The Surprise of Lent

Truth is, I get a little twitchy when someone mentions religion to me. I'm always the first to say I'm not religious but spiritual although I am starting to think I am just in denial. But it has given me a warm reassurance to hear how many people - normal people - have chosen to give something up for Lent. It feels like a return to old-fashioned values and for some reason that I still can't pinpoint, brings me comfort.

So what am I giving up for chocolate. I'm going for a two-fer. Chocolate and Negative Thinking. Begone!

Sad News

To quote Elton John,

It's sad, it's so sad
It's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd...

It was only yesterday that the news broke that Oscar Pistorius had shot dead an "intruder" in his South African home.

I am still reeling over the news that Oscar Pistorius has now been charged with the premeditated murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. I hope this God-awful tragedy has just been an accident and not something sinister as eluded to in the press.

I was shocked to hear that nearly 50 people die in South Africa a day and I honestly can't truly comprehend living in an environment where there is a high crime and mortality rate. But I am anti-gun. For every case where a gun has been used to save someone's life, there are far too many other instances where it has taken lives by accident (mistaking someone for an intruder). For every case where a gun has been used to save someone's life, there are far too many other instances where it has been used in schools and taken the lives of children.  For me, that cost is too high.

This whole situation has left me bereft. A loss of a young life and questions over the intention of an international sporting hero who had done so very much to change our views on "disability". Tragic all round.

Photo a Day - Day 5

I've decided to be liberal about when I post my Photos a Day. Since I'm Australian, I figure I can post using Australian or British time :)

So Day 5 - Something I smelled. Parfum of course. Can you tell I have my favourites?

 

Mystery Solved... Richard III found!

It has been rumoured for a little while but today archaeologists confirmed the skeletal remains found under the Council carpark in Leicester is missing, disgraced King, Richard III. The skeleton shows severe trauma to the skull and an arrow in the back!

More news about this seriously cool story can be found here: http://news.sky.com/story/1047231/richard-iiis-remains-found-in-council-car-park

What an awesome find!!

Photo a Day: Day 4 - Hope

So day 4 asks for a symbol of Hope. My first thought was to capture a picture of Great Britain, Land of *Hope* and Glory but then I spotted my daffs. A symbol for the fight against Cancer as well as a bright sign that Spring is on the way.

 

Something Beginning with E

So Day 3 of the photo challenge brings us something beginning with E and immediately my Ewok-looking puppy came to mine.

Presenting Georgie Porgie!

 

My Not So Secret Crush

is of course Richard Armitage ever since "look back...look back at me" in North and South but the loving went up a notch or five when he sang in The Hobbit. He sings! *Thud*

In true geek style, I have downloaded it to my iPhone as a ringtone. Don't judge...

 

Oscar Predictions

After seeing both Les Misérables and Zero Dark Thirty, my Oscar predictions are:

Best Picture: Les Misérables (I know everyone else is saying it's been Django and Lincoln)
Best Actor: Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Best Actress: Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Best Supporing Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables
Cinematography: Life of Pi
Costume Design: Les Misérables
Directing: Lincoln
Film Editing: Zero Dark Thirty
Make-up and Hairstyling: Les Misérables (although The Hobbit is a close second)
Production Design: Les Misérables
Visual Effects: this is a close one ... Life of Pi or The Hobbit.. Mmm. I'm going with Life of Pi

We'll find out on 24th February!

Photo a Day: February - Day Two

Ok so I *meant* to start the February Photo-a-Day Challenge yesterday with much gusto and gay abandon. Then I forgot.

But I'm backkkkk and it's only Day Two. Today's theme? Pattern.

 

I love this challenge.