For stores, an unmerry Christmas

The 2008 holiday sales season is one of the worst for retailers in decades, CNNMoney reports, as consumers' concerns about the economy and job losses crushed the typical year-end shopping exuberance. "I don't see any reason for retailers to be rejoicing at all," said Britt Beemer, chairman and founder of America's Research Group.

SOURCE: (CNN)

I'm a bad singer

I have to apologize for the fact that I have not been keeping my blolg updated lately, but now I'm back...=)

I know this blog is supposed to be about Social Studies (what happens in our world), but I have to post a paragraph my "singing skills"...

I am a bad singer! Despite my eager enthusiasm, whenever I try to sing it sounds a bit like I’m trying to strangle a cat and the windows shatter in to a thousand pieces. Secondly, every time I open my mouth to chant someone yells desperately at me and tells me to shut the fuck up. There’s simply no future in show-biz for me.

Hostages held, Mumbai death toll climbs

BodyPump - my favourite workout for fighting globesity

I'm still working on this article, so just stay tuned to find out why this BodyPump-lecture has anything to do with English Social Studies.

Inaugural addresses

Yesterday we were lucky to attend a lecture held by Dr. Kathleen Godfrey (Associate Professor, California State University--Fresno, Ph.D.) about inaugural addresses.

The most common usage of the term is in the context of a formal investiture whereby an individual assumes an office or position of authority or power. The term is usually used in reference to a politician's assumption of the duties of head of state or head of government (e.g. the President's inauguration). An "inaugural address" is the presidential speech given at this ceremony which informs the people of his intentions as a leader.

We discussed some famous speeches and had a really interesting and inspiring time with our American visitor=) Take a look at some famous passages from Inaugural speeches:

George Washington (1789)
"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the Amercan People."

Abraham Lincoln (1861)
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break or bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and partriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when touched again, as surely they will be, by the better angels of nature."

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933)
"First of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning,unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

John F. Kennedy (1961)
"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

The beautiful "Time after time"

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick, and think of you
Caught up in circles confusion is nothing new
You say go slow; I fall behind
The second hand unwinds

If you're lost, you can look and you'll find me
Time after time
If you fall, I'll catch you; I'll be waiting
Time after time

Time after time
Time after time

by Nick Gilder/James Mcculloch

The Kite Runner Movie

The bestselling novel “The Kite Runner” has become a movie and reached the cinemas – with great success and victory! The expectations were sky-high, and the chance of failing was utterly present. But the job is done – and it’s done well. It certainly was a nice and moving alteration from book to film.
Despite the film’s low budget, the cinematography is surprisingly superb and excellent .The scenery and filming are spectacular, and all the direction and editing are amazingly well done. I will emphasize how great this movie is made by referring to an opening scene; just imagine a colorful kite in the wonderful blue sky, flying over an immense area side by side with a vast flock of birds. This is a splendid scene and this film technique pervades the whole film, making it a great and unforgettable film experience.
In addition to the great cinematography, the performances in this movie were stunning. The acting was generally astounding and beyond belief, but Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada was amazing. He did an incredible job portraying the young Hassan, it was beyond doubt captivating. I found the scene where Hassan is raped intriguing and somewhat important for the film. This is a striking turning point breaking the perfect idyll between the two boys, then ruining the loving friendship they used to share. Ahmad’s acting in this very sequence was astonishing and what more can I say, but brilliant. I was really mesmerized.
As well as great cinematography and stunning performances, the manuscript is exceptional and admirable. By experience I’m painfully aware of how difficult it is to make a spectacular film out of such a magnificent and remarkable novel, but this movie truly gives great justice to the book. Of course, some parts of the book have not been included, but I don’t think this fact constitutes any loss, because we are lucky witnesses of a great transition from a book to a film. Khaled Hosseini’s innate and unbelievable ability to write together with his compassionate storytelling is accurately represented in the movie.
Stunning performances, outstanding cinematography and a great story; it certainly was a nice and moving transition from book to film. As I mentioned, the chance of failing was considerable and the expectations were so high that they were literally sky-scraping, but nevertheless is it satisfying to achieve success. And they did.

“For you a thousand times over and over”.