Knut: A polar bear story

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 »

Mision cumplida Chile!

13/10/2010 by admin.

‘Mision cumplida Chile’ was the sign held up by the rescue workers after they returned 33 trapped miners to the surface. ‘ means in English ‘Mission accomplished Chile!’

The world watched in joyful awe and wonder amid suspense and jubiliance the miners returned to life to be greeted by loved ones. Each had their own stories to tell and reacted in their own personal way to being rescued.  The miners survived underground for a record 68 to 69 days.  As one story put it the miners claimed, “A deep religious faith powered this rescue; miners, rescuers and families alike believe their prayers were answered.”  The Chilean president declared the rescue a miracle.

Our previous item on the event captured the links with The Haymakers Survey - essentially about living in a cave and the biblical conclusion ‘ out of the depths I cried unto the’.  There are some other coincidences…

The second miner to be rescued brought rocks to the surface as momentoes: our novel refers to the magical stones and the biblical reference ‘I tell you with these stones I can raise children’.

Whilst another miner asked when he got to the surface, ”how the’s dog?’” we wonder if this was in reality a testament to Malachi -our messenger.  

It leads us to conclude that the whole episode is a message to humanity - that we can achieve great things together against all odds and that there’s a task to be done - to take proper care of this fragile Earth!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGecqHnN2gQ

Posted in Q68 Does the Earth have a spirit?, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q69 Do you put off to tomorrow what you could do today?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q79 Have you ever looked into the shadows?, Q57 Have you ever spied on anyone?, Q52 Do you believe in miracles?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q15 Do you sometimes fear the worst?, Q32 Are you afraid of the dark?, Q33 Do you believe in life after death?, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

Beatles stars reunion!

05/04/2009 by admin.

Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have performed in concert together in New York in aid of the David Lynch Foundation - a charity promoting transcendental teaching in schools.

 

Sir Paul headlined the concert before introducing Ringo Starr as his pseudonym, “Billy Shears” - from the song Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

“At this point we would like to introduce somebody to you who you know, you’ve heard his name,” Sir Paul said. “He’s going to come out here and play you a little song this joyful night. Ladies and gentlemen: Billy Shears.”

The pair last performed together in 2002. During the performance Sir Paul paid a tearful tribute to thelate John Lennon, before playing ‘Here Today’ a song he wrote for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxpKJAQ10yE&feature=related

So, we have another curious example from The Beatles clearly linked to our novel and one “Billie Shears”  supported by a really strange indirect reference to the transcendental cause promoted by Charles Lamb in his jorunal. Sir Paul or Ringo - if you ever get to read our tale and view our Watch… we truely hope you have been entertained.   

There is of course a serious note to all of this - to look at climate change and environmental issues in a transcendental way.  Interesting then that on the day the two legends chose to reunite, an ice bridge the size of Jamaica breaks in the Antarctic signalling further evidence of rapid change in the region.

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q75 Have you ever put on a show?, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q49 Do you ever think about the old days?, Q34 Have you ever restored something?, Q40 Can you play a musical instrument?, Q22 Do you love our Earth? | No Comments »

I Luv U

09/02/2009 by admin.

Saying ‘I Luv U’ by text is contributing to the demise of the art of romance. As Valentine’s Day approaches, a National Trust survey of some 2,500 adults showed two-thirds admitted to saying, “I Luv U” in a text, whilst a similar number had never spent time writing a romantic love letter of composing a poem for their beloved. 

 

The National Trust blame a combination of technology and the modern pace of life for killing off romance.  A Trust spokesperson said, “Considering our rich history of romantic letter writing, poems and sonnets - from Shakespeare to Burns - it all suggests we are forgetting to make time for romance in modern Britain.  Yet now we have forgotten the value of putting our innermost feelings down on writing! Pity as the survey showed that 3 out of 4 women would prefer a love letter of dedicated poem than a simple text saying, “I Luv U”.

All very revealing given the role played by Sarah’s mobile in our story and the way in which Charles Lamb’s journal records several examples of love penned by his hand and others in poetry and letters.    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4aTLurY3gw&feature=related

Posted in Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q43 Do you believe in happy endings?, Q29 Could you live without machines?, Q26 Do you take poetry seriously?, Q22 Do you love our Earth? | No Comments »

A red, red rose!

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 »

Secret Squirrel - this one’s for you!

11/01/2009 by admin.

Readers of the Watch will know all about the role of squirrels in our story and in helping to spread our message.  Well they’ve been up to their tricks again.  One has gnawed through cables at the former home of MP Lord Patrick Mayhew sparking a blaze at the cottage in Goudhurst near Cranbrook, Kent.  Interestingly, Lord Mayhew was once Attorney General for England and Wales . The role of the Attorney General is to advise and represent the Crown and govenment departments in court.  The Attorney General also represents the the Crown in many proceedings representing the public interest.  

So, did the squirrel act secretly on behalf of Mother Nature to send a clear signal to humanity that it would be in the public interest to take better care of the environment and the natural world? Perhaps it can be explained away as an anagram of LORD PATRICK MAYHEW is TIP  WORLD C HAYMAKER! Do you believe in justice? Secret Squirrel does.  Who can’t help but love him…

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-S_F9U9gNEQ

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q61 Have you ever worn fancy dress?, Q54 Do you enjoy a bit of a mystery?, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q11 Do you believe in justice?, Q41 Do you like surprises?, Q.7 Have you dreamed of being a champion? | No Comments »

Rescued panda gives birth to twins <> Let’s Tango! <> Poppy Love!

07/07/2008 by admin.

Readers of The Haymakers Survey will know the significance of 7 July in the story in helping to bring the ‘action now on nature’ message to the world. They’ll also know of the specific role played by Sir Peter Scott, founder of the WWF and designer of the panda emblem used by the charity.  Our story also features two identical characters - Ben Whittingbury and Captain Richard Lewin.

Curious then that a 12 year old Giant Panda, rescued from a recent quake zone in China, has given birth to twins.  They’re the first pandas to be born in captivity in 2008. Here’s the video. Warning - high cuteness factor!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7492999.stm

Meanwhile couples in London have today tangoed in silence to promote a sense of ‘compassionate togetherness’ . Wearing headphones as they danced on seven bridges and seven railway stations, it reminded Ben and Julia of their silent tango to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, as recorded in our story. Shall we dance…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7F2X3rSSCU

Maybe some were dancing in memory of lost loved ones, for it seems the spectacular sight of red poppy fields are becoming a rare-sight in Britain.  Numbers have declined dramatically over the past century because of the wildspread use of weedkillers.  Conservation charity, Plantlife, say, “It’s very sad poppy fields have become such a rarity, as they have provided the inspiration for many famous paintings.” The plant is synomous with remembrance as thousands grew on disturbed ground near the trenches during World War I.

Posted in Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q76 Are you going to take action now to save our world?, Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q37 Do you know how to have fun?, Q12 Is our Earth enchanted?, Q13 Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?, Q20 Have your eyes ever deceived you?, Q.2 Are you an art lover? | No Comments »

Poet’s unrequited love dies!

17/04/2008 by admin.

One of the heroines of modern English poetry, Miss J. Hunter Dunn, has died.  She featured in ‘A Subaltern’s Love Song’ a poem of enduring appeal by John Betjeman; who went on to become poet laurette.  Although written  in 1941 to celebrate their engagement, their love was never fulfilled.  In 1965, Joan Hunter Dunn spoke glowingly of the moment that Betjeman told her he had written a poem about her, and how the knowledge brightened the drab war time days.  

 The opening verse reads:

“Miss J. Hunter Dunn, Miss J. Hunter Dunn, Furnished and burnish’b by Aldershot sun’. 

An anagram of ALDERSHOT reads EARTH SOLD!

Here’s an image associated with Miss J Hunter Dunn, capturing Betjeman’s idealised vision. “Love-thirty, love-forty, oh! weakness of joy.”

Posted in Haymakers: Watch Wonders, Q58 Do things happen for a reason?, Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q49 Do you ever think about the old days?, Q26 Do you take poetry seriously? | No Comments »

Queen of Hearts

31/07/2007 by admin.

 It’s the tenth anniversary of the death of Princess Diana. At a memorial service in

London, Princes William and Harry described her as ‘the best mother in the world.’  She was known the world over as the ‘Queen of Hearts’ because of her charitable deeds. Questions 31 and 50   

Posted in Q50 Do you miss someone you love?, Q31 Are you a charitable neighbour? | No Comments »