Seborah's Blogspot World

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2009-05-26T09:47:00.001Z

Maps of India.

2009-03-30T10:26:00.003Z

My life right now is like a movie; I won't change in for the world. I once had this friend who said to me that the closest his parent came to telling him about "the facts of life" was to say to him that, when he was with his girlfriend, not to leave maps of India on the sheets. I found that hilarious! I guess you don't always get the information you need to know from the people you trust the most.

Take last week for instance: I had the best week and the most peculiar. "Dexter" has gone down in history with me as one of the very best TV programmes ever and I shall miss it till the next season. The final episode in the series sent my heart aflutter with screams of "bravo!", "bravo!". Not to mention that my brain was twisting in and out doing somersaults. It's a programme full of immense suspense, honesty and the most incredible characters - everyone in it is flawed. But the way these elements are put together conjours up the most riveting viewing I've ever had in years. James Doakes is one of my favourites: brooding, sullen, creepy and machismo. You would think he uses "testosterone" as an aftershave. To see him stripped of his bravado and swagger, was a sight to behold.

Then there was the incident with the South Africans! There I was yesterday, in the middle of watching "America This Week" when I heard the sound of car doors slamming. Apparently, some South Africans had camped outside our door, conversing loudly in their language. There were about seven of them in two cars, which were side by side blocking the road, facing my direct view. When I opened the door to find out what was going on, they saw me and switched to speaking English. I just stood at the door watching them, as I was baffled to say the least. I recognised the accent because in the early 90s, I was constantly running into South Africans, in fact I couldn't get away from them - they were literally everywhere (I must mention at this point that I love South Africans). Whether it was at work or study, sooner or later laud-and-behold, a South African or Nigerian would turn up on the same course or place of employment. How do they do that?

Anyway (I digress), one of the party advised me to go back indoors and when I wouldn't, he suddenly became abusive: he accused me of trying to act "white" (whatever that means), called me "gay", and told me not to forget where I came from (something I thought was a bit presumptuous of him). I just stood there completely silent asking myself: "where do they find these people?" When they realised I wouldn't stop gawking at them, they started their cars and moved on. It was amazing!

Birds of a feather, ...

2009-03-24T14:36:00.003Z

Would you rather be a migrant or a thug?

I was reading today's Metro and came across a story of an individual called David Oluwale - a Nigerian immigrant who met an untimely and brutal end in Leeds, England in 1969 (Metro, page 27). A play is being performed tonight at the Hackney Empire dealing with the circumstances surrounding his death (something I thought would have more relevance in Leeds than in London). Which sort of reminded me of another group currently in the news at the moment - Somali pirates.

Though many might work very hard, immigrants tend to be tagged as spongers. I never really understood the issue of illegal immigration: If you were born in a country surely you have a duty or maybe an obligation to make a contribution to that country, instead of turning up somewhere else and expecting a handout. The stigma (sponger) and immigrant tend to go hand-in-hand, when most people in a society tend to pay their own way and live their lives aiming to make a contribution to public life. I say this considering the British-Nigerian community in Britain, whom I would assume won't be flattered by the play and I wonder how many of them would be turning up.

It's a shame that many people in life want a "free ride", and unlike illegal migrants who tend to target public services and The State's resources at the expense of all of us, pirates are the more darker breed; going to extraordinary lengths to achieve their ends: using kidnapping, torture, violence and the humiliation of their captives as both a tool and goal. I guess it's up to all well-meaning men and women everywhere to stop this culture of impunity and take a stand against such free-loaders.

Life without Sky

2009-03-01T21:09:00.002Z

It looks like the week is off to an interesting start already. I've been online all day today to check on my accounts; the status of which has been really alarming 'cos the hackers have been busy. Ah, they did leave me one e-mail: some islamic woman wants money. Not from me you don't; I aint got any. Well I should have loads by now but that's another story. Haven't had time to follow my normal schedule because apparently a leak has sprung-up in the living-room ceiling in my house. I normally programme my mother's Sky set-top box TV planner to view the programmes I like, which would normally be deleted each time I set a programme! So coincidentally, a leak appeared in the ceiling and my mother has dismantled the system. The place looks like we just moved in. Someone saying he was from British Gas was here this morning, apparently to check on the boiler, again!. It's perhaps the fifth time that the boiler has been inspected in the last 9 months. I wish I could get a-look-in! A hug won't go amiss. Then one of my mother's friends came over in the late evening and was helping her with moving stuff around. The living-room looks a state. The house is beginning to resemble as if we just moved in.

I'm gonna miss Journal, Projekt Zufunft, Fox and Friends, NHKWorld, Fit und Gesund, etc., Let's just hope it's not permanent!

New SpringWidget

2009-02-26T18:39:00.001Z

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2009-02-26T16:43:00.001Z

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The Bailout!

2008-12-06T16:08:00.003Z

Currently hooked to the Fox News channel in quite admiration of "The Big Three".

The Emperor's New Clothes

2008-06-11T15:59:00.002Z

I've been looking at recipes this week. I don't know, I guess I need to update my gastronomic skills from the normal chicken curry, salad, spogball and stir-fry. The fridge magnets have been busy with my shopping lists which is a bit weird because I have never used them before. Those slices of fruit have been very lonely indeed. I've always had to rely on memory. My mental arithmitic is also the stuff of legend.

http://www.grocerylists.org/
http://www.mygrocerychecklist.com/

The thrill of the chase

2008-05-28T16:06:00.002Z

I'm one of those individuals anticipating the showdown in the search engine wars. It's just a matter of time before Microsoft "gobbles up" Yahoo, and then we see "the mother of all battles".

The new rock stars!

2008-05-21T16:56:00.003Z

It's been a long time coming but I think that CEOs are the new rock stars. My hero of the month is definitely Willie Walsh of BA. Don't get me wrong, I not a big fan of BA at the moment, but for a CEO to forego a £700k bonus in this economic climate, that is quite an example.

One of the more interesting and secret economic indicators for me has always been : kebab spills on the street! The late 90s were definitely a growth period for many industries and walking down the street, you always came across the odd "splosh" of yesterday's curry or kebab. These days you would be luck to find somebody's disused tissue. So instead of relying on the sale of art to tell me how the economy is doing, walk down the screen people - that should tell you.

Affordable House for yound people

2008-04-10T18:15:00.003Z

I was watching DW-TV recently and it looks like affordable housing for young people is a problem everywhere. However, renting can have its benefits, as long as you remember to use reliable agents to find accommodation. I remember having to rent for over 10 years. Some would say that's money down the drain. Then you have to remember to label your property; partcularly when you're living with strangers. It's the food that goes first, particularly the margarine! Not to mention the tea bags, sugar and milk.

Pfizer is weighing up bid for Shire

2008-03-20T19:11:00.000Z

I'm really intrigued by this bid.

Courage

2007-12-15T14:52:00.000Z

This week, I read an article in the Telegraph about courage. I can remember Comodus (Joaquin Phoenix's character) in the film Gladiator saying that there are different forms of courage; apparently it true. There physical courage: the type you need to get out of bed in the mornings; risk-taking courage: the type you need to ask that girl out who is way out of your league; Interperonal courage: the type you need to tell all your friends/girlfriends, that they're dumped; and there's Moral courage: that one that remind you that telling lies, is not good for you.

Geezers for Jeezers

2007-10-13T11:57:00.000Z

In the early 1980s, Peter Cushing was all over the TV screen. He was either: Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Who, or tormenting Count Dracula with a crucifix or holy water. These days, it's Hollywood not Hammer House of Horror, and crucifixes and holy water have been replaced by weapons that are more up to date, like UV light and re-tractor blades!

This crackdown on wearing religious symbols is a bit daft! When people like Nadia Eweida ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6052608.stm) have to resort to taking legal action against an employer, it makes you question what is doing on. Maybe it's time that the humble crucifix had a comeback!

We're used to seeing sportsmen kissing the crucifix after a victory, or just before an event for good luck, but it's a symbol that means a lot to the religious and irreligious alike.
In a world where labels mean everything and people identify you based on what you wear or don't wear; being seen in the right threads can save you a lot of hassle. Muslims are identified by their names, clothes, beards, etc. And when you see someone called Mohamed, with a full beard, you know he not doing a Brain Blessed impersonation! Jesus said in John 13:35 that the love a christian has for another is the means of recognition ; that everyone would know who you are - not wearing a crucifix, praying in the street, handing out literature, inviting people to church meetings, etc. (I say this because I've been inundated with offers to come to church and all the above are happening a lot these days around me (it must be something about me!)

If you find your employer preferring metal skulls to crucifixes, don't despair. We all know that the 'cardigan' is the ultimate christian fashion accessory! I don't know a single christian who hasn't got one.

What the Romans REALLY did for us!

2007-09-30T15:47:00.000Z

One of the more interesting pieces of advice I've ever received was from a fellow DJ who advised me: if I ever wanted to take deejaying further and consider it as a career, that I should go out at least once in the day in the week, so that the neighbours won't think I'm a "serial killer"!

I thought the advice strange till I started developing habits like: sleeping all day; leaving my house at night; carrying heavy equipment and loading it at the boot of taxis; and arriving home at the crack of dawn. Not knowing my neighbours might be another problem. When you are enjoying your hobby at unsociable hours, you don't have time to do the rounds to the neighbours to borrow a cup of sugar! It could be quite embarrassing for the neighbours to call the police, and having to explain to them that, you're just a deejay and that there's no need to be alarmed.

However, if such a misunderstanding is an occupational hazard, it is well worth it, as deejaying is one of the best careers/hobbies you could ever have.

iPhone Contracts

2007-09-19T13:05:00.000Z

It looks like all the national incumbents have the iPhone contracts. I'm not sure tthis is good for competition!

Video Lectures

2007-09-03T12:26:00.000Z

I could just learn something from this site!

The Compact Disc.

2007-08-25T10:30:00.000Z

Is the CD really on it's way out? If the pundits are to be believed, due to mp3 players and iPods, the CD has had its day. I thought holding a sleeve or cover was all part of the "appreciation" of the music experience? For example: there's a scene in "Diner" where Daniel Stern's character is telling Ellen Barkin's character, not to mess with his record collection - It's a classic scene! How could you do that with an iPod?

A weeks of music....

2007-07-29T12:44:00.000Z

This week has been a great week for mixes, so I hope it continues. Right now, I'm listening to Franke Estevez's Cyberjams Radio Show. Last week's one was "a corker"!. Every self respecting dj should have a podcast/radioshow, but surprisingly many don't! I tried this week to add another file-sharing account to my collection but for some reason, because I'm based in the UK, I was denied access - I was snubbed! I do think though that MegaUpload might be the best, though not a lot of people I've come across tend to use it. Not knocking Sendspace, Mediafire or YouSendiT, they are also very good. Hopefully one day, I might be able to download successfully a mix from YouSendIt!! Download rates are also a problem with very slow download rates. I don't think many people would consider downloading a 2hr mix and then uploading it again in order to store it. These are just some of the friends I've received mixes from :Edonist, Lars Behrenroth, Matt Darey, Broken Beat, Creamer & K, Big Ed, Ultra Nate, Peace Bisquit, Delano Smith, Franke Estevez, David Alvarado, Urban Landscapes, Kamikaza, Chaishop, etc. (sorry if I haven't included you!) All have been great and fautless with a nice blend of subtle beats that go from minimal to dark tribal beats. Delano's podcast is great (http://delano.podomatic.com). The mix "Across the Pond" "knocked me for six!" not to mention "Silent Driver" by Kamikaza. Urban landscapes' mixes were lengthy and varied with some "juicy" latin beats. It was also great to hear some great trance on sangeet's page. I used to party hard to transient records' mixes and Dave Clarke in the day when I was a "hotshot" salesman: I closed every deal, I was that lethal! Then I went into account management and became fat (I put on 3 stone in 2 years). All-in-all, it been a great week.