Homecoming Scotland 2009

In 2009 Scotland celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of its national poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a country-wide programme of over 300 events and activities that, from Burns' Night (25 January) to St Andrew’s Day (30 November), will show Scotland's great contributions to the world. Click here for more information.

This is an advert featuring Dougie MacLean’s classic song ‘Caledonia’, the song chosen to celebrate the event, not just because of the lyrics, but also because it’s a well loved anthem for many Scots. It is sung by well-known Scottish actors, sports people and musicians. (In order of appearance -Amy MacDonald, Chris Hoy, Brian Cox, Sam Torrance, Eddi Reader, Kelly Brown and Thom Evans, Sandi Thom, Sir Sean Connery and Lulu)

Lyrics (Full song):

I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days, I've been afraid that I might drift away.
I've been tellin' stories; singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem so far away today.

Let me tell you that I love you
And I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm goin' home

But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.

I have moved and I've kept on movin',
Proved the points that I needed provin',
I've lost the friends that I needed losin';
Found others on the way.

I've kissed the girls and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I've traveled hard sometimes with conscience flyin'
Somewhere in the wind.

Let me tell you that I love you
And I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm goin' home

But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.

Let me tell you that I love you
And I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm goin' home.

But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had.

WWF's Earth Hour 2009

At 8.30pm on 28 March 2009, people around the world will be taking part in Earth Hour 2009, switching off their lights for 60 minutes to support international action on climate change. It is an easy way for you to help. More information here.

Masters of Photography: Walker Evans (1903-1975)

Roadside Store Between Tuscaloosa and Greensboro, Alabama (1936)

Walker Evans (November 3, 1903 – April 10, 1975) was an American photographer best known for his work documenting the effects of the Great Depression. He said that his goal as a photographer was to make pictures that are "literate, authoritative, transcendent". Many of his works are in the permanent collections of museums, and have been the subject of retrospectives at such institutions as The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Go on reading here.

For a selection of his best photographs, click here.

Visit Graphia to learn more about masters of photography and technical aspects of this art.

And The Oscar Goes To ...

A Poem

But I Can't

Time will say nothing but I told you so,
Time only knows the price we have to pay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

If we should weep when clowns put on their show,
If we should stumble when musicians play,
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

There are no fortunes to be told, although,
Because I love you more than I can say,
If I could tell you I would let you know.

The winds must come from somewhere when they blow,
There must be reasons why the leaves decay;
Time will say nothing but I told you so.

Perhaps the roses really want to grow,
The vision seriously intends to stay;
If I could tell you I would let you know.

Suppose the lions all get up and go,
And the brooks and soldiers run away;
Will Time say nothing but I told you so?
If I could tell you I would let you know.

WH Auden

Greatest movie scenes: Some Like It Hot

This is the memorable final scene from Some Like It Hot (1959), one of the best comedy films ever made, directed by Billy Wilder and starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon.

Osgood: I called Mama. She was so happy she cried. She wants you to have her wedding gown. It's white lace.
Daphne: Yeah, Osgood. I can't get married in your mother's dress. Ha ha. That-she and I, we are not built the same way.
Osgood: We can have it altered.
Daphne: Aw no you don't! Osgood, I'm gonna level with you. We can't get married at all.
Osgood: Why not?
Daphne: Well, in the first place, I'm not a natural blonde.
Osgood: Doesn't matter.
Daphne: I smoke. I smoke all the time.
Osgood: I don't care.
Daphne: Well, I have a terrible past. For three years now, I've been living with a saxophone player.
Osgood: I forgive you.
Daphne: I can never have children.
Osgood: We can adopt some.
Jerry-Daphne: But you don't understand, Osgood. Uh, I'm a man.
Osgood: Well, nobody's perfect.

Happy New Year!!

From London ...

... and from New York.

Merry Christmas!!

Twilight Mania!

Based on the first book in Stephenie Meyer's bestselling saga, the film Twilight has become a teen phenomenon, attracting legions of devoted fans and breaking box office records in its opening weekend in the USA. The modern day love story between young Bella Swan and dazzling vampire Edward Cullen has turned Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson into overnight superstars.

Watch one of the key scenes in the film:

Twilight's Soundtrack also ruled the charts, and it has already sold more than 160, 000 copies since its release on November 4th. This is one of the songs included in the CD: Decode, by Paramore.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights - 60th Anniversary

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10th December 1948 at Palais de Chaillot, Paris. The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and consists of 30 articles that represent the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. Read the whole text here.