Having a boyfriend who works in sustainability and a close friend who is an incredible skeptic of the Climate Change proposal; this rap reminded me of some of the debates I sit through on our little social 'put the world to right' occasions.
11 December, 2009
02 December, 2009
01 December, 2009
Home.
Having lived in Sydney for 2 years now, I must admit, its easy to begin to detach yourself from the motherland. However, there are charms of English life that I appreciate more than ever.So I'm dedicating this post to Englaland showing my appreciation and pride in my heritage (albeit with little inclination to go back - just yet).
One can't deny, the curse of the stiff upper lip has quite a role in the English culture. All this suppression of human emotion and we wonder why we have an alcohol problem!?
The proverbial corner store. Don't live anywhere without one. Note: they sell alcohol too. Sigh...[Australia has special bottle shops, candidly places out of strolls reach at 9pm on a Friday night]
England has the best festivals. Well perhaps. May be its the sheer determination to make good out of a bad situation that ensures there's an atmosphere to feed on. You share tea and biscuits with strangers, camp in horrific conditions and witness some of the best live acts in the world under English sky. Of course, there is the rain which tries relentlessly to put a dampener on things - we need something to complain about!
Cows. Oh how I love cows. They are cute, aren't they?! When I was younger my back garden was in fact next to a massive field so I got familiar with these animals, admittedly at times after a bottle of cheap cider, a stolen packet of mother's menthols and an ambition to tip a sleeping one over...
Ridiculously good comedy. The Mighty Boosh, Shameless, Skins, Black Adder, Red Dwarf, The Office, Young Ones, Only Fools and Horses, Peep Show, Morcambe and Wise. Love.
Weather in England sucks big time. There's no denying it. You'll depend on an umbrella and will come to accept the fact that the weather lady lies to you. There are times though, when you can love English weather, especially when it snows (and you don't have to catch the tube). I remember the South African guy in my class nearly crying and sighing "fluuuff" in disbelief as he looked out the window and expressed sheer delight at the white stuff falling from the sky.
When I lived in London, Hoxton was the place to be. I loved living in East London where people wore ridiculous hair and would sing aloud to their ipods. Its got a charm about it that I can't put words to. Like when you walk down a cobbled street or look at an old building and realise that you're merely a speck in its life's story.
Squirrels are awesome. I love them. In Hyde Park you can hand feed these little cute furry rats. I don't care what you say, they are not pests.
I suppose this reminds me of where England is now. Corrupt banking system. Money troubles...Well its been a while, might have to prepare for a 2010 visit next year for a proper cold and log fire Christmas.
Falling Polar Bears
Well as someone who loves loves loves Polar Bears - some girls collected Barbie Dolls, I collected Polar Bears - I must admit this new cinema ad from Plane Stupid (written and commissioned by creative agency Mother and made by production company Rattling Stick. Director Daniel Kleinman) made me shudder.
However, I understand 1. It sends a valuable message and 2. The bears aren't real. So with those two facts in mind, I must admit I admire the guys at Mother UK for their audacity and the message is very clear: Your flight has an impact.
Plane Stupid explain on their site: "Like you, we're worried about climate change. Like you, we don't think the Government can be trusted to do what needs to be done".
They're a network of grassroots groups that take non violent direct action against aviation expansion. Their three demands:
- End to short haul flights and airport expansion
- Stop aviation advertising
- A just transition to sustainable jobs and transport
