29/10/2011 by admin.

This year’s X Factor talent contest apears cursed. 

The calamaties have come thick and fast:

• Claims by contestants that the X-Factor mansion is haunted.
• Goldie, one of the final 16 contestants, pulled out prior to the first show and had to be replaced by Sami Brooks
• In a sing-off, Sami’s mentor Louis Walsh decided to keep Kitty and Sami should leave the show. Sami then suggested Louis should be pensioned off!
• Complaints from viewers about the unreasonable number of adverts between performances
• Ratings have crashed - 2 million less than in 2010 
• Accusations and rumours of bulling amongst some contestants
• The girls’ band Rythmics had to change their name because it clashed with a children’s charity - they’re now called Little Mix
• Due to his faith Ashley Baptiste, member of The Risk, decided being in a boy band wasn’t for him and choose to leave the show. He’s been replaced by Ashford Campbell one of the members of NuVibe, with some arguing about the legality of this as NuVibe were voted off a couple of weeks ago.  
• The ‘Hex’ has even spread to the judging panel - with arguments breaking out with Kelly Rowland missing this weekend’s show due a ‘throat infection.’

Perhaps the Hex Factor is because humanity is falling to demonstrate to the Earth’s creator that we have what it takes to be its guardian. Our novel anticipated this - see the free opening sequel. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YPdeFknh34

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life?, Q10 Have you ever seen a ghost?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

14/10/2011 by admin.

Defence Secretary Liam Fox has resigned as Defence Secretary in the British government after feeling the heat of revelations about his working relationship with friend a political adviser Adam Werrity.  Mr Fox had been pursued for days by baying hounds in the form of journalists. 

Not for us to dwell on Mr Foxes behaviour but you may ask, ‘What does this have to do with The Haymakers Survey’? Well, Charles Lamb’s journal reveals how the Duke of Wellington forewarns that a fox hunt will serve as a ‘wake up call’ to defend the majestic of the natural world. We have been warned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2igjYFojUo

Posted in Q56 Do you believe rules are there to be broken?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life?, Q.5 Do you believe in fate?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

22/03/2011 by admin.

Knut, the world’s most famous polar bear, has died at just 4 years of age. 

 Rejected by his mother he was put in an incubator and raised by humans from a cub at Berlin Zoo. His story captured the imagination of an adoring public and was adopted by many as an icon on tackling climate change.  Polar bears can live for up to 30 years in the wild. 

His premature death from brain damage has provoked renewed debate about the ethics of keeping large animals in zoos.  Comments on the BBC website are wide ranging including, human arrogance in interfering with nature’s course, our sentimentality in relating to wild creatures, the role of status species in zoo’s as ambassadors for their breathen in the wild, and the importance of not judging nature by human standards. 

Whatever your view Knut’s short life should be cherished - we loved the polar bear champion. Maybe his early death is another signal that we need to act quickly to address the threats to the natural world.

Posted in Q48 Have you ever played solitaire?, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q33 Do you believe in life after death?, Q24 Do you get enough time to yourself?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

30/09/2009 by admin.

Lucy’s in the headlines again -a sheep in her name is the matter of a legal custody battle.  Last December Bethan Parkinson from Buckley bought her nine year old daughter, Lauren, a pet sheep and called her Lucy. Initially Bethan kept her in stables with her pony but this proved troublesome so she chose to give her temporarily to an animal sanctuary whilst looking for land.  Five months later Bethan returned to claim Lucy but after a dispute which involved the police she produced a receipt and reclaimed the sheep.  However, the animal sanctuary have not given up and have taken the family to court over the pet sheep, under the Return of Goods Act. Next week, a judge will decide Lucy’s fate at a court in Mold.   

A curious tug-of-love for Lucy. From our perspective the ovine (Charles Lamb) link is obvious but the use of the Return of Goods Act stands out because humanity has exploited the Earth’s finite resources for many many years whilst feeding the material world that we live under. Its time to Return the Goods!  

Posted in Q71 Is there something missing in your life?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q.8 Do you crave a better life? | No Comments »

08/08/2009 by admin.

Another symbolic anniversary relevant to THS; hundreds of Beatles fans have gathered to mark the 40th anniversary of the camera shot of the famous pedestrian (zebra) crossing cover of the Abbey Road album. 

A reconstruction took place with Beatles lookalikes - a tribute band known as St Pepper’s only Dartboard Band’ - wearing outfits the same as those worn on the day.  Billie Shears would be pleased! The original picture has been copied many times over by Beatles fans.  We’re especially taken by the iconic crossing - Malachi warns in our novel ‘We’re at the crossroads’. Perhaps that’s why Sir Paul chose to cross the road bare-footed as an unwitting reminder of the human ‘carbon’ footprint!

When visiting Abbey Road Beatles fans also like to leave personal messages on a wall by the roadside. Messages like these…

Abbey Road is also in St John’s Wood and St John’s Church is where Julia saw a ghostly figure wearing a replica ‘St Pepper’ jacket. Mmm. we do have fun don’t we?

Ben’s favourite song from the album is ‘Come Together’ which is what we need to do to address the ongoing environmental challenges. Here’s a video with rare footage of Abbey Road and the recording studios. Enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vAqekT-GuA

Posted in Q49 Do you ever think about the old days?, Q78 Do you want to be part of the picture?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q47 Do you know your history?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q22 Do you love our Earth?, Q37 Do you know how to have fun?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

11/04/2009 by admin.

A 33 year old woman has had a terrifying close encounter with Polar Bears after she leapt into their enclosure at Berlin Zoo during feeding time.  In a crazy stunt the woman seemed elated at first as she swam towards one of the bears, but was soon set upon and biten by one of the creatures.  She was only saved from serious injury and potential death by the swift intervention of keepers and visitors at the zoo. 

The woman’s motivation for entering the cage remains a mystery  - perhaps she was unwittingly attempting to recreate Richard Westall’s painting ‘Nelson and the Bear’ which features in our story and in Charles Lamb’s journal as a symbol of Mother Nature’s plight due to the behaviour of humanity.  Is this another fascinating example - a distress call - to remind us of the need to act now to preserve our Earth as we know and love it?  Compare the images…

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.9 Do you feel in control of your life? | No Comments »

25/01/2009 by admin.

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard.  Events are taking place across the globe, celebrations including dancing, laughter and song.  He is regarded as the pioneer of the romantic movement, influencing William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge. 

Aside from this connection, we find yet another remarkale anniversary coincidence and we’re especially interested in one of his most famous works, “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” due to the role of the everlasting rose in our tale and Charles Lamb’s journal. 

 Let’s recite the wonderful words,

“My love is like a red red rose That’s newly sprung in June; My love is like the melodie That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in love am I; And I will love thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: And I will love thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only love And fare thee weel, a while! And I will come again, my love, Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.”

So, there we have it - another curious connection, describing a love that’s fresh and long-lasting.  Let’s celebrate!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9lAi9A9s5lg&feature=related

Posted in Q66 Do you have a favourite flower?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q26 Do you take poetry seriously?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

09/01/2009 by admin.

On New Year’s Day, Marc Greenhalgh was out walking in Alkrington Woods, Middleton, when his dog, Jarvis, ran onto the ice to chase ducks.  When the ice broke the dog struggled to get out so Marc plunged into the lake to rescue him.  The scene pictured below could well have been taken direct from Charles Lamb’s journal - when he had to rescue Malachi after he slipped through a frozen lake (page 378 of the story).

Although he was criticised by the authorities for putting his own life in peril, a passer-by who took the photo praised him for his bravery, “A lot of people would say he was idiotic to risk his life for an animal, but I thought he was really brave. If my dog was in danger I’d like him to be there.”

SIRIUS STAR

On November 15 2008, the oil tanker, Sirius Star, was hijacked by Somali pirates, becoming the largest ship ever captured.   The tanker has a capacity of 2 million barrels of crude oil and an overall length of 333 metres.  The cargo is worth some $100m.  The two month stand off ended today as the ship was released after a ransom of $3m was parrachuted on board.  However, the twist in the tale was that five of the pirates drowned with their share of the ransom after their small boat capsized.

Aside from the natural justice against the pirates, the hijack is interesting as Charles Lamb’s journal recalls how he and Mary Shelley speculated on the presence of Sirius the brightest star in the sky.  Here’s the extract from 30 December 1822:

“Together she and I stood after dusk on the terrace overlooking the wilderness garden. On a misty night, only one star broke through to shine in the sky overhead. Confidently dismissing the myth that the star can cause madness, we secretly dedicated the bluish white light of Sirius in the constellation Canis Major to the late Percy Shelley. His light shall not fade!”

Sirius is also know as the Dog Star, which is fascinating given the role of the dog Malachi as our Messenger. 

So, is the whole hijack experience designed to remind us to switch from our dependence on crude oil?

Posted in Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q53 Do you prefer to keep warm?, Q70 Do you like to look at the stars?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q26 Do you take poetry seriously?, Q23 Do you believe all the laws of physics?, Q.2 Are you an art lover?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.1 Does your life have a purpose? | No Comments »

26/09/2008 by admin.

The magician and illusionist, David Blaine, has completed a daring 3 day stunt in which hung upside down in New York’s Central Park.  Medics had warned him about the potential serious effects to his body, but he pressed ahead with the performance regardless.  

Trouble is it seems most people have not been that impressed by his attempt to turn the world upside down for 60 hours, arguing that he ‘cheated’  by taking regular breaks to respond to the call of Nature.  For ten minutes at a time, he would stand upright on a platform to take in water, relieve himself and have medical checks.   Sadly these fundamental needs have led some critics to give him a hard time - with even some booing from the audience.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTcYa71zwfg

So the magicians efforts to look at the world from a new perspective were largely unappreciated - many promoting and working for the environmental cause know how that feels!  

Posted in Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q39 Do you believe in magic?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

14/08/2008 by admin.

Another relevant annivesary - this time it’s 100 years since Mills and Boon published their first novel. 

Famed for romantic fiction, their books are sold in 106 countries and translated into 26 languages.  They have over 3 million readers in the UK annually. Their exoctic escapist stories typically feature a tall, dark and handsome type who sweeps a cream-and roses heroine off her feet.   The stories inevitably have happy endings!  Charles Lamb would surely salute them as they celebrate their centenary, given his passion for love, art and nature.  Celebrate if you will…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SELp8xfbzJQ

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q18 Do you let your heart rule your head?, Q.3 Do you have a good imagination? | No Comments »