Thumbing through Europe
The healing effects of QiGong
Hikomori, a world inside a room
Top fives
Inside Life’s Top 5 Best and 5 of the Best Weiss Beers
By Philippe Carr
One of the best things to come out of central Europe is Weiss beer. Anyone who has spent time in Germany and considers themselves a beer drinker will have a tough time quaffing Budweiser and Heineken after trying these. Weiss beer has a more distinctive flavor due to the 100% purity law, which guarantees quality. This was brought into place by Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria who ensured that only hops, wheat, malt and water were used in the production. Here are five little numbers you should watch out for this Christmas. 1. Weihenstephaner In general, this was quite a nice little number. It was light in taste, but pleasant, a bit like the Irish football team. The only con is it went flat straight from the bottle. Overall score. 6/10 2. Weltenburger The best way to describe the color is toilet bowlesque. The aftertaste is a little bland and malty, however it still remains quite drinkable. It did have a good head. Overall Score 6/10 3. Baron Trenet Nice wispy head. Flavour-tastically rich body, however does smell a little of stale tea which could put you off. Goes down well in multiples. Ideal for fast drinking. Overall Score 7/10
4. Spatent A creamy luxurious bottle. Good aroma of hops. Robust and still very drinkable. Yeah nice, that is about all I can say. Score 7.5/10 5. Franziskanner An old reliable Weiss beer that has been on sale in Ireland for many years. This has an excellent head but a very fruity taste. Good and cloudy in appearance and nearly a little syrupy. The only problem is that it can be a meal in its self. Overall 8/10.
Top Five Worst Christmas Presents By Linzi Mc Glennon Christmas is a time when you find out how people really feel about you, do they love you or do they loathe you, the present usually says it all. Will you receive a thoughtful, expensive gift, a handmade gift that clearly took time and effort, or will it be the dreaded re-gift a present so bad that it was obviously given to someone who couldn’t bear the sight of it in their home and decided to pass it along to another unfortunate soul. Here are our top five worst presents to receive.
Editorial Team Editor Linzi Mc Glennon Deputy Editor Fiona Farrell Photo Editor Martha Robbins Layout Luisa Idigoras Håvard Prestegården Sandra Lappegard
Fashion Editor Jessie Collins Entertainment Editor Celine O’Malley Contributors Philippe Carr Julian Carr Katinka Van Nulck Jackie Rasmus Deirdre O’Connell
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Random gift set containing soaps or bath oils. These are the most anonymous, useless presents ever to receive; you will get them from work colleagues or relations. This gift says I know nothing about you or what you like, but was obliged to get you something so here have some lavender or lilac fragranced crap, which you will never use. What is great about these gifts is that you can throw them unopened in the cupboard and the next year if someone arrives unexpectedly bearing presents, you have an emergency stash. Fruitcake. You cannot escape the fruitcake, you will get one this Christmas, it’s horribly inevitable. Nobody likes this dried up, raisin filled granny food but we exchange them nonetheless, kind of like a bad penny they always turn up. So nothing says ‘screw you’ like a fruitcake, they know you don’t want it, and the only acceptable reason to give one is if you hate the other person. Gift certificates. These are another easy out, they are only okay if you don’t know the person at all, if you get them for a close friend or relative it’s saying I couldn’t be bothered to go out and shop for something you’d like. People don’t want bits of paper on Christmas day, they want toys wrapped in big shiny boxes. Socks or boxers. Everyone needs socks or boxers right? No, these are the most disappointing gifts ever. You eagerly unwrap a large present only to find that it’s a three in one pack of Penney’s socks, you grudgingly thank the person thinking next year you’re giving them a soap set. Also boys, most women don’t want shiny red lingerie for Christmas, we know who that present is really for. Jumpers with Christmas motifs. You are seriously allowed by law to attack and kill someone who gives you any kind of clothes with Santa, or reindeers or other festive nonsense on the front. When are you ever going to wear these tragic fashion disasters, and yet you are forced to say how much you love it and wear it around the house all day, while drinking yourself into a stupor. A big bottle of alcohol, what am I saying that’s a great gift and cash, a big wad of cash.
Top fives
Worst for Christmas and Beyond Top Five Hangover Cures By Linzi Mc Glennon So you’ve been out on the razz all night and you wake up sprawled on the living room couch, smelling like a wino and feeling like you’ve swallowed a carpet, you think I’ll never drink again! Instead of going to such drastic measures, next time try out some of our rather questionable hangover cures. 1. Cabbage- apparently the ancient Greeks considered it a potent cure to cleanse your body of toxins. I don’t know where you’ll get cabbage at 4am, maybe you could stock up before hand in preparation. 2. Stick to light coloured drinks, they are thought to contain fewer congeners. (congeners are the toxic by-products of fermentation and distillation and affect the strength of your hangover) 3. Soot, ancient lore has it that drinking a concoction of mainly soot or charcoal rids your body of those evil congeners. You could either stick your hand up the chimney or head to the pharmacy for some charcoal tablets. 4.Voodoo – the Haitian’s approach to a hangover is to stick thirteen pins in the cork of the offending bottle. Good for a bit of revenge, maybe not such a helpful cure, who knows though, try it and let me know. 5. Hair of the Dog – my personal favourite way to get over a hangover is to have another drink, but not such an attractive prospect at ten am and only puts off the sickness for a later time.
It’s Not A Wonderful Life By Linzi Mc Glennon This year after the dinner, you’re slumped on the couch, jeans bursting at the seams, you reach for the remote to drown out the sound of children screaming about already broken presents, thinking I’ll watch a good film. But no this is Christmas, a time to trot out all those dismal family nightmares like It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Babe and much worse. Frankly, I’d rather baste myself and climb into a 300-degree oven than watch a nauseating tribute to the magic of Christmas. So crack open another case of wine and reach for the selection box as Inside Life brings you the top five alternative Christmas films. Twisted, warped humour awaits you.
1. National Lampoons’s Christmas Vacation Disaster prone Clark Griswald is looking for the perfect holiday with his family, yet typically, whatever can go wrong does. The Christmas lights don’t work, the turkey is overly dry, and a rottweiler chases a squirrel through the living room, just your usual family get together. Classic Lampoon humour with a seasonal twist.
2. Blackadders Christmas Carol In this episode, Blackadder and Baldrick are transported into Dickensian land, where the usual caustic Rowan Atkinson plays a kind, gentle Ebneezer Scrooge. Following the traditional story line, he gets visits from the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. He is shown his evil ancestors and two visions of his future if he turns bad or stays good, true to form he is quick to revert to his nasty ways. 3. Gremlins A little boy gets a cute furry pet for Christmas but breaks the three important care instructions and lets loose a mass of nasty, evil Furby type monsters on a small town. Funny but also extremely creepy. 4. Die Hard Ok not your typical feel good film but it is set at Christmas. What better at this time of year when all your family are around being annoying, than Bruce Willis single handily taking on a building full of terrorists and kicking some ass. A bloodbath to make the entire family feel all warm and fuzzy.
5. Trading Places In this classic comedy, Dan Ackroyd is a rich stock investor and Eddie Murphy is a bum from the streets. Ackroyd’s bosses make a bet that switches their lives, to see if money and a good background can make anyone a success. With Jamie Lee Curtis as a kindhearted hooker this is hilariously funny, it features Murphy at his best and oh yeah its set at Christmas.
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Interview
From Fidel to Fás Oscar Rives has come a long way from Cuba to Dublin This is no rebel song but a look at a popular immigrants new life in Ireland by Julian Carr
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ou won’t see Oscar Rives saying “Viva la Revolucion”, Che Guevara or for that matter criticising any political system. Living in Cuba and taking part in the Angolan war has given him a keen and acute sense of survival. Oscar Rives was born during Baptista’s reign in Cuba, back in 1949. He has only fleeting memories of the Castro revolution. Oscar kept his head down and pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering and won a scholarship to study in Russia. He married a Ukranian woman, Olga and she gave birth to a daughter, Ajabina. Back in Cuba Oscar enlisted in the army and was shipped off to take part in the Angolan war, of the late 1970s and fought liberating Angola from South African forces. Oscar saw many horrific things - he saw comrades blown up by land mines and planes shot down. He won’t go beyond this in his war description. Oscar believes in bringing people together in a larger than life manner and avoids confrontation at all costs. There is too much pain in this world for someone to add to destructive tendancies and then there are spies all around. Following the war he had a very responsible position training Cuban Airline pilots. His wife and daughter were the first to flee Cuba on a flight to Moscow asking for asylum in Shannon. Oscar bluffed his way out of Cuba and reached the Emerald Isle of hope and rain. Oscar’s first impression of Ireland was very green and a little cold. He felt that Dublin is a small town compared to Moscow and Havana. His first job was as a machine operator in a plastic molding factory in Co. Westmeath. About this time he separated from his wife. Living around the world assimilating into different countries had taken its toll on their relationship. Oscar was however very proud of his daughter as
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she was studying Genetics in Trinity. Oscar moved on swiftly and he met an Irish woman while shopping in the Ilac Centere. Fintan O’Toole wrote in the Irish Times that “the best way for an immigrant to integrate into Irish life is to marry or have an intimate relationship with an Irish person.” Her name was Angela and by the time he left the shopping centre he had reached out to her, with his Cuban charm and romantically gave her a red rose. He moved in with Angela into an apartment in Parnell Street and then into a house in Blanchardstown. After five years in the relationship they are currently temporarily apart. Oscar now works on a FÁS course on Francis Street, in the Liberties. The course is based on living heritage and Oscar brings an almost rocket science technological approach to this field. The course is a C.E. scheme is run by John Gallagher Labour party councilor for Dublin South Central and Liberties FM presenter John Brogan. So how does Oscar feel about Ireland? First of all he loves Ireland. He doesn’t feel Ireland is a racist country. Irish people are very hospitable. However he feels that the Irish can be closed minded and don’t understand the phenomenon of immigration as they were educated to emigrate for so long. Oscar believes the new generation of Irish must not forget the welcome their older generations got in the US. Thanksgiving day in the US, is a day of praise and thanksgiving to the people who emigrated to the US and built up the nation. Oscar feels there should be a similar day in Ireland, with respect for the opportunities Irish emigrants got abroad and to welcome new immigrants to Ireland. Ireland, he believes has a duty to welcome immigrants as Ireland’s Diaspora have succeeded in other states. So why hasn’t Oscar gone to the States? After all his mother lives in Florida. Oscar does not want to leave Ireland where his daughter has such strong ties. He feels if
he went to Florida he may never return to live in Ireland. Oscar sees Ireland as having gone through great change in the last five years. When he arrived in Ireland he says he thought that the“Celtic Tiger had become a pussy cat” but immigration particularly from the 100,000 Poles in Ireland has greatly contributed to Ireland’s recent economic upturn. So Oscar socialises with Irish friends. His larger than life personality, vague English and passion has made him popular where ever he goes. He constantly interacts with his environment, stopping ladies pushing prams to play with their babies. Oscar likes Guinness. Will he ever fully integrate with Irish life as a refugee? After all he is shortly due Irish nationalisation. What else does he like? Irish stew, gravy and lamb. Does he miss Cuban food? Well he can find all the ingredients here. Currently Oscar is heavily dieting and lives on a diet of crackers and fruit. He is a true romantic and spends much time adoring Ireland’s natural life but does not mind the rain. He is a big fan of Dublin’s magnificent city parks. Many of his friends in Dublin are Cuban and there are about 100 Cubans in Ireland. Most of them hopped of the plane from the Havana to Moscow flight at Shannon where they demanded refugee status. Many of his Cuban friends are musicians here in Ireland. His favourite song is “Oye Como Va” - not the version by Santana but by Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa. Oscar is very close to a Cuban band in Ireland named “Savor Cubano” who are linked to the Buena Vista Social Club in Havana. Savor
Cubano which means taste of Cuba, tour Ireland frequently and appeared in the Dublin Fringe Festival at the Spiegel tent on George’s Dock and are embarking on a European tour in February. Oscar sometimes misses Cuba, the beaches, walking the streets of Havana and of course family and friends. Oscar won’t go back even if the regime changes. Ireland is his new home. He will only live in a country that considers him as a son. He views his country as not necessarily somewhere where you are born but a place where you can live with your family and be able to build a better future. So coming up to Christmas Oscar ends this interview by speaking of Cuban festivities. For Latin Americans the most important aspect of Christmas after the religious celebrations, is the bringing of families together. Friends that are on their own are invited. Christmas celebrations begin on the 24th with the main festive meal. Salsa is played and the popular food is roast pig with rice and black beans. Christmas is one big party in Cuba!
Interview
Hikikomori, a world inside a room By Luisa Idigora
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Adolescence is a time to go out, build up friendships, learn, dream, love...But over a million teenagers and young adults in Japan are renouncing all this in favour of a different life. A virtual life, made up of the exact measurements of their needs. A desolate world just for themselves that fits inside their bedrooms. Hikikomori, a word meaning reclusion or withdrawal, is a social condition that is leading Japanese teenagers to abandon society and move their lives into the interior of their houses, where they do not leave for months, or even years in extreme cases. There are no official numbers to confirm the scale of the problem. In the majority of cases families try to cover the problem, out of embarrassment. The Hikikomori Help Groups reckon that about one million teenagers, one out of ten, are being affected. In Tokyo it is one out of seven. But this will not stay fenced in Japan. Similar cases have been identified in Korea, Taiwan and Hong-Kong. The similarities among the Hikikomori seem to be age (1230), sex (it’s a predominantly male disorder) and class. The Hikikomori are the offspring of the 60’s and 70’s working class parents that went out to work for up to 10 to 12 hours, resulting in a whole generation of children brought up in loneliness and disaffection. They have no interest in making
friends, and seem to be unable to establish any kind of relationship, except for the ones that they build up through their computers. They do not go to school or work, and if they go out it’s only at nighttime, when they can’t be seen. Sometimes they do not even communicate with their own families, who are not allowed into their room. There are cases associated with violence, in which the affected person lashes out at his family or goes out of confinement and attacks someone in the street. The Hikikomori have also been connected to the mass suicide phenomenon, in which a group of people meets through the Internet in Chat Rooms and Forums. They plan to commit suicide together, helping and supporting each other to succeed. Fortunately those are isolated incidents, and the phenomenon is considered to be passive and not aggressive. The most direct antecedent to the Hikikomori is the Otaku, a previous generation of adolescents with their lives revolving around computer games; Manga (comic books), anime (computer animated cartoons) and Hentai (animation involving explicit sex). When the virtual life they have created becomes better than the real one, they just drop out of society. The real causes are still unknown. Several groups and organisations are trying to get to the core of the problem, but they are far
from finding a solution. Has Japanese society become too demanding? Pressure and expectations are so high that the new generations are not able to face it. Punishments and humiliations that teenagers have to put up with in school are sometimes excruciating. For a person that feels inadequate to fit
T he
Hikikomori have also been connected to the mass suicide phenomenon, in which a group of people meets through the Internet in
Chat Rooms and Forums inside the mainstream, isolation may seem like the perfect solution. Some reckon that it is only a matter of time before the same starts happening to the rest of the world. The advanced technology that Japanese society enjoys is one of the factors to look at. Camera phones, web-cams and the Internet are the forms of communication that the Hikikomori have chosen. If globalisation imports styles of life, we might have to start worrying. Mr Takashi Niinuma, First Secretary of the Cultural Division of the Japanese Embassy in Dublin, gives his opinion. “What would you point as the main causes?
Well, one of the main factors is stress. Our society has always been competitive, even more nowadays due to the financial difficulties the country is going through. People feel safer at home. Another factor could be the fact that some parents don’t recognise the symptoms in children or don’t know how to stop it at an early stage. Also, Japanese literature has always worshipped the strength and bravery of the lonely warrior as a supreme value.” Has the government become concerned with the problem, facilitating free psychological help or showing some other kind of involvement? “They are aware of the problem and help is being offered for those willing to take it. The problem is that many people are actually happy living that way. The Government are providing training and support for people that want to come out of reclusion and get a job.” Do you think that Japan is just the beginning and that the same could happen in the rest of the world? “Definitely. I can tell you that I lived in Africa for a while and I saw Hikikomori cases there, even if the weren’t called that, they were just teenagers that refused to leave their rooms. But when the numbers go up, you have to find a name for them. The same can happen in every highly developed country.”
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Fashion & beauty
TAKE 4 BLACK DRESSES FOR UNDER ½100 1:This strapless simple cut is wonderfully comfortable and defines the beauty of a little black number; just slip it on and you are ready to go. A neat waistline is set off by a gathered ruffled affect in the bodice, with a light flowing affect in the skirt given off by the double layer of fabric. 58 EURO. TOP SHOP
3:A brilliant buy. Though the fabric is synthetic it has a real satin sheen,a perfect combination with the fifties vintage Audrey Hepburn style,complemented by a sash and bow giving it a genuine retro look. 80 EURO DUNNES STORES
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2.Another simple but more classic cut. It's criss cross effect and double band waistline are reminiscent of forties glamour set off by a slightly longer, three quarter length. An extremely versatile dress to own, suitable for almost any special occasion. 96 EURO OASIS
4:A really useful style as it works so well as a simple day dress or can be easily accessorized and dressed up for evening wear. Its tissue like fabric gathers flatteringly,falling just below the knee to give a slimming effect. 58 EURO TOP SHOP
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Beauty products that were never supposed to be Mane’ n’ Tail
By Fiona Farrell
Preparation H Yes it is haemorrhoid cream, but apparently it is a fast selling treatment in the States for ‘puffy eyes’. Keep it cold in the fridge.
Spoons This is a less controversial treatment for puffy eyes. Keep two in the freezer. Just place them over your eyes for a few minutes and eyes will be wide and fresh looking.
SMOOthe: This on a ple. skin
is a product that farmers use cow’s udder to make them supIt is also used on Shania Twain’s to keep it, well, smooth. We can only get this in the States so keep an eye out if you’re heading across the water.
Aspirin Contains salicylic acid which is so good for spotty skin and breakouts, used by Britney Spears. Crush six tablets, with water, and apply like a face mask. Wait until it dries thoroughly, and then wash it off.
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initially a product brought out to tame a horse’s manes, now a favourite with Sarah Jessica Parker to tame her wild locks.
Tomato Ketchup For blondes. Takes the brassy out of a blonde colour, or good if chlorine in a pool has turned your hair from golden to green.
look
Strawberries Strawberries are natural teeth whiteners. Cut one in half and rub over the teeth and gums. Removes plaque too.
the
By Jessie Collins
A Lady's Logic "Finally", Ciara declared, "Topshop in the City Centre!" "Why Ciara", I replied, "Topshop has been in the City Centre for an age, sweetie". I'm always careful not to crush her assertions too harshly, "It's North-Side, in the Jervis Centre and has been for 9 years now!". I'd been to that Topshop once or twice you see. Awful. The only memories I have queuing on the escalator to enter the shop, queuing to try clothes on, and queuing to pay. Pain staking. I hate queuing. Well I can forget that particular frustration now. Finally, Topshop is on the Green. I thank the Dundrum Centre, and the Luas. For a while there, it seemed that clothes shops thought nothing of opening flagships on the Northside…Topshop, Zara, Office…and once a few shops open, they lead the way for all the others. I looked across the Liffey one day and saw Bang and Olufsen on the North Quays. I reasoned that I must be seeing things as when I looked back over to confirm, but I
couldn't see past a collection of loudmouthed, pink pyjama wearing, prampushing, high pony-tailed sporting women that had congregated on the Boardwalk! Obviously, my brain is playing tricks – making me see all sorts. So finally, when Dundrum opened, retailers went there instead of Henry Street. Customers flocked there too, courtesy of the Gerry Lee. For a moment people forgot that shopping ever existed north of the river. All its attractions now featured in D16. So when the hype of Dundrum opening ended and people realised Harvey Nicks was far too small, as was its microTopshop, they no longer ventured off at the Balally stop, but kept going to the Green. No need for the long trek Northside – the first thing you see coming off the Luas is a brand new, sparkling, shiny beautiful Topshop, full of amazing and fabulous and dreamy clothes etc etc Before my first visit I realised I may have to queue there too. Obviously though I had not walked far to get to the shop – hence queuing wouldn't be an issue at all. By Deirdre O’Connell
Health
The healing effects of QiGong The art of attracting vital energy to cleanse body and mind cult.
Is it similar to Tai Chi? By Jackie Rasmus Peter Munro is an Interior Designer and Web Designer who practises QiGong (alternative spelling and pronunciation Chi Kung) in his spare time.
Tai Chi is a moving form of QiGong. While QiGong is mainly stationary postures, Tai Chi is more about moving although it is based on the principles of QiGong. According to QiGong masters, QiGong should be practised first in order to gain the benefits of Tai Chi.
What is QiGong?
When did you take it up?
The word Qigong is a combination of two ideas: Qi meaning energy, and gong meaning skill. So QiGong is defined as the art of attracting vital energy. It consists of breathing exercises, physical movement and some standing postures like the Tree pose where you basically stand like a tree and allow energy to build up within you which will strengthen your internal organs like kidneys and liver. As you practice you become more aware of the energy and can begin to circulate the
My girlfriend started learning back in January. She has suffered with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for a long time and found after just a few sessions that her energy was increasing. She said she found it to be the most effective thing she had done to make her feel better. She started it on the advice of an acupuncturist she was seeing and purposely didn’t read anything or ask anything about it so as not to have any expectations. When she did find out other peoples’ experiences were so close to her own, we were doubly impressed.
Standing postures like the Tree pose where you basically stand like a tree and allow energy to build up within you which will strengthen your internal organs like kidneys and liver.
Why did you take it up? I’ve practised Tai Chi before and have always had an interest in Taoism but this time was talked into by the enthusiasm of my partner.
How has it affected your life? I have practised meditation for years but always had trouble with my mind wandering. With QiGong I found that the concentration involved has really improved the quality of my meditations and this in turn has led to a reduction in stress levels. You’re supposed to practise everyday to build up your energy otherwise you start again from the beginning each time you start. This can be hard as I don’t always feel like practising but as little as 10 minutes a day can have an effect. My girlfriend also says that she feels more solid now. Less likely to collapse when life gets tough.
Qi around your body with your mind. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that good health is a result of a free flowing, well-balanced energy system. When we are stressed then the flow of Qi is restricted. It is believed that regular practice of QiGong helps to cleanse the body of toxins, restore energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and help individuals maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. QiGong has been practised for thousands of years and many different types of QiGong have evolved. There is even a version of QiGong called Falun Gong which the Chinese Government has forbidden people to practise fearing it is more of a
http://www.healing-tao.co.uk
Raw Pizza?? By Jackie Rasmus Everyone loves pizza and pizza was on the menu at a recent Alive meeting that I attended. Alive or The Irish Living Foods Association is a group that promotes eating raw and living foods and is based in Dublin and Wicklow. At their meetings once a month on a Sunday afternoon, a speaker will talk on some aspect of health and they will follow with a raw foods feast. There has been an increasing trend towards the raw food diet recently, with various Hollywood celebrities like Demi Moore trying it out. Also, in the UK, an exclusively raw food restaurant has opened up, The Little Earth Cafe in Primrose Hill, London. Raw and Living Foods include a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts seeds and sprouted and grains - used in various specific ways - blended, fermented, dehydrated, or juiced - but not cooked. To clarify, living foods are those that are soaked and sprouted, like bean sprouts or broccoli sprouts that you can buy in supermarkets these days. Raw foods are foods that are just uncooked. Raw food experts such as Brian Clements of the Hippocrates Institute in Florida, a raw food healing centre, claim that when food is cooked above a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit that the enzymes within the food are destroyed. There are two types of enzymes that the human body produces: digestive enzymes which break down our food for us and metabolic enzymes which are required in every
process that takes place within the body from breathing to thinking. Dr Edmund Howell who did extensive research into enzymes states that as we get older we produce less enzymes so eating our food raw adds enzymes to our diet and thus keeps us young and give us loads of energy. However this is flatly denied by other scientists. The pizza served at the Alive meeting was raw. Made from a base of flax seeds and buckwheat that has been sprouted, with a cashew nut cheese sauce and a topping of olives, peppers and avocado. It tasted beautiful, and the cheese was creamy. There was also a selection of salads far removed from the traditional lettuce, cucumber and tomato salad. For dessert we were served chocolate cake made from seaweed, coconut and carob. I felt guilty eating it as it seemed so sinful, but I was reassured that it actually was good for me as it still contained all its enzymes. It was still rather heavy though and left me quite tired. Thankfully we are not served wheatgrass juice, although it is spoken of here. Wheatgrass juice is a powerful cleanser made by juicing by sprouting wheat berries. It is currently served at Cornucopia, the vegetarian restaurant on Wicklow Street and by Nude on Suffolk Street. It is such a powerful cleanser it can often make a person feel nauseous.
So, are there other benefits to this lifestyle? The Living Foods Network in America claim that there are many reasons why people eat a raw and living foods diet. 1. Health: Persons embracing this type of diet invariably experience improvements in their general physical and mental status, including more energy, better health, weight loss, detoxification, and a sturdier immune system that better resists and recovers from just about any kind of disease... and the list goes on... 2. Energy efficiency: Since you no longer have to cook, you don’t waste electricity,. 3. Since you eat organic agriculture, you help to save the planet. Most become more in-tune with their body; many report definite spiritual improvements. http://www.irishlivingfoods.com.
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Travel
Whores, drug dealers and businessmen. Inside Life gives you the Hitchhikers Guide to Western Europe.
Polish hitchers Jiri Hadae and Alice Palkova were trying to get from Kehl to Karlsruhe By Håvard Prestegården - Bom-bom! Si! Tu? Si si! Rufino, a middle aged and slightly overweight truck driver from Madrid, gesticulates eagerly. Being a country boy from Norway, Spanish is like double Dutch. But this time I’m starting to realize with growing unease what he is babbling on about. Our truck stops in some desert hole between Madrid and Pamplona. We enter what turns out to be a bar, swarming with disturbingly young-looking Russian whores. Rufino and myself are the only guests. He buys me a beer, but his generosity doesn’t stop there. - Putas! Bom-bom! Tu? Si si! Apparently, Rufino wants me to get funky, and he insists on paying for it too. I decline as politely as I can in my Spanglish. Some tense minutes follow. Eventually he returns, and I am relieved when we head back to the truck. I am one of the last of a dying breed. Just hours ago, back in Madrid, I became a hitchhiker. I’ve got a week to get to a music festival in Copenhagen, but I’m already realizing, it’s going to be a long and strange journey. The next day, outside of Lyon, I get a lift with a crazy Arabianlooking drug dealer who obviously has plans to kill me, but suddenly changes his mind and lets
Thumbing through
Europe me off with a grin that could’ve scared the beejzus out of me. Anyway, I got the lift. Germany is a different story. I spend an entire day by the Autobahn; its absurdly hot and I’m sweating like a pig, breathing in the extremely unhealthy German Autobahn air. My water bottle is empty, of course. No one stops. And when they do, it’s some jackass who lets me off right on the motorway in an even more impossible spot. It’s not easy trying to get a ride with traffic flying past you at 200 kph. Not to mention that it’s illegal. By the grace of God, my luck finally changes. A nice salesman picks me up in his brand new
BMW company car. Soon we’re doing almost 250 kph. The salesman pops a can of beer. Drinking and driving is perfectly legal in Germany, he assures me, as long as you don’t have more than one beer. I believe him. Or more correctly, at this point I don’t really care. At least I’m moving. By midnight we reach the outskirts of Gottingen, and the salesman lets me off at a petrol station. Right away I meet an elderly Swiss gentleman who is nice enough to take a sleep-deprived, undernourished and, most likely, rather foulsmelling Norwegian all the way to Hamburg. He pulls up at a petrol station outside the city, and not realizing he’s still going at about
100 kph, drives straight onto a curb. We fly past the pumps, narrowly missing the petrol station itself, before we finally stop. - I didn’t see it! I didn’t see it, he wails. The result: a flat tire. It’s annoying, but I’m just glad we’re still alive. Reaching Hamburg city centre takes me several hours, and when I finally get there, no hotel will let me check in that early in the morning. Except one, and of course it’s not just an average hotel. I ring the bell, and an enormous black female (or possibly male) prostitute lets me in. Ah more hookers, then. Just what I was looking for. Dead tired, I lock myself into my room, and try to ignore the sounds
coming through the walls. Such is the life of a hitchhiker. Your mood swings change from exhilaration to utter despair. One day you’re a happy camper, getting proper meals and even the occasional shower. The next day you’re being left to rot next to a desolate German highway. But I did arrive in Copenhagen on time. And when I got home, I only wanted to go out on the road again. Six tips: 1. Travel extremely light. Take only the stuff that you absolutely cannot live without, then bring half of that 2. Find a good spot to hitchhike, preferably on the outskirts of a city/town. Truck stops, gas stations and motorway entrance roads are good. 3. Stay safe. If you are not feeling comfortable with the driver, do not get in the car. 4. Maintain personal hygiene. No one likes a smelly passenger in their car. Bringing a deodorant is vital. 5. If you’re hitching in a poor country, be courteous and offer to pay for the ride. 6. If you don’t speak the language, there's no harm in trying, and they will be more likely pick you up if you do.
In the Macho Man’s World By Sandra Lappegard Dirt, injuries and “friendly” fights. Soccer will never seem the same again after watching Gaelic football. ”Have you ever wondered what football would look like without the offside rule”? That was the answer I got after asking a friend back home in Norway about Gaelic football. Admittedly I have never wondered about that
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before. I never thought I would. I consider myself as an “absolutely not interested in football”-girl. But that was before I knew about Gaelic football. The players are injured, mucky and bandaged, but they don’t care. They keep playing like this was the most natural thing in the world. Could it be any better? Some girls only watch football to look at the men running around. That‘s a well-known theory. Well,
when my Norwegian roommate and I turned on the TV on one of our first mornings here in Ireland, we forgot all about breakfast! We just sat there, and thought what is this? Each guy was bigger than the other, running around, crashing into each other, and switching between throwing and kicking the ball. It was pretty funny, and we looked at each other, both thinking that Ireland’s national sport
was the first time we had ever seen a real man. These crazy athletes must be in the number one macho game. Why would anyone go to see soccer again? That’s boring compared to this. And what about the so-called “hunks” like Beckham etc? Oh, you mean the boys who start crying if someone pushes them aside, or get really angry if someone pulls their t-shirts? Hah! That’s nothing to look at!
Chicken boys in soccer, it’s time to quit! I vote for more Gaelic football teams! And to top it all off; Gaelic football is now a Playstation game! Fantastic! Now I can take it back to Norway, and watch the real men play sport, while the rest of them can sit and watch their boring soccer. Finally I’ve found a kind of game that’s actually worth looking at. Thanks Ireland!
Travel
Be A Local in A Favella By Fiona Farrell The reality of Rio De Janeiro, known to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world. I was nervous from the moment I arrived in in Rio De Janeiro airport. I had carefully listened to the advice given to me to stay away from anywhere that resembled the slums films like ‘City of God’ made infamous. It had been reported in the media that drug lords in two Favellas (shanty towns) in particular, had been firing shots at each other over the main road. Therefore it wasn’t comforting to know that we were driving through this area, or to have my friend tell me that we would be going on a tour of
er said he
would make us a ‘local in the Favella’. Louis was doing this every day of his life, working hard building up the communities and raising money. He knew the locals well and told us not to worry about being in danger. He said we were safer in the slums
If they wanted to sell you something they made or painted, then that was okay. The point is that they don’t get something for nothing. There was a man in a black vest and red shorts standing near us at the entrance. He was a drug gang member that kept watch at the entrance. When police enter the Favella he lets off a firework to warn the town. Upon entering we heard a shot, which should have sent alarm bells, but at this stage we knew what it was all about. This prevailing drug gang were called the ADA, ‘Amigos des Amigos (Friends of
Violent attacks cause innocent locals to get killed, mainly by police, who shoot first and ask questions later. one of these Favellas the very next day. So many shootouts have been reported between rival gangs, policemen and locals that I was expecting to be dodging bullets. My friend tried to re-assure me that these tours contributed to the economy of these communities and that it was for a good cause to go However, I still wasn’t convinced we’d be safe. We booked a man called Louis to bring us out to a Favella called Rocinda. His post-
with him than on the Copacabana beach with the celebrities. The way to be a local is to get into the virtually inaccessible mountainside town. The transport was moped. Too terrified to think, I jumped on the bike and wrapped my arms around the driver. Getting up safely was a good start. We were told not to give anything to anyone, especially children, even though they would come up to you and ask for money.
Friends). They had taken over from the Red Brigade to be the dominant suppliers for the Favellas. The warfare between gangs is for dominance in drug selling, and no two gangs can be in power. Violent attacks cause innocent locals to get killed, mainly by police, who shoot first and ask questions later. The entire town was badly maintained. They had their own makeshift electricity cables that were hung high like clothes-
lines, and the lack of a sewerage system meant the dirty water just flowed through a groove a the side of the path. Mixed with the heat this did not create a nice aroma for residential dwellings. Rubbish would build up and the streets were getting smaller because houses were building in on the path. Despite this the locals were very friendly, welcoming and good-natured. There were a few surreal moments when two young men ran past us with guns in their belts. We met another dealer in uniform who was interacting normally with locals. It seemed surreal but we all said hello anyway. The children were the highlight of the experience, and loved getting their picture taken. The tours wer funding a care centre where children would go all day until they went to school, even babies, to learn and be fed, and even see a psychologist. The children there are drug addicts and criminals before they are even teenagers. So it is in childhood where the change has to begin, and it was Louis’ visitors that were funding the venture. Our guide had built up such a rapport with the locals, and this was the side of the Favellas that was a pleasure to be part of. A few months later, I was reading the paper, and in a tiny column of around the world news, it had reported that there had been a gunfight in Rocinda. Ten people had been killed, and there were children hurt because it happened outside in the childrens care centre, where they were having a party. I just hope that there was enough help and support for the town, and the child centre to continue making progress, but to be honest, sadly, I wouldnt count on it.
BACKPACKING THROUGH CANADA FLORIDA AND L.A. By Katinka Van Nulck We arrived around midnight to our hostel in Montreal. Our thoughts were that of fear mixed with excitement, but on our first night, all we could feel was exhaustion. I couldnt wait to be awoken the following morning to explore the rest of Quebec. The old part of Quebec was safe, welcoming and pretty. We spent a couple of days sightseeing, we saw Le Chateau Frontenac, a castle like building dominating the city and overlooking the St Lawrence river. In Montreal we went to a baseball stadium to see our first live baseball game. After some time spent in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto we headed towards Niagara Falls. In Niagara we had booked a fast speeding jet boat ride months in advance. It crashed and dove through the rapids sending buckets of water over us. We also booked a wine tour and tasted Canadian wines and Ice wine, an expensive sweet wine which is very rare to get anywhere in the world. We then spent fifteen hours on a bus, travelling from Niagara to Chicago. We were constantly being awoken at cities like Eerie, Buffalo, Cleveland and Freemont to mention a few. Canada had been on my friends wish-list
but Florida was on mine. The fresh air I was expecting to feel in Tampa airport was replaced by sticky, humid temperatures. We got a taxi to Clearwater beach and after checking into our dormitory found a big cockroach crawling on the wall. I tried sleeping with the light on to keep the creepy crawlies away but the heat kept us awake most of the night. Clearwater was like an island paradise, we walked on the softest sand and saw the bluest water. After traveling through Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa, we headed towards Orlando.
"Little Havana". The second was an alligator airboat tour through the swamps to see live alligators. Thirdlly, a four hour drive to see Key West stopping off at the famous 7 mile bridge along the way. We then decided to do a one day tour of Los Angeles and in the evening go straight to LAX airport and then home to Ireland. We saw Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Beverlly Hills, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, downtown LA andOlvera street. At four a
shuttle took us to LAX. After an incredibly long journey home we arrived back to Ireland around midnight. Comparing the size of American cities to Irish, everything felt and looked so small. All I wanted to do was bring back the 18th September 2004.
Disney World brought childhood dreams back to life. There was one fun ride in MGM studios which involved a so called Haunted Hotel. We had to sit in an elevator which allowed us to see sky high views of the theme park. Not long after however, a sickening sensation washed over us as the elevator came crashing back down to the bottom at an incredible speed. We decided on the last second, in Epcot to "leave a legacy" ,which meant we could leave a mugshot of our faces on the slabs of stones which were lined at the entrance. It was our way of leaving a part of us behind. After Orlando, we headed towards Miami and stayed in South Beach. We took three tours, one of the city and surrounding towns, inlcuding "The Art Deco" (the most famous architectural row in Miami) and
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2 Entertainment
One man and his guitar... Declan O’Rourke talks about life on V2, Electric Picnic and his travel plans By Celine O’Malley
Bolstered by high praise from the likes of Sinead O'Connor, Eddie Reader and Sharon Shannon, Declan O'Rourke's popularity has been on the rise over the last number of years. He has forged his own path through the dearth of singer-songwriters in Ireland and his unique, emotive voice and lyrics and his exceptional playing have set him apart. Hotpress have described him as "an accomplished tunesmith and a fine guitarist to boot". In the past year he has seen his debut album achieve gold and then platinum status in Ireland. Since Kyabram, named after a small town in Australia, debuted in the Irish charts at Number 5 in October 2004, he says he was pleasantly surprised by its success, although not initially. "To be honest I was hoping for higher, when I heard it the first day I was kinda disappointed until friends of mine said it was unheard of for a first release." He has also secured a record deal with the prominent label, V2 Records, home to Aimee Mann, Mercury Rev and Bloc Party among others. He has progressed from playing the intimate style of Whelans to the vast surrounds of the National Concert Hall. His concert there in August saw him put on a varied set for his audience, playing the first half unplugged and acoustic before bringing out his orchestral flair with a full band includ-
“I judge it by my own standards...but take opinion into account invariably” ing cello, violin and an additional 10 string section. He believes the audience deserves to be surprised. "It keeps it interesting for me and interesting for the audience so it's not the same show all the time. I like to play on my own and also to incorporate different styles."
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Into the frame Colm MacConIomaire waxes lyrical about that gig in The Point and the new album By Celine O’Malley
The success of The Frames is in no small part due to the tenacity of the two remaining founder members – Colm MacConIomaire and Glen Hansard. They have stuck with the band for over 15 years through record company woes, mixed critical reaction and band lineup changes. Their tour in Europe is going well and they recently played a sold out show in the Point. Before the soundcheck for their gig in Vienna I spoke to Colm MacConIomaire, fiddle player extraordinaire. He sounded very enthusiastic about the tour, “…we’re really enjoying it, we’re playing to about 1,000 people every night, it changes from country to country…it’s a great way to travel”. They’ve also been pleased with the noticeable increase in the size of their audiences over the past couple
“The real landmark was playing Marlay Park, it’s at least twice the size of the Point.”
Declan also played a rousing set at the Electric Picnic festival in Stradbally and he was very enthusiastic about the whole weekend. "I loved it, it was a fantastic festival, it had a great atmosphere…I saw a little of Nick Cave and the Human League but they weren't really my thing." He's hoping he'll be called back next year to play it again. As for critical reaction to his music, he prefers to decide himself how he feels about it. "I judge it on my own feelings...I read reviews, but only a couple...even the best ones have something that they picked up wrong. I judge it by my own standards...but take opinion into account invariably". The reaction of the crowd on the night is a very important indicator for him. "I will stop playing it if I feel it's not getting a good reaction", but he says he finishes songs to his own satisfaction before letting anyone else hear them. He is heading to Canada for some meet and greet sessions before Christmas. "I always wanted to wait to travel when I was touring, it was like my incentive." His current album "Since Kyabram” is
going to be released over in the US around November next year, but it will be released in the UK, Europe and Australia in the next couple of months, with a promotional tour planned soon for the UK. As for a next album, he said he has written quite a few new songs but he won’t release them for a while because he is going to travel. "I don't think I'm going to be able to record the next album for another year. If people want a new album then they'll have to hope that I don't get on well in the US." With everything working in his favour at the moment it’s unlikely this will happen.
Declan O’Rourke and friends play Vicar Street on New Years Eve. Check www.ticketmaster.ie for ticket details.
of years. He said the biggest difference is that people know the songs because their albums are now getting released in the countries they are touring. One of the highlights of this year for the band has to be their sold out show in the Point on the 8th of November. Colm said they are still taking it in. “It’s kinda funny, without being glib we could probably have played the Point three years ago but we decided against it. The real landmark was playing
Marlay Park, it’s at least twice the size of the Point.”. With a capacity for 18,000 people it was indeed a special occasion for the band, but he acknowledges the prestige attached to the Point and said they felt they needed to play it at some stage. Colm said the band plan on getting to work on their next album after Christmas. He wasn’t giving much away in terms of what it will sound like but there’s a good chance you’ll have heard some of the songs before. “We already have the songs for it and we’re looking forward to getting into the studio and recording it. We’ve had a chance to play a lot of the new songs for it live, Burn the Maps got written in the studio, this time we have enough surplus material already written… I guarantee we’ll like it anyway.” They worked with producer Steve Albini (of Pixies and Nirvana fame) on Burn the Maps and on the next album they’re hoping to work with Steve Fiztmaurice, who was involved on Dance the Devil, and also Dave Odlum, ex-Frames member and prolific music producer. Colm hinted there’s also a possibility of getting Brian Eno (of Roxy Music) involved. They are currently signed to the Anti record label, which is a branch of Epitaph, one of the biggest indie labels in the States, and Colm said they are very happy with them. “All we’ve ever really wanted is for a label to make the record available and organise some radio promotion for the places we’re touring in. Just to let journalists know about us arriving in town a month in advance rather than a month after we’ve been. Colm said they enjoy the independence working with a small label allows them, “the people we’re working with realise we have our own momentum, so they leave us to it.”After playing New Year’s Eve concerts in Dublin, Galway and Cork over the past few years this year the party is moving to Munster and the INEC in Killarney. Colm said they’re very excited about it and it will be a great way to end what has been a very successful year for the band.
Entertainment
Music news Phantom rises
Canadian power
It looks like the launch of Phantom FM will be delayed once again as Zed FM, the unsuccessful applicant in the race for the alternative rock licence, has gone to the Supreme Court to appeal the award decision. Keep up-to-date with www.phantomfm.com
If you missed out on the Arcade Fire build up in 2005 then prepare for the new breed of Canadian artists that are the music scene. Broken Social Scene, Stars, Constantines, The Dears and the Pornographers are just some of the new talent from the Northern Hemisphere. That makes Toronto and Montreal are the new musical hotspots.
Gig Listings 18th December Whipping Boy – The Olympia 19th December Blondie – The Olympia Kerbdog – Temple Bar Music Centre 20th December Blondie – The Olympia Wallmark – Whelans Doves – The Olympia 23rd December The Pogues – The Point Stand – Whelans 31st December Declan O’Rourke – Vicar St The Frames – INEC Killarney 7th January Mogwai – Temple Bar Music Centre 24th January Artic Monkeys, Maximo Park (NME tour) – The Ambassador 30th January Albert Niland – Whelans 2nd February Bob Mould – Vicar St 4th February Clap Your Hands say Yeah Crawdaddy 5th and 6th February Belle and Sebastian – The Ambassador 11th February Broken Social Scene Crawdaddy 22nd February Jack Johnson – The Point
A traveller’s Life Review of the new Perry Ogden film Pavee Lackeen By Philippe Carr
Radio Ga Ga One of the best places to look for rising alternative talent is L.A. based college radio station KCRW. Nic Harcourt hosts the Morning Becomes Electic show and regularly showcases in studio sessions from the likes Magic Numbers, Rufus Wainwright, The White Stripes, BellX1, Beck, Doves and loads more Check out www.kcrw.com for more information.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah New music sensation Clap Your Hands Say Yeah hail from Brooklyn and have taken America by storm. They are now turning their attention to Europe. Their self-titled debut album sold 25,000 copies, before the band secured a record deal. Their melodic, exuberant sound spread through the internet and wordof-mouth. They have now signed to V2 records and are playing in Ireland on the 4th of February. Expect tickets to sell fast
Pavee Lackeen, the winner of the 2005 Galway film Festival, attempts to address many of middle class Ireland’s prejudices of traveler life. Stylistically it has to be commended and many of the performances are outstanding, especially considering the cast. However, it remains simplistic and at times a frustrating piece of work. All too often Irish and British
cinema has painted condescending views of traveler life. This is not a film like Into the West with its gut wrenching sentimentality or the sort of “Pikey” cartoon character that Brad Pitt created in Snatch (The XXX film South Paw is one exception). Director, Perry Ogden has none of this glamour and it is deridingly uglier and grittier as real life. The story centers around a young girl, Winnie, whose family are facing eviction from their illegal halting site in Ringsend. Instead of using professional actors and a completely fabricated storylines, Ogden directs through improvisation. Most of the main actors play themselves and have no formal training. Instead, they are placed in natural situations and they adlib. What emerges is a semi documentary style, which probably represents the sentiments expressed by a real traveler. Ogden admits that the family’s story is not representative of the typical traveler experience. They are the marginalized of this community and represent those left behind in 21st century Ireland. The main challenge facing the family, are the local county council and school board, which are the instruments of the settled middle class. The council seeks to evict the family from their present site and the school authorities fail to take account of the difficulties and prejudices a lone child, Winnie, faces in the school yard. Ogden however indulges himself with his choice of imagery.
Maybe this is not surprising given his background as a fashion photographer. He draws parallels that are crude and cliché. When Winnie is suspended from school, she embarks on her very own Ulysses on the streets of Dublin. She is taken, through Russian video shops, African hairdressers, and arcades frequented by Chinese teenagers. “Isn’t it great that new immigrant Dublin has no difficulty with travelers, while old white Irish society maintains its old prejudice?” In another situation, Winnie is sent on another errand to fetch water, from a tap far from the caravan. A crude parallel is created with the plight of an African walking for miles. Consistencies undoubtedly exist but this voyeuristic film gives us a powerful insight into the sometimes-impenetrable logic of the traveler community. When offered a house in a different part of the city, an opportunity to start a new life, it is turned down in favor of remaining in the squalor she is accustomed to. Perhaps we must simply accept that we cannot understand their sense of logic. What worked for me in this film was the style. Ogden captures a sense of frustration with his cinematography. The cast’s unassuming performances are also a gem. What lets it down is perhaps its lack of desire to challenge the perceptions that mainstream media and society perpetuate.
Best Adapted Screenplay The trend continues for adapting books to mainstream movies By Martha Robbins All over the world students are rejoicing and book clubs are lamenting as more and more pieces of literature (classic, revolutionary or otherwise) are being put to film. Most recently we’ve seen another adaptation from Jane Austen’s many masterpieces as Keira Knightley took Elizabeth Bennett to the big screen in Pride and Prejudice. What does this increasingly traveled route of cross-overs mean for books? And what will it mean for movies? Books made into films have been respectively or sometimes disrespectively crossed over throughout all of movie history. For some, the idea of seeing their favorite characters leap from page to screen can be a delight... for others it can be an insult. There are quite a few movies coming out this winter alone, which have been adapted from literature. For the past few years we have been visited in bookstores and cinemas by a scrappy young wizard by the name of Harry Potter. By now, he is undeniably a household name. The brilliant marketing of his adventures by page and film has helped make
a stronghold in the industry for other magically inclined and child friendly movies... like Narnia or Brothers Grimm, for example, some other winter treats for moviegoers across the world. These kinds of stories put to film create a perfect mix for attracting audiences of all ages, they feature a story that most audiences are already familiar with and like. They serve up award winning special effects, and they create or re-generate a fan following that will buy anything associated with the movie. Lately major fantasy or action-adventure movies, especially based on books, became well fed, well oiled money making machines. From here, the book itself gains more notoriety and people of all ages are reading again - even if it is just to better understand the movie. Unfortunately, there are books that may lose out in the crossover. Books that may not need further notoriety for the story, but will undoubtedly lose some potential readers due to the making of the movie. Books like the best selling Memoirs of a Geisha
could lose future readers based solely on the fact that it is less time consuming to watch a movie about Sayuris twisted path of destiny as a geisha in the mid 1900’s than read a book about it. Philip K. Dick’s A Scanner Darkly is a thought provoking novel concerning the illegal use of psychedelic drugs in an Orwellian America of tomorrow. The movie, starring Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr. will undoubtedly make for a very visually appealing science fiction box office hit. In these instances, and especially if we know the story is good, it is sometimes safe to say that the film industry will earn more success, notoriety and money from the story than the book industry initially did. Movie writers and producers everywhere can rest a little easier knowing that they have a free pass to a wealth of story ideas at their local library. And everyone can enjoy the opportunity of reading as well as seeing their favorite stories come to life.
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