EMPATHY
"On The Coast, a lot of our people are enduring some very difficult times and our hearts and our prayers go to them."
–Mitt Romney.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 30.10.12~
PETRA BAGUST’S EMPHATIC SMILE IS A TALKING POINT OF TV
The games have started in Kiwi TV circles. The question is: “Who will replace Petra Bagust on TV.”
She is Petra Bagust. Only one Petra. So no one can. Is my answer.
She’s emphatically empathetic and pretty nice to boot… a true star. The empathy standard of TV hosts in NZ.
Don’t wanna let that slip either, if we can help it.
[More Petra gossip in the local rag].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 20.10.12~
PETRA BAGUST QUITS BREAKFAST
There is only one Petra Bagust. She’s like a Pakeha-Kiwi angel.
She is the light of morning TV. Her positive outlook, reflected in a radiant smile is lit up by her angelic personality of empathy. Petra is a bright spark who gets New Zealand going each morning on TV. Now, she’s about to take some time out.
Petra told TV audiences of the Breakfast Show that she has decided to have breakfast with her own kids each morning instead and spend more time with her husband Hamish. (On ya). (more…)
OCEANS OF INTELLIGENT LOVE – REMEMBERING LADY PAT
On grattitude: Studies show that gratitude not only can be deliberately cultivated but can increase levels of well-being and happiness among those who do cultivate it. In addition, grateful thinking—and especially expression of it to others—is associated with increased levels of energy, optimism, and empathy. (more…)
EDUCATION – ENCOURAGING INQUISITIVE, REFLECTIVE, CARING, ETHICAL & CONTRIBUTING STUDENTS – UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO’S LAB SCHOOLS OBJECTIVE FOR TEACHING CHILDREN
Rahm Emauel‘s three children attend the University of Chicago’s Lab Schools. The innovative schools offer ”rich academic and extracurricular offerings, a distinct approach to education, a diverse student body, and a unique relationship to the University of Chicago.” 200 faculty members work with 1800 children to raise student achievement in the classroom.
Laboratory Schools’ students are consistently challenged to: “develop the skills necessary to be inquisitive, reflective, caring, ethical, and contributing citizens to the community. Right on!
Source: The Weekly Standard. Photo: Rahm with Leah and Zach Emanuel. A Todd Heisler photo 2008, The New York Times.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 11.9.12~
RACHEL HUNTER’S NEW TV SERIES AIRS TONIGHT – 9th SEPTEMBER 2012
She is the face that launched millions of Kiwi dreams.
And she’s still doing it today. We love her. If she was a Maori woman on crowd control, or if she was older, I swear she’d have been made a Dame by now. The girl really is the real deal Kiwi global star.
Rachel Hunter‘s latest press as a talent show judge, show’s how generous of spirit Hunter is as a performer and artist. Hunter is going to laugh, cry on the spot to cam and be wowed too, in a bid to inspire the new waves of Kiwi talent being affirmed, noticed, coached and appreciated.
What a woman! Rachel Hunter’s new reality TV show New Zealand’s Got Talent kicks off this evening on NZ TV.
Only One Rachel Hunter. We still love her grace, humilty, Kiwi charm, natural beauty, her inner beauty far greater than her external visage… and of course, her winning smile from a heart of hard earned, wise empathy! :)
Every time I see Rachel’s smile, I go straight to the store still and go get me ice cream asap. Why is that exactly? Lol! ;)
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 9.9.12~
SIX60 – DON’T FORGET YOUR ROOTS
Don’t forget your roots my friend, the ones who made you, the ones who brought you here.
Six60: authentic sounds of homeland hoods of NZ.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 11.8.12~
LEGAL ENTERTAINER MAI CHEN ON RIGHT BRAIN SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY MIND SETS OF ECONOMIC INNOVATIVE GROWTH FOR KIWI WINNERS
Legal expert Mai Chen has been doing some way cool press lately as a writer and talk show talent in and around the law. Never boring, always entertaining, philisophically interesting and enlightening with empathy, Chen offers her latest thoughts to up New Zealand culture’s innovative hotness.
What did she say? Mai was really good on The Close Up show with broadcaster Mark Sainsbury yesterday.
In journalism guest commentary news, her latest article in the New Zealand Herald is titled: Olympic Effort for a Better Future. (Parts I particularly like in the bold font).
“The Olympic Games is the reason my family emigrated to New Zealand. My father had trained the Taiwan gymnastics team for both the Tokyo and the Mexico games and in 1971 he was headhunted to train the New Zealand gymnastics team. (Wow!)
As a result I grew up in a household where the wisdom of top athletes was seen as the key to success in all areas of life. I was reminded of this last year when, in the midst of my own marathon effort to write a book while running a law firm, Dad began coaching me with Olympic insights once again.
“The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful – will win,” said Roger Bannister. “Your heart must clear the bar first,” said world champion pole vaulter Sergey Bubka. “The subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between reality and imagination,” he reminded me, quoting Billy Mills, a rank outsider who blitzed the field to win the 10,000m in Tokyo.
The coaching helped me not to quit when working seven days a week for two years really got to me.
Just think about Oscar Pastorius, South African sprinter and a double amputee, who runs on artificial legs.
[Makata Taka Hela aka Mr. Billy Mills - world champion Olympian 1964. Photo - Ray Wyatt.Net].
We need an [athletes] mindset to propel our export industries into a position of strength on world markets. And we need it to solve tough policy and law reform issues we face, like keeping superannuation affordable, addressing Maori claims to water, or structuring our domestic broadband market to enable Kiwis to compete abroad from here. (True dat. So could be improved by real broadband developers not media posturing posers!) (more…)
THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING – MANDIBA NELSON MANDELA – 94th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS, SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s first democractically elected black President turned 94 yesterday. He is the man who insighted the world to see beyond color and unfair laws that once supported apartheid’s economic flows certain ways.
As a child, his name is significant to me as my Aunty Awa and her sister marched on rugby stadiums with young activists making a point in those days with other New Zealanders of the calibre of fiery activists like Ripeka Evans and filmmakers like Merata Mita (her filmmaking friends) and their many Pakeha New Zealand friends too. They united as one people, to show solidarity towards a cause of a long walk to freedom.
His name as we know, is Mr Nelson Mandela, a man who inspired Maori and Pasifika children in particular in New Zealand and the South Pacific to hold on to an enduring dream just as he had. Although we had advanced and conscientious school teachers at the school I went to (Barbara Stuthridge-Rudolph being one and Eileen Parore and Jewish-Kiwi, sports obsessed Steven Cohen beingothers), our Pakeha friends, saw us in a different light because of this man’s unusual story.
How would I describe him? He is a vessel of brokenness whose life is filled with the fragrance of humane wisdom, deep gratitude in life; more precious than saphire, he is a gem smith’s diamond cut for freedom’s wider purposes in the world, that makes us look at things beyond the price of oil, in a brighter light of justness towards the gift and maximum miracle of healthy change by being more fair.”
In my childhood in Whangarei City, the most economically oppressed city in those years of NZ - the cry for freedom and change from little ‘ole New Zealand was like a resounding declaration that change was upon us. New Zealand sensed this early and mobilized in response. The cry from Aotearoa New Zealand was:
“the whole world is watching.”
My own mom, to be fair – not only supported her whanau (family) protesting for change, she also invited the South African rugby football team home for lunch from The Grand Hotel. They were so thankful to be invited home. Mom wanted to ensure they experienced Maori manaakitanga amidst the Springboks rugby Tour that would change New Zealand in hard-fought ground for the good. These lessons were stepping stones and milestones of New Zealand culture, that our peace must be founded upon strongly. Some of New Zealand’s most important stories have happened against the backdrop of a sporting context’s profile as was the case when we protested apartheid for people like Mandiba Mandela. It is what we do well. In him and peple just like him, we saw our own redemption.
That day, although we were poor and my missionary parents who once had struggled like the people of the South Pacific do in Island paradise Isles like Samoa, Tonga and Fiji – had lived in a State-bought house they paid off, that was originally built for a Maori radio jockey. He abandoned the home last minute when his marriage unexpectedly dissolved and we were lucky to be moved into it. On the day the Springboks team came home, mom cooked curry with rice in the kitchen - just how she’d learned to in Fiji, that day. Her cooking was a big hit.
Mandela’s name and presence was ever-present in the room on this day too with some of South Africa’s best rugby football stars in our humble Northland home. The moment was surreal yet normal too.
Perhaps as a credit to their own statespersonship and humility caught up in the cross-fire, they were relieved to be welcomed into a Maori-Kiwi cross-cultural home to experience a form of real New Zealand life as it really was. No pretense, a real home with a real young family.
Back to the birthday boy. He is also one of the world’s most favorite anti-apartheid activists towards Peace. In one of the two video clips from South Africa, his angel (a messanger) of hope is one of my favorite American Presidents, Mr Bill Clinton. Not perfect, yet the President with the most personality, love of fun and imbued pizazz – the world has always looked to the USA to provide as an entertaining nation working in tandem with our founding ties and high regard of British culture too. Our indigenous people signed an agreement with Queen Victoria many years ago. We are stil working on getting this right 171 years on since the ink dried. A signed deal for equality means that between our indigenous people and The Crown that represents this agreement. Mandiba Mandela’s story, helped bring this agreement more to the forefront of New Zealand cultural life. He, a bright angel of hope all of those years ago.
Although today, I think South Africa could do with gun reform laws (a notion formerly put forward by New Zealand for South Africa years ago by a leading judge and ignored at home by short-sighted arrogant oversights of governance at the time); an idea that would have made South Africa as a nation safer for its citizens today; this man’s birthday is a very special occasion.
The remarkable footage of 12 million students celebrating the birthday of South Africa’s “Mandiba” Nelson Mandela reminds us that inside prisons sits like deep reservoirs – a living resource, more precious than oil, where some of our most remarkable citizens on earth are found. Prisoners: Real people with bright futures needing rehabilitation, restoration and grace. Nelson Mandela’s life story is a living symbol of this fact. So today, I bow to his legacy and early years as a leader and thank him and his family and friends for what they endured as our teachers.
Euronews reported: “”If was not for him, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t even be smiling again and saying we are one as a rainbow nation,” said Sello Sebogwane.
“When I talk about you (Mandela) I feel like crying. I’m talking about the hero. The man who has spent years in jail for us. You worked for the nation, you helped black people spending 27 years in jail at Robben Island. You did not enjoy your life. God bless you, we still love you and wish you a happy birthday,” added Salome Makgamatho, who was overcome with emotion.”
Grandson Mandla Mandela, said he inspires the idea of “being of greater service (in daily life) and to the nation at large.”
In South Africa: “Mr Clinton, accompanied by his daughter Chelsea, opened a new library for the No-Moscow Primary School in Qunu, ahead of his meeting with Mr Mandela. “When I think about Mandela I always think about someone committed to the future,” Mr Clinton said.
Former President Bill Clinton also said: “He was very pleased the way the people celebrated his birthday with sixty-seven minutes of service.” How sweet… the sound… of South Africa today.
Photos: BBC. Nelson Mandela‘s granddaughter, Ndileka Mandela in a cute Halle Berry reference and nod to Hollywood-Brit, Oscar’s star system said, “he can charm bees out of their beehive.” I think she was referring to Bill Clinton on that one – who does the exact same cheeky thing.
[Photo caption: Graca Machel (left) walks with Chelsea Clinton (second left) and her father, former US president Bill Clinton, as they arrive at a party to celebrate Nelson Mandela's birthday in Qunu. Part 2: Bill Clinton & supporter Mr Robert Ellis and friends].
[Birthday - postcard from New Zealand for Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday... coming up soon. God bless you, your family and your dreams still being fulfilled. Thank you.]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 20.7.12~
DR LANCE O’SULLIVAN’S NEW MEDICAL PROJECT
New Zealand has recently won the bid to host the World’s Iron Man competition. Maori Iron Man athlete and real life Dr. Ropata, Lance O’Sullivan talks health in New Zealand’s north and jetting across to Rarotonga to keep an eye on the South Pacific’s hula culture peoples.
- – -
Te Karere News reports: Northland doctor takes stand against rheumatic fever: What’s ahead for Northland doctor Lance O’Sullivan? Last month, he resigned from Te Hauora o Te Hiku o Te Ika health provider. The greed and inequality activist in the health sector is known for being outspoken about poverty and poor housing. Sullivan gives an interview from his home in Kataia.
Take a nohi above.
Scotty Morrison feeds the ball to Anzac Pikia‘s reporting. Ngati Pourou, Te Arawa and Ngai Tahu could do with a ’jetting to Hawaii’ story about now, to work on their tans. :)
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 14.7.12~
THE PRICE OF GOLD IN RISING FAMINE CONDITIONS – NIGER’S MINER MINORS – GINNY STEIN & TIM COSTELLO INVESTIGATE
Via Twitter’s World Vision AUS (WorldVisionAus) social media information:
Tony Eastley writes: In Niger, a severe food crisis, the third in less than ten years, has forced many people to leave their villages in search of food. Harvests have failed and up to 18 million people across West Africa are now facing severe food shortages.
Like all immigrant stories, people migrate to a nation to feed their families in thee hope of survival, peace, security and feeding a dream that is a humane characteristic to have. Yet what happens, when you walk into a trap due to global politics, corporate greed and people mismanagement? Here’s a story about the plight of humanity on our watch.
In one village in Niger farmers are risking their lives to dig for gold. Africa correspondent Ginny Stein reports on a fight for life which is desperate and dangerous. More at the link. Audio on the radio.
About Niger: About four-fifths the size of Alaska, Niger sits in West Africa’s Sahara region. Niger’s climate is mostly hot, dry, and dusty, with sand dunes in the north and the desert plains in the south. The Niger River basin in the south has fertile grassland with a tropical climate.
To learn how you can help via World Vision from whatever nation you may live, rise on wings of compassion to impact Niger’s destiny.
News feed in credit, Prime Broadcaster and talent TVNZ’s Melissa Stokes. A really good story of how journalists working together are making a difference as top guns against rising famine, water shortages and greed and inequality in the world. Peace!
[Reporting link feed in - Melissa Stokes].
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 12.7.12~
IF I DON’T HAVE YOU – ELIZABETH MARVELLY & CARL DOY ON PIANO
From the cultural hearth of Rotorua, her voice from a soul etched in deep empathy comes to calm a thousand storms.
Set to the ebony and ivory touch of maestro Carl Doy on piano, Elizabeth Marvelly sings from New Zealand.
The overall message of combined elements: I am breathing, therefore I am healing.
Click on the marvel’s picture for a concert. If you’ve survived a tornado or an earthquake, grab a hanky.
[Photo source: Ross Land - Getty Images AsiaPac - courtesy of Zimbio]
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 10.7.12~
JUDY BAILEY’S AUSTRALIAN TRAVELS HIGHLIGHTS – “ALWAYS LOOK A CHEETAH IN THE EYES”
We love Judy Bailey because for thirty years she was a broadcaster, and still occasionally is. Her ability to convey empathy was seen on the nightly news. It’s how she said it, that helped create empathetic Kiwis who grew up watching Bailey’s brand of Kiwi charm. Her title is ‘Mother of a Nation’ for her distinct broadcaster’s style.
- – -
Quote of the week in New Zealand, had to come from Judy Bailey’s lips, when appearing on the Good Morning TV show, promoting her Intreprid Journeys travel show episode that followed her around Australia.
Judy had visited a cheetah’s enclosure in Australia. She was pictured inside the enclosure with live cheetahs. She was advised to not look cheetahs in the eyes, because if you do, they could attack you.
Judy said: “Just to look a cheetah in the eyes,” was the highlight of my trip in Australia.
Good for her! Her tourism activities while on an excursion from New Zealand, included: “Margaret River: Rolling vineyards meet a spectacular coastline in this destination dedicated to the good life. In recent years this surfing Mecca has evolved into a sophisticated food and wine destination. Adelaide Hills: Discover the cool climate wines, fresh produce and quaint towns of the Adelaide Hills region just an easy 25 minutes drive from Adelaide. Eyre Peninsula, Gawler Ranges: Wildlife encounters, delectable seafood and spectacular landscapes await in this diverse region where the ocean meets the outback. Goldfields: Be transported back in time to the Victorian Gold Rush as sister cities Bendigo and Ballarat reveal the fascinating history of Victoria’s Goldfields region. Tasmania: Rugged, adventurous and beautiful, Tasmania’s North West offers a breath of fresh air and the opportunity to engage with artisan producers. And, my own personal favorite: Blue Mountains: Rise above Sydney and enter the Blue Mountains – 10,000 square kilometres of World Heritage Listed wilderness dotted with quaint townships.”
Stuff Co.NZ also notes about Judy’s latest trip: “Judy’s Queensland journey of discovery continues to another lesser-known region, the southern Great Barrier Reef where she calls in on the only town in the world to boast a numerical name, 1770. A visit to the pristine Lady Elliot Island offers up a chance encounter with newly hatched turtles making their journey to the sea and some ‘once in a lifetime’ encounters with marine animals.
From the blue waters of the southern Great Barrier Reef to the Yellow Waters of the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, Judy’s epic adventure comes to a close in this most ancient land. From billion year old sandstone escarpments to flood plains teeming with exotic wildlife, Judy marvels at this land of incredible contrasts and sees for herself, why there is ‘nothing like Australia’.
Tourism Australia’s General Manager New Zealand, Jenny Aitken describes the series as “awe inspiring and will encourage Kiwis to rethink their favourite holiday destination”. Ms Aitken says “over a million Kiwis a year travel to Australia for their holiday and our research shows that there is a genuine and very healthy appetite for new and exciting travel experiences that venture beyond the cities we all love and know so well.””
More at Stuff.Co.NZ.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 16.6.12~
SNOW TREE PHILOSOPHY – ORHAN PAMUK ON RESILIENCE WITH ENDURING COMPASSION
[Christchurch City, Snow falling on trees in Te Waipounamu, Otautahi today - New Zealand - Michelle].
“I don't want to be a tree; I want to be its meaning.” ― Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Red How much can we ever know about the love and pain in another heart? How much can we hope to understand those who have suffered deeper anguish, greater deprivation, and more crushing disappointments than we ourselves have known?” ― Orhan Pamuk, Snow
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zeland, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.6.12~
COMPASSION IS…
“The dew of compassion is a tear.”
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 9.12.11~
PAUL GOLDSMITH, FUTURE PRIME MINISTER CANDIDATE OF NZ – 2011
Meekness can be defined as restrained strength.
Paul Goldsmith a publicist, is in the running to be a future Prime Minister of New Zealand.
I had to look past the smarmy spin beneath Paul’s waspy look – because when it came to Paul’s electorate of Epson it was a complete circus. For example, a past mayor-MP, the current PM, and the most overt racist political leader from Christmas past… all slit their wrists over a cup of tea incident, to give young Paul drops of political privileged blood in a staged media event that involved a blitz of manipulated paparazzi, hard working Police, a bluffed hacking scandal, even The Murdochs names thrown in too for delusional purps of self-importance - while young Paul acted like “it all had nothing to do with me.”
Just kidding.
He speaks well. He’s just too light on Te Reo Maori to be comfortable with in the future. Maybe he can get a black belt in that Kiwi must-have art of the 2010′s in his next stage of independent and personal growth.
Empathy in New Zealand, is summed up in that one black belt of cultural nuance as a Kiwi. If you don’t have it – you’re most probably an alien, still. Does Goldsmith have it? Like his current leader, perhaps they’re still working on that.
To read Goldsmith’s latest interview by Michelle Hewitson, go here.
[Photo by MM]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 3.12.11~
REBECCA SULLIVAN – KIWI GIRL – PART II
“In as much as you do for the ‘least,’ you do for Me.”
News report by the New Zealand Herald: “A group of New Zealand parents intending to lay charges in the International Criminal Court in The Hague says the Government is guilty of social engineering.
The group says NZ’s genetic-screening programme condones selective breeding and aims to prevent the birth of children with Down syndrome.
“It devalues the lives of our children,” said Mike Sullivan, spokesman for the group and father of a 3-year-old girl with Down syndrome.
“I would never accept my child is less human than anyone else’s.”
He said the Government was endorsing a state-encouraged pregnancy-termination regime, introduced last year, to the tune of $27 million.
Ministry of Health documents state the desired outcome of the programme would be a reduction in Down syndrome births, Mr Sullivan said.
Documents obtained under the Official Information Act suggest 90 per cent of pregnancies showing Down syndrome might now be terminated in New Zealand, leaving about 62 babies born with Down syndrome each year.
Ministry chief adviser Pat Tuohy said antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions had been available in New Zealand since 1968.
“The improved screening test enables women, and their families and whanau, to have information about their current pregnancy that enables them to make an informed choice about whether to proceed to a diagnostic test [amniocentesis] or not,” Dr Tuohy said.
“The informed consent process includes discussion of the implications, potential harms and benefits of screening or not.”
The Ministry of Health was aware of Mr Sullivan’s claims and disagreed with his position on the purpose of the screening, Dr Tuohy said.
New Zealand Down Syndrome Association executive officer Zandra Vaccarino said Mr Sullivan’s group did not represent the association and some of them, including Mr Sullivan, were not members.
The association supported prenatal testing provided it also offered appropriate support and up-to-date information to people considering having it, she said.
“Our mission statement also states people should not be pressured into having prenatal testing for Down syndrome,” Ms Vaccarino said.
- APN
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 27.6.11~
MEET EMPORER AKIHITO AND EMPRESS MICHIKO OF JAPAN
Empathy is in evidence when leaders lead their people on the ground–Japan’s story of recovery fascinates us each day.
Emporer Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko speak with evacuees at a Tokyo shelter. Most of the 300 people there are from Fukushima prefecture, where a nuclear power plant was severely damaged by the March 11 quake and tsunami.
Photograph by Issei Kato – Associated Press.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.31.11~
NANCI HELLMICH WRITES ABOUT FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING EXPERIMENTS THAT REVEAL EMOTIONAL PAIN CAN EQUATE TO PHYSICAL PAIN – 3.29.11
I’ve got to say, that USA Today giving journalist Nanci Hellmich front page placement on the cover of USA Today, raises a few eyebrows. Does this woman a) write for the pharmaceuticals industry? or b) is EQ an underrated form of guidance and intelligence alerting us mere humans to physical pain in bodies.
This story is a good one, because it’s a reminder that if you’re feeling emotional pain, you’re a) alive – something to be thankful for, and b) subject to social rejection.
In a culture dominated by Facebook followers status and Twitter following counts, this is not a bad story to feature on the front page of your paper. It’s for all of the unwopular people, with little to zero social media followings.
Via iPhone (what else) USA Today.Com arrives Nanci’s words on this humble Hollywood blog. Here’s what the voice of Nancy says in a very scientific tone. I like it as a commentary on society in this IT driven age in which we live.
It’s irrevelant that brain scans can cause radiation exposure in this scientific study though (apparently) which raises the question of was this study even scientific from the outset of it’s design as a study of information gathering – but let’s ignore all that too as Nanci writes -
“Romantic heartbreak hurts, and researchers now have a better understanding of why. The same regions of the brain that are activated when people experience pain in their bodies also become active when people feel rejected by someone they love, new research shows. (more…)
ROYAL WEDDING CAKE DEMOCRACY by PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON
The Sydney Morning Herald is doing way too much (again!) today running a fun story about Kate Middleton and Prince William opting to have two wedding cakes on their special day.
The first cake will be a traditional fruity cake, with white icing and white floral ornaments on it. The second wedding cake will be a family favorite of Prince Williams made of dark chocolate icing, crumbled tea biscuits and some other things.
Sounds like guests will get to choose their choice of wedding cake democratically on the day of the most watched televised event in world history, April 29th, when Will and Kate tie the knot.
I think I’d keep with the childhood favorite option too and go for the chocolate cake. What about you? Click on top pic to see some of the world’s finest cake makers in action.
The best cake’s of course are shared at privately owned beaches in the form of picnics with special friends. Maori people in particular love serving white slices of coconut cake after freshly seared entrees of beach fresh scallops kaimoana, on our beaches to guests with a squeeze of tahitian lime (just a hint mind), as a reminder that coastlines are like the edges of a cake, never to be eroded by over-eager guests.
Today though, the Prince could possibly be a slight bit hung-over. According to E News Online, via Claridge House spokespeople, it was believed that for the royal bachellor party celebrations, these mostly occurred on water. Whether the water was lakelands or coastal sea terrains, no one knows yet for sure.
The report states that “The 28-year-old and a princely posse of 20 friends spent the weekend racing motorboats, waterskiing and then going on a floating pub crawl before ending up at a country manor.” Sounds like a right royal blast. Creative.
Watch the clip, for a fun story. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.27.11~
HOW KIRK DOUGLAS HELPED TO BREAK BLACKLIST
ABC’S David Muir zooms viewers in to celebrate the life of Kirk Douglas, as a Hollywood light who stood against censorship in a culture where politics was too heavy-handed and blacklist occurred from government. A friend and mentor named Robert, who is 91 and lives in Beverly Hills, once got black-listed because he worked as a journalist who would socialize with black people in Los Angeles when reporting.
He was Jewish, yet he could pass for Parsee. Robert was associated to Lena Horne‘s circle of friends, when Lena was black-listed as a communist. He was blacklisted too. They were crazy times. Robert is still a registered member of Pen America to this day, an organisation that is a global literary community dedicated to protecting free expression and celebrating literature in humane ways.
David Muir’s story goes: “In the 1950s Hollywood was consumed by the blacklist. Writers, producers and actors were called before Congress amid fear they might be Communists. The mere mention of a name was enough to end a career.
“It was the worst time in Hollywood,” Hollywood veteran Kirk Douglas told ABC News. “Everybody told me I was crazy.”
Crazy because as a producer of Spartacus Douglas put his own career on the line, his own fortune, to hire Dalton Trumbo, one of those writers on the blacklist.
“If you do it … you’ll never work in this town again. You will be declared a Communist,” Cleo Trumbo, Dalton’s wife said people told Douglas.
But Douglas, hired Dalton Trumbo anyway, and Spartacus became the top movie of the USA that year. The movie wasn’t only a box-office winner, it was also instrumental in breaking the blacklist.”
Douglas realized that within the face of Dalton Trumbo’s faceless story was his own story, that “there by the grace of God, go I.” He acted on that basis with integrity in liberty, in one pivotal action of inclusion that went beyond surface appearances of the milieu-of-the-day, thus changing history. With confidence in peace Douglas disciplined a system that had become drunk on power, elitist exclusion for personal gain and was blind to the image of itself, while being clearly unjust towards humanity. Kirk Douglas hacked the system of inequality and greed backed unjustly by a state system’s might.
The tyranny of the blacklist was broken. He was an agent of redemption, the only true firm foundation of real grace. Freedom returned, the marginalized advanced and Kirk Douglas included others more honestly with his spirit of wise compassion and fearless courage to love others as he wanted to be treated himself. He demonstrated: “there by the Grace of God, go us.”
[Photo caption: Source: Wikipedia, courtesy of Mesa County Libraries. Spartacus movie still ATTV].
[Photo selection: Author's own & Graden Carter for Vanity Fair]
To the grey-set, wise Jewish doms of Beverly Hills, California… for their humanitarian philosophical thoughtfulness… their sense of humor in displaying a wider humanitarian cause through the oft shallow glitz of show biz’s circus… we say “thank you.”
News selection: as broadcasted on air in New Zealand by Mr. Peter Williams, TVNZ.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 30.6.12~
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