The day that everyone danced

So, this is what I thought about walking home from the tube today. It would be pretty epic. Some songs need patience, and this is one of those songs. It also needs loud speakers and a good bass. Go crazy.

And then music started blasting from the skies! People stopped whatever they were doing. Cars screeched to a halt. Everyone was running outside to see where this music was coming from. Loud was an understatement. It was coming from above – how was this possible? Digitalism’s Zdarlight. Electronic music for the masses. This was the digital age after all and we were all working to the beat. I arrived at the scene of the crime. I told them it was me. I had hijacked God’s stereo and has plugged in this particular tune to get everyone dancing. The 21^st century cyber age was going to have to dance. People were going to have to stop slouching in front of their computers and run outside. This was the biggest event of the century. No one had ever done anything like this before! I had also walked into God’s weather room and tweaked it a little. I pressed a few buttons I wasn’t meant to. Now we had half night, half day and Londontown had a sea. The sun was shining. People started taking off their winter clothes. They were shocked at what I had achieved. The younger ones did not need convincing and started jumping on top of the cars and waiting for the drop of this incredibly calculated and precisely beautiful song. “It is coming!” I shouted. The bass started. The trees were shaking from the ground. God’s bass system is top notch after all. Now all that was left for me was to round up the people. “THIS IS THE WORLD’S BIGGEST PARTY” it started… I had left a pre-recorded message to dub over the song. “GET OUT ON THE STREETS AND DANCE TILL YOUR DEAD!”

That day everyone danced.

Listen to Digitalism

An Inconvenient Truth

I just watched Al Gore's climate change documentary which came out in the year 2006 : 'An Inconvenient Truth'. I'd been meaning to watch it for a while but what sparked my memory was watching a lecture by John Hardy on TED (check out previous post) about a Green School in Bali (Watch the lecture here).

The Green School is designed to teach children about the importance of the environment through interacting with the environment when learning. The children have essential classes such as math, reading, writing etc. but they also have Green classes and Creative Arts classes. The school's motto is: "Empowering global citizens and green innovators who are inspired to take responsibility for the sustainability of the world" and this is extremely important for the future of our planet. Al Gore's documentary is quite eye opening, not only for all those global warming sceptics out there - but even for those of us who are aware of the risks of increased CO2 emissions! After watching this documentary (and the talk by John Hardy) I seriously have decided to put fighting for environmental sustainability and fighting against climate change amongst my top priorities.

Recommended for everyone.

Climate Crisis website

Campaign Against Climate Change website

London Island Ice Tea

Check out my friends' recently opened blog: London Island Ice Tea!

They are "Living, loving and ranting in the beautiful hangover called London".

Ranging from topics on politics, the arts and current affairs their blog is entertaining, inspiring and makes you think about visas, protests and "Things".

Some recent articles include discussions on:

- The student protest of 10/11/10

- The process of visa applications

- Christian Marclay's "The Clock" at White Cube

Missing Rose - Kayıp Gül

Recently I picked this book up on my way back from Turkey - "Kayıp Gül" or "Missing Rose" by Serdar Özkan. I finished the entire book on one 3 and half hour plane ride. It has been translated into 39 different languages and is available in over 50 countries. Described in the book and on
the website (Available

here) as :

“Compulsory reading for all who are thrilled by The Alchemist, The Little Prince and Jonathan Livingston Seagull.”

Air Beletrina - SLOVENIA

it is a book that was close to my heart. Set in San Francisco and in Istanbul it is a novel about the spiritual and personal journey of a young woman in her 20s. Yes, many see the Alchemist as cheesy, but it it is loved for the very reason that it does make us feel uplifted and inspires us to do more with our life and try to discover what we really want to do in this short but sweet life. This book does the same thing - it makes us question our motivations and our decisions. It allows us to truly remember that 'better late than never'. I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages who enjoy a bit of fantasy and are open to new ideas!

One chapter got me thinking about the observation that the protagonist makes (don't worry this is not a spoiler!) - If you entered a cafe and ordered two of your favourite cookie but they only had one so they put another cookie next to it on a plate - would you eat your favourite one first or second?

I decided I would eat mine second, but might take a bite from it first! (Delayed gratification versus instant? or wanting to seize the day versus being too full to eat the second?) If you have any thoughts or comments feel free to leave them! I'd be interested to know.

Epic Lentil Soup

How to make awesome and SIMPLE lentil soup (Turkish style)

- I know this from my mother and it can be played around with a bit.

INGREDIENTS:

1 large onion

2 cups of red lentil

1 potato

1 carrot

1 1/2 or 2 litres of water

2 tablespoons of oil or butter

1 tablespoon of tomato puree or 1/2 a can of tomatoes

1 tablespoon of flour

2 vegetable stock cubes (or chicken stock goes really well)

Chilies, salt, pepper and cumin to season (to taste)

STEPS:

1. Chop the onions and brown in a pan with the oil. Once softened add the flour and mix well.

2. Chop the carrots and potato and add them to the pan, continue to mix.

3. Soak the lentils in water and get rid of the starch (white water) then also add to the pan.

4. Add the water, stock cubes and tomato puree/or canned tomatoes.

5. Let water boil and simmer for around 20 minutes or so (or until all the ingredients are mushy)

6. Add seasoning and voila!

Serve hot with a wedge of lemon and crusted bread and it will get you through the winter days!

Enjoy!

Demolition 2010

I expect to see everyone there!

The increasing fees are ridiculous,

The cuts are jeopardising the future generation! Where is our voice?

This is only a start but that's only where we can start - so come loud and proud as students, ex-students, future students! Protect our education system!

Go to this website to subscribe, and to find more information: Demolition-2010

Spread the word people! And bring your loudest voices on the day to tell the government: NO!

Dirty Dancing

Yesterday I went to the matinee showing of Dirty Dancing in the West End. My mum and I were walking towards Covent Garden (she was visiting from Turkey), came across the theatre and I said "Mum, I'd love to go to Dirty Dancing someday". So she dragged me inside, bought me tickets and luckily enough we were in the Stalls about fifth row from the front. Good times.

If you want to have a feel good day, watch some amazing dancing and just generally feel like dirty dancing yourself I would definitely recommend going to see this production. It has the best reviews in the papers and it really does stand up to them! Set in 1960s America a story unfolds about a young girl "Baby who goes on a family holiday with her family and finds out a lot more than she expects to from her two week holiday. Sexy dance moves and a man with a beautiful body (Johnny Wright), this production will not disappoint. Would like to thank the entire cast and crew for an amazing show!

100 Questions to Know Someone Better - Adviceopedia

100 Questions to Know Someone Better - Adviceopedia

"Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records"

The title is from Chumbawamba's album. It's inspirational, it makes you want to fight against the injustice in the world. The anger does indeed build up inside me and it is easy to either feel violent or helpless. The important thing is finding a balance between these two emotions; being passionate is the most important, believing in what you are fighting for. It is completely unacceptable the way people exploit others and the planet for the benefit of a fat bank balance. And no! I am not naive. I do not expect a revolution or a complete change in system; this is not a realistic goal. What is important is to change the system from within and eventually come up with an alternative that has a positive impact on the planet and the most of the human population, not on the minority of CEO's of multi-national cooperations or banks and organisations. The corruption needs to end!!! The most important thing at this stage for me is to read and learn as much as possible about other inspirational movements and figures in history. Discover how economics works, keep on researching and spreading the word of what I am being made aware of. And what I am aware of and what most people are aware of is the fact there is severe injustice in the world. And this isn't a 'natural' thing that is present. Human beings created injustice and although, sadly, I believe in the horizon there is no human paradise...we must try our best to create it, working together and try to fight this injustice!!

Close to end of an era

Listening to : Death Cab for Cutie - Soul Meets Body .

Well, tomorrow is my last exam of my masters degree and then I will have a dissertation to write over summer due in September. I need to start thinking about jobs, and what I will be doing next year. Currently however I am enjoying friends, bbqs, sunshine, home-made ice-cream, blue-moon beer. Or at least looking forward to the prospect of many more of the above mentioned this summer. Soon I'll be seeing Aerosmith, AC/DC and Rage Against the Machine, at Download Festival! So Life's pretty good. I will write an entry soon about what I have thought about my course and why I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in getting into the development world.

For now,

peace

inSpiral lounge

Up for excellent music and really good vegan food and awesome service? Then go down to Camden in London by the river. This venue is for you! It's amazing. Check out the website for more details, It's perfect for a pint on a beautiful spring day =)

http://www.inspiralled.net/
(Photo: camdenpeople.co.uk)

22

I've just turned 22 recently. When I was about 16 I used to think "Oh God! 22, that must be so old". Well now I realise that it isn't. I also chatted to a 35 year old man the other day who told me that, "my dad is 68, but really he's 17....in fact, everyone's actually 17". This conversation might have taken place in a rock bar, and he might have been there celebrating his birthday (drinking) from 11am (by this time it was 9pm), but I still sense the profoundness in his words. In reality, we are all 'pubescent 17 year olds' wondering 'what the hell am I supposed to be doing right now?!'. So, confusion is not the end of the world. It's ok to be confused, life is about confusion, just take it by the hand and go with the flow. These words made me feel better. Everyone is constantly worried about success and becoming 'CEO' of this company or having enough money to buy three cars and five houses etc. etc. I just want a roof over my head and be able to get a job that will sustain me. Naive perhaps, and maybe in the future I will look back at what I have written and say, 'it wasn't that easy'. But it never has to be, and also I believe that we can genuinely change people's outlook of being constant consumers and wanting to have the bigger and better of everything. In reality, what we take away from this life is our experiences with others, be it our family, our friends, polite strangers, or even the impolite ones that we say we will never become. I am now 22 and I feel there is a lot for me to learn and it is all very exciting....

TED - IDEAS WORTH SPREADING

http://www.ted.com/

This website is worth visiting. It is a series of talks that have taken place (and are still taking place) over the last few years that are extremely innovative and imaginative. It is a great platform to discuss ideas and learn something, even from the five minute lectures. There are issues ranging from the use of technology for sustainable development, the meaning of computer games as toys (Will Wright), the importance of creativity in schooling (Ken Robinson), and even words of wisdom from writers (J.K Rowling). You can search for speakers, themes or individual talks. And once you sign up, you can add talks to your favourties and interact with other people who have also watched the same talks. An Excellent website.

P.J. Harvey - Good Fortune Lyrics

P.J. Harvey - Good Fortune Lyrics
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPswnZolFGE

Taster:

Threw my bad fortune
Of the top of
A tall building
I'd rather have done it with you
Your boy's smile
Five in the morning
Looked into your eyes
And I was really in love..

Spring

It's that time of year, where a change of seasons allows for reflection. You strive to think of things you can better about yourself. So, yesterday I attended my first yoga session at the School of Oriental and African Studies, where I am doing my masters degree. It felt perfect. Also, London was full of sunshine, so I decided to sunbathe on the rooftop of the Institute of education which is next door. Sometimes, it's worth doing new things or doing exactly what you want to realise that you should take, to quote PJ HARVEY (one of the best female singers out there), "life as it comes".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS-H4Ymqpj8

Haiti Emergency Support!

Things IV

5 + 2 things I like right now:

1. Chocolate. lots and lots of chocolate. Green and Blacks: Maya Gold
2. the new Moodlight that my flatmate has bought for the house, together with the Laserpod.
3. Tom Boellstorf's book "Coming of Age in Second life-An anthropologist explores the virtual human. It's a fascinating and insightful book on the online virtual world Second life as well as historical theories regarding space and culture.
4. My 2 duvets in my bed. Warm times.
5. Water. The elixir of life, + salad. So healthy things in general. Vitamin C. Ruby Red Breakfast orange juice with blood orange and pink grapefruit is the winner.
6. Playing Daft Punk alongside my new Stylophone
7. Avatar, the movie. EXCELLENT.


Things I don't like right now:

1. The cold. Brrrr.
2. The fact that my nose has been blocked for 5 weeks!
3. The fact that my essays are all due next week :S
4. The fact that I bit my nail on my thumb so much it hurts whilst holding a pencil.
5. The fact that I cannot but posters up on my wall. Damn you landlords!

Airport Times

So, yet again I am sat in an airport waiting for my flight. I’ve been here since 12pm and it’s only 3.36pm. My flight’s at 6.20. I don’t know if I can stay awake or if my face is just going to collapse onto my laptop. Been working on my essays, but my eye’s have slowly started to go blurry…or the words on the screen, would probably feel like the same thing. I’m in Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen sitting in a place called “Simit Saray”. First of all Sabiha Gökçen was the first woman pilot in Turkey. ‘Simit’ is an awesome Turkish ...bagel? perhaps. It can’t really be described as a bagel, but it’s the closest thing to it we have in the Western world. ‘Saray’ means palace. SO it’s bagel palace basically. Exciting times. The sun has slowly started to disappear, I can see from the large clean windows, but what I mostly see are the large clouds covering the sky. I’ve been listening to Turkish music but now I’ve moved onto Lily Allen’s song “Nan, you’re a window shopper”. It’s great, her album “Alright, Still” has many reggae influences, which is why I like it. I want to use the loo but I have too much stuff to leave on its own. I could potentially ask the people sat next to me who have also been here since stupid o’clock but I don’t think I should be that trusting. You never know, right? I want a beer. And I want my headache to go away, I’m wondering, am I still hung-over from New Years? I had such a great time. I’m going to miss home….