This week at PGL I
have been a group leader for 63 Italians and their teachers. As with all groups
it’s much easier when they listen, do what you ask and are generally polite,
which this group was, but this week has extra fun. Even though I
couldn’t get to know the young people really well because of the language
barrier we have had some great moments playing games, singing (indoor campfire - it was too cold outside apparently),
dancing (disco went on a long time), teaching them some English words and trying to learn some Italian. In the end I think my list of words stretches to:
Tavolo (Table)
Sedia (Chair)
and an Italian tongue twister that a couple of girls taught me, which goes like this:
Supra la panca la capra campa
Sutto la panca la capra crepa
which, translated into English, is something about goats and benches (I think like all tongue twisters it's nonsense, but they were struggling to explain it to me).
The strangest thing to get my head around is that they're basically the same as any other English group. They listen to the same music, wear similar clothes, play table tennis and table football, lose stuff on buses (like mobile phones and passports - we got them back) and laugh at you when you mispronounce their names. It's just that conversation is limited to a few words (they did get better over the week) and many hand gestures. Still I'll miss them, for a little while at least.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Sunday, 14 February 2016
Creators - Short Story no.1
James was
running hard, his shoes slapping against the pavement erratically. He turned
around corners and disappeared up dark streets, silent in the late hour. Every
now and then he would hear other feet and shouts and occasionally a siren would
whirr, but he kept running. His heart beat fast with the exertion and fear.
Suddenly a figure leapt from the shadows and grabbed his jacket. “Gotcha, stand still, this is the police,” the man said from behind.
James instinctively shot out his left arm, directing it towards the feet of the man. Immediately green shoots burst from the ground, wrapping around his feet and legs, tying him to the spot. James wriggled free from the policeman’s grasp and leaving him there he ran on again.
Streetlights cast their orange glow on the tarmac and James dodged each one as best he could, warier than ever. More footsteps sounded behind him and he glanced over his shoulder to see two policemen chasing at a distance. Again James stretched out his arm and the ground came to life as long tendrils rose up, tripping the men and pulling them to the ground. James didn’t stop to watch.
Further on he dived into a darkened doorway to catch his breath and consider his options. He needed to cross the river, but the bridge was risky. It was open and bright. Still, he couldn’t wait any longer. He darted out again, hugging the buildings for as long as he could. When he drew level with the bridge he ran out, ducking low and sprinting as fast as he could. The water rippled dully below him but James kept his eyes dead ahead. The end of the bridge drew nearer and then he was off it, turning left and running along the embankment. The road was narrow with a low wall on the river side and tall buildings on the other. Then ahead of him, hidden by shadows James saw a line of policemen, blocking his path. Immediately two police cars pulled out behind him, preventing retreat. James reached out both arms and charged. The ground literally writhed with plants growing up around the police line, then tuning he directed his attention at the two cars out of which more officers had arrived. They, too, quickly found themselves rooted to the spot.
“Stop,” shouted a clear voice.
James turned to see someone stepping from the line of policemen. He fired out his hand and shoots rose up, but this time they withered and fell back. Again James reached out but again the plants barely brushed the legs of this newcomer before falling away. James looked up to see the person remove her hat and long golden hair spill out around her shoulders.
“No, not you,” he said breathlessly. Then darting forward, he grabbed the woman by the neck and pinned her to the wall.
“Let her go,” called another voice, even higher and clearer than the woman’s.
James looked around to see a girl, no more than twelve push through the line of policemen, still held fast to the ground. James stretched his hand towards her but once more the green shoots rose up and withered.
“How is that possible,” James whispered.
The girl pulled back her hood. She too had long golden hair and bright eyes that shone even in the dim light. James relaxed his grip on the woman and stared at the girl. The girl started back and James saw that her eyes were not the same as the woman’s but more closely resembled another’s he knew well.
“Natasha,” he said, softly.
The girl blinked and glanced at the woman who had collapsed to the ground. “Mother,” she said, her voice trembling slightly, how does he know my name?”
“Because,” said James, stepping towards Natasha, who instinctively stepped away, “I know your mother and-”
“No you don’t,” snarled the woman from the ground.
James looked round as she pushed herself up and then ran at him catching his arm and pulling it back. He grimaced and looked around. His plants were beginning to relax and the police were fighting to free themselves.
“The police are going to take you, James,” said the woman, still gripping his arm tightly.
“Then they’ll be taking the wrong man,” he replied through gritted teeth.
“It’s over, James,” she said, ignoring him and pushing him further back towards the river until his legs touched the stone wall. Over her shoulder he saw the first policeman break free and run towards him.
“It’s never over,” he said, and suddenly wrapping his free arm around the woman he fell backwards over the wall, pulling her with him.
Suddenly a figure leapt from the shadows and grabbed his jacket. “Gotcha, stand still, this is the police,” the man said from behind.
James instinctively shot out his left arm, directing it towards the feet of the man. Immediately green shoots burst from the ground, wrapping around his feet and legs, tying him to the spot. James wriggled free from the policeman’s grasp and leaving him there he ran on again.
Streetlights cast their orange glow on the tarmac and James dodged each one as best he could, warier than ever. More footsteps sounded behind him and he glanced over his shoulder to see two policemen chasing at a distance. Again James stretched out his arm and the ground came to life as long tendrils rose up, tripping the men and pulling them to the ground. James didn’t stop to watch.
Further on he dived into a darkened doorway to catch his breath and consider his options. He needed to cross the river, but the bridge was risky. It was open and bright. Still, he couldn’t wait any longer. He darted out again, hugging the buildings for as long as he could. When he drew level with the bridge he ran out, ducking low and sprinting as fast as he could. The water rippled dully below him but James kept his eyes dead ahead. The end of the bridge drew nearer and then he was off it, turning left and running along the embankment. The road was narrow with a low wall on the river side and tall buildings on the other. Then ahead of him, hidden by shadows James saw a line of policemen, blocking his path. Immediately two police cars pulled out behind him, preventing retreat. James reached out both arms and charged. The ground literally writhed with plants growing up around the police line, then tuning he directed his attention at the two cars out of which more officers had arrived. They, too, quickly found themselves rooted to the spot.
“Stop,” shouted a clear voice.
James turned to see someone stepping from the line of policemen. He fired out his hand and shoots rose up, but this time they withered and fell back. Again James reached out but again the plants barely brushed the legs of this newcomer before falling away. James looked up to see the person remove her hat and long golden hair spill out around her shoulders.
“No, not you,” he said breathlessly. Then darting forward, he grabbed the woman by the neck and pinned her to the wall.
“Let her go,” called another voice, even higher and clearer than the woman’s.
James looked around to see a girl, no more than twelve push through the line of policemen, still held fast to the ground. James stretched his hand towards her but once more the green shoots rose up and withered.
“How is that possible,” James whispered.
The girl pulled back her hood. She too had long golden hair and bright eyes that shone even in the dim light. James relaxed his grip on the woman and stared at the girl. The girl started back and James saw that her eyes were not the same as the woman’s but more closely resembled another’s he knew well.
“Natasha,” he said, softly.
The girl blinked and glanced at the woman who had collapsed to the ground. “Mother,” she said, her voice trembling slightly, how does he know my name?”
“Because,” said James, stepping towards Natasha, who instinctively stepped away, “I know your mother and-”
“No you don’t,” snarled the woman from the ground.
James looked round as she pushed herself up and then ran at him catching his arm and pulling it back. He grimaced and looked around. His plants were beginning to relax and the police were fighting to free themselves.
“The police are going to take you, James,” said the woman, still gripping his arm tightly.
“Then they’ll be taking the wrong man,” he replied through gritted teeth.
“It’s over, James,” she said, ignoring him and pushing him further back towards the river until his legs touched the stone wall. Over her shoulder he saw the first policeman break free and run towards him.
“It’s never over,” he said, and suddenly wrapping his free arm around the woman he fell backwards over the wall, pulling her with him.
Sunday, 7 February 2016
Italian Invasion
The Italians are back on centre, although sadly they haven't brought Mediterranean weather with them (the rain never stops, there's mud everywhere).
It's funny noticing the differences between them and English kids. They're much more relaxed, in a typically continental kind of way, and instructions are definitely considered as guidelines, even when they can actually understand what they're being told to do. However, they are also very similar. They are as cheeky and arrogant as young people anywhere, but happily they make the same frightened noises when you send them on the zip wire.
It's funny noticing the differences between them and English kids. They're much more relaxed, in a typically continental kind of way, and instructions are definitely considered as guidelines, even when they can actually understand what they're being told to do. However, they are also very similar. They are as cheeky and arrogant as young people anywhere, but happily they make the same frightened noises when you send them on the zip wire.
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
What to Watch
I have been
looking at which major sports in the UK present the best value for money based
on the length of the event and general entertainment. This is for matches at
national level apart from Golf, Tennis and F1. Sadly, I have not (yet) attended
all of these events but I have a general idea of all of them. Finding average
ticket prices is tricky, too, because there is a huge variation, so some of
these are approximations.
Length of event: 2 hours
There is sometimes half time entertainment and of course many people like to buy a drink or a pie. On the whole it can be an exciting event, as long as you’re not sat next to someone disgustingly rude.
Rating: 7/10
Length of event: 2 hours
Considering there’s only 80 minutes of play I’d have though Rugby Union might have been cheaper than football, but it seems not, at least currently. Again this can be a good event, but perhaps more of a one off.
Rating: 6/10
Length of event: 2 hours
Noticeably cheaper, probably because it is less popular than Union, and if you can get past the many rules, generally good value for money.
Rating: 8/10
Tennis (Wimbledon)
Average ticket price: £20 (ground admission) / £100 (centre court) – this very much depends which day you go.
Length of event: Well it’s up to you when you leave, matches last anywhere from an hour to three, or even more.
As a day out this is probably on many people’s wish list (if you like tennis), and a gripping match on centre court would be well worth the money, and for the chance to wander around and watch some of the smaller matches the ground admission fee seems fair to me.
Rating: 8/10
Golf (the Open)
Average ticket price: £20-£60 (depending on which day you go)
Length of event: All day
As with Wimbledon this could be a top day out, although not the most frenetic or dynamic of sports there is the chance to see some impressive skill. However, to me it still makes more sense to watch on TV, where you can see more.
Rating: 6/10
Cricket (Twenty20)
Average ticket price: £18
Length of event: 3 hours
An event that has been ramped up a lot by teams in the past few years, with lots of excitement on and off the pitch. This is a fast paced, exciting form of the old game and on a summer’s evening can be great fun for everyone.
Rating: 10/10
Cricket (50over and Championship)
Average ticket price: £15
Length of event: 6+ hours
Although it may not be appealing to many, the length of a traditional cricket match makes it excellent value for money. There’s less razzmatazz than shorter sporting events but tension is built and often leads to dramatic moments and conclusions.
Rating: 9/10
Length of event: 2.5 hours
With fast action on the ice, the music, the dancers, interval entertainment and possibility of a punch-up any moment, Ice Hockey is a great all round package. Enjoyed but a huge variety of people this is a fantastic event with a lively atmosphere and plenty of fun, and excellent value for money.
Rating: 10/10
Formula 1
Average ticket price: £250
Length of event: 2+ hours
Now this might be a fun day out, and on race day there’s plenty of tension, and there’s the after race party, but compared to what you can see on TV (where the cameras can pick up all the action) and for that price, this does not seem like good value to me!
3/10
So let’s
start with the most popular sport – Football.
Average
ticket price (across all national leagues): £34Length of event: 2 hours
There is sometimes half time entertainment and of course many people like to buy a drink or a pie. On the whole it can be an exciting event, as long as you’re not sat next to someone disgustingly rude.
Rating: 7/10
Rugby Union
Average
ticket price: £35Length of event: 2 hours
Considering there’s only 80 minutes of play I’d have though Rugby Union might have been cheaper than football, but it seems not, at least currently. Again this can be a good event, but perhaps more of a one off.
Rating: 6/10
Rugby League
Average
ticket price: £16Length of event: 2 hours
Noticeably cheaper, probably because it is less popular than Union, and if you can get past the many rules, generally good value for money.
Rating: 8/10
Tennis (Wimbledon)
Average ticket price: £20 (ground admission) / £100 (centre court) – this very much depends which day you go.
Length of event: Well it’s up to you when you leave, matches last anywhere from an hour to three, or even more.
As a day out this is probably on many people’s wish list (if you like tennis), and a gripping match on centre court would be well worth the money, and for the chance to wander around and watch some of the smaller matches the ground admission fee seems fair to me.
Rating: 8/10
Golf (the Open)
Average ticket price: £20-£60 (depending on which day you go)
Length of event: All day
As with Wimbledon this could be a top day out, although not the most frenetic or dynamic of sports there is the chance to see some impressive skill. However, to me it still makes more sense to watch on TV, where you can see more.
Rating: 6/10
Cricket (Twenty20)
Average ticket price: £18
Length of event: 3 hours
An event that has been ramped up a lot by teams in the past few years, with lots of excitement on and off the pitch. This is a fast paced, exciting form of the old game and on a summer’s evening can be great fun for everyone.
Rating: 10/10
Cricket (50over and Championship)
Average ticket price: £15
Length of event: 6+ hours
Although it may not be appealing to many, the length of a traditional cricket match makes it excellent value for money. There’s less razzmatazz than shorter sporting events but tension is built and often leads to dramatic moments and conclusions.
Rating: 9/10
Ice Hockey
Average
ticket price: £16Length of event: 2.5 hours
With fast action on the ice, the music, the dancers, interval entertainment and possibility of a punch-up any moment, Ice Hockey is a great all round package. Enjoyed but a huge variety of people this is a fantastic event with a lively atmosphere and plenty of fun, and excellent value for money.
Rating: 10/10
Formula 1
Average ticket price: £250
Length of event: 2+ hours
Now this might be a fun day out, and on race day there’s plenty of tension, and there’s the after race party, but compared to what you can see on TV (where the cameras can pick up all the action) and for that price, this does not seem like good value to me!
3/10
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Cheers America
I've just passed 2000 views from the USA! Thank you America!
Please remember that you, your wealth, your power and your president have an impact far beyond your borders, so make sure you vote wisely this year!
Friday, 15 January 2016
Oscar Time: best young actresses
It's awards season in the movie world and excitement is building now for the Oscars with the release of the nominations yesterday.
I was particularly pleased with the Leading Actress nominations, which included Brie Larsson (who I hope will win the award) for Room, and a second nomination for Saoirse Ronan for Brooklyn. Still called by some a 'newcomer' or an 'unknown' Saoirse has for a long time been a superb actress in my opinion. Her first academy award nomination was for best supporting actress in Atonement, nine years ago, when she was just 13. Since then she has also put in great performances in films such as Hanna, The Lovely Bones, The Way Back and The Grand Budapest Hotel. She also has two Golden Globes nominations and three BAFTA nominations and it surely can't be long until she finally wins one.
Thinking about Saoirse made me consider other excellent, young, female performers from recent years. From the list I drew up only two have yet won a top award, and only one has received an Oscar.
Anna Paquin: The Piano, Fly Away Home, X-Men - Anna has won one Golden Globe and the only Oscar she has been nominated for - a Best Supporting Award for her role in The Piano, aged 11.
Carey Mulligan: An Education, Never Let Me Go, Drive, The Great Gatsby - Carey has one Oscar and one Golden Globe nomination for An Education, however she won the BAFTA of Best Leading Actress, for the same film.
Abigail Breslin: Little Miss Sunshine, Definitely Maybe, My Sister's Keeper - Abigail was nominated at the age of 10 for Little Miss Sunshine by both the Oscars and the BAFTAs, but didn't win either.
Mia Wasikowska: Defiance, Alice in Wonderland, Tracks - Mia is yet to even receive a nomination for any of the top awards.
Shailene Woodley: The Descendants, Divergent, The Fault in Our Stars - Shailene was nominated by the Golden Globes for her role in The Descendants and also by the BAFTAs for the Rising Star award last year, but didn't win.
Keisha Castle-Hughes: Whale Rider, The Nativity Story - Keisha is certainly the least known actress on this list, but did receive an Oscar nomination for Whale Rider aged 14.
Maybe their lack of awards suggests I'm not watching the best movies, but I don't think so. Hopefully all of these actresses, and more, will continue to put on great performances that will see them honoured with awards in years to come.
 |
| Saoirse Ronan |
Thinking about Saoirse made me consider other excellent, young, female performers from recent years. From the list I drew up only two have yet won a top award, and only one has received an Oscar.
Anna Paquin: The Piano, Fly Away Home, X-Men - Anna has won one Golden Globe and the only Oscar she has been nominated for - a Best Supporting Award for her role in The Piano, aged 11.
 |
| Carey Mulligan |
Carey Mulligan: An Education, Never Let Me Go, Drive, The Great Gatsby - Carey has one Oscar and one Golden Globe nomination for An Education, however she won the BAFTA of Best Leading Actress, for the same film.
Abigail Breslin: Little Miss Sunshine, Definitely Maybe, My Sister's Keeper - Abigail was nominated at the age of 10 for Little Miss Sunshine by both the Oscars and the BAFTAs, but didn't win either.
Mia Wasikowska: Defiance, Alice in Wonderland, Tracks - Mia is yet to even receive a nomination for any of the top awards.
 |
| Shailene Woodley |
Shailene Woodley: The Descendants, Divergent, The Fault in Our Stars - Shailene was nominated by the Golden Globes for her role in The Descendants and also by the BAFTAs for the Rising Star award last year, but didn't win.
Keisha Castle-Hughes: Whale Rider, The Nativity Story - Keisha is certainly the least known actress on this list, but did receive an Oscar nomination for Whale Rider aged 14.
Maybe their lack of awards suggests I'm not watching the best movies, but I don't think so. Hopefully all of these actresses, and more, will continue to put on great performances that will see them honoured with awards in years to come.
Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Epiphany
The night
the star appeared they knew it was a sign. They gazed at it in wonder and
whispered to each other of the royal birth it announced. They went to their
King and showed him with many charts and ancient texts that the new baby would become
a King of particular importance, maybe even the greatest King of all.
It was decided, they must go at once, all the astrologers, as emissaries, and with them the King would send members of the royal court, mighty warriors, magicians and an abundance of servants to cater and care for this magnificent party. They must also, the King announced take three gifts for the royal baby. They must be special and meaningful presents, fit for someone so important. The King sent away his wise men to consider what gifts should be sent.
“Yes, you’re right. Gold will distinguish him as a ruler and someone to be trusted.”
“Trusted? How so?”
“Well, people will always be envious of someone who purchases gold from their earnings, and someone who wins gold will always be the subject of doubt. But if respected men, like ourselves, present a gift of gold, the receiver will gain respect and trust too. People the world over will know that we believe this is a King to be listened to.”
“I agree, and we all accept gold will be the first gift, but what else shall we give him?”
“How about a ring, to be his seal?”
“The gold already tells everyone he is a King, but we know he will be much more than just a King. His realm will reach far beyond borders. He will be a spiritual leader too.”
“A Priest, you mean.”
“Of sorts, yes.”
“What do you give to a Priest, though? They are not in the habit of collecting things.”
“Incense. We are giving gifts that will show everyone who this child is and who he will be. A gift of Frankincense, say, will display his righteousness and priestly status.”
The others looked at him in bewilderment. “So what gift are you suggesting?”
“Myrrh.”
It was decided, they must go at once, all the astrologers, as emissaries, and with them the King would send members of the royal court, mighty warriors, magicians and an abundance of servants to cater and care for this magnificent party. They must also, the King announced take three gifts for the royal baby. They must be special and meaningful presents, fit for someone so important. The King sent away his wise men to consider what gifts should be sent.
“We must
take something expensive, jewels maybe?”
“Gold, gold for a King.”“Yes, you’re right. Gold will distinguish him as a ruler and someone to be trusted.”
“Trusted? How so?”
“Well, people will always be envious of someone who purchases gold from their earnings, and someone who wins gold will always be the subject of doubt. But if respected men, like ourselves, present a gift of gold, the receiver will gain respect and trust too. People the world over will know that we believe this is a King to be listened to.”
“I agree, and we all accept gold will be the first gift, but what else shall we give him?”
“How about a ring, to be his seal?”
“The gold already tells everyone he is a King, but we know he will be much more than just a King. His realm will reach far beyond borders. He will be a spiritual leader too.”
“A Priest, you mean.”
“Of sorts, yes.”
“What do you give to a Priest, though? They are not in the habit of collecting things.”
“Incense. We are giving gifts that will show everyone who this child is and who he will be. A gift of Frankincense, say, will display his righteousness and priestly status.”
After this
the wise men became stuck. Nothing else they suggested seemed fit as a gift for
such a child. Several days passed with no brilliant idea coming to any of them.
Instead they passed the time reading old scrolls, writings from a forgotten
era, searching for clues about the new King. Then, one morning, one of the men
called them together in excitement.
“I know what the third gift
should be. Last night I had a revelation; not just a dream, it was more vivid
than anything I have experienced before. I can still see it clearly now. This new King is
going to die, possibly before his reign even begins, but his death will be of
even more importance than his life. I don’t fully understand what this means
but I feel we should announce this in the same way we are announcing his role
as King and Priest.”The others looked at him in bewilderment. “So what gift are you suggesting?”
“Myrrh.”
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