Inspiring quotes

Criminal minds is one of my favourite shows, although it is your typical, predictable crime show I do enjoy watching it. From the extremely handsome men (one in particular) to my (almost creepy) fascination with crime shows.

But the key thing that captures me and makes me watch each Criminal Minds episode from beginning to end is the inspiring yet simple famous quotes they use at the start and completion of each episode.

And here are a few of my favourites:

“Whatever you are, be a good one” – Abraham Lincoln

“Without heroes we are all plain people and don't know how far we can go." - Bernard Malamud

“There is no such thing as part freedom” – Nelson Mandela

"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had." – Eric Schmidt

“We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” - Chuck Palahniuk

"Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win." – Stephen King

"A woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself. " – Susan B Anthony

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." – Albert Einstein

"A belief is not merely an idea the mind possesses. It is an idea that possesses the mind." – Robert Oxton Bolton

"The question that sometimes drives me hazy: Am I, or the others crazy?" – Albert Einstein

Diet Coke

The perfect can that encompasses my love for diet coke.

Know your status

This flyer was handed to me and my cousin during our visit to Harlem, NY.

We were walking along Malcom X Boulevard on a wintery March day - 23rd to be exact, when we saw 2 white young men dressed in plain clothes attempting to hand out flyers to their darker fellow street wanders.

As we approached, minding our own business, I wasn't too interested to see what they were promoting, one man approached us to hand us each a flyer. We both took one, mostly out of politeness (well at least on my part) and I was quite interested after glancing at the flyer.

I think that flyer's such as these are a great initiative, especially in an area such as Harlem.
(The flyer is promoting free HIV testing clinics in the Harlem area for that day only - on the reverse saying 'free HIV testing and screening, 20 minutes testing, results within an hour, confidental' in both English and Spanish).

Although I do wonder how many people, who the flyers are aimed at, would actually go and visit one of these clinics?

Would an elderly, sick man visit? Or would he not be concerned about as issue such as this at his age?

Would a late teen boy or girl visit after practicing unsafe sex for a few years now? Or would the fear, embarassment and consequent denial lead them to ignore the lifesaving opportunity?

Would a mother take their child, if they themselves had the disease prior to giving birth? Would they understand the importance of the test for their offspring?

These were the questions that ran through my mind as I slipped the flyer into my bag as a souvenir and continued to walk along the street. Along with a distant thought in the back of my mind, "am I really the target of a HIV testing flyer?", but I know that sounds very pretty little white girl.

These pictures I have above where taken from a book I read whilst spending an hour on my last day in NYC in the NY public library - the book was a series of photographs taken from Harlem within the past 5 years. I felt they really captured the simple beauty of Harlem and made me forget about the socioeconomic status that overwhelms the area.

And if anyone in Harlem reads this - Don't be afraid to know your status.

Peace.

MJ

What could have been, we will never really know.

We can only assume, after seeing a glimpse of art from one of the greatest artists who ever lived.

Can we forget all the troubles that come along with being a genius and only see the genius for just that?
Can we give him a last chance to be remembered for what he gave us that no one else could do?
Many would say yes, yet some still say no.

Maybe he knew his time would come to an end before he could grow old, and see his children grow up, like every parents dream.
Maybe he knew the only way to ‘redeem’ his rumoured sins, was to go out with a bang, rather than slowly fade away.

And that is exactly what he did.

No one got to experience his return to greatness (apart from some very lucky musicians, dancers, stage technicians and cameramen).
But he gave us a preview, and that was enough.

A voice that hypnotises, dance moves that stop you in your tracks, and the aura of a inspiring individual.

Who what have thought that this was the same man, who less than a year before, was frail, weak, pale and the target of major media scrutiny and turmoil.

But after seeing the footage, no one can deny that this artist had returned to his best. After seeing the footage, no one would have expected his death.

This is it, gives us a final chance to remember, a glimpse at what once was, what could have been and what was in the making.

This is it, gave us Michael Jackson at his best.

And that really is it.

Amy McKinnon – 05/12/2009

Dear New York City

Dear NYC,

You are truly one of the great wonders of the world. Maybe not in the same way as the pyramids in Egypt or the Grand Canyon in Nevada or Ayers Rock in Central Australia.

You may not have a massive cultural history, but you are so magically compelling. You are truly an incredible city, full of buzz 24/7, with an atmosphere that makes me want to be up at all hours so I don't miss a thing.

From the Wall Street suits, to the trendies in Brooklyn to the underprivileged African-Americans in Harlem - this is your culture, this is what makes you unique. What amazes me is the division between economic classes.

From the almost 100 per cent white 'Upper east side' beautifully and sickly a scene straight from the teen drama Gossip Girl to 'Harlem' where 'whites' (or maybe just me) are confused for Spanish Latinos, because why would an upper middle class white girl be walking with her equally white cousin on Malcolm X Boulevard by themselves.

But I do feel this is slowly changing and there is hope. Brooklyn is one example. Brooklyn could be compared to Redfern in Sydney - ten years ago both mostly know for the large amount of government housing and the underprivileged residents.
With a tarnished reputation, most people avoided venturing there unless for a specific purpose, which would almost always be during daylight hours. Location is probably one of the key reasons for change in both areas - many people (in particular housing developers), felt that there was a wasted opportunity in these areas and decided to try and get young people to see the positives of living in a 'cheap' but central location.

Now, both Redfern and Brooklyn are becoming increasingly populated by young 20 to 30 'trendy' kids who love vintage fashion, are into art and culture and are generally the trend setters for their age group. Let's hope this change continues with the likes of Harlem and even the Bronx and Queens.
Not in the sense that housing prices start to increase in these areas and little rich white kids start to move in and take over, but more so in the sense that these areas become a place where people want to visit, not places that people want to and in some sense have to avoid.

Aside from this class divide, I cannot say many major things that make me think twice about NYC. (I do have some issues with the US as a whole, but let's not tarnish NY with these greater problems).

NYC, your bright lights in Times Square still capture my imagination, with the advertising so impeccably timed that although I work in the industry, I am still swept up in their ideals and false promises.
The incredible feeling and vibe that you exude that time can stand still whilst you watch the people around you, hustle and bustle with there busy lives. Almost becoming entrapped in their energetic yet focussed (almost serious) state of being.
And, your mix of beautiful people (not in the superficial sense), from a range of nationalities and cultures from all around the world in such a small and busy city, makes me feel welcome every time I visit.

Maybe one day, I won't be a visitor anymore.

Lots of love always,
A

Aloveletterforyou

One of the coolest tours I went on during my recent weekend trip to Philadelphia.

Check out: http://www.aloveletterforyou.com/

A letter for one with meaning for all

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and Philadelphia native, New York-based artist Stephen Powers, have collaborated to create, Love Letter, a public art project consisting of a series of 50 rooftop murals from 45th to 63rd streets along the Market Street corridor. The murals, which are best viewed from the market-Frankford elevated transit line, collectively express a love letter from a guy to a girl, from an artist to his hometown, and from local residents to their West Philadelphia neighborhood. Love Letter, which will be documented in two books, a film and a gallery exhibition, speakers to all those who have loved and for those who long for a way to express that love to the world around them.

Barack Obama

A young African-American boy growing up in a single parent family, who had no idea of the impact he would have on America, on the world, as a grown man.

I don’t know a lot about his life, only what I have read in one of his biographies and seen on the flashes across the TV screen, but he seemed to live a pretty average childhood and teenage life.
Aside from travelling around a bit with his mother as a young boy and being an avid political advocate for black communities as a teenager, this young man showed no sign as going down in America’s history.
And little did this young boy, young teenager know the inspiration he would have on so many people.

The first American female president was looking a real possibility for the 21st century, and I was a huge fan of the past first lady. She was intelligent, the master-mind behind her husband’s presidency and determined to make a real change.

Then came along her competition.

An African-American man, quite a few years her junior, with a charming sparkling smile and a lot to say on a lot of issues. And the American people liked what they heard.

He won the best advertising campaign at Cannes Film Festival in 2009. He got America’s youth involved and interested in politics, some would say for the first time.
And he got the majority Jewish vote.

The whole word stood still, watched, listened, as he stood in front of the future of America and said “yes we can”.
And the future agreed.

From a small town, apprehensive boy to America’s most inspirational election campaigner, Barack Obama is America’s ground breaking president.

He is the first president who gave his people great hope for a promising future.

Now all he has to do is keep his promise.


Amy McKinnon 22/08/2010