An Italian Disaster

Original article from The Independent newspaper:

http://ind.pn/yJVzVK

The wrong (Italian) way to start  the New Year...

As I'm sure most of you have heard of the Cruise Ship, the "Costa Concordia" hit into Gigolo Coast, Italy's West Coast on Friday 13th. Today The Italian media has released a transcript to the Media, telling the World if a conversation between the Cruise ship's captain Francesco Schettino and a voice from port Authority.

The transcript has been published in newspapers all over the world, and is clear to us that not only was Francesco Shettino lying about his whereabouts as the ship was sinking, the 52 year old Captain had no intention of going back on board to help save the 4,200 crew members and passengers terrified for their lives. 

The accident has been compared to the tragedy of the Titanic, whose story has famously been brought into our lives by the 1997 James Cameron film. It appears that the comparison can only be in the visual images of the ship as it overturned into the water, as reports show that Captain Scettino intended on saluting a Mr Palombo, a resident on Gigolo Island, by sailing near to the shore. Little did he know his "showboating" would lead to a New Year tragedy. 

Schettino's excuses are shown in the transcript saying it was "too dark", and lying that he would go back on board as told by the Port authority and help the others. It now appears Captain Schettino jumped from the ship, took a taxi to a nearby hotel, leaving his ships and thousands of lives to fate.

Reports today have shown that 700 people are helping find the 25 people still missing, as 11 have already lost their lives. 

All we can do now is hope that those 700 brave people find the remaining 25 missing, though the searchhas been delayed as the ship has moved in the waters, and that no more bodies are found. On board were people of different Nationalities and backgrounds causing upset and grievance worldwide. 

Some reports are saying that it could have been an "enormous tragedy", however 11 people have lost lives , 25 still missing, all because of a foolish man's "error", we cannot compare this to the deaths of the people on board Titanic, this is still a tragedy and an unthinkable way to start the New Year for thousands of people. 

Childline celebrates 25 years of helping millions in the UK

25 years since Childline simply picked up the phone and listened.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/helplines-call-for-help-6279384.html

I read the Above article in today's Independent newspaper in their life section.
Presenter Esther Rantzen is now fighting for a "Silverline" for the aged people in the UK, given how successfull and how helpful Childline has been to so many young people. The article said that Childline wanted children and young people to have someone to talk to.
After reading this, I thought of how helpful it must be to be able to feel that you can talk to a stranger and feel better about sharing someone who doesnt even know your name. I also thought how sad this is aswell. Childline receives 100,000 calls a month from
Those who are scared and have no one else to turn to.
But my question is why don't they? Are they afraid that someone they know wouldn't listen, or perhaps judge? Why is it we feel more comfortable talking to a stranger about our problems then a parent, friend or a close confidant?Do we not feel comfortable taking to our close ones about our nearest and dearest?
The Samaritans has also reached out to thousands over the UK, another lifeline that should be commended for its help over the years. I was glad to read that a lifeline for the aged could be launched, as we hear harrowing news stories such as attacks on old people.
I think everyone Needs someone to speak to, someone they can tell their secrets and fears to. But why do we need a phone and a stranger on the other side to listen?

Perhaps we live in a society where people are scared to talk to close ones, Afraid of how they will react as they are the ones who know us best and perhaps we don't want to let them down.
Let's hope, regardless of the proposed cuts, lifelines such as Childline and The Samaritans will be around for Years to come as more and more children and young people keep quiet at home and reach to pick up the phone.
Everyone needs someone to talk to, to lean on. Let's not stop the help.

Sexism still so current in the 21st century?

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/yasmin-alibhai-brown/yasmin-alibhaibrown-men-still-rule-from-the-bedroom-to-the-boardroom-6275784.html


I read the article (the above link) in today's Independent newspaper by Yasmin Alibhai Brown.
Ok, so some women like buying pretty underwear and looking nice for their boyfriends/partners/husbands , but I cannot believe that someone, a female journalist wrote "as good as it gets". Really??
After our female ancestors have fought for, the right to vote, to have careers like men, does she really think that shoe shopping and buying fancy lingerie is as good as it gets?
What kind of message is she sending to us women? No it isn't as good as it gets, at all! Personally I am looking and working towards a career in Journalism but I do like to dress up, to look good and feel good about myself everyday. But for myself, not for anyone else! We should not be made to feel by cheap fashion, celeb, and gossip magazines that thats all there is in life!
A lot of women like shopping yes, buying shoes, clothes, perfumes, but they also like doing other things, like learning, raising a family, bringing in a wage!  What happened to feminism? What happened to bra burnings? At this rate, women will soon be diving back into the fire to save their expensive Ann Summers lingerie in case their boyfriends disapproval!
Each to their own. I am not writing this to preach what is right or wrong, I just think that women should not be generalized, because, yes it is hard to be a woman, but we are powerful. We have the power to hit our targets, to raise a family, to have a high powered career, or even, dare i say it both! We can do whatever we want to do.
Its not all about shoe shopping and fancy lingerie, sometimes it takes a little more substance...  

The way they live...

So, I watched a programme on catch up the other day about how the Amish people live.
Previous to this programme, I knew the Amish were forgiving people and had seen a few myself while visiting Niagra falls in Canada a few years back. They struck me as quiet people and there clothes were very plain, and I'm sure they must have been hot in long shirts and dresses!
So this programme showed how British teenagers lived and reacted to their short visits with an Amish family.
The Amish people are caring, loving and very religious people. It was obvious their religion was a big part of their lives. I admire people who believe in something or someone so much they devote a part of their lives to them. The teenage girls told us they study the bible
Twice a day everyday! That's a lot of deep reading. At first this shocked me, but then I thought "Good for them!" it's nice to see teenagers spending their time reading, learning and caring everyday.
The British teenagers were shocked to learn and try to live like the Ahmish e.g their strong committed work ethic and their early mornings. Of course if it's not what they are used to it, it is a shock and something different to them. I wasn't keen on
How much they seemed to push their beliefs on the young English adults. It was nice to see how some of them took it in, and changed their minds .
However, I think everyone should be able to believe in what they want, because after all, who has the right to tell anyone else what it who to believe in?Because no matter how much we may try to persuade, we may argue with someone else, is that really going to change their opinion?
If someone is raised in a certain way, who are we to tell them
Any different.
If you get a chance have a look:

Christmas time!

So another year has almost passed, and anoter Christmas day is almost upon us. I cannot believe how fast it is gone. The tree is up, the decorations are all through the house, and old Christmas classics are on the radio!
Why is it that Christmas seems a lot more magical in Christmas films? Especially Christmas films based in America!dont get me wrong, I love Christmas films from miracle on 34th st to Elf! But I think everyone should make an effort at Cristmas to enjoy the holidays like we want to, the way the Christmas films make it look, Simply magical!
Everyone likes the warm feeling inside, when the city lights are big and bright,and you have a hot mug of Chocolate cupped in your hands.
I hope everyone has a Merry, happy and safe Christmas this year! Keep warm and safe, and remember a smile goes a long way especially this time
Of year :)
Let's make it a good one, and 2012 a better year for everyone!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Politicians Call for Model Gisele Bündchen’s “Sexist” TV Advert to be Banned

Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen has caused uproar amongst politicians appalled at her new “sexist” advert promoting her Hope Lingerie campaign.

Brazilian lingerie label Hope has come under fire from Brazilian Government officials after dubbing their advert starring model Gisele Bündhcen “sexist” with its stereotypical portrayal of women as “sexual objects” to men.

The 5ft 11in model was dubbed “The Return of the Sexy Model” by Vogue in 1999 and is known for her modelling career with fashion company Victoria’s Secret, as well as being named the 16th richest woman in the entertainment industry since 2004.

Ms Bündchen appears in several adverts for the campaign, dressed in provocative clothing while trying to comfort her husband after committing “marital blunders” such as crashing the car or spending too much on their credit card.

In one advert, aired on September 20, Ms Bündchen is pictured in a short, white dress explaining to her husband that she crashed the car when the word “WRONG” appears on the screen. In the next shot, she is wearing red underwear and high heels and explaining to her husband that she crashed the car again, when the word “RIGHT” appears at the bottom of the screen.

“Use your natural charm” can be heard in a voiceover on the adverts as the campaign’s tagline.

A Government official has said that the campaign promotes “misguided stereotype[s] of a woman as a sexual object”, which is ignoring the advances women have achieved in “deconstructing sexist thinking”.

Director of Hope Lingerie, Sandra Chayo, has reacted by stating that the advert “never intended to be sexist” and that Ms Bündchen can testify that the adverts were meant to come across as “jokes about daily life”.

“It would be absurd for us, who make a living off the preferences of women, to do anything to devalue our main consumer,” added Ms Chayo.

By Bethan Hâf Marsh

[Image courtesy of gabriel_marchi ]

Welsh Designer Creates Own “Monkstone Knitwear” Collection

Welsh designer Anna Felton has created her own Monkstone Knitwear collection from her working farm home in Dyfed, West Wales.

Designer Anna Felton has created her own clothing collection titled ‘Monkstone Knitwear’ from her working farm home in Dyfed, West Wales, which is due to be launched online on Tuesday October 4.

Ms Felton lives on Trevayne Farm in Monkstone, Saundersfoot in West Wales, and is using the wool sheared from 70 sheep to create her knitwear collection. Local farmers have also donated wool from their own sheep to help with Ms Felton’s new business, and she is hoping she can pay them back once the business is launched.

The recent demand for wool has been low, but Ms Felton is determined that wool still has its place in the modern fashion industry.

“All of the wool is just washed and spun, without any chemicals at all, making it a really hardy material,” said Ms Felton. “It makes our products the kind that will last a lifetime because of the natural properties, designed to be on a sheep all year around.”

Her university degree in women’s wear helped her to decide to focus on creating knitwear as Ms Felton has worked with this particular material in the past and it was something she “loved working with”.

The 28-year-old has previous experience of working as a designer for Welsh clothing company Howies, and the global clothing company Fat Face.

The “Monkstone Knitwear” range consists of 100% Welsh products and is being created with the help of five hand knitters, and workers at the company Corgi Hosiery, based 46 miles away in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.

Ms Felton hopes that her work with the local farmers will help to educate people about wool manufacturing, which she hopes will eventually lead to creating her own shearing collection.

By Bethan Hâf Marsh

[Image courtesy of UK pictures