Cancer

Jade Goody who is suffering from cervical cancer

I recently moved home and, as you do, I registered with my nearest GP. I was surprised that before I even had the chance to request a smear test, the receptionist told me that I had to have one done. I was unsure whether this procedure was down to the recently heightened profile of the disease. No doubt that reality TV star Jade Goody has raised the awareness of cervical cancer, and I suppose that’s what gave me the final push to book an appointment to have the check after putting it off for about four months.

Jade has been told by doctors that she doesn’t have much longer to live. A colleague at work passionately protested that he wouldn’t want to know if he was dying and only had a few months to live. “Why not?” I asked. I wouldn’t mind knowing. I mean, no one really wants to die but the way I see it is that if you’re not afraid of death then you’ll be spiritually and mentally prepared to handle the news.

After all, the only thing in this life that is guaranteed is death.

Jade Goody says that she wants to make enough money before she dies to ensure that her kids are well looked after. And quite frankly I commend her for taking such provisions to secure the future of her children. I think it’s disgusting that some online gambling websites are betting on when she’ll die.

I was saddened by the news of the death Wendy Richard (Pauline in Eastenders). She had breast cancer not once but three times, and unfortunately lost her battle with the disease today aged 65. A reminder for all women to regularly check for lumps.

The thought of cancer is a scary one, and I’m sure everyone knows at least one person that has been affected by it in some way or another. I suppose, what I’m trying to say is, don’t take your health for granted. Such experiences really put life into perspective.

Cajun Squirrel Anyone?

Walkers' new cajun squirrel flavoured crisps

Now, I’m not a lover of crisps but when a colleague of mine bought a pack of Walkers‘ new flavour of crisp- cajun squirrel- I was quite tempted to try it. My verdict? Well, it didn’t tantalise my tastebuds, that’s for sure. It quite simply tastes like chicken.

Celebrity chef, Heston Blumenthal was part of a panel of judges who picked the flavour as part of the ‘Walkers’ Do Us A Flavour’ challenge. Other wackey flavours on choice for snackers include crispy duck, onion bhaji, fish and chips, and builder’s breakfast.

Squirrel eating died out in Britain in the 19th century…could it be put back on the toffs’ dinner party menues? I think not.

Rihanna and Chris Brown Furor

I was taken aback when I saw the photo (left) of  battered and bruised singer Rihanna that “was taken after Chris Brown [her boyfriend] allegedly beat her”. 

Published on website TMZ, it reveals the facial injuries she sustained during the suposed domestic altercation she had with Chris Brown (aged 18) on February 8th.

There was specualation that the photo may be fake but the tatoos on her left shoulder confirm that it is her.   

Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, turned 21 years old on Friday (what a 21st birthday to remember, or not as the case may be), the day the photo was published.

On the Oprah Winfrey Show last year, Chris Brown talked of how he had witnessed domestic violence when growing up and vowed never to lay a finger on a woman. If this incident is true then it sadly seems like a case of (as stated in the Bible) ‘the sins of our forefathers shall be passed on from generation to generation’ thus proving that lessons have not been learnt. 

According to the UK charity Women’s Aid, “1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime- many of these on a number of occasions.”

His career will no doubt be affected. The alledged accusations of attempted murder, apparently mean that if charged, he could be sentensed to 6 years in jail.

Lately, whenever I’ve heard a Chris Brown song, I can’t help but think about the whole furor- taking credit away from the quality recording artist that he is. The incident seems so random and has totally diminished my view of Chris Brown as being the sweet, playful character that I often see on TV.

In a statement Brown said that he was “sorry and saddened” by his arrest and accusation of attacking a woman and is aparently seeking councelling.

I am in no way condoning dometic violence- no one should have to go through that- but there are two sides to every story and for every action there is a reaction. Obviously her injuries are unpleasant and very much the focus of the media but I can’t help but be inquisitive in terms of what actually provoked Chris Brown to react so. ‘Why?’ is the question on my lips and only the two people involved know the answer.    

All is a bit misty at the moment and unresolved legal issues make it difficult to comment freely.

Click on the link for the BBC’s report on the incident.

Quote Of The Week

“Never let schooling get in the way of education”- Mark Twain

How so true. Some people fail to realise that education extends far greater than just academics. One has to educate oneself in life also. To coin another great phrase, ‘experience is a great teacher’, and through experience one is educated. Getting out there, discovering new things, meeting all manner of people, and making mistakes all prove to be invaluable for one’s personal education.

Head And Shoulders Above The Rest

Since Fish Go Deep released ‘The Cure and the Cause’ in 2007  I’ve been listening to a lot more funky house music (a loose definition for a commercially orientated disco influence sub-genre of house music).

What I like about this genre of music is its ability to totally immerse me in its smooth grooves . Its a kind of up-tempo, old skool garage cocktail with a hint of soca style beats, needing little in the way of lyrics.

I overheard some kids on the bus enthusiastically talking about a track called ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ by The Wiggles, at which point one of them thought it would be quite fitting to play it out loud on their mobile phone. Fortunately I was getting off at the next stop, so didn’t get a chance to hear the whole track. However, I was curious about the song that had excited the kids so much that their discussion actually turned into a mini dance off…so, as you do, YouTubed it when I got home. What I saw put a smile on my face.

“It’s time to get funky…Head, shoulders, knees and toes… Ladies Let me see you get down low… Man dem let me see you keep it sho.”

The video naturally triggered my memory back to my primary school days when the head, shoulders knees and toes game was a regular morning energizer. I like the edgey, stylistic and playful element to the dance interpretations. I admittedly wanted to join in (ok, I did). But I can totally understand how this song could get very annoying.