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"Beautiful soul": Johnny Ruffo passes away at 35

Beloved Australian actor and singer Johnny Ruffo, known for his role on Home and Away and as a finalist on The X Factor Australia, passed away on Friday at the age of 35 after a courageous and lengthy battle with brain cancer. The sad news was confirmed through a heartfelt statement shared on Ruffo's Instagram page, leaving fans, friends, and fellow celebrities mourning the loss of a talented and resilient soul. Ruffo's journey with brain cancer began in 2017, a battle that he faced with determination, strength, and a remarkable sense of humour. Described as a talented and sometimes "cheeky" man, Ruffo's positive spirit shone through even in the face of adversity. The statement on his Instagram page conveyed the heavy hearts of his loved ones, emphasising his strong will and the incredible support he received from his partner Tahnee, family, nurses, and doctors: "It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny. Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors. He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy. Johnny was very determined and had a strong will. He battled all the way to the end and fought as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul with so much more to give. We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Rest easy ❤️" Tributes immediately poured in from the Australian entertainment industry, with stars like Dannii Minogue, Casey Donovan, and Guy Sebastian expressing their sorrow and remembering Ruffo's infectious personality. Fellow Home and Away co-star Penny McNamee recalled the joy Ruffo brought to the set, emphasising the warmth and humour he shared with those around him. Ruffo's impact extended beyond the screen, as evidenced by the outpouring of grief from friends in the industry. Mel B, who was a judge on The X Factor Australia when Ruffo competed in 2011, expressed her heartfelt condolences, while Georgie Parker, another Home and Away co-star, described Ruffo as "truly one in a million" and lamented the cruelty of his untimely departure. In November 2020, Ruffo bravely shared with his fans that his cancer had returned, initiating another challenging chapter in his life. Despite the uphill battle, he remained open about his experiences, releasing a book titled No Finish Line last year. The book documented his journey from the moment he learned about the 7-centimeter tumour in his brain, known as a stage three oligodendroglioma, to completing it while undergoing chemotherapy. Throughout his fight, Ruffo maintained a strong presence on social media, updating his followers on his progress and sharing moments of vulnerability and strength. Tahnee played a crucial role in his journey, providing unwavering support and being a pillar of strength during the challenging times. The couple's love story, which began at a dance studio in 2015, became an inspiring tale of resilience and commitment. In his final Instagram post on August 7, Ruffo's girlfriend shared a poignant video montage, illustrating his six-year battle with cancer. The clip showcased Ruffo's hospital visits, chemotherapy sessions, and moments of joy, highlighting the indomitable spirit that defined his character. Ruffo's infectious smiles and thumbs-ups for the camera served as a testament to his positive outlook, even in the face of adversity. As the entertainment industry and fans mourn the loss of Johnny Ruffo, his legacy remains embedded in the memories of those who were touched by his talent, charm and unwavering spirit. His courage in the face of a relentless illness serves as an inspiration, and his impact on the Australian entertainment scene will be remembered for years to come. Images: Instagram

Caring

Expert advice for finding the hobby that’s best for your body, mind, and soul

While some activities can seem more appealing - and some time periods more convenient - than others, there is never any shortage of evidence highlighting the benefits - both physical and mental - of picking up a brand new hobby. From reducing stress to improving social connections, assisting with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhancing wellbeing, there has never been a better time than now to start. Choosing a hobby - and sticking to it - can be hard work, but thankfully, experts have chimed in with their tips and tricks for finding something you’ll love, and that you’ll want to keep coming back to. Find like-minded souls David Helmers, Executive Officer of the community-based not-for-profit organisation Men’s Shed, believes in the value of hobbies bringing people together, saying that “hobbies are very closely related to social interaction. It can be the most bizarre hobby in the world, but through them you generally form an affiliation with like-minded people.”  Enjoy it - then and now While finding a hobby can be a surefire way to connect with people with similar interests, it can also be something that’s just for you. And commonly, the hobbies we turn to can be something we enjoyed earlier in our lives, but couldn’t keep up with for one reason or another. For example, parenthood can see many adults letting their usual activities fall to the wayside due to time constraints and other commitments - or, in a lot of cases, exhaustion. “I can speak from my own experience here,” Helmers said, “since I became a father, I don't think I ever went surfing again.” MindStep’s senior mental health coach Inouk Mackay believes that “going back to an old hobby you previously enjoyed” can be a great way to break back into the cycle, adding that “experimenting with how it feels” can help with the task of re-engaging. “If it’s right for you then your brain will kick into gear and remind you ‘yes, this was something I used to enjoy and will do again’,” she said. And for those who’d prefer to start over, “different is good, challenging yourself is good. But make sure you experiment with a few ideas before you make up your mind. If you don’t try, how can you possibly know if it’s a good fit for you?” Shaking off the nerves Starting something new can feel daunting at the best of times, but coupled with doing it alongside a brand new group of people, it can be downright frightening. However, David Helmers had some good news for those feeling the intimidation factor, speaking on behalf of his group, and those all across Australia, by declaring them to be “very open”, and agreeing that the hardest part of the process can be - and more often than not is - step one. “The hardest thing we have with Men's Sheds is getting the men to walk in the door in the first instance,” he explained. “Sometimes, people need a bit of pushing.”  Inouk Mackay was in agreement, sharing in David’s advice that initial butterflies shouldn’t keep you from something worthwhile. “It might involve taking a bite of that ‘courage pill’,” she said, “especially if you’re joining a group-based activity. But we know that if anxiety or fear is present, it will dissipate over time if you just allow yourself to stay there and do your best to engage.” Commit to what matters Mackay made a point to stress the importance of committing to any new activity, and how scheduling it in a “diary as you would an important appointment” can help guide you towards maintaining your participation. After all, as Mackay said, “we know that if we commit to something on paper, we are much more likely to follow through.” “We all need to make some time for ourselves,” David agreed, before adding, “personally, I'm terrible at it, I know. But I’ve learned that it’s very important, and that if you want to have healthy, productive time for all the other significant things in your life, then you also need to make healthy time for yourself too.” Images: Getty

Retirement Life

“Rest, great soul”: Dame Angela Lansbury exits to the "theatre in the sky"

Dame Angela Lansbury, known for her roles on TV, stage and film, has died aged 96 just days before her birthday. Her family broke the news in a statement on Tuesday. “The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1.30am today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday,” they said in a statement. The Murder, She Wrote star was one of the most decorated actors in stage history, winning five Tony Awards for her performances on Broadway and a lifetime achievement award. Lansbury scored one for her best-known work on Broadway, where she starred as the piemaker Nellie Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, winning the Tony for best musical actress in 1979. Her other three Tony awards for best actress in a musical were for her roles in Mame (1966), Dear World (1969) and Gypsy (1975). She earned Academy Award nominations for her work in film as a supporting actress in Gaslight (1945), The Picture of Dorian Gray (1946), and again in 1962 for The Manchurian Candidate. The star displayed her singing talents off-Broadway when she voiced the character of Mrs Potts in the 1991 animated movie Beauty and the Beast. For the film’s 25th anniversary in 2016, Lansbury took to the stage in New York and brought the house down with a rendition of the movie’s titular tune. But her widespread fame came when she took on the role of a mystery writer and amateur sleuth in Murder, She Wrote. Running for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996, the series was loosely based on Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories and followed Jessica Fletcher, a widowed mystery writer living in the village of Cabot Cove, Maine. Lansbury earned 12 Emmy award nominations for Murder, She Wrote, making her the record-holder for the most Emmy nominations for lead actress in a drama series. While the show became a hit, Lansbury said she found the first season exhausting. "I was shocked when I learned that had to work 12-15 hours a day, relentlessly, day in, day out," she recalled. "I had to lay down the law at one point and say, 'Look, I can't do these shows in seven days; it will have to be eight days.’” But, she was pleased that her role as Fletcher had become an inspiration for older women. "Women in motion pictures have always had a difficult time being role models for other women," she observed. "They've always been considered glamorous in their jobs." After the news broke of her passing, tributes have poured in across social media as fans and Hollywood stars remember the legendary actress. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Angela Lansbury, who graced the stage for decades winning five Tony awards and brought the sleuthing Jessica Fletcher into our living rooms for a dozen years, has passed. A tale old as time, our beloved Mrs. Potts will sing lullabies to us now from the stars. Rest, great soul. — George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeTakei/status/1579922852761198592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2022</a></blockquote> “Angela Lansbury, who graced the stage for decades winning five Tony awards and brought the sleuthing Jessica Fletcher into our living rooms for a dozen years, has passed. A tale as old as time, our beloved Mrs Potts will sing lullabies to us now from the stars. Rest, great soul,” George Takei tweeted. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Dame Angela Lansbury has fallen asleep and gone to the ‘theatre in the Sky.’ She epitomised grace and exhibited a gifted natural talent. One of the world’s greatest actors. I had the privilege of meeting her. — David_Suchet (@David_Suchet) <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Suchet/status/1579961581672497155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2022</a></blockquote> “Dame Angela Lansbury has fallen asleep and gone to the ‘theatre in the Sky’. She epitomised grace and exhibited a gifted natural talent. One of the world’s greatest actors. I had the privilege of meeting her,” Poirot star David Suchet wrote. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Tale as old as time True as it can be In memory of Angela Lansbury, we offer this cosmic rose plucked by our Spitzer Space Telescope. <a href="https://t.co/V1N0QynRDJ">https://t.co/V1N0QynRDJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/zPduniVBsl">pic.twitter.com/zPduniVBsl</a> — NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1579939011606769664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2022</a></blockquote> Even NASA paid tribute to Lansbury, offering a “cosmic rose” to the star. Lansbury is survived by her two children, Diedre Angela Shaw, 69, and Anthony Pullen Shaw, 70. Image: Getty Images

News

More than a piece of furniture: it is sometimes as if these old pianos have souls

While restructuring a collection of historical keyboard instruments at the ANU School of Music, I’ve been led to ponder the mysterious significance that pianos can have in the human psyche. Due to limitations of space and funds for maintenance, a decision was made to limit the university’s collection to the most valuable instruments. “Value” was considered on the basis of an instrument’s historical uniqueness, its practical utility for research and overall condition. Yet “value”, as we know, can be understood in different ways. <h2>Vehicles for musical expression</h2> Pianos still proliferate in music schools, despite predictions about the decline of acoustic music. Instruments that are used day-to-day need to be relatively new and in excellent working order. Given the rate at which they are played in busy schools, they are typically replaced every 10 to 15 years. Many pianists view pianos like tools, as vehicles for musical expression. Like a driver searching for a faster car, less responsive models can be dispensed with little thought. Unlike an immaculately handcrafted violin from the 17th century, the sound of a piano typically does not improve with age. Yet there is much that a piano student can learn from older instruments. Our collection includes a French piano built around 1770, and it can still sing if gently coaxed. As my fingers negotiate the uneven and primitive collection of levers, shafts and felts that comprise its inner action, I wonder how many musicians long-departed have listened to its voice. It is a sad fact, though, that homes can be hard to find for old pianos, especially uprights. While grand pianos still signify status, and square pianos have a curiosity value (also doubling as small tables), upright pianos of the Victorian era are now unloved. According to a local piano removal company, two to three upright pianos from this period can be delivered to landfill in any week. Partly, this is due to their ubiquity in earlier generations. It used to be the case that every home had an old piano, often passed down through family lines. Frequently of German origin and built on massive solid frames, these instruments are not timeless. Their mechanisms wear out, their felts become infested and their tuning blocks lose structural integrity. They can no longer hold their tune. If you paid to restore one, the sum would be greater than the cheap new instrument which would always outperform it. The worst thing to do would be to buy a dilapidated piano for a budding student, who might presume the clunking responses to be a sign of talent-less activity. Yet it is sometimes as if these old pianos have souls. It tugs at the heartstrings to see an instrument that has weathered over a century of faithful service get carted to the tip, or “piano heaven” as insiders say. Often there are rich memories, such as when grandma played and the family gathered around in song. <h2>Members of the family</h2> The inner connections people make with musical instruments are widely known. Indeed, pianos can seem like members of a family to some. How do we account for this unusual anthropomorphism? I was recently touched by a story of an elderly lady, an exceptionally fine pianist and teacher in her day. She had purchased a large grand piano of Viennese design, a concert instrument of the highest order, but was now at the point of moving to residential care. Of all the considerations that beset her family at this difficult time, finding a “home” for the instrument was of the highest concern. It was more than just a piano: it was a living part of her life. In another instance, I was asked to help rehouse an upright piano. Shiny, relatively new and still receptive to many hours of rigorous playing, the piano’s owner was happy to give it away. But not to just anyone – it needed to be the right person. “I will always be grateful for the beautiful black piano that became a vehicle not only for my lifetime wish to learn to play, but also to make music with my son”, she wrote. “My longing to make music with him was fulfilled before he finished school and left home.” It’s easy to see why pianos are often more than a piece of furniture. They can embody the dreams and memories that propel us through life, sanctifying the moments in which we are united through beauty and art. In a world which seems increasingly weighted toward the quantifiable, the measured, and the physically real, music still can catch us in its sway. Through the process of reordering our collection, one instrument has remained. In all respects, it is neither unique nor outwardly special. Yet it carried a plaque, in loving memory of someone’s mother. Perhaps it’s because her song still resonates within, I’ve made no plan to remove it. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-than-a-piece-of-furniture-it-is-sometimes-as-if-these-old-pianos-have-souls-185777" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Music

‘A gentleman with the mad soul of an Irish convict poet’: remembering Chris Bailey, and the blazing comet that was The Saints

Inala in the early 70s was bleak. A Brisbane suburb of wide dusty streets, treeless and bland. A planned community, meant to grow over time. Austerity, accented by the cheap houses – weatherboard, red brick, concrete – stifled the suburb like a blanket on a hot February night. It was boring. Beyond boring. The only concession to communal childhood joy was the pool, and the crazy concrete skate rink. But if you wanted a creative outlet, you needed to search elsewhere. Ivor Hay, (future Saints drummer), was heading to the picture theatre in Sherwood one Saturday night in early 1971, "and I saw Jeffrey [Wegener – another Saints drummer] with these two longhairs, Chris [Bailey] and Ed [Kuepper]. They were off to a birthday party in Corinda and asked me along. That was our first night." Bailey was raised by his mum, Bridget, in a house alive with siblings – mostly girls, who looked after the kid. He got away with a lot. “None of us had a lot of money,” Hay tells me. "Both Chris and I were raised by single mums in reasonably sized families. Chris’ mum was pretty feisty, with this Belfast accent which was just fantastic. They all looked after ‘Christopher’, he could do all sorts of things and they would accommodate him. His mum would have a go at him about the noise, but we’d just go to his bedroom and rehearse and bugger everybody else in the house!" Kuepper taught Hay to play the guitar: Stones and Beatles and Hendrix. Hay passed the knowledge down to Bailey, who was keen to learn. Neither Kuepper nor Bailey learned to drive, so Hay became the driver in those wide suburbs where driving and cars were everything. There was politics in Bailey’s house – his sister Margaret chained herself to the school gates to protest uniform policy – but this pervaded the town. The conservative government had no time for the young, and the police force did their best to make life difficult. But there was a sense that these young men were making something new. As Hay says, "We used to sing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Internationale">The Internationale</a> at parties. I don’t know if we were revolutionaries, but we had that sense that something was happening. [With the band] we were doing something that we thought was going to change something. Chris was particularly good at pushing things, at being anti-everything." <h2>Out of Inala</h2> To escape the suburb was to head north to the railway line. It was the lifeline to the centre of Brisbane – record stores, bookshops and other forms of life. Kuepper remembers going into the city with Bailey. "We had intended to steal a record, and we went into Myers […] both wearing army disposal overcoats […] these two long haired guys walking into the record department with these overcoats […] surprisingly enough, we were successful!" Like the railway line, Ipswich Road joins Brisbane to the old coal town of Ipswich. It slices through these western suburbs, carrying hoons in muscle cars and streams of commuters, the occasional screaming cop car or ambulance. On Thursday nights, the boys used to sit at the Oxley Hotel, overlooking Ipswich Road, “just sit up there having beers, we wouldn’t have been much more than 17 or 18 at that time. Chatting about all sorts of stuff,” says Hay. "Chris and Ed were comic collectors and Stan Lee was the hero […] there were political discussions, philosophical discussions. Those guys could talk underwater." They talked and played and sang. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5YP_tsPzmg&t=905s">And Bailey had the voice</a>. It was a force, not just loud and tuneful, but full of snarl and spit. Soon they had songs, and in 1976 scraped the money together to record and release their first single on their own Fatal Records label. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpMwMDqOprc">(I’m) Stranded</a> took Bailey out of Inala, out of Brisbane and into the world. He never looked back. <h2>A changed city</h2> The Saints released three albums in as many years – (I’m) Stranded, Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds – before Kuepper and Hay returned from the UK to Australia, leaving Bailey to his own devices. Bailey remained in Europe, releasing a cluster of solo albums and many Saints records over the next 40 years. He wrote some achingly beautiful songs. It is a testament to his talents as a songwriter that Bruce Springsteen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ4a_tgJp4I">recorded a version</a>of Bailey’s Just Like Fire Would in 2014. There’s no doubt that Bailey and The Saints changed Brisbane forever. People around the world who love music know Brisbane exists because of The Saints, The Go-Betweens and bands like them. Peter Milton Walsh (The Apartments) was one of many who benefited from The Saints legacy, "They blazed through our young lives like comets. Showed so many what was possible – that you could write your way out of town." “Without The Saints,” Mark Callaghan of The Riptides/Gang Gajang told me, “we probably wouldn’t have started. ” "They just made it all seem doable. It was like, ‘Well, they’re from Brisbane!’ So we started our first band, and at our first gig we covered (I’m) Stranded! We even took a photo of the abandoned house in Petrie Terrace with (I’m) Stranded painted on the wall. But it never crossed our minds to stand in front of this. It would be sacrilege, you know? And we were trying to work out a way that we could get it off the wall intact, because we recognised it was a historical document." Chris Bailey isn’t the first of our creative children to leave this life behind and move on into memory. With their passing, like the returning comet, the past is freshly illuminated, allowing us to look back at our young lives. Back when the future was broad in front of us, urged on by voices like Bailey’s to open our eyes and see the world. And Bailey’s was a unique voice. Kenny Gormley (The Cruel Sea) remembers him singing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYA5WdP47Y0">Ghost Ships,</a> "But ah, I’ll never ever forget seeing Chris pick that shanty, alone at sea in a crowded room, holding us sway, wet face drunk and shining, quiet and stilled in storm, cracked voiced with closed eye and open heart. And that was Bailey, a gentleman with the mad soul of an Irish convict poet.“ Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared in <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-gentleman-with-the-mad-soul-of-an-irish-convict-poet-remembering-chris-bailey-and-the-blazing-comet-that-was-the-saints-181059" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Music

Chicken Pho for the soul

This warm and hearty Vietnamese chicken noodle soup is perfect for the cooler weather. Wth 25g of protein and 5g of fibre, this is a healthy seasonal staple. <h2 dir="ltr">Ingredients</h2> 170g fresh shiitake mushrooms 7cm piece ginger, peeled and sliced 1 Tbsp coriander seeds 4 whole cloves 1kg bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed 1.5L (6 cups) water 500ml (2 cups) salt-reduced or gluten-free salt reduced chicken stock 1 large brown onion, sliced 30g dried porcini mushrooms, rinsed, drained and broken 1 Tbsp brown sugar 5 cloves garlic, sliced 125g dried rice noodles, soaked (see Cook's Tip) 2 bunches Asian greens, trimmed, chopped, steamed Coarsely grated carrot, slivered red onion, sliced chillies, coriander leaves, Thai basil, and/or lime wedges, to serve (optional) <h2 dir="ltr">Method</h2> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Remove and reserve stems from the shitake mushrooms. Thinly slice the caps. Transfer the sliced mushrooms to a bowl, cover and put in the fridge until required. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Place the shiitake stems, ginger, coriander seeds and cloves on a double thick 20cm piece of muslin. Bring up corners and tie closed with string. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Place the spice bag, chicken, water, stock, onion, porcini mushrooms, sugar and garlic in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Remove and discard the spice bag. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Remove the chicken from the cooker. Remove the meat from the bones. Discard the bones. Coarsley shred the chicken. Cover and set aside. Stir the reserved shiitake mushrooms and noodles into the broth. Cover and cook for a further 10 minutes. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Divide the greens between serving bowls. Ladle the noodle mixture over the greens. Add the shredded chicken. Top with carrot, onion, chilli, coriander, basil and lime wedges, if using. </li> </ol> Chef’s tip To soak rice noodles, place in a large heatproof glass bowl. Cover noodles with boiling water. Set aside for 5-7 minutes or until noodles are tender but still firm, stirring occasionally. Pho Flavours Pho (pronounced fuh) is a traditional Vietnamese noodle dish. It is easily adaptable to your family's favourite foods. Use pork, beef or tofu instead of chicken. No rice noodles? Try cooked wholemeal spaghetti. And the topper ideas are endless! Give fresh green shallots, basil, shredded cabbage and a drizzle of sriracha sauce a try. Image: Getty

Food & Wine

“Good for the soul!”: Sir Rod Stewart wows fans with good deed

Sir Rod Stewart has <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/sir-rod-stewart-shows-off-road-work-skills-after-his-ferrari-couldnt-get-through/YMW3CFMIXAFZWTBWLHW37O7HCQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared</a> his newest skill to the delight of his many fans - and it involves a spade and plenty of high-vis gear. The 77-year-old singer took to Instagram over the weekend, sharing clips of him working to fill gaping potholes near his home that he says “no one can be bothered” to fix. “Working for a living, filling holes is good for the soul! 🕳😇” he captioned the post. He recruited a team of friends to help him repair the road near his house in Harlow, Essex, and described in the clip how the potholes had caused several incidents and even stopped his Ferrari from getting through. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-eLDONvT1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-eLDONvT1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sir Rod Stewart (@sirrodstewart)</a> </div> </blockquote> “This is the state of the roads near where I live in Harlow, and it’s been like this for ages,” he says in another clip, while his friends can be heard shovelling in the background. “People are smashing their cars up. The other day there was an ambulance with a burst tyre. “My Ferrari can’t get through here at all so me and the boys thought we’d come do it ourselves.” Stewart also took the opportunity to criticise the government spending “millions and millions of pounds” on the M11 highway rather than fixing local roads. His good deeds received a flood of support from fans and friends, as well as from his daughter Ruby - who commented with a love heart - and Kimberly - who posted several applauding emojis. “👏Bravo Rod! 🕳👏,” Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood commented. “And not a hair out of place,” one fan added. “Legend Rod! That road is a nightmare!!! Appreciate it,” a fellow road user wrote. “Well said. I live in Harlow and the roads are getting a joke with the amount of holes,” another said. “And I thought my town was bad at filling potholes! Good for you!” a fourth shared. Some joked that Stewart was coming full circle by filling in holes after doing a short stint of work measuring grave plots at Highgate Cemetery when he was younger. “Takes you back to your graveyard days I’m sure,” one person commented, referencing the <a href="https://www.neatorama.com/origin/2012/10/21/Rod-Stewart-Was-Never-a-Gravedigger/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">popular myth</a> that he was a gravedigger. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/rod-dig.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Sir Rod Stewart took matters into his own hands to fix the dangerous potholes near his Essex home. Images: @sirrodstewart (Instagram) Others shared their concern for the rocker’s health ahead of his North American tour in the US and Canada later this year. “Don’t hurt yourself I got tickets to see you in June,” one concerned fan said. “Good for you, take it easy, don’t want a sprained muscle before touring!!” another commented. Stewart made the difficult decision in January to cancel his tours in Australia and New Zealand due to ongoing cases of COVID-19. “My dear friends, once again I feel we’ve all been cheated by this evil disease, so it is with great regret that I announce my shows for 2022 have had to be cancelled,” he said <a href="https://www.livenation.com.au/show/1300298/rod-stewart/melbourne/2022-03-16/en?irgwc=1&clickid=Wu0TYCWS6xyITgVTtF0KkW%3ALUkGTi5yJtyxm3Q0&camefrom=CFC_BUYAT_253533&impradid=253533&REFERRAL_ID=tmfeedbuyat253533&wt.mc_id=aff_BUYAT_253533&utm_source=253533-Zumic%20Entertainment&impradname=Zumic%20Entertainment&utm_medium=affiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a statement</a>. “I’m absolutely gutted with disappointment and when I do eventually get there we’ll have the party to end all parties. Guaranteed!” Image: @sirrodstewart (Instagram)

Travel Trouble

Trolls really are just angry souls

Words don’t come easy. But anger does. Research suggests it’s not the anonymity of the internet that excites hostility. Instead, being obnoxious is usually already well and truly entrenched in an online troll. <div class="copy"> A <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/psychology-of-online-political-hostility-a-comprehensive-crossnational-test-of-the-mismatch-hypothesis/C721597EEB77CC8F494710ED631916E4" target="_blank">study</a> published last weekend by the journal American Political Science Review aimed to pin down differences in online and offline behaviour, based on surveys of more than 8000 US and Danish subjects. Common excuses for social-media and chat-room angst include a loss of empathy through the lack of body-language feedback, the minimal context conveyed by raw text, and reduced inhibitions through responding from a safe, familiar place. “There are many psychological reasons why we might have a harder time controlling our temper online,” says lead author Alexander Bor. “In the end, personality differences turn out to be a much stronger driver of online hostility.” Put simply, the study’s statistics suggest online trolls are already trolls long before they get behind a keyboard. They turn out to be just as hostile in face-to-face debates. And that has implications for troll slayers. “We cannot remove online hate through education because it is not born out of ignorance,” says the Danish postdoc student. “Hostile people know that their words hurt, and that is why they use them.” But Macquarie University Department of Indigenous Studies professor Bronwyn Carlson says online trolls aren’t that two dimensional, though personality does play a key role. “It is not as simple as some people are more aggressive or assertive and others are not,” she says. For example, racists can express their views through aggressive online trolling, but they also can “remain friendly while they continue making racist comments or ‘help’ us see the ‘great things’ Western civilisation has done for us”. “It is not always the case that they remain anonymous, either – some, and indeed many, are happy to have it known who they are, and they stand by their views.” Flinders University digital technology security and governance researcher Dr Zac Rogers says the study reinforces the danger posed by amplified trollish voices, and how such “useful idiots” can be exploited. “Anger drives responses,” he says. “That means more clicks. That means more revenue. Social media and search algorithms have long since discovered this and actively promote it.” Feeding trolls is big business. And angry trolls make useful political and marketing tools. Anger draws the attention of profit-seeking algorithms, Dr Rogers says. So the more intense a gathering of trolls, the further their voice – and message – gets propelled. “But we need to be wary of any suggestions social media is only holding a mirror up to society,” he says. “The internet serves as an automated filter and funnel. It is an amplification mechanism that is highly distorting of the thing it reflects.” Bor agrees. “To end online hate, we need to decrease the visibility and reach of those who are hateful. The alternative is that many people will be deterred from participating in online discussions. This is a democratic problem, given that social media play a larger and larger role in political processes.”  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=163543&title=Trolls+really+are+just+angry+souls" alt="" width="1" height="1" /> </div> <div id="contributors"> <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/trolls-really-are-just-angry-souls/" target="_blank">This article</a> was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/jamie-seidel" target="_blank">Jamie Seidel</a>. Jamie Seidel is a freelance journalist based in Adelaide. Image: Getty Images </div>

Mind

Is love losing its soul in the digital age?

Instagram users have taken to issuing “weekiversary posts,” where they diligently mark the duration of their romances. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/opinion/sunday/relationships-love-instagram.html">An article</a> in The New York Times explained how weekiversary posts have the unintended – or very much intended – consequence of shaming people who are not in love. The article also noted that this phenomenon <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/opinion/sunday/relationships-love-instagram.html">makes some doubt</a> the intensity of their own relationship. They wonder why their partners are not similarly starry-eyed and gushing online. Some even admitted that this phenomenon prompted them to stay in relationships longer than they should have: they go on celebrating their weekiversaries, just to keep up appearances. In truth, this could apply to any of the social media platforms, where people increasingly feel the need to act their lives in real time in a public format, documenting every event and incident, no matter how remarkable or mundane. As a <a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300208931/do-guns-make-us-free">philosopher</a> researching the topic of privacy, I found myself thinking about the brave new culture of digital sharing. What does it say about love, that many are compelled to live their romances aloud, in detailed fashion? <h2>Why display your love?</h2> On one hand, there is nothing new here. Most of us seek the approval of others – even before our own, sometimes. Others’ approval, or their envy, makes our joy sweeter. Philosopher <a href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rousseau/">Jean Jacques Rousseau</a> recognized something like this when he distinguished between “amour de soi” and “amour propre” – <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=n0tdG2qZFJUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=rousseau+second+discourse&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ2J-3sazgAhUPTt8KHQRbDNAQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=rousseau%20second%20discourse&f=false">two different forms of self love</a>. The former is love that is instinctual and not self-reflective. Rousseau sees it in presocial man, who is unconcerned with what other people think of him. Largely, he loves himself unconditionally, without judgment. Society, which complicates our lives irredeemably, introduces amour propre. This is self-love mediated through the eyes and opinions of others. Amour propre, in Rousseau’s view, is deeply flawed. It is hollow, flimsy, if not downright fraudulent. The opinions and judgment of others change rapidly and do not make for a firm foundation for honest, enduring, confident self-love and any emotions related to or rooted in it. This suggests an unflattering view of weekiversary posts. Are they just one’s way of satiating the need for amour propre – meeting the approval, and stoking the envy of online witnesses? Are they for one’s lover at all? Or, are they for public affirmation? <h2>Curating our life stories</h2> Is there a more positive way to make sense of weekiversary posts? Philosopher <a href="https://www.biography.com/people/paul-ricoeur-9458208">Paul Ricoeur</a> argued that humans have an inherent need to view their lives <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=5h9lJLdjoBwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=ricoeur+time+and+narrative+volume&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwif8fGbsqzgAhUlh-AKHbpZDS8Q6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=ricoeur%20time%20and%20narrative%20volume&f=false">in a narrative fashion</a>. This is a prime way in which a person makes sense of his or her world. Specifically, one aims to project a narrative structure onto life, and give it a beginning, a climax and, hopefully, a fitting conclusion. The individual also wishes to situate his life story within a greater narrative, be it social, historical or cosmic. Social media, I believe, gives us newfound powers to curate the story of our lives, and if need be, change characters, dominant plot lines or background themes, how and when we like. In documenting everyday events and occurrences, we could even elevate them and lend them a degree of significance. So, it might seem perfectly natural that people would like to narrate their budding romances. I am now long and happily married, but I remember how first love is both exhilarating and confusing. It’s a mess of emotions to work out and understand. Among the many mixed messages issued by family, society and the media, it is often difficult to know how best to navigate romance and determine if you are doing things right – or if you have found “the one.” In fact, I sought to get a handle on it all by writing down my many thoughts. This helped give me clarity. It objectified my thoughts – I literally projected them on paper before me, and could better understand which were more resonant, powerful and pressing. <h2>Love and insecurity</h2> Social media, on the other hand, is not designed for introspection or soul-searching: Posts must be relatively short, eye-catching and declarative. Twitter emissions only tolerate 280 characters. Ambiguity has no place there. Social media isn’t the place to hash through a host of conflicting emotions. You are either in love, or you are not – and if you are in love, why declare it if it isn’t blissful? As Facebook discovered, negative posts tend to lose followers – and many people <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/30/technology/facebook-tinkers-with-users-emotions-in-news-feed-experiment-stirring-outcry.html">want to keep up their viewership</a>. The legal scholar <a href="https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/bernard-harcourt">Bernard Harcourt</a> argues that social media sharing <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ymouCwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=bernard+harcourt&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHl7q4sqzgAhWHm-AKHdmzADIQ6AEINDAC#v=onepage&q=bernard%20harcourt&f=false">evokes the great American tradition of entrepreneurship</a>. From this perspective, in issuing weekiversary posts, individuals are creating an identity and a story – they are generating a brand that they can market widely. It’s hard to see how this phenomenon contributes to or makes for lasting and fulfilling relationships. If, for example, as Ricoeur says, social media effusions are an attempt to elevate the mundane, the simple, the everyday, and lend it special meaning, it begs the question: Why might one feel the need to do this repeatedly, persistently? I would argue that it betrays an air of insecurity. After all, at some point, all the affirmation one needs should come from your lover. <h2>True love</h2> There is an understandable need for young lovers to pronounce their joy in public. But love, when it matures, does not live publicly. Loving couples are not necessarily easy to pick out in public. I think of my parents, and my in-laws, married for nearly 50 years. They can sit with each other in comfortable silence for long periods of time. They can also communicate with each other without saying a word. Love is largely a private relationship, and demands intimacy. Only in intimacy does the inherent ambiguity or complexity of love emerge. Only in intimacy are you and your partner fully seen and known, with all your shortcomings or contradictions – and they are forgiven. It is in these intimate moments that lovers learn to tolerate ambiguity, negotiate differences and endure.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/110686/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Written by Firmin DeBrabander, Professor of Philosophy, Maryland Institute College of Art. Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/is-love-losing-its-soul-in-the-digital-age-110686" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.

Relationships

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is “seriously ill”

Legendary singer Aretha Franklin is “seriously ill” and receiving hospice care in Detroit, Michigan, according to US media. “Aretha is surrounded by family and people close to her” in Detroit and “the family is asking for prayers and privacy”, reports <a href="http://www.showbiz411.com/2018/08/12/exclusive-aretha-franklin-queen-of-soul-gravely-ill-in-detroit-winner-of-18-grammy-awards">Showbiz 411</a>. The US Today show reporter Charles Croucher also shared an update on the singer’s health. "We know she's battled cancer since 2010 and struggled with health on numerous occasions recently. But it seems like things are in a bad state for the Queen of Soul. She is loved around the world... 18 Grammys and the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She performed on stage and on the big screen in movies as well, but it's that voice and that power that people remember so fondly," he said. The 76-year-old cancelled concerts earlier this year due to health concerns. She last performed at an event for Elton John's AIDS foundation in November 2017. “Aretha Franklin has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months,” her management <a href="https://ew.com/music/2018/03/17/aretha-franklin-cancels-upcoming-concerts/">said in a statement</a> in March. Last year, the Queen of Soul said she was <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/aretha-franklin-announces-retirement/">planning to retire from touring</a> following the release of her new album. At the time, she said she wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren. Showbiz 411 claims Franklin is battling cancer after being diagnosed in 2010. However, Franklin has previously denied that she has cancer. The 18-time Grammy winner did confirm that she underwent surgery for an unspecified health scare in 2010. “He (the doctor) said, ‘The surgery that you just had is going to add 15 to 20 more years to your life’,” Franklin told Access Hollywood. Franklin is widely considered one of the greatest vocalists of all time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Some of music’s biggest stars, including Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott, tweeted their love and support to Franklin.

Music

Aretha Franklin’s drastic weight loss transformation will stun you

Aretha Franklin has taken to social media to reveal her dramatic weight loss transformation, and as you can see below the results speak for themselves. The 75-year-old singer, who is popular for hits like Respect and Say A Little Prayer, looked slimmer than ever in these photos posted on Instagram recently. <img width="498" height="440" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40475/aretha-franklin-in-text-2_498x440.jpg" alt="Aretha -Franklin -In -Text -2"/> Image credit: Instagram / wolf_trap <img width="499" height="425" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40476/aretha-franklin-in-text_499x425.jpg" alt="Aretha -Franklin -In -Text"/> Image credit: Instagram / upscalemagazine Franklin recently told a US TV station that this would be her last year performing, “I am retiring this year. I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.” What do you think of the transformation? What’s your favourite Aretha Franklin song? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d be keen to hear from you.

Music

Blind goat finds caring soul mate

Marica was born blind in the Spring of 2015 at a goat meat farm. The farm owner wasn’t interested in caring for a special needs animal, and what followed was a decision that saved Marcia’s life. A neighbour contacted Farm Sanctuary – an animal advocacy group that provides homes for unwanted or abused farm animals – and the organisation was able to give Marcia a place to romp and roam at its location in Orland, California. But being blind made Marica anxious and scared when she was alone. It wasn’t realistic for a human caretaker to be with her 24 hours a day. That’s why staff was so excited in July when they rescued Maurice, a kid they suspected would be the perfect pal for Marcia. Upon meeting, it was love at first sight, with Maurice helping Marcia get around and functioning as her “seeing-eye goat.” The video above shows just how dee their bond is. Source: animalsoffarmsanctuary.com Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/09/dogs-make-the-best-companions/">8 reasons why dogs are the bee’s knees</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/08/signs-your-pet-is-sick/">10 signs your pet is sick</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/cats-are-like-psychopaths-gallery/">11 ways cats are like “psychopaths”</a>

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