Gordon Brown is breaking all the wrong kind of records.
Only John Major has hit a lower poll rating in office than Brown today. A recovery from here would make history.
With the first anniversary of his premiership still not upon us, Gordon Brown has set an unenviable record. He leads the most unpopular Labour government in polling history.
Jim Callaghan, in the Seventies, never fell below 30 per cent in the Gallup polls of his day. Harold Wilson's nadir was 28 per cent in 1968. Mr Brown's government is supported by just 26 per cent.
Only John Major, who slipped below 20 per cent, stands between Mr Brown and the wooden spoon for most unpopular government. It is hardly a comforting thought.
Showing posts with label Intentions for 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Intentions for 2008. Show all posts
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Zimbabwe puts DJ before election results
Zimbabwe: DJ Features Poetry On Radio
Published by the government of Zimbabwe
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The Herald (Harare)
31 March 2008Posted to the web 31 March 2008
Harare
POWER FM's Munyaradzi Mlimo is on a mission to bring poetry on the mainstream through his radio programme where he features a diverse line-up of Zimbabwean poets.
The programme -- a first of its kind -- has caught the attention of the station's youthful listeners every Tuesday between 1pm and 1:30pm when Mlimo popularly known as Dj Munya goes out in search of untapped talent.
GA_googleFillSlot("AllAfrica_Story_Inset");
Of course, there is a thin line between hip-hop and poetry but on the programme, listeners get to sample poetry in its raw form.
And Dj Munya believes poetry, like hip-hop, is a powerful medium of expression but one, which needs exposure.
"Hip-hop, some call it street poetry or the art of spoken word but unlike any other music genre it lacks exposure.
"So we are trying to put it on the limelight and if we get sponsorship that would be great because that way we should be able to promote poetry throughout the continent.
"Once you get sponsorship it is easy to run the project but right now it is just a platform for untapped talent.
"The talent is there although at first I had my own reservations but I am glad Black Heat, an artist (Nancy Mukondyo) indicated to me that it was something new and exciting," he said.
Dj Munya said through his programme, he hoped to provide a platform for a wider crossover audiences.
"We try and provide a platform for poets from different parts of the country so that they get the exposure and if possible link them with other international poets.
"Initially, it was Black Heat who used to come on the programme every Tuesday but then we realised there was so much enthusiasm from listeners and that's when we decided to have different poets coming on the programme," Dj Munya said.
Later, he said, we incorporated music instruments such as mbira and guitars to create a variation of sounds.
"The format of the programme is simple other poets prefer to recite their poems with music playing in the background and others like to present it without any music," he said.
He said it was encouraging that local poets were as good as international poets.
"I have a lot of faith in our poets because they have depth and are well versed with many issues.
"Some listeners email their poets and it not just reef rough it something that makes you think and appreciate," Dj Munya said.
So far, he has featured poets who include 40-50th, Kadizha Mutekateka and Albert Nyathi is expected to take part.
Besides poetry, Dj Munya has also included book and movie reviews on the programme.
"I have another programme called Unsigned Hype where I feature hip-hop artistes as well as inviting mix-tapes from either club Djs or those who are into music production to sample their stuff.
"I play whatever mix-tape I have and have an interview with the Dj of that mix-tape for about 20 minutes. As for the book reviews I usually get emails from listeners who want a particular book to be reviewed or I pick any book that I feel readers would be interested in.
"The book can be fiction, comedy or anything and possibly tell readers where to find the books," he said.
This, he said, had never been done before on radio but was a deliberate attempt to feature it on the station.
"The same goes for movie reviews where at least we feature the latest movies and see if it's a remake or new film. We get to tell listeners whether it is up to scratch or not," he said.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa Arts, Culture and Entertainment Zimbabwe
He said there was special emphasis on hip-hop since it was one of the hardest hit genres in term of sales. He said with exposure, hip-hop artistes could eke out a living from their works.
"Artistes should be able to put food on their tables from whatever they do. And my wish is to see local hip-hop artistes breaking through the world market so that they too, can eat.
"I know there are hip-hop pioneers in the United States but we have our own here as there many in other countries," he said.
Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Email This Page Print This Page Comment on this article
The Herald (Harare)
31 March 2008Posted to the web 31 March 2008
Harare
POWER FM's Munyaradzi Mlimo is on a mission to bring poetry on the mainstream through his radio programme where he features a diverse line-up of Zimbabwean poets.
The programme -- a first of its kind -- has caught the attention of the station's youthful listeners every Tuesday between 1pm and 1:30pm when Mlimo popularly known as Dj Munya goes out in search of untapped talent.
GA_googleFillSlot("AllAfrica_Story_Inset");
Of course, there is a thin line between hip-hop and poetry but on the programme, listeners get to sample poetry in its raw form.
And Dj Munya believes poetry, like hip-hop, is a powerful medium of expression but one, which needs exposure.
"Hip-hop, some call it street poetry or the art of spoken word but unlike any other music genre it lacks exposure.
"So we are trying to put it on the limelight and if we get sponsorship that would be great because that way we should be able to promote poetry throughout the continent.
"Once you get sponsorship it is easy to run the project but right now it is just a platform for untapped talent.
"The talent is there although at first I had my own reservations but I am glad Black Heat, an artist (Nancy Mukondyo) indicated to me that it was something new and exciting," he said.
Dj Munya said through his programme, he hoped to provide a platform for a wider crossover audiences.
"We try and provide a platform for poets from different parts of the country so that they get the exposure and if possible link them with other international poets.
"Initially, it was Black Heat who used to come on the programme every Tuesday but then we realised there was so much enthusiasm from listeners and that's when we decided to have different poets coming on the programme," Dj Munya said.
Later, he said, we incorporated music instruments such as mbira and guitars to create a variation of sounds.
"The format of the programme is simple other poets prefer to recite their poems with music playing in the background and others like to present it without any music," he said.
He said it was encouraging that local poets were as good as international poets.
"I have a lot of faith in our poets because they have depth and are well versed with many issues.
"Some listeners email their poets and it not just reef rough it something that makes you think and appreciate," Dj Munya said.
So far, he has featured poets who include 40-50th, Kadizha Mutekateka and Albert Nyathi is expected to take part.
Besides poetry, Dj Munya has also included book and movie reviews on the programme.
"I have another programme called Unsigned Hype where I feature hip-hop artistes as well as inviting mix-tapes from either club Djs or those who are into music production to sample their stuff.
"I play whatever mix-tape I have and have an interview with the Dj of that mix-tape for about 20 minutes. As for the book reviews I usually get emails from listeners who want a particular book to be reviewed or I pick any book that I feel readers would be interested in.
"The book can be fiction, comedy or anything and possibly tell readers where to find the books," he said.
This, he said, had never been done before on radio but was a deliberate attempt to feature it on the station.
"The same goes for movie reviews where at least we feature the latest movies and see if it's a remake or new film. We get to tell listeners whether it is up to scratch or not," he said.
Relevant Links
Southern Africa Arts, Culture and Entertainment Zimbabwe
He said there was special emphasis on hip-hop since it was one of the hardest hit genres in term of sales. He said with exposure, hip-hop artistes could eke out a living from their works.
"Artistes should be able to put food on their tables from whatever they do. And my wish is to see local hip-hop artistes breaking through the world market so that they too, can eat.
"I know there are hip-hop pioneers in the United States but we have our own here as there many in other countries," he said.
Sunday, 30 December 2007
My intentions for 2008 ~ Scary or What?????
Big, Scary & Hairy Intentions for 2008 ~ 1st January 2008 ~ 1st Draft………
Re-work the novel “One death etc” and have in a shape ready for publishing by September 2008.
Take part in "Script Frenzy" in April ~ sign up now ~ 1st Jan. Intention is to produce a stage play on a subject not yet chosen ~ and complete the project aim ie 200 pages of script by end of April 2008.
Work on “The Mangle” ~ an outline of a novel on my mother and father and based around an art exhibition.Possible entry for NaNOWriMo 2008.
Work on Blog sites with more regularity this year. Drop first experimental site and regroup around “Blogger”. Discuss with Jules. Discuss before end of January with Will/Wendy the prospect of a blog through French Entree.
Work up the poetry I have and produce a Book ready to give to members of the family & friends. Based on places I’ve lived and persons I’ve known.~ “Personal Places”.
Goddard/Smallman/Taylor/Dudley/Meredith Family Tree ~ get others involved eg Peter, David, Adrian, etc in developing and sharpening what I already have on line in “Find my Past”.Complete research by December 2008.
I have slimmed down from 15 stone 4 pounds to 14 stone 7 pounds. I aim to lose another 1 stone by end of February 2008 through diet and exrcise ie walking & garden work.
Aim to sell house in France by September 2008. Decide on next location prior to this ~ but I would support Carol’s idea of a trip to USA/Canada and then our final move to a location that is ideal for us both in the UK with something small in France.......or the other way round?????
Bear in mind if we return to UK the need to secure a place on a degree copurse in Art. Eg University College of Wales, Carmarthen.
For this year only ~ Better start taking seriously the learning of French ~ incremental improvements each month. Produce a schedule [ See elsewhere] to support this. Aim for an “intermediary” level by the Summer.
Work on my sketchbooks ~ in readiness for Art School. Produce 5 new sketchbooks based on our experiences in France ~ called “The French Interlude” by August, 2008.
Support all the children & grandchildren as needs arise.
Be particularly supportive of Catherine & Angharad in their pregnancies.
Return to UK to see baby in March, 2008.
Check all our cameras to see what is working by mid January and use as part of sketchbook work after that.
Keep my beard well into the Spring 2008
Simplify our lives by selling/giving to charity those items which clutter our house and our lives.
Maintain & develop our friendships in France & UK..
Finish “Desrt Island Disc” Choices And record the programme.
Work for a successful launch of Connect FF and step down in April 2008.
Work for the success of the St Yrieix Book Club and read at least 12 books this yeat ~ 2008.
Support Carol's aims for 2008.
Vernon Goddard
Re-work the novel “One death etc” and have in a shape ready for publishing by September 2008.
Take part in "Script Frenzy" in April ~ sign up now ~ 1st Jan. Intention is to produce a stage play on a subject not yet chosen ~ and complete the project aim ie 200 pages of script by end of April 2008.
Work on “The Mangle” ~ an outline of a novel on my mother and father and based around an art exhibition.Possible entry for NaNOWriMo 2008.
Work on Blog sites with more regularity this year. Drop first experimental site and regroup around “Blogger”. Discuss with Jules. Discuss before end of January with Will/Wendy the prospect of a blog through French Entree.
Work up the poetry I have and produce a Book ready to give to members of the family & friends. Based on places I’ve lived and persons I’ve known.~ “Personal Places”.
Goddard/Smallman/Taylor/Dudley/Meredith Family Tree ~ get others involved eg Peter, David, Adrian, etc in developing and sharpening what I already have on line in “Find my Past”.Complete research by December 2008.
I have slimmed down from 15 stone 4 pounds to 14 stone 7 pounds. I aim to lose another 1 stone by end of February 2008 through diet and exrcise ie walking & garden work.
Aim to sell house in France by September 2008. Decide on next location prior to this ~ but I would support Carol’s idea of a trip to USA/Canada and then our final move to a location that is ideal for us both in the UK with something small in France.......or the other way round?????
Bear in mind if we return to UK the need to secure a place on a degree copurse in Art. Eg University College of Wales, Carmarthen.
For this year only ~ Better start taking seriously the learning of French ~ incremental improvements each month. Produce a schedule [ See elsewhere] to support this. Aim for an “intermediary” level by the Summer.
Work on my sketchbooks ~ in readiness for Art School. Produce 5 new sketchbooks based on our experiences in France ~ called “The French Interlude” by August, 2008.
Support all the children & grandchildren as needs arise.
Be particularly supportive of Catherine & Angharad in their pregnancies.
Return to UK to see baby in March, 2008.
Check all our cameras to see what is working by mid January and use as part of sketchbook work after that.
Keep my beard well into the Spring 2008
Simplify our lives by selling/giving to charity those items which clutter our house and our lives.
Maintain & develop our friendships in France & UK..
Finish “Desrt Island Disc” Choices And record the programme.
Work for a successful launch of Connect FF and step down in April 2008.
Work for the success of the St Yrieix Book Club and read at least 12 books this yeat ~ 2008.
Support Carol's aims for 2008.
Vernon Goddard
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