Independence To Have Precedence

Here it comes around again. Another year. Another anniversary to celebrate Papua New Guinea’s Independence. The 32^nd, to be precise.

This is the time when I should be celebrating the anniversary of the day these group of islands and its people stood up tall and proud to proclaim and “shout our name to the whole world to hear; Papua New Guinea“. Rejoice in its achievements and its wondrous beauty and blessings of rich culture and fertile land and bountiful seas. Accept her shortcomings, but proud nonetheless, that “this land of our fathers so free“.

Yet I have to put up with another hoopla about the Hiri Moale Festival on this day of all days in the Gregorian Calender.

Now, I don’t have any qualms whatsoever against this tradition and celebration. In fact I am proud to witness and absorb this festival’s history and tradition and see that even at a time when some of our cultural traditions are slowly withering away in the face of western influence and modernization, we still have these celebrations to remind us of our heritage and rich history.

I only want to see this festival moved to another day of the year. They can move it the Queen’s birthday for all I care. I just want September 16 to be left alone, solely for the celebration of our nation’s independence. All attention, all focus; should be on celebrating this day as the Independence Day of this sovereign nation that we call Papua New Guinea.

Even if the government through the National Events Council does not come up with something of a festivity or celebration for this date, the 16^th of September is still worthy to be celebrated. In our own little way even.

If anyone reading this posting has found it offensive, then I just want to let you know that this was not the intention of this post. The truth often hurts but its good to tell it as it is. It is not supposed to prejudice against any particular group of people. Far from it. Especially at this time when we are about to celebrate our independence.

I am writing this simply because the blood that course through these veins and the bones that hold up this frame boldly scream out loud in Red, Black and Gold.

Peace y’all.

::sja::

Kick ass ad from Adidas

Ok, here i was just roaming the endless ethers and nethers of cyberspace and then I stumbled across this image of Martin Johnson. Its 4 years since this ad came out but I just saw it today and was very impressed that I had to shelve my other subjects that I wanted to blog.

In my opinion, this work is nothing short of pure brilliance. I reckon the process involved in coming up with such an ad was nothing short of creative artistry, hence the outcome.

In fact, the ad agency (180 Amsterdam) that came up with this ad actually took out the 2003 print Epica d’Or award. Oh, and the Epica d’Or awards is the equivalent of the Oscars in Europe in the world of Ad agencies, Film production companies and Photographers.

Anyways, these guys also did this for some other Rugby players as well, including Tana Umaga, Jona Lomu and Ritchie McCaw. Check em out below….

The full story is at the epic awards site. Go there to see the details of the production process.
Epic AwardsPastResults

::.sja.::

Tana Umaga Jona Lomu Ritchie McCaw

Got a problem there, son???

was out and about and bumped into this fella…and he’s called….drum roll please………… “The Enigma of Beauty”.

Lets just hope there’s no flammable substance in that face paint… But still… P-R-O-U-D!

Papua New Guinea, 1998
Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Now this! Is one bad-ass Huli warrior….. hehehe

Wicked!

Ref: National Geographic site.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/galleries/beauty/photo3.html

Mike Epps

“Wut you mean Im crazy? 60 Million Dollars worth a muthafuckin lotto ticket and IM crazy? Nigga I’m Insaane!!“

Mike Epps in All About The Benjamins.

*I’ve watched this movie 100+ times and counting….