The song ‘Sing’ by Gary Barlow is an incredible one. It gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. The power of children and adults singing together from around the world. Amazing!
Here is the Gary Barlow video. If you have never seen it then sit back and enjoy.
I was on YouTube looking for an instrumental version of it and came across this video. One man in his house, performing over the backing track with his guitar.
What talent!!! It’s brilliant.
I get tingly arms every time I think about the moment that London were announced the host city for the 30th Olympic Games.
I remember being at work (way back in 2005) and refreshing the page on the internet to see the announcement come through LIVE.
Would it be London?
Could London possibly beat the favourite, Paris?
Here’s a video of Trafalgar Square in London. You can feel the tension as the crowd nervously await the news…
What a moment!!!
Tonight all eyes will be on London as they open the games with a huge ceremony in the Olympic Stadium. Tonight I will be more than ever to be British. Here’s to a fantastic games. Good luck to all taking part.
“The youngsters of today”.
Oh what a terrible bunch.
“We were never like that when we were young”.
I am forever seeing emails, posts and memories of a rose-tinted past of when older generations lived an idyllic life. But – hang on a minute. I think some people have got it all wrong. Are the older generations right when they criticise the young people today? Read some of the comments below and take a minute to really think about them.
“The younger generation are so violent – It’s all because of the violent computer games”.
Which generation was it that started two World Wars?
“The younger generation have no family values”.
Which generation shipped off women to have their babies then forced them to return home in shame and never speak of their children, who they would never see again.
“The younger generation are always texting and using their phones – Facebooking and Tweeting…”
Which generation effectively Facebooked and Tweeted across their garden fences when entire communities lived in the same village or town. The world is more mobile now but the gossip is just as connected now as ever.
“The younger generation have no respect”.
Which generation showed little respect to other cultures (creating Empires, claiming nations, having slaves, banning mixed race marriages), or homosexuals (banning same-sex marriage)? Which generation created more divides between social and ethnic groups?
“The young are not educated”.
Which generation felt the need to only educate the men and knew that a woman’s place was at home?
If the older generation are proud then so be it, but I am glad to be from the younger, progressive, more open, less high-and-mighty generation where people can be more free with their lives. People can marry who they wish without having to live in shame or run the risk of being disowned by their families and friends.
The world is far from perfect – but surely it is improving – human rights continue to improve.
I would rather live in 2012 (which the older generation criticise so often) than the repressed 1940s.
60 years on the British throne.
She’s pretty amazing.
I like this new side to the Queen too.
For more great shots and captions, look here.
I have blogged about the Queen before. She is on Facebook (just in case you didn’t know). Check that post here.
I saw HRH The Queen at her boat flotilla – yay! I was so pleased. If you want to see how I’m getting on with my 2012 ‘To Do’ list – check here.
Oh yes people… It’s Eurovision season.
Don’t sigh. You know to expect this sort of post from me by now.
The Eurovision National Final selections started way back in November and are in full swing now.
Slovenia picked their song at the weekend and have chosen a rather epic sounding entry, ‘Verjamem’.
It might not be to your tastes but I think it has a good chance of standing out at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku (capital of Azerbaijan – time to check out GoogleMaps).
Oh and another thing – I had a weird dream last week that Slovenia won this year. I don’t know why I dreamt it – random I know. Who knows……….
Watch and enjoy! (You’ll all be wanting one of the white head decorations too – so don’t deny it).
I wonder what you thought when you read the title of this post. I wonder what images flashed into your mind as you scanned the words and then clicked on the link.
My post today comes after watching a moving video showing Maureen Walsh, a Republican in the United States of America talk on the subject of gay marriage. Her political direction is not what I am focusing on today – more the words which she shares. The speech she gave was brief – only four minutes, but it felt so personal.
I am lucky to live in a country where I am free to marry who I choose. In fact, I will be marrying the partner I love and want to spend my life with… I am lucky to be here and not in one of the many countries which continue to discriminate so strongly against homosexuality.
Please watch the video. It doesn’t take long. Just listen to how passionately she speaks on the subject.
I wonder what you’re thinking right now…
I am thinking about the words she used:
“How can I deny anyone the right to have that incredible bond with another individual in life?”
So true.
I wish more people felt this way.
Tensions between Scotland and London have been hotting up over recent months. The question about whether Scotland should split from the rest of the United Kingdom is not a new one. It’s also not a question which can go unanswered for much longer.
Personally, I think it’s a good thing that the question of independence be put to the people who will be affected. I would however prefer for Scotland to remain as part of the UK. I don’t see many benefits for an independent Scotland or a smaller UK within Europe with the current economic troubles.
I saw this referendum voting slip. Of course, it’s just for fun, but I do like it.
On a serious note, there have been strong debates over what the question will be. Will it be a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to independence or will there be a compromise; a semi-independence. I hope not. I think it should be ‘in’ or ‘out’. Too much hangs on it.
What will happen to the rest of the United Kingdom without Scotland? Will it still be called the UK? Some say yes, some say it cannot. What will happen to the Union Flag? The blue (from the St Andrew’s flag) will disappear…
Will Scotland enter the Euro? Will Wales and Northern Ireland also seek independence?
Countries dividing is nothing new in Europe. It wasn’t that long since Yugoslavia split into other countries (Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, etc) and that Czechoslovakia split into Czech Republic and Slovakia. It just feels weird that this time it could be my own country, the UK, splitting up.
The future of the UK looks set to be interesting over the next couple of years.
What do you think should and could happen?
I’ve just got home from a wonderful evening watching fireworks. I love firework displays.
The school that I work for held an annual event to commemorate Guy Fawkes Night. Ah yes - “Remember, remember the 5th of November”.
Okay – some of you are probably wondering why I’ve been watching fireworks tonight – it’s not New Year’s Eve – it’s not Chinese New Year – it’s not my birthday… Well it’s all about something which happened in 1605. The King of England didn’t get blown up – phew – how lucky he was.
The evening tonight didn’t actually mention Guy Fawkes (the guy who was caught as part of the plot to kill King James I of England). That would be too politically ‘provoking‘. However, the fireworks were brilliant – the children and parents were thoroughly entertained – and I had a great time.
History Part – If you actually want to know more about the whole Guy Fawkes story, you can check here.
I’m so glad that I asked for some questions on my blog last week. I’ve had some great responses. I widened my question-search a little wider with the use of Facebook and Twitter. Thanks to all those who helped. Your questions and responses are below. Don’t expect anything profound. It’s light hearted reading. Here goes…
This was me. Deep in thought. 
Kiwidutch was first to respond with the ice-breaker question:
If you had total freedom of opportunity to really follow one of your passions and leave a lasting legacy behind you that benefited the city/country/world, what would you do and what would your legacy be?
Okay – I need to draw a deep breath before answering this one. Talk about starting with a toughie! If I had total freedom of opportunity to follow a passion it would involve children. I’ve always wanted to work with children, so that part is already coming true. I’d like to be involved in developing schools (I used to think that I could only do this in the UK, but since working overseas I realise it can be done anywhere). With enough money and support I’d like to develop education and opportunities for children all over the world. The Jamie Foundation: providing hope for the future….. I’d hope that the children would be the lasting legacy.
Image from Wikipedia
Ashley with her cheeky 2-in-1 questions:
If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be? Why? Oops…… Looks like there’s 2 questions here. Don’t mind the why then. It could be anything, of yourself or the world history.
Cheeky Ashley indeed sneaking in two questions. Time travel: A dangerous tool to have, but one I would love. On a personal level it’s tricky to choose. All the things that have happened in my life, both positive and negative have helped to make me the person I am today. I would possibly choose that my grandparents had not died when I was a baby. I never knew them and I would have loved to know them. In world history: I would choose that Adolf Hitler had never been born.
Picture from Google.
Terri (pushing it with three questions, but because it’s Terri I’ll allow it….)
My questions for you:
1. When are you coming to Vegas? Would love to meet you!
2. Do you have any pets?
3. If you have dinner with one famous person, who would it be?
Ah Terri, three questions (naughty). So, Q1 includes an invite to Las Vegas? Wow, you never asked me….. Haha. I would love to come over to USA and see more of the sights. Would love to meet my first blog friend too.
Q2 Pets: I do indeed. I, well I should say we….have two cats. Fudge and Cooper. They are adorable. I miss Eddie terribly, he was Fudge’s brother but was knocked down by a car outside our house when he was 18 months old.
Q3 Dinner: I would throw all sensible invites out of the window and invite……Alex Pettyfer. Of course it would be for the high-brow conversation…..
"Hello Mister Dinner Date!"
Sarsm (my happy WordPress friend):
My question is: If you could visit 5 countries in the remainder of your lifetime – which countries would you choose and why? (can be somewhere you’ve been or somewhere new)
The travel question (yay!).I’ll choose 5 countries that I have never visited.
Japan: I have always wanted to go there. I’d love to discover more about the country as I really don’t know that much about it. I had friends who lived there, but never managed to go.
China: The future super power of the world. China has so many wonderful things to see. How could it not be on my list?
Brazil: I want to visit Rio de Janeiro. Oh to stand at the foot of the Jesus Christ statue and look out at the coastline. Immense!
South Africa: I’d choose any African country to visit (having not been there). I want to travel through Africa by train, do the safari and experience something entirely new.
…..and the last one……. This isn’t easy…..
Australia: I want to see the Great Barrier Reef. That means diving, which I’ve also never done. But I would find it so exciting and invigorating.
Who doesn't want to go here?
Helen C (Work colleague and Twitter friend).
If you were to make your favourite three course meal, what would the courses be?
Food question – Yum!
Starter: An set of amuses to begin with. 3 shot size glasses each with different tiny soups. I always love that for starters.
Main Course: Duck. It’s my favourite meal. Not the crispy duck, although I adore that. It would be roast duck with a fruit sauce. Carrots (mashed with orange and brown sugar) and potato gratin.
Dessert: Warm chocolate and fudge cake, drizzled with extra hot chocolate sauce.
Okay, now my mouth is watering.
Lekker!
Chris S (Fellow Actor, world traveller and blogger).
How do I make my blog as good as yours?
8 months of practise and watching ‘what’ people are reading. The blog I set out to create has continued to evolve since Day 1. People don’t always read the blog posts that have taken the most time and effort. It’s all about keeping with the readers I suppose. ‘Know your audience’.
WordPress - the place to be.
Liz J(Work colleague, friend and IT whizz).
How do you see the handheld device in five years?
Seamless technology that has replaced PCs, mobiles and other technology. Used in schools, homes and in the wider community. Will it work by finger? Will the mind be controlling it by then? Will they indeed be ‘handheld’ at all?
Using handheld devices.
Louise G: (Work friend and glamous puss).
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? X
Living: see above answer. Dead: Diana (just because).
Diana, Princess of Wales.
Liz J: Back for more…..
If you could invent something really handy what would it be for?
I would invent a fool-proof system for ensuring the fairest possible outcome in the Eurovision Song Contest. That would be really handy eh?
Ah, yes ESC. Who could forget it?
I hope you enjoyed reading the questions. Did I get all the answers you wanted? Feel free to share or to ask me more questions in the comments section below.
When you arrive in Bali (at Denpasar airport) there is an immediate feeling that you have stepped back in time. The airport has a 1980s/1990s feel about it. Things just are not as modern here.
Once you have shown passports to security, who are seated by little wooden crates (bizarre I know), you collect your bags and head out. Next you are faced with a row of cubicles (all glassed in) with money exchange workers all frantically waving and smiling to get your attention. It feels as though you’re in a red-light district with ‘ladies-in-the-window’ and is somewhat unnerving. It’s difficult not to stare (or laugh) at the weirdness of it all and so you find yourself quickly dashing along. I managed to avoid being lured in to any of the stares. Phew!
Outside the airport there are streams of taxis everywhere. Luckily we had a pre-arranged minbus transfer arranged to take us from the airport to our villa, but it seemed easy enough for people to flag one down. The carpark is chaos and if that’s anything to judge Bali by…..it gets busier. The road from the airport to Seminyak (normally 20 minutes drive) was packed and the journey took over an hour.
Seminyak is one of Bali’s hotspots. Located on the south of the island, by Denpasar (the island’s capital), Seminyak boasts a huge number of private villas, restaurants and bars. It draws in tourists from all over the world, but in particular Australians (many of whom are enjoying their hen-weekends or stag-dos).
So many of Bali’s visitors stay in private villas. I can see why. Behind the doors, away from the chaos of traffic and tourists passing by is a tranquil and harmonius villa. Inside the villa, my eyes quickly did the dream-holiday-checklist. Pool. Open-space. Lounge. Kitchen (I don’t plan on using it, but still….). Bedroom one (huge). En-suite (love it). Bedroom two (also huge). Another en-suite. Decking around the pool. Water feature. My eyes at this stage are flashing from one place to another. I’m greedily taking it all in. Heaven.
Staying in a villa in Bali can be a dangerous move. It’s not life threatening. It’s culturally dangerous. You might become so relaxed and ‘chilled-out’ behind the closed doors that you end up spending your time there instead of exploring. Don’t be too chilled. You must explore.
The nightlife in Seminyak is mixed. It doesn’t have the feel of a stag-do and hen-do holiday destination. It’s not like Blackpool (UK) or Amsterdam (Holland)….. or anywhere else that you find pre-wedding groups drinking their last moments of freedom away. It all seems slightly more classy here in Bali. There are security guards EVERYWHERE. Do not panic. They stand at the road side by every villa, bar and restaurant. If anything you feel safe with them all around, but I did wonder whether they were security or hotel staff (the strict uniform can be quite deceiving). They all carry lightsabers which I found very amusing. Not quite up to the standard and length of Darth Vader, although they still light up red and look great fun at night.
A day trip is a must. Taking a taxi for the entire day is easy and innexpensive in Bali. The staff wherever you stay are more than likely to assist in the arrangement. Our three butlers were brilliant at helping to organise our days. The service is always at its best. The taxi ride is a mouth-opening, extreme sight-seeing and epic journey. The roads are crazy. Busy. Packed……
There are cars. Bicycles. Motorbikes. Mopeds…… For every car there are about 10 mopeds zooming beside you. Think mayhem. Controlled mayhem, although I wouldn’t dare get on a moped in Seminyak.
Next, you see what they are carrying. We’re talking full loads. Mopeds with 4 passengers (oh, plus the driver)…..and one of the passengers is carrying a adult-sized bike on the back. It’s crazy!
Along the road side there are hundreds, possibly thousands, of shops selling wooden carvings, stone work, mosaic bowls, kites and more….and more…..and more. The shops repeat and repeat and repeat themselves along the longest straightest road. My poor camera.
There are lots of hot spots to visit. We choose to visit Ubud with the rice fields. If you have never visited places like this (like me) then all expectations are blown out of the water. The rice fields were great! I wasn’t expecting the slopes to be quite so steep. The driver let us wander and explore. We sat by the edge of the rice fields and had something local to eat. Yum.
The journey back was just as interesting – more shops and sights to see.
In Bali, aside from the wonderful Ubud and the shops we also ventured along the coast. The sandy beaches are beautiful. Palm trees line the coast and add to the holiday feel.
Bali. Simply brilliant.
Two Million Gods The Laughing Housewife Terri’s Little Corner Sarsm’s Blog The Single Cell The Life Of Jamie
