September5
Queen Elizabeth II, born 21 April 1926, is an amazing woman.
To me she is a shining example of what made the UK one of the greatest empires on Earth. She is extremely dignified, poised, eloquent, stoic and an example to all other women of how to behave.
She’s reigned through so may era’s and the world has altered so much around her. It’s so wonderful that she has remained consistent during this time; an anchor to the British while the world has raced through blistering changes. Some may say this is bad thing – when Princess Diana died the Queen’s initial silence on the matter was severely criticised. I don’t believe this was intentional – she personifies the stiff upper lip the British were renowned for and her response to Diana’s untimely death was in line with how she has always lived. She does not air her grief in public, a trait which the British have now become accustomed. Indeed when her own mother died she displayed a dignified silence although I am sure behind closed doors she dealt with this loss in her own way.
Apart from her myriad of admirable personality traits she and her family are an asset to the British public in real terms too. I would guess that the majority of people travelling to the UK as tourists each year do so in order to visit some or other Royal-related tourist attraction. What trip would be complete to London without riding the Tube, catching a red bus and visiting Buckingham Palace or stopping off to view the crown jewels in the Tower of London? The Queen is at the centre of all this – she’s on every bank note, she has her Christmas speech, she travels tirelessly as an ambassador for the UK, she’s a part of the fabric of every day UK life.
It saddens me when I hear Republicans moaning about “what a waste of money the Royal family are.” They are worth at least ten fold, if not more, than what they are paid each year by taxpayers. The UK would just be some island offshoot of the EU if it weren’t for the Monarchy. There is too much important history, culture and goodwill to jeopardise our relationship with them.
I hope that we have at least another ten years of her reign. Who will take over from her when she’s gone is another matter altogether but for now I’ll continue to admire and respect this great icon of our times.
God Bless the Queen!
September5
Maybe it’s because I’m from Africa or maybe it’s because I’m an earthy Taurus… but either way I just love animal prints.
How about zebra print for some cool, detached je ne se quois? Zebra to me is modern, stylish and classic. It’s a print which is fresh and cool as a cucumber.
Leopard print is sexy and exciting. It says dont mess with me! I know who I am and I get what I want. Leopard implies a certain dangerous mystery.
Snake skin shouts out that you’re a bold go-getter. Someone comfortable in themselves and ready to take on the world. Snake skin let’s everyone know who’s in charge!
Peacock is all about seduction, the exotic and intrigue. Peacock is regal and exclusive.
Feeling sexy? Tiger print tells me you’ve got the stamina to back it up. You’re not shy and are taking no prisoners!
Each print says something… it evokes mood and emotion at a glance. Perhaps there’s some evolutionary fascination instilled into us which brings these prints so vividly to life in our minds?
August29
So if I had to think of two of the hottest men EVER then I think it’s a close call between Tony Ward and Tom Hardy.
It’s not an easy choice so it’s only fair to look at some of the facts (and photo’s too…)
Tony Ward
Age: 47 (born June 10 1967)
Horoscope: Gemini
Claim to fame: Male supermodel and actor from the late 80′s. Renowned for his relationship with Madonna. Immortalised in the ‘Justify My Love’ music video and ‘Sex’ book. Has continued modelling ever since and ages like the finest of fine wine’s.
Most famous role: White Hustler and Madonna muse
Sexuality: Bi-sexual. Now married with wife and kids.
Tom Hardy
Age: 33 (born 15 September 1977)
Horoscope: Virgo
Claim to fame: Actor and Britain’s Best Kept Secret – until now. Catapulted to international attention in thriller ‘Inception’.
Most famous role: Blackhawk Down, Band of Brothers, Bronson, Inception, RocknRolla
Sexuality: Bi-sexual. Now in a relationship with a woman.
Result
In the final analysis I think that Tony is probably a bit cooler than Tom. He seems a bit more street smart and dirty. Having said that, Tom is still a lot younger and is mesmerising on screen.
Tom’s career will probably go a lot further but Tony I think is happy to be the dodgy hustler living life the way he wants to. Hopefully Tom doesn’t become all Hollywood and boringly predictable and politically correct. I love his choice in films and his vulnerabilities.
In the wise words of Taylor Mack ‘Comparison is Violence!’ I’ll therefore not compare anymore and simply admire!
August27
Shock horror! An article on the BBC website this morning has another typo. Can someone tell me what a ‘gastic band’ is?
I’ve noticed more and more that the BBC spell checker is not working, that or the BBC standards are dropping badly. It’s really annoying as I love the BBC generally and this kind of sloppy admin really irks me. Almost makes me want to pay for a subscription to a newspaper which gets things like this right.
Unfortunately, I think this is a trend rather than an anomoly. I shall be exposing these typo’s on my blog going forward because I’m a bit sad really but mainly because it’s not cool… so there BBC!
UPDATE – 18:00 27/08/2010
Seems someone’s on the ball at the BBC and look… they even threw in a free video to say sorry!
August25
In May this year I treated myself to a trip to Berlin for my 30th birthday. Berlin how I love thee! There is so much to see and do in Berlin. The city has an amazing energy. It feels quite Mad Max and the scars of WWII are visible everywhere.
There is a big creative industry in Berlin too; both established and underground. The city is covered on graffiti. I took some shots on my iPhone and a selection of them are posted below along with this cool subversive Superman sculpture which was outside the Jewish Holocaust Museum. I’m definitely going back to Berlin soon – watch this space…
