Archive for January, 2010

• More news on Haiti

  Date: 2010.01.22 | Category: Life | Response: 0

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  I haven’t spoken about Haiti in my blog until now. Sometimes I like to wait for others voices to speak – that way  the cause continues with others speaking in weeks and months to come – we do not and should not forget.

  I know a lot of aid stories have focused on American donations but I wanted to share a link with people who live outside the States. UK to be exact. I have donated via this organization and so far they have raised over 35 million for Haiti.

  http://www.dec.org.uk/item/410

  Medical aid is getting into the country but it’s a slow process to get it to where it needs to be due to the terrible devastation.

  I encourage all bloggers to have some sort of link on their site or post over the next few months to keep awareness going. Even if you tweet about it then that’s something. These people need us.

  Another interested link I’ve tweeted is from Oprah’s site. It explains what we can do long term to help Haiti.

  Even if you don’t have much – please try and give something and for Brits, don’t forget to tick the gift aid box so DEC can reclaim tax and send more of your money to where it needs to be in Haiti.

  Thank you,

  V x

• Trouble the Water

  Date: 2010.01.21 | Category: Inspirational people, Life | Response: 3

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  I’d just like to put it out there that I feel like shit on a stick. I know, it’s not very ladylike but it is what it is. I am generally not a sickly person but when sickness comes it whips my behind for all its worth.

  I’ve moaned on twitter and on facebook and now here because quite frankly I’m given one week a year to get really blah-sick and feel sorry for myself. Others have it worse, yes but give me one week to reach out for virtual cuddles and some, ‘awwws’. Thank you to all who have sent me love – I unashamedly am taking it whilst huddled under my duvet.

  Most of the weekend I was sick, then I had a day off, then yesterday I came home in the afternoon and shivered my way through the evening with a high temp.

  But out of bad comes good and I decided to feed my brain over the last few days with some documentaries. We won’t count the lapse where I sat through Matthew McConaughey in ‘Surfer, Dude’. In a nutshell it was Wooderson (Dazed and Confused) on a surf board with lots of ladies boobs and Matthew’s white butt (yep, there is a nude scene which really isn’t that interesting – back lit balls) and lots of tokin. I can only think this was a glorified and expensive way to showcase pretty cinematography and Matthew’s JK Livin musical muse, Mishka.

  There was a day I would have defended Matthew to the hilt because I believed he could act but for years now he’s been stuck in the wilderness and lost his fire. Unless you are one of his fans who think the sun shines out of his arse 24/7 then you simply won’t get the feeling from an ex-devotee that he has sold himself down the river. Please God get this man some ‘NO’ people – or will the people that surround him and support him and continue to kiss his arse for a pay check please grab some balls and say, ‘Matthew you need to get some direction with your craft.’

  But you know he doesn’t give a sh*t what people think which is why he’s made so many sh*tty movies in the last few years. Because its easy to act like yourself right? Newsflash – get a reality show instead.

  I suppose you can justify things by saying he gives lots of his time and money to humanitarian projects. He has a big heart, but not big enough to spare us all from yet another sh*tty, two-dime-script, yawn fest.

  And don’t bitch slap me – I’ve had enough of my professional work slated in the past but the difference is I work to eat – he’s got millions in the bank – what’s the bloody excuse for making crap films? I mean really? He had much more integrity when he was on the rise.

  Let us continue to a more positive slant to my blog.  I’m  excited to share these titles with you and I hope you get the chance to watch them. I found them all available online from various video sites. Search and you will find but if like me you find ones that stir your soul to new dimensions support the film makers by buying them (where applicable) as I will be doing. To me buying fantastic documentaries are like buying good books. Education for all the family.

  Where applicable I’ve added a clip for you to see.

  Trouble the Water

  I really was so humbled watching this documentary which captured the hurt and devastation Hurricane Katrina caused and was caught on camera by up-coming rap artist Kimberly Rivers Roberts aka Black Kold Madina.  Her and her husband, Scott, along with neighbours decided to ride out the storm (due to not having funds to transport themselves out of state) only to discover that what they once called home soon turned into a muddy morgue.

  Their journey doesn’t end when the rain stops. They, and a band of others, get rescued from their home and are taken to a more sturdy house across the street and from there, as the waters slowly subside, they go in search of help from the authorities.

  It is now well documented that the government (both state and national) and FEMA failed many who most needed them; the poor and many who had no transportation to evacuate. This film shows the agony many suffered and showed America in its most fragile state.

  And while President Bush decided to keep troops over in Iraq fighting the so called ‘War on Terror’, many vocalize in the movie how houses went unchecked for over two weeks after the storm, with bodies decaying inside and echoed the sentiment, ‘the troops should be here not in Iraq’.

  Of course there were troops but not enough it seemed and you can’t help feeling that the American Pride and been shown to be a arrogant ruse as people were left to go hungry and without fresh water – much like a third world country.

  But at the core of this harrowing account is seeing the strength in helping each other and friendships that are made by Kimberly and her husband along the way.  It is this which keeps it ever present in our minds that great friendships can be founded in the most seemingly impossible situations and whether you’re a believer in God or not you can be sure of one thing – finding faith in someone or something gives people an amazing amount of strength they never knew they had.

  Kimberly and Scott, their family and friends are shining examples of what can be achieved through love, hope and faith.

  My friend Shelly and her mother survived Katrina but lost everything and it’s for them and others who suffered such terrible loss I will buy this DVD in support of the film’s goal – which is to educate.  We should never forget this – ever.

  http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com/

  http://www.bornhustlerrecords.com/blackkoldmadina.htm

  Onto something  a little different…

  The September Issue
  

  This is a documentary about my less than favourite person Ann Wintour, who is the Editor of Vogue.
  Fashion has never been my greatest love and as a plus-sized woman it has always been my goal as a model to show the beauty in being yourself – clothed or unclothed. However this focuses less on the clothes and models but on the race against the clock to get the much sought after September Issue of Vogue together.
  Whilst Wintour dismisses many of the images and ideas for the issue her team remains devoted to giving her what she wants. What she wants is never made very clear. And while some argue  she has the most over-rated job on the planet others would argue she is some sort of fashion genius/guru/high priestess.
  The one person that did stand out in the movie as a true artist was the red haired rebel and creative director, Grace Coddington. I simply loved this woman’s work and her visualizations of colours and themes. Grace made the movie for me and I loved it when she had a good old moan about Anna – because lord knows, I’ve done the same.

  http://www.theseptemberissue.com/
  

  The Mystery Of The Nevada Triangle

  This was an interesting film in terms of science and the mystery surrounding Steve Fossett’s disappearance (which actually I didn’t know the outcome of) I was hooked until the end. There isn’t much more to add without spoiling it but if you want your urban myths/reality science check fulfilled then watch this.  It is available to view free online (depending on your country)

  but be quick it’s only available until the 2nd of Feb 2010.

  By the People: The Election of Barack Obama
  

  I cried through a lot of this movie. You didn’t have to be an American to feel the power of the moment that was created when President Obama ran for election. It always makes me laugh the way some Americans think they are the only ones to be oppressed because of the colour of their skin. I’ve been beaten up for mine and I’m mixed just like Obama. No matter where you are in the world you can be sure to encounter racism and as I’ve discussed more than once in this blog it unfortunately can work both ways. Terrible!
  I still maintain though, and as this movie testifies, that Obama’s colour wasn’t the sole reason he won that election. People wanted change and new ideas and with his dedicated team of volunteers he spread the message far and wide.

  Some are still slating him now he’s in office that he’s not making the right decisions, but I say he never promised to. He said he would make mistakes or do things people wouldn’t always agree with but isn’t that the nature of life – we all do that. He’s human and he showed us that face of humanity and that’s why most people in and out of the US celebrated a new dawn of change when he got into office.

  http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/by-the-people-the-election-of-barack-obama

  O.k I’m going to make dinner and hopefully I’ll continue this when I get back – ready to post tomorrow… There will be music, drugs, and religion in the next batch of documentaries to showcase,  so come back for more brain food.

  Until then..much love,  thanks for the comments

  Vx

• The lazy weekend in single-ville

  Date: 2010.01.17 | Category: Inspirational people, Life | Response: 2

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  The weekend so far which included my day off yesterday too (yes courtesy of working boxing day) has not amounted to much other than watching the first season of Carnivale and the second season of Gossip Girl (yes I’m way behind).

  I’ve also undone my healthy eating and devoured almost a whole chocolate cake amongst other things. My only defence is that I’m fighting a throat infection. My son has it full blown and his poor glands are up like angry red peppers. It’s not like him to be sick and he has exams to take on Monday so I really hope he’s over it by then. Poor lamb! Cuddles, chocolate and more cuddles have helped a lot – or was it the paracetamol he begged for at 6pm?

  I had my day brightened up though by two of my American friends, Devyn Ashley and Phil Cruz. Both had some exciting news to share over the phone and I’m really excited about the prospect of seeing them in the summer. What would summer be without my annual visit to the States?  I can guarantee it will be fun if either of them have anything to do with it.

  I’m ecstatic for Phil who’s perseverance have got him and his writing partner, James, the green light to shoot their newest movie,  Song of the Knife. There’s some big names involved and I’m turning cartwheels here because the script is amazing. I read it last year and it would have been a crying shame had they given up on the dream to get it shot.

  Here’s the link if you’re interested and I’m sure it’s going to get updated soon as more names make their involvement official.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1220585/

  Flights and accommodation state side are pretty reasonable right now but as I explained to Devyn I’m not the free agent that I was; i.e I have to actually get my holiday time agreed with my big boss. No more booking last minute and hopping on a plane. Boo. Still at least my new lifestyle gives me some structure. I’m not sure why that sounds like it’s a good thing, but I’ll think of a reason soon enough.

  Tomorrow I’ve got to finish a report for work. But it’s not a chore as it’s about beauty brands and new season stuff  - a little bit like what I’ve written already this week in my blog but with numbers too! Yes, we’re going pie-chart-tastic baby! I am really loving Microsoft excel. Sad but true.

  And did I mention I joined a dating site? Before some of my single male readers get slightly excited about the prospect of me opening the door to new suitors may I just state for the record that after three days on this site I now realise why I’m single. In fact I think/know my expectations are unrealistic and high – and also I’m very independent which doesn’t help one bit.  I don’t think the whole online dating thing is for me. In fact I don’t think dating in general is for me. It’s all a bit too technical.

  I don’t care for marriage. I don’t care to have any more children. I want my career and to travel etc. I like to spend long periods of time alone. Yes, you’re right – I suck at being a girlfriend to anyone. But every now and again, just occasionally I dream of being the one with the picket fence,  (you know the one that doesn’t really exist but us dreamy Gals fool ourselves it does), the pot roast waiting for hubby when he gets home and of course the snuggles.

  That was a bloody dream sequence right there! STOP!!!!!

  I’m not completely without the urge to settle – but every time I think I’ve found someone really nice I realise he’s screwed up and needs time with a good therapist – that or he wants me to mother him which I remind myself is not the basis for a healthy relationship. Despair: must my bosoms be so welcoming for lonely, lost, screwed up men?

  I’ll ponder that…

  Verdict: I’m a selfish loner. Yep, and as I snuggle up on the sofa, playing mahjong, I feel a great sense of comfort I’ve publicly stated that.

  Happy Sunday!

  Diva Vx

  P.S I only get this way in the winter – which is a lesson to all single girls – remember a boyfriend is not just for a season – in my case he’s not even for a week.

• The spring season: Make-up, Beauty, Fashion Accessories! Colours!

  Date: 2010.01.12 | Category: Beauty & Fashion Accessories | Response: 0

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  Spring 2010 seems very far away to some but in the fashion world things are already making their mark in stores. And when it comes to accessories and make-up I’m your Gal as I’ve been lucky enough to see exclusives from top beauty houses such as Dior, Lancome, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Not to mention some killer handbags from DKNY and Moshino.

  

  DKNY Pink Bag from £95.00

  

  Moschino Red Bowling bag £99.00

  Do not worry if the price tag doesn’t fit your budget, as you can find many cheaper alternatives elsewhere.
  And yes, black is still in – does it ever go out of fashion?

  Read the rest of this entry »