Tuesday, January 24, 2006

The Constant Gardener


Last night I popped out to catch the film The Constant Gardener before it ends its lengthy run at the Palace Cinemas here on Norton Street, and I'm glad I did. A great film. It was made by City of God director Fernando Meirelles, and like that film didn't hold back in any way. The story was about the corruption between high levels of western and African governments and the pharmacutical companies, following the story of a timid English diplomat called Quayle, and his headstrong wife who secretly from her husband, starts to uncover a scandal involving drug testing in Africa and is killed along with a doctor, while travelling the sudan. Quayle then picks up the trail and uncovers all manner of corruption and confronting situtaions ranging from the corruption of the British and African governments to aid workers, hired goons, activists and so on. It was quite a complex film and kept me guessing right until the end, which is quite unusual. A sad film in many respects that takes it's subject matter head on, with no compromises. While not as full on as City of God, it still packs a pretty powerful punch about an issue many people are probably pretty ignorant to. If you haven't seen it, hire it on DVD when it comes out.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Still Breathin'

Just a quick one to say I'm still kicking. Not sure if there is any blog edicate in terms of how often it should be updated, and I don't really care if there is, but here's something to say I'm still breathin'.

Year so far in one word: Hectic. It's hit the ground running and has been busy, which is great, and hopefully will stay that way. Been meeting some great new people professionally and I'm quite amped about the year. Also my engagement party is coming up which is a lot of work too, but should a good night. One way or another after 2006 nothing will be the same again.

More soon!

Leon

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

What kind of year are you?

So here we are in 2006. It's the third day of the year and I'm already at work. And I'm happy about it. I am personally taking a postive tack and hoping 2006 will be a positive and fruitful year, but the truth will be known much later.

Years are funny things. They all seem to have distinct a character of their own. Some fall into place perfectly (like my 1993, 1995 and 1998, 2001 etc) some start well and end shockingly. Some get off to a great start, sag in the middle and pick up toward the end. Every year seems to hold a milestone of some kind. They all seem to hold promise, and sometimes deliver, other times serverely disappoint. What makes a year what it is? In my experience I always have goals to reach. Sometimes I achieve them but also a lot of other things happen that I didn't expect. Chance and fate play a role, along with our own responses to it. At times I have responded well to chances that have come along, other times not realised how lucky I was, or how bad a situation I had gotten myself into.

Should we make plans in a year, or just ride them like a wave, or maybe a bit of both? Should we be conservative or just go for it? I find as I get older I feel I know more about how I feel and what's happening to me, sometimes with the forehead slapping regret of a late bloomer and I hope I can repsond better to the whirlwind I often find around me. I wonder how other people feel, or if they even think about it all.

What will this year bring and how well eqiupped in life lessons will we all be to make it a fruitful one? Every year is challenging, rewarding and disappointing, Maybe that's just how it is. Each year is at least a chance to learn and grow more. I pity those who think they have it all worked out at any age.

Enough wondering. Let's go!

Over to you 2006...