Happy Australia Day

January 26 is Australia Day. The city of Sydney was founded in 1788 and since then, we celebrate. Simply, it is a public holiday celebrating the sunburnt country.

Happy Days.

'The Great Escape' - By Kati Marton

Kati Marton writes this flowing narrative with passion, flair and descriptive prose. The Great Escape is centered around nine Jews who fled Hitler and subsequently changed the world. The nine are in order of no importance, the four scientists Leo Szilard, Edward Teller, Eugene Wigner and John Von Neumann; the film directors Michael Curitz and Alexander Korda; the photographers Andre Kertez and Robert Capa; and author Arthur Koestler.

Marton captures the lives of these 'men', during the struggles and the triumphs. The writer floods the reader with a picture of European instability, specifically the downfall of Hungary and the old quaint city of Budapest. The cafes, boulevards and gymnasiums are given delicate detail. Their new lives in the 'modern' cities of Los Angeles, New York City and Paris are unique. The history of communism, fascism and the unfortunate rise of Nazi Germany are contained within the story. The achievements, accolades and many prizes that adorn these men are detailed by Marton with beautiful expression.

Budapest's loss, was society's gain.

Each of these nine men, who had talents, dreams and aspirations left behind families and their homelands to 'change' the world for 'us'.

Read and learn.

Mid January and Cyberwar

Not only are wars being fought in the Middle East and in various war-torn regions of Africa, but a cyberwar, and possibly more than one is being waged across cyberspace.

Google have alleged that Chinese Government agencies are responsible for these cyberattacks. Google are not alone, other companies join in on the defence. The problem for those trying to defend themselves is the impossibility of pinpointing the exact location of the initial attack. This is not man to man combat per se, nonetheless, damaging it surely is.

Be Wary. (excuse the pun)

When tragedy strikes ...Haiti

Haiti has been on the receiving end of a catastrophic earthquake. Reports have suggested that the death toll could be upwards of 100,000 and that it may take 60 years to rebuild the destruction. In scenes reminiscent of the 2004 Tsunami, total destruction and loss of life has once again occurred. Haiti, home to 10 million, will now start the new year, mourning, rebuilding and refocussing on the future.

Warnings can be given, but really who is prepared for such natural disasters? Haiti, seemingly situated on fragile plates, received a massive quake. Thoughts and prayer go out to those lost, those who lost and those who retained but will battle physical and psychological issues in overcoming such enormous destruction.

Bondi Beach flickerfest

I attended flickerfest - a film festival of short Australian movies. Held in beautiful bustling Bondi Beach, the movies were cultured, meaningful and of course short.

It crossed my mind, that in the longer staged films, the point or intention of the film can be lost. The shorter type films, which at times end with an abruptness, highlight the hopeful messages contained within the characters, the plot and the scenes.

Happy watching.

This is the New Year

Thought I would share the Death Cab for Cutie song 'The New Year'.

Cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MwhxdGAnic&feature=player_embedded#

First week of 2KX, as known as 2010.

Well, the urban dictionary (and other sources) have labelled 2010, 2KX. The Roman numerical value of K which is 1000 and X which is 10, plus the 2, make up the 2KX figure. How so very simple. (Oh, how Julius Caesar would be so proud.)

When I see Roman numerals, I remember Algebra and Mathematics class. It also reminds me of the Asterix and Obelix comic series. It reminds me of the importance of education, learning and of youthfulness.

Returning back to the turn of the millennium, the year 2000 was labelled Y2K. I know of people who have used this part Roman numerical number as nicknames, pseudonyms and screen names.

Creative people give life to the world, wishing you all a creative and procreating 2KX.