We have started a new blog about gardening.
When I was studying PPE at Oxford University, I was very keen on gardening and even thought about taking it up as a career (when I got bored reading John Stuart Mill, I would try learning Latin names of plants. My room and corridor was full of cuttings and seedlings. After finishing my degree I got a job as a gardener, at my college Lady Margaret Hall. I worked there for a year before switching to teaching economics
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The chorus ‘Les Choristes’ is a charming and inspirational film about a teacher who moves to a boarding school for ‘misbehaving boys’ and encourages them to form a choir.
It may sound rather formulaic – in the mould of Dead Poet’s society: bad pupils – good teacher – everyone happy in the end. But, it is not like that. There is no easy path and the film has a simple charm and avoids any pretension. Not everything works out as expected Clement Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot) is the new supervisor and he has a wonderful role, failed musician, failed in love, and in the end we see him traipsing off into anonymity. Yet, his modesty and efforts to offer a different approach to the authoritarian rule of the headmaster do confirm the idea that most (if not all, can overcome adversity and find hope in unlikely circumstances.)
The music is at times ethereal and haunting. The fact that it stems from such a harsh environment only heightens the capacity of music to transcend difficulties and misunderstanding.
The Chorus is well done with a typical French flair and realism. It had me searching whether it was based on a true story or not.
Les Choristes at IMDB
Les Choristes at Amazon.co.uk
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The Chorus Film Review Read More »
The Wrong Arm of the Law is one of the funniest films I’ve seen in quite a while. It is beautifully scripted, classic British comedy. Their are strong influences of the Ealing comedies with a touch of Pythonesque humour. The characterizations are brilliant and the acting top notch.
The traditional British London crime mobs are done over by some visiting Australian criminals (pretending to be cops) Eventually, the British criminals get so exasperated they arrange to do a deal with the Scotland Yard to help catch the ‘rogue’ mob.
The cast list involves some of the great names in British film. Peter Sellers is on top form, alternating between a high class French ‘haute couteur’ salesman and a Cockney gangster leader.
There is a marvellous scene with the aggrieved criminals of London holding a forum where they air their grievances in the manner of a democratic trades union meeting. “It’s simply unethical that this mob is acting in a very underhand manner are disrupting the orderly function of crime in London, Comrades I move to a vote that we act now to stamp out this undignified behaviour.”
The script is scintillating with no shortage of irony, sarcasm, humour and wit. It’s a real delight – I was laughing all the way through.
If you like this kind of comedy, you will also enjoy
The Lavender Hill Mob and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Cast Include:
Peter Sellers (Pearly Gates);
Lionel Jeffries (Inspector Fred ‘Nosey’ Parker);
Bernard Cribbins (Nervous O’Toole);
Davy Kaye (Trainer King);
Nanette Newman (Valerie)
John Le Mesurier … Assistant Commissioner
Wrong Arm of The law
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The Wrong Arm of the Law Read More »
Despite losing 2-1 to a last minute penalty, Arsenal fans were united in their view that the referee made the correct view in awarding the debatable last minute penalty. As one Arsenal fan says:
“Well from where I was, it looked like there was no contact and Ronaldo just took a dive. But, you’ve got to remember I was at the back of the terraces and from there it is almost impossible to make a fair and accurate reflection on the decision. Fortunately, the referee was in a much better position than me; we’re pretty lucky to have such experienced referees in the premier league.”
The game was played in general good spirits with both managers praising the role of the referee. As the losing Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger said You’ve got to hand it to the referee – “He never took his eyes off the game for a moment. There were a few critical decision, but we all feel he made them with as much care, neutrality and balance as is humanely possible. You don’t really mind losing when you see refereeing of that kind of quality. It’s what makes football ‘the beautiful game’ really.
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Football Fans Agree ‘Referee had the better view’Read More »
Football Fans Agree ‘Referee had the better view’ Read More »
Every country has their speciality. The Italians have their coffee. The French have their boulangerie’s (fresh bread twice a day), The American’s have their Diners and McDonalds. With the English it is the traditional tea shop.
These are some characteristics of an English tea shop:
Believe it or not, I never drank anything but water until I was 15. It was when I started cycling that I was introduced to the delights of the English Tea shop and inevitably I was pressurised into forsaking a strict diet of tap water to join in the communal tea drinking. There are some very good cafes which welcome cyclists
Yorkshire Tea and English Breakfast might give the impression that tea is grown in England. Unfortunately, this is not true. If you go to the Yorkshire Dales, you will see beautiful scenery and lots of sheep; but, not many tea plantations. Apparantely, the cold rain is not particularly liked by the tea plants. But, for one enterprising Yorkshireman this was no reason not to name a variety of tea after ‘God’s own Country’Â By the way, Yorkshire Tea is a very good, strong blend. It actually does taste better in Yorkshire (or anyplace where the water is soft.) than down south.
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The English Tea Shop Read More »
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was an intriguing and inspirational figure. In truth I wouldn’t have thought much about him, but my Spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy saw in him some very illumining qualities.
Netaji braved all
To build a Heaven
Even in hell’s despair.
– Sri Chinmoy [1]
In particular Netaji embodied great heroism and had the power to unite the Indian people
“In the name of God, in the name of by-gone generations who have welded the Indian people into one nation and in the name of the dead heroes who have bequeathed to us a tradition of heroism and self-sacrifice, we call upon the Indian people to rally around our banner and to strike for India’s freedom.”
– Netaji
There is an article here “Replaying History” by Vidagdha about her recent visit to some significant places in Netaji’s life.
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Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Read More »
Shane Magee has joined the writing team for our Self Development blog. Shane’s first articles included a guide to establishing a regular meditation practice. Useful tips, even for those who have been meditating a long time
Sharani offers some suggestions for increasing gratitude in our lives. Sri Chinmoy wrote many poems on Gratitude.
A gratitude-heart
Is a heavenly miracle
That is visible
Here on earth.
– Sri Chinmoy
Music I am Listening to
Sand drawings – amazing video of woman painting with sand
Web DesignÂ
Other Links OT
“BBC English – BBC English is used by many people to mean the proper pronunciation of English words, or a standard accent. Recently, though, the BBC have completely ruined this by employing people with all sorts of regional accents, including cockneys who really don’t talk proper at all mate!”
Inspiring Links and Other Links. Read More »
There is a very good video offering snapshots of Lord Buddha’s life here at Roam Resort. The video captures the essence of Buddha’s life, with great simplicity. The flute music of Sri Chinmoy provides an appropriate backdrop to the life of Buddha. When I think of the Buddha, the first thing that springs to mind are Peace and Nirvana. These are hard to put into words, which is why it is good to leave somethings unsaid.
Sri Chinmoy wrote a beautiful play about the life of Lord Buddha at Sri Chinmoy Library. In his introduction to the play Sri Chinmoy wrote:
For centuries the light of the Buddha has shone as a beacon beckoning men from across the sea of darkness. Like lost children, millions of seekers have reached out to the light with their heart’s inmost cry, and the Buddha has shown them the Way. The world stood before the Buddha with it’s ignorance, and the Buddha, the Enlightened One, gave man Truth. The world offered its age old suffering to the Buddha’s heart and the Buddha, Lord of Compassion, showed man the Dharma.
Thanks to Pong of Roam Resort for sharing this
Photo credit: Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries
Life of Buddha Video Read More »
These word explanations are from: The Uxbridge English Dictionary Seventeenth Edition (approx) Completely revived As heard on “I’m sorry I haven’t a clue.”
English words and their Real meaning:
And there’s more. If you want more of the same, there is a whole post of Uxbridge English dictionary here
Funny Meanings of Words Read More »
