Just saw this story on the BBC so I'd like to take this opportunity to invite everyone around to kiwinavega's Giraffe, Octopus and Wallaby Park, kiwinavega's balcony, London.
Admission is free!
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Take a look at one of my paintings...
I'm quite new to painting but find it really relaxing. I don't think I have any skill but it doesn't really matter too much to me. It's just a way for me to try and be a little creative.
This one's called Number Two, and it's painted in acrylics on canvas.
Like it? Loathe it? I'd love to know what you think.
This one's called Number Two, and it's painted in acrylics on canvas.
Like it? Loathe it? I'd love to know what you think.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
News International, Rupert Murdoch and the subversion of democracy
Once again the dark side of News International has been brought into the light of the public glare.
Allegations have been made that a series of political and celebrity figures have had their phones illegally tapped by News International in order to obtain juicy gossip, scandal and details of their private lives.
Details of News International's illegal practices came to light a couple of years ago leading to the conviction and imprisonment of the News of the World's then Royal Editor and a private investigator hired by the paper.
Also documented are out of court damages payments to the head of the Professional Footballer's Association, while The Guardian also claims that a payment was made to the PFA's legal adviser (on condition a confidentiality agreement was signed).
This story is back in the news with a bang as it has been suggested that thousands of people have had their communications monitored by Murdoch's evil empire, notably key political figures such as John Prescott.
Since The Guardian released its story on Thursday there has been a massive tranche of coverage on this but there are a few elements of this I find especially disturbing and are clear examples of Murdoch's companies' longstanding efforts to subvert our democracy.
1. The IPCC have stated there isn't enough new evidence to reopen the investigation into this practice. Why not? This is a very serious matter and it has been revealed that, despite NI's claims that the earlier instance of phone hacking that led to one of its number being sent to prison was an aberration, it has come to light that it was far from a one-off.
2. Why were the IPCC so quick to dismiss this? It is absolutely in the public interest for this issue to be resolved and thoroughly dealt with.
3. If NI are so clear that they have nothing to hide why have they been so insistent on making payments out of court and linking these payments to confidentiality agreements? These aren't the actions of a company that is squeaky clean.
4. Why is Andy Coulson, well known as a NI man through and through, retained by the Conservatives as a Communications guru? Surely there is a conflict of interest here. It is well-known and obvious that NI has excessive levels of influence and through their publications (along with their Sky network, Fox etc) they can sway the opinion of the ovine British public. Perhaps that answers my own question...
This makes me so angry I really want to punch a Murdoch in the face. For years they have abused their position of trust and done their best to bend politicians, celebrities and the public to their will at the cost of personal liberty, national security and domestic and international harmony.
I know there really is no such thing as a fair and independent mass media but when I was younger journalism always seemed to me to be about finding and reporting the truth, however difficult or unpalatable it may be.
Now it is all about PR, dirty tricks, bullying, smears and invasion of privacy. It is an absolute outrage. However, nothing will be done about it. No public figure, no political party, will risk the wrath of the evil empire, with their power to destroy careers and lives. It makes me sick.
Allegations have been made that a series of political and celebrity figures have had their phones illegally tapped by News International in order to obtain juicy gossip, scandal and details of their private lives.
Details of News International's illegal practices came to light a couple of years ago leading to the conviction and imprisonment of the News of the World's then Royal Editor and a private investigator hired by the paper.
Also documented are out of court damages payments to the head of the Professional Footballer's Association, while The Guardian also claims that a payment was made to the PFA's legal adviser (on condition a confidentiality agreement was signed).
This story is back in the news with a bang as it has been suggested that thousands of people have had their communications monitored by Murdoch's evil empire, notably key political figures such as John Prescott.
Since The Guardian released its story on Thursday there has been a massive tranche of coverage on this but there are a few elements of this I find especially disturbing and are clear examples of Murdoch's companies' longstanding efforts to subvert our democracy.
1. The IPCC have stated there isn't enough new evidence to reopen the investigation into this practice. Why not? This is a very serious matter and it has been revealed that, despite NI's claims that the earlier instance of phone hacking that led to one of its number being sent to prison was an aberration, it has come to light that it was far from a one-off.
2. Why were the IPCC so quick to dismiss this? It is absolutely in the public interest for this issue to be resolved and thoroughly dealt with.
3. If NI are so clear that they have nothing to hide why have they been so insistent on making payments out of court and linking these payments to confidentiality agreements? These aren't the actions of a company that is squeaky clean.
4. Why is Andy Coulson, well known as a NI man through and through, retained by the Conservatives as a Communications guru? Surely there is a conflict of interest here. It is well-known and obvious that NI has excessive levels of influence and through their publications (along with their Sky network, Fox etc) they can sway the opinion of the ovine British public. Perhaps that answers my own question...
This makes me so angry I really want to punch a Murdoch in the face. For years they have abused their position of trust and done their best to bend politicians, celebrities and the public to their will at the cost of personal liberty, national security and domestic and international harmony.
I know there really is no such thing as a fair and independent mass media but when I was younger journalism always seemed to me to be about finding and reporting the truth, however difficult or unpalatable it may be.
Now it is all about PR, dirty tricks, bullying, smears and invasion of privacy. It is an absolute outrage. However, nothing will be done about it. No public figure, no political party, will risk the wrath of the evil empire, with their power to destroy careers and lives. It makes me sick.
Why I love YouTube
I don't know if people expect me to get soppy or emotional over online stuff or not but the fact is that sometimes I'm moved more than I expected.
Here is a case in point. Julia Nunes, known as jaaaaaa on youtube, has posted quite a few vids, many of them cover versions. I actually found her work by accident but here is something wonderful.
If a friend did this for my birthday I think I would cry! Need to watch it all to get it but it really is beautiful and funny!
Julia, you rule!
Here is a case in point. Julia Nunes, known as jaaaaaa on youtube, has posted quite a few vids, many of them cover versions. I actually found her work by accident but here is something wonderful.
If a friend did this for my birthday I think I would cry! Need to watch it all to get it but it really is beautiful and funny!
Julia, you rule!
Friday, 10 July 2009
On the passage of time
It's funny how quickly time moves on and things change. Obviously, it has always (and will always) move on at a rate of one second per second, but I think I mean how the passage of time in the longer term seems to accelerate and decelerate.
I've been getting involved (professionally) with social media a lot and revisited my dear, sweet little blog. Noticed I haven't written anything here since September last year. Ten months.
Doesn't seem quite possible somehow but there we are. I often hear people older than I am say that the years seem to go by much more quickly the older you get. So far, this seems to be the case for me too. I also note that when you are younger, you are far more inclined to question such received wisdom. I can't help but feel that that's still a good thing and perhaps I need to question things more often.
I think it is very easy to forget your dreams and ambitions as you get older. I've felt my life fall into a simple rhythm of sleep, work, home, sleep, work, home. Don't get me wrong - I have a good job which pays quite well (for my needs), live in a lovely flat and don't really have any difficulties in my life.
Maybe that in itself is a problem. I'm beginning to feel that this cosy, settled existence - almost anaesthetic in its nature - makes it so easy to be distracted from what it is I really want from my life. I can see how this can happen so often. We get settled (for now), decide that we'll do what we are doing for a bit because it's simple and we don't have any drama in our lives.
Perhaps our lives need drama. Perhaps settling for what life has given without a struggle is a sign of weakness. I never wanted to be a web monkey. I wanted (and still do want) to be a writer but the more I've settled into this comfortable, repetetive existence the more my motivation has diminished. Telling myself that the occasional poem, the odd concept outline, the painting every now and then is enough to keep my creativity alive is really self-sedating. Silencing my dreams by suppressing them, but telling myself it isn't so bad.
I wonder if anyone else ever feels like this.
I've been getting involved (professionally) with social media a lot and revisited my dear, sweet little blog. Noticed I haven't written anything here since September last year. Ten months.
Doesn't seem quite possible somehow but there we are. I often hear people older than I am say that the years seem to go by much more quickly the older you get. So far, this seems to be the case for me too. I also note that when you are younger, you are far more inclined to question such received wisdom. I can't help but feel that that's still a good thing and perhaps I need to question things more often.
I think it is very easy to forget your dreams and ambitions as you get older. I've felt my life fall into a simple rhythm of sleep, work, home, sleep, work, home. Don't get me wrong - I have a good job which pays quite well (for my needs), live in a lovely flat and don't really have any difficulties in my life.
Maybe that in itself is a problem. I'm beginning to feel that this cosy, settled existence - almost anaesthetic in its nature - makes it so easy to be distracted from what it is I really want from my life. I can see how this can happen so often. We get settled (for now), decide that we'll do what we are doing for a bit because it's simple and we don't have any drama in our lives.
Perhaps our lives need drama. Perhaps settling for what life has given without a struggle is a sign of weakness. I never wanted to be a web monkey. I wanted (and still do want) to be a writer but the more I've settled into this comfortable, repetetive existence the more my motivation has diminished. Telling myself that the occasional poem, the odd concept outline, the painting every now and then is enough to keep my creativity alive is really self-sedating. Silencing my dreams by suppressing them, but telling myself it isn't so bad.
I wonder if anyone else ever feels like this.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
