Smiley Culture 1963 -2011

Whether you knew him personally or remembered his music from the eighties – everyone was shocked by the untimely death of Smiley Culture on Tuesday 15^th March.  When I heard Smiley was dead the lyrics to Cockney Translation popped into my head – the song still makes me smile.

As news of his death spread across social networking sights Facebook and Twitter – it’s the details surrounding his death, or lack thereof, that has caused concern. 

Smiley Culture’s home was raided by police on the morning on Tuesday 15^th March, and a few hours later he was pronounced dead at the scene, with initial reports alleging that he had harmed himself.  A post mortem has since revealed that a single stab wound through the heart was the cause of his death.

The family is still waiting for the facts of what happened to be explained to them and their questions to be answered, and the delay of this information is fueling speculation of foul play.  A press conference was held on the 17^th March by the family, and press from the main media outlets were missing, which hasn’t gone unnoticed.  It begs the question, had this of happened to someone without Smiley’s public profile would we even be made aware of it?

The family and the wider community deserve to know what happened.  They are not asking for much, just what we all deserve as a standard – Truth and Justice.

A public meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday 24^th March 2011, 7pm – 8.30pm at Lambeth Town Hall.

Join the Facebook Page www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118725288203991&_rdr

Watch the hour long press conference here http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/13375130

The life of a Gooner

It's tough being an Arsenal fan. 

A month ago we had the usual spate of injuries that regularly plague our first team players, but we had all the enthusiasm in the world and four trophies to play for - albeit one that included playing Barcelona - probbaly the best team in the world. 

Four weeks later and we're srcambling around looking for for a Goalkeeper and have only one last chance at a piece of silverwear.  The latest defeat coming aginst league table leaders Man U at Old Trafford, and saw us kicked out of the FA Cup. 

I've been an Arsenal fan for as long as I can remember and I'm a Gooner for life as I always say - but it does beg the question - Is beautiful football enough?  Every year Arsene Wenger gets us top four of the league with CL qualification but surely I'm not the only fan that thinks something has got to give?  Of course I appreciate his style of traning up the youngsters and the beautiful way we play and pass the ball - but if we're not winning doesn't that mean it's not working...?  We need experience and a few key quality players at the back and up front in order to be a team to reckoned with.  Our defence is poor and as much as I love RVP and Fabulous Fabregas - they are injury prone and easily spend half the season on the bench.  My favourite players at the moment are Alex Song, Johan Djourou and Jack Wilshire, but I worry about how long we can keep them before other clubs start knocking.  Other clubs that have the winning mentality we seem to lose in every crucial game.

Every February / March our season crumbles and we add another trophyless season to the collection - five and counting.  I know the season is not over and one should have faith that the league is ours for the taking - but I'm a realist and I'm struggling with confidence after recent defeats. 

Roll on summer transfer window and the hopes that Wengers short arms stretch into his deep pockets.

x x

International Womens Day!!

Whilst I am excited today to celebrate the great women that have helped me to be come the woman I am - I had niggling feeling in the back of my mind that this is very much a mans world, and we had been given this one day out of 365.

My perspective was wrong though - and its a day for everyone else to recognize and celebrate the great women in their lives and the great women who have touched their lives.  A bit like Mother's Day and Father's Day.  We love our parents all year round but these two days are there for us to make them feel special and appreciated because maybe they are not made to feel that way all of the time.  Similarly with Valentines Day - everyone agrees until the cows come home that its commercial nonsense.  But how many of us feel loved and special when we get that card or that bouquet of red roses - that signifies that I may not say I love you everyday of the year but this day is for me to show you that I do.

International Women’s Day is a day that should be recognized globally, so little girls the world over can see that they can do and be anything they want - like the great women before them.  It is day that men and boys can appreciate that we bring more to the table than something aesthetically pleasing on the eye.  We are strong, determined, intelligent, capable as well as elegant and beautiful. 

For me today I give special thanks to all women who have touched my life from Chaka Khan who was on iPod this morning singing "I'm every woman" to Iyanla Vanzant who's books truly changed my life.  The most important woman in my life is my mum because she was the first woman in my world and her love and support and kindness is the main reason I am who I am today.

x x