Wednesday 15 June 2011
Tuesday 14 June 2011
The problem with Chezza...
So after much overhype about Cheryl Cole being on the brink of superstardom in the States, as a judge on The X Factor – USA, a couple of weeks ago came the news that she went over the brink...but landed on the wrong side. Chezza was fired before things even got started. Depending on who you believe, it had nothing to do with Simon but all to do with Fox Network executives, the lack of chemistry between her and Paula Abdul (but she had none with Danii so not a surprise) which deteriorated to outright bitchiness, upsetting the US audience by sitting next to Simon which is Paula’s spot (apparently there is chemistry between Simon and Paula), being homesick and finally, Americans just not understanding her Geordie accent.
My interpretation of the whole scenario is that Chezza has finally been rumbled for being totally talentless. This in itself is not the only problem. There are many examples of talentless individuals who make it big – Madonna, the Kardashians, Shakira, Lil’Kim – but the difference is that they are a bit smarter. Chezza is not bright, and even Simon cannot defend stupidity.
Going back to the days of Girls Aloud, I can’t say I even noticed her and not sure many did either. Nadine and the Ginger Girl were fabulous singers, then there were the other 3, 2 of whom I thought were the same and 1 of whom was Chezza. Those girls carried her. Then she married a footballer, Ashley Cole, and one who as far as I can see was not a very skilled one and even less bright than she was. This was the start of Chezza’s downfall, expecting her association with other individuals to carry her along. This was a critical moment for someone like her, because if she had chosen a guy that could have led to a mutual elevation of status, she may not have been in this position. One thing about Posh Spice and David Beckham, who if you believed the media hype at the time the Coles were trying to emulate, is that they BOTH moved each other onward and upward so much so that they have nearly lost that ‘chavtastiqueness’ about them.
Next move, she allows herself to be carried along on the power trip that is Simon Cowell’s World Domination in Reality Entertainment TV. She is presented as the girl next door who’s done good. But what exactly had she done? From my sofa, all I could see was a pretty but vacuous girl who could barely string a sentence together and when things got a bit tough, quivered her bottom lip or got a big gobby – the council estate roots coming out. Remember, this was the girl who slapped a lavatory attendant whilst racially abusing her. You don’t get rid of that behaviour with big hair, too much make-up and designer dresses.
She was just a show puppet for Simon; she even started doing the same salute that Simon did when all the judges made their entrance on the X Factor. And she couldn’t even - on screen anyway – develop her own relationship with Danii Minogue and Louis Walsh. I guess she just did what she was told. This was her excuse when she chose not to put forward one of the best singers in last year’s X Factor through to the live finals. The backlash started here, but by this time, the GBP (Great British Public) had done what it does best, elevate mediocrity to superstardom status; Chezza in all her total lack of cleverness totally embraced this and got a tad arrogant.
So arrogant that, when Simon reckoned he could make her a star in the US, she skipped along with the idea. She didn’t stop to look at who has made it and what it takes to make it in the US. Can she sing like Duffy, Adele, Estelle, Leona? No? More like Robbie Williams and Take That – love the boys and love the comeback without Robbie even more, but let’s face it, they really would only appeal to us here on the Island. Even JLS knew how far to push it. They went to the US last year but came back quickly and quietly muttering something like they ‘would miss home too much’ and ‘want to make it big in England’, blah, blah, blah. These boys are cute and clever - stick to the Sunday League and don’t go for the Champions League – at least not until you are ready. Love you though JLS.
For weeks we were bombarded with headlines about her getting or not getting the job. Then we heard that TV Execs were worried that the GAP (Great American Public) wouldn’t understand her. Then finally we hear she has the job. But from the first media call after the confirmation it looked like it could only end in disaster. She stepped out with too purple, too flared and too long trousers, topped off with too much hair. Which American star dresses like this – OK big hair - yes, purple ‘pants’ – no; Americans have dress sense. Her interview was lacklustre with no sign of a personality anywhere – and we all know Americans like personality. And here-in lies another problem - Cheryl has no clue about who she is or what she should be, because she has pretty much spent most of her ‘career’ hanging off the coat-tails of others – Reality TV, Girls Aloud, Ashley Cole, Simon, The GBP; and to do that means that you have to be what others want you to be.
In America, to be British means that you must exude class, even if you have none. You must have diction like a member of the Royal Family, or Hugh Grant, or James Bond or Simon Cowell. Fergie, ex-in-law of the dear Queen, is a prime example. Her diction is impeccable but we all know without this, she is as rough as they come – toe sucking in public, selling access to her ex-husband, raising daughters who wear £80, 000 pound toilet brushes on their heads to their cousin’s wedding... Yet she remains a star to them, because she speaks well and so appears to have good old British class. Chezza did not live up to this expectation at all – no class and speaks funny. I love the Geordie accent – in fact I love all Northern accents, but off this Island, no one can understand them. In fact, no one inside of the M25 can. This is a fact. To make matters worse, either because she was too arrogant or was wrongly advised – she didn’t even bother to do her time like everyone else and live in the US for a while, to dilute said Geordie accent a bit and understand the quite simple psychology of the GAP.
The GAP likes those that stick to the script. Leave the ‘pretty starlet with dimples’ thing to them. They have more than enough of these to go round and furthermore, theirs have talent. If you are British, come with the accent which is interpreted as having class. Sadly Chezza came with neither. She is still a WCG (working class girl) – and worse, the type that when they go abroad, want fish and chips and bacon butties; everything must be as it is at home. Take this brand of WCG out of their world and they are quite unpleasant; so perhaps that story about bitching on Paula may be true and the one about being homesick may also be true. This type does not travel well at all.
But whilst all these reasons for Chezza’s demise may hold some water, the point is that had she had talent or had she used her own head, she may have landed on the right side of that brink of superstardom. Don’t be fooled by today’s GBP and GAP. Yes they love all the drama and the glamour, but if you do not justify your existence and deliver you will be rumbled and sent back to the estate...or the trailer park.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Zimbabwe's Children
I totally stumbled on this programme by accident yesterday. As I am one of those that believe everything, no matter how inconsequential that thing may seem, happens for a reason, no matter how insignificant that reason may seem, this stumble did happen for a reason. Here is my letter to the charity that sprung out of this documentary, and other documentaries like it; the reason for me is at the end:
The Zimbabwe’s Children Fund
True Vision
49a Oxford Road South
London
W4 3DD
Dear Sir/Madam,
I watched the documentary of Zimbabwe’s Children yesterday on BBC4 and for the first time in a long time, a TV programme has compelled me to put pen to paper, or rather fingers to keyboard.
This documentary was raw, emotional and heartbreaking. I do applaud the producer and others involved in bringing this story to us. The detail was upsettingly graphic but I think there really was no other way to show the extent to which children are being denied the right to be children in our country, and unnecessarily so. I am Zimbabwean by birth, and though I grew up during the time of the ‘hondo’ (war), and do remember some of the challenges we faced at that time, particularly in rural Zimbabwe, I NEVER as a child had the burden of looking after ill relatives, going without anything less than 3 full meals and in betweens a day, worrying about not getting to school, not being able to play and most importantly not fulfilling my dreams. Like the producer, the achievements that I, my sister, cousins and thousands of others of my generation have made today were born out of the fabric and sheer determination (like Obert’s grandmother) of that society through our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, teachers and neighbours, IN SPITE of the terror that surrounded us at the time. And for those goals we have not yet attained, that society taught us that you never stop striving to reach them, because there is nothing that you cannot do.
These children, 30 years later, are faced with a unique and horrifying terror, one that takes away a childhood and thus dreams and hopes and eventually for some the will to live and be a productive member of society . I pray really hard that enough of us that watched or glimpsed or read or heard of this programme can take small steps, and that these small steps can become one big enough step to change the lives of some of these children. Because if we can bring about such a change before all innocence is lost, we can reignite the magic of childhood such that perhaps one, any, of their dreams can come true, one day.
My one criticism is that this programme did not spend enough airtime on local home grown charities that are taking active steps to help children like Esther, Obert and Grace. Many of my family members starting with my late grandfather ran and continue to run organisations to help deprived children in Zimbabwe. Perhaps because of the current situation, those involved in the charities could not speak out. However, some word on what action is being taken by these organisations may have left the viewer with a feeling that there is compassion within our society towards our brothers and sisters that are less fortunate despite the lack of compassion that the politics of our nations seem to exhibit. I know that the aim here was not to make the viewer feel comfortable. However, many of these groups have to provide services with very little and any chance to raise their profile would enable them to reach further and wider across the desolated human and physical landscape depicted by your programme.
I for one would be humbled to have the opportunity to contribute towards a change for one of these children. Please accept my enclosed donation as small as it is. But I know that it can go a long way in paying for school fees and some books for Obert and Grace, or medication for children like Esther and Tino.
Finally I am running the Virgin London Marathon in April this year; up to now I had not been able to decide on which charity to raise funds for. After today, that decision has been made.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you.
Rhoda Molife
True Vision
49a Oxford Road South
London
W4 3DD
Dear Sir/Madam,
I watched the documentary of Zimbabwe’s Children yesterday on BBC4 and for the first time in a long time, a TV programme has compelled me to put pen to paper, or rather fingers to keyboard.
This documentary was raw, emotional and heartbreaking. I do applaud the producer and others involved in bringing this story to us. The detail was upsettingly graphic but I think there really was no other way to show the extent to which children are being denied the right to be children in our country, and unnecessarily so. I am Zimbabwean by birth, and though I grew up during the time of the ‘hondo’ (war), and do remember some of the challenges we faced at that time, particularly in rural Zimbabwe, I NEVER as a child had the burden of looking after ill relatives, going without anything less than 3 full meals and in betweens a day, worrying about not getting to school, not being able to play and most importantly not fulfilling my dreams. Like the producer, the achievements that I, my sister, cousins and thousands of others of my generation have made today were born out of the fabric and sheer determination (like Obert’s grandmother) of that society through our parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, teachers and neighbours, IN SPITE of the terror that surrounded us at the time. And for those goals we have not yet attained, that society taught us that you never stop striving to reach them, because there is nothing that you cannot do.
These children, 30 years later, are faced with a unique and horrifying terror, one that takes away a childhood and thus dreams and hopes and eventually for some the will to live and be a productive member of society . I pray really hard that enough of us that watched or glimpsed or read or heard of this programme can take small steps, and that these small steps can become one big enough step to change the lives of some of these children. Because if we can bring about such a change before all innocence is lost, we can reignite the magic of childhood such that perhaps one, any, of their dreams can come true, one day.
My one criticism is that this programme did not spend enough airtime on local home grown charities that are taking active steps to help children like Esther, Obert and Grace. Many of my family members starting with my late grandfather ran and continue to run organisations to help deprived children in Zimbabwe. Perhaps because of the current situation, those involved in the charities could not speak out. However, some word on what action is being taken by these organisations may have left the viewer with a feeling that there is compassion within our society towards our brothers and sisters that are less fortunate despite the lack of compassion that the politics of our nations seem to exhibit. I know that the aim here was not to make the viewer feel comfortable. However, many of these groups have to provide services with very little and any chance to raise their profile would enable them to reach further and wider across the desolated human and physical landscape depicted by your programme.
I for one would be humbled to have the opportunity to contribute towards a change for one of these children. Please accept my enclosed donation as small as it is. But I know that it can go a long way in paying for school fees and some books for Obert and Grace, or medication for children like Esther and Tino.
Finally I am running the Virgin London Marathon in April this year; up to now I had not been able to decide on which charity to raise funds for. After today, that decision has been made.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you.
Rhoda Molife
Interlude Over
So finallly my cold seems to be going. Ran for the first time in 7 days yesterday. Did 27 minutes after the nursery run and before work. I could have done more but didn't want to be too late for work - tonnes to do at the moment, or really push myself too much.
I think the rest did me good. Would normally have taken 30 minutes to do that route. All is not lost in mind or body...
I think the rest did me good. Would normally have taken 30 minutes to do that route. All is not lost in mind or body...
Monday 22 February 2010
Marathon Madness Part II
So I know I started my marathon training supposedly in September. Well I did, but that was practice training it seemed.
For the past 7 weeks I have been PROPER MARATHON TRAINING, i.e., following a programme that actually means I run faster and longer each week. Started Jan 1st and so far I have run through rain, sleet, snow and ice for up to 2h and 15 minutes on my last weekly long Sunday run. I have cut my hair short as that meant it was easier to manage with all the sweat and stuff - the verdict is out on that one. Not sure, might have to go back to braids...Revamped my diet so I don't interrupt my training with needless colds - fresh lemon in hot water morning and night and lots of fruit and veggies and plenty of rest. But guess what... as I am about to start week 8, I get another bloody cold and Toddler Boy still wants to get up every night for a bottle of milk, work is relentless so there goes my rest...
But you know it is too late to turn back, so unless I am no longer in this life in April, I intend to do this marathon (sneeze).
For the past 7 weeks I have been PROPER MARATHON TRAINING, i.e., following a programme that actually means I run faster and longer each week. Started Jan 1st and so far I have run through rain, sleet, snow and ice for up to 2h and 15 minutes on my last weekly long Sunday run. I have cut my hair short as that meant it was easier to manage with all the sweat and stuff - the verdict is out on that one. Not sure, might have to go back to braids...Revamped my diet so I don't interrupt my training with needless colds - fresh lemon in hot water morning and night and lots of fruit and veggies and plenty of rest. But guess what... as I am about to start week 8, I get another bloody cold and Toddler Boy still wants to get up every night for a bottle of milk, work is relentless so there goes my rest...
But you know it is too late to turn back, so unless I am no longer in this life in April, I intend to do this marathon (sneeze).
Saturday 17 October 2009
Tuesday 6th October
Today is my last day off and I was planning to go for a nice long one today but frankly just felt like staying in my PJs in bed.... and as soon as I did the nursery drop off, I do just that. Get up about 3pm - not sure when I nodded off. I feel rough and really the only thing that will sort this is exercise. Don't do coffee or tea so got to do something. Get dressed fast before I change my mind.
My run round the neighbourhood coincides with the afternoon school run. Bump into mummies and daddies and big brothers and big sisters and childminders and grannies picking up their charges. That's gonna be me in...3 years time. How the hell will I do it cause neither my or his Dad's job finishes in the middle of the afternoon so going to have to shell out money for a childminder on top of school fees, unless of course I miraculously don't need to work....
Time :21 minutes
My run round the neighbourhood coincides with the afternoon school run. Bump into mummies and daddies and big brothers and big sisters and childminders and grannies picking up their charges. That's gonna be me in...3 years time. How the hell will I do it cause neither my or his Dad's job finishes in the middle of the afternoon so going to have to shell out money for a childminder on top of school fees, unless of course I miraculously don't need to work....
Time :21 minutes
Tuesday 6 October 2009
My Marathon Madness - Thurs 1 Oct
Third time lucky this week. Got to take Baby Boy's Daddy's car to the garage for a service and MOT. Means I can try another route today. New routes are great cause it makes the time go by faster. I head off for Crystal Palace. Never been there before, now is my chance. Got to get up a goddamn hill first though and these hills here are VICIOUS. I mean NASTY! Halfway up, I am literally at snail's pace but I dont want to stop cause I would never start again. Make it to the top by Grangewood Park - no relief cause there is another slope in sight. God please help me. He obviously did cause I get to the other side and can now safely make my way to the Palace. Run through some trendy shops first then I see the entrance to the park. Oh my God - it is a GEM this place. Why haven't I been here before! Aaah I see why it is called Crystal Palace; the remains of a palace and its walls are still visible, complete with statues of sphinxes copie. The views across South London are amazing. The grounds are vast. This must have been some residence back in the day. I must research the story on this when I get back if I don't get caught up in something which of course I will... I could run in here forever but I can't 'cause I would still have to negotiate the hills on the way back home. I am going to come here again and really explore, but I may drive the car and park it here then run. NO, in fact I WILL drive the car here! And I must bring Baby Boy - he will go crazy here when he sees he can run ad infinitum!
Nothing interesting on the way back. Stop by a carwash place to find out how much to valet my car which needs fumigating really. £10 not bad considering...Will bring it next week.
Home at 1h 4 mins
Nothing interesting on the way back. Stop by a carwash place to find out how much to valet my car which needs fumigating really. £10 not bad considering...Will bring it next week.
Home at 1h 4 mins
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