Visit Ukraine 2022

It would seem that even a country at “war” can become a popular destination and attract travellers, especially from Europe and North America! 

Consider Ukraine – although I must clarify that this country is mired in a military conflict with a neighbor, rather than being actually caught in a full-blown war, as Western media would like to portray. If Russia really goes to war, would VIPs ("Very Idiotic Persons") dare to step foot into a country where death and destruction is all around? 

Indeed, the country is luring those who want to be seen to "stand with Ukraine" and in the process, bask in the media limelight. This explains why an endless stream of visitors can’t wait to turn up there and I can tell you, thus far, the guest line-up is pretty impressive! 

In March, Ukraine hosted Czechia’s prime minister Petr Fiala, together with Slovenian prime minister Janez Jansa, and Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his deputy Jaroslaw Kaczynski. 

In April, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen were all in Ukraine at one time or another. So too, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Romanian prime minister Nicolae Ciucă, Bulgarian prime minister Kiril Petkov, Swiss leader of the House of Representatives Irène Kälin and fellow parliamentarians, Lithuanian prime minister Ingrida Šimonytė, UK prime minister Boris Johnson, and Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen along with her Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez. Not forgetting, from the US, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. 

In May, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, his deputy Chrystia Freeland and foreign minister Mélanie Joly paid Ukraine a visit. So too, the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Eva-Maria Liimets, Edgars Rinkēvičs and Gabrielius Landsbergis respectively. And from the US, came House speaker Nancy Pelosi, and a posse of Democratic Reps, Gregory Meeks of New York, Jason Crow of Colorado, Jim McGovern and Bill Keating of Massachusetts, and Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee of California. Also, actor and United Nations special envoy Angelina Jolie and even first lady Jill Biden. Not to mention Irish singer-songwriter of U2 band, Bono.

I don’t think the above listing is exhaustive – but you get my drift! 

Ukraine is most certainly, 2022’s No. 1 travel destination!

Black Dress Code @ Golden Globes

Image credit: http://www.eonline.com/news/904328/golden-globes-2018-all-the-stars-who-wore-black#photo-876107 

Hot on the heels of the #MeToo social media campaign, we also have Time's Up and 50:50, which are campaigns fighting gender inequality and sexual harassment in the showbiz industry. 

Anyway, on Janury 07, 2018, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills in California, USA, the 75th Golden Globes red carpet put the spotlight on showbiz royalty standing united with victims of sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry by following the black dress code. 

Celebrities including Reece Witherspoon, Kelly Clarkson, Gal Gadot and Angelina Jolie all wore black in a silent protest against the abuse, which centred on allegations made against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. And many of the men came in black shirts with their suits. 

Image credit: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/golden-globes-2018-stars-react-oprah-winfrey-presidency/story?id=52209568

And winners, including Oprah Winfrey (above pic), Nicole Kidman and Laura Dern, used their time on the podium to thank the brave women who spoke out against the abuse. 

Winfrey who received the Cecil B DeMille award brought the audience to their feet with a rousing acceptance speech that spoke about the current reckoning sweeping through Hollywood, celebrating the #MeToo movement.  

She said: "...I'm especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories that we tell. And this year we became the story. But it's not just a story affecting the entertainment industry. It's one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics, and workplace. So I want tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault, because they, like, my mother had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue. They're the women whose names we'll never know. They are domestic workers and farm workers. They are working in factories and they work in restaurants, and academia and engineering and tech and politics and business". 

Well-said! I salute the women who refuse to be silenced.

Oops, I forgot to report on the Saturday game played in Glasgow, Scotland. 

James Forrest netted a hattrick (3, 10, 54) as Celtic remained on course for a domestic treble by reaching the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory over Partick Thistle. Scotland’s Daily Record described it as a “sensational solo show”. 

The other side may have pulled back two goals – no matter because Celtic booked their place in the last eight.

One Hell of a Leg

Image credit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2107113/Oscars-2012-Angelina-Jolies-right-leg-attracts-attention-mocking-15-000-Twitter-followers.html

At the Oscars 2012 event on Sunday, Angelina Jolie presented the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay when she stood with one hand on her hip and a bent right knee thrust out through the slit of her Versace gown, replicating a similar pose she had struck earlier on the red carpet. 

And for that pose, Jolie became a popular topic on Twitter as netizens rushed to comment on her appearance. 

Soon after, the Twitter account AngiesRightLeg was set up, tweeting "Look at me!". 

Later it added "Still here. Great view, but thank god for the slit in this dress" and "You have to admit I'm one hell of a leg". 

The account currently has over 10,000 followers. 

I always believe that if you have got the legs, please flaunt them!