Have you noticed he amount of people on my space who have replaced their picture/avatar/whatever to pictures of Madeline McCann?

Admirable I am sure and I think it is amazing how every one has got behind the family and kept her face in the media. I can understand that keeping her in the press will keep the pressure on the police in Portugal will keep looking.  Her parents whistle stop tour to raise awareness receives as much press as Tony Blairs on a good day but those changed avatars make me angry.

It is not that I do not care.  It is not that I don't feel for the McCann family.  All I can think is what about the other 19 kids that were listed as missing on this website in the UK in the last 12 months.  What about the 744 children in the USA?  who is championing their cause?

I know kids go missing every day.  I know some of these kids are run aways and do not want to be found but I don't see people changing their avatars and displaying the face of other missing children. Maybe if we did it might help find a child and return them home. 

Anyway I am off my soap box now but maybe one or two of you who read this might give some thought to to the other kids that have gone missing.  Who knows maybe one of you may change your avatar.

Your results:
You are Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy 74% Dr. Doom 72% Riddler 71% Magneto 69% Apocalypse 66% Mystique 64% Lex Luthor 58% The Joker 56% Juggernaut 56% Catwoman 54% Dark Phoenix 52% Kingpin 48% Venom 48% Mr. Freeze 47% Two-Face 40% Green Goblin 32%

You would go to almost any length for the protection of the environment including manipulation and elimination.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

I know a little late but

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=f51462d06fbcf67c282ca35G07010410

M

I stumbled on this on You Tube.  How it related to Ian Dury and the Block heads I will never know but at least now I know where that phrase everything is going swimmingly comes from.

M

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I received an email that came around works LGBT network the other day.  It was a reminder that it is  World Aids day tomorrow. You know it pissed me off.  Why did it only come around the LGBT network?  This is not a gay disease.  AIDS and HIV affects all of us, regardless of our sexuality or gender.  

Over 25 million people have died from AIDS or AIDS related diseases and 65 million people have been infected with HIV since 1981.  That is more than the population of the United Kingdom.  In 2000, heads of state made a promise to halt and begin to reverse the spread of AIDS by 2015. New reports by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that, as of 2006, the epidemic continues to spread in every region of the world. This disease does not discriminate. We all need to be aware, we all need to educate and be educated.

Those that can maybe consider giving one of the Oxfam home care kits or  counciling sessions. I know not all can afford to give but you could use 15 minutes of the time you spend blogging/surfing/arguing/ranting on on My Space and read a few sites such as The Body or National AIDS Trust.

The one thing we can all do is take responsibility for keeping ourselves safe.  Educate yourself and practise safe sex.

M

Posted By:Frantic City

Get this video and more at MySpace.com


Caught my eye so had a nosey. Quite impressive if you manage to suppress that piece of you that notices all the dangers. Oh an disregard the fact she has obviously caught the back of her head on the hoop as she has passed through.

M

I guess as we see this years Diwali festival coming to a close it was only fitting that the Green Room in Manchester hosted Sphere Journeys last night.  Over the last two years two dear friends have nurtured a concept  with the hope of reaching South Asian LGT women and give them a voice.  Many of whom struggle to find a place in their communities.  

In May we saw Sackville Park come alive with Sphere Dreams.  A Rangoli  formed the centre of the piece welcoming visitors.  Thirteen beds formed a circle around the Rangoli, each dressed by different members of the group, each telling their own story.  In each was placed a small MP3 player that held a recording that added a further dimension. Some held music, some poetry, some spoke of memories both good and bad.  So many people came and took the time to view, sit on or lie on the beds.  It was amazing to see people's reactions to what they saw and heard.  The stories had a common theme but were so unique.  Three of the beds sat simple dressed, beautiful in their colour but soundless, without voice.  These three beds represented the women who could not speak, could not tell their story or live in an environment that left them only dreaming of who they really are.

The beds remained on display at various theatres and museums in Manchester for the days that followed and we found ourselves revisiting them to share them with our friends.  

Over recent months Sphere have been working with these stories and developed them into a theatre piece that saw its debut last night; Sphere - journeys.  When the theatre doors opened the seats quickly filled and there was an excited buzz in the room.  The beds from the exhibition in May were all present in some form or other and it felt like looking through the photo album, where each photo reminded you of a shared memory.  Suddenly the music stopped and the lights dropped and the room drew silent.  We all joined the group as they took us on a journey.  We got frustrated with them, laughed with them and cried with them as they shared with us a fusion of each individual's story.  All too quickly it was over and the beds were being packed away.  It was sad to see them go.  They have become so familiar to me now like saying goodbye to a dear friend.  

In many ways they are.  I privileged to know many of the women who brought those beds to life, who shared their stories with us.  One of them is my own partner.  His bed, a reminder to me of how far he has travelled and of the journey I have joined him on.  I am so proud of him and some times I don't say that loud enough.

Sphere is hoping to get funding to take the project on the road.  If it does and you get a chance, go along, support it, experience it.    

For those that are interested there is a public meeting next week at the council to discuss the future of the land between the New Union on Canal Street and Whitworth St, Manchester UK.  Thought I better add that for those of you that don't live here.

There is a lot of opposition to the proposed development and this may be the last chance we have to speak out against it and ensure the history of the area is retained.

Below is the blurb sent out by the council with the date and time.

M

Public Meeting
'Development in the village – which way forward?'
7pm Council Chamber, Manchester Town Hall
Tuesday 24 October 2006
We wish to inform members of the Lesbian and Gay community that a public meeting to discuss the proposed development on land opposite the New Union and Canal Street will be taking place at Manchester City Council.  

The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Pat Karney, City Centre Spokesperson.  Councillor Neil Swannick, Executive Member for Planning, will also be present to hear the debate. This will be an important meeting to hear views from members of the public regarding the proposed development on land at the corner of Princess Street and Whitworth Street opposite Canal Street.

It is important that the views of the Lesbian and Gay community are considered during the planning consultation.

Yours sincerely


Cllr Mary Murphy             Cllr Paul Fairweather            
Lead member for lesbians' issues    Lead members for gay men's issues