A F R I C A

Happy Africa Day!

Nothing makes me happier than telling someone I'm from the beautiful continent of Africa. There's something special about this continent. It's indescribable. It's a feeling. It's ephemeral. Africa has life and I don't mean that in the typically Western perception of an Africa, filled with dancing people who smile stupidly. It goes deeper than that. This continent is filled with survivors. People who have suffered so much yet there is still a fire in their eyes. There's still this quiet determination to overcome or to simply live life on their own terms. Obviously I am generalising and I'm not naive or misinformed enough to think that we don't have our fair share of problems. If anything, we're known for our problems. We're a charity case to the rest of the world. A place and a people in constant need of nurturing and a firm hand. We have no names, no distinctions, no character. Just a void space, waiting to be occupied by the superior ways of others.

I reject this image of Africa and I give people a true image of what my continent has to offer. It's a hybrid mix of people, places, races, cultures and general attitudes. There's something for everyone in Africa. It goes beyond wildlife (which you find in game parks and not, contrary to popular thought, in the streets). It goes beyond simple song and dance.

It's Africa. I can't quite describe its majestic nature. You have to see it for yourself :)

You can call it an obsession. I won't kill you for it.

I know. My obsession with this woman grows deeper by the day but I can't help it. I've reached the age where I feel stable enough - emotionally that is - to listen to her music regularly. It's so rich in emotions of pain and suffering and melancholy. I do still struggle with 'Strange Fruit' but I have 'No Regrets' and 'Lover Man' which are much lighter offerings. I prefer the post-1930s Billie Holiday. Although she was not as strong vocally, her ability to convey the true sentiments behind lyrics is unfathomable and pretty much unmatched. I also happen to adore this portrait of her. She looks very ladylike and delicate yet there's strength and toughness in her eyes and the gaze she's holding. A modern-day woman trapped in the confines of an old-fashioned society.

I love you Ms Holiday :)

I'll Be Seeing You

I've been listening to Billie Holiday quite a bit. I decided to find documentaries of her on Youtube. I chose this BBC one because they are known to make great documentaries. However, they do take quite an antagonistic approach and for Billie Holiday fans, it may be offensive (I was quite shocked and upset). But it's informative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmXkP4lvmnA

Enjoy :)

Oh by the way...

I remodelled the blog. It was in dire need of a makeover so I decided why not? It's not an eyesore any more which is fabulous.

A very, very embarrassing post but I'm allowed to have a couple aren't I?

I'm not even slightly (okay perhaps I'm exaggerating) ashamed of the fact that I watch 'Made In Chelsea'. It does what I need it to do. It doesn't require me to think and it makes me laugh owing to its scripted storyline and failed attempts at staging run-ins every show (the ones involving Millie Mackintosh are, without a fail, the worst). I also quite like the boys on the show. Or at least the way they look. Oliver Proudlock or more commonly known as Proudlock is my favourite. He's the right mix of hipster and gentleman without coming across as too pretentious. Although I find it laughable that he'd dare call himself an artist, the man is trying to make a living out of his flair for the arts. You have to give it up to him. He has his own t-shirt line which is great. This picture of him and Jamie Laing (another favourite of mine) is to die for. They both look so devilishly handsome. Boyishly handsome even.