Charles Schultz

Charles Schultz is arguably the most famous American cartoonist of all time. His comic strip, “Peanuts,” ran for fifty years, ending with his death in 2000.

            He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on November 26, 1922. He began studying art when he saw an ad titled “Do you like to draw?” It turned into his lifelong passion. He said that for him, it was all he could imagine doing, because cartooning was vitally important to him. In his later years, he spent much of his time at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, playing hockey and drinking coffee. He contracted cancer of the colon in 1999.

            Many people have said that he is the most famous cartoonist of all time. One of his fellow cartoonists and friends said that if any cartoonist was to be remembered a hundred years from now, it would be Schultz. He won several awards for cartooning: the Reuben Award, which is the most prestigious award for cartoonists, was his twice, in 1955 and in 1964. He was also voted International Cartoonist of the Year by over 700 cartoonists around the world in 1978. Another award was supposed to be his until his untimely death.

            He is best known for his comic strip “Peanuts”. It started 1947, and it was called “Lil’ Folks”; however, in 1950 it was bought by a syndicate. They changed its name to what it is now (apparently the cartoonist didn’t originally like the name). What makes the Peanuts so lovable is the way they remain the same; Snoopy still regards Charlie Brown as “the kid” who brings him his food; Sally is just as pert. The readers of Peanuts are fiercely loyal to the cartoon.

            Charles Schultz’s life was full and he spent it doing what he loved. The man considered by many to be the greatest cartoonist of all time died on February 23^rd, 2000, in his sleep.

Peace

Many people agree that what the world really needs is peace. The United Nations was created just for that reason. But what exactly is peace?

It's hard to capture the essence. But what I know is this: peace is more than an end to war. Whenever people talk about world peace, they speak as if ending all the wars in the world automatically causes peace. In my opinion, that's like saying that if you took away darkness you'd have light. 

Peace is not something that can be made my removing violence; even if you've stopped two people from punching each other, you haven't ensured their friendship. Peace is made up by building up a feeling of fellowship. If you put two people- who perhaps didn't get along before- in close situations where they need to help each other, chances are they will become friends. Not because they've been forbidden to fight, but because peace has been built up between them. 

Also, peace can be a preventative measure. So many people think that war is what destroys peace- and in a way they are right. War prevents peace from happening, because you can't build something when there's a roadblock in the way.  I think that peace is not only a way to stop war, though; it's what makes sure it never happens. That's why I think it's so important- it's the building block of the planet. 

Basically, it's like a vaccine for war. It's something to be built and then kept, not vice versa. There isn't any peace yet, though; stopping wars isn't enough. Peace is a concept of its own; it's not just a lack of war, it's what is going to cause it.

Mahatma Gandhi's Philosophy

The evolution of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi into the 'Mahatma ' of our times very much hinges on the principles that were the guiding light of his life. Till his last breath, Gandhiji unflinchingly adhered to these philosophies often referred by the collective term 'Gandhism'. Over the years the thoughts and the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi have inspired generations across the world and they have often been the bedrock of civil rights movements waged against oppressive regimes.

Truth
Truth or 'Satya' was the sovereign principle of Mahatma Gandhi's life. The Mahatma's life was an eternal conquest to discover truth and his journey to that end was marked by experiments on himself and learning from his own mistakes. Fittingly his autobiography was titled 'My Experiments with Truth.' Gandhi strictly maintained that the concept of truth is above and beyond of all other considerations and one must unfailingly embrace truth throughout one's life.

Satyagraha
Gandhiji pioneered the term Satyagraha which literally translates to 'an endeavor for truth.' In the context of Indian freedom movement, Satyagraha meant the resistance to the British oppression through mass civil obedience. The tenets of Truth or Satya and nonviolence were pivotal to the Satyagraha movement and Gandhi ensured that the millions of Indians seeking an end to British rule adhered to these basic principles steadfastly.

Nonviolence
The principle of nonviolence or Ahimsa has been integral to many Indian religions and Mahatma Gandhi espoused for total nonviolence in the Indian freedom struggle. He was determined to purge the Satyagraha movement of any violent elements and incidents of violence by Satyagrahis in Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh led him to call off the civil disobedience movement. Gandhi's adoption of vegetarianism is often regarded a manifestation of his faith in the principles of nonviolence.

Khadi
Khadi, an unassuming piece of handspun and hand-woven cloth, embodies the simplicity synonymous with Mahatma Gandhi's persona. After renouncing the western attire of his advocacy days in South Africa, Gandhi embraced the practice of weaving his own clothes from thread he himself spun and encouraged others to follow suit. Mahatma used the adoption of Khadi as a subtle economic tool against the British industrial might and also as a means of generating rural employment in India.


Source: www.thecolorsofindia.com

Purple People Eater...

...In case anyone else was really, really confused during Chemistry class today.

Mario Frangoulis

Mario Frangoulis was born in Zimbabwe to Greek parents, but went to school at the Campion school in Athens; during this time he excelled at drama class and starred in school plays. After graduating in 1985, he went to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London to study acting for three years, graduating in 1988.

In the following years he won two different musical awards and played starring roles in both Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. He also studied with the famous tenor Carlo Bergzoni. 1996 brought Frangoulis' first film role ever- in Symposium- and in 1999 he recorded his first CD, Lover's Moon. Later that year he performed in the Millennium Concert at the Acropolis (in Athens). The year after that, he recorded a CD related to that, titled The Acropolis Concert. He also played the role of Tony in West Side Story. 

In 2001 he debuted as a classical actor in the play The Bacchae, and toured Europe with the Moscow Opera Company. He released his third CD soon afterwards; it was titled Sometimes I Dream. In2004 he opened the Paralympic Games in Athens, and his US debut concert took place the following year in May. 

Centenarians

What is a centenarian? Good question. It's someone who's lived at least a hundred years or more. Let's take a look at some statistics: 90% of them are are female; and centenarians who are women are twice as likely to have children after the age of forty than women who live to the age of 73.  Centenarians usually report good health into their 90s, which is quite an achievement, and 15% of them live by themselves. 

But what's the secret to longevity? Well, studies have shown that healthy lifestyle has an affect on it. An optimistic outlook on life also increases lifespan. But how about centenarians themselves: what do they say? 

There are 50,000 in the USA alone, but this is to be expected in a country so big. However, there are certain 'hotspots' of longer lifespans scattered throughout the world. One of these is the Greek island of Ikaria. Residents of this island have said that a close-knit circle of family and friends is a greatly contributing factor. Also, their diet and the fact that a good portion of them still do work of some kind on a regular basis is a distinct reason for longevity. Being a centenarian, they say, is all about lifestyle.

For all my besties

This is for all of my best friends... you all know who you are :)