The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet

I would like to tell you about an American television interview series called „The Conversation“, which started airing in 2012. You probably haven’t heard about it before, which is why I would really like to recommend you (especially or maybe even exclusively you girls) to check out the website. 

Amanda de Cadenet, a British photographer and former actress, is the host of the website. Demi Moore is the co-executive producer. On the show, Amanda de Cadenet has interviewed celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jane Fonda Last, Alicia Keys, Eva Longoria, Christina Applegate, Olivia Wilde, Eva Mendes, and many many more. 

What I find so special about this show is the topics they talk about and above all, how they talk about it. As the guests staring the show are all very famous, not only in the US, but also on the rest of the world, one would expect them to use this show in order to push their careers by saying whatever they think people might want to hear from them. All the more I was surprised when I first watched the show. They talk about love, sexuality, parenting, career, etc. All in all - about life and the difficulties everyone has to face and overcome, but also the positive sides of our existence. What makes the show really successful and fascinating, is, according to me, the honesty and wisdom the guests are sharing. Every single story of these famous women is extremely inspiring. One quickly realizes, that although they are rich and famous, they go through just the same stuff as women like us (who didn’t (YET ;)) make such an astounding career).

If you are a bit of a philosopher like I am, if you like talking about the “important” things of life – about what life is really about - every now and then, if you have a problem you are unsure how to solve, or if you just feel like you need some inspiration – take a look through some of the videos and see for yourself how moving, inspiring and touching these videos are. You can even watch the full episodes online. 

In case you prefer reading, there’s also plenty of selected articles on a great variety of subjects by people from all over the world – mostly writers, life coaches, psychotherapists or Amanda de Cadenet herself. 

Here’s a link to the videos: http://www.theconversation.tv/videos/
 
ENJOY! :)

Villacher Fasching - LEI LEI!

 

 

I guess all of you have at least heard something about the Villacher Fasching before. It is a carnival that takes place every year in February in my hometown, Villach, in Carinthia. This year we are celebrating it on February 9 and as the date is coming closer and closer I am starting to think about a costume. You should know that the Villacher Fasching is very popular in Villach and that it is one of the main events throughout the year besides the Villacher Kirchtag and the European Bike Week. You should also know that we really love to get dressed up. We usually invest either quite a lot of money in our costumes or a great deal of creativity, which is what I am usually going for. Of course there are always some people who are not that into putting on a disguise, but the majority of children as well as adults definitely loves it. For us “Villacher” it is that special time of the year, when we are officially allowed to make a fool of ourselves, to make fun of others, to joke around and above all, to amuse ourselves and have a great time with our family and friends.

The Villacher Fasching always takes place on a Saturday and in the afternoon there is a huge parade that lasts about one and a half hours. Hundreds of groups participate in it. I guess what makes it so attractive is that basically anybody can found a group. All you need is at least five other persons that accompany you. Once you have found your allies you just have find a theme and decide whether you want to walk or drive. Finally you have to fill in a registration form, send it in and you are good to go. Normally plenty of schools and kindergartens take part in it as well as fire brigades, politicians, advertising agencies, sports clubs, dance groups, bands and other fellow citizens. The parade is a spectacular event. Loud music is being played by live bands or coming from loudspeakers fixed on the cars or tractors that are passing by, confetti and candy thrown off the cars or distributed by the groups are constantly flying through the air, everybody is shouting “LEI LEI!”, and the mostly amazing and original costumes are a pleasure to look at. Also, more and more international groups are participating, especially Italinas and Slovenes. 

The highlight of the parade is the adult as well as the children “Prinzenpaar”, a selected adult and children’s couple that is crowned every year on November 11, the official beginning of the carnival. The tradition of crowning two couples goes back to 1956. The prince and the princess form a fictive couple (they usually don’t know each other beforehand) and are supposed to take care that everyone behaves correctly during the period of carnival. In reality though, they mostly party a lot themselves and appear in the media several times. Furthermore the “Villacher Faschingsgarde” is an essential part of the parade. It describes a group of girls dressed in black and yellow uniforms that performs a typical dance during the parade.

I love celebrating Villacher Fasching. I mean, who wouldn’t? How great is it being granted permission to do whatever you want for an entire day? Usually I either throw a party myself or attend a friend’s party. After our little get-together we go out and celebrate in the city with all the other dressed up “Faschingsnarren”. We also have a few food traditions. Herring salad, fritters (=Krapfen) and a Carinthian specialty called “Fleischnudeln” (a dough made of potatoes filled with smoked meat) accompanied by sauerkraut and crackling (=Grammeln) are my personal favorites. 

So, if you haven’t had the chance to be a part of the Villacher Fasching yet, I highly recommend you to try it out at some point. With this in mind, LEI LEI!!!

My name is Luka - Suzanne Vega

I would like to tell you about yet another famous song with an interesting background story. This time I chose “My name is Luka” by Suzanne Vega, a catchy tune that seems to spread joy and happiness, but by taking a closer look at the lyrics you realize that it is actually a very sad song about a big issue.

Suzanne Vega released her highest-charting hit “Luka” in 1987. It was one of the earliest songs that dealt with child abuse and domestic violence. Contrary to the sad topic, the music is quite lively and joyful and revokes feelings of happiness. This was made on purpose and is supposed to be a metaphor for all the victims of child abuse and domestic violence, who often tend to deny their abuse.

Suzanne Vega once said about her song: “A few years ago, I used to see this group of children playing in front of my building, and there was one of them, whose name was Luka, who seemed a little bit distinctive from the other children. I always remembered his name, and I always remembered his face, and I didn't know much about him, but he just seemed set apart from these other children that I would see playing. And his character is what I based the song Luka on. In the song, the boy Luka is an abused child—in real life I don't think he was. I think he was just different.”

My favorite line of the lyrics is “I think it’s because I’m clumsy”. Not only do these words describe how too many victims of child abuse and domestic violence handle their situation (namely by lying about it or even worse - denying it), but they also emphasize how the victims feel about their mistreatment. They often think that it is their fault that they are being mistreated and they come up with various reasons for justifying the actions of their abusers. In fact, it is not at all their fault though. All in all, child abuse and domestic violence is a very complex topic that preoccupies an uncountable number of people all over the world and unfortunately many people are still afflicted by it. Susanne Vega surely succeeded in touching hundreds and thousands of people with her song, which is (according to me) the most powerful tool of a song.

My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before
If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was 

I think it's because I'm clumsy
I try not to talk too loud
Maybe it's because I'm crazy
I try not to act too proud
They only hit until you cry
And after that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore 

Yes I think I'm okay
I walked into the door again
Well, if you ask that's what I'll say
And it's not your business anyway
I guess I'd like to be alone
With nothing broken, nothing thrown
Just don't ask me how I am
Just don't ask me how I am
Just don't ask me how I am

My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before
If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was 

I think it's because I'm clumsy
I try not to talk too loud
Maybe it's because I'm crazy
I try not to act too proud
They only hit until you cry
And after that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore

Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton

I love finding out more about the background of songs, especially if I can relate to the lyrics in any kind of way or if the lyrics move me personally.

In an earlier post I have already revealed some facts about the Boomtown Rats' song I Don't Like Mondays. In this post I would like to tell you about Eric Clapton and what kind of tragic event inspired him to compose one of his most successful songs - Tears in Heaven.

Eric Clapton, born 30 March 1945, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. On 20 March 1991, Eric Clapton's four-year-old son, Conor, died after falling from the 53rd-floor window of his mother's friend's apartment in New York City. Shortly afterwards Eric Clapton wrote the song Tears in Heaven, which was co-written by Will Jennings. By means of this song, Eric Clapton expressed his grief and mourned over the sudden loss of his son.

The song was initially featured on the soundtrack to the film Rush (a movie about two cops who go after an elusive drug dealer and eventually become drug addicts themselves) and it won three Grammy Awards.
In 2004 Eric Clapton stopped playing the song due to personal reasons. He explained to the press that he could not perform it anymore because his emotions had changed over the years. He did not feel the same kind of loss anymore as he did right after the mortal accident of his four-year-old son, which is such an essential part of performing the song according to him. In an interview Eric Clapton stated: " I almost subconsciously used music for myself as a healing agent, and lo and behold, it worked...I have got a great deal of happiness and a great deal of healing from music."

I think the number of people all over the world who know this song is completely amazing, even though the majority probably does not even know about the meaning of the song and what Eric Clapton tried to express with it. All in all, it is a song written about the pain and loss Eric Clapton felt following the death of his little boy who died at a terribly young age.

I added the video for you to listen to it once more - if you feel like it.

New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro

 

 

Unfortunately I am not talking about myself. I was not the lucky one to spend New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro - my brother was. He is currently on a two-week holiday in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. His trip with four of his friends started on December 25th. As I already mentioned, they had the unique chance to spend New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach. I am a very adventurous person myself and love travelling more than anything else, which makes me really really jealous of my brother. Ever since he told me about his New Year's Eve in Brazil I am dreaming about spending New Year's Eve there as well some day in the near future.

I did some research on how the inhabtitants of Rio de Janeiro usually spend their New Year's Eve and here's what I found out. (I did not find out too many details about it from my brother yet, because he is busy going sightseeing and lying on the beach, tanning in the searing sun of Brazil - average temperature: 38 degreees) Anyway, Copacabane Beach is famous for its amazing celebration and fireworks display. New Year's Eve takes place in the middle of the summer, right when the temperature is at its highest and when the kids are off school. Many people traditionally wear white clothes and throw flowers and/or small mementos into the surf believing that if they do not come back, their wish or prayer will be granted. The fireworks display at midnight is famous all over the world and is watched by several million people on the beach. So, I can only imagine that you do not have a lot of personal space and that pickpockets make a fortune on December 31st. The fireworks are launched from various barges in the ocean. According to me it is completely overwhelming and one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life. I spent my New Year's Eve at the Schlossberg in Graz and thought the fireworks were stunning, but take a look at the video I posted below and see for yourself that the fireworks in Rio de Janeiro are not that famous all over the world for no reason.
One day, I am certain of that, I will spend New Year's Eve in Rio de Janeiro and enjoy the amazing fireworks. It must be even more beautiful to experience it live than it already is on the video.

Happy New Year and All the Best for 2013!!!!

Much needed inspiration

The last few weeks have been quite stressful. We had to study and revise for hours, take plenty of exams, hand in loads of homework and profit from the little free time left at the same time. As we are now finally getting closer to three weeks of relaxation and mostly study-free time, I thought we could all need some inspiration in order to keep up our enthusiasm and motivation for the last week at university and for the last few exams before Christmas break.

So, here is a video I have recently come across that really inspires me. Will Smith shares his wisdom talking about the purpose of life, how to live a meaningful life and above all how to enjoy life. I filtered out the most important phrases for you:

• Greatness exists in all of us. 
• I know who I am, I know what I believe and that is all I need to know. 
• There are no shortcuts to success. 
• Lay one brick at a time. 
• Focus on making a difference. 
• He, who says he can and he, who says he can't are both usually right. 
• Make a choice. Decide what it's going be, who you're going be, how you're going do it. Just decide. From that point the universe is going to get out of your way.  
• You really have to focus with all of your fibre, all of your heart and all of your creativity. 
• The truth is the only thing that is ever going to be constant. 
• Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something. 
• If you want something, go get it. Period. 

Just go ahead and watch the video. I really hope you like it. I know it is quite long, but it is absolutely worth it plus it is a good listening exercise for everyone.

Will Smith Inspiration:

See Jane Run - Book Review

I would like to tell you about "See Jane Run", a novel in the thriller genre written by Joy Fielding in 1991. I have read it about a year ago and as it is completely captivating I can only recommend you to read it as well. (In case you don't know it already. ;) )

The book centers on a young woman called Jane Whittaker who finds herself at the grocery store in Boston one day and although she remembers why she went to the grocery store (namely in order to buy some milk and some eggs), she has no memory whatsoever about herself. She can't remember her name, her age or even what she looks like. She wanders the street of Boston for a while not knowing what to do until she discovers that she is wearing a blood-stained blue dress and carrying 10.000 dollars in her pocket. At this point she decides to head to the local police station, where a doctor claiming to be her husband picks her up. Reunited with her husband they return back home. Little by little Jane begins to uncover her past only to find out the horrific truth about what had happened and why her mind had forgotten all of it.  

This book hooked me from the very first line and I finished reading it in no time. I was eager to know what would happen next. Joy Fielding really has a talent for keeping the reader in suspense until the very last page. I was absolutely amazed and above all surprised by the ending, which was not at all what I had expected. You know how sometimes, when you watch a movie or you read a book you can already tell after a few minutes how it's going to end. Well, in this case the author really holds your attention through the entire book and shocks you in the end with the final revelations.

Just to reassure you, the book belongs to the category of thrillers but except for the blood-stained blue dress there is not really that much blood involved. Instead, you will be dealing with attempted murder, hostage-taking and plenty of secrets and lies. 

If you are interested in the book, go get it and I promise you will have a good read. It was also made into a movie in 1995 but I didn't get a chance to watch it yet. Anyway, I don't think the movie can outdo the book.