For an audience of two

She put herself at risk just by being there, just by talking to me, just by wearing what she wore. She didn’t tell me that until we were done. What if someone recognised her? What if word got back? What if she’s followed?

I didn’t know I was wearing them, but she pulled off my shades and handed me glasses. She took off my headphones and handed me hearing-aids.

She nervously looked down at her hands as she spoke about her inspiration. At first, she would look up at me when she wanted to make her point clear, but often her eyes would dart away when things got hard to say. Quickly she became more passionate with every new word that slid off her tongue. In her mind, even though she was far from where they could get to her, what she was telling me could still cause her trouble. Anything she said could put her family in danger. She didn’t say it, but her face reflected it.

She forced the thoughts out of her mind as the questions continued. She started to look me in the eyes. She kept them focused on me. The questions got harder, and her answers were vigilant, but she was determined to tell the truth. That is her purpose. Her reason for being is to spread the truth; though for that moment, it was just for an audience of two.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she spoke about the tragedies of the past and her fears of the future. Not a single drop fell. My eyes started to dart away. I had to take a break, not because I thought she was going to cry, but because I thought I was going to cry. I stopped; she continued.

I ran out of questions, but she continued to speak with fervour. She spoke with her hands as people do when they are emotional. The tears receded but her cheeks were flushed with a shade that almost matched her sweater. She needed to get out as much as she could. She needed to know that someone knew, someone cared, someone was willing to listen.

There were no windows in the room, but we all knew it was dark outside. We needed to wrap up and so we did. As she left, I hoped that she would make it home safely. Although her journey to her new home was safe relative to a journey to her old home, I couldn’t help but think “what if?”

A Celebrity in her own little World

Life of Luxury

Many dream of waking up to find breakfast waiting for them. It’s a fantasy for most to daily find their clothing cleaned, pressed and ready for wearing. For 21 year old Zalak Modi, this was a reality for her. Coming from a upper middle-class family from Mumbai, India (which she prefers to call Bombay) this is the typical life of a person from her social standing.

She didn’t raise a finger

The daughter of a lawyer and a businessman, Zalak knew of no other life until she started to live on her own. “I don’t cook, I don’t clean, I don’t get a glass of water for myself,” is what Zalak told me with no hesitation when I asked her about a typical day at home. A glass of warm milk is prepared for her every morning when she wakes and every night before she turns in.

A Celebrity

“I’m a celebrity in my own little world,” she says with a smile and a laugh. A servant and a maid has always been a vital part of her family. They were much like a member of the family before she was even born.

A New Life

Adjusting to living with out them hasn’t been easy for her. Cooking has become an adventurous task for her. She makes dishes that are safe enough to eat, but often heats up a frozen pizza. There are other aspects of independence that has been more of a challenge, but she’s optimistic about learning to be on her own. “I don’t know how to clean my own drain, but it’s not that bad,” she says with a face turning red with embarrassment.

Teasing

Zalak is used be calling spoilt by her friends in the UK. “We come from different backgrounds, what I see as normal is appalling to them,” she says about her new friends. She knows the teasing is all in good fun and that it’s a cultural difference. Her friends back in Bombay even call her spoilt and they live a similar life style.

Missing the Old Life

Even though she’s adjusting to her new lifestyle she misses her maid and her servant. To them it’s like having another mother and brother that do things for her. They have a strong bond since they’ve been in her life since birth, but she still knows they are there to make her life comfortable. She would love to return to her old life. She looked at me with a dreamy look in her eyes when she said, “I’m waiting to put my feet up and just relax.”

The King’s Treasure

Crowned the King of Pop by his best friend Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson has achieved and surpassed the accomplishments of those who inspired him, those who came before him. Inspired by  James Brown, Bill Bailey, Fred Astaire, and the Nicholas Brothers, Michael moulded their dance moves and made them his own. He combined his natural elements of song and dance to propel himself into superstardom. Along his way to the top he collected many awards documenting his prowess in entertainment, some of which can be found at the Michael Jackson Exhibition at the O2 Arena. Among the awards, include gold and platinum albums, the first platinum album awarded in 1969 when he was eleven.

The Exhibition chronicles the short life of the star. After experiencing a taste of Michael Jackson in concert on a large video screen,  the exhibition starts with the contract his father signed with the William Morris  Agency establishing his sons as the pop group The Jackson Five, which would later become The Jacksons. It continues with personal items from Michael’s life, including the Neverland Arch that led to the entrance of this former home in California. You can see cracked and chipped paint in his blue 1967 Rolls Royce Phantom that he took Elizabeth for rides in.

Props from his many cinematic music videos included the green rocket ship from “Leave me Alone,” the sleek black Gibson guitar used in the video “Scream” where he sang and danced along side his sister Janet, his Egyptian costume from his 1993 hit “Remember the Time” and the robot mask with protruding pieces from his film “Moonwalker.”

It’s widely known that Michael lived a life of extravagance. He lived like a king. His wardrobe, also featured at the exhibition,was often composed of  elaborate ensembles with arm bands in the colours of royalty,  accented with metals or insignias that hung from his chest like a decorated soldier. They were designed with the purpose of presenting Michael as a king. His collection often mimicked the uniforms of the royal guards of Her Majesty the Queen of England as well as the military uniforms of other countries. There are other times where his style was more futuristic, and can be described as experimental. Those were usually seen in costume at his many elaborate concerts.

Towards the end of the exhibition, props and clothing that were to be used at his final series of performances, This is It, were creatively placed in two sizeable rooms. In one room, the view of Michael’s massive and elaborate revision of the Thriller dance sequence brings back memories of his original music video. In the next area, a more modest room featured the costumes he would have changed into during his last performances, which included various versions of his trademark penny-loafers. Across from the costumes in a corner was a small thermos rotating inside of a glass case. The sign underneath stated that Michael’s children would pack his lunch inside of the thermos every day for him to take with him to rehearsals.

In the final room, a set of books with white pages were left for fans to leave their message for his family. Further along around a corner, a light shined on a solid square black pillar with a glass case on top. Inside the glass case was “the glove.” There were other versions of it that Michael wore, even in different colours to match his outfit, but this was the trademark white glove that he wore at the American Music Awards in 1984.

Adjacent to the black pillar was a quote in white printed against a black wall. The quote from Michael reflects his view on life which can be interpreted as an optimistic commentary on his own.

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.” – Michael Jackson (1958 -2009)

Thanksgiving in London

Thanksgiving is a holiday typically celebrated in the U.S. and Canada to remind us to appreciate all the good things in life. It was started in Plymouth in the early 1600s by Europeans who settled in the United States. The original intent was to celebrate a good harvest. Over the years it has transformed into a celebration of all the good things that life has granted.

It’s the time of year that prepares us for the coming winter holy holidays. The day starts off with the annual Macys* Thanksgiving Day Parade. The streets of New York are packed with people and floats parading through the heart of New York. The Rockettes put on a dazzling performance as well as invited pop artists and marching bands from all across the country. The parade ends with Santa Clause (Father Christmas) bringing cheer to the people celebrating along the parade route.

Families gather together and spend the day preparing an awe inspiring meal for later in the evening. Thanksgiving (also known as Turkey Day) is accompanied by traditional meals such as roasted turkey, corn on the cob, Pumpkin Pie, Cranberry sauce, baked ham leg, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, squash, casseroles, and i could go on and on. Typically , Thanksgiving includes traditional football games played in neighbourhood streets or parks by men,women and children of all ages. Later after dinner, the professional NFL games are viewed by fans packed into stadiums or watching on TV.

Unfortunately for this American in London, I have missed all of this, but that did not dampen my spirits. Being in a country that doesn’t seem to be too keen on holiday celebrations, I was shocked to find that my fellow Americans (that have infiltrated this country) have greatly influenced their neighbours; both foreign and domestic, to take part in this American tradition. I was invited to a Thanksgiving dinner by fellow American and blogger Amanda Van West. While preparing to leave for what would later be one of the best Thanksgiving celebrations I’ve ever participated in, I noticed that some kitchens in my building were packed with people sitting at the diner table sharing a meal. In one kitchen alone, I saw people from Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe all sharing a meal. Not even a single American was in the kitchen, but they were still celebrating an American Tradition.

That same day I received emails from friends wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving, who have never even celebrated Thanksgiving in their lives and probably were hearing about it for the first time. All day, I was stopped by friends who hugged me or shook my hand and wished me a happy Thanksgiving.

Finally at the time of the event, I found myself gathered around the table among friends from the UK, France, Malta, India, Palestine, Egypt, China, Mexico, Thailand, Chile, Kenya, and of course the good old USA. One thing that I didn’t mention earlier is that traditionally, before eating, one by one  those present at the dinner table give a reason for being thankful this year. We didn’t do it at Amanda’s party, so this is what I’m thankful for this year:

1) The love of my family, here in the UK and back home in the U.S.

2) The love of my friends: old and new

3) The opportunity to live in such unique country

4) Sunny days that escape through the clouds

5) Life

Technology: It’s turning you into a Zombie

After reading Amy May Shead’s Blog: “The human being – self centered”, it made me think about the way we communicate. In a conversation I had with Ms. Shead yesterday, she made me realise that there is a generation of children that are growing up who does not know life before texting, instant messaging, twitter, facebook, social networking.

Before coming to this country, I was the kind of person that despised texting. I could barely tolerate talking on the phone. I preferred having a person to person conversation with no medium in between. I can honestly say that I was addicted to instant messaging and Facebook, but I found that it did not impede upon my ability to communicate in a person to person format. I was never an outgoing person, but once I became comfortable with a person, it became easy to strike up and maintain a conversation about anything.

Lately I have noticed (as have some of my friends) that it has become more of a challenge to talk to people on a one on one basis. Hand me a cell phone or a computer and I can go on for hours if I wanted to. This change in my behaviour I believe can be attributed to my increase in texting. I find myself texting significantly more often that I did back home. This is because it’s less costly to send an SMS than it is to make a phone call.

If only a few weeks of texting has sparked such a dramatic change in my behaviour, I wonder what it has done to the generation that grew up with cell phones in their hands. Will these people be able to communicate at a high level with out holding an electronic device in their hands? Will people hide behind their electronics to avoid having to face another human being?

Most things adapt to the changing times. In the future will job interviews be conducted via instant message? Will the dating scene and courtship change? Everyone has seen a group of people sitting at a table texting each other and others. Is this the future of society’s social construct? Will people live vicariously through technology?

Ultimately the key factor that’s being affected is our ability to communicate on a person to person basis. Human interaction is an important part of development when we are young. Facial expressions and body language accessorise speech. If the text generation do not develop these skills how will they be able to function in society? What will the future of interpersonal communcation look like?

Pacman: The pound for pound greatest?

In the beginning of  the twelfth round, the new reigning World Boxing Organization welter-weight champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao scored his victory. The Pacquiao – Cotto fight could best be described as one-sided. Pacquiao was the agressor from the beginning of the battle right down to the end. He knocked down Miguel Cotto once in the fourth round and again in the fifth round. Cotto spent most of the fight on defense, dancing around trying to avoid Pacquiao’s advances. At first it seemed as though it was an Ali-style tactic to wear Pacquiao out, but it was clear that his energy was limitless. Once it became clear that Pacquiao was not going to wear down, Cotto’s tactic switched from trying to wear his opponent down to trying to stay on his feat.

With Saturday’s victory, Pacquiao has scored a championship belt in his seventh different weight class. With a record of 50 – 3 – 2, in his 14  years as a professional boxer he, has only lost his three fights by decision. Compare this to a 56 – 5 – 0 record by the Greatest of All time, I think there is a strong argument that Pacquiao could pass Ali as the greatest.

The next fight that everyone is looking forward to is a Pacquiao – Mayweather Jr. fight, which is rumored to being in negotiations. This fight will certainly be an epic one for the ages.

thoughts on the fifth

Yesterday was the 5th of November marking the 402nd anniversary of a failed plan by Guy Fawkes to destroy the houses of parliament. All over the UK and even in former British colonies effigies of Guy Fawkes have been burnt. Fire works have lit up the sky and will continue to do so through the weekend.

From what I understand, Guy Fawkes is viewed in this country as a terrorist (and probably as a martyr by Catholics in 1605) . In the film V for Vendetta the protagonist uses the mask of Guy Fawkes as a symbol of freedom, justice and equality in an oppressive dictatorship.

In a film such as this, it’s easy to turn a known villain into a hero just by appealing to people’s passions and emotions. Fortunately we don’t live in the same world as the character V.

Whenever I think about this date and the movie, it makes me think about the world we live in today in relation to terrorism. Every day there are reports in the news of suicide bombings. I’m not sure if Guy Fawkes intended to blow himself up along with the massive building, but he certainly knew the punishment if caught. Eventually he faced that punishment.

You can kill a hundred or a thousand people in the name of [_____], but the survivors continue to go about their business. We bury our dead. We take a minute to pause and reflect; and then we move on with our lives. Nothing changes. Knowing that, why make the decision to murder?

Temptation

temptation |tem(p)ˈtā sh ən|noun a desire to do something, esp. something wrong or unwise : he resisted the temptation to call Celia at the office | we almost gave in to temptation.• a thing or course of action that attracts or tempts someone

Drugs, Alcohol, Sex, cheating, sweets, money, cars, clothes, fame: Pick your vice

She’s waiting for, she’s calling your name. She gives you that flirtatious look. “Come and get it,” she says with a wink.

Don’t give in.

Her own devious interests are in the forefront of her mind. She’ll only break your heart. She’ll caress your face with the warm touch of one hand, while she’s sliding the knife slowly into your back with the other.

She knows the exact words to say. She knows all the right moves to make.

Do not get sucked in.

Your mind knows it’s wrong, but who cares? It’s easy to trade an hour, a minute, a moment of pleasure for a lifetime of regret.

Lie to yourself.

Tell yourself: “I work too hard.” ”Oh, she’ll never know.” “It’s only this one time.” ”I deserve a break.” “I need this.” “I want it!” “I’ll never get another chance to do this, to have this, to smell this, to see this, to touch this, to taste this.”

Or better yet, let her do the lying for you. It’s what she’s good at.

Don’t get sucked into her black hole of elaborate tales and cover ups. Don’t let her slithery arms slide their way around to choke the life out of you.

Free yourself from her grasp. Yes, she is strong, but she can be defeated.

temptation

The Fear!

My mother (bless her) is extremely paranoid. Especially when it comes to me and my older sister. I get daily emails from her reminding me to take my medicine, wash my hands, stay out of people’s faces….you know the same thing you heard when you went to Kindergarten (I don’t know what the British equivalent is).

Sometimes I get three emails in one day from her. One reoccurring theme is SWINE FLU warnings! Every day, CNN or The Doctors, or some radio program she listens to tells her how many people are dying from it. It happens every day multiple times a day.

It’s really getting annoying because the latest I heard from her was that 95% of college students in America has h1n1. I don’t know where she got those numbers from but I think it’s a bunch of bologna!

My mom believes anything Anderson Cooper tells her. So if he says one day that drinking cow urine will prevent breast cancer, you better believe she will be making frequent trips to the diary farm.

More than the crazy emails that I get from her, I hate the fact that the American news media are playing on people’s fears. Every day there is something about h1n1 and how many people it’s killed. It’s in the News papers, magazines, television shows, and radio shows.  Now people are scared about whether or not they should get to vaccine, because of the many deaths is caused back in 1976.

The news media needs to just calm down and be honest about this virus. Yes people have died, yes people will die, but you could also die from stepping out your front door and being hit by a stray bullet. It’s not a super virus that’s going to wipe out Earth. It’s the flu. Yes, it’s a stronger version of your typical flu, but if you are smart, it’s likely that you either won’t get or you’ll get over it quickly.

There is no need to worry! Find something more important to report on like the global warming.

UK among worst nations in International Privacy Ranking

The United Kingdom was given one of the lowest scores, a 1.4 out of 5 in Privacy International’s 2007 International Privacy rankings. According to the report, the UK falls behind countries like Greece in criteria which includes: constitutional protection, identity cards and biometric recording, data-sharing, visual surveillance, communication interception, communication data retention, medical and financial surveillance, movement, border issues, and leadership.

According to Privacy International, the UK is considered an “Endemic surveillance” society with “world leading surveillance schemes.” The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act gives local authorities the rubber stamp to have citizens followed, listen to recorded telephone calls, capture surveillance footage, and even have access to personal records. Local governments that use the RIPA do not have to inform the citizens of their monitoring activities.

In 2007, 1,707 communications data requests were made by local authorities, with 154 using their power to acquire communications data. These numbers are very low, with the requests equalling to less than a percent.