The land of Gossip

The land of Tabloid newspaper, and the center of gossip. And today, it is proved that even the serious political event can turn into soap opera. Tony has to go, we all know that, and his legacy (if you can call it legacy anyway) is ending with a quite controversial note. And Cherie, his lovely wife, is certainly not helping at this point of his career. She has been allegedly reported saying "that is a lie" when Mr. Brown was giving his tribute to Tony. Well, we don't know if she really said, it would surprise a bit if she did, even though we know by now she is a very outspoken first lady who won't just sit around as supporting wife and mother for the kids. But a lawyer by training, that is a bit losing grip?

"You know the biggest newspaper (by circulation) in this country is those Tabloid newspaper", when my friend told me this a month ago, I was quite surprised. Well, I guess we all like gossip news these days, some pressue in our own life is taken away by talking lightheartedly about the "celebrity" gossip, after all, mocking other people is always easier than solving our own issues!

Is this why (at least partly) the tabloid survives and thrives? After all, those "stars" are the lucky birds, for a fine balance, they should take some heat as well!

Late English Summer

After an utterly depressing August, we have had a lot of sunny and warm days in Sep. Some Swedish folks in the office said, "actually weather in London is not that bad compared with the rest of UK, you sometimes get this very nice late summer weathter in Sep, and if you are lucky it could be quite warm around Xmas. " Even though I think this comment is in relative terms, as weather here is better than most part of Sweden. But there is still some truth in it. London is relatively dry and sunny compared with west coast and certainly better than the weather in North island. So in that sense, I am quite lucky to be in London and I certainly have enjoyed the fabulous late english summer so far!

After six months being in London, I thought I should make a move on my "cultural education". So I went on and got myself a ticket to see the play "Antony and Cleopatra" at Shakespeare globe on south bank. It is a semi open air theatre right beside Tate Modern, so only good time to go there is summer. I was glad I was able to catch the last glimpse of summer glow before it gives away to the autumn! When I got settled in my seat in the upper gallery, I was geniunely delighted to find out that this is a rather old fasioned place. Small, mostly wooden structure, simple, cozy and you hardly find any touch of modern architect. It is a perfect fit for what is being played there, I thought. The only downside I found is that the seats are not very comfortable, there is no seatback, so after a while, your back starts to hurt, and the play was three hours. There are also standing seats, where people just stand around the stage. I actually think it is a better spot to be in. Although I didn't find any old people there, I guess standing three hours is a privilege reserved for young people. And sadly I am nowjuggling between youth and mid age. Crisis stage in life :)

The acting was very good, although the guy playing Antony is a bit old - maybe 55 to 60 I think, not much hair left, I thought Antony was a bit more handsome than that! Listening to a Shakespear play still imposes a quite challenge on me, as the English is a bit different.

Walking out the theatre, I saw the fireworks lighting up the night sky over the river bank. It was fabulous display, people are lined up on the bridge watching it. On my way to the tube station, I gazed at the St. Pauls cathedral illuminating in the distance, for a moment, I was quite content with life.

A day to remember

A day to light candles, but for a better day tomorrow, maybe it is better to learn from yesterday than indulging ouselves into sadness, anger and fear. We won't forget that day, marked by shock, sorrow and devastation. I closed my eyes after watching the BBC movie "the path to 9/11. ", my heart is still unsettled. It takes more than five years to wash down those vivid memories, even I was not eithe the witness or the victim family members. But I was there in America, and working in an office building right across street from Sears tower (the same height as WTC towers) when the first plane hit the WTC.

I am not sure it is just me, but on a positive note, I think being there and experiencing the fear, anger and sorrow somehow made me a stronger person than I was before. The truth is, the terror won't go away, most likely we will have to live with it in our generation or even longer. And as more materially affluent than ever, we are not necessarilymentally stronger than the generations who had been through wars.

We all like watching dramas, but experiencing them ourselves, I can't say all of us are mentally equipped to deal with the roller coaster ups and downs. However, the reality of life, as the way history evolves, is rather a bumpy road with a lot of confusing detours and unexpected dangers and risks from the collisions.