BlogHer - africa - Comments

Out of Africa - Parts I and II

therovingstove — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:48:48 -0500

Please also read parts I and II on my blog for the full story!!

http://jewelsfromtherovingstove.blogspot.com/

Julie Anne 'Jewels' Rhodes

http://www.therovingstove.com/

I know what you mean

Kim Pearson — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:08:21 -0500

Thanks, Nordette. Unfortunately, you're right. This story isn't going away. Somalia is critically situated at a crossroads of international trade, a meeting place of people of many religions and cultures, and a place where chaos and terror have been a breeding ground for proponents of Islamism. Despite the risks and the history of failure in this region, the need to stabilize Somalia's government and rebuild its economy is compelling.

KimBlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Arrrgh!

Nordette — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:31:57 -0500

I hear about the pirates and still the idea of them sits off in the corner of my brain like fariy tale archetypes. The first time I wrote about our modern pirates was "America loves pirates but not the Somalian sort" back in November. Not the romantic figures we know. I guess we romanticized them thinking they'd never return.

I've even read blog posts (months back) by people who don't believe the Somali pirates are real.

As you say, "Obviously, no one's laughing now." And I suppose neither are they dreaming or thinking they're watching an an Errol Flynn movie with black guys.

Thank you for all the resources and links. I'm sure this story's not dying a quick death and I'll need to refer back this post for something in the future.

Nordette: BlogHer CE and NOLA Lit Examiner. Blogs @ WSATA & UMBOP.

You Will Love The Visuals of Botswana

Megan Smith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:32:00 -0500

If nothing else you will love the beautiful visuals of Botswana. And Jill Scott will charm you within an inch of your life!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

Huge Fan of the Books

NOfreelunch — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:13:46 -0500

My mother recommended "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies" (one of the books in the series) to me over a year ago now. I was so uplifted and moved by that book I ended up buying every single book in the series. Truly, they are some of my favorite fictional books that I've ever read. Candelaria totally nailed it when she said,

"I love the books - they are so gentle, affirming and Mr. McCall writes with sensitivty and respect. He gets women."

Mma Romatswe and Mma Makutsi became my "friends"--women whom I could identify with and respect--and the Botswana I envisioned from the books seemed so glorious. The well written mysteries weaved into the series were the cherry on top.

Do you ever fall in love with books so much that when you first hear they're coming out in movie or television form you refuse to watch because you know it can never match up to the perfection that's in your head? That's how I felt when I heard about the series months ago. As Megan pointed out, adaptation from book to tv/movies is tough. But being a fan of Jill Scott's and with all of the other talent involved, I know there will be no way that I can avoid watching. I'm crossing my fingers!

It's Tricky To Adapt Books To TV

Megan Smith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:54:19 -0500

Hi Rachel,

It can be very difficult to adapt books to television because inevitably elements of the book must be compressed to fit the television format. That's one reason I feel some books should just be left alone.

After you watch the show, come back and let me know what you think.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

If You Like The Books...

Megan Smith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:51:45 -0500

Hi Carmen,

From what I understand of the books, if you liked the books, you'll probably be very happy with the show. Looking forward to checking out your blog!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

What A Cool Video Of Jill Scott!

Megan Smith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:51:10 -0500

Hi Melissa,

What a cool video. It's so funny that she had a Flip and had no idea how easy it was! Thanks for the link.

Also, courtesy of fellow CE Virginia DeBolt, here's an interview with Jill Scott on NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102380865

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

I Knew The Pilot Aired In England

Megan Smith — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:49:49 -0500

I knew the pilot aired in England last year, but I wasn't sure if the other episodes had started to air yet. How nice that you got a jump on the rest of us Yanks!

I've also been to your blog before and found it charming. Thanks for commenting.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

Should be pretty good

uuuttt321 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:15:15 -0500

HBO has a history of putting together some pretty good content. It should be prett good. I'll definitely tune in to see it.

The books are excellent so I hope they did a good job. Often when books are turned into TV and movies, they totally stink.

Let's see....

Rachel, Consultant: Acne

Loving the Show

Dori7 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:14:22 -0500

I have been loving watching The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I haven't read the books, but I'm going to very soon. I've been watching it over here in England on the BBC. They will be showing the third episode on Sunday. I just love the vibrance of the scenery and Jill Scott is great in her role. It's just really enjoyable and I love the pace of the story. I blogged about it when it started over here because I wanted my readers to know about it so much :-)

http://fromayellowhouse.blogspot.com

I'm looking forward to the show

Carmen S — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:52:00 -0500

I love this series of books. Slow, gentle, refreshing - and, as is said above, the author really does *get* women.

I'm going to subscribe to HBO, just to be able to see this. Oh, and uh, Big Love.

--
Carmen

Keep posted with my life on my blogs:
www.momtothescreamingmasses.typepad.com - a story of one woman's insanity with her six kids
www.theelffdiet.com - how I lost 80 pounds with a New Year's Resolution
www.deepsou

LDA

Melissa Jun Rowley — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:21:27 -0500

Hi Megan,

I saw the pilot back in January. I thought it dragged, as well. But I loved how it is unlike anything else currently on television. I have not read the books, so I'm unable to make a comparison. But I think the series itself is refreshing. Here's a little snippet of me showing Jill Scott how to use my Flip Cam before I interviewed her at the HBO TCA for CNN.

http://melissajunrowley.com/2009/01/14/hello-world/

I'd Love To Know What You Think

Megan Smith — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:19:28 -0500

Hi Candelaria,

After you view the show, I'd love to know what you think.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/Online Video

Megan's Minute

I Just Got the DVD

Candelaria Silva — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:19:47 -0500

I've been asked to review the series for a local arts & entertainment blog. I'll be watching Saturday morning. I love the books - they are so gentle, affirming and Mr. McCall writes with sensitivty and respect. He gets women. I'll let you know what I think. I'm inviting a couple of friends to watch along with me.

blog.candelariasilva.com

Good and plenty!