NETTING THE MUMS....

Well, I've had an interesting couple of weeks.  I'm still trying to take it all in, but needless to say very pleased with the response for the net mums 'ten types of mums' video which seems to be going down well with lots of teenage boys who may have got onto the site by mistake!  Whatever, I think they recognised their mums although a few were looking for the ones they'd like to fancy. I think that's what the F stands for.   I've presented some more videos focusing on different aspects of the 'mother types'.  It's only the tip of the iceberg of course, and there are a load more - which I've put on the mummy mafia app (please download!!) and in the book (please buy!!).  

 

the ten types of mummy mafia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FnW0pz1XeA&list=UU43QDbPR1s23wM4utg03ZGg&index=1

MOUTH OF BABES.

My exes boss has just been fired.  He was a  big head at RBS.  I know this because my son returned from a weekend with his father with the message that " 'dad's boss has been fired. He didn't do anything wrong. There were people who worked for him who were very naughty and he didn't know they were doing stuff that was naughty. And the bank doesn't have enough money to protect him so they fired him."  I wonder if Bob Diamond will use the same excuse.  It worked for Murdoch.  

SOUND WOMEN

I attended an event organised by Sound Women all about branding.   Utterly fascinating there were wonderful speakers (including the excellent Carole Stone who gave me my break) who spoke with integrity and generosity of the key ingredients to branding yourself as an individual. They talked a lot about the importance of integrity and authenticity. I know successful people who are highly credible but lack integrity and are completely inauthentic.   But they are the two words that came up time and time again.   So what two words would you give yourself?

THE ITALIAN MAMA?

It's a belief that the Italians love children. I have always thought that, written the fact, and witnessed many examples of how the Italians love children in restaurants and thus the children behave better than they would, say in a British restaurant where we are still arguably uptight about kids despite all the mummy blogs, books, experts saying the contrary.  It's become a science for goodness sake. How cold is that?

But this week I heard the Italians don't like children.  I heard it from a very informed Italian.    In fact they are up there with the Japanese on only wanting one child per family, and take their friend to the playground so they can have someone to chat to because they find talking to their own child, dull.     So you'll have six women and three children, as each woman will have a friend.  This of course could all be an urban myth but it got me thinking how perhaps it's the relaxed way of life in Italy, the warmth of the climate, the relaxed nature of the culture, food focused, sensuality focused that fits in very well with the psyche of parenting - not because they are forced on being good parents, or indeed even liking children, but because it's innate to their way of life.   To my knowledge I don't know of any mummy blog equivalent in Italy and when PLAYGROUND MAFIA came out in 2006, the Italian publishers loved the idea but said the name had to be changed.  "It means something completely different in this country Sarah."  

So perhaps the idea of the Italian mama doesn't exist after all.   She just likes her food and catering for everyone, no matter what their age, but it seems the older the better.  Perhaps that's why they look after their elderly so well.  

BREAKING THE ICE IN CANARY WHARF

I visited the Ice Sculpture Festival today held at Canary Wharf.   Devised and organised by Carol Cordrey, it's a wonderful idea.

I wouldn't have put it in Canary Wharf which despite having wonderful statuesque glass buildings twinkling as in many ways did the sculptures themselves, this place is completely devoid of soul.

Travelling to the Sculpture festival was like walking into a black hole and finding specs of stardust in the form of each glacial masterpiece; artists from all over the world there to show their talent which is eternal although their works of art are not.

Two winners (from the UK) were interviewed, one saying he had been a painter by profession, the other a gardener and that they had given up their day jobs to focus on the art form, but had returned to their roots and broke the ice as a hobby.   I don't think there's money in it.   But the art work was magical. If it hadn't been so cold I could have stared at each one for ages.  

There was other stuff to do there.   You could have a go yourself at masterclasses and the children oblivious of the cold were smiling - while their parents stocked up on the international market serving german sausage, pancakes, soups, as long as they were all piping hot. It was a very cold day and it hadn't even snowed.

There are similar festivals held all over the world. The first I visited was in Quebec held in December every year, part of the Bonhommie Carnavale, where there is an international competition, and it's held by the river.   The river is usually frozen over and yet they try to kayak down it, and there's a group of naval bods on hand to rescue anyone who capsizes (under the ice is not good).  Others are held in China, Belgium, Sweden, Russia, to name but a few and well worth visiting and supporting.  This is an almost spiritual art form.

I hope this festival continues in size and stature.   It is a testament to the incredible hard work of creative people who have soul and talent and don't do it for the money.   It is just very odd to have it in a place that is a testament to quite the reverse.

I DREAM A DREAM...

Just watched Les Mis and sobbed my heart out when Anne Hathaway sang "I dream a dream".  I think it's the first few breaths she takes before she starts singing. It's heart breaking.    The other actors are superb as well, ironically they outshine Helena BC and Sacha BC, with their acting and singing.  And the music and the lyrics are incredible. In truth, they are the real stars. For those who haven't watched the stage play, the film is mesmerising.