Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18297041

2 June 2012

Summary:

In yesterday’s friendly between Northern Ireland and the Netherlands the latter won with 6-0. It was since 1961 Northern Ireland conceded 6. The Dutch team was dominant during the whole match in the Amsterdam Arena. Robin van Persie made two goals, which made his total  28 at international level this season. After 11 minutes the Netherlands took the lead. Eventually they scored six goals, but there were chances for more. In August, Northern Ireland will have a last home friendly before the World Cup starts in Russia.

Opinion:

The Dutch team won the match with ease, that is really good for the player’s confidence. Hopefully, they will not think it is going to be easy in Russia. In order to win the World Cup they have to work hard for their success. Their opponents in Group B will be: Denmark, Portugal and Germany. The latter will be a dangerous opponent for our team. I wonder if many politicians will visit the games in the Ukraine, now that former prime president Timosjenko is imprisoned. She has said that the games should not be boycotted. Hopefully, the media will pay some attention to her situation.

Turner Price: 2012 shortlist announced

3 June 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17905488

Summary:
The Turner Price is for a British artist, who has created the best exhibition of the last year. The shortlist contains four artists under the age of 50. There will be an exhibition with the artists’ work at Tate Britain, opening on 2 October. The winner will be announced on 3 December. The following four artists are nominated for the price: Spartacus Chetwynd, Luke Fowler, Paul Noble and Elizabeth Price. Spartacus Chetwynd makes performances in which the audience can participate. Luke Fowler has made a film about the life and work of Scottish psychiatrist RD Laing. Paul Noble creates installations with drawings. Elizabeth Price creates installations in which she brings different elements together.

Opinion:

I hope this year’s winner will be Paul Noble. Two years ago, Museum Boymans van Beuningen in Rotterdam showed some of his fabulous drawings and installations. His drawings are gigantic, they reflect a fictional town called Nobson Newtown. His drawings show a pessimistic view of city life, neighbourhoods are isolated and destroyed. He critizices consumerism, his malls seem a terrible place to be where you can be chained as a result of your shopping addiction. His drawings have many fascinating and precise details. There are also many comic book elements in his drawings, which remind me of the American cartoonist Robert Crump. Paul Noble worked 10 years on this project, he really deserves the Turner Price of 2012.

Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant cheered by crowds.

3 June 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18312403

Summary:

The Jubilee Thames pageant was the highlight of the Jubilee weekend which was held to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years reign. It was a very large parade with various boats; like kayaks, steamboats and small ships used during World War II to rescue troops in Dunkirk. The Queen and her family were on The Spirit of Chartwell, which was decorated with 10.000 flowers. The big parade referred to the British powers at sea during the British Empire. The parade set a new record for the Guinness Book of Records. The event cost 10.000 million pounds and was paid by donations, but the taxpayer had to pay for the security costs.

Opinion:

I have been a few times to Sail Amsterdam and the Thames pageant is a similar event. The Thames pageant was very impressive with various kinds of beautiful boats. This tribute to the Queen was worth the expense and people all over the UK were watching the spectacle on big screens. The Queen seems very popular at the moment, despite her decreasing popularity in the 1990s after her delayed response to Diane’s death. To me, the Queen does not seem very warmhearted but I can be mistaken. It does not matter, as long as the British love her.

Sin and the single mother: The history of lone parenthood.

26 May 2012
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/sin-and-the-single-mother-the-history-of-lone-parenthood-7782370.html

Summary:

Recently a new book called ‘Sinners?Scroungers?Saints?Unmarried Motherhood in the 20-Century England’ by research professor in Contemporary History Pat Thane was published. Maureen Paton, a columnist of The Independent decided after reading the book she wanted to find out more about her own history. She was a child of an unmarried woman in the 1950s. When her mother died she found her birth certificate. She did some investigation and discovered she was born in a hostel for unmarried mothers. Most unmarried pregnant women in the 1950s had to give away their babies for adoption. An unmarried mother was not socially acceptable.

Opinion:

It is such a disgrace that unmarried pregnant women were treated like dirt. To force someone to give away her baby is extremely cruel. Besides, many women could not get a proper house because they were alone and not a member of a British family unit. It took until the 1977 Housing Act that unmarried women could get a council flat. Luckily, many adopted children have traced their biological mum. They often say they immediately felt a bond because they had the same features and mannerisms. Despite the fact that many mums were so glad to get in contact with their child, they still grieved for the loss of their baby. Society was unnecessary harsh and inhuman towards pregnant unmarried women.