15th JANUARY 2013 - BARACK OBAMA – THE SECOND INAUGURATION.

A great event to watch – the closest thing Americans have to a coronation – but no gowns, crowns and unsightly relatives.

But more – it was clever politicking with an eye to pleasing the biggest growing minority in the States - the Hispanic Americans. He knows who has their vote and “the gays” will win the White House in 2016. The inauguration speeches and personalities reflected, celebrated and paid homage to that fact. It opened the door to their minds via the heart.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE - 2009

The Nobel Committee said he won it for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".

·         He has deported more people than George W. Bush.

·         He signs Executive Orders to launch drones against “terrorists” – no trial needed.

·         He sanctioned cyber-attacks against Iran, Thought you wanted to develop dialogue.

·         Martin Luther King, his hero.Obama used MLK'S bible as part of the swearing in process. Gandhi - an inspiration to MLK. They were fans of peace.

·         Sanctioned - with a front row seat to watch – the capture/shooting of Osama Bin Laden. How that increased his credentials as a tough President (see the Iron Lady). Some say his greatest foreign policy achievement in the first term.

·         Israel – Palestine – silence for four years and in the inauguration. Hilary Clinton traveled a million miles and what was achieved. Now his second term has begun and no action is promised. The silence on the Israel-Palestine question is deafening.

By the way any news on our peace envoy. Last seen lining up to bank his cheques from advising governments and making speeches. Wonder if Barack will call him for tips?

I wait to see how history judges his time and wonder when he will, like all Leaders, start to see his reflection in the mirror of history.

The “shooter” –the man who pulled the trigger and shot Osama Bin Laden left the military in September 2012 with 16 years of service because he feared he would not survive to see his children grow. He is now without a pension or health insurance because he did not complete 20 years of service and is struggling financially. (i- Feb 2013)

3^RD FEBRUARY 2013 - MICHAEL JACKSON – THIS IS IT(DVD) 

As a life- long fan of The Jacksons I see them as musical and creative royalty. Watching this film I saw another side of the man. The title “a legend” fits squarely and safely on his shoulders. When rehearsing a song he drops in words and phrases such as – “let it simmer”, “nourish” “with love” – speaking about the creative process as organic and like a living thing. The music is in his DNA. Not an X Factor add on-where they take on a song with the same ego as they don their outfits to perform. This man, lived, breathed and inhabited the creative moment and each note. Fantastic- as he stands with a guitarist and urges her to find the highest note she can – more- keep going – “It’s your moment to shine” he tells her. And we will be there with you. Getting the best and more from his crew so they can give their best. Inspiration. Motivation. Leadership. Humility – he is not bigger than the show or the audience.

All the time reaching and soaring just like an eagle among eagles.

29th JANUARY 2013 - LINCOLN (CINEMA)

I felt the story of a family and a certain intimacy in the White House of old. While doing important business of State your son walks in and wants to play. Then it’s back to freeing the slaves and winning the Civil War.

The mammoth task of creating a free, fair, civil and just society came down to wheeling and dealing – getting someone’s’ vote in return for… and then when I open my eyes on today I see nothing has changed. I wasn’t convinced Lincoln was that concerned about the slaves but that maybe he saw the future and what would be needed for the country to grow and heal once the war was won.

The film was swimming with brilliant acting from all involved in creating strong, humorous and believable characters. You can be nominated for an Oscar but to look great you need others around you who also aim for their best. Just like in the storyline of the film.

These films and experience inspire me to think broader and higher. Look at my game.

Ask myself –what do I stand for? 

What do I believe?

How have these events influenced how I am?

And to imagine, then act on what’s next……

6th JANUARY 2013 - MARGARET THATCHER-THE IRON LADY.

I watched the film – a mix of reality and writers imagination. I saw a person – a human being at once weak, brilliant, and strong, out of touch both during her time in office and the time out of it. Agree or disagree with her – she still ignites those strong emotions – the old school Tories would love her back. No chance of gays running rampant then. Tony Blair and David Cameron act out their role in her shadow – showing their veneer as strong and resolute leaders. Still they don’t cut it. After twenty-two years her presence is still felt. A pretty nifty achievement for a woman in a man’s world – her condition now? Is that what they call karma?

30TH JULY 2012 - SHHHHH - WHY SO QUIET?

No post for months. It has been a busy and stressful time. The Jubilee, The Olympics, family problems and a summer that can be forgotten. No worries I am getting my act together and have scores of things to post on.

Now just to do it.

17^TH APRIL 2012 - STOP THESE CHAINS! 

I was sent a chain email recently. I wrote this in reaction to it – they are negative in their aim most of the times and peddle on fears. The email said pass this on and get money, break the chain and… The email linked the idea of passing it on to Feng Shui. I sent this reply to the person who emailed me and asked them to break the chain too and send back good wishes.

Dear …….

Feng Shui is about opening up your life – if you Feng Shui your own life, your car, your house, your office then you will see good health, wealth and joy flow around you like water around a rock. Embracing and covering you and flowing to others around you.

These chain letters are about fear. When I read this one I felt panic and fear. Who can I pass it to….my family? My friends? Maybe someone I don’t like and if I don’t like them why am I even letting them in to my life? I and time have cleaned out of my life people with a “vexatious spirit”.

Why would you send someone you care about (or even someone you don’t care about) something that perpetrates to bring them bad luck, fear, ill health or loss of wealth. The message in the email chain is pass it on and get good fortune for you – what about the other person. That is not Feng Shui or anything good. The essence of a chain is selfish at the core.

I look at the stresses in my life. I look around the world and see people dying in Syria, Bahrain and Palestine for freedom to walk where they want. In this country a Government bill to snoop on our emails and this….

I wish for anyone who forwarded this email, or has been sent one or ever forwarded one:-

Good health-spiritual, physical and emotional.

An opportunity to sit and smell the coffee – hear the birds sing above the    rattle of your mind and life’s daily grind.

The joy of hearing and seeing something or someone old as new again.

A new friend or person in your life who breathes joy like smooth, sweet toffee all over you.

Stop these chains. Send people good wishes. When someone sends you this sort of trash send it back to them and wish them well. That opens up the world and light pours in to yours and into their life.

22ND MARCH 2012 - HOPE DYING.

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22^nd March 2012 - HOPE DYING

The queen has rededicated herself to the service of the nation. Tough break Charles.

“I’ll serve this great country for years….”

Unlucky Charles-just like Tony did to Gordon. Stuffed. You should have paid for the curry.

CLEVER STATEMANSHIP – IT’S ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS.

The Evening Standard – the guardian of Great Britain’s sacred city writes objectively about the 2012 Mayoral contest. Or so it seems – the headline, the flow of the content but like much of modern politicking the airbrush is hard at work Hollywood stars take note.

Boris (last one out switch off the lights) as the next Leader of the Conservatives and possibly Prime Minister. Almost makes me want to see David/Nick stay on. I imagine Obama, Putin would look and say the clowns are here. A new sideshow. But the article cleverly compares Boris’s rising start to “gaff prone “George Osborne. While Boris is gaff free. What short memories journalists and the public create for themselves. In the early days Boris dropped a few – I mean to lose one Deputy Mayor is a shame, to lose two unfortunate but three… He is a laugh, a character, doesn’t take himself seriously (or you for that matter) people say. Now we elect our leaders with which way is Essex or Made in Chelsea analytical depth.

He treats everyone the same – doesn’t see colour. I mean he is an ordinary bloke. Earning 250k a year writing for a newspaper. “Knocking one off” in his spare time and being paid for it he says. Doesn’t affect his role as Mayor, especially as he does very little – I mean the London boroughs function without permission of the Mayor. They have staff and Leaders – they empty the bins and provide your local services – not a former member of the Bullingdon Club. Of course if I went to a restaurant, got drunk and smashed it up you would expect me to write a cheque to pay for the damage and go.

  

ROLE MODELS

We need more gay teachers. I don’t want to be known as black, gay or whatever. Please call me Keith, know me as a positive human being. When you talk about gay, black etc. role models don’t forget everyone does not choose to follow that picture. Maybe they can model humanity and being the person first. And in that being someone who is achieving despite, against, because of the odds.