Artist of the Week: Lana Del Rey

For a while on MTV I have seen a music video by a young singer entitled Video Games. I didn’t’ think much of it. It was an amalgam of retro home style videos, but the voice of the singer, Lana Del Rey, intrigued me. I only recently found out that it was a homemade video and that it went viral on the interwebs. Seems the way a lot of new artists are being discovered these days. Let the masses choose for themselves what they like, rather than telling them what they should like.

So the other day, when a colleague offered me some music and I saw he had her album BORN TO DIE, I took the opportunity to listen to it. I listened to it again, and again and again. I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Lana’s style of music can probably best be described as indie. Then again, how do you describe Tori Amos and Florence + the Machine? Lana is clearly one of those young women with an intriguing voice (no run of the mill Idols pop tartlet voice), good lyrics and good music.

Turns out that even before I had heard Video Games, I had seen the music video Born To Die made by no other than Yoann Lemoine (aka  Woodkid).

Go check out her music, I guarantee you’ll be intrigued and soon hooked.

The Spear of the Nation

For the last couple of days the news has been buzzing with the, apparently, scandalous painting of President Jacob Zuma, by well renowned South African artist Brett Murray. I say apparently, because not everyone was scandalised by the painting. I though it was to the …err…point. Other fractions claimed outrage! A president should not be insulted like that! It’s racism (Huh?) etc etc.

This is the way I see it. An artist may portray what he likes. A gallery may display what it wants. It’s called Freedom of Expression. No-one is asked to like it, or approve of it. Some people will agree with the artist’s statement, others not.  Art is supposed to spark debate, stir emotions. Otherwise it would just be three plaster ducks on a wall.

The ANC need to take a big girl pill. Had they decided not to comment or rather to joke about it, the painting would never have received the publicity it did. The majority of the population would be none the wiser about it (as the art gallery visiting population in South Africa is a very small community). By going on and on about it and kicking up such a huge fuss about a painting (or cartoons as has been the case in the past), the ANC once more has shown that it is petty and full of itself and that it cannot accept a shred of criticism. Earth to Uranus: NOT EVERYBODY LIKES YOU! Grow up and accept it.

As if the painting of JZ junk should outweigh the fact that there is another scandal at a local hospital where there is no medication, no equipment, no staff because funds have been mismanaged. Now you tell me what should get the biggest publicity and is the more important issue?

I also have to take my hat off to Zapiro with his great cartoon after the event. I wonder how long it will take the ANC to sue him… Again…

Bucket List Review

Last year I wrote up a bucket list for 2012. Let's review and see how well I have done.

1. Canopy Tours. Magaliesburg and then maybe Magoebaskloof and Tsitsikama. This is happening in April. I am waiting for booking confirmations :-)

2. Hot air balloon ride. Still on the books. I will make use of wicount or something like that for a special offer. I am thinking of it as a birthday treat. Mmmmm....

3. Visit the Irene Country Market. Still need to do that. With B&B and the boys :-)

4. Visit the Pretoria Botanical Gardens, and other parks in and around Gauteng. Possibly picnic linked with friends. That would be really nice. Not yet done.

5. Going to the Pretoria Zoo. I haven't been there since I was a kid. Still to be organised.

6. Visit Erica and Hendri in the UK in September. Going with Jen so double trouble! Hehehehe!

7. Regular attendance to the Bioscope. Have not yet been this year, but am going to more "Art House" movies.

8. Taking up ballroom dancing. The tricky part about this is actually finding a partner to go with me. There are usually way more women than guys that go dancing.

9. Explore and discover the hidden gems in Joburg. With the monthly dinner club this is actually happening :-)

10. Teach myself photography through an online course. Spudson to provide me with the details. Hmmm...Had forgotten about this.

11. Going to HQ for 60 day matured sirloin steak. It took Jen and Taryn there in December. It was SOOOOOOOO good. Wanna go again!

12. Visit art galleries and markets. Not quite happening. Come on girl. Off your lazy backside!

Fitness and Weigh Loss Challenge: Week 12

Twelve weeks down and 10kg lost! 

I am really very happy. It's been a very tough 12 weeks I have to be honest, but the reward is immense. I think the worst part was the plateau. It was extremely difficult to remain motivated when not seeing the kilos shift. But I persevered and here I am, with quite a weight loss. I am not really "seeing" it physically, but I am noticing it in my clothes. I was joking with my mom that my one pair of pants have become elephant pants: all baggy around the bum. 

What is really assisting me is all the exercise. I'm at gym three times a week (although I do aim for four times) and I have Pilates once a week. I am also going to start walking longer distances on a regular basis. There is a monthly 5km or 10km walk at the Zoo, which I plan on doing. And I will be doing the 8km 702 Walk The Talk in July! This will really get me fit for my UK trip.

So here's to the next 20kg! In small increments of course :-)

Fitness and Weight Loss Challenge: Week 8

I have not blogged much regarding the challenge this month. Why? Well, there is nothing to report really. I lost 1 kg at the start of the month (I am now down to 92kg) and I have not lost a gram since.

I have hit my first plateau and it just SUCKS! It’s utterly demotivating to be eating really healthily and exercising and not having anything to show for it. I am at a loss of how to get past it. I do a variety of exercises at gym to prevent my body from getting used to routine. I’m following the Weigh-Less eating plan as closely as possible, but I just cannot eat the quantities of veggies that I should (400-700g/day). I get full so quickly. So I try and eat “heavier” veggies to hit 200g in one sitting, but that is not always possible. I was logging what I was eating on MyFitnessPal, and it clearly showed that I am under their recommended calories for weight-loss. It’s possible my body is rebelling against me and hoarding fat. So I’m working really hard at eating more, but the quantities just make me feel nauseous.

It’s really hard to remain motivated at a time like this. Now of course this week my body is screaming blue murder for all the things I should not eat. Thanks PMS. I love you too. So it’s a double challenge: to stay motivated and to not reach for food for that instant comfort.

We’ll see in two Saturday’s time what my cholesterol levels are up to. I was supposed to go this Saturday but the clinic is only open every second Saturday. I admit I am nervous. It should have dropped. I have lost some weight, exercising regularly and eating healthy. But with my luck nothing will have happened.

So yes, feeling utterly miserable right now. Sorry for the whine and whinge.

Then again, as I am learning in the "Living Your Potential" course (more on that in another blog): THIS TOO SHALL PASS. I just need to be patient.