Fifty Shades of Blue

Forgive me for exploiting a rather popular title, I just thought it would grab your attention more than if I just wrote 'Blue.'

Aside from relating to sea (and this is after all a surf blog of sorts) blue has been a theme for the books and movies I've watched recently.

This is by no means a current review as most of these movies/book have been out years. To me their date is irrelevant they are just great stories about people who you'll identify with.

I whole heartedly recommend you read/watch all.

THE BOOK

The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz

The Blue Sweater is a book of hope written by a practical realist who won't hear 'no' for an answer...

Jacqueline Novogratz is a force to be reckoned with. She started out as a successful international banker on Wall Street who gave it all up to spend her life on a quest to understand global poverty and how to overcome it. After years spent in Rwanda and various other developing countries she started the Acumen fund which empowers poor people through encouraging entrepreneurship, giving them the resources to change their own problems.

Two words. READ IT!

THE FILMS

A Patch of Blue

This is my all time favourite film. EVER. Made in 1965 it stars the sublime Sydney Poitier as Gordon and the intriguing Shelley Winters as Selena. Selena is a disadvantaged blind girl living in an abusive home, her respite is when her alcoholic Grandfather takes her to the park where she sits all day alone under a tree. Whilst there she befriends Gordon a black man who becomes determined to help her out of her impoverished and abusive home life.

The musical score, black and white cinematography and the powerful acting makes this an all round beautiful 105 minutes - life you'll enrich whilst watching this film....

Blue Valentine

Starring Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling this film makes you uncomfortable. Its kind of a romance, kind of a drama and all in all makes you exasperated with the characters. The fact that it illicits such a reaction out of you suggests its a pretty powerful film.

Antonio and I watched this together and ended up having a big discussion about it afterwards - it gets under your skin. I've always kind of liked Michelle Willams for being a bit of an indie darling, I've liked all of her films I've seen her in and again she proves herself in this film. Ryan Gosling's character pulls at your heart and seeing him with a receding hairline helps you appreciate that he's actually a really good actor (not just a pretty face). Watch this film!

Rory O'Shea was here...

Filmed in Ireland 'Rory O'Shea was here' stars James Mcavoy, Romola Garai and Steven Robertson. The story revolves around two disabled young men who strive for emotional and physical independence in defiance of 'protective' institutional living and societies attitudes towards disabilities. This film challenges everything you think you know and feel about people living with disabilities and should be watched precisely for this point. It is hard not to fall in love with the characters and I defy anyone not to get a little emotional watching it...

Crybaby

You wonder throughout this film why on earth you are watching it but then all of a sudden the credits roll and you realise you've kept it on. There's cheesy songs, strange characters and lines that'll make you cringe but somehow this doesn't put you off. Apparently its Johnny Depp's break out role and everything about it suggests Johnny was heading towards a Tim Burton hook up. Its wacky, zany and makes no sense but I can bet you'll laugh and maybe even enjoy it.

For nonsensical fun which will make you question everything that you think you know about yourself - watch this film!!

*also stars a very young Riki Lake!

Well with the weather being so unpredictable maybe some back up plans to outdoor ones will be just the ticket. Consider these films/book your backup!

I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions so let me know what you think :)

Peace, good karma and all that jazz

Sophia

x

! AFRICA !

It starts as an itch in the tips of my fingers, a subtle restlessness that creeps up on me like a thirst and then suddenly its palpable. This feeling no yearning overcomes me, like a bell going off inside of me. Africa she is calling.

Like the volcano, Africa can stun you in an instant. It can throw floods and drought and disease at you, sometimes all at the same time. In the next moment, it will tease you with its magnificent beauty, so even if you dont forget, you can find a way to forgive. Ultimately it keeps you coming back for more.

- The Blue Sweater, Jacqueline Novogratz

Its been 4 months since I returned from Ethiopia and though completely different to my West African experiences it was still Africa, the chaos, community, corruption and kindness of the continent that continues to fascinate me.

At the moment I'm reading a wonderful book by Jacqueline Novogratz a former International banker who ended up devoting her life to tackling global poverty. I admire her immensely for the brutal honesty she uses to describe her experiences in Africa. As much as it is a continent filled with smiling faces, community and vibrant culture it has its ugly sides. Jacqueline also tackles the issues of corruption and addresses the problems of foreign aid.

Poverty won't allow him to lift his head up; dignity won't allow him to bow it down.

- Madagasy Proverb

Below is an inspiring video which encapsulates the energy of Africa and why I'll dedicate my life to its people,

(ultimately learning some things about myself I'm sure).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19316955

Before thinking globally I believe its important to make roots in your own community soil, as knowing ourselves is an important tool to possess in the toolkit of life. I'm ready to equip myself with the skills and heart I'm going to need to embark on my African journey. A Masters in Development may be little more than a year away but already I'm hungry to learn and put it into an African context. I am enjoying every stage of this process from my internship, to my lascvious dreaming and everything else in between.

So forever and always;

To Africa with love

x