Daily Archives: January 9, 2021

Indulging in nostalgia has been a comfort since March 2020, when the masses of people who buzzed around in my world were swept away along with the exciting rollercoaster of work.

I found myself online ordering Heather Shimmer lipstick and writing to The Body Shop asking if they had any of the long-discontinued Dewsbury perfume, which was the scent of my university years. (They are yet to write back.)

My brother sent me a Nineties bomber jacket he found online, exactly like the one I used to live in when I was 23 and flying around London to gigs and parties. I once left it at the home of a one-night stand. (When I went to retrieve my beloved jacket the next day he had already carefully folded it and left it for me on his doorstep, god forbid I should ring the bell and have eye-contact with a man whose body Id seen every inch of the night before.)

Ive been wrapping myself up in the music I listened to obsessively back in the Nineties and early Noughties, The Divine Comedy, Ben Folds, The Cranberries... music Id put my make-up on to before yet another night out. I missed so much television from that time because I couldnt sit still for long enough to watch Fist of Fun or Black Books, Spaced or Father Ted, even though I had been obsessed with comedy before I became obsessed with going out and binge drinking. Ive caught up with all these shows only since march with my children which has been a joy beyond measure.

Ive found myself missing my twenties. Something Ive never done before. My head will suddenly find itself at Glastonbury 2000, my friends and I had to fold ourselves up to cram into the dance tent at Glastonbury for Fat Boy Slims set. A few moments and countless trodden toes later, we were happily jumping up and down, drenched in other peoples sweat, still partially folded up.

Dancing is an integral part of being human. In Iranian culture, we do it in the house, sober. Right then, shall we dance? is as normal as saying: Shall we play twister?

The popularity of Sophie Ellis-Bextors Kitchen Disco on Twitter says everything about all of our need to shake it for the sake of our mental health. She dresses up and sings and dances in her glittery kitchen with her children and millions watch. My cousin and my brother, aged 40 and almost 50, have regular hilarious online dance-offs.

God, we took dancing and fun and friends and friendly strangers for granted.

I know Im not the only one hankering after my youth right now. The need to crawl back there has been quite a common experience for my generation. During lockdown, so many people Id lost contact with got back in touch.

Ive had sweet, warm messages on Facebook and Instagram from people I used to be young with. Perhaps as Generation X have hit or are almost hitting 50 this would happen anyway, but it does seem to be a side effect of the pandemic to want to reconnect with who we were in our most carefree and responsibility-free days.

Young people of the 2020s are being robbed of that glorious hedonism we rightly took for granted. They are a group that is so often missed when we dole out our compassion. They have the resilience of youth after all. But that resilience was hugely dependent on being together in our tribes. How are they coping now poor things? They cant gather! They cant dance! They cant get drunk and giggle in a heap altogether. Its cruel. I wish this generations memories of youth will be of jumping up and down in sweaty pits, having friends on tap and the endless possibilities of making new ones. But I fear instead itll be of being huddled in freezing parks with passersby giving disapproving looks that say youre going to kill granny.

They need to be cut some slack. We have the memories, they are just making them. Parks have become busy communal gardens again and we seemed to have nailed unofficial time-sharing. As the winter afternoons begin to dim, parents gather small children and scoot them home to defrost their hands and feet before dinner, handing the parks to us dog walkers.

By the time my dogs have exhausted themselves, it is properly dark and we head home, passing the teenagers and early twenty-somethings who have started to enter the park two by two. Its like a Covid-19 Noahs Ark. A few times Ive miss-timed my dog walk and ended there later than I should be.

In the wooded part of our local park, my golden retriever retrieved something from the bushes which, although was revolting for me to wrench out of her mouth, did make me think at least theyre being careful.

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Young people are being robbed of the glorious hedonism we took for granted - The Independent

Pope Francis leads the recitation of the Angelus from the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.CNS photo/Vatican Media

Pope Francis has warned against the temptations of hedonism as so many start the new year struggling with difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking after the Angelus at the Vatican yesterday, he acknowledged the temptation to take care only of one's own interests, to continue waging war, for example, to focus only on the economic profile, to live hedonistically, that is, trying only to satisfy one's own pleasure.

He particularly singled out people who have attempted to escape their local lockdowns by taking holidays abroad, not taking into account the economic and other problems of so many hit by the virus.

Just take a vacation and do your own pleasure.This pained me so much, he said.

He urged care for neighbours to help towards a better 2021.

We know that things will get better to the extent that, with God's help, we work together for the common good, putting the weakest and most disadvantaged at the centre.We don't know what 2021 has in store for us, but what each of us and all of us together can do is to commit ourselves a little more to taking care of each other and of creation, our common home.

On Friday, the World Day of Peace, he spoke after the Angelus of his pain and concern at the further escalation of violence in Yemen.

He also called for prayers for Bishop Monsignor Moses Chikwe and his driver, of Owerri in Nigeria, kidnapped a few days ago.

In the Angelus itself on new year's day, he said: The painful events that have marked humanity's journey in the past year, especially the pandemic, teach us how necessary it is to take an interest in the problems of others and share their concerns.

This attitude represents the road that leads to peace, because it favours the construction of a society founded on relationships of brotherhood.Each of us, men and women of this time, is called to bring about peace: each of us, we are not indifferent to this.

We are all called to realise peace and to realise it every day and in every environment of life, extending our hand to our brother who needs a word of comfort, a gesture of tenderness, solidarity help.And this for us is a task given by God.

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Pope decries hedonism at time of pandemic - The Tablet

HBO Sports Tiger Woods documentary, Tiger, is split into two parts. But thats not just because the film runs just over three hours in its entirety. Based on the 2018 biography by Armen Keteyian and Jeff Benedict (who are also executive producers here), the first and second parts of the documentary are really two different stories, even though they combine for the overall narrative of the golf superstar.

Part 1, which premieres Sunday night (Jan. 10) at 9 p.m. ET, chronicles Woods development as a golf prodigy, taking up the game under his fathers tutelage while he was still a toddler. The first 90 minutes follow his rise from amateur star to a professional who changed golf upon winning the 1997 Masters and became a cultural phenomenon.

Ultimately, this opening part of the documentary covers the relationship between Earl Woods and his son, how he practically engineered and conditioned Tiger into becoming a dominant golf machine. Yet being raised with the focus on becoming an all-time great in the sport and perhaps a transcendent global figure deprived him of formative experiences in childhood and adolescence.

Woodss first girlfriend, Dina Parr, is interviewed extensively and arguably the most powerful moments in Part 1 come from home videos she took while they were together, showing Tiger genuinely smiling and having fun with friends rather than pleased with his success on the golf course.

Part 2 veers into the far more salacious aspects of Woods story and what could be viewed as a downward spiral fueled by hedonism following his fathers death in 2006. Woods was a brand and corporate entity by then, with a very carefully crafted public image. That created a pressure which he often felt the need to escape.

Trips to Las Vegas with an entourage (including Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley) were a regular part of his routine. And as Woods became involved with several women, that drew the attention of tabloids looking for sleazy scoops. An interview with a former National Enquirer editor might compel you to put your hand over your face or at least squirm as you watch.

Those familiar with this part of the story know that Rachel Uchitel, Woodss mistress, inevitably becomes part of the narrative. How shes introduced in the documentary is very entertaining, showing that directors Matthew Heineman and Matthew Hamachek have a great sense of drama and how to effectively pace a story.

Uchitel is interviewed here, finally willing to share details of her affair, providing a personal insight that is sometimes lacking in the earlier chapters of the Tiger Woods tale. She conveys an impression of someone whose behavior indicates a deprived childhood, but who also needs attention unrelated to the athletic success that has defined his life.

However, Part 2 isnt all about sleaze and gossip. Theres still a strong sports aspect to the second half of the documentary, highlighted by Woods winning the 2008 U.S. Open.

Perhaps seeking to understand his father, who served with the Army Special Forces, Woods trains with Navy Seals in grueling sessions that eventually take a physical toll on a body already worn down by golf. That led to a knee injury which made it extremely painful and difficult to play at a high level. Yet Woods refuses to cede to his body breaking down, leading to one of the standout moments of his career.

Fans who prefer to look back at Woodss incredible career over the past 20-plus years will likely enjoy Part 1 more because its much more focused on golf. Those more intrigued by the downfall of a great athlete and public figure should find Part 2 more to their liking.

Related: Tiger Woods: Americas Son asks the right questions about golf, race, and Tiger himself

Yet watching one and not the other avoids the full story. His childhood, relationship with his father, training to achieve at the highest level, and struggles with fame are prevalent themes that inform the entire film. They along with insights from family friends, rivals, and media create a deeper portrayal of a fascinating figure in sports history and make Tiger worth watching.

Executive producers including filmmaker Alex Gibney, Stacey Offman, Sam Pollard, and Richard Perello have plenty of experience in creating a compelling documentary. Yet this isnt a perfect film. Nor might it be the definitive version of the Tiger Woods story.

What feels notably missingis input from the many competitors and colleagues Woods has faced over the years. (Wheres Phil Mickelson, whom Tiger once viewed with disdain? What about rivals like David Duval, who aspired to catch Woods but ultimately fell short? Maybe Jack Nicklaus could talk about Woodss pursuit of his 18 major victories.) And of course, we dont hear from the man himself.

But for now, Tiger is likely the best well get.

Tiger premieres Jan. 10 on HBO and HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET. Part 2 of the documentary airs the following week, Jan. 17, also at 9 p.m. ET.

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HBO's 'Tiger' needs two parts to tell Tiger Woods' complex story, making him a great but sad figure HBO's 'Tiger' needs two parts to tell Tiger Woods'...

If there was one thing that was bigger than the hair in the 1980s, it was the chart hits.

The decade is defined by big electronic anthems that have stood the test of time and changed the musical landscape forever.

Set during the 80s, Channel 4s new queer drama Its A Sin has a soundtrack that evokes the youth, vibrancy and queer sensibility of the era. With classics by Pet Shop Boys, Bronski Beat, Culture Club and Erasure, gay representation is very much at the forefront.

Add to that club staples from the Eurythmics, Belinda Carlisle and Blondie, the music featured in Its A Sin will transport you back to the hedonism of Heaven nightclub during its infancy, laser show and all.

GAY TIMES has teamed up with Channel 4 for a new content series to speak about the social, political and historical context around the themes that play out through Its A Sin.

As part of this content series, were starting with a playlist of 80s hits that prominently feature in the drama, to help draw you into the era ahead of the shows launch on 22 January.

We also asked each of the core five cast members Olly Alexander who plays Ritchie, Lydia West who plays Jill, Omari Douglas who plays Roscoe, Nathaniel Curtis who plays Ash, and Callum Scott Howells who plays Colin to pick an 80s hit they think best defines their character.

Im going to go with Hungry By The Wolf by Duran Duran, Olly said for his ambitious and complex character who leads the show.

Omari chose Respectable by Mel and Kim, saying: I just went through a phase of being completely obsessed with them.

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It's A Sin: Listen to the 80s hits that feature in the new queer drama - Gay Times Magazine

John Borling| Rockford Register Star

Welcome to the Third Degree: tough, brief, weekly interrogations that force thinking and response. With reliance upon and respect for your instincts, knowledge, exploration and determinations, this week, we target:Similarities.

What does the Roman God of transitions, Januarys namesake, offer this new year with the gift of looking backward and forward?What thoughts come to mind? What similarities?

With 2021 upon us, does the French plusachange(the more things change, the more its the same thing) ring true? Does a century summon similarities and provide perspective?

As the roaring '20s began, was America, with a damaged, but resilient economy, severely tested, even worn out, by hundreds of thousands of lives lost in a three-year pandemic and the lingering aftermath of World War I?Similarities?

Was Warren Harding, swept into office in 1920, according to many historians, the worst U.S. president ever?Did his motto, Return to Normalcy,and his front porch campaign present any present-day similarities?

With Prohibition in full swing, was hedonism more rampant then or now? Did relaxed moralism, heightened crime, transformative technology and transportation increase vulnerability?Similarities abound?

Were the '20s, however, a coming out time, a period of economic growth powered by manufacturing and energy until financialoverreachand devastating depression?

With Harding's death in 1923, not specifically attributable to his documented White House affairs and crony corruption, who was the vice president that took charge and was elected in his own right in 1924?

Did an "America First"messageresonate?Were constructive nationalism and fiscal prudence championed?Did Cal Coolidge, the man of few words, use the radio (social media) and press conferences more than any other president except one?

On this 3rdday of the New Year, with transition and similarity much upon us, is much provided in the ever relevant, must read, Coolidge speech Toleration and Liberalism? As a New Year gift then, and with a Janus perspective, Happy New Year?

Socrates reminds: The unexamined life is not worth living.Examinations will continue in The Third Degree.The answers and the actions are yours.

A final thought: Mark Baldwin, executive editor, Rockford Register Star and Freeport Journal-Standard, elected to retire endDecember2020.His considerable talent, demeanor, and leadership will be missed though,similar toWally Haas, he continues as a loyal, local and valuable citizen/friend to us all.Thank you, Mark.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. John Borling is a highly decorated fighter pilot who served worldwide in high-level command and staff positions. He was a POW in North Vietnam for over 6 years. Now an author, speaker, and civic and business leader, he is the founder of SOS America (Service Over Self). On the web atsosamerica.org.

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The Third Degree: What does Janus see? - Rockford Register Star