2 weeks of weekends rounded up.

The weekend before last we met up with Noah, Eddie, Richard and CS in the afternoon at the art village near Giraffe School for some coffee and a catch-up before we headed back to Noahs and then off to Shi Da to meet some of George's friends in Bistro O. We then went to Watersheds which was incredibly crowded.

Last weekend we went to the book exhibition at the WTC with Noah and then we went to see the new Terry Gilliam movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. It was surprisingly much better than I thought. We also saw Invictus a couple of weeks ago which was a great movie also.

Vampire Weekend: 'Contra'

There is something disconcerting about listening to an array of songs perfect for luxuriating on a beach in summer in the middle of January. Vampire Weekend have now done this twice as the New York City natives release their sophomore release in response to their hugely successful eponymous debut two years ago. As with its predecessor ‘Contra’ is produced by the bands keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij. However, whereas their first release combined Afro-pop with an indie sound, their new offering attempts to be even more ambitious by broadening their musical palette to include; reggae, ska, synth pop, calypso and even rockabilly. What results is a rather complicated affair and yields a mix bag of songs. However, the overall feel is sufficiently cohesive as an album.

Mixing African elements into mainstream western music is nothing new, Peter Gabriel has made a living out of it, Paul Simon did it amazingly well with ’Graceland’, and more recently Daman Albarn has done the same. Therefore this is not a groundbreaking album. However, with ‘Contra’ there is enough difference to signal progression away from just African elements but does that make it any better?

Tracks such as ‘Diplomat’s Son’ signal a resounding yes, here they demonstrate their ability by mixing an M.I.A sample into a soft laidback Calypso number. Also, ‘White Sky’ is similar to something one would find on ‘Graceland’ but with a more modern take on it. Other highlights are the dance-floor inspired ‘Taxi Cab’ and synth heavy ‘Rain’. ‘Cousins’ with its frantic rockabilly tempo is also a great demonstration of their abilities. Nonetheless, probably the most worthy of praise is ‘I Think UR a Contra’ which somehow uses a Nicaraguan Counter-revolutionary movement as a metaphor for a failed relationship.

However, other songs such as ‘California English’ and its use of vocal auto tune just feel dated. Even worse is ‘Holiday’ which is bordering annoying. I always find it hard to take ska seriously without first devouring half a bottle of vodka. There is also the impression that the band is rather pretentious. There lyrics are not very accessible and anyone who rhymes Horchata with balaclava is just showing off. They are intelligent and they want you to know it which may render them being seen as elitist. There is nothing wrong with intelligent music but when it comes off as trying to hard there could be complications. Also, despite the array of genres and instruments some of the songs feel vapid.

Therefore, this is not a great album but it is certainly half a good album at least and clearly demonstrates potential for better things to come. It’s hard to see where the band goes from here but greatness may very well impose itself on them in the future.

Delphic: 'Acolyte'

Manchester has always boasted a vibrant musical scene, from ‘Madchester’ during the late 1980s and early 1990s and continuing through to Brit Pop. Bands which have blossomed from this setting have been The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Oasis, and New Order to name just a few. Now it would appear that Delphic, with their debut offering ‘Acolyte’, could well be placed to join the others in the pantheon of greatness. It is the last band in particular in the aforementioned list which holds the most relevance here. Delphic not only hail from Manchester, but are also being described as the new ‘New Order’.

As with New Order, Delphic marry dance floor electronics with indie rock. Countless bands have ventured into this messy fusion with disastrous effects. Fortunately, however, a few bands got it right and New Order were masters of this art. Thankfully, Delphic appear to be following in their footsteps. Better still, they have adopted New Orders sound and transferred it firmly into the twenty-first century.

The reason for their success is twofold. The first is simplicity. Indie bands who have tried to add an element of sophistication into their repertoire by adding synths and dance elements often try to be too sagacious and have failed miserably. It is no coincidence that the most successful products have been by dance acts, such as The Chemical Brothers, Orbital, and Underworld. By adding elements of the Indie genre into their acts they have ultimately succeeded purely because they have kept things simple and Delphic follow in the same mold as the latter.

Secondly, success is down to German producer, Ewan Pearson. This talented individual possesses great control of dance floor dynamics and understands how to build euphoric dance beats, releasing their full potential by the chorus. Acolyte starts on a high and the pace never really diminishes for the entire duration. The rush and melancholy contained within all good anthems are present here along with anodyne lyrics, tight harmonies, infectious tunes, glittering synths, scattering percussion and indie guitar rhythms. Most impressive of all is that vocals tend to take a back seat and beats and rhythms take centre stage.

It’s hard to keep an electronic album engaging for an entire LP however Delphic have managed to produce something that doesn’t drift into ‘background music’ territory. Highlights are ‘Doubt’ which is as pop as they really get; as well as the awesome ‘Red Light’ and title track ‘Acolyte’. It’s not the most adventurous album one will hear but they are not claiming to be so and despite the endless comparisons, they deserve to be classed as a good band in their own right.

Gay China

Being gay in China: Your stories

A week ago China's first gay pageant was cancelled, on orders from the police.
The event had been hailed as a new chapter of openness towards the gay community in China, where homosexuality was illegal until 1997 and defined as mental disorder until 2001. Here three gay men in China describe the pressures they have to live with and the compromises they have to make.

Michael Tsai, 23, restaurant manager, Beijing
I was going to be the host for the gay pageant Mr Gay China, but unfortunately the government has once again oppressed its people silently. It would have been a wonderful step but there is much more fear than understanding. Although I wouldn't call it discrimination, there's definitely a pressure to conformity in Chinese society. The goal is to to marry and produce male offspring. Since the Chinese are allowed to have only one child there is even more pressure to conform. Thankfully I come from a family of two boys and the need to carry on the family name has already been fulfilled. I am out to all my family, my friends and colleagues.

Although I do feel that the country as a whole has become a lot more tolerant, it isn't necessarily more understanding. My family feels that if something is not spoken about then it either doesn't exist or it will be forgotten. Even though they know I'm gay they still say things like "When you find your wife..." I'm sure my parents are not thrilled by my sexual orientation but they seem to be dealing with it through denial and that's perfectly fine with me. China has become a get-rich-fast society, a society where you build up power and forget about everyone else. There are more things to worry about than who's attracted to who. Most of the older Chinese feel that being gay is just a phase and that eventually it will work itself out. I don't feel that there are any problems in China that I've come across. If we aren't too loud and proud about it then the subject doesn't even cross anyone's mind. Although I do feel that the country as a whole has become a lot more tolerant, it isn't necessarily more understanding.

Anonymous man, Guangzhou
I'm 35, I work as an environment researcher and I am married with two children. I am also gay. Organisers hoped the pageant would mark a step towards greater awareness
I come from the countryside, where most people don't even know what gay means.
Several years ago, I came out to my three closest friends. I haven't, and will never, come out to my parents, wife and children.
There's a strong tradition in China you can't go against - to get married. I think most of the gay people in China are married. There's a lot of pressure from the family to do that. The Chinese family is very traditional and it's not based on so-called love. My wife and I have a good relationship, we love each other like a brother and sister. I am happy in my family, we are the true family.

I don't need freedom. I need to keep this secret, so that I can live normally
We need to keep to that, but I also have the freedom to make friends outside. Me and my gay friends have our own meetings, we go to a badminton club and have dinner together. That's all I need. Happiness is not about desiring things you cannot have, but enjoying the things you have. I have two children, one three-year old boy and an eight-year old girl. I would never come out to them - I don't want them to know that I am gay. I hope that my children can have a normal life and I think to be gay is not normal because it's different from everybody else. I've accepted what I am because I cannot change. I support our government's decision to cancel the gay pageant. Freedom is perhaps the most important thing in the Western world, but for us Chinese people, the most important thing is harmony. I don't need freedom. I need to keep this secret, so that I can live normally. There has been a change of attitude lately towards homosexuality, there's more acceptance and understanding. There's still lots of prejudice but I think it will take time for that to be eliminated.

Miles, 30, Shenyang
I was born in a small village in Liaoning Province in north-east China. Currently I work for a China-based multinational in Dubai, but I go back to China every four months. Last year, China's first gay pride festival was praised in the state media
I have been in a relationship with a guy since I started working in Shenyang in 2001. We now live apart because of my current job. I've never come out to my colleagues, family and friends. In my opinion, keeping a low profile is the real way of life, especially when your sexual preference is not the mainstream one. Both my father and sister met my boyfriend, which is kind of dangerous. I am afraid one day they might discover that I am gay. I won't come out to them, as I don't want to hurt them.
In my opinion, the younger generations are more open to homosexuality than the older ones. There is one problem all gay people face in China - that's marriage. I wish to stay abroad, so that I can escape the fate of having to start a family
This tradition is deeply rooted in most Chinese people's minds. The pressure is particularly strong on those born in a one-child family as they have to fulfil their God-given mission to maintain the family continuity. I am trying to stay far away from marriage. While I am in Dubai, I don't sense the pressure from my family for the time being. But that day will come if I return to China. I wish to stay abroad, so that I can escape the fate of having to start a family. With the young generations growing into adults, I believe Chinese society will become more tolerant towards homosexuality. I have young friends who don't care at all. Even though homosexuality is legal, large-scale events are still not possible. But in our everyday life gay people are, in most cases, accepted by their close peers and colleagues because most gay people are friendly and have good personalities. We have many gay websites, we have gay night clubs in the big cities and we have a professor of a top Chinese university, named Li Yinhe, who is an advocate of gay rights. China is changing to accept new ideas and develop in many different areas and so I believe that one day gay marriage will become legal.

Thailand

From January 9th to the 17th George and I went to Thailand. After an evening flight on Saturday we arrived in Thailand just shy of midnight and got a taxi to Shukumvit to the hotel Miami. Luckily, as we hadn’t booked anything, they had free rooms. We dropped our stuff and headed out onto the boisterous streets. We spent the next two days in Bangkok visiting the Grand Palace and various temples as well as stopping off at the department store to shop and watch a movie, Brothers. Then on Tuesday we took a flight to Phuket and stayed on Kamala Beach. It was fantastically relaxed and great to spend a few days relaxing by the beach, sunning, swimming, eating and drinking. Then we headed back to Bangkok on the Saturday and spent the rest of the day shopping before heading back to Taipei on Sunday. It was great holiday.

Eye infection officially over

Finally, my eye infection is clear. After four long months i can wear my contacts the whole day without having to revert to glasses for any period of time. I hope it never comes back!!

Cadbury Takeover and the Quakers

Cadbury, which has been sold to US firm Kraft, is one of several great British firms founded by Quakers. But how did they gain such a stranglehold on the chocolate industry and why were they so successful in business?

For a religious sect more interested in championing social reform than industry, the Quakers have established an impressive roll call of household business names.
Barclays and Lloyds banks, Clarks shoes, Bryant & May matches and the biscuit firms Huntley & Palmers and Carrs are just a few of the companies founded by members of the pacifist group. But when it comes to confectionery, there has been a virtual monopoly for more than a century, led by Cadbury of Birmingham, Fry's of Bristol and Rowntree's and Terrys of York.

Society of Friends founded in England in 1650s by George Fox.
Pacifist religious sect values all people equally and believes there's something of God in us all. Name derives either from founder telling magistrate to tremble - quake - at God's name, or from shaking associated with religious experience
About 17,000 Quakers in Britain today, and 210,000 worldwide. This achievement is all the more remarkable given the tiny numbers of Quakers. In 1851 they only accounted for about one in 1,400 of the population of 21 million in England, Scotland and Wales - less than 0.1%. The move into chocolate began with cocoa drinks in the 19th Century as a reaction against the perceived misery and deprivation caused by alcohol, says Quaker historian Helen Rowlands. "Quakers and other non-conformists at the time were concerned about levels of alcohol misuse in the population at large, they were part of the temperance movement. "Cocoa was a way of providing cheap and available drink. It was healthy because you had to boil the water to make it when they didn't have good water supplies." There was a friendly rivalry between the manufacturers, many of whom started out as general grocers, but also a fraternity.

Quaker gatherings for worship take place in meeting houses, not churches
"There were certainly strong networks between them. They knew one another from their church-based life, and because of the way they had been excluded and persecuted on the edge of society, there was a strong sense they should help each other out," says Ms Rowlands. "So they developed strong business networks as well as personal ones."
As they moved into producing chocolate bars, several of the Victorian Quaker firms bought new cutting-edge machinery and established a competitive edge over other producers. The other advantage was their reputation for honesty and reliability running parallel with their quest for justice, equality and social reform.

"They were amongst the first to set a firm price for goods. There was a lot of bartering before, but the Quakers said 'no, we'll state the price for goods and a fair price'," says Ms Rowlands. "People appreciated that, they knew where they stood with Quaker businessmen - they were in it to make a livelihood but not at the expense of customers or employees."

The workers' pool in Bournville
This ethical approach gave Quaker retailers a competitive advantage over their resentful rivals because their customers knew they were not being ripped off and did not have to haggle to get a fair price. Cadbury, which built the village of Bournville for its workers complete with schools, leisure facilities and parks, was amongst the first firms to make pension provisions and provide a canteen.
It also knew a healthy workforce was a productive workforce, and employed doctors and dentists at a time when there was still child labour in Britain. Ms Rowlands says evidence shows the new ethical stance led to a successful business, but it was unclear how other firms viewed it at the time. "[The Quakers] were not the only people doing that kind of thing but they were in the vanguard of it. The connection between faith-based motivation and business was very clear and perhaps less overt amongst others." The Quakers were formed as a protest against the established Church and, crucially, members were excluded from universities and debarred from many public and civic offices along with other non-conformists. So professions such as medicine or the law were not open to them, which explains why so many gravitated towards business and commerce. "During the 18th and early 19th Centuries, non-conformists were barred from universities. You had to be a practicing Anglican to take a degree," Ms Rowlands says.

"Lots of the middle classes who might have taken the intellectual route went into trade and industry, and their talents were well used there."
There was an inventive streak and an interest in science among Quakers, typified by the Darbys of Coalbrookdale, who founded the British iron industry, and the Hanburys who brought tinplate to Wales. Their pacifist stance also created new markets. Unlike their competitors, the Darbys refused to make cannon during the Napoleonic wars and instead concentrated on domestic ironware, which proved a more lucrative industry than weapons. In the 1820s, the Peases ran the first train from Stockton to Darlington on what became known as the Quaker Line, and the Quakers influenced pharmacy (Allen and Hanbury), chemicals (Albright & Wilson and Sturge) and engineering (Ransomes of Ipswich).

But they were also people of their own era, forcing women to leave work once they married and employing slaves on West Indian sugar plantations despite later starting Britain's campaign against the slave trade. Jobs for the girls... but only until marriage. Academic Sarah Moss, who wrote Chocolate: A Global History (Edible), says conditions on Quakers' slave plantations may have been better than others, "but it was still slavery without any doubt". Quaker confectioners were seen as trustworthy, she says, with good and safe factory conditions - bucking the trend at the time.
"Contamination of sweets was a big issue in the 19th Century. Red lead was a common colouring for sweets, which was poisonous, and brick dust was added to chocolate to make it go further," she explains. She also thinks aspects of the Quakers' religious ethos and self-reliance make them natural capitalists.

A caricature of wealthy Quaker banker Samuel Gurney published in 1823. "Non-conformists put the burden of responsibility for salvation on the individual. Quakerism doesn't have any kind of priesthood. That approach to life is the prototype of successful capitalism - you just get on, it's just you and the system and no welfare state." By the 1870s, Oxford and Cambridge universities began accepting Quakers, opening up new professions and opportunities. Paul Whitehouse, treasurer of Quakers and Business, says this helps explain why there are fewer Quaker firms today.
"People went into a large selection of different walks of life. There was no longer this concentration of people in business. [Once] the best and brightest went into business, now they were spread across so they didn't stand out." After World War II, Quaker-owned family businesses began to disappear - Cadbury merged with Schweppes in 1969 and Rowntree's was bought by Swiss multinational Nestle in 1988.

Quaker Oats in name alone, and now owned by PepsiCo. Ms Rowlands says there was a sense among Quaker bosses that holding on to their companies as wholly family enterprises would made them competitively vulnerable. Quakers and Business tries to apply the same ethical values of yesteryear to today's society, and the Quaker brand remains a powerful, trusted and at times exploited one. The US company Quaker Oats, founded in the late 19th Century, still uses the image of a traditionally dressed Quaker on its cereal boxes - despite never having any connection to the group.