Monthly Archives: June 2009

Looking for art in all the right places

adartMy nephew is finally getting married this Saturday – at long last. I have written previously about this long engagement; the wedding was on, then off, then on again…it was all down to finances of course, it costs a packet to get married these days. But finally the day is looming and I have been searching high and low for a nice gift for the loved-up couple.

The one hitch is that I am on one side of the world and they are in Australia so it has been a challenge to come up with something that is appropriate and unique at the same time. I think it is impersonal and rather lazy to just send a cheque – a nicely wrapped gift and card is what you want to send. I took a lead from myself and decided on a couple of lovely prints created by some local Irish artists. I have been looking for some artwork to hang in my own house so it seemed right to give the young couple something to hang in theirs – they can always take it with them wherever they move to.

During my hunt I hit the internet and got seriously diverted; I love fine art, nothing too impressionistic, just well balanced colours and something nice to look at. I came upon Paragon Fine Art which is a Fine Art Gallery and featured some really fantastic artworks – classic and yet different. I would love to have been able to get the credit card out for this site – I particularly like the works by Tina Palmer – but even though the works are just out of my range for now I will keep this site bookmarked for the future.

Having lived in France the image pictured above – Eiffle Tower – appealed to me so I thought I would show it here.  The company is doing well to support American artists; the works featured on the site are incredible and I can recommend it highly to anyone looking for something unique to hang on the wall. Have a look!

By the way – I found two great prints for my nephew and they are winging their way to Sydney as I write.

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.

The parents of Northern Ireland tell Catriona Ruane to shove her education ‘reform’

catrionaruanePerhaps this is a kinder way of saving this arrogant woman from going down in history as the person who took the best working model for education in Great Britain and destroyed it – for nothing more than satisfying her own political agenda as laid down by the former Sinn Fein Education Minister Martin McGuinness – to destroy the grammar school system in Northern Ireland.

“The people do not want academic selection in the Grammar Schools…” says this woman who educates her own daughter in a Catholic Grammar school south of the border.

Well yes they bloody well do Ms Ruane!

This is why parents have taken up in droves the selection tests put down by the grammar schools to replace the 11+ exam that Ms Ruane took away from the children of Northern Ireland. She believes that selection for grammar school should be based on whether or not the parents are welfare recipients or not – and is basing this criteria also on those who receive free school dinners and those who do not. ‘To make it fairer for all…’

Grammar school education should be there for those whose children are up to the standard, no matter whether they work or collect the dole. It should be the children’s academic ability that qualifies them NOT their parent’s financial circumstances; if people like Ms Ruane find this “unfair” for some stupid reason then tough titties.

Ms Ruane is intent on closing all Catholic Grammar schools by 2012 – but after her own child has safely attended one of course…but let’s hope that this destructive and arrogant woman has disappeared from Northern Ireland politics completely by then.

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.

Ryan and Farrah decide to marry at long last

farrahandryanWhile it is tragic to hear that Farrah Fawcett is now fighting for her life as her cancer takes over, the good news is – and they need some – that Farrah and Ryan O’Neal have decided to finally marry after being together since 1982.

What is it about approaching death that makes couples so often take this decision…? for so long Farrah and Ryan stated that marriage was ‘just a piece of paper’ to them – as it is to countless other couples who decide not to formalise their relationship with a wedding.

But it is interesting that at times like that which Farrah and Ryan are now facing how they suddenly realise that marriage is not simply ‘just a piece of paper’. And how sad it is that it takes approaching death to make them see that.

Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.