/act very green (my mind is distracted with work, life, love, college)
- Write proper stuff in my blog (hence this little ditty just so the few readers I have know that I am still here, albeit sporadically)

I think blog writing needs to come naturally though. It's like a diary, and I go through phases in my own life when I write and record various things, on an almost daily basis; and then I will go for months and not write diddly squat.

Bye for now x