AIDS

I accidentally came across these two sets of graphs. The evidence that can be drawn from them is truly shocking and its implications for the future of Africa and the world at large are severe.

The first graph shows the dramatic decrease in life expectancy rates in 5 different African nations. A decrease that sheds light on the the social impacts of AIDS and HIV infections in the different nation states.

GRAPH I

The second graph gives a wider overview of the general situation in both North and Sub Saharan Africa. Again, the evidence is again shocking. Some countries suffer from AIDS/ HIV infection rates of over 30 percent to the total population. A truly scary sight, not even taking the economic and political consequences of AIDS and HIV in consideration.

GRAPH II

Labyrinth

Feeling lazy today and I have to start reading very soon. So, just a quick David Bowie movie for you on his chilly Sunday, Labyrinth.

Plot: Grown angry about the fact that she must watch over her little brother Toby, Sarah (Jennifer Connely) wishes the child to the goblins. They translate this careless statement into action: The Goblin-King Jareth (David Bowie) announces that soon Toby will mutate into a goblin. There is only one hope: Sarah has to find the way to Jareth's castle - through a dangerous labyrinth - where she will find strange creatures.

Enjoy

End of history

From Birmingham all the way to Guantanamo...

Animal Crackers

Marx! No, not that one, the brothers experience. Old skool cinema with a lot of heart.

Plot: Captain Spaulding, the noted explorer, returns from Africa and attends a gala party held by Mrs. Rittenhouse. A painting displayed at that party is stolen, and the Marxes help recover it. Well, maybe 'help' isn't quite the word I was looking for--this is the Marx Brothers, after all...

Enjoy a classic

Duel

This time a more mainstream flick, Spielberg. Albeit, I must admit it is an instant classic. I am talking about Duel (1971). Originally produced as a TV movie, it became an instant classic due to its suspense and tension throughout the story.

Plot: David Mann is trying to drive his car across California. When he tries to pass a gas tanker, the driver somehow takes offense. At first the unseen driver just annoys David by continually passing him and slowing down. Then he starts playing mind games with David, tempting him to pass the tanker, only to prevent him when he tries. The story is seen from David's point of view, with commentary as he thinks to himself.

Enjoy

Bruce Li

What is better than to follow the last Bruce Lee post with a post with an imitation of the legend himself. Watch Bruce "Li" in an Image of Bruce Lee

Plot: A band of counterfeiters wants to make Hong Kong their new territory. The disgraced leader of the Special Squad will have to team-up with a group of Hong Kong police officers in an attempt to stop the dirty business of crime lord Han Tin Lung, but Han's problem not only is the interference of the Police force, his Japanese ally Kimura is not happy with his 'cut' in the counterfeit deal and will try to put Donna (a relative of Han) on his side a make Han's business his own property. Both policemen and criminals are highly trained Martial Arts fighters and they will have the chance to prove who has the best Kung Fu techniques.

High class cult!

Bruce Lee

Doing my PhD on Chine, I cant ignore a tad of contemporary Chinese (or Canton) culture. A culture in which Bruce Lee plays an important role. I found the below interview in which Bruce explains his obsession with the "martial arts". I was not aware that his English was so good! I guess the occupation of Hong Kong played a role in that.

Porn!!!!!

A good friend of mine, commented on the last video I posted, suggesting that he saw a Louis Theroux's porn episode that was worth watching. I started browsing on the Web and fortunately came across the episode he suggested.

Porn business is a lucrative business (coming close to Hollywood money) and it seems rather easy to become an actor (as long as you keep your "wood" hard). The scripts are lousy, but in a way funny.

Example of a Porn script from a random site:

"Katy is carrying her suitcase towards the carpark at the airport when John decides to show some chivalry and offers to take the weight for her. They discuss the plane trip, the cost of long stay parking and indulge in some idle chat. John mentions that he will get a cab into his motel, hoping for the offer of a lift.

When Katy opens her boot for John to put the suitcase in both are surprised [sic] to see her huge vibrator sitting there, she had forgotten about that; he hadn't even got to dreaming about such things yet."

If this arose your interest, you can become a porn star here

Louis gives it a try himself in this wonderful episode!

God hates all Fags

The long awaited moment of return. Well, here I am again. It would be boring to say that I am sorry, because I am not and I definitely needed the long break. As I reckon most of you know, life is a pain sometimes, especially when you taking love in consideration. But let`s not get into that today, instead let`s have some laughs with "Louis Theroux" and his fantastic documentaries on BBC2.

I went through the archives and came up with a number of funny and shocking episodes. The first one is about the "Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka". That freaky xenophobic church that praised Bin Laden's doings in 2001 and wants all "gay loving" countries Tead. Seems like Sweden is one of their targets... look at their site at: God hates Sweden.

They don't seem particular fond of the US either, God also hates America. Yep, they are a freaky bunch of God's righteous chosen "folks", hoping to get the chance to tell us that we all going to hell. *would not be a bad idea, England is cold enough*

Enjoy