Where have you been you may ask. Well now that I've heard it I love it!
It sounds like the sort of tune that should be huge during the summer, but in the dark days of early January, I want to hear a tune that puts a smile on my face and this is it.
Views, comments and analysis from me over the week's news headlines, and anything else that's caught my interest.
Monday, 13 January 2014
Pharrell Williams - Happy (Official Music Video)
It's perhaps a sign of how old I'm getting that I only discovered recently that Pharrell's Happy has been No 1 in the charts for the last few weeks.
Where have you been you may ask. Well now that I've heard it I love it!
It sounds like the sort of tune that should be huge during the summer, but in the dark days of early January, I want to hear a tune that puts a smile on my face and this is it.
Where have you been you may ask. Well now that I've heard it I love it!
It sounds like the sort of tune that should be huge during the summer, but in the dark days of early January, I want to hear a tune that puts a smile on my face and this is it.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Happy New Year! Hello 2014
Happy New Year
If you're new to my blog thanks for checking me out. if you're a return visitor, thanks for the love. I hope you'll be sticking with me in 2014.
I'm now entering the 5th year of my career as a blogger. I admit I don't post as often as I used to, it's a case of life getting in the way.
My working life as been far more challenging and demanding in the last year and finding the time and energy to write in the evenings and weekends has been challenging.
In saying that - I'm still a writer and writing is part of who I am so I'll always find time to write a couple of posts each month.
Blogging is a big commitment and my advice to anyone thinking of starting a blog would be to find a subject you're passionate about. Something you what to share with others. This will give you the motivation to write.
Stay committed and don't get disheartened if you're not getting 10,000 hits a week after a month of blogging!
It takes time and effort to build an audience but with good content and using social media to spread the word, people will find you.
So what can we look forward to in 2014? Here's a few thoughts:
Politics
Can you believe the General election will be next year? We're moving into the end of the parliamentary cycle, with all parties conscious that what they say and do may impact on the election result.
Will the economy keep improving and will that be enough for the Tories to convince people that they deserve another term. Can the Lib Dems maintain their own levels of support. Or can Ed Milliband finally win over those voters who doubt he is a Prime Minister in waiting?
I have no idea who's likely to win the next election I'm not sure by the end of the year we'll be any closer to knowing.
The end of the UK?
Scottish Referendum this year. I think it will be a close result but I just can't see Scotland voting for full independence.
The United States
Obamacare comes into effect in the US as of yesterday and will extend medical for what's hoped is up to 7 million more people.
This could the defining policy of Obama's presidency. Watching events from my British/European standpoint, Obamacare seems an inherently good idea and I'm baffled by the hostility this legislation generates amongst Republicans an other right wingers.
I hope it's a success if not, the US mid term elections could be pretty brutal for Obama and the Democrats.
Syria
Will this conflict ever come to an end?
When the Arab Spring finally spread to Syria, I don't think many people held out much hope that the Assad regime would cling to power for very long.
But here we are 3 years later, with the civil war still going on and no signs of any side taking the upper hand. It's unlikely that the Government will be defeated, so it looks like at some point some sort of peace negotiations will have to take place around the table.
Hopefully that will come sooner rather than later.
Sport
A huge year for sport. We've got the Winter Olympics next month in Sochi. I read the other day that this is the most expensive Olympics in history.
President Putin has invested hugely in this project and similar to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it's seems more about Russia reminding the world what a major world power it is.
The sporting event I'm most looking forward to has to be the World Cup in Brazil. Perhaps because it's in Brazil it feels bit more exotic than previous World Cups. I think this summer's tournament could be special.
I'm predicting an all South American Final, the first one since 1950. Brazil v Argentina, I think Argentina could pull off a huge upset.
If you're new to my blog thanks for checking me out. if you're a return visitor, thanks for the love. I hope you'll be sticking with me in 2014.
I'm now entering the 5th year of my career as a blogger. I admit I don't post as often as I used to, it's a case of life getting in the way.
My working life as been far more challenging and demanding in the last year and finding the time and energy to write in the evenings and weekends has been challenging.
In saying that - I'm still a writer and writing is part of who I am so I'll always find time to write a couple of posts each month.
Blogging is a big commitment and my advice to anyone thinking of starting a blog would be to find a subject you're passionate about. Something you what to share with others. This will give you the motivation to write.
Stay committed and don't get disheartened if you're not getting 10,000 hits a week after a month of blogging!
It takes time and effort to build an audience but with good content and using social media to spread the word, people will find you.
So what can we look forward to in 2014? Here's a few thoughts:
Politics
Can you believe the General election will be next year? We're moving into the end of the parliamentary cycle, with all parties conscious that what they say and do may impact on the election result.
Will the economy keep improving and will that be enough for the Tories to convince people that they deserve another term. Can the Lib Dems maintain their own levels of support. Or can Ed Milliband finally win over those voters who doubt he is a Prime Minister in waiting?
I have no idea who's likely to win the next election I'm not sure by the end of the year we'll be any closer to knowing.
The end of the UK?
Scottish Referendum this year. I think it will be a close result but I just can't see Scotland voting for full independence.
The United States
Obamacare comes into effect in the US as of yesterday and will extend medical for what's hoped is up to 7 million more people.
This could the defining policy of Obama's presidency. Watching events from my British/European standpoint, Obamacare seems an inherently good idea and I'm baffled by the hostility this legislation generates amongst Republicans an other right wingers.
I hope it's a success if not, the US mid term elections could be pretty brutal for Obama and the Democrats.
Syria
Will this conflict ever come to an end?
When the Arab Spring finally spread to Syria, I don't think many people held out much hope that the Assad regime would cling to power for very long.
But here we are 3 years later, with the civil war still going on and no signs of any side taking the upper hand. It's unlikely that the Government will be defeated, so it looks like at some point some sort of peace negotiations will have to take place around the table.
Hopefully that will come sooner rather than later.
Sport
A huge year for sport. We've got the Winter Olympics next month in Sochi. I read the other day that this is the most expensive Olympics in history.
President Putin has invested hugely in this project and similar to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it's seems more about Russia reminding the world what a major world power it is.
The sporting event I'm most looking forward to has to be the World Cup in Brazil. Perhaps because it's in Brazil it feels bit more exotic than previous World Cups. I think this summer's tournament could be special.
I'm predicting an all South American Final, the first one since 1950. Brazil v Argentina, I think Argentina could pull off a huge upset.
Monday, 30 December 2013
Breaking Bad: Do believe the hype
During the Christmas break I've been watching the last 8 episodes of Breaking Bad.
Yes I'm yet another person who's caught the Break Bad bug.
I love my US drama series but having never seen an episode of the show, I was beginning to get fed up with being a cultural pariah. Perhaps I was suffering from FOMO (Fear of missing out) but the story intrigued me.
A chemistry teacher who after discovering he's got cancer, decides to enter the drugs trade by making Chrystal meth with the aim of supporting his family.
I thought this sounds interesting.
I bought series 1 - 3 box set with the intention of getting up to speed on the series as soon as possible. I have to say it certainly lived up to the hype.
It's the first series I've watched where the main character of Walter White starts off as the good guy but by the end of the series you end up hating him as he turns into the bad guy.
I admit there were some scenes in the series that were difficult to watch. Walter's actions are so bad you're left thinking: how can I empathize or support this character when he's becoming so evil.
But that's the point of the show. It's about watching that transformation in the character, so that by series 5 Walter White the drug 'kingpin' is barely recognisable from the down trodden underachieving chemistry teacher we meet in series 1.
Yes I'm yet another person who's caught the Break Bad bug.
I love my US drama series but having never seen an episode of the show, I was beginning to get fed up with being a cultural pariah. Perhaps I was suffering from FOMO (Fear of missing out) but the story intrigued me.
A chemistry teacher who after discovering he's got cancer, decides to enter the drugs trade by making Chrystal meth with the aim of supporting his family.
I thought this sounds interesting.
I bought series 1 - 3 box set with the intention of getting up to speed on the series as soon as possible. I have to say it certainly lived up to the hype.
It's the first series I've watched where the main character of Walter White starts off as the good guy but by the end of the series you end up hating him as he turns into the bad guy.
I admit there were some scenes in the series that were difficult to watch. Walter's actions are so bad you're left thinking: how can I empathize or support this character when he's becoming so evil.
But that's the point of the show. It's about watching that transformation in the character, so that by series 5 Walter White the drug 'kingpin' is barely recognisable from the down trodden underachieving chemistry teacher we meet in series 1.
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Nelson Mandela 1918 - 2013: A highly skilled political operator
When I discovered on Thursday night that Nelson Mandela had died, I was saddened but not surprised. It was a day I'd been expecting for the last 3 months.
Since Thursday I've been thinking about what I wanted say about Mandela. What could I say that hasn't already been said?
I decided to look back at one of my old blog posts. It was written in 2010 to mark the 20th Anniversary of his release from prison.
Reading the post this weekend, it reminded me that Nelson Mandela has been a major political figure since my childhood. Growing up in the 1980s, I was always aware of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The protests and violence in the country were a common feature of watching the news when I was growing up.
As a black child it made me aware of real racism and discrimination in its most extreme form. I was watching millions of people with the same skin colour as me being oppressed and denied basic political freedoms.
The imprisonment of Mandela seemed to represent the worst in the oppressive apartheid regime. Here was the leader of the black opposition locked up for over 20 years.
I think because the only images of Mandela you saw were old tv interviews from the 1960s, it seemed to elevate his status in the struggle for black freedom in South Africa.
By the time of his release in 1990 the event was arguably one the biggest news stories of my life, it was up there with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Here was a man I heard so much about finally being set free.
Since his release, Mandela has become probably the most revered, respected and loved political leader in the world. He's like a living saint for modern times.
Reading and listening to various reports on his life and career, I've been thinking that perhaps we should appreciate more what an incredibly skillful and astute political operator Mandela was.
This gets overlooked at times as we want to focus on his compassion, his humility and his ability to forgive. Obviously these are important qualities and go along way to making Mandela the person he was - but to achieve what he did required great political skill.
South Africa could easily have become a bloodbath. Rightwing Afrikaners were ready to take up arms against black majority rule. Elements of the black population were not surprisingly seeking vengeance against whites.
Western governments and businesses with interests in South Africa feared the worst, but Mandela through his political abilities prevented the nightmare scenario of civil war that so many feared.
I've heard many comments about how Mandela showed forgiveness against his former political enemies, but what strikes me is how he won them over.
He didn't hate his oppressors he learnt to understand them, whether it was his Afrikaner prison guards on Robben island or members of the ruling National Party Government and security forces in the 1980s.
Earlier today I was listening to Radio 5 and they were looking at Mandela's impact on sport in South Africa. We all know the story of how he decided to wear the green springbok jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand.
The Springboks were despised by the non white population and the jersey represented white domination in South Africa. What Mandela understood was the symbolic message wearing that jersey would mean firstly to white Afrikaners but to non whites as well.
For people who think sport and politics can't or shouldn't mix, this moment shows exactly why the two are always linked. A simple act won over the fears and worries of his former enemies.
It's this kind of subtle political intelligence that allowed Mandela to achieve the peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa.
In our cynical times we want and need figures we can look up to and truly believe in. I don't think there's been a political figure in my lifetime who's achieved this in the way Mandela has.
As much as we want to remember his inherent goodness and courage, lets not overlook what skillful and intelligent political leader he was. Without that skill and intelligence South Africa would be a very different place today.
Since Thursday I've been thinking about what I wanted say about Mandela. What could I say that hasn't already been said?
I decided to look back at one of my old blog posts. It was written in 2010 to mark the 20th Anniversary of his release from prison.
Reading the post this weekend, it reminded me that Nelson Mandela has been a major political figure since my childhood. Growing up in the 1980s, I was always aware of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The protests and violence in the country were a common feature of watching the news when I was growing up.
As a black child it made me aware of real racism and discrimination in its most extreme form. I was watching millions of people with the same skin colour as me being oppressed and denied basic political freedoms.
The imprisonment of Mandela seemed to represent the worst in the oppressive apartheid regime. Here was the leader of the black opposition locked up for over 20 years.
I think because the only images of Mandela you saw were old tv interviews from the 1960s, it seemed to elevate his status in the struggle for black freedom in South Africa.
By the time of his release in 1990 the event was arguably one the biggest news stories of my life, it was up there with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Here was a man I heard so much about finally being set free.
Since his release, Mandela has become probably the most revered, respected and loved political leader in the world. He's like a living saint for modern times.
Reading and listening to various reports on his life and career, I've been thinking that perhaps we should appreciate more what an incredibly skillful and astute political operator Mandela was.
This gets overlooked at times as we want to focus on his compassion, his humility and his ability to forgive. Obviously these are important qualities and go along way to making Mandela the person he was - but to achieve what he did required great political skill.
South Africa could easily have become a bloodbath. Rightwing Afrikaners were ready to take up arms against black majority rule. Elements of the black population were not surprisingly seeking vengeance against whites.
Western governments and businesses with interests in South Africa feared the worst, but Mandela through his political abilities prevented the nightmare scenario of civil war that so many feared.
I've heard many comments about how Mandela showed forgiveness against his former political enemies, but what strikes me is how he won them over.
He didn't hate his oppressors he learnt to understand them, whether it was his Afrikaner prison guards on Robben island or members of the ruling National Party Government and security forces in the 1980s.
Earlier today I was listening to Radio 5 and they were looking at Mandela's impact on sport in South Africa. We all know the story of how he decided to wear the green springbok jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand.
The Springboks were despised by the non white population and the jersey represented white domination in South Africa. What Mandela understood was the symbolic message wearing that jersey would mean firstly to white Afrikaners but to non whites as well.
For people who think sport and politics can't or shouldn't mix, this moment shows exactly why the two are always linked. A simple act won over the fears and worries of his former enemies.
It's this kind of subtle political intelligence that allowed Mandela to achieve the peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa.
In our cynical times we want and need figures we can look up to and truly believe in. I don't think there's been a political figure in my lifetime who's achieved this in the way Mandela has.
As much as we want to remember his inherent goodness and courage, lets not overlook what skillful and intelligent political leader he was. Without that skill and intelligence South Africa would be a very different place today.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
World Cup Draw: Time for England to 'man up'
Watching yesterday's World Cup draw I started feeling really excited about next year's tournament.
I've got high hopes for this World Cup, maybe because it's in Brazil it feels a bit more exotic, I've never watched a World Cup in South America. I just feel this World Cup could be something special.
As for England, we discovered we'll be in a group containing Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
A group of death? Not really, but admittedly it's a group that's going to ask some serious questions of England.
Anyone who knows my thoughts on football, will know that I now watch England with indifference. It's the way forward. I'm only going to get excited about England when they reach a semi final of a World Cup or European Championship.
It annoys me that some people are complaining we're in a difficult group. England have had so called 'easy' groups before. Just deal with it!
In South Africa in 2010 we faced the footballing giants of the USA, Algeria and Slovenia. The tournament took place during South Africa's winter which was meant to help us but we still made hard work getting out of the group.
In Germany in 2006 our group contained Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad. We qualified from it but it was uninspiring stuff. This time round we've been given a tougher assignment but so what, that's the luck of the draw.
How will England do in this group?
An opening game against Italy is tough - straight away we're up against a true footballing heavyweight. But I'd rather play a team like Italy than say a Bosnia or Algeria. Immediately, England know they have be on their game.
It's not going to be easy but Italy always start off slowly themselves. The main worry is the conditions of playing in the jungle and the fact Italy outclassed England in Euro 2012. A draw will be a good result.
Next game is against Uruguay in Sao Paulo. In 2010 I loved Uruguay, I thought they played some great stuff and Diego Forlan was superb.
Any team with Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani is going to cause problems but I'm wondering what else Uruguay have got. Maybe reaching the semi finals in 2010 was the peak for this squad.
Final game is Costa Rica. I know nothing about Costa Rica, all I do know is that England have to win this game.
It's going to be difficult
Er yes... it's the World Cup. Ok we could be in an easier group but it's time for England to 'man up' and get on with it. Stop complaining.
England embrace the challenge, it's a chance for players to prove themselves against the best on a world stage - that's the attitude I want from England.
We're not going to win the World Cup, there's no expectation so I want England to play without inhibition and we'll see what happens.
Who will win it?
Everything points to an all South American final. Brazil are obvious favourites but I've got a feeling Argentina could cause Brazilian heartbreak by beating them in next year's final.
I've got high hopes for this World Cup, maybe because it's in Brazil it feels a bit more exotic, I've never watched a World Cup in South America. I just feel this World Cup could be something special.
As for England, we discovered we'll be in a group containing Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
A group of death? Not really, but admittedly it's a group that's going to ask some serious questions of England.
Anyone who knows my thoughts on football, will know that I now watch England with indifference. It's the way forward. I'm only going to get excited about England when they reach a semi final of a World Cup or European Championship.
It annoys me that some people are complaining we're in a difficult group. England have had so called 'easy' groups before. Just deal with it!
In South Africa in 2010 we faced the footballing giants of the USA, Algeria and Slovenia. The tournament took place during South Africa's winter which was meant to help us but we still made hard work getting out of the group.
In Germany in 2006 our group contained Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad. We qualified from it but it was uninspiring stuff. This time round we've been given a tougher assignment but so what, that's the luck of the draw.
How will England do in this group?
An opening game against Italy is tough - straight away we're up against a true footballing heavyweight. But I'd rather play a team like Italy than say a Bosnia or Algeria. Immediately, England know they have be on their game.
It's not going to be easy but Italy always start off slowly themselves. The main worry is the conditions of playing in the jungle and the fact Italy outclassed England in Euro 2012. A draw will be a good result.
Next game is against Uruguay in Sao Paulo. In 2010 I loved Uruguay, I thought they played some great stuff and Diego Forlan was superb.
Any team with Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani is going to cause problems but I'm wondering what else Uruguay have got. Maybe reaching the semi finals in 2010 was the peak for this squad.
Final game is Costa Rica. I know nothing about Costa Rica, all I do know is that England have to win this game.
It's going to be difficult
Er yes... it's the World Cup. Ok we could be in an easier group but it's time for England to 'man up' and get on with it. Stop complaining.
England embrace the challenge, it's a chance for players to prove themselves against the best on a world stage - that's the attitude I want from England.
We're not going to win the World Cup, there's no expectation so I want England to play without inhibition and we'll see what happens.
Who will win it?
Everything points to an all South American final. Brazil are obvious favourites but I've got a feeling Argentina could cause Brazilian heartbreak by beating them in next year's final.
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