I'm by the merciful Wensum again
1984 all over again
of memories clean
where Sisters of Mercy have been
returning
to down another wine
my libration
before the D-day
tomorrow
connecting a past
with an unknown future
the day, today
is 1984, making way
2006 soi-disant.

written by lauren6
19h00
in waiting...

Tony Blair's body language speaks volumes when he is under stress - and what it is saying is: "I want my mummy."

The helpless baby inside the Prime Minister was exposed by psychologist Dr Peter Collett. He pointed to Mr Blair's habit of touching his stomach in stressful situations, such as being asked awkward questions about the war in Iraq.

Dr Collett, from Oxford University, told the BA Festival of Science in Norwich: "It takes us back to a point in our lives when we were babies.

"When babies get distressed, mothers often rub their tummies to calm them down. Tony's mother's not around to rub his tummy, so he does it himself."

The Chancellor is often seen at Tony Blair's side, but still fails to show his support, the study claims
The revelation is just one of Dr Collett's findings from his research unpicking the body language of politicians. Studying the secret signals of gestures and facial expressions also shines a spotlight on the strained relationship between Mr Blair and Gordon Brown.

When Mr Blair is speaking, the Chancellor is often seen at his side, desperately trying - and failing - to show his support.

"There's a lot of nodding, but when he's nodding he's looking sick," Dr Collett told the meeting at the University of East Anglia.

Mr Brown's averted eyes during the Prime Minister's speeches betrayed what he was really thinking, said Dr Collett. This related to what psychologists called "attention structure of group".

In a group of chimpanzees, subservient members will instinctively keep their eyes fixed on the leader. Humans display the same behaviour - but Mr Brown deliberately avoids looking at Mr Blair, and instead often stares straight ahead. Invariably, a fake smile is plastered across his face at the same time.

Dr Collett tore apart a political broadcast last year which attempted to show the two figures as close and supportive colleagues.

"It was a total conceit which made them look as if they were in love," he said.

Again, the averted eyes told the real story, as did Mr Blair wrinkling up his nose as if in response to a bad smell. Mr Brown was particularly inept at appearing sincere, said Dr Collett.

"Brown just hasn't got it," he said. "The error he commits constantly is the error of assembly. He produces what I call a flashbulb smile. It's there and it's off."

Mr Blair also appeared submissive in the presence of US President George W Bush, for instance, by keeping his hands in his pockets and allowing himself to be pushed to the side when the two appeared together. However, in this case the body language signals were probably genuine.

Mr Bush, on the other hand, went out of his way to reinforce his dominance. This was shown in his verbal exchanges as well as his fondness for bomber jackets and John Wayne-style "power walks".

Dr Collett said that when Mr Bush recently greeted the PM with "Yo Blair!", he really meant, "You're not a man of the people because you don't understand that kind of hip talk."

The greatest moment of 1996, and this powerful video, which I continue to admire today, ten years later...the 'something' within this song is a need I have right now, awaiting surgical uncertainty...percentages of risk, threat of severing nerves, heaven forbid.

This song, this video, this sound, this imagery, is where I'm going right now, within my walls...my healing begins, see you on the other side, hopefully...

Future Sound of London: My Kingdom

One of my favourite songs, brilliant, and today, for a special reason.

The Mission: Tower of Strength

You raise me up
When I'm on the floor
You see me through
When I'm lonely and scared
And I'm feeling true to the written word
And you're true to me
And still I need more
It would tear me apart
To feel no one ever cared
For me
For me
For me
You are a tower of strength to me

You stand firm and proud
When the wind blows in your face
And when the sun shines in your eyes
You just turn your head away
To me
To me
To me
You are a tower of strength to me

You rescue me
You are my faith
My hope
My liberty
And when there is darkness all around
You shine bright for me
You are the guiding light

To me
To me
To me
You are a tower of strength to me

You are all passion and heart
When I lay in your embrace
And heaven is in your kiss
Salvation lies just a touch away

To me
To me
To me
You are a tower of strength to me

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