London Mayor Boris Johnson Could Replace David Cameron Before the Next Election

BORIS Johnson is perhaps as known for his comedic stunts as he is for his political career. But, in 2008 he was elected Mayor of London and re-elected this May for a second term. Now a senior MP has said he may be headed for party leader.

Douglas Alexander, shadow foreign secretary, has said Labour need to take seriously the "possibility" Johnson may replace David Cameron as Tory leader before the next election. This comes not long after Johnson became stuck on a zip wire while celebrating the Olympics, and was left dangling 20m above crowds for around five minutes.

Douglas Alexander said: "It's time that we take Boris seriously. It is not yet a probability but it is a possibility that he will lead the Conservative Party into the next general election."

The Mayor's long list of hilarious "mishaps" may have made him seem like a comedy figure, but there is no doubt that he is also greatly liked by the general public. And with the current cuts and expenses scandals, to be a politician, and be liked, is a very hard feat.

So, with politicians realising that to some extent Johnson must be taken seriously, and him being publicly appreciated, perhaps the idea that he could be party leader is not so hard to imagine after all.


Sources:
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnson-could-replace-david-cameron-as-pm-before-election-says-senior-labour-mp-8180290.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9444065/Boris-Johnson-gets-stuck-on-zip-wire-carrying-two-Union-flags.html

Olympic Torch Celebration Concert - Inverness

So, I haven't blogged in so long, I thought what better to do than write about an amazing event in my home town. The Olympic Torch arrival.

SCOTTISH singer, Emeli Sande, headlined a free concert in Inverness to celebrate the passing of the Olympic torch.

More than 15000 people turned up to watch the celebratory concert on Saturday at the Northern Meeting Park. Aberdeen born star, Sande, tweeted: “What an honour!”

A variety of acts performed, from dance group Twist and Pulse, to local musician Bruce MacGregor. And the streets surrounding the event were filled with people eager to get a glimpse of the famous flame too.

The crowd cheered as local lady, Sandra Ross from Nairn, carried the torch into the Northern Meeting Park and across the stage around 7 o’clock. 

Sandra (62), has dedicated 20 years to Nairn Amateur Athletic Club, as well as playing leading roles with Nairn Highland Games and Sports Council. 

Concert goer Blair Young (18), from Inverness said:  “I arrived at the Northern Meeting Park at 4.30 to make sure I saw everything. I found the whole event very enjoyable and Emeli Sande was talented and sounded good live.”

“My highlight of the night was seeing the Olympic torch light the celebratory cauldron. I thought it was really special, a once in a lifetime experience.”

The event continued until 7.30 and many people headed into the city centre where the celebrations continued in pubs and music venues. 

All Divided Selves - Glasgow Based Director Luke Fowler

World premièring in Glasgow, All Divided Selves, by Luke Fowler is a complex journey through the work of psychologist R.D. Laing.

All Divided Selves is a powerful film which merges art and cinema to show Laing’s work, but also the world through the eyes of someone with schizophrenia. Luke Fowler, director, said: “It’s not what you see; it’s how you see it.”

This was the key message conveyed throughout the film.

Laing was born in Govanhill, Glasgow in 1927 and is now world renowned for his work with schizophrenic patients in particular.

I found that a dark humour which is seen to be typical of the Scottish, was present throughout the film. It seemed to resonate Laing’s sense of humour and his way of dealing with what was a very emotionally difficult job. This was a very enjoyable aspect of the film and gave the audience relief from what was often a very dark subject.

But the film also showed the beauty of life itself, with the words “beautiful” and “moving” used constantly by the audience in the Q & A after the film.

Fowler said: “I employ a powerful use of sound and still imaging to show the complexity of the human mind yet the simplicity with which we perceive it to be.”

The use of sound and still images in this film was remarkable and very emotionally moving. The camera shots were often used as metaphors which gave the audience the feeling of being trapped or shut out from society.

This highlights the everyday problems faced by those with mental illness. Something as simple as a still shot of a fence with the sound of wind whistling through it gave the audience the impression of reality and fantasy intertwined in a confusing and inseparable way.

This film would appeal to history lovers as Fowler used archive footage to show the contrast between Glasgow in the past and present, or Laing’s time and his.The footage also highlighted the Neo-Liberalism movement of Britain which was hugely important to Laing’s work.

Fowler commented: “The neo-liberalism of the new right was a business revolution. The country was run by businessmen and bankers. There were psychological flaws as a result.”

Laing believed that this movement highlighted the way in which psychology did not deal with external issues, only internal ones. The people of this time were suffering as a result of living in this bankers’ world. He felt that they were not cared about or understood.

“All Divided Selves” is a powerful film telling us of the fine line between reality and fantasy. It is as much art as it is film and although complex, and at times, difficult to follow, it captures the essence of cinema in a unique way. Overall, I would say it is one of the best films I have ever seen and director Luke Fowler is hugely talented. I would highly recommend this film to anyone.

Serial Killer Thriller – The Raven

The Raven is a gruesome thriller set in the 19th century, about the last days of famous poet Edgar Allan Poe.

In this film Poe, (John Cusack) is approached by Baltimore police to help catch a serial killer who takes inspiration from his macabre stories.

The plot follows the twists and turns in the case with Poe’s beloved Emily, (Alice Eve) being captured by the killer. He joins forces with Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) to try and rescue her.

This film received mostly negative reviews from critics who seemed to blame in particular the director, James McTeigue, whose previous work includes V for Vendetta and The Matrix. But, I found this film quite enjoyable.

I felt it was a film which relied largely on the atmosphere created through costume, setting and colour. McTeigue created a convincingly gritty and menacing 19th century Baltimore which seemed the perfect place for a murder to be committed.

The dark costumes and drab setting seemed to portray what the city would have been like at that time. It was mostly dark colours used throughout and the only light ones were very pale adding to the threatening atmosphere. Sitting in the audience, the atmosphere felt very oppressive and powerful to the extent I realised I had been holding my breath a little throughout the film.

The acting  in “The Raven” was noticeably well done. There were a lot of semi-famous faces throughout the film but the two main actors, Cusack and Evans, were very convincing. Overall, the acting was the best part of this film in my opinion.

The only aspect of this film which I felt let it down was its gore. In particular the scene from Poe’s story, “The Pit and the Pendulum”, in which a man is chopped in half by a swinging axe. This scene was drawn out with the audience watching an inhuman amount of blood splattering across the room as he was dissected.

I found myself looking away at these parts in the film. My friend who watched them all said she felt “physically sick” when a man’s throat was slit and the blood pulsed out of his neck.

These parts seemed more Tarantino dark humour than serious murder movie as they were so over-the-top and exaggerated. I felt that they only reminded the viewer that an otherwise convincing film that rely drew them in, was indeed a work of fiction.

The Raven is a movie which sheds a lot of light on the type of man Edgar Allan Poe was but none on the circumstances of his death. But what scriptwriter, Hannah Shakespeare, has come up with is an intriguing plot full of twists and turns which keep the audience guessing right to the end. It is like a Sherlock Holmes but with a more enjoyable plot. Although it does have much more gore and is definitely not one for the squeamish.

I would recommend this film for anyone who enjoys thrillers and horrors. In most
British cinemas it seems to only be showing at the weekend as it was released in
the UK on March 9. Catch it while you still can!

All Journalists Are “Scum” – But What About Marie Colvin?

As a result of the recent News Corporation phone hacking scandal, many people ask me why I want to study journalism. In fact one man even went as far as to say “And why would you want to become the scum of the earth?” I think the Murdoch tactics of news gathering have overshadowed the real reason why a lot of people want to be journalists.

Marie Colvin was a hugely influential war reporter who was tragically killed in a Homs shelling two days ago. On the Wednesday Ms Colvin was killed, 60 civilians across Syria also died as a result of the violence between government troops and freedom fighters.

Rosemarie Colvin described her daughter to the press as passionate about her work. She said: “Her legacy is: Be passionate and be involved in what you believe in.” 

“And do it as thoroughly and honestly and fearlessly as you can.”

Marie Colvin was not only a fantastic journalist but also an example of bravery in the battle for justice. It was claimed that Syrian forces said they would kill “any journalist who set foot on Syrian soil” yet she still travelled there and reported from the besieged city of Homs. Ms Colvin’s last dispatch was from Homs telling the story of a dying baby.

She said: “I watched a little baby die today - absolutely horrific, just a two-year-old been hit, they stripped it and found the shrapnel had gone into the left chest.

'The doctor just said "I can’t do anything". His little tummy just kept heaving until he died. That is happening over and over and over.”

The BBC's Fergal Keane said Ms Colvin was "defined by her humanity". She was the perfect example of a “real” journalist, courageous and determined to expose the truth. Perhaps this is proof that some of us are just trying to help others while doing our job. Marie Colvin was an inspiration to people across the globe and her legacy will live on through her war correspondence, with whom she described as the quietly brave citizens. 


Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2104711/Marie-Colvin-Sunday-Times-reporter-leave-Syria-day-died-says-mother.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17134371
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17124786

Lives Lost But Nothing Done – Homs, Syrian Capital of the Revolution

Last night I watched a channel 4 special report and was horrified by footage of recent killings, blood-stained hospital floors and brutal murders of innocent people. The battle in Homs continues until something is done.

The UK government was quick to jump into a war with Iraq and Afghanistan to support its allies, the US. But in Syria a “massacre” of innocent civilians is happening daily and what has our government done about this?

Nothing.  

The British army are “officially” training the Afgan army and police so they are able to defend their own country and we can withdraw. This is a worthy and justifiable cause to send soldiers there. Of course the real reason was to support America so if Britain comes under threat in the future, the US will support us too. However…

Innocent people are being murdered by Syrian government troops every day in Homs. Aid and food is not getting to those who need it. The only action the UN has taken is to draw up a crimes against humanity list and request negotiations. People cannot enter or leave the city. For someone who did not shed a tear watching “The Green Mile” or “The Notebook”, and is generally unaffected by what I watch, I will admit it. This footage made me cry. It was simply soul-destroying. We have one of the best armies in the world. Why the hell is this allowed to continue?

But sadly what is happening in Homs does not affect Britain and we cannot gain anything from sending troops in; therefore we are not going to do anything about it. But what could be a better cause for sending the British army to a country for, than to save the lives of innocent civilians? I do not understand how people can sit in their living rooms watching this violence and ignore it because it does not affect them directly. People should be outraged and doing something about this. Donate money to the Red Cross, lobby your MP, hold a peaceful demonstration, sign an online petition. These are not just numbers on a news programme, these are real people like you and I.

The UK government has to do something about this.

People’s lives are worth more than personal gain. 

Students and Bloggers Are Not “Real” Journalists

Today at a film festival in Glasgow (which will remain anonymous) I encountered an organiser who thought it was laughable that I considered myself a journalist when I am “just a blogger” and only write for “a student magazine and radio station.” This got me wondering why students and bloggers are not considered “real” journalists by some members of the industry.

“Just a Blogger?”

“Blogs compete with mainstream media every day. In some cases, they have become more trustworthy as sources of information than some old school practitioners.” - Ellyn Angelotti, The Poynter Institute (The New York Times)

In the current internet-age most professionals seem to agree that online writing is going to play a huge part in the media’s future. People with blogs should be taken seriously. Their writing is usually high quality, and, they spread the word. Fast. In fact some bloggers have become so successful they make their living from it. Heather Armstrong has been writing online since 2001 and advertising from her blog, “Dooce”, has been her household income since 2005. She is one of the best-known personal bloggers of the 21^st century. Kottke, also, has had great success from blogging. (The Guardian) His blog about breaking news and trends often reaching the public before other organisations have released it.

People have to start taking bloggers seriously.

The Student Journalist – Myth or Reality?

The views on whether you can be considered a journalist when you are a student vary among professionals and students themselves. But, there have been examples of successful student journalists. Student, Annie Reed, requested an interview with Eminem, who barely speaks to the press, for her student paper. The rapper himself called her back allowing her a ten minute interview with him, proving one of the most notable moments in student journalism. (http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com) But the bigger problem with this is that organisations should be allowing for giving opportunities to future journalists to let them be the best that they can.

Ellyn Angelotti, The Poynter Institute, said: “Instead of focusing on who is doing the publishing, it is more important than ever to look at how they are doing it.”(The New York Times)

I believe this to be true and that there are little gems of stories to be found in some of the most unlikely places. Being a “real” journalist depends not on whom you are writing for, but what you are writing and the quality that it is.

Leave your comment on whether you believe a student or blogger can be a real journalist below.

Sources:

http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2011/07/25/10-notable-moments-in-student-journalism/

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/12/11/are-all-bloggers-journalists/we-need-a-broader-definition-of-journalist

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/mar/09/blogs

Fake rhino goes on the rampage at Japanese zoo

Follow link to watch video of fake rhino try to escape:
Fake rhino goes on the rampage at Japanese zoo

Fake Rhino Tries to Escape Tranquilliser Guns and Net

A Japanese zoo has given hundreds of its workers a training exercise with a difference.

Police, paramedics and zoo staff were on hand yesterday to help capture a giant fake rhino. The creature made of papier mache, and operated by two zoo employees, was designed to help staff think about how they would deal with a dangerous animal escape. 

Having watched the video of the "great escape" I do not see how this will prepare the staff at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens for a real animal rampage. The rhino went on a slow wander before being hit by a tranquilliser dart and captured in nets. All the same, a totally bizarre and funny watch. (see video above)

Sources:
http://newslite.tv/2012/02/09/fake-rhino-goes-on-the-rampage.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16950361

Scottish Stereotyped Islands - Shetland

Many people have stereotyped views of areas in Scotland that are often very wrong. “So you live in Glasgow, you’re going to get stabbed!” is something that people frequently say to me. But it’s definitely not true. Brits also seem to think that the Northern Isles are places that civilisation has not yet touched with terms such as “the middle of no-where and mud huts” being branded around. Shetland is no different, except in reality it is.

Boats in Roots, Fair Isle - by claire.shovelton

Voted one of the world’s top ten holiday destinations by Lonely Planet, the Shetland Islands have a huge range of attractive features. Shetland is home to the largest fire festival in Europe and houses over 100,000 visitors each year compared to its almost 22,000 person population. The local produce of fish, livestock and knitwear is shipped to countries across the globe. (www.shetland.gov.uk) Shetland is also well known for its stunning scenery and local sports. (visit.shetland.org) The varied landscape makes hiking and fishing popular pastimes for tourists and locals alike. Visitors to Shetland include famous presenter Simon King.(www.simonkingwildlife.com)

Donna Marie Hughson (18), resident of Vidlin, said: “The nature, landscapes and wildlife are the things I miss most about Shetland. The people are all very friendly and there’s a great sense of community. It does surprise me that it’s 1 of the top 10 holiday destinations because there are so many other places I would rather go too. But it is really beautiful I suppose.”

“When people say bad things about Shetland it makes me feel annoyed because they have no idea what it’s actually like. Even though it might be a bit behind, it’s still an amazing place to live and it doesn’t make it a bad place to live. Other people get really angry about it but they’re a lot more fond of the place.”

The fire festival, Up Helly Aa, is a tradition which is over 100 years old and begins on the 31^st January. It includes a torch-lit procession of around 1,000 guizers and the burning of a “Galley” or, traditional Viking rowing boat. (www.uphellyaa.org) The event attracts visits from around people, this year even featuring as the main story on the front page of MSN.co.uk this year.

Lerwick - by Vincenzo_1949

Donna Marie continued: “It’s pretty exciting. I've grown up with Up Helly Aa so I’m not amazed by it like I would be if I was seeing it for the first time. The after-party bit is very very good. I still like to go and see it but it’s more because I recognise people in their funny costumes. Local people sometimes call it transvestite Tuesday! A lot of the men dress up as women when they go out on the parade.”

Perhaps the most compelling piece of evidence to stop slating Shetland is the oil they produce. Around 600,000 barrels of oil are pumped out of the sea surrounding the island every day. This amounts to about one third of Britain’s oil production. As well as paying the usual business rates, the council collects its own royalties. This is money which is used to fund local activities, because of a deal that the Shetland Islands Council set up with the government in the 1970's. The deal was to ensure that Shetland would not break away from Britain, taking much of its oil with them. (www.economist.com)

The only negative points I can make about Shetland is it is a 12-13 hour overnight crossing from the Mainland, often across choppy waters. Also the weather can be quite unpredictable and the islands are renowned for their gale force winds. (visit.shetland.org) But, the economists have proven that if Shetland separated from the rest of the UK it would be a great loss for us in terms of oil and tourism. These contributions are even recognised by the UK government. So maybe we should stop taking our little Scottish islands for granted.

Sources:

http://www.shetland.gov.uk/documents/sins2008.pdf

http://www.simonkingwildlife.com/ShetlandItineraryW.pdf

http://www.uphellyaa.org/

http://visit.shetland.org/about-shetland

http://www.economist.com/node/741453

The American Twitter Danger

The Daily Mail:Emily Bunting and Leigh Van Bryan  

Most people in this technology fuelled age, including myself, love a good tweet from time to time. We all seem to be using Twitter as a way to post our thoughts and feelings as they happen so people can keep updated with our lives. But now it seems that for some in America, Twitter can be cause to ban people from entering their country...

Anyone who travels anywhere by plane will have noticed that over the past few years airport security has tightened hugely causing controversy. From biometric eye checks to the 385 full-body scanners which now occupy 68 US airports, America is a country very concerned with security (SITA, USA.travel Today).  And as a result a single tweet cost two friends, Leigh Van Bryan (26) and Emily Bunting (24), their USA holiday to Los Angeles. (BBC News)

The pair were forced to return home to England after both spending a 12 hour stay in an American prison. Their deportation was caused by a single, misinterpreted tweet from Mr Bryans which read: "Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America." Mr Bryans said that all he meant by the tweet was a party. But this was not accepted by the US Homeland Security who he said treated him “like some kind of terrorist.” (BBC News)

The Daily Mail: The Offending Tweet

This is the latest in America’s use of social networking sites to prevent people they believe to be a threat, from entering their country by plane. Whether you believe the deportation of these British friends is America gone too far, or a justified security measure, it is unlikely to be the end of social networking used in this way.  

Sources:

http://www.sita.aero/product/iborders-biothenticate?gclid=CL_Rvb_s_a0CFVAhtAodXWersw

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/2010-11-18-airports-with-scanners_N.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/8163080/Whats-the-point-of-Twitter.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16810312

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2093796/Emily-Bunting-Leigh-Van-Bryan-UK-tourists-arrested-destroy-America-Twitter-jokes.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

GAY - A Product of Nature or Society?

The Natural History Museum of the University of Oslo's "Against Nature?" Exhibition

"We have a Darwinist mentality that all animals only have sex to procreate." – Petter Boeckman

Following a discussion I had with my flatmates I found myself questioning "at what point did people start being gay?" I had always believed that there was no such thing as a gay or lesbian animal so I wondered if homosexuality was a product of changes in society. Animals are there solely to reproduce but humans have developed purpose than this in life. The results of my investigation shocked and surprised me.

Throughout the history of humanity, being gay has always been somewhat "taboo" and people have often shied away from this minority group. Homosexuals live all over the world as part of all groups in society, and have done since records began. There are many examples of famous historical figures who were gay, such as Julius Caesar, Plato and Alexander the Great (Minh T. Nguyen, 1999).

Also there is evidence to show that more than 1,500 animal species practice homosexuality. The study was carried out by the Norwegian Natural History Museum of the University of Oslo for their exhibition “Against Nature?.”

Petter Boeckman, exhibition advisor, said: “One fundamental premise in social debates has been that homosexuality is unnatural. This premise is wrong. Homosexuality is both common and highly essential in the lives of a number of species.”

The study revealed that one of our closest relations, the dwarf chimpanzee, practiced same gender sex to avoid violence and the whole species is bisexual. Bisexual behaviour is also present in lion prides. There is evidence of some completely gay and lesbian couples within species. For example geese and ducks where it is estimated that four to five percent of couples are homosexual, and they are often better at raising young than heterosexuals. This creates the issue of whether humans might be the same. Gay couples have fought a long battle to be able to adopt children, highlighted by celebrity cases such as that of Elton John and his partner. Although it is now legal in many places for homosexual couples to adopt this is still met with a lot of controversy. (Medical Net)

There has been a lot of progress for “gay rights” in the 21^st century but inequalities still exist. A recent article by the “I” showed that a quarter of gay actors and actresses are afraid to come out in case they are discriminated against.

Chris New, a 30-year-old actor, said: “I have never hidden my sexuality… People will turn on you because you’re gay. But I just carry on; this prejudice is ridiculous.” (I, Nick Clark)

It is hoped a charter which enshrines the rights of gay members of the film industry will be agreed later this year. Entertainment trade union, Equity, has proposed the charter after the results were released showing that some homosexual actors and actresses were afraid to come in case they were victimised by the media and lost out on jobs. (I, Nick Clark)

So now I have completely changed my opinions. I realise that homosexuality is widespread in humans across the globe and even in the animal kingdom. And it always has been. My original belief about society manufacturing a lifestyle which allows people to be gay was wrong. I now realise it is actually society which has supressed homosexuality throughout history deeming it as "unnatural", when in fact it is this belief that is unnatural itself. 

Sources:

http://www.enderminh.com/minh/civilrights.aspx

http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/10/23/20718.aspx

I, Nick Clark, 28/01/12

Tchai-Ovna

Tchai-Ovna, a photo by Akuppa on Flickr.

The Tea House in Otago Lane, Glasgow which holds free gigs including the one with singer-songwriter Andrea Heins (see below for article)

Quirky Venue - Amazing Local Gig

Last week I visited the quirky Tchai-Ovna House of Tea to see singer-songwriter, Andrea Heins, and was surprised by what the free gig had to offer.

The venue was not my usual bustling with people, blaring music and in the heart of Glasgow. Instead it looked like someone's living room, filled with trinkets from across the globe and musty old books. But as I sat down in one of the old wicker chairs and listened to Heins I found myself enjoying a completely different music experience.

The atmosphere was relaxed and the gentle chatter during the performance seemed to rise and wane with the artists music as though it was part of the performance. The whole event reminded me of sitting infront a friends fire on a cold Winter's night, talking and laughing about our week. Listeners ranged from casual teenagers with their friends to smartly dressed business men with briefcases.

Her voice was sweet with a tinge of old country western and Indie, but also versatile and strong. The lyrics seemed to centre around love and were quite poetic at times, while still sending out a clear message. The easy switch between harmonica and guitar in the songs continued their easy flow whilst adding an interesting twist for the listener. Heins was obviously nervous as she had to stop a song or two and begin again and the shaking in her voice was clear at the start. However this is my only critism of the entire night.

Tchai-Ovna has an atmosphere unique to any other music venue I have visited. I highly recommend it if you enjoy intimitate local gigs or even just want a relaxing lunch. By the end of my visit there I was also left questionning, "Why is Andrea Heins not signed?" Her website has music and photography both of an equally high standard.

Andrea Heins and Tchai-Ovna's websites if you want to take a look:
http://www.andreaheins.com/index.html
http://tchaiovna.com/

Feel free to comment please, the more I know the more I can improve!

The Name - "The NIB"

When I was younger my parents often called me "the NIB" in a tongue-and-cheek way and I always took offense to it without knowing what it actually meant.

I began a year of work experience at a local newspaper and learnt the meaning of the word was actually "News In Brief", and now when I look back, I can see how the name stuck. I was always the one who had an opinion on something that was going on in the world, my town, my life.

This is my brief blog about local and international news.

I will be reviewing local events around Glasgow, commenting on the biggest news stories and taking some inspirations from my life.

Hope you enjoy it,
Rebecca