Jean Raspail

Jean Raspail (1925) is a French author, traveller and explorer.

During the first twenty years of his career, he travelled the world to discover populations threatened by the confrontation with modernity. In 1950–52, he led the Tierra del Fuego–Alaska car trek and in 1954, the French research expedition to the land of the Incas. In 1981, his novel Moi, Antoine de Tounens, roi de Patagonie ('I, Antoine of Tounens, King of Patagonia'), won the Grand Prix du Roman (award for a novel) of the Académie française.

His traditional Catholicism serves as an inspiration for many of his utopian works, in which the ideologies of Communism and Liberalism are shown to fail, and a Catholic monarchy is restored. In the novel Sire, a French king is crowned in Reims in February 1999, the 18-year-old Philippe Pharamond de Bourbon, a direct descendant of the last French kings.

Raspail's seminal work is The Camp of the Saints (1973). In it, he predicted the overwhelming collapse of Western civilization in a 'tidal wave' of Third World immigration. Today, the book is popular among immigration reductionists, and has been reprinted by John Tanton's The Social Contract Press. After Camp of the Saints, Raspail wrote many successful novels, including North, Sire and The Fisher's Ring. He fits into the family of novelists like Roger Nimier, Dino Buzzati and Michel Déon.

An article which he wrote in Le Figaro on 17 June 2004, entitled "The Fatherland Betrayed by the Republic", in which he criticized the French immigration policy, was sued by International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism on the grounds of "incitement to racial hatred", but the action was turned down by the court on 28 October.

From the Web Site of Ms Milly B

South African Milly B started her blog in February 2010 just before going to New York to attend New York Fashion Week so that her friends and family could keep track of her. 

Four years later, it’s been her most consistent job and is still a platform on which she shares vignettes of her life: all the pretty things and some insights into the life of a contemporary African woman.

Boneteria Aotearoa

Having sold many berets to boineros around the world, I am always looking for ways of capturing the ultimate boinero's headgear into a unique package. Today I am delighted to announce the launch of a new range of berets that I feel proud to label under my own Boneteria Aotearoa label.

These berets are custom made by Boneteria Auloronesa in Oloron Sainte Marie, the birthplace of the beret in the French Béarn. An artisan product, made in small quantities and only available through Boneteria Aotearoa’s dedicated website.

There are two collections carrying the Boneteria Aotearoa label: the standard Foulards Universel and the Édition limitée. 

The first consists of foulard quality berets in French merino wool with black satin lining, fitted with liguette (the ingenious drawstring to adjust the size) and woven Boneteria Aotearoa label.

The Foulards Édition limitée collection consists of a range of Foulards Universel and Grand Foulards Alpin garni cuir.

Made in a limited number from French merino wool in a soft finish with an iconic New Zealand inspired cotton lining.

The Grand Foulards Alpin garni cuir are fitted with a unique soft leather headband and a lining inspired by NZ pāua (abalone) shells.

All these berets are made to the highest standard and not available anywhere else.

Feet Warmer

Nice post on this web site: "The headgear of French Alpine troops, also called the "pie" may seem imposing in size. There is actually a practical side to it: it is large enough so that the soldiers can slip their feet in, in between patrols in cold weather, to keep warm."

Thanks Michel

Jim Derksen

Jim Derksen, disabled since the 1953 polio epidemic, has been a worker and a leader among the movement of persons with disabilities to advance public recognition of their human rights and to represent themselves in public policy.

In the history of disability activism in Canada, Jim Derksen is a true Renaissance man. He was part of many progressive initiatives: a member of the Company of Young Canadians, a central figure in the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, and an activist in Disabled People’s International. He has ridden every wave that led to enshrining disability rights in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Jim Derksen was employed in disability policy work by the Government of Manitoba until his retirement from the Civil Service in 2004. He is a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and lives in Winnipeg with his daughter, 

Raimundo Lanas

Raimundo Lanas Muru (1908 - 1939 ) was a Basque/Spanish singer, nicknamed "The Navarre Mockingbird" and possibly the best interpreter of Navarre history in song.

He was a shepherd and blacksmith and started singing at a very young age, beginning in his hometown and later in the surrounding villages of Tudela , Carcastillo , Villafranca, before taking on Pamplona.

In Pamplona he met guitarist Miguel Cenoz of Ostiz, who was his companion and friend and who took  him to Barcelona , where he recorded his first albums.

He achieved success in Cuba, Mexico and New York (1935) and died in Fuendejalón (Zaragoza) on 31 December 1939 at 31 years of age.

Boina Jausoro

I found these pictures on an Ebay listing and unfortunately, the information provided was completely inaccurate:  "Although it's stitched Australia, it is made in Spain. Jausoro is a small town in Spain, located in the region of Basque Country where many types of berets were manufactured".

Nonsense, as far as a town of big beret manufacturing goes, but I was intrigued by finding these photo's, as the beret looks well made and the label interesting. 

The letter headband says "Australia", which makes me think this beret was made by Boinas Elosegui, who for a long time had "Australia" models (for the merino wool, from Australia).

Searching further, I found another Jausoro model, with a label that looks nothing like the labels usually produced by Boinas Elosegui, but with the same "Australia" text stamped into the leather headband.

Any information much appreciated!

Katie White and the Ting Tings

Katie Rebecca White (1983) is a British musician and member of the pop duo the Ting Tings. 

Katie White was raised on a farm in Lowton.  When she was 12 years old, Katie's grandfather won £6.6million on the National Lottery and gave each of his three sons £1million. As well as buying ponies for Katie and Helena, David used his share of the money to start a music management company. 

After some success with a girl group punk trio TKO, her father David White brought in Jules De Martino to write songs for TKO. 

Katie and Jules subsequently formed the Ting Tings in 2007. The Ting Tings released their debut album, We Started Nothing, on 19 May 2008. Their follow-up album, Sounds from Nowheresville, was released on 27 February 2012.

Edward Rutherfurd

Edward Rutherfurd is a pen name for Francis Edward Wintle (1948) known as a writer of epic historical novels.

Educated locally and at University of Cambridge and Stanford Business School,  he worked in political research, bookselling and publishing. After numerous attempts to write books and plays, he finally abandoned his career in the book trade in 1983, and returned to his childhood home to write Sarum, a historical novel with a ten-thousand year story, set in the area around the ancient monument of Stonehenge and Salisbury.

Four years later, when the book was published, it became an instant international best-seller, remaining 23 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Since then he has written seven more best-sellers: Russka, a novel of Russia; London; The Forest, set in England's New Forest which lies close by Sarum, and two novels, Dublin: Foundation (The Princes of Ireland) and Ireland: Awakening (The Rebels of Ireland), which cover the story of Ireland from the time just before Saint Patrick to the twentieth century, New York and his latest Paris.

His books have been translated into twenty languages. Rutherfurd settled near Dublin, Ireland in the early 1990s, but currently divides his time between Europe and North America.

Rutherfurd’s novels chronicle the history of settlements through their development up to modern day, mixing fictional characters and families with real people and events—a kind of historical fiction pioneered by James Michener.

Warpaint

Warpaint is an American indie rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2004. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Emily Kokal (vocals, guitar), Theresa Wayman (guitar, vocals), and Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass, backing vocals). Stella Mozgawa (drums) joined the band in 2009.

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante mixed and mastered the band's debut EP, Exquisite Corpse released in 2008. Current RHCP guitarist Josh Klinghoffer performed drums and guitar on the EP in 2007. It was followed by their full-length album, The Fool, in 2010.

On December 6, 2010, the BBC announced that Warpaint had been nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll and they were the cover stars of Beat magazine's Winter 2010 launch issue.

Clueless

Clueless is a 1995 American comedy film loosely based on Jane Austen's 1815 novel Emma. It stars Alicia Silverstone (in the lead role), Stacey Dash, Paul Rudd, and Brittany Murphy.

The film is set in Beverly Hills and was written and directed by Amy Heckerling and produced by Scott Rudin, it was released in the United States on July 21, 1995.

The film grossed $56 million in the United States and has developed a cult following.

The film spun off a television sitcom and a series of books.

Plaited coat and skirt, Diet-Coke and a black beret are all trademark items for Alicia Silverstone. 

Thanks Marshida

Edwin Drummond

Edwin Drummond is a visionary climber and poet, creator of some of the most famous routes in the British Isles. 

Drummond with Colin Rowe, cycling through London ahead of their appearance before Bow Street magistrates after scaling Nelson's Column in 1978.

An inspired climber and writer, Drummond was also a maverick, perhaps a genius, though this is so easily coined to describe one who ruthlessly follows his own line. He made the first ascents of some of the most famous climbs in the UK and won two Keats prizes and a National Poetry prize for his writing. Drummond's writings initially gained prominence in the prestigious American journal Ascent. First published in a book in 1987 they received a very mixed reception, reflecting the author's controversial notoriety as a climber. 
Political and social concerns figure prominently as Drummond used his climbing skills to draw attention to a variety of causes - an anti-apartheid protest on Trafalgar Column and building climbs in the US in support of civil rights activists. 

Drummond being escorted from Liberty Island in 1980 following their protest on the Statue of Liberty.

Now aged 69, the Wolverhampton-born climber, poet and anti-apartheid campaigner is a shadow of the man he once was. Suffering from Parkinson's Disease, bowel cancer and dementia, he can only walk for a few yards unaided, he needs round-the-clock medical care, and he suffers from terrifying hallucinations. 

"Simple things, like having a wash and a shower become major undertakings," says Drummond, speaking from a specialist hospital in San Francisco, the city he had made his home for the past 39 years. 

World Animal Day

World Animal Day is an international day of action for animal rights and welfare celebrated annually on October 4, the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. 

It started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy who wished to highlight the plight of endangered species.

Building the celebration of World Animal Day mobilises people for action now for a better future for animals.

Throughout history, social movements (mass actions) like World Animal Day, have always been a major vehicle for ordinary people’s participation in politics, and key in fighting for social justice and reform. 

The lives of animals are profoundly affected by the actions of individuals, businesses, and nations.  It’s therefore essential that, as sentient beings, their rightful status as recipients of social justice is established and translated into effective animal protection.  

Through increased awareness and education, we can help develop a compassionate culture which feeds into legal reform and social progress to make this world a fairer place for all living creatures.  

Twiggy

Lesley Lawson (née Hornby; 1949), widely known by the nickname Twiggy, is an English model, actress and singer. In the mid-1960s, she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree.

Twiggy was initially known for her thin build (thus her nickname) and her androgynous look consisting of large eyes, long eyelashes, and short hair. In 1966, she was named "The Face of 1966" by the Daily Express and voted British Woman of the Year. By 1967, Twiggy had modelled in France, Japan, and the U.S., and landed on the covers of Vogue and The Tatler. Her fame had spread worldwide.

After modelling, Twiggy went on to enjoy a successful career as a screen, stage and television actress. She has hosted her own series, Twiggy's People, in which she interviewed celebrities, and also appeared as a judge on the reality show America's Next Top Model. Her 1998 autobiography, Twiggy in Black and White, entered the bestseller lists.

Suite Française

Suite française ("The French Suite") is the title of a planned sequence of five novels by Irène Némirovsky, a French writer of Ukrainian-Jewish origin. In July 1942, having just completed the first two of the series, Némirovsky was arrested as a Jew and detained at Pithiviers and then Auschwitz, where she died. The notebook containing the two novels was preserved by her daughters but not examined until 1998. They were published in a single volume entitled Suite française in 2004.

Suite française, so far as it was completed, was written in microscopic handwriting in a single notebook; Tempête and Dolce together filled 140 pages, corresponding to 516 published pages. It was possibly the earliest work of literary fiction about World War II, and is remarkable as a historical novel sequence written during the very period that it depicts, transformed far beyond the level of a journal of events such as might be expected to emerge from the personal turmoil and tragedy Némirovsky experienced.

Ironically, her elder daughter, Denise, kept the notebook containing the manuscript of Suite française for fifty years without reading it, believing that it would indeed be a journal or diary too painful to read. In the late 1990s, however, having made arrangements to donate her mother's papers to a French archive, Denise decided to examine the notebook first. At last discovering what it contained, she instead had it published in France, where it became a bestseller in 2004.

Thanks Paul