THE HELP “Change begins with a whisper" Review by Emma Davis

Hey friends,

A bestie of mine took the liberty of writing you guys a movie review. Now, after reading this I definitely wanna watch this movie. Enjoy!!

“It took me far too long to watch “The Help”...I’ve been saying I’ll watch it for ages but never got around to it and throughout the Awards season with 39 wins & 54 nominations, I just knew I had to watch this one. For those who haven’t seen it yet, you have to and if you don’t have a movie buddy then I will offer my company because it certainly is not a movie I will only watch once. A bit of background to start, the film (based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett) follows an aspiring author, Skeeter Phelan, played by Emma Stone, who, during the 1960s, decides to write a tell-all book detailing the African-American maids' point of view on the white families for which they work, and the struggles they go through on a daily basis. Skeeter discovers, to put it bluntly, all the shit that these maids have to put up with and in turn helps “the help” have a voice.

 
Now I’m not going to babble on too much about the actual story line because I will bore those that have watched it or ruin it for those who haven’t. Instead I’ll just rave on about some other stuff. Firstly, the cast is phenomenal and each character plays their role to the “T”. I love Emma Stone and even though she plays Skeeter superbly and is an absolute force to be reckoned with in Hollywood at the young age of 22, it is Viola Davis (Aibileen Clark) and Octavia Spencer (Minny Jackson) who steal the show! The sassy, driven Minny and the emotionally wounded, caring Aibileen draw you into the life of an ill-treated maid in the 60s. Jessica Chastain trades in her ginger locks for a bottle blonde do to play the role of Celia Foot, the ditsy, kind-hearted country girl who blurs the lines society has set. Her character, my favourite in the film, is so loveable and fun yet at the same time evokes a sense of pathos as she tries her utmost to fit in while struggling with personal issues, all the while, bucking the system and forming a friendship with her “help”.
 

I love watching movies (who doesn’t?!) but if a movie doesn’t grip my attention the whole way through then my eye constantly checks out the clock but with “The Help” I didn’t once think it was dragging. I was gripped for all 146 minutes of it. In that time, all emotions are visited, from shame to pride, sympathy and sadness to anger and joy and most certainly a few tears were shed and giggles were had.
 

As you will learn with my movie reviews to follow (let’s hope), I love quotes and will throw them in as much as I can. There will always be AT LEAST one quote that will stand out for me in a movie and I’m going to leave you with this one from “The Help”, said by Aibileen every morning to the little girl, Mae Mobley, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”…remember that and WATCH THE MOVIE! Utter brilliance!"

And there you have it guys, that’s Emma Davis for you, movie critic & social media expert. Follow her on the Twitter account @justlunchsa to read more of her awesome work. Now, I have the privilege of working alongside her as well as another brilliant soul, Don Dinnematin, on Just Lunch. Catch the madness on http://www.wix.com/justlunchsa/just-lunch

Keep following me and you will see a lot more from this awesome writer:)

-Sam

Book review: Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Tess Durbeyfield is a young and naïve country girl, who is also the eldest daughter in a large, poverty-stricken family, living in the small village of Marlott. Her father, John Durbeyfield, who is prone to drinking and putting off work, discovers, by chance, that he is a descendant of the ancient but extinct royal lineage of the D'Urbervilles. Her mother, Joan, discovers that a wealthy family of the same name lives in a nearby town and, after an unfortunate accident in which the Durbeyfields’ only horse is killed, she sends Tess to Tantridge mansion to go "claim kin".

Because Tess was the cause the death of her family's horse, she feels obligated to earn money to buy a new one...unaware that the current family of D'Urbervilles are imposters; she sets off on her journey. When her family fall on hard times she is sent to the D'Urbervilles, rich landowners who are mistakenly assumed to be relations. Tess meets Alec D'Urberville (who allows Tess to claim kinship, but is a relative in name only). He takes a liking to the young and impressionable Tess and relentlessly pursues her. Eventually, he leads her into the Chase & commits the most heinous crime – rape. Tess returns home distressed and bares a child, which dies after a week. Torn by shame and regret, Tess decides to go to work away from home, on a dairy farm, where she meets Angel Clare, a beautiful man who loves her deeply. However, when he proposes to her, she is torn between lying to him by omission versus telling him of her past with Alec -- a choice that would likely alienate him in terms of the strict morals of Victorian Britain. Finally, she succumbs to Angel's pleas for marriage. On their wedding night, Tess reveals her secret and everything that had happened to her before meeting him.

In a rage, he heartlessly leaves her to earn a living, alone, in Brazil with a promise of maybe returning someday. Tess's life gets even worse after this. She is forced to find work labouring on farms, her only hope that one day her beloved Angel will return. 

A chance meeting with the reformed Alec dashes these hopes as his old obsession returns and he beguiles Tess with promises to help her and her family in place of her long absent husband.

Her family suffer further losses and, abandoned as she is, Tess is obliged to turn once again to Alec D'Urberville for help. When Angel returns to find her living as Alec's mistress, she takes desperate actions in a tragic effort to free herself.

***

This was a very controversial book at the time of writing as it is sympathetic to a “fallen woman”. Tess is one of the most tragic heroines in English literature and Hardy shows her as a victim of circumstance caught up in a moral dilemma. Hardy takes us into nineteenth century rural Wessex and describes his characters, the countryside and the way of life so well, that we think we are there." 

-Sam

Senseless rambling bitch, on Facebook

I saw a comment on Facebook, the morning of a very important Hindu celebration (Hanuman Jayanti), 6 April 2012. Now it pains me to see how people with such little brain power actually make it through the day...let alone life.

I’m going to paraphrase...”What did Hanuman do that he is sharing the day with Jesus Christ? Was he nailed to the cross? Did he die for people?....Who the hell is he...?”

I WILL NOT justify this, nor will I retaliate in throwing insults back as it is not the way I was raised. I was taught that just because someone is different does not mean that you should criticise or distance yourself from them. If anything, embrace the change...coz there is a lot you can learn from someone who isn’t like you.

The way I see it, a decent self-respecting people are brought up to respect other people’s cultures, religions and ways of life. Even if you don’t understand it – you are taught that by respecting the traditions or social behaviour of other people, it’ll promote tolerance and the world will be a better place. Somewhat at least!! Well, it is NOT working people. Coz the last time I checked, despite huge aspects like globalisation, abolishing of the apartheid system, and the inevitable increase in us being a multicultural society, the world is still a pretty awful place. (This is in reference to the monkey who was dense enough to write about something she has no fucking clue about.)

I mean, I consider myself very knowledgably when it comes to other religions and customs, but I will admit that because religion is so vast, you will never ever really “know it all”. Still, I respect everyone’s chosen way of life, or...I shut up if I have nothing nice to say. Not only is it tactless to belittle someone or something you have no knowledge on – but you are also contravening the Constitution, you moron.

Maybe there just aren’t enough people who have decent upbringings out there. Or maybe people simply lack the imagination to truly allow themselves to understand and respect another person. Or, most likely, the some people are just bigoted assholes.

I will not step down to your level, girl, and pick on Christianity or anything for that matter, because unlike you, I am not an idiot. And anyone with half a brain knows that in Hinduism, dates change constantly, and an auspicious date is recalculated every year according to calendars (which have a different number of days in the month as opposed to the western calendar) as well in accordance with the alignment of the moon and other sightings as well. This is not a lesson & and I am not your fucking teacher – you should have done your homework, instead of now appearing intellectually challenged.

So, stop being ignorant, you goat!!

-S

Petrol price increases: Consumers can’t take anymore!!

As many of you with a pulse are aware – petrol is speedily approaching R12 a litre. What’s worse is that Economists are already predicting the next fuel increase. The rocketing fuel price is ­wreaking havoc across the ­country, maiming businesses and pushing many households into financial misery.

Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters during a Pretoria press briefing on the rising fuel prices.

With fuel prices rocketing to the highest level yet, the Department of Energy has acknowledged that the adjustment will have a negative effect on most South Africans but claims that it was out of their hands.

What does this mean for consumers?

Well I for one, I’m going to need to hike to work and if that reaches FAIL status, I will have to resort to crawling. For many consumers there will not be much light at the end of the tunnel with the substantial increases. So many families are battling to make ends meet and, as a result of these hefty price hikes, will have to face the ripple effect on consumer goods in months to come.  The South African consumer has nowhere to hide, they have no recourse. They are looking at a bumpy 2012 ahead, with the cost of living soaring out of reach.

What is the solution?

Remember the days when putting R100 worth or fuel into your tank either filled it or lasted a good week? With the rising fuel prices it seems impossible that there is anything we can do to save petrol. The average South African spends between R1000 and R1800 per month on petrol and with the rising prices this makes a considerable dent in one’s budget. However, there are ways you can lower your consumption.

·         Press down gently when accelerating. Imagine there is an egg between your foot and the accelerator and press the pedal accordingly. As much fun as going from 0-100km per hour in less than 10 seconds is, it a lot of fuel and you certainly won’t save petrol driving like this.

·         If the traffic light is red start slowing down early instead of racing up to it and slamming on your brakes. While the question “does coasting save petrol” gets asked a lot, this is one instance where leaving it in gear and easing up to the light definitely does. And this means that you won’t need to get your brakes changed too often either.

·         Ensure that you are in the correct gear for the speed that you are doing. Driving at high speeds in low gears is not going to save petrol; in fact it uses up to 45% more fuel than is actually required.

·         Ensure that your tyres are properly inflated. As they lose air the car becomes more difficult to move which means that more petrol is used.

·         Use the air-conditioner sparingly and you will see a decrease of up to 20% in consumption, which means that ultimately you will save money on petrol.

·         If you can afford it, buy a more economical car such as one with a diesel or hybrid engine as these are known to save or at least use less petrol.

By making simple changes to your driving style and habits you can do a lot to save petrol and cope with the rising fuel price increases.

I hope this is useful guys.

-S

Drink responsibly this Easter

O-k, you alcoholics, the Easter weekend is coming up...

Have fun this holiday - but if you drink, do it responsibly. Here’s some advice – take it, dammit!!

As you head toward your holiday destinations, here are some useful tips to ensure that you keep safe while still having fun over this period: 

Appoint a designated driver

When planning a night out, agree upfront with a friend who will be the designated driver. You don’t wanna hit a bump and spill some... (*bad joke*)... This person must refrain from drinking at all during the evening.

Eat while you drink

Always eat before drinking alcohol and try to eat while drinking.  It is particularly good to eat high protein and fatty foods such as cheese and peanuts or a burger and chips, which help to slow the absorption of alcohol into the circulatory system. Also drink plenty of water before, during and after drinking alcohol to ensure you keep hydrated. If you can remember!!!

Sip your drink slowly

If you gulp a drink for the effect, you are losing the pleasure of the experience and this will result in you getting intoxicated at a much fast rate. Pretend you are snails, you greedy swines.

Don’t accept open drinks from strangers

At a party, do not accept already opened drinks from strangers...no matter how tempting the offer...

Space your drinks

When at a party, have a nonalcoholic drink between the alcoholic one to keep your blood alcohol concentration down. Space your alcoholic drinks out to keep the desired blood alcohol concentration. (*Eye roll*)

Use alcohol carefully if you're taking medication

This includes over-the-counter drugs such as sleeping pills and cold or cough medicines. Alcohol should be avoided while taking antibiotics or prescription medication.

Don’t supply drinks to underage persons

The South African legal drinking age is 18. (*Bwa ha ha*)

-S

Alcoholics Anonymous

13 magical uses for cucumbers

Hello people,

I found this amazing article & had to share:

The humble cucumber is actually a little gem. And not just for its nutritional benefits...

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day

Just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber

Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins and carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?

Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror: it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds?

Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool?

Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes. The phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache?

Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body  has lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, and avoiding both a hangover and headache!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?

Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes?

Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe. Its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Need to fix a squeaky hinge?

Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for a massage, facial or visit to the spa?

Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finished a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints?

Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath. The phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your taps, sinks or stainless steel?

Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean; not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake?

Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing. Also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!

-S

Taxi crushed between trucks in Durban

Hi Bloggers,

I am sure a lot of you are aware of the accident that happened on the N2 North-bound yesterday. Sadly, I was stuck the traffic jam. Diverting to every alternate route saw no joy. For those of you who haven't as yet read up on it - here's a brief summary:

"Death and injury followed an accident on the N2 north-bound in Durban on Wednesday afternoon. The N2 was closed after a minibus taxi was wedged between two trucks. The taxi squeezed in between two trucks. One person died and 28 others were treated for injuries ranging from minor to serious. Four people still trapped in the taxi were in a critical condition. One patient was airlifted to a nearby hospital. The cause of the accident had not yet been established."

It’s the start of the Easter Weekend people, and many motorists will be on the road making their way to their holiday destinations all around South Africa. Before you start your journey with your family, take a few minutes to do a simple walk around inspection and then an engine inspection.

With the walk around inspection, you are checking the wiper blades, lights and the wheels.

• Wiper blades – you are looking to see if the material is soft and that it doesn’t have any cracks or it has separated from the holding. A good wiper blade will give you good visibility while you are driving through those potential down pours.
• Lights – you will check if the indicators, headlights and brake lights are working properly. It’s always a good idea to have the headlights checked for the correct alignment in order to have optimum lighting while driving on the roads and not blinding the driver on the oncoming lane.
• Tyres – check tyres for excessive or uneven wear and the tyre pressure is correct. Make sure that the tyres are road worthy and that you and your family will be safe.
The engine inspection is to check fluid levels, belts and pipes and battery connections.
• Fluid levels – make sure that you check the engine oil, brake fluid, radiator cooler and the windscreen washer fluid levels are all correct, if not make sure you top up to the correct levels and keep extra in the boot of your car in an emergency while travelling.
• Belts and Pipes – make sure all the belts are not cracking and tearing and that they are sitting correctly in the engine. Check the pipes for any leaks, if any loose clamps and that they are correctly fitted to the right areas.
• Battery Connections – make sure the battery terminals are clear of any corrosive build up. The terminals must be sitting correctly on the battery and that the battery is well mounted on to the car and will not move around while you drive.

Once you are on the road and making your way to your destination,  take a few things into consideration while driving:

• Obey the road rules at all times
• Do not over load
• Have a good rest before embarking on your journey
• Take a break every 200km or every 2hrs
• Do not drink and drive
• Drive with your head light on – this will increase your visibility
• Always wear your seatbelt and check to see if everybody else in the car is wearing theirs.
• Be alert on weather conditions.
• Stay within the speed limits at all times, your destination is not going anywhere.
• Try and avoid driving after dark.
• Stay focused at all times, looking out for potentially dangerous drivers and pedestrians alongside the road. If possible avoid them at all times.
• If you are travelling with children, try and keep them entertained with different games and make sure that they are having fun while in the car with you,
• Make sure you let your loved ones know where you staying and that you got there safely.

To all holiday makers travelling on our road this Easter Weekend, may you have a safe and wonderful trip.

-S

Why do employers only think the sun shines outta your arse, when you have walked out the door...!!

Hi guys,

One more, before I sign off for the day...

Tell me...do I live in a parallel universe or do some bosses just make you wanna turn around and whack them over the head, or better yet, on the arse with a cane...

Yes, you have guessed it...today Horrible Bosses have targets on their backs. (*Completely off the point – I thought that movie was awesome*)...

Moving on – well, a while back I used to work for this company, and I left. I left because my boss (well, it took over from my real boss) was an undeserving shrew who had more pride than common sense. Hence, "it" couldn’t actually see the joys of me working there...lol. Anyhoo... time went by, with each day seeming more wrist-slitting than the one before. Every time I'd hear that phony voice I would feel convulsions brewing the pits of my body. Yes, it happened. My boss would use any excuse to try to “expose” me...hahaha...yes, she appeared to be more of a drama queen than yours truly. But...no worries people, I always rise...coz mighty never fall...ya ha ha...

Let me describe it to you folks: Perfectly rounded, like a Pillsbury muffin, beady eyes that would scrutinise your every move, cynical remarks whenever you were happy about your accomplishments, always waiting to pounce - like the sly fox it was. Then, in addition to having to tolerate the demon, you also had to put up with its two-faced, back-stabbing minion. Aaah, the joys.

Ok, ok, I’m getting side-tracked; yet again...

A week ago, I get a call from the company, very subtly, querying a few processes with me. I assisted, hung up and went about my merry life. A day later, another call, then another in same day...after which, work was eventually offered to me on contract...I had gotten to the point of shouting out “crap” every time I'd recognise the caller ID. So, the last time a call came through from them, I bluntly pointed out how this was wasting my valuable time, and that I am no longer a part of that company. All this, only to be asked what kind of package I would settle on, to work for them again. Yes, you guessed right, I saw red. Bitches!! What the hell would possess you into thinking that I would work for you again? And, do you want to know what the worst part was – my ex-boss didn't call – a colleague did. For f-sake! Anyway, the light at the end of the tunnel my dear friends, is them realising my worth...oh, how I revelled in holding the trumph...at least until I slammed the phoned down on them...

So, tell me, do you have anyone like this in mind right now? I think, yes...

So, in keeping with the pig still having a twisted tail at the end of the day and all, I decided I could do better (which indeed turned out to be true)...and I left for greener pastures (damn, I sound cheesy).

And, here I find myself, after working for a decade...finally contentJ Doing what I love, and getting paid for it...life is sweet yo!!!

Until tomorrow, be good...at least one of us should... (**evil laugh**)

-S

Are VW driver’s really retarded?

Hello friends,

Today I am, unfortunately, writing about a peeve of mine...

 "Napoleon complex is an informal term describing an alleged type of inferiority complex which is said to affect some people, especially men. The term is also used more generally to describe people who are driven by a perceived handicap to overcompensate in other aspects of their lives.”

“An inferiority complex, often used to mean low self-esteem, is a feeling of intense insecurity, inferiority or of not measuring up. It can be seen in the negative or "useless" reactions to problems in life. Although the inferiority complex may be seen as comparing individuals or groups as one being superior to another, it more closely describes how one deals with a fear of failure.”

There we are, cruising away at an acceptable speed limit, when our solace is shattered by the flickering of diminutive circumferences of headlights annoying the shit outta me...and there we go people. It has begun. We look at our review mirrors and see a tiny VW Citi Golf screeching up behind us, flicking its lights and hand-signalling us...and this is where I go “What the fuck?” I mean do you realise that you are trying to hurry up a Mercedes Benz??? I mean how fast can you go before your engine suffers an asthmatic attack? And this is NOT the first time this has happened to my husband and I. He simply shakes his head in amazement while I burn holes through the bonnet with my bare eyes!!

Most often these mindboggling incidents take place on the N2, so the drive home is never short of entertainment. That being said, it leaves one wondering about the actual brain capacity of these people. Yesterday, one of these cars was hooting behind a BMW to get out of the way. Of course, the speed limit is 120, the BMW is going at approximately 130 or 140 and there you have this little bug behind him, nudging at his behind to hurry along. All this happening, us watching and suddenly the BMW swiftly accelerates leaving the bug in the dust. I smile, oh I just smile to myself, while the Captain of the bug has this befuddled look on his face...like “what just happened?”
Are you genuinely surprised or just playing dense, dude?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I have friends who drive VW’s and they are sane, from what I can tell. And I know that not everyone behaves like this, but I swear 99% of these people just don’t get it. By now, we all understand that the persistence of a VW driver can never be undermined. So how many of you reading this are wearing caps right now?

-S

iX Online Motoring gives back...

Hi guys,

I wrote this contemplating of people, who we are and what we do...to the lesser fortunate, in particular. It’s crazy because the answer from most us would be “nothing”.

iX Online, the company I work for, has these amazing initiatives that give back to our communities. Their contributions, just on Saturday, 31 March 2012, to an orphanage in 7 Bristol Road, Westville had me thinking about how much it is that we can actually do for others.

....the rain had devoured the day. Skies were crying gloom. Raincoats, hats and jackets...all this, and still the exciting looks on the kids faces shone through. They were so cheerful, running up to us to meet & greet. It was amazing. The warmth in their little hearts had overwhelmed us all.

I honestly had so much of fun with my friends, Emma, Nic, David, Ang & Jason. Emma was on the verge of adopting one of the little cutie pies. Anele was his name, I’m sure. That brings me to Blessing, that dude had so much attitude...it was awesome. Made me realise that if you do just a little bit for another person, it won't take away from you are...it’ll give you so much more....we know, coz Emma and I got free coffee and cake financed by Nic...lol

Check out some pics of the day...enjoy.

Cheers

-S