Easy Virtue

Last I was watching the movie Easy Virtue (Starring Colin Firth, Jessica Biel). It was originally shot by Alfred Hitchcock in 1928 but I didn’t have chance to watch it. When I started watching this movie I was not expecting to see a grand prix racing at Monte Carlo in 1930s. The first minutes of the movie starts with nostalgic grand prix race in Monte Carlo. And at that moment, this movie caught my attention! However the involvement of cars was not limited with the race sequence. After the race, Jessica Biel drives BMW 328. I am not sure about the model but I think that is a 328! And this means the time is after 1936! Actually I am not sure about this, if I found reliable information I will share it here.

After watching the movie, I searched YouTube for vintage racing footages. And I found some :) And I also shocked! The safety measures were nothing at those times, I am not talking about safety car. There is not seat belt, no safety barrier, no safety flags, cars don’t have any safety. And drivers were dying during the race and it was mentioned like something very normal. When you consider contemporary races, drivers at those times would not consider as a real race. Like many people I always respect the drivers in early years of motor racing. Winning and losing was so tightly attached with living and dying, I think we cannot understand how it feels to race those times. By the way in one of the footage, Alfa Romeo was taking over the Bugatti !

I hope you will enjoy the nostalgic Grand Prix race :)

Charity Posting

This posting is for charity event which is organized by University of Birmingham, The Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS). This is an official charity event, therefore I have placed the web link to pages which can be found in University of Birmingham’s website.

Original website, Facebook Page

'Give a Xmas smile' flyer (PDF 2.13MB, opens new window)

Give a Xmas smile!

The Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS) is organising a Christmas Charity Event in association with Birmingham Children's Hospital (Event No. 02459).

Be a 'smile-giver' in 3 simple steps:

1. Pick a label from the Xmas Tree

2. Buy the present (as a group or as an individual) for the child which is in hospital

3. Return the wrapped gift under the tree and replace the label with a Xmas decoration which is already provided by us

All presents will be given to children who are currently patients at the Oncology / Cancer Unit (Ward 15) of Birmingham Children's Hospital. The event will be held between the 2nd -13th December.

Location of Xmas Tree: 3rd Floor POLSIS, Muirhead Tower East

here are two POLSIS Christmas Trees this year, one in the Undergraduate Office and one in the Postrgraduate Office- both in the third floor of Muirhead Tower. But THIS year instead of decorations... the Xmas trees have labels! Each label represents a present of around £10. It is up to you which label you pick (green are for boys and red labels are for girls). 'Smile - givers' can either buy the presents individually or as a group. Once the present is bought it should be placed under the tree and the label replaced by a xmas decoration (we already have these in a box under the xmas tree). The goal is that by December 13th the tree will be full of Xmas decorations and presents rather than labels! The labels are going fast so please make sure you pick one before they are all taken.

Alternatively, you can donate to the cause by giving the money to the secretaries (either UG or PG Office) who will pass this forward and the present will be bought on your behalf.

'Give a Xmas smile' flyer (PDF 2.13MB, opens new window)

To avoid any infection / hazards the hospital has asked for only new presents and no soft toys please. For further questions or to find out how to get involved please email Eleni Christodoulou: eleni.cyp@gmail.com