SUPPORT THE ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM!

Enjoy the pictures above, they were taken during my holiday in Barbados - the 'flowers' are actually animals. They live off the small animals that float into their cave, in the top parish of Barbados, called St Lucy.

The windmill was built during colonial times but is still used during the crop over season, which starts in July.

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Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to be of Caribbean descent but I’m also proud to be British and I’m especially pleased by the current success of the England team.

When it came to The Ashes last month, our boys snatched victory from the jaws of defeat – well done England.

So I was extremely pleased when I picked up a bottle of Buxton Natural Mineral Water – which I buy as it tastes good, then realised they are the official mineral water of the English cricket team.

I know this is blatant advertising but these days, you can’t get away from it, such as Coca-cola being displayed on the desk of the judges of Pop Idol America.

Buxton even have a freephone number you can call if you want to speak to anyone about its water, UK only, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on: 0800 00 00 30.

They also have a postal address: PO Box No 207, York, YO91 1XY.

So here it is, a link to Buxton direct: www.buxtonwater.co.uk

I’m going to watch the Liverpool match on Wednesday 30th September – I can’t wait!

Until then, peace!

Andria

PS please don’t forget to check out my other internet site: www.andriagreaves.com

La la la oh la la la!

Hi to one and all

I’ve seen and heard some of the flak Alesha Dixon has received over her role as a judge in Strictly Come Dancing.

I have to admit I wasn’t happy at the removal of 66 year-old Miss Arlene Phillips for 30 year-old Miss Alesha Dixon as age catches up with all of us.

I also thought it was refreshing to finally see a sexy, older woman with brains showing her experience and knowledge about the dance floor.

Former newsreader Angela Rippon and The Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson shouldn’t be the only women over 60 on our screens!

But I do feel we should give Alesha a chance – at least until the end of this series.

I know what it’s like to be treated badly at work purely because others don’t like you replacing another person, so I’m glad Miss Dixon’s fellow judges are speaking up for her.

I can say from experience, it’s really awful to be stabbed in the back by your colleagues and so-called friends - sadly this does happen in any competitive industry, particularly now, in this recession.

It can take years to heal as self-doubt does creep in, so I wish the fellow judges and Miss Dixon well and hope she does improve.

I personally think there’s room for Alesha AND Arlene, so there wouldn’t have to be a tie-breaker vote by the senior judge Len Goodman - he's more than likely to support the couple he already voted to stay on.

Remember you're a survivour Alesha - you dealt with the break-up of your marriage to MC Harvey with dignity.

If she can survive that, well what else can't she deal with?

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As for the other film that has helped to change the world, it has to be Close Encounters of the Third Kind, released in 1977.

Until then, although unidentified flying objects and paranormal activity had been recorded in history, it wasn’t until this film was shown that society felt it was okay to publicly talk about it.

Likewise, I hope that everyone, myself included, realise that not everything in this world makes sense, such as suffering, pain and disease but these do exist and to behave as if they don't affect us, is to deny ourselves compassion and understanding.

Furthermore, as the film shows, you can learn something new if you’re willing to open your mind to it - that's what helps us to be human.

Now that I’m going to learn Portuguese, starting at the end of this month, I hope that by this time next year, I can say enough words to visit Angola, Brazil or Portugal and say I can speak the language – ha ha!

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As promised, here are a few more sport-themed books I'm happy to recommend:


SQUASH: Steps to Success, by Philip Yarrow
You'll learn the fundamentals thanks to this book, as Squash is a fast-paced tactical game.
My brother-in-law plays Squash on a regular basis and I'm sure that he too will recommend this book.

My Side by David Beckham
I admit this book was very predictable but did mention some interesting moments, including the love and support he received from his parents when starting out in football while attending primary and high school - so long as you get it from your local library!

Nick Faldo: Life Swings, the Autobiography
This was a man who led a chequered life both on and off the golf field - Mr Faldo is very honest about himself and others around him, including the break-up of his most recent marriage.

Soccer Skills and Tactics, by Tim Edward
Yes another football book but it does give some good illustrations on how to be a better footballer, whether you're a semi-pro or just starting out.

Teach yourself better Chess, by Bill Hartson
I prefer checkers, otherwise known as draughts here in Britain but if you want to impress the ladies/men this book will get you there.

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One issue of importance is the Not Another Drop peace march, starting at Roundwood Park in Harlesden, north-west London, on Saturday 26 September 2009, which begins at 12pm.

When I first wrote about the pain and effect of gun violence on four mums, one dad and the aftermath on the rest of their family, especially the brothers and sisters of the deceased, displayed in the July 2005 edition of Pride magazine, I never realised the legacy it would leave.

I’m very proud this article has since spawned numerous newspaper, magazine, radio and television news features/documentaries.

Please have a look at the following site:

http://www.brentbrain.org.uk/brain/brainzones.nsf/0/8974283F5E1A16F98025762A0031334B

If you can make it, please attend.

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I have to go now but I couldn’t help admiring this woman's courage and determination when she appeared on the X-factor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPj6WaiUh6o

Bye for now.

Andria

PS, don’t forget to visit my other site: www.andriagreaves.com

A BREAK FROM THE USUAL ROUTINE

I was asked recently what my favourite films are and why.

The answer for me was simple. In Collateral, two men who on the surface, have nothing in common with each other briefly provide real meaning to each other’s life, even when one ends up terminating the other.

In Be Kind Rewind, a community realises its facing extinction if the small video shop closes down. In this day and age, where it’s very tempting to keep to oneself, it reminds us that no man is an island and shouldn’t seek to be one too.

In Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, well this one is simply my favourite of all the Star War films. I believe it was the strongest - script wise - and the one with most meaning; who can forget the moment when Luke Skywalker finds out Darth Vader is his dad?

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But I have two other films I’ve watched several times, simply because they helped, believe it or not, to change the world.

Blazing Saddles

After standing up for himself and just before he’s about to be executed, Bart, played by Cleavon Little, is saved by the State Attorney General, called Heady Lamarr - brilliantly portrayed by Harvey Korman - who makes him a sheriff that’s requested by the townsfolk of Rock Ridge.

The AT’s intentions aren't noble; he wants to use Bart to drive the local people away – especially since Lamarr's responsible for the current woes of Rock Ridge - or even better, have the townsfolk kill Bart and wash his hands clean of the town's eventual destruction (after all, he has done his bit of sending a law enforcer, so why should he send another one?) i.e. smart move!

That’s because construction of the railroad has to be changed, due to discovering quicksand on the original route - that's why Bart was due to be hanged, after striking the supervisor over the head for leaving him and a friend to drown - this means it has to go through the town of Rock Ridge.

Rather than let the residents have a fair slice of the profits gained, the AT wants to buy the land at a cheap price and keep the future gains of the railroad for himself – i.e. greed.

Blazing Saddles not only had a black man as the lead character (and was first released in 1974) it also cleverly shows how defeat can be turned into victory without having to play the race card.

In the Wild West, racial and sexual equality didn’t exist yet seeing how Sherriff Bart overcomes the original hatred of the townsfolk and defends them, which includes sticking to the principles of his job and defeating his enemies through humour, cunning, sensibility, hard work, honour and being downright clever, is something I aim for, which I hope is passed onto everyone I meet.

I also learned if there is one act of kindness I can do, whether it’s sweeping the floor before the disabled supporters arrive or helping a student achieve a demo or press cutting, we should always strive to be helpful; we all need friends and interaction with others, as Gene Wilder showed, when co-starting in this film as the ‘Waco Kid’ (which included his long-time comedy partner Richard Pryor, as one of the writers of this film).

I have another one but I’ll have to mention it another time.

Until then, be good.

Light and Peace

Andria

PS don’t forget to visit my other internet site: www.andriagreaves.com

Smoking Chimonga!

That’s an expression that’s always got my attention - I first got it from my mate Tajinder Gill, who works at the NUT central London office.

What’s also getting my attention is this: the Premier League, for the first time in its 17 year history, has gone through the £1billion sales barrier.

Worldwide TV deals have played its role for this figure, as clubs were paid a set fee, money each time they were shown on TV and payment based on which position they ended up last season.

The Premier League itself received £2.7billion by selling TV rights for three seasons, from 2007 to 2010.

Looking at the success soccer has in getting both men and women in their grounds and in visiting neighbouring pubs, it’s more than likely the Premier League will get more in the future.

Furthermore the Premier is clearly not showing signs of being affected by the recession. The League’s turnover is up at least 6 per cent from last year’s figure of £951.6million.

Rather than list the results alphabetically, here’s a breakdown of the broadcast payments the football clubs received, according to where they finished last season
- I assure you, I did format this so the lines wouldn't go wonky but for some reason, it never sticks when I publish work on a PC!

1 Manchester United...............£51.5million
2 Liverpool.......................£50.3m
3 Chelsea.........................£47.7m

The top three get automatic entry to the UEFA Champions League Group stage.

4 Arsenal.........................£46.5m

This fourth placed London team goes through to the UEFA Champions League Play-off round.

5 Everton.........................£44.8m
6 Aston Villa.....................£44.5m

These two central England teams go through to the UEFA Europa League Play-off round.

7 Fulham..........................£40.1m

This London club goes through to the UEFA Europa League Third qualifying round.

8 Tottenham Hotspur...............£42.5m
9 West Ham United.................£40.4m
10 Manchester City................£40.1m
11 Wigan Athletic.................£37m
12 Stoke City.....................£36.3m
13 Bolton Wanderers...............£35.5m
14 Portsmouth.....................£34.8m
15 Blackburn Rovers...............£34.4m
16 Sunderland.....................£33.2m
17 Hull City......................£32.5m

These 10 clubs have either:

a. Received the misfortune of missing out on playing in the UEFA Leagues
b. The privilege of remaining in the Premier League
c. Been fortunate not to be relegated to the less lucrative Division One
because - as QPR, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest show - once you’re
out, it’s hard to get back into top flight football since the formation of
the Premier League.
d. All of the above, particularly when looking at the fate of the following
three teams.

Here's the unfortunate ones who didn't make it:

18 Newcastle United................£36.3m
19 Middlesbrough...................£30.9m
20 West Bromwich Albion............£31.1m

These three were relegated to Football League Championship – i.e. Division One – but at least got a financial sweetener from the broadcast payments to comfort the blow.

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Congratulations to former professional footballer and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker and model Danielle Bux on their marriage in Ravello, Italy.

I wish both the bride and groom everlasting happiness.

To get more information, click onto this BBC link: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8235433.stm

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Further evidence of the success the Premier League provides can be found in Ashley Cole signing a new four-year deal at Chelsea, with increased wages.

Although many others weren’t happy at the way he engineered his move from Arsenal, like fellow teammate and former Arsenal player Nicolas Anelka – who was the highest scorer during last season, scoring 19 goals, not Cristiano Ronaldo – he’s clearly very happy at Stamford Bridge.

For more information, I found this link from The Guardian newspaper to be very effective, which also talks about current players in his former club signing contracts: www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/02/ashley-cole-chelsea-contract1


Don’t forget to visit my other internet site: www.andriagreaves.com

Until next time, peace.

Andria

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