I found My Name ON FaceBook and It's NOT ME!!

Iam freeking out!!!! here's the story, I was googling myself - ahh yes i was for other reasons othe than narcassistic behaiour (yes beleive it) and then I saw it...MY WORST NIGHTMARE!!!! MY NAME ON FACEBOOK!!!

At first I thought my friends were palying a joke on me because they've always threatened to put me on facebook because I refuse to register...So I clicked on the THABANG MOTSEI FACE BOOK - and I let out a big exhale..NONE OF THE PICS REFLECTED ANYONE I KNEW YOU.

So which means, not comforting at all, that I share my name and surname with someone else out there, or it could be just a very nasty joke! Which is it??

SO if anyone knows who this other Thabang is...I don't know...TELL THEM TO GET ANOTHER NAME!!!

Burqa Report - Thabang Motsei (reporter)

I would like to know to know your thoughts on this matter.

Michael Jackson - It's so Surreal! - Dies at 50

BBC: High and Lows of MJ: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7448908.stm

I'm a big BIG MJ Music Fan, I grew up with his music, proudly. I may not have agreed with how he led his life, but then again how many artists ou there can we trully love their personal life?

We appreciate what a genius he was and I'm just so gutted right now. It's so surreal! His music will undoubtedly be missed and hopefully his music legacy will be apprecited by the young who come after him.

There is still no official confirmation, but i've been following the story for two hours now and we all know ha he really is gone.

The rest of teh world will wake up to shock and disbelieve!

Michael Jackson cannot die at 50!!!

Following the news reports
Michael Jackson said o have suffered cardiac arrest...more info to follow....(23:00 British tsandard)

L.A. Times Reports Jackson Is Dead | 6:24 p.m. The newspaper cited “city and law enforcement sources.” The networks and CNN are also broadcasting the news, citing the Times story.

Reports: Jackson in a Coma | 6:15 p.m. Several news organizations including the Los Angeles Times reported that Mr. Jackson “is in a coma.” The newspaper attributed the news to one law enforcement source. CNN is also citing “multiple sources” as saying that Mr. Jackson is in a coma.

Watching CNN and crowdds are playing Michael's music and the hospital is filling up with people. The hospital cannot say anything until teh family has been informed and can they can make a statement. los Angeles times confirms that he has died.

Bloomberg Headline Faux Pas!

A "Autopsies Suggest Airbus Passengers Were Seated..." HEADLINE FAUX PAS!

Swine Flu Update - Voxafrica English Bulletin

G20 Summit - 2nd April - Summit

The Summit was crazy, I spend the morning moving form one bus to the next because of security reason. Searched from head to toe and spend a good part of he morning reading reports and wires because everything was happening behind closed doors. Not what we all expected.


The media Center

I met a lot of reporters new and old, some of my friends CNBC Europe, CNN's Charles Hudson who is by far my favourite person at CNN International ( We became friendly during my work experience time). He was pleased to see that I was working and doing well, always nice to speak to Mr Hudson. Richard Quest was also there with his entourage, very funny, but he was as candid as ever and even gave me a soundbite.

My colleague Nicholas and I did a lot of live telephone interviews for the live bulletins. I had fun and learned a lo about doing live interviews, and thinking on my toes. It was great.



There were journalists form all over the word under one roof, I mean it was incredible to say the least. i felt so privileged to have been a part of that, to sit across form world leaders and have the opportunity to ask questions.

The higlightof the day has got to be the Q& A session with the South African President as well as with the American president, Barack Obama.

All media personnel had to cue for at least an hour and a half while the briefing room was going through security checks by the American security service etc. The cuing wasn't so bad as it meant talking to a few familiar faces and also greeting some of my favourite reporters and anchors.

Nicholas was first in line and got us the best seat in the house, just two rows from the podium where we sat across from the man I now call "the president of the world". There was so much hype at the presser that when Mr. Obama arrived on stage all you could hear for the first five minutes were camera lickings from everywhere. It was like manna has just fallen from above. I don't think I will never forget that moment for he rest of my career, all the hype around him, his presence and charisma, it was all there and I was a part of it for that hour and half. Magic!

G20 Summit Part Four - Meeting the President Of South Africa

Having a chuckle with the President Of South Africa, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe.

So meeting the current President of Souh African, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe was probaly one the highlights of the G20 week. I was one of the journalist who wrote to the presidents office prior to his arrival in London asking for a an interview. Because of the high demand for one on ones with him as well as a tight schedule he compromise was a media presser at The Dorchester in Park Lane. The President of South Africa held the presser with Finance Minister Mr Trevor Manuel on the left and to the right is the President's Deputy Director General: Head of Communications and Spokesperson to the President, Mr Thabo Maemo Masebe (I woud love his job). They took questions from reporters on their expectations, their mandate on behalf of Africa and on meeting the queen.

After the presser I tookMr Manuel aside to geta qick sounbite for my English buleltin. "A lot of what is happening in the poorer countries is happening below the radar screen, minerals are piling up and in return creating jobs, sustaining jobs or trade is affected immencily. I fear for developing countries.

I have to share this story with you all, during the interview we needed to elevate the mike and so the I gave my cameraman Hakeem, the book I was reading at the time called Things Fall Apart. Now this book is a classic, if you haven't read it, then may I suggest that you get yourself a copy of one of Africa's best literature. Anyway after the President and the finance minister Trevor Manuel took questions i went over to take the mike and the book back and as soon as i reached for tehm they both came to me and started chuckling saying well that's one way of getting an interview. I said " i wanted o stand out form the crowd and I knew you'd notice the book".

They thought the book "Things fall apart" best described the global economic downturn. That's how got to share a joke with the president, shake hands and secure inerviews after that. it also meant that when we were in a pres room, the President and his enourage recognised me and would offer me the chance to speak. I really did feel special!:-)

G20 Summit Part Trois - The Interview - Donald kaberuka

Thabang briefing Mr. Donald Kaberuka the President of the AFDB before our interview

I finally got to interview Mr Donald Kaberuka who is the President of the African Development Bank in London after weeks of trying to organise this interview. "I fear for social stability, I fear for political stability, and it is happening already" says Donald Kaberuka, head of the African Development Bank, who helped rebuild his country, Rwanda, after the 1994 genocide.

Mr kaberuke was part of the delegation invited together with the Ethiopian Prime Minister as part of (NEPAD). Mr Kaberuka stressed that, despite the challenges and resource limitations facing Africa in the present financial crisis, private equity is an asset class built for the long term and represents a strong vehicle for economic development and growth. He also reiterated that the Bank will continue to play its counter-cyclical role of investing in African nations and enterprises to spur the economic rebound.

I wanted to find out more on his outlook and on the many development projects that his banks oversees in Africa iespecially in agriculture and trade.

There's no doubt he learned, what I liked most about the interview is that Mr kaberuka was not offended when I asked him to simplify the financial lingo for me and the viewer.

Ive always believed that Africans need to start saving themselves and not wait for he west to donate money all the time. It's unfortunate that some aid ends up in the wrong hands and hence the thought behind it gets diluted in internal politics etc.

However Africans, especially African leaders needed to be woken up a bit, because what this crisis did is that it made African leaders realise that they need to start looking after themselves and no one says it will happen overnight but if as Africans we started now today, with time we will be rejoicing in the fruits of our labour.

Africa is rich in minerals and with colonization, internal conflicts, authoritarian governments etc, we have relinquished power to what makes us a unique continent. I believe things will get better and he African Development Bank is one of the key institutions that will help drive the movement to save Africa's economic plight. Instead of "charity giving", its "giving empowerment".

In the end Mr. Kaberuka said the AfDB could benefit from the provision of an additional $850 billion by G-20 which will be channelled through the IMF and Multilateral Development Banks to support growth in emerging markets and developing countries to finance counter-cyclical spending, bank recapitalisation, infrastructure, trade finance, balance of payments support, debt roll-over, and social support.

Let's just say this man and his bank will be playing a big role in Africa's recovery from this mess.

G20 Summit Part Deux - Excel Center Security Check

That's me doing my stand-up at he excel center freezing my toots off..

It was a freezing Saturday afernoon (28th March) and to make matters even worse for anyone wanting to film anything, it was also raining and in London style, the tube was misbehaving! Aoch! Just our luck! The team: myself, Nicholas and Pier (cameraman/editor) headed out on to the Excel Conference Center to find out how the preparations ahead of the summit were going? The Excel center is literally on he outskirts of London in an area they call the Docklands.

We were not allowed to film inside obviously because of security reasons.Downing Street estimated that the total cost, including security, will be £19m. The G8 summit at Gleneagles in Scotland cost £80m. There was not doubt that there would be major protesting and hence the bulk of the budget at £10 million of it was used for security. All the Metro police were on duty not only to protect the leaders but also to keep the protesting "peaceful".
That same Saturday thousands of people marched from London's Victoria embankment to Hyde Park. The march was organised by Put People First who were protesting against the current state of the world economies.

The security in place was to protect he world leaders, the 20 delegates they woul dbe bringing with them, as well as at least 2,500 journalists who were accredited to attend. With bodyguards, translators and other officials included, the summit attendees were estimated at being 3,500 at the conference.

Between you and I, I was actually quite uneasy at the thought of being under one roof with heads of state and thinking is security really that good and will I be safe? I guess most people had those those thoughts and the excel being just a huge dome, well it could have been, need I even say it. Right next stop the interviews...

G20 Summit 2009 Highights Part 1

I was so happy when my G20 Summit accreditation was apporved and immediately I go to work.

It was one of those experiences where in a very long time I felt i was a real journalist and it definitely affirmed my passion for this vocation.

So there I was Thabang Motsei, a young journalist working in London for a Pan-african channel hustling and bustling like the rest of the world journalists who gathered in London on the 1st and 2nd April to cover the most important financial summit of our time, the G20 Summit.

Wait i was one of the world journalsits trying to figure out how this summitwill solve a global recession and the worst to hit us since the great depression. The news was buzzing. Nicholas my colugue who reports for the French department (Voxafrica broadcasts in both English adn French) was going to be covering the summit with me, it was exciting , wehad made it happen, by being proactive!
So the first mission in covering such a big summit, my first- ever I was to figure out what the focus was going to be especially the focus for the channel. Since we're apan-african channel the focus had to be on how the crisis is affecting developing and emerging countries. In terms of aid Africa has been the hardest hit and developing countries such as South Africa, Brazil and India would need to rally together to make sure the North did no forget them when finding solutions.

Once we agreed on the agenda it was rush hour to try and pin down interviews with the few African delagetes that were invited to the summit.

South Africa is the only country from Africa that is part of the G20, however this time British Prime Minister Gordon Brown invited an African envoy which was made up of: The Ethiopian Prime Minister,Menes Zenawi,who also chairs NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) and the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Jean Ping including invited dignitries form the African Development Bank, Mr Donald kaberuka.


In the end I got more than I thought was possible, including meeting the President of South Africa .

Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

One of my high school friends Mak - made a visit to London to promote her TV series called Society which airs on South African televion. Society is a four-part South African mini-series created by Makgano Mamabolo and Lodi Matsetela and produced by Puo Pha Productions which seeks to put a microscope on the effects freedom and free trade has had on the lives of young black South Africans.

Society is set in the urban jungle of post-apartheid South Africa, Johannesburg and touches on issues such as homesexulity in the black community, marriage, BEE, depression, self love, friendship and most importantly ubuntu (togetherness)

I was invited o come watch the film festival version of the series and I was so proud of Mak and Lodi. The audience response to the show was overwhelming and Mak took the Q&A like a pro.

The festival was great and I have never been to a themed festival like thi before, so it was great to see what was on offer, film wise and I met some wonderful people from all works of life.

The best part of maks three days in London is that I got to have a good friend from home to catch up and reflect on life with. It was absolutely sublime!

Congratulations Mak and Lodi.

ICC Issues An Arrest Warrant For Sudan President

The Omar Al Bashir case is certainly going to cause some diplomatic issues between countries. The International Criminal Courts Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo says he has enough evidence to charge Bashir and clear the ICC believes he has.

The big question now is if the Sudanese government will hand over its own president or if the African Union will have to step in and plea with the ICC to pardon Bashir. The ICC said is unlikely that Bashir will get immunity, regardless of the fact that he's still serving president.

Many African leaders have found themselves siding with Bashir, despite the charges, because the ICC appears to pay more attention to the crimes of weaker African countries than those of rich Western ones, says Adam Habib, vice chancellor of the University of Johannesburg.

For those who don't know much about Omar Al Bashir case you can find out more from the BBC or some reports I did from Voxafrica's website.

What do you think, should Omar Al Bashir be charged by an African court for his "crimes" or should the ICC take over, please share your as well as voe in Black SNow poll on the sidebar.

Sri Lankan Cricket Team Attack Echoes Mumbai Siege

It looked like a scene from a movie about terrorists and gunment. I watched the footage of the dozen men who attacked Sri Lanka's cricket team with rifles, grenades and rocket launchers with disbelief asking what is the world coming to?

8 people died from the attack by the gun, ahead of a cricket match in Pakistan.

The attackers ambushed the convoy carrying the squad and match officials at a traffic circle close to the main sports stadium in the eastern city of Lahore, triggering a 15-minute gun battle with police guarding the vehicles. None of the attackers were killed or captured at the scene according to the city police chief.

Condemning the attack on Sri Lankan players in Lahore, India today said terrorism based in Pakistan is a "grave" threat to the entire world and warned that such acts would not stop till Islamabad takes "prompt" and "decisive" steps to dismantle terror infrastructure.

What is clear though is that bat and ball have been hijacked by the bullet and the bomb?

WHAT I FINISHED READING

I have this motto that I've lived by ever since i could remember, that , you don't choose the books you read or buy but rather the book chooses you.

Every book that I have ever read consciously has come to me - in my life for a specific reason, to show me something, teach me something, a specific moment in my life for me to see something or learn something.

I have never read a book I didn't feel drawn to, i can't explain it because you buy a book because you think its interesting or because it got good reviews but the books I've read i have always just stumbled upon them at the right time.

Some have disappointed some have lived up to my expectation and have made it to my list of great must reads, but i can't explain my above mentioned motto - theory?

So this month three wonderful pieces of literature made their way into my reading list for February and I would like to share with you what they are and I promise not to pull an Oprah book review on you all.

PILLARS OF THE EARTH by KEN FOLLETT

I don't do thrillers very well, but thrillers with characters who not one dimensional, now that's a bonus.

This book is not short of tautly suspenseful espionage. Ken Follett took a radical departure far into the past with this epic story of the construction of a cathedral. While there is a mystery here, the book focuses more on the lives of the various people who created the cathedral or were touched by those who did.

I didn't know what to expect when I first opened this novel; the first 100 pages were the most difficult for me because they were so descriptive and wordy, laying the foundation, but once you go through the first 100 pages then you don't want to put the book down.

There are so many moments of breathless anticipation and heart-pounding fear as you take the journey with the characters. His depiction of medieval England is vivid; he weaves a tapestry of adventure, drama, romance and mystery so richly textured that the reader is almost unaware of the underlying themes of good and evil, spiritual trauma, human frailty, and hope. it took me three weeks of short intervals to finish this book and in the end I was emotionally exhausted but fulfilled. A must read!

CONFESSIONS OF SHOPAHOLIC (COC)

Now I know the movie is out and all and although I haven't seen it, so i base this "review" on the literature part not the motion picture.

I got the book because I thought it would funny and senseless, the kind of book you read because you've just read a heavy book and all you need is something light hearted. I didn't know that COC was going to be a finance changing read.

The title says it all and the beauty of this book comes from the fact that this girl is real its scary, each and every one of us can see ourselves in her and every time i turned the page, I could hear almost some of the same dialogue she was having as things i would say about money, love, friends etc. It's a girly girl book no doubt and its hilarious and it will make you look at your spending in a different light, how senseless some of the shopping we do is and the self prophecies that come along with the need for something new. In these times of financial troubles, this book is a great eye opener on what NOT TO DO!!!!in a funny way.

Last But not least is the book I am reading now titled... WETLANDS

I heard about this book in the Guardian in January and was shocked and intrigued by both the writer and the content. Let me just say that this book is NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED or SQUEAMISH!!! I've haven't finished it yet, only on page 140 and i have had this permanent look of disbelief in the whole time reading, I can't even imagine what the people in the underground think I am reading.

Anyway this book is by German TV personality and new author Charlotte Roche and was released originally in German and had the literature world up in arms debating over the controversial content. Yes this is a definite PG 18 book and it made the bestseller list.

Now its finally been translated in English and boy was I excited when i got my copy. Okay what's it about? Hmm where do I begin...

Well the book is a headlong dash through every crevice and byproduct, physical and psychological, of its narrator’s body and mind. It is difficult to overstate the raunchiness of the novel,it leaves you mouth opened, gasping! It's just unbelievable! Every time the character says something, i cringe and i hope its not what she just said...I can't explain it any better.

Amazon has a video interview with the writer on the book, if you're not squeamish and you are looking for a look at the female body and all its doing from an 18 year old stuck in hospital because of an ass problem and you want to laugh a bit, well then do i recommend the challenge.

From the hardcover: Wetlands takes an unflinching, and very funny, look at one of the last remaining taboos of today. Courageous, radical and provocative, Charlotte Roche's novel rebels against hygiene hysteria, the sterile aesthetics of women's magazines and standardized dealings with the female body and its sexuality. This is a wonderfully wild story of a heroine both pleasure-seeking and vulnerable, who voices what others do not even dare to think.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wetlands-Charlotte-Roche/dp/0007296703

Do share with me what you're reading...hope you enjoy the reviews.

Pray With Me...

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.

And the Oscar Goes To ....

It was Oscar on Sunday. The 81st Academy Awards were held at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood, nothing shot of the glitz and glamour - with actor Hugh Jackman as host.

The night belonged to the cast and crew of "Slumdog Millionaire" which took the best-picture Academy Award and seven other Oscars, including best director for Danny Boyle, whose ghetto-to-glory story paralleled the film's unlikely rise to Hollywood's summit.

Slumdog Millionaire deserves every praise it has received, if you've not seen the movie yet, well then you now have a reason to go see it -winner of 8 Oscars could be a reason.

Winners in the other top categories were equally predictable, including best actor Sean Penn for his moving turn as Harvey Milk in "Milk ( by far the biggest surprise for me, I love Sean Penn but i didn't think that this performance would be Oscar worthy but he won)," best actress Kate Winslet as a Nazi concentration camp guard in "The Reader" (I haven't seen this movie yet, so what I am about to say has nothing to do with the movie but with the fact that I sometimes feel like these award shows are rigged, it's almost like these men and women (adjudicators) sit around discussing what the theme for the year is - should we give it to a minority, Oh no the English are dominating this year let's give it to Kate - alllllllllll the awards, to Kate no offence but why didn't they just give you an honory award for the year -ps: i will go see this movie, the publicity in the UK has not been to par as it has in other countries ) ...

and

Supporting actor Heath Ledger, who won a posthumous for his maniacal performance as the Joker in the "The Dark Knight. ( Deserves it, I wonder if they would have awarded him the Oscar if he was alive?)

" Penelope Cruz won in the tight supporting-actress category for her fiery role in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." ( hmmm yeah she was good - maybe she felt in her element in Barcelona). Were just some of the many people honored and awarded.

So in celebration of the 81st Academy Awards I have picked two of my favourite moments in its history that I would like to share with you all.

( These are "Oscar" videos, I apologise to have to send you out to look at this but its worth every moment. )

A.

Halle Berry winning an Oscar - Best Actress, Monster's Ball - 74th Annual Academy Awards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llgL7mGYVTI

B.

Marlon Brando for his performance in "The Godfather" - the 45th Annual Academy Awards in 1973. Marlon did not accept this award but instead send Sacheen Littlefeather refusing to accept - you have watch this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QUacU0I4yU

WHY BRANDON DIDN'T ACCEPT THE AWARD

Brando won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, but turned down the Oscar, becoming the second actor to refuse a Best Actor award (the first being George C. Scott for Patton).

Brando boycotted the award ceremony, sending instead American Indian Rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who appeared in full apache dress, to state Brando's reasons, which were based on his objection to the depiction of American Indians by Hollywood and television.

Brando won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance, but turned down the Oscar, becoming the second actor to refuse a Best Actor award (the first being George C. Scott for Patton).

Brando boycotted the award ceremony, sending instead American Indian Rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who appeared in full apache dress, to state Brando's reasons, which were based on his objection to the depiction of American Indians by Hollywood and television.

Black In America Get The Thumbs Up And More

Picture by Onion

I just finished the evening bulletin and decided to catch up on some news reading around the world that i might have missed (or not in line with our agenda") so today to my great surprise found a wonderful article from "The Onion", perfectly titled " Nation's Blacks Creeped Out By All The People Smiling At Them". (Yes I know that The Onion is an American " Fake news" organization. It features satiracal articles reporting on international, national) but nonetheless makes for intersting read - fake or not.

Here's an extract " Majority of African-Americans surveyed in a nationwide poll this week reported feeling "deeply disturbed" and "more than a little weirded out" by all the white people now smiling at them."

I assume like most people that this of course happened right after the historical inauguration of the US's first black president, Mr Barack Obama.

If it's true that its happening, which "according to their study it is" well I am really not surprised that it happening. I can already imagine that Americans are experiencing this unspoken aura around that - its cool now to socialise with blacks or even better have them as friends. If its true that its happening I can imagine that most people are thinking hey they have more than Oprah, now they have Barack and he's cool. YIPPY!!(I roll my eyes at this thought). I personally think its hilarious!

Is it a good thing?

Well apparently NO! Black American's or politically correct term is African Americans are freaked out by this, thinking about this ...they should...

Extract Onion : On behalf of black people across this nation, I would like to say to our white brethren, 'Please stop looking at us like that,'" said Brown University psychology professor Dr. Stanley Carsons. "We're excited Barack is president, too, and we're glad you're happy for us. But giving us the thumbs up for no reason, or saying hello whenever we walk by, is really starting to freak us out."


The poll states that more than 92 percent of African-Americans have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of beaming Caucasians in their vicinity making direct eye contact with them on the bus, engaging them in pleasant conversation, and warmly gazing in their general direction with a mix of wonder, pride, and profound contentment. All respondents reported being "petrified" by the change.

Experts can't predict how long this unsettling new trend would continue for. I say enjoy, revel in it, that's the change that's been talked about. But I guess it can be a bit freaky.

The Onion's articles comment on current events, both real and imagined and if this was an imagined story well, it gave me a heck of a life and something to think about. Maybe now the US can start healing their racial gaps adn start talking instead of trying to be politically correct with minorities (hate that word) who still feel like outsiders in their own country.

To my American friends and readers, have you seen this change? Looking forward to hearing about this.

Black Snow Readers Say Yes to Gaza Aid Appeal AD

Black Snow asked a week ago Should the BBC show the Gaza Aid apppeal ad? Many of you answered yes they should.

The BBC never aid the ad despite protests from staff and memebers of the public, however I am happy to announce that the emergency aid appeal for the people of Gaza has raised £3m in its first week - despite the refusal of Sky and the BBC to screen it.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said food, blankets and water had been provided for nearly 800,000 people following Israel's attack on Gaza.

I've Never Joined Facebook Because....

I came across interesting blog entry on the BBC , titled "I've never joined facebook because..." Since its inception I have been one of the few left who have refused to jump on the bandwagon of the popular social networking site.

So as facebook celebrates its fifth birthday I thought I should perhaps re-evaluate why I am still not a member.

The answer now more than ever is simple "I have enough procrastination activities in my life already" .

Now many of my friends have come up with interesting notions of why i really need to join the site, finding old Friends one lost touch with back in the days, keeping up with those who are too lazy to write you an email or call, networking with industry related people and yes the best way to spy on your friends (so to speak "who's doing what, where, when and with whom"....all that makes sense and has some appeal to it, but for black snow girl, I am still not excited enough to sit for those few seconds and lay out my life in another public domain.

I've even heard some great stories of someone retrieving a bag lost to the owner by finding him on Facebook, I've heard friends meet influential people in related industry and forge new friendship's, but...

So not everyone follows my blog, some of my friends can't even be bothered, but that's okay, I am doing my bit for cyber world and privacy is a rarity in nowadays hence i think one less site with my name on it makes a huge difference in protecting the little privacy i choose not to share.

I hear the argument coming, "just like in facebook you choose who you want to in your cyber circle, you put up what you want, you poke who want, you invite who you want, you share with who you want" and many might even say that a blog is a lot more detail than a few innocent pokes with a friend. Still not buying it.

So will I ever join? well Never is a long time but for now, I am happy just being Black Snow and knowing that the friends i have in my life are enough, are real and that if they want me to know what happens in their lives, they will call, they will text, they will email and so will I.

For now happy birthday facebook but you're Just not for me.

Me and My Pilates Classes

I finally decided to take some me time and do some form of exercising. Since I am not really fond of exercising i looked at alternatives and i found that Pilates fitted the requirements i needed for my new exercise routine.

I started looking and found a small little studio in my area called The happiness Centre and found a beginners course in Pilates.

http://www.thehappinesscentre.com/therapies/yoga.htm

So I called, got the info and was invited to a drop in class to test out the teaching methods and see if its what i really wanted to do. Why not I thought, it's better to test drive first than buy on impulse and then find out I don't like what i bought.

I went to the first class and I fell in love, with Pilates of course. Pilates is full of contradictions: It's strangely mundane and yet ethereal, simultaneously simple and complex. I was so relaxed after that, all the tension in my body gone, my shoulder felt lighter, my head decluttered. I was impressed, so i signed up. I went home after that first day and had the one of the best relaxed weekends in months, energetic and full of zest.

Now I get up every Saturday morning and wish i had more time during the week to add another class.

Here's the basic skinny I have learned since I started taking my classes:

Pilates is based on eight principles: Relaxation, Alignment, Control, Precision, Routine, Breathing, Centring, Flowing movement.

Pilates is a complete exercise method developed by its founder Joseph Pilates over the course of a lifetime dedicated to improving physical and mental health.

Pilates focuses on building your body's core strength and improving your posture through a series of low repetition low impact stretching and conditioning exercises.

By core strength, we are talking about your back, abdominal and pelvic muscles. Through pilates, you will be able to develop these muscles without adding bulk, increasing your flexibility and agility and at the same time toning your stomach and thigh muscles.

Pilates goes far beyond your core muscles however and not only provides a complete body workout (you will be working muscles you didn't even know you had!), but also helps you develop an awareness of how your body works, helping your mind and body to work in harmony.http://www.pilates.co.uk/What-Is-Pilates.htm

PILATES 100's

You must have heard of them, the 100's are basically an intense warm-up for abdominal and lung exercises. It sculpts your abdominal muscles quickly, and you can do it at as a warm up for almost any Pilates class. Let's just say, these are not easy, you feel the muscles working immdiately! I do mat exercises: they focuses on strengthening the trunk and hip muscles. Enhances the flexibility of hips and spine.

Learn the pilates exercise “the 100s



It's magic to my body and calmness to my soul!

Tales Of Mere Existence "Lev Yilmaz"

THIS ONE IS CALLED "IAM GETTING READY"



Have any of you by black snow friends heard of Lev Yimaz?

I lvoe these videos so much that I had to find out a little more about the creator of Tales of Mere existance. This is what I found out so far.

Lev Yilmaz started the ultra-low tech "Tales Of Mere Existence" film series in 2001, based on gleefully embarassing thoughts and stories from his own life. Films from the series have shown on Comedy Central and innumerable shows and festivals since then, as well as gathering a cult audience on the internet.

Lev has continued the series in a self-published comic book that is sold with a DVD of the movies, and plans to continue with it in this cross-media way from now on as well as performing it live.

I found this interview with him http://www.flakmag.com/features/cartoonists/yilmaz.html

Love this one, its called Youth & Aging" Tales Of Mere Existence

BBC under pressure to show Gaza aid video

The BBC is under pressure to air a charity appeal for aid to Gaza after other channels agreed to broadcast it. Director general Mark Thompson has said by airing the appeal the BBC would risk reducing public confidence in its impartial coverage of the conflict.

Sky news has also refused to air the charity appeal whilst Channel 4 and Five have decided that they will air the video.

So the UK is up in arms, on Saturday, police said at least 2,000 protesters gathered outside the BBC's Broadcasting House in central London, and chants of "BBC, shame on you" were heard as a petition was handed in to the corporation.

I am a little conflicted in whether the BBC should or shouldn't air the aid appeal video. In a way I understand what Mark Thompson the Director General is saying:that as news outlet they are meant to cover both sides of the story equally and if they give prevalence over one side it will look like they are taking sides and their objective is to be impartial as they are all about NEWS.

In a blog message on the BBC website explaining the decision, Mark Thompson said: "Inevitably an appeal would use pictures which are the same or similar to those we would be using in our news programmes but would do so with the objective of encouraging public donations.

"The danger for the BBC is that this could be interpreted as taking a political stance on an ongoing story."

On the other hand I feel that there's a lot of injustice in the world and suffering and everyone knows what needs to be done. I think about the innocent children killed. Is it about airtime and politics for he BBC? Iit's not a matter of partiality or impartiality, it's a matter of saving human lives and this question has no political dimensions!Right?

So since the BBC wont show the video and I am not a news agency , I have decided to show you the video of the aid request by DEC. Whether they should air the ad, well i leave you to tell me. Do share your opinion and tell me what you think by casting your vote on the poll i put on the side bar, asking " SHOULD THE BBC AIR THE AID VIDEO BELOW?" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7848673.stm (further reading)

South America it Is!!!!!!!!

I put up a poll a week ago on "Where would your ultimate road trip take you", this was in response to the travel/food program "On the Road Again" which I spoke about on black snow. http://thabangmotseiblacksnow.blogspot.com/2009/01/spains-on-road-again.html

The winner emerged as South America!



South America, the planet's 4th largest continent, includes (12) countries and (3) major territories. It contains the massive Amazon River - the largest tropical rain forest in the world; the toothy-edged Andes Mountains, that stretch the entire length of the continent, and some of the most diverse and spectacular landforms on the planet.

What I love about South America, is the latin spirit, which knows how to party, eat and maintain tradition. Lonely planet states: The real reward, however, is the South American spirit. It seems like the entire continent approaches life with the enthusiasm of an old-fashioned road trip: the windows down and the stereo blaring. There is as much music as there are adventures to be had. Samba spices up the sandy streets of Brazilian beach towns, panpipes liven Andean markets, Argentine folklórica (folk music) trickles out of truck radios in the pampas, and the jolting rhythm of cumbia makes those Andean bus rides even more absurd. South America is a continent that engulfs you and changes you – your state of mind, your outlook on life. As soon as you step foot on South American soil, the transformation begins.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-america

We all love a good carnival and Rio Carnival is one of the worlds most popular, for an adventurous trip venture out to Peru (which is apparently destination MUST 2009and Bolivia, the Brazilian grand prix, Day of the Dead, Galapagos Islands, Total solar Eclipse on Easter Islan, need i say more.


I am inspired!Anyone want to come with?

HAPPY NEW YEAR - The Year Of the OX

The Chinese celebrated the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Ox and more than 6 billion Chinese of the global population will be looking to 2009 with joy and excitement.(Most of us need some of this optimistic forecast, with a recession upon us in most countries, good news, whether astrological or not, makes for a better day.)

A Bit of history

The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle. Each year of the 12-year cycle is named after one of the original 12 animals. Each animal has a different personality and different characteristics. The animal is believed to be the main factor in each person's life that gives them their traits, success and happiness in their lifetime.

The low down on the OX

The ox is a working animal. Apparently people born in ox years are said to be strong and hardy and put muscle into whatever it is they do. Oxen are also stubborn. Or, if you will, tenacious creatures which never give up on their tasks and objectives. True to form, everybody would expect this particular Year of the Ox, as a year of hard work and fortitude and a test of wills.


In Chinese astrology i am a rooster, so clearly this does not mean I can share int eh objections of the ox year. This year my only resolution is to test myself and go beyond my comfort zone, venture out more, LIVE!!!! Be more daring, i think sometimes i can "boring" yes i said it, because i get lazy easily and i am one of those people who enjoy being at home with a good glass of wine, reading or doing nothing, but the spirit in me is quite an adventurer - seeking thrill adn adventure and I've have done some incredibly daring things in my life, diving with the sharks, river rafting in the Zambezi river, bungee jumping, moving to London (honestly yeah!) so this year i want to push myself out the comfort zone and LIVE!!!

okay a bit too ranty, i think I am just giving myself a prep talk.

So to celebrate new years once again, Happy New year, to all my Chinese friends around the world and may this one be truly rewarding.

Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th President of USA

Mr Obama, his hand on Abraham Lincoln's Bible, speaks the inaugural oath: "I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States." He stumbles over his early words, but is congratulated by Chief Justice John Roberts on becoming the new president of the United States.

Congratulations Mr. President.



This video gives me goose bumps...

Africa needs to learn from Obama

In 1961 John F Kennedy's said "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" seem greater than ever.

Barack Obama yesterday also asked American's to join him in a day of service to mark Martin Luther King Jnr Day. His speech today is said to be reminiscent of that of John F kennedy. Obama knows the extent of pressure that he's under nationally and internationally and I think asking for the American people to join him in making the country better will ease the expectations on him.

There's just two more hours left until he takes his stands and takes oath.