G.E. SEEDS OF IMAGINATION MICROSITE

This is really is a delightfully beautiful site that celebrates the sort of creativity that my musical hero Harry Chapin sang about in “Flowers are Red”. And I’m not talking simply about the fact that like the song, the site involves the creation of flowers (albeit of the unworldly type). No, Harry Chapin sang about how a teacher castigated a child for not painting flowers the way they really should be. This website on the other hand creates flowers that are not the way they really should be.

It seems the site has been set up to raise awareness of the need for more abundant and safer sources ofreosources that we tend to take for granted. I have seen it referred to as an ADVERGAME - but this is an advergame where the user doesn't feel that (s)he is being conned.

The site uses the input of text – you are encouraged to talk to your flowers - and in so doing, you create the blooms. They state that each bloom is unique. I have not worked out how it works technically, but the very fact that it does so is worthy of celebration in itself.

You begin by planting a seed, which grows, nurtured by your words of encouragement to it. The seasons pass, and your flower responds accordingly. At the end of the process, your plant grows seeds, which you can harvest and plant. And so the cycle begins again.

You can share your plant with others in the gallery. A wonderful touch takes the ‘gallery’ idea into the social software realms now so familiar with the likes of Flickr and del.icio.us etc. As you browse the gallery, if you like the ‘look’ of someone else’s plant, you can take a ‘cutting’ which you can plant and grow for yourself.

This is not the first GE web microsite that I have come across – their drawing wiki (Imagination Cubed) is fantastic and, despite being described merely as a prototype, has great applications for education, I feel.

So a site that lets us celebrate our creativity regardless of our age -my 5 year old loved playing with it as much as I did – is worthy of great praise indeed. It was a truly magic moment to share it with her and to see the unbridled joy on her face as the plant grew before our eyes. [“Talk to it Daddy. Tell it “I love you plant. Grow, grow for me beautiful plant on the computer.”” Such are priceless parenting moments that you will remember forever].

It's so relaxing to use - as the build up to New Year and stresses associated with it, this is such a cool site to look at and play with. One of the really fun things is to see the effect that KEYWORDS such as 'grey' and 'water' have on the blooms you create.

There’s just not enough of this sort of software available on the net and for that reason it’s a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER, try it - you'll see what I mean.

BRENDA PRESCOTT

My next SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER is a very personal choice.

Brenda Prescott is a former colleague of mine. As Head of PE for about 20 years at the Royal Masonic School in Rickmansworth, she was an inspiration to others through the exemplary way she taught.

She also provided voluntary support for disabled swimmers at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Suddenly, Brenda was struck down with meningitis, completely out of the blue. Brenda nearly died. As it is, the associated illnesses that arose from the complications that set in meant that she lost both of her legs.

I remember to this day meeting Brenda for the first time after her illness struck – it will stay with me for the rest of my life. I asked her how she was, amongst other platitudes as I struggled to think what on earth I could possibly say to her. Instead of feeling bitter or angry about the illness that had struck her down, Brenda could not have been any more positive and matter-of-fact.

“There’s no point crying over spilt milk,” he told me, “what’s done is done!”

“How can you possibly have that positive attitude after what’s happened to you Brenda?” I asked.

She went on to say, “At least I’m very lucky. I get to do something you will not.”

“What’s that?” I queried.

“Learn to walk. I get my new legs next month and I am going to have to learn to walk on them.”

Then as now, those words stunned me. An ability to think like this humbles me still and I feel honoured to be able to consider to Brenda as a friend. She has simply refused to let her disability get her down.

I suffer from psoriasis and used to moan about it all the time. However, through being SPIRITUALLY WEIGHTLIFTED by Brenda’s wonderful approach, I have not complained about my relatively mild affliction since.

Almost single-handedly she keeps the historical event of SCHOOL DRILL going at my school. This involves 180 girls performing a series of synchronised movements to music over a 20-minute period without any form of instruction. It is a joy to watch and will be, itself, a SPIRITIUAL WEIGHTLIFTER of the future when I will explain more about it. But her role in this likens her to a storyteller of old, who passes on important tales so that the next generation get to hear them and thereby perpetuate their heritage.

Brenda deservedly won an MBE last year. And the shame is that many people who will have seen her name on the honours list, will have thought ‘who’s that’. Yet I consider that Brenda is far, far more deserving of her award than many of the other people who received honours but who are better known. Through living an exemplary life, Brenda has shown me how to be an inspiration to others. She is a true SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER.

JURASSIC PARK – OPERATION GENESIS (PS2)

There was only one single present that was top of my 9-year old son’s Christmas list this year. Jurassic Park – Operation Genesis for his Playstation 2.

Well, thankfully despite it being a game that is over a year old, Santa was able to find a copy and bring it for Euan. To say he was pleased is an understatement.

Anyhow, watching him play this game – an interesting variant on the theme park simulations (like this, and this ) that are otherwise available – has made me realise just how powerfully educational these sort of packages are. If only they could be widely used in schools…

Already in the past 2-3 days I have seen evidence of my son’s love for animals as he lovingly tends his new dinosaur exhibits. He sheds a tear and has sombre moments when his dinosaurs expire (as they can only live for 1 year or so). His joy when new dinosaur strains are discovered by his team of roving scientists (allowing him to clone them for his park) is unbridled. He wants to play this game socially and he and his friend Craig have collaborated on all sorts of decisions – scotching the myth that game-playing is a solitary pastime. In fact as I write this he’s raced round to see if Craig can come to see the new dinosaurs he has created.

The critical analysis of what has happened in the games is really quite detailed. Euan telling Craig about the Brachiosaurus he has just found was fantastically detailed.

Why do I want to share this with you? Well it’s simply that I am overjoyed that my son is able to experience such simulations so early in his life. In this game he is learning about DNA, financial wheeler-dealing, dietary needs, damage limitation, landscaping. I know for certain that I never ever had this sort of opportunity at such an early age. My heart soars at the prospects my wee boy has throughout the rest of his education having had this sort of experience at such an early age.

Jurassic Park is a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER par excellence. Even the accompanying soundtrack is a delight and makes the game as much fun to watch as it is to play.

VINCENT SCHIAVELLI

“Who is he?” I hear you ask. Well, one glance at his photo and you should be able to place him. He was one of that breed of actors who you frequently see in TV shows or movies, but whose name you never knew. I was saddened to read on Boxing Day, of his death. He was one of those people often refered to as a ‘character’ actor. This usually means that they look a little unusual and consequently often play ‘kooky’ or ‘weird’ people. His distinctive droopy eyes and large expanse of forehead were the trademarks that led to him appearing in many TV shows and movies.

Although the occasion of his untimely death is my prime motivation for including him here, Vincent fulfilled my criteria for a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER. Whenever I saw him in a film I always warmed to his character, whether playing a good or bad character, one could not fail to be drawn in by the melancholic look in his eyes.

In addition, his success as an actor emphasises the fact that in a performance the WHOLE TEAM OF PLAYERS is important to the finished product. Nowhere is this more in evidence than in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest’ where his role as one of the patients is almost as memorable as Jack Nicholson’s.

He always looked INTERESTING. Whatever character he played, I wanted to get to know him better. I EMPATHISED with him, no matter what role I saw him play. His unusual looks, whilst being the reason he played such roles, will also have prevented him from earning the mega-bucks his talents deserved.

I particularly liked the fact that whenever I saw him in any film I was keenly interested in his character. No matter how melancholic he was, his character seemed to attract one's attention. In 1972 his character in "The Corner Bar" was the first sustained gay part ever played on US TV. Furthermore, his role alongside Andy Kaufman in "Taxi" was also noteworthy and resulted in him playing a role in “Man on the Moon” the biopic of Kaufman’s life.

A man with many strings to his bow, he received a great deal of praise for his cookery books and won an award for his writing on the topic. His grandfather was a cook for an Italian baron prior to his emigration to the United States.

He never forgot his roots, having been brought up by his Italian grandfather and having returned to his spiritual and familial homeland of Sicily in recent years, it was there that he passed away on Boxing Day 2005.

It is clear from the photos one sees of him with other, better known actors, that he was well liked and respected by his peers. I think we could all learn a great deal from the way that this much under-rated man lived his life. The mayor of his adopted home village described him as "a great friend, a great chef and a great talker. With a smooth, witty conversation, he would make everything look more colourful. I've lost a brother." If you have a dry eye after reading that then you are made of stern stuff!

A SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER for sure – here’s to you Vincent, you’ll be missed.

THE WOMEN OF WEST GODAVARI

This story caught my eye last week and it really made me think about the collaborative power of community spirit. As an avid and, indeed active member of the Moodle community (which is an excellent example of the power of a collaborative community) I know only too well how much a group of people can do when they work together to a common goal. In the case of the women of West Godavari they have taken working together to a truly different level.


Living as they do in an area where the average monthly wage is a pittance compared to what we would consider even a minimum wage in thew UK, it is a remarkable testament to them that they came to the rescue of a needy member of their own community.

As anyone will tell you, who has ever tried to galvanise a group of even only 20 people to work together, it is not an easy task. Imagine therefore how remarkable it must have been for over 13,000 women’s groups to work together within 10 days, to raise the $1,373 needed to pay for a life-saving operation for Basavani Hymavathi.

She has 3 children and was told she had a serious heart condition a few months ago. Knowing how impossible it would be for her to find the vast sum of money required for the operation on her own, she approached members of her self-help group. From there the word spread and eventually many tens of thousands of women each contributed less than 25p towards the cost of the operation. A true example of Gestalten – many little wholes making a bigger, greater whole.

At this time of giving and sharing where many of us use the time to think of others, there can be no better example of SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTING than this.

OLDBOY (2003) – MUSICAL SCORE

I had heard a lot about this South Korean film. It won the Grand Prix du Jury at the Cannes film festival in 2004 – and that is often a good recommendation for me. So, knowing its violent content would make it unsuitable viewing for my wife, I made the most of her being at a Christmas party last night, and watched it.

From the outset it is a violent film and some of the scenes will certainly stay with me for a long, long time. Park Chan-Wook’s story is truly gripping: a man is inexplicably kidnapped and held captive for 15 years. He is then, just as inexplicably released by his captor and told he must find out why he was held captive within 5 days. If he fails to do so, a girl he has come to love will be killed.

Okay, what with the extreme violence and troubling subject matter, this cannot be a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER, can it? “What are you playing at?” I hear you ask. Well take a closer look at the heading of this entry. You’ll see that I have cited the MUSICAL SCORE, not the film.

You see, what is remarkable for me in this cinematic triumph, is not the film itself – astounding though it is – but the seemingly incongruous juxtaposition of watch-from-behind-the-sofa scenes of violence with a joyous musical soundtrack of, in my opinion, incredible beauty.

Without doubt the film would be much more suited to a pounding techno-beat to accompany the on-screen carnage – at least that’s what you’d typically find in films of this genre these days. This one is on a different plane purely because it has so cleverly used a score that contradicts what you are seeing on the screen.

Tarantino famously uses music to devastating effect in his movies – notably “Stuck in the Middle with You” in the ear-cutting scene in Reservoir Dogs. Oldboy’s score magnificently succeeds in ensuring that no matter how much you are disturbed by what you see on screen, your heart soars (there is no other way to describe it) with bar that is played.

You find yourself being swept along by the majesty of the music even though you witness some truly brutal scenes. The music seems to render an almost balletic quality to what is seen on the screen – indeed one extended fight sequence would rival the beauty of even the finest of classic dances. But it’s the accompanying music that makes it so - a pounding, raucous beat would simply not have the same effect.

My SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTERS are not always comfortable choices – this one certainly isn’t [watch the film and you will see what I mean] – but the score, without question, fits the bill in every conceivable way. It is simply an astonishing piece of work and comes very highly recommended.

THE FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK – THE POGUES

Another seasonal offering for you.

In the UK we have a bizarre preoccupation at this time of year. I’m not talking about our eternal hope that it will snow at Christmas – no, what I’m talking about is our perennial love of CHRISTMAS NOVELTY SINGLES.

Every year there is a huge rush to bet on which song will be the Christmas No. 1. Indeed many artists now release singles purely to win the coveted title of “Christmas No. 1”. The recent UK “X Factor” TV show was timed so that the finale led to the winner being announced the week before Christmas, with his single being released so as to be the red-hot certainty prime for the title. Though at the time of writing, this unusual ditty, by a previously unheralded group called Nizlopi, about a boy who wants to take his dad’s JCB to school so he can fight bullies (in it’s own way that has SPIRITUAL WEIGHLIFTER written all over it, did this Blog not have another purpose) was in the No. 1 position. See I told you it was bizarre! [well what can you say about such hits as "Mr Blobby", "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)", Bob the Builder 's "Can We Fix it?" and "There's No One Quite Like Grandma"?]

But standing head and shoulders, I mean HEAD AND SHOULDERS, above all other Christmas songs – is the greatest, I said THE GREATEST, Christmas song of all time. [I can’t say Christmas No. 1 of course, for it was kept from the coveted spot by The Pet Shop Boys’ "Always on my Mind"]. I’m talking about "The Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues, sung so majestically by mad, bad Shane MacGowan and angelic Kirsty MacColl.



It’s not the most joyous of songs, and certainly is in contrast to the more jolly songs like "Mr Blobby" and "Merry Christmas Everybody" featuring as it does the bickerings of a very drunken couple. In fact its subject matter is as melancholic and despairing as anything committed to music. However, the timing of its original release, and the inclusions of jingly bells has helped make it stick in the head as a bona fide Christmas tune.

And here’s the thing. Sometimes you can hear Christmas tunes too many times – you can tire of them - one’s CSPT (Christmas Song Pain Threshold) can soon be reached. But it does not matter how tired or strained or fed up I feel when out and about at Christmas time, whenever I hear:

"I've got a feeling,

This year's for me and you,

So happy Christmas,

I love you baby,

I can see a better time,

When all our dreams come true,"

I feel invigorated, uplifted and happy once again. The melody makes your heart soar and if you know any of the words, you can't help wanting join in wherever and whenever your hear it being played.

It’s rare to find a tune that has this effect on me and I can still remember the first time I ever heard the song – sung live, by a pint-of-wine swilling teetering-tottering Shane MacGowan and The Pogues in The Assembly Rooms in Derby.

There was not a dry eye in the house.

The ability of an Irish penny whistle to melt a grown man’s heart should not be under-estimated!

HAWKIN’S BAZZAR

I might as well continue with the Christmas theme – “but how so?” I hear you ask.

Well Hawkins Bazaar is a quintessentially British institution that comes into its own at Christmas time.

To look at the company’s brochures you’d think there was a Mr Hawkins who set the establishment up in the same era as the old Curiosity Shop. However, the business only started in the 1970’s by a Mr Templer, and is now run by his son Toby. It seems the store - originally opened as a local Toy Store - was situated in an old pub called The Hawk Inn - and from there you can guess the etymology of the name.


It’s a company that is as zany and fun-filled as the products it sells. Their main trade comes in the lead up the Christmas and employ 154 more staff in the hectic rush at that time, than they do in the summer months, when only 6 people work at their warehouse.

They say they want to give people the Christmas we all want to have experienced: “We’re selling the dream” says Templer. Look at the website or catalogue and you can see that childhood favourites are on display – and not a single BRATZ doll to be seen anywhere!

Now it’s easy to be cynical of any business that makes such a living from the Christmas period - to see their quaintness as gimmicky. However, I believe there are too few companies like Hawkins around, those who passionately believe that the customer comes first.

Hawkins Bazaar is a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER not least because one look at their brochure brings my childhood memories flooding back. A soap cat that grows hair, an ice mummy, magic teacher, real mini-brick house building kit and stocking fillers too cheap to believe are simply the tip of this veritable child-at-heart's iceberg.

I enjoy buying from Hawkins, as much as giving gifts from Hawkins to my children – and joy-of-joys receiving a gift that I know came from Hawkins.

For me placing my Christmas order with Hawkins has become as ritualistic as putting up the Christmas Tree for writing Christmas cards. It’s interesting to note that Hawkins say many of their customers place their orders on the same day each year.

Now Santa, here’s hoping you bring me that Champichute I asked for...

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER (1998)

This is a simple, and possibly on the face of it, an uninspired choice for my latest SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER. After all RtRNR is a commercial creation that ties into the MEGA-commercialisation that is modern-day Christmas.

However, oh ye of cynical mind, the reason for my choice is plain and simple and will be explained in 2 flicks of Rudolph’s cute derriere.

The RtRNR I refer to is a cartoon animation film featuring the voices of Eric Idle, Bob Newhart, Whoopi Goldberg and John Goodman as Santa. Not only is there a stellar cast, but the film features the Wings Christmas song “A wonderful Christmas time’ – I suspect Paul McCartney didn’t require the meagre royalties generated from this movie to supplement his income!

This film is not particularly special, except in so far as it is a classic tale of a seemingly-useless, bullied, good-for-nothing, much-ridiculed, different, no-hoper come good. In being so, it’s also the story of Everyman – it’s the story of us all. At the end of the day, Rudolph proving his worth to his peers is a stirring tale indeed, but it has little to do with why it is a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER.

I say a lot of the above with tongue firmly in cheek, but I have a serious reason for my choice. RtRNR’s worthiness as a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER, is the effect this film has on my children. Like it or loathe it, Christmas is one of the few times left to children that they can be, well … children. There are few other occasions when a young child can actually revel in the special moment of make-believe and dreams coming true.

For the past 6 years I have known when Christmas is getting close. It’s not the first robin, or smell of cinnamon (despite my earlier post) or snow – we get precious few white Christmases. No, it’s my son (he’s almost 10) asking me, “Dad, where’s the Rudolph video?” And my consternation as I have to remember where I hid it, er... I mean put it, is momentarily traumatic!

The delight in his and my 5 year old daughter’s eyes as they watch it, and knowing that Christmas Day is fast approaching, really (and I MEAN this) makes me forget the pandemonium in shops as one tries to buy even the simplest of items in the week or so leading up to the Christmas break.

So this may not be a popular choice, but for me it has such a special place with our family that I cannot avoid putting it forward as a worthy SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER.

We all have our own RtRNR equivalent – what’s yours?

DONCASTER ROVERS FC - CARLING CUP RUN 2005

A simple, topical post here.

I used to live and work in Doncaster (home of the famous St Leger horse race) and have slightly fond memories of the place. This is a football team that has had more than its fair share of problems in recent years.

Anyhow, Doncaster Rovers, little Doncaster Rovers, made it through to the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup and played mighty Arsenal last night. Arsenal, to those who do not know, are one of the biggest (and richest) football clubs in Europe. They got there by beating causing a major upset by annihilating Aston Villa (another mighty club) in the previous round.


Last night, in the tiny Belle Vue Stadium Doncaster Rovers (wearing red and white as the HOME team), led Arsenal (incongruously wearing GOLD [fool's gold some might say]) after only 4 minutes, and an amazing upset looked on the cards. But as is usually the way of such things, Arsenal took the game to extra time by equalising. Doncaster Rovers miraculously led again and it was only in the dying seconds of extra time that a last-gasp equaliser from Arsenal took the game to penalties. Needless to say the dream ended there and Doncaster Rovers were knocked out. However, they can hold their heads up high as an inspiration to us all.

Yes sometimes the underdog wins. But on this occasion it was more important that the underdog gave everything they had, and although it was not enough to be triumphant, it still lets us see what can be done when you are determined to succeed.

That’s why the players of Doncaster Rovers FC are SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTERS today.

PLAYING WITH TIME

Of all the endearingly silly ways to watch yourself waste time, Daniel Craig Giffen's Human Clock is by far the most of both - endearing and silly.

Everything on Giffen's site shows an almost maniacal dedication to human-scale whimsy. There are three clocks: digital, analog and text. Each mode is sillier than you'd expect it to be. To change between clocks, you go to an equally silly, but fully functional control panel that looks like something drawn by a fifth grader, and acts like a grown-up web interface. Try all three.

Then there's artist Yugo Nakamura's Industrious Clock. Not as human, perhaps, but it definitely conveys a certain "hand-made" humor. Nakamura's art, and playfulness, are even better represented by his "Surface" collection. Click on the small circles on the bottom of the page to explore.

A PUBLIC FUN ARTIST

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is a public fun artist. See, for example, his "Relational Architecture" projects, as exemplified by his body movies piece - (this link takes you to a very large quicktime movie, requiring a fast connection and great patience - all well worth the effort).

In this remarkable work of art, Lozano-Hemmer invites people to play via complex and subtle uses of light and technology. I quote from his website:

Body Movies transforms public space with 400 to 1,800 square metres of interactive projections. Thousands of photo portraits taken on the streets of the cities where the project is exhibited are shown using robotically controlled projectors. However, the portraits only appear inside the projected shadows of local passers-by, whose silhouettes measure between 2 to 25 metres high, depending on how far people were from the powerful light sources placed on the floor of the square. A custom-made computer vision tracking system triggers new portraits as old ones are revealed.

Body Movies effectively transforms a public square into a public playground, where strangers play with light, shadow, and each other. It illustrates every principle I can think of that characterizes an effective play environment: It supports almost any degree of involvement. Players can choose to ignore it completely. Players can watch other players at play. Players can dip into and out of it at will. Players can get silly and stay safe, get serious and take risks, become fascinated and fascinating, play alone or in groups. Players can spend hours figuring out how to make it do things.

Lazano-Hemmer came to my attention via an email I received from Madamjujujive, aka Julie Ferguson, a contributor to two of my "Blogs o'Fun" - Metafilter and Everlasting Blort. She knew that I'd be at least as excited as she was about her discovery of the art of as described in this discussion on MetaFilter. I mention this by way of thanks, to Madamjuvujive, Rolo, who passed the lilnk on to the MetaFilter community, and to the many wonders and powers of we who blog.

Want to see more of Lazano-Hemmer? He recommends HUMO: A mobile platform for the rapid deployment of huge images and his "ambitious net project" Vectorial Elevation.

JUGGLING

There's no doubt in my mind that juggling is a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER. Whether you be juggl-ER or juggl-EE (the latter being my word for the person who is being juggled to), great pleasure and relaxation can be derived from the experience - except, of course, if someone is juggling chainsaws over your head!

I have been a casual, and somewhat rubbish juggler for almost 2 decades. I first took it up mainly as a challenge to myself - a New Year's Resolution, if you will. I was not, and never have been a smoker, so had no challenge like that to set myself. So I decided to learn to do something I had never done before - I chose that moment because at the time I felt comeltely uselss at everything I tried. Juggling looked cool and also impossible.

It's against the laws of nature to keep more things in the air than you have hands.

Well, as you might imagine, I was totally disastrous for the first 2 weeks. If you've tried to juggle you'll know how hard it can be. The first goal is to throw one ball from each hand in an arc with some sort of rhythm. The hardest part seems to come when you add the infamous, and seemingly illogical (given you have only TWO HANDS!) third ball. I was failing miserably. I just could not get the third ball to go as it should, where I wanted it to go.

Then I read somewhere on a website - one of the first pieces of Internet research I ever carried out, by the way - that if you imagine that an invisible, horizontal hoop runs through the middle of each ball that is in the air, then try to throw the ball that is in your hand through that invisible hoop, you might find things easier. Two broken vases and a dislocated shoulder later, I can vouch that that advice was well founded! I cracked it. And do you know something? I can't think of a sweeter feeling that getting the ball in my hand to got EXACTLY where I wanted it to for the first time. It's indescribably joyous. You want to shout to the world "I did it! I did it!"

Since then I've given public performances (albeit comedic rather than serious) of my juggling and heartily recommend it as a great way to raise your spirits whenever you feel useless, as I did before I first tried it.

Juggling - a justifiable entry in the SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTING Olympics!

PODCAST

Right then. Strange one this. I have chosen the word "PODCAST" as today's SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER. Yes, I have specific podcasts in mind that will feature as SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTERS of the future, but why have I chosen the word as such?

Well it has something to do with this story. It seems that podcasting has made such an impression that the word has been declared "Word of the Year" by the New Oxford American Dictionary.

This, for me is a remarkable achievement, considering that the word was almost unheard of this time last year. How things move on apace in the world of technology. And how great it is to learn a lesson from the fact that it is possible to make an impact from grass roots level; after all that's where podcasts first sprang from.

People may argue about what makes podcasts so special, but the truth is, whatever you think about them, they are changing the way that we listen to broadcasts, and they have empowered the person at home (regardless of age, sex or technical know-how) with a story to tell, to be be able to do so in a simple way.

"Podcast was considered for inclusion last year, but we found that not enough people were using it, or were even familiar with the concept," said Erin McKean, editor-in-chief of the New Oxford American Dictionary.
"This year it's a completely different story. The word has finally caught up with the rest of the iPod phenomenon."

I won't link to my favourite podcasts from this article, for those are SPIRITUAL WEGHTLIFTERS of the future. For now, as a sometime podcaster myself, I just want to savour the moment that I feel I played some minor role in a revolution.

CINNAMON

We all know the onslaught of Christmas is upon us. I absolutely hate to see the Christmas decorations go up in August and supermarkets selling Chrismas gifts from early September.

However, I feel a lot better when I smell the heady aroma of cinnamon - whether it be in bakery products (yum!) or scented candles burning - that aroma is when I REALLY feel that the holiday time is nigh. It HAS TO BE in the Christmas season - for some reason or other I am left somewhat nonplussed by the scent of cinnamon throughout the rest of the year. It must be something to do with the way that smells trigger past memories I think. I associate cinnamon with happy Christmas events when I was much, much younger!

I find it interesting that cinnamon comes from a tree the flowers of which reputedly smell foul. So the most unlikely portion (the bark) of the most unremarkable evergreen tree, with disagreably scented flowers, comes a distinctive odour that is instantly recognisable and capable of stimulating stong memories. Truly a case of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear!

No matter how stressed I get with queues in shops or business of public transport at this time, I find the aroma of cinnamon relaxes me and truly proves its worth as a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER.

BBC MOCK TURNER PRIZE

In a swipe at the much-maligned Turner Prize - for which past criticisms can be seen here and here, the BBC decided to set up their own alternative Mock Turner Prize.

Entries ranged from pictures of flying bananas to giant kittens, a car with Dinky toys stuck to it and a baby made entirely of baby's dummies (comforters) which was described by the judge as being "Funny, bleak and startling."

You can see the shortlist here. The winner was selected by public vote and has been announced here. Described by the judge as "It could be a science experiment, a mushroom cloud, or what it is - a bit of tin foil. But it makes you look and it makes you think." It makes you realise that we can make 'art' out of anything. And indeed, that anyone is capable of making art - such as my 4 year old daughter's self-portrait below:


Why is this prize a SPIRITUAL WEIGHTLIFTER? Well it gives hope for us all - hope that anyone with even the most miniscule of artistic ability (like me) can produce something worthy of praise. Think I'm gonna enter next year!

TO WIN JUST ONCE - THE SAW DOCTORS

"To win just once would be enough
For those who’ve lost in life and love
For those who’ve lost their guile and nerve
Their innocence, their drive and verve
For those who feel they’ve been mis-treated
Discriminated, robbed or cheated
To claim one victory inspired
To win just once is their desire"
Copyright: L.Moran/Davy Carton

These words come from a song you just have to listen to. Not since John Lennon's "Imagine" has this author found a song with such powerfully emotive lyrics as this one. The Saw Doctors sing a song of celebration: celebration that people sometimes are happy enough to succeed at what they do on only one occasion – no need for trophies or prizes or accolades. Just a PERSONAL achievement can be victory enough. The song also celebrates triumph against adversity. It was written about a young man who was not prepared to let others tell him that things were not possible, just because of his upbringing. No, he was prepared TO WIN JUST ONCE.

In a 1955 film called Wee Geordie a wee lad from Scotland becomes an Olympic hammer thrower and the film appears to be a ridiculous fantasy. However, the story behind TO WIN JUST ONCE is every bit as improbable, but it happens to be true.


Francis Barrett was a young boxer, who rose through the amateur ranks in a very short time to utlimately represent Ireland at the Olympics in Atlanta. He carried the flag for Ireland in the opening ceremony, an amazing achievement for somebody who grew up as a member of the Traveller community. In previous days he might have been called a Gypsy. A person who moves here and there, with no real, fixed address.

In Southpaw, the film made about his life, Barrett explains that the name describes a boxer who leads with the right hand and punches with the left, who gets in under an opponent's guard and makes matters awkward. On another level, Travellers do something of the sort. Local people regard them as an irritant, a drain on taxpayers' money. They are treated as malingerers and under-achievers, and encounter discrimination on a day-to-day basis. This is what makes Barrett's success all the more unlikely.

Just by being in the public eye, he counters long-held prejudices about Travellers. However, his story is not quite as gilt-edged as it may at first seem. Relatively early in the film Barrett wins his first fight at the Atlanta Olympics, but is well beaten in his second. Back in Galway, a huge crowd of his friends and relatives look on in dismay.

His was sporting fairytale. Barrett, clean-cut and enthusiastic, was immediately likable. Just by being in the public eye, he countered long-held prejudices about the travellers. Relatively early in the film Barrett wins his first fight at the Atlanta Olympics, but is comprehensively beaten in his second. Back in Galway, a huge crowd of his friends and relatives look on in dismay. But, he “Won Just Once” and that achievement was enough for him.

It was reported in the Irish Times in August 1998 that he was stabbed in Galway because he refused to take part in bare-knuckle street fighting. Francis was not prepared to compromise on his beliefs.

He was a courageous fighter who changed people's attitudes towards his community.

It's an anthem for the the common man, it's a song for us all.