Come to the RESCUE

by | Apr 23, 2009 | Africa, Social Justice

There are some things I hold to be self-evident truths. Such as we are meant to be free. To have the opportunity to make our own decisions.

So I’m asking you to join me in coming to the RESCUE of some children who aren’t free.

For the past 23 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda (GoU) have been waging a war that has left nearly two million innocent civilians caught in the middle. The GoU’s attempt to protect its citizens from this rebel militia has largely failed, resulting in an entire generation of youth that has never known peace. In order to perpetuate the war, the LRA (led by Joseph Kony) has been abducting children and forcing them into soldiering.

Children are not meant to be soldiers.
Children are not meant to be weapons.
Children are meant to be children.

Kiti Parents Pri School

On April 25th, the international community will unite to deliver the innocent from Kony’s reign and ensure he is brought to justice. Thousands of participants will gather in 100 cities across the world to abduct themselves and raise the banner of the child soldiers taken by Joseph Kony.

Those abducted will leave their homes and walk to an event location while carrying their supplies on their backs. At the site, they will then wait to be “rescued” – this requires a certain amount of media coverage as well as the attendance of pre-determined cultural and political leaders. During the course of the night we will write letters, create art/photo projects and seek out media attention in an effort to petition the US, European, Canadian, Mexican and Australian government to develop a strategy and support existing efforts to rescue Kony’s child soldiers.

Come join us. Please.
They need you to come to their rescue.

Find out more on the Invisible Children website, including your nearest location. I’ll be at the Edinburgh event. Join us.

Never Let The Spirit Die

by | Apr 21, 2009 | Music

Caught Foy’s gig when he was in town on Wednesday night… the guy blows me away every single time, he’s an incredible performer!

Since, rather unexpectedly, catching his gig in Belfast in Feb, I’ve had an old Van Morrison song stuck in my head, Spirit. After a little youtubing, here’s Foy playing it… listen all the way.

Ruminating

by | Apr 21, 2009 | Musings

“People tell me it’s a sin, to hold so much pain and hurt within.”
[Bob Dylan]

“He’s the master I need when I’m really struggling, because I can curse him and show him all my failures and flaws and all he does is laugh. Laugh, and love me.”
[Elizabeth Gilbert]

“You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
[Josh 23:14]

And a million other things.

Cease & Desist

by | Apr 19, 2009 | Everything Else

[I’ve stolen this image from Dave Walker, via Ally. Ally used it to convey something far more meaningful. Yet, here is my take on it, in all it’s glory.]

your-car

Portstewart is my favourite place on the planet. I love its sleepy streets, beautiful scenery, the smell of the ocean, the long walk from the prom to the beach… I’ve pounded every inch of it’s streets and back alleys in the last few years.

In the summer, the cruisers take over. Young men with large car exhuasts. They drive round and round in circles trying to impress young women.

Excuse me, but if you need a car to impress me, I have strong concerns about your social skills.

Please stop hogging and ruining my favourite place.

Enough.

[I told you. Ally was much more meaningful. No seriously, you should go read his blog.]

Lyrics On Friday

by | Apr 17, 2009 | Music

I’ve been a bit lax on posting this week, apologies. It’s been a beautiful week… a few days pottering around Glasgow with my best, a little Foy, and a return to the Motherland. Spent yesterday afternoon meandering in the Belfast sunshine… love that city! I’ll write more soon, but for now… how about a song of the week?

I don’t know where I crossed the line
Was it something that I said
Or didn’t say this time
And I don’t know if it’s me or you
But I can see the skies are changing
In all the shades of blue
And I don’t know which way it’s gonna go

If it’s gonna be a rainy day
There’s nothing we can do to make it change
We can pray for sunny weather
But that won’t stop the rain
Feeling like you got no place to run
I can be your shelter ’til it’s done
We can make this last forever
So please don’t stop the rain

(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don’t stop the rain
(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don’t stop the rain

I thought that time was on our side
I’ve put in far too many years
To let this pass us by
You see live is a crazy thing
There’ll be good time and there’ll be bad times
And everything in between
And I don’t know which way it’s gonna go

If it’s gonna be a rainy day
There’s nothing we can do to make it change
We can pray for sunny weather
But that won’t stop the rain
Feeling like you got no place to run
I can be your shelter ’til it’s done
We can make this last forever
So please don’t stop the rain

(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don’t stop the rain
(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don’t stop the rain

Oh ___
And finally what life’s it’s all about
Yeah I know you just can’t stand it
When leaves don’t grow your way (?)
But we’ve got no control over what happens anyway

If it’s gonna be a rainy day
There’s nothing we can do to make it change
We can pray for sunny weather
But that won’t stop the rain
Feeling like you got no place to run
I can be your shelter ’til it’s done
We can make this last forever
So please don’t stop the rain

(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don’t stop the rain
(Let it fall, let it fall, let it fall)
Please don’t stop the rain

[Please Don’t Stop The Rain – James Morrison]

How about you? What songs been stuck in your head this week?

Joy

by | Apr 11, 2009 | Everything Else

I’ve had a really great few days! I went through to Edinburgh yesterday to hang out with one of the other gappers, which resulted in a nice little visit to Chocolate Soup, and a wee wander around the city in the sunshine. Rather last minute, I also ended up at a Russell Brand gig with Jay, which was a lot of fun! Today consisted of photographing at a film shoot by 4Word, who are currently working on a contemporary adaptation of Hamlet.

Tomorrow? My best friend arrives for a few days!

Who Are You Blogging For?

by | Apr 9, 2009 | Tech

A recent HBS Daily Stat noted that there are over 133 million blogs (as indexed by Technorati). A survey of 1,290 registered bloggers in 66 countries found that 79% blog about personal interests, 46% blog about their industry or profession, but not in an official capacity, and 12% blog on behalf of their companies.

blogging stats

I’m interested… who do you blog for?

15 Years On

by | Apr 8, 2009 | Africa, Social Justice

This week marks 15 years since the beginning of the Rwandan genocide. There was a candlelit vigil at the start of a week of national mourning to mark 15 years since the genocide which killed 800,000 people. You can read more on BBC News.

vigil_rwanda

I visited Rwanda in August while I spent time in East Africa, and it impacted me strongly. You can read more about my experiences on that trip by going to my blog archives for Aug 2008.