This time of the year I get to be aquainted with new theories or reminded of familiar and unfamilar ones. The digital era has resulted in a huge range of new ideas. I thought they might stick in my brain more if I put some up here. The resultant list also shows the realms of intelligence that current media students demonstrate as all of the ideas for this bit have come from their work.
Filiciak - is a gamer theorist. His ideas related to concepts of post modernism.
Digimodernism and the death of the postmodern by Dr Alan Kirby.
danah boyd (lower case) technology and social culture sort of, has written on changes to the music industry structures.
A value chain is a set of activities that a firm operating in a specific industry performs in order to deliver a valuable product or service for the market. (Michael Porter orginator) Kevin Kelly 8 generative strategies for film directors.Pippa Norris on the digital divide. Theorists come from a wide range of backgrounds - for example Manuel Castells, from Spain, who has written on the rise of the network society. Internet activist, Eli Pariser, on the filter bubble situation.
Charles Leadbetter on social innovation.
Mozorov is sceptical about how far net has created more creativity.
Katheryn Russell-Brown The Color of Crime
I think that this is the first time I have seen a student use the theory around stereotype threats - I found this theory very exciting when I first came across it.
Capitalism explored by Zaretsky
Benedict Anderson, Imagined Community.
Dignital natives - Prensky
Video Games effects theory
Rosalind Gill on postfeminism
Blackwell collective identity
Mediated by Zengotita.
Thursday, 22 June 2017
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Portugal and Portugal 2014
My first visit to Monte Sahaj was accidental. I visited a house near to Monchique, which had been lovely felt just right, but it had no water and the valley it was in was very isolated, but it had something about it. The person selling it had given instruction as to where to catch a free community bus to the valley so that was fantastic, but to identify the bus stop to actually get from Portimao to Monchique itself i had to call a friend in England to check out the maps as there was no bus stop insight. In theory N had promised to try and connect with me whilst in Monchique but I was almost out of the door ready to return to my accommodation in Faro, when he finally rang and halted me. About an hour and a half later, he and his friend appeared, and it was over lunch, they had the idea of dragging me off to Monte Sahaj rather than letting me return to Faro. And so it was that I met Mooji for the first time, the feeling was one of great warmth and that first fleeting visit was both unexpected and charming.
A few weeks later, though I was back in the country, this time to see my friend David and to inspect a property near his house, it was interesting but sadly it sold before I could return to see more of the area. It poured with rain on the visit, making a tour of the area virtually impossible. David was returning to the Uk before me, so I spent the last night in Porto, where I discovered their striking photographic museum.
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| Familar faces appear across the square in Monchique |
A few weeks later, though I was back in the country, this time to see my friend David and to inspect a property near his house, it was interesting but sadly it sold before I could return to see more of the area. It poured with rain on the visit, making a tour of the area virtually impossible. David was returning to the Uk before me, so I spent the last night in Porto, where I discovered their striking photographic museum.
Sunday, 18 June 2017
The Full Monty and the Empty Purse and shortage of students.
The Full Monty was one of my favourite films, but seeing Ashley Banjo promoting a new version filled me with the usual doubt on hearing the word Banjo - however, the resultant programme on TV undertaking a charity performance in support of prostate cancer sufferers was heartfelt and fun. Ashley Banjo clearly has a big heart, unlike his conniving uncle! Conniving uncle hears coffers filling with libel money, but I think that I can substantiate that in court and right now wishing I had the money that disappeared after an association with a certain Banjo. So let's hope one day I get the money back, trying to sort out the paper work with Companies House is certainly still challenging.
I am feeling very happy, very lucky and all sorts of positives these days, but having that money back could just help with something I am considering especially as my online students seem to have vanished recently three no shows this week alone, and two late cancellations. Definitely no trips for a little while and have to hope things pick up over summer. But when the weather is so glorious all over England perhaps that is not a bad thing.
Friday, 16 June 2017
Kinship in Kenya.
It started with a message, get in touch, but I knew what the message would be and why I was being contacted, Nathan was in a silent retreat but he was needed in Kenya to start his grandma's journey home. His initial response was that he had no means to get there and I wondered if I would have to go in his place, in the end we both went, me from England, Nathan from Portugal via France and we landed within an hour of each other and were both met by Sam, who did not seem to have changed from 10 years earlier. Despite the years, despite the children, having all grown up, despite his grandma's sad passing, despite houses having being built, this feeling of in some ways of everything being just as it was remained, my family there made me feel important and at home, both of which was lovely. Sometimes the sheer volume of people was overwhelming as I live alone and come from a culture which no longer regularly shakes hands, but the intelligence and interest with which I was met was intoxicating.
The funeral followed a similar path to Nathan's grandfather, so we knew that there would be a lot of sitting, a lot of speeches, a lot of waiting,and even a requirement to speak ourselves but some things were new. The visit to the mortuary, the open coffin, being carried by Nathan and his cousins, the shrieks were expected with Douglas again being especially affected. This time we all dressed in a family outfit and this time the family had expanded as we were joined by Nathan's half sister - they have such a wonderful bond and when it came for all the families of all the children to stand and say our farewells I was very glad to have one more family member there to represent Shem's line. I have lost count of how many people I am auntie too but we are definitely the smallest group.
My favourite day probably was the quieter day when we could all talk more and walk around the farm, but I had some brilliant conversations the other days and it was lovely to see familiar faces. I also enjoyed a day just to myself pottering around Hesbon's huge house. It was in the process of being built when I visited 10 years ago and still isn't complete but it is a lovely relaxed place in which to stay.
On the last day in Nairobi Sam took me to the animal orphanage, I have some disquiet about feeding animals though in this instance can see it may help them be less bored, but it is such a privilege to be so close to a cheetah that you can hear it purr and to be licked by a leopard that disquiet went out of the window. Feeding a lion is not something I do every day.
In the time I have been away from the little I saw Nairobi has grown into one enormous traffic jam - the middle class districts do not have decent roads even so the air of luxury that is potentially there is undermined. I realise that sand, which is what Senegal has, seems more decorous. Neroka and Kisii were busy and buzzing. Loads of young men on motor scooters. Cows everywhere though too, but not a giraffe in site the whole journey. Everywhere was looking really lush with the rains and the temperature was perfect in Kisii. Having been told mozzies should not be an issue, and despite my long robes and ghastly smelling spray and nets, I did get bitten and have been ill since my return but do not think it is anything serious.
Nathan's grandma was a very special person, the shamba still has a lovely peace about it and the views over Kisii are lovely, but her presence will be really missed. A giant, this tiny person had 12 children who lived to adulthood. Many of her grandchildren have degrees and good jobs, and family, despite the families humble beginnings and most importantly they are all lovely decent people who are a great inspiration. It was lovely to be back.
The funeral followed a similar path to Nathan's grandfather, so we knew that there would be a lot of sitting, a lot of speeches, a lot of waiting,and even a requirement to speak ourselves but some things were new. The visit to the mortuary, the open coffin, being carried by Nathan and his cousins, the shrieks were expected with Douglas again being especially affected. This time we all dressed in a family outfit and this time the family had expanded as we were joined by Nathan's half sister - they have such a wonderful bond and when it came for all the families of all the children to stand and say our farewells I was very glad to have one more family member there to represent Shem's line. I have lost count of how many people I am auntie too but we are definitely the smallest group.
My favourite day probably was the quieter day when we could all talk more and walk around the farm, but I had some brilliant conversations the other days and it was lovely to see familiar faces. I also enjoyed a day just to myself pottering around Hesbon's huge house. It was in the process of being built when I visited 10 years ago and still isn't complete but it is a lovely relaxed place in which to stay.
On the last day in Nairobi Sam took me to the animal orphanage, I have some disquiet about feeding animals though in this instance can see it may help them be less bored, but it is such a privilege to be so close to a cheetah that you can hear it purr and to be licked by a leopard that disquiet went out of the window. Feeding a lion is not something I do every day.
In the time I have been away from the little I saw Nairobi has grown into one enormous traffic jam - the middle class districts do not have decent roads even so the air of luxury that is potentially there is undermined. I realise that sand, which is what Senegal has, seems more decorous. Neroka and Kisii were busy and buzzing. Loads of young men on motor scooters. Cows everywhere though too, but not a giraffe in site the whole journey. Everywhere was looking really lush with the rains and the temperature was perfect in Kisii. Having been told mozzies should not be an issue, and despite my long robes and ghastly smelling spray and nets, I did get bitten and have been ill since my return but do not think it is anything serious.
Nathan's grandma was a very special person, the shamba still has a lovely peace about it and the views over Kisii are lovely, but her presence will be really missed. A giant, this tiny person had 12 children who lived to adulthood. Many of her grandchildren have degrees and good jobs, and family, despite the families humble beginnings and most importantly they are all lovely decent people who are a great inspiration. It was lovely to be back.
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Frankly marvellous France and gorgeous Genoa February half term 2017
This was such a lovely break, such a positive experience.Genoa was a great place to start. It is a big old lumbering place in some ways but you go round a corner and there is a stunning medieval building. The port is great. There are wonderful winding streets each with a local tart hovering in it. Meanwhile the museums were virtually empty. There wasn't even a guard in some rooms. Nuova Strada. But also the youth hostel was just wonderful and the mix of ages and nationalities made it a great place for discussions.
A short coach trip bought me to Nice, which is a really lovely town - very multi cultural and with a great vibe. I visited the Matisse museum and the local town museum. But the time was dominated by the Nice carnival. I was a bit panicked by the police presence and potential mad men but held on had a great time. Cannes felt a bit flat in comparison and I felt alone for the only time in the week but on my return to Marseille and a jolly hostel there it was once more great chats between me and two young Germans and a Canadian living in France,
A short coach trip bought me to Nice, which is a really lovely town - very multi cultural and with a great vibe. I visited the Matisse museum and the local town museum. But the time was dominated by the Nice carnival. I was a bit panicked by the police presence and potential mad men but held on had a great time. Cannes felt a bit flat in comparison and I felt alone for the only time in the week but on my return to Marseille and a jolly hostel there it was once more great chats between me and two young Germans and a Canadian living in France,
Painful Portugal and positive Portugal. 2017
I have been searching for access to the site and have just realised one can now get in from the actual blog! So that is different.
Having had a wonderful time in Brecon just before Easter, I have now just come back from Portugal. It was the first visit since having to pull out of the purchase of a property there and several other very stressful events so that might explain why despite many wonders - the flowers, the sun, my son, my Dad, Mooji, Monte Sahaja, the food, the company, our accommodation, storks - I felt deeply disturbed whilst there. Apart from a lovely first day revisit of Silves it did not really feel like a holiday instead it just felt distressing. So not what one wants from a trip abroad at all. It is a long time since I have holiday shakes and ones that have lasted so long. Luckily when I returned a month later, I was fine, clearly I am just no good at holidaying with others - or something like that, but I had a lovely time really getting to know Silves and debating if I could live there and then just having a real holiday lying on the beach in Tavira, a typical Portuguese town having both a river and seaside, yet one with several Indian restaurants too.
Having had a wonderful time in Brecon just before Easter, I have now just come back from Portugal. It was the first visit since having to pull out of the purchase of a property there and several other very stressful events so that might explain why despite many wonders - the flowers, the sun, my son, my Dad, Mooji, Monte Sahaja, the food, the company, our accommodation, storks - I felt deeply disturbed whilst there. Apart from a lovely first day revisit of Silves it did not really feel like a holiday instead it just felt distressing. So not what one wants from a trip abroad at all. It is a long time since I have holiday shakes and ones that have lasted so long. Luckily when I returned a month later, I was fine, clearly I am just no good at holidaying with others - or something like that, but I had a lovely time really getting to know Silves and debating if I could live there and then just having a real holiday lying on the beach in Tavira, a typical Portuguese town having both a river and seaside, yet one with several Indian restaurants too.
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| Glam Youth Hostel in Tavira. |
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| Storks in Silves |
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| Waiting in Garvao |
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Marvellous Malaga and hello, Alora. January 2017
I first visited Malaga when I was about 15. We had rented some of the first properties being built in Torremolinos so Malaga was there in the background, and apart from a visit to the market with my son on his first trip to Spain 23 years ago, it was once again in the background of a holiday just up the coast, so this weekend, with a detour to Alora was lovely. The area had been flooded and then snowed upon recently but on my visit the sun shone just as it had 23 years ago. With stunning architecture, and interesting museums and real warmth Malaga was a lovely place to potter about in whilst the trip to Alora, with its Moorish castle, tapas bars and guitar melodies, gave a much better idea of Spanish life in Andalucia.
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