Wednesday, 28 January 2009
A Mooooooooooooving Story
It has been reported today that a Newcastle University study has found that cows that are named and treated as individuals produce an average of more than 450 pints additional milk yield than those that are not named. Apparently, popular names include Daisy and Ermintrude.
I wonder, if I give my bank account (or my bank manager?) a silly name... maybe 'Pickles', or 'Sir Snufflebottom'... will my account yield an extra £450 a month? Perhaps not.
Ah well, at least there will be plenty of of milk to go my 'Credit Crunchy' breakfast cereal in the morning.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
The First Day
Anyway, here is the speech courtesy of 'Welt Online':
"My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land – a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
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.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted – for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.
Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things – some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions – that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking
America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans.
Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
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. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works – whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day – because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control – and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.
The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart – not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.
And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort – even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West – know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
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 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.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment – a moment that will define a generation – it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, 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 sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
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.
America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
Monday, 19 January 2009
The Last Day
First, I'm glad to see Bush go. I believe he is more intelligent than some have given him credit for, but I also believe that he's bad news. Bush is like a bull in a china shop - there's no finesse there at all. It scares me to think of George W. Bush in the same situation that Kennedy faced during the Cuban Missile Crisis. At that time, the world was on the brink of a nuclear catastrophe as America and Russia faced off against each other. It is, of course, impossible to say for sure how Bush would've behaved, but we can look at his reaction to 9/11 and Iraq, and see how swift he was to lead the United States (and Britain) into an ill-conceived war. At the end of the day, the Bush legacy is not stability and peace, it's the opposite.
As for Obama, I am so pleased that the U.S. electorate has chosen him to succeed Bush. He is clearly intelligent and has some interesting policy ideas. Plus, as a UK citizen, I like his attitude when it comes to Foreign policy. I believe that he can take on board the intelligent opinion of his advisors and others around the world, and balance that with his own beliefs, knowledge and understanding and make educated decisions. He seems able to listen, gather information and insight but ultimately, make his own judgements without coming across as arrogant - something that I could never give Bush credit for. However, I do have one concern. At the moment, the American public is applauding itself for electing a coloured president. I agree that the nation has come a very long way since the de facto apartheid of the sixties and seventies, but there are still many Americans who harbour a deep seated and evil loathing of anything that isn't 'normal'. It is hard to quantify from a distance exactly how widespread this might be, but I wonder how people really fell about having a coloured president (or a gay, Jewish, Hindu, Latino or female) and I also wonder how long Obama will last. I hope I am wrong, but I have a horrible dread that one day I will switch on the news to reports of assasination. God, I hope that doesn't happen! If it does, will it be an Islamic Fundamentalist or a close-minded biggot? Where will the finger point: to the world at large, or in on itself?
This, by the way, is not to say that Americans aren't intelligent. Please don't think that I tar all U.S. citizens with the same brush: Many of my friends are American and I love the country for it's fantastic geographical and cultural variety. The American people deserve a leader to be proud of. Tomorrow we will say goodbye to Bush and welcome to Obama. I wish him all the best and hope that he can meet the challenges of the next 4 (and maybe even 8) years head on with the same respectability and dignity with which he conducted himself during the election.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Life and Death
Patrick McGoohan died on Tuesday 13th January at the age of 80. I'm sure most people will remember him for his role as 'Number Six' in the cult TV series, The Prisoner, but I will always remember him most fondly for his utterly Machiavellian performance in the Mel Gibson film 'Braveheart' as Edward Longshanks. What a shame my generation didn't get the chance to see more of him.
Ricardo Montalban died on Wednesday 14th January aged 88. A stunning actor with a velvet voice, he has and always will be KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN! He was a superb and totally underrated and underused acting talent who completely stole the show from William Shatner in Star Trek II. I had always hoped that one day I might meet this acting Titan and sadly that is no longer possible.
Television and film has lost two of it's best sons. May they rest in peace and may their legacies continue long into the future.
On Thursday January 15th, I witnessed something I never believed possible: a large passenger jet made a perfect landing... on water... with every single passenger and crew member walking away! For anyone that doubts it, the skill involved in landing on water is beyond comprehension. The angle at which the aircraft makes contact with the water has to be just right... nose too high and the tail will be ripped off by the force of the impact, nose too low and the aircraft will plunge into the water and somersault tail over nose, tearing the fuselage to shreds. The aircraft has to be perfectly level too... if one of the engines or wings touches the water before the other, it will be sent spinning out of control, pulling it to pieces. Carrying out this kind of perfect landing under power is hard enough, but with the added difficulty of having no engines (which also means no power or hydraulic assistance!) achieving any kind of survivable landing is truly remarkable. The pilot, Chelsey Sullenberger, is a hero and deserves a medal for his skill.
And so, in a week that has taken two wonderful actors, it has given us 155 lives in return. I'd call that a fair deal.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
1 week down... 50-ish to go
Anyway, it was while brewing up a pan of soup (actual real soup, not the metaphysical stuff), specifically while I was peeling carrots, that my mind wandered back to my college days. Back in 97-98 I spent nine months studying Stage Management at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. It is probably one of the defining periods in my life so far and will probably remain so.
The first half of the term was one the most awesome things I have done to date. I was off on my own, throughly enjoying the course (well, except for Theatre History which was totally yawn-worthy... although the tutor was VERY dishy), and full of the possibilities of the future. I had somehow managed to surround myself with great people - in cyber-life and real-life - and was getting to know my future husband. It was hard work and there were times when, I think, we all questioned why we were there and not off doing something normal and mundane, but everyday I was buzzing. I was truly happy.
It's funny how life sometimes likes to slam you down when you find a moment of perfection.
Just after half term - literally half way through the course - my brother died very suddenly. I'll never forget the moment when Mum told me. It was like the universe had broken into a million tiny pieces and there was... just nothing. That moment was a pivot point as my life: It had been trundling along quite happily, minding its own business and without warning turned a sharp 90 degree angle and seemed to career off in a totally different direction, completely beyond my control. The rest of the first year at the R.S.A.M.D. was filled with tears and a constant burden in my heart. There were good times, yes, but it was like living in the shadow of a giant tree: Occasionally the sunlight broke through the canopy, but it was always a fleeting moment, lasting only seconds, minutes, days or weeks and the shadow was always waiting on the other side.
It took me years to recover control - working away from home at QVC was part of that regained control, proving to myself that I wasn't dependant on family or friends, like taking those first tentative steps after being in traction for months - but now I can look back on that year and the recovery that followed and actually treasure it. There's a piece of my heart where my brother lives and where I keep that broken year in a little gilded box. It's part of who I am and, as long as I am happy with the person I have become, I can look back on that painful chapter of my life with a degree of fondness. As with many of the problems we face in our lives, it was important for growth and learning. It taught me the fragility of life and how to hold everyone I love as precious. It also taught me that the future is what it is. Occasionally there will be stuff that is beyond my control, but that's OK, because what's around that 90 degree corner might be difficult or painful for a while, but the tree cover will eventually end and one day you'll turn around and realise you've been in the sunlight for quite some time.
What interests me the most in all this, is how, when I look back, my memory views that period so many different ways. I can look back and see the nine months at the R.S.A.M.D. as a single experience, other times I will look back through time's telescope and focus on the happiness and variety and experiences of the first few months, while other times will bring back, sometimes with sharp clarity, the tough second half of the year. At the same time, I look back over other things that happened in the same period - dating my husband, spending time with friends, movies that I saw and enjoyed, music and books that I heard or read at the time - and they are sometimes entirely separate and sometimes woven into the fabric of that year as if they could never be plucked loose.
But anyway, my soup is done now. Time to go turn off the heat!
Friday, 2 January 2009
Resolve
In 2006 I managed to lose one and a half stone but last year I only managed to maintain my weight. Of course, being skinny is not my ultimate goal. I have never really suffered from the self-image issues that others do so I'm not bothered about looking like a mo-delle: I would rather have curves! However, I have two reasons for wanting to get my weight in check. First is the obvious health issues and benefits. Being obese puts me at risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, osteoarthritis and more. Second, in order to have a family, we need IVF, which can only happen if I lose weight.
And so, New Year's resolution numbers two and three is to lose weight and to be more active.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Welcome 2009
A few weeks ago I received a surprise email from a friend of mine that I used to write with in my PBeM days. We'd been out of touch for a while so it was a pleasant surprise to hear from him. At the bottom of his email in his signature were a number of links, one being to his blog, so I decided to go and see what he'd been up to. I was horrified to discover that he had actually been quite unwell, recovering from a minor stroke that happened in April. However, as I read on, I had found, within his blog, the journey of an individual trying to find the way back to himself and struggling to understand and find answers in a world that rarely provides them. His blog inspired me to get back into the habit of blogging myself. Not because I could hope to produce anything as insightful or witty, but more because I enjoyed reading.
Aaron: Thank you!
So here lies resolution number one - blog more! Happy New Year everyone! :o)