Feature - page 48

Christmas is a distant memory.  Corona Virus is still around, but with hopefully an end in sight, and
Easter is just around the corner.  In the pre-Christmas issue of Gibraltar Insights, we outlined three simple steps that you can take to make you, your family, your business and Gibraltar more secure and #hardtohack.  In this issue we will introduce three more steps to continue building your cyber resilience.

While banking security continues to become more secure, as we have already discussed changing passwords breaks the chain if your personal data has been breached. So, as an additional precaution change your online banking password regularly. Yes it’s a faff. Yes, it’s easy to find something else to do. Yes, you are going to have to choose and then remember a new password. However, ask yourself this. Are you absolutely, 100% confident that your bank password is not compromised? Is there a chance that you may have used the same password for another login elsewhere? Could that service have been breached and the data compromised and made available to cyber-criminals? How concerned would you be if a criminal could access your bank account and take money from you? If your answer is, I am not 100% sure that I have not used the password elsewhere, and that they have not been breached, and/or I would be devasted if a criminal could access my bank account, then change your password!!! It should take you no more than five minutes, and by doing so will mitigate that gut wrenching, vomit inducing risk of discovering your bank account or savings have been cleared out. Invest time in your security. Be #hardtohack.

Does your Wi-Fi router have a password for you to access your Wi-Fi? I suspect so; however, what you may not know is that your Wi-Fi router also has an admin password to enable you to manage settings within your router, including the ability to change your Wi-Fi access password. While not true of all routers, often the admin password to access your router is a standard factory password. So what? Well consider it this way. How many times have you gone to access a Wi-Fi network and you have been given the option to join the network of the house or business next door? If a device can pick up a Wi-Fi network next door, this also means that a cyber-criminal could access your Wi-Fi network from outside/nearby your home or business. Most Wi-Fi providers identify themselves by their brand names in order for you to recognise and join them. This means that a cyber-criminal can identify what internet service provider you are using, Google what web address is required to access the web-based admin portal and also Google the factory standard password. Ok, but so what…? Well, if you have not changed the admin password, a cyber-criminal can gain access to your router, change the router password so you cannot access the admin area, identify all the devices on the network for further exploitation and, if they wanted to, change your Wi-Fi access password – just to be annoying. To prevent this, change your Wi-Fi router password! And make note of it! To do this find the instructions for your router and the process to login into the admin area. Alternatively do as the cyber-criminal would do and google the IP address for your router’s admin portal, and while you are at it the factory standard password.

What on Earth do you mean? What are they, and why would I? Setting Quad9 as your DNS server is a web navigation setting on your device. It protects you, your family or members of your business from inadvertently navigating to and landing on bogus sites and infecting devices with malware as a result of a mis-typed website URL. We all do this from time to time, and cyber criminals know this. They hedge their bets and replicate the site you wanted to go to on the mis-spelt domain. You land on the page knowing no difference because it looks almost identical. You then click on a menu item or link and without realising you have executed malware and/or ransomware on to your device – cue potential issues. Quad9 is run by a non-profit entity called the Global Cyber Alliance. It is founded by various law enforcement and research organizations to help reduce cyber-crime. The service warns you when you might be navigating to a commonly mistyped or spoofed sites. Google “Quad9 Set Up” or search Quad9 on YouTube for a super simple explanation about what their service provides and how to implement it on Windows or a Mac in six simple steps.

For the first 3 steps in the #HARDTOHACK series check out the December edition at www.gibraltarinsight.com or Issuu.com

Michael Wills is co-founder and chief data officer for CSS Platinum.
For further information on the company and the services it provides to Gibraltar businesses and the international yachting industry, please visit https://cssplatinum.com and/or email support@cssplatinum.com.

As we move further into the new year of 2021, we must gather our wits and our inner strength and remember who we are. Are you ready to courageously seize the opportunities which are going to present themselves to you this year?

You are a sovereign human being… you are not a human ‘doing’ but a human ‘being’ with a body, a heart, a mind and a soul. These four aspects or pillars must be recognised and nourished in order for you to live a full and successful life; in order for you to live the best version of yourself that you possibly can be. And you can!

The last year has tested all of us… in one way or another.  Many people have lost loved ones, lost businesses, lost incomes, lost homes, been separated from friends and family members.  Lost precious time that they will never get back. The challenges have come thick and fast and, all too often, just when you are rising to your feet again another blow lands and you feel so overwhelmed that you feel you will never rise again.  You will. The world has never experienced anything like this and here we are living through this incredible period in the story of mankind.

It has been well documented that in the Chinese language, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters, one representing danger and the other, opportunity. 

I love this interpretation and I feel that it could never be more relevant than now… in this year of 2021. 

Within every crisis there resides the seeds of opportunity.   The current global crisis is no exception.  In fact, if you just stop for a moment and have a look at your life over the last year you will see that you have invoked this idea on many, many occasions. You may have had to be strong for someone who is normally strong for you.  You may have had to be innovative in ways to earn money, pay your bills, feed your family, home-school your kids.  You may have had to learn to live without things that you thought you never possibly could or you may have found yourself in circumstances which have forced you to learn new skills, update old ones or change direction altogether.  

I believe that the world has been undergoing a monumental shift, a rebirth. I would even say a rescue mission… rescuing mankind from ever increasing darkness and bringing us forth into light.  Into remembering who we really are, our true worth, creating a new world of love, respect and joy for our children and grandchildren. Birthing is never an easy process… the mother needs love and support and the baby needs to keep travelling down through the darkness of the birth canal in order to enter the glorious light of the world and into the arms of love and security. Breathing is essential as is belief in the outcome and the understanding that upheaval is a necessary part and parcel of the experience.

And, so it is with our wonderful world at this time. 

The crisis may be raging but still the seeds are growing. Those seeds are growing into the opportunities for your future. Are you willing to recognise them, water them and encourage them to grow?  The best way is to have no expectations but to listen to your heart and your intuition.  The energy of upheaval raises our vibrations and we become much more sensitive to everything.  We are on alert.  This can manifest as fear but with some self-work and inner healing we can transmute fear into love.  Remember that fear is nothing more than ‘false expectations appearing real’ and once we can see that, we simply choose ‘love over everything’ instead. It is a change in perspective and one that will transform your life and inspire those around you. 

Get creative and start with yourself.  Think about the things that you love to do just for the sake of doing them. That you can teach your children or create an extra income from. Reawaken your dreams and imagine them being part of and shaping your daily life.  Those seeds are just waiting for you to recognise them and start bringing them to fruition.

You are a created being and so you are a creative being and now you have the greatest opportunity ever to create your best life taking small steps and growing slowly and steadily into the person you were created to be. 

It is important to be very clear about how you want your future to look and to have clarity and awareness on where you want to go.  It does not have to be complicated – simple is often the best.  It is about being rather than doing.

Opportunities come in many guises and you must be of open mind and raised awareness in order to recognise them when they come calling.  Be watchful and aware of everything happening around you and remain motivated so that when you are ready to take action you will move fearlessly and courageously. There will be setbacks… treat them as opportunities to reach higher. 

Stay calm and centred, confident and in control. When you do this, you will always walk in your invisible power from your heart centre. You will grow in self respect and remain true to your highest self. 

Just do it… and have a wonderful year!

Kate Mchardy MA(Hons) PGCE MSPH Spiritual coach, teacher and healer. katemch@gmail.com / Tel: +44 7712889534. Facebook: The University of Light Group / Readings at The University of Light (@tarotangelspiritreadings). 

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

You’ll find yourself moving on from a certain situation in your life, Aries. There will be a bittersweet feeling about this, for sure, but in your heart, you know that the time is right. The trick is to hold the memories and the good energy in your heart while creating space for new ones. 

TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21) 

March is such a powerful month for you, Taurus. The sun is shining on all your endeavours, so don’t judge yourself or procrastinate. Go forward with confidence and allow others to also benefit from your golden aura. Success is assured. 

GEMINI (May 22 – Jun 22) 

A big opportunity will present itself to you this month, Gemini, but it is up to you to be out there energetically to recognize and receive it! This is about more than monetary reward… it is about valuing yourself and being willing to speak your truth. Not always easy but always worth it!

CANCER (Jun 23 – Jul 22)

Gather your inner strength this month this – the strength that is in your heart! Your inner power can be formidable when it has to be and when the situation calls for this there is no holding you back.  Keep the channels of communication open – they will thank you.

LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 23) 

The energies on the planet are very, very powerful this year, Leo, and this month you will be called on to support and guide one or more people through some soul searching and formative times. You can do it and, indeed, it is like you were born for the purpose. Well done!

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sep 23)

Your sensitive soul has been put to the test during these last months, Virgo, and no you are not crazy – just very sensitive. You may have been feeling like you are in a dark tunnel with no end in sight. Well, fear not – you are indeed in a tunnel but there is light at the end of it. The light of Christ consciousness and love. 

LIBRA (Sep 24 – Oct 23) 

You will experience a profound change this month, Libra. A change which will shock you but over the coming weeks will fill you with a lightness and a joy. You will see things quite differently and with more optimism and feelings of being held down will simply vanish. 

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22) 

You can look forward to a great success this month, Scorpio. Something you have worked hard for and strived to achieve will become yours. So, pat yourself on the back and celebrate. You very much deserve to few

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21) 

You will benefit from some TLC this month, Sagittarius, but you need to be willing to receive it. Put your ego to one side and allow your vulnerable side to step forth … and give others the chance to show how much they care

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20) 

Your inner child wants to spread its wings this month, Capricorn. So, listen to it and indulge it!! In other words, loosen up and stop feeling as thought the entire world depends on you to fix it!! We all have our part to play and it safe to be responsible and have fun!

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19) 

We are now officially in the Age of Aquarius, and it is time for your soul to sing! Sing from your heart and the rest will follow. Listen to your soul… your higher wisdom… the world so needs this and the simple gentle energy that will flow forth. 

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20) 

If you have been having thoughts of opening your own business then this is the prime time to do so. Pisces. You do have a tendency to over think and to procrastinate or get tangled up in other peoples’ dreams.  This month put your own dreams to the fore and do not hold back!

Wedding Proposals conjures up images of romance, surprise and absolute joy of that magical moment, and the future shared life.

James and John both proposed to their partners in Cornwall, in beautiful, moving and deeply personal ways. Here are their stories:

James, 38 and Megan Browne, 37, live in Warwickshire with their 10 month old son Finley. James is a Director of a Digital Agency. Megan is an Assistant Head Teacher at a Secondary School.

‘We met on Match.com in 2010. Meg had had a few dates on the platform but she was the one and only date I had from Match. 

I immediately knew I wanted a serious relationship with Meg. We both fondly remember those first few months. It felt like a very natural process. We were both cautious as I had never really been in love before, so it was a gradual build up. It was 6 years before we got engaged. I knew I’d met someone really special and Meg felt the same. 

Cornwall was our first holiday destination so I wanted to propose there. Also, Meg loves the Cornish coast. I knew the area a little but because of distance and logistics, I needed help. Jenny (who I found on Google) was an experienced wedding planner so clearly I was in safe hands. We looked at a few options. 

We discussed another elaborate plan – then Jen told me about Lusty Glaze. It seemed to be the perfect spot, where we could stay over, get engaged and have dinner afterwards. 

Due to the time of year, we could pretty much guarantee we would have the beach to ourselves. Meg loves camping so having a bell tent with a candle lit walkway leading to it from our cabin was perfect. The bell tent was incredible. When we arrived it was beautifully lit, with a romantic fire and personal items such as photos of us. I then presented Meg with a photobook which documented our key relationship moments. I was on one knee when Meg reached the final page, a photograph of me holding a “Will you marry me?” sign. We toasted our future with a glass of fizz by the fire, looking out over the Atlantic. The whole proposal was captured discreetly. We now have a video and photos of that incredible moment.  

Meg was genuinely shocked. She had moments in the day where she thought it might be on the cards but by the time it got to the evening, she was expecting my brother to turn up  – he was a decoy! She couldn’t believe the scene and felt that it was the perfect setting for the proposal she’d been waiting for!

We married in August 2017 in our home county of Warwickshire and honeymooned in Italy. Meg planned an elaborate road trip. We welcomed our son Finley in early 2020, just as the Covid pandemic took hold of the UK. 

John Appleby, 36, and Sarah Appleby, 38, live in Hertfordshire. John is a co-founder of tech company in compliance and business management. Sarah is a driving instructor with her own driving school. They have two boys; Jaxon, 2, and Colby, 6 months.

We originally met when we were 15 and 17.  We were both working locally. Sarah worked in a cafe. I use to visit multiple times a day, pretending to be hungry. All I wanted was to see her! I hinted at having a crush on her, but it never materialised. 

On Christmas Day, 18 years later, my sister showed me Sarahs picture on Facebook, saying this woman knows you. I instantly recognised Sarah. My sister was taught to drive by Sarah and were good friends still. We exchanged messages for weeks until our first date.

I think we both knew pretty quickly we liked each other. I made it clear – I wish I had when I was 15! Sarah took a bit longer than me, purely as I had quite a large beard at the time. Unfortunately, the caveman look did not appeal to her! 

I knew I wanted to do something special. After weeks of researching and realising that although Sarah is incredibly organised – I couldn’t ask her! I needed an expert.

Once I had confirmed St Ives, Cornwall, as a location, I contacted relevant companies. I instantly connected with Jenny and we secretly communicated over a few weeks.

Sarah was pregnant at the time so I knew she would not want to fly.

With amazing panoramic views, I knew St Nicholas Chapel was the place I wanted. Jenny looked into the logistics of using the chapel and after considering other options, my heart was firmly with St Nicholas chapel.

After sending photos to be displayed of us, and a playlist of some of our favourite songs, Jenny created a plan of how it will look and how the evening will play out. The plan was after our meal that evening, we would go for a walk and find our way to St Nicholas Chapel.

After our dinner, I coordinated with Jenny so she was waiting close by to ensure it went smoothly. Sarah was feeling tired so I had to use every persuasion skill to encourage her to go for a light walk before bed.  

As we walked up the dark hill, Sarah kept asking where are we going. We approached a chalk board. It asked Sarah to take the key and open the door. After tentatively unlocking it, Sarah was greeted by pictures of us, her favourite flowers and music playing. 

My rehearsed speech went out the window. I got down on one knee and presented her the ring. She immediately burst into tears and shouted yes. We returned to the fire pit, toasting marshmallows whilst enjoying the views. Sarah was so overwhelmed! She couldn’t believe that I went to all of the effort for her, she said it felt like she was in a movie. 

We married in October 2019, at of Wasing Park, in Berkshire. It was an incredible day that took a lot of planning, and was worth the wait. 

Jennifer Granlund, Wedding & Event Planner:
jennywrens.com

In his history of Gibraltar published in 1946, Dr Howes, after consulting all the histories of Gibraltar in English that had appeared up to that date, decided that it had been built by Tarik in 711. Today we know that this is not true.

THE CITY WALLS IN THE XVI CENTURY

Although the chroniclers talk of Tarik having built a hisn (fortification) on the Rock of Gibraltar, historians have ignored the fact that he was in Gibraltar for less than six weeks . There were only seven weeks between his first landing on 27 April 711 and the Battle of Guadalete on 23 July, in which he defeated Roderick’s army. Therefore any fortifications he would have built would have been temporary whilst he assembled his army, which was being transported from Ceuta in the four small ships at his disposal

Thirdly, Francis Carter, in his book, A Voyage from Gibraltar to Malaga, published in 1772, tried to fix a definite date for the construction of the first permanent fortifications in Gibraltar, and through his scant knowledge of the history of the Moslem kingdom of Granada he arrived at a completely wrong date.

In 1843, the Spanish scholar Pascual Gayangos, whilst in political exile in England, translated The History of the Mohammedan Dynasties in Spain of Al Makkari into English.  This book gave the story of how Abd al-Mumin had founded the city of Gibraltar. But this was a very scholarly book and its index in Arabic and scholarly transliterations into Latin characters made it difficult to refer to. So only one historian Frederic George Stephens quotes it in his book, A History of Gibraltar and its Sieges, published in 1870. All other historians, both Spanish and English, ignored this information, but modern scholars have delved more deeply into this question.

The French historian Étien Levi-Provençale researched the Moroccan state archives and in 1941, he published in the Paris journal Hesperis, ‘Trente-sept lettres officielles Almohades’, and one of these letters contains the instructions by Abd al-Mumin for the foundation of the new city of Madinath al-Fath on the Rock of Gibraltar. The text of this letter is given in Heritage Journal 2, page79.

It was left to Leopoldo Torres Balbás to write the definitive story of the foundation of Gibraltar. Torres Balbás was for many years the architect conservator of the Alhambra and he was great Arabist. In 1930, Governor Godley invited him to Gibraltar to investigate the Moorish baths in the newly opened Gibraltar Museum. Torres Balbás always intended returning to Gibraltar to continue his archaeological investigation but he was overtaken by events. When the Civil War broke out he was on holiday in the north of Spain, luckily for him, because if he had been in Granada he would probably have suffered the same fate as all the other liberal intellectuals there, and he would have been shot out of hand. But although he lived for another quarter of a century the Franco regime never allowed him to have a passport so that he could travel outside Spain because of his liberal antecedents. 

Torres Balbás was therefore unable to make his second intended visit to Gibraltar, However, in 1942, he published in the journal Al-Andalus, in Madrid, the results of his research, in an article entitled ‘Gibraltar, llave y guarda de España’. In this article he employed all the known texts on Moslem Gibraltar, including Levi-Provençale’s monograph, the al-Makkari and the recorded visit of Ibn Battutah to Spain. This article appeared at a time when Spain was undergoing a period of great financial crisis as a result of the Civil War and the World war, and very few numbers of the journal were printed, and was ignored by English historians for many years. I was fortunate to obtain a copy from a Spanish friend who found a copy among her father’s possessions after his death and I referred to it in my article on Moslem Gibraltar in Heritage Journal 5, in1998.

Ibn Yuzzay, who was ibn Battutah’s editor adds this gloss to the traveller’s visit to Gibraltar, referring to its capture by the Moroccans in 1333:

‘Our Lord Abu’l Hassan (may Allah have mercy on his soul) built the huge tower which is now found on the highest part of the Kasbah; for before there was only a small one which had been ruined in the siege, and our lord constructed the vast tower in its place which I mentioned.  He also built a dockyard and workshops in Gibraltar, which were lacking, and finally built the great wall which surrounds the red hill, and starts from the dockyard and stretches to the tile works (Red Sands).’ 

The remains of the small tower were incorporated into the massive solid structure that we know as the Moorish Castle, and traces of it have been discovered by archaeologists. It was always assumed that this small tower was part of the original fortifications of Abd-al Mumin’s time, but Manuel López Fernandez, (Heritage Journal 17, 2010) has found in the Chronicle of Fernando IV a statement that ‘otrosi mando labrar una torre encima del recuesto de la villa’ – he ordered the building of a tower on the hill above the town. In other words, there was no tower there before, but because that was the place that the Castillians had broken into the fortifications Fernando realised that this was the weakest point in the fortification and decided to strengthen it by building the tower. When the Moroccans attacked Gibraltar they attacked the same spot and therefore Abu’l Hassan decided that a stronger tower was required and he built what became the largest fortified Moslem tower in Spain. 

How old is the Moorish Castle?

The answer is that the Tower of Homage dates from the middle of the fourteenth century and is about 660 years old, but the original fortifications date back to 1160 and are 850 years old. There is however one proviso, in 1068, al-Mu’tadid, king of Seville, fearing and invasion by the Almoravides of Morocco, ordered the governor of Algeciras ‘to build a fort on Gibraltar’. This was only to prevent a landing by the Moroccans and was probably the origin of the Torre del Tuerto at the New Mole, which the historian Portillo considered a very ancient construction.

The dating of the construction of the Moorish Castle  has been bedevilled over the years by three misconceptions. First we refer to the Tower of Homage as the Moorish Castle and ignore the fact that the original fortifications, built all at one time, were much more extensive than that, they were not just an isolated castle but a fortified Kasbah.

Business and commerce have discovered that they have to reach out to the potential customers and trade in a different way. No crowds no footfall and no shoppers are all bad for business. From the comfort of telephones and laptops we are ordering-in and the long established shopping trends are changing with each new delivery. Staying in is the new going out and you read it here first.

Amazon and the like don’t spend money on prestigious shopping centres, they have gargantuan warehouses and have AI led profiling which will show you, the potential customer, what they think you might buy. Whether you need it or not is bye the bye, they will insist until they make a sale. Their products are in your personal in-tray daily. Unsubscribe or fall victim to ‘online shopaholic blues’. A new ill which makes you feel guilty about not ordering anything online on a regular basis. There is no antidote vaccine for this and no research is yet in place to find one either.  

In the Arts the hub of every society, the long term impact of isolation is yet to be felt worldwide but in the short term, huge artists and performers have been offering up their work for free. Concerts are more intimate now, stripped back of the glitz and glamour for which in pre- Covid19 times we were paying a fortune to attend. Now we are seated up close and personal, warts and all, but happy to share and comment as we follow them around the virtual entertainment universe for free.

A very welcome challenge is that we will have to become increasingly aware of each other and in turn, perhaps kinder and more circumspect in our ‘keyboard warrior’ excursions and put-downs. Coming together as we have recently done during this crisis has also strengthened our community bonds in a virtual way at least and it remains to be seen whether this new broom will keep sweeping once we leave our homes again after lockdown two. Chances are that it will have tempered our resoluteness and forged a tougher ‘Yanito’ metal. That would be a good thing.

Let’s examine the term ‘herd immunity’ by removing it from the medical idiom and asking ourselves whether the indifference to news in general and to the plight of the planet in particular, is not another form of herd immunity that we may well have acquired? Marketing wizards, who are always six jumps ahead of the rest of us, probably have strategies up their sleeves to try to overcome the social distancing that is being created by this indifference to advertising. Notice how sometimes the volume of the TV seems to increase during the ads? For sure that’s no accident.

The challenge to provide new information is good for free thinkers and bad for movers and shakers including news makers. Some of us have learnt not to be too reliant on news led TV.  It’s important to be well informed by serious newspapers and national broadcasters must not be ignored in these times. In the last year the planet has perhaps rebooted and certainly taken a breather from pollution. There is a challenge in not spoiling its honeymoon and a challenge also in filtering what to believe from the glut of information that is being speedily dispensed on the WWW.

Multinationals had already tried subliminal advertising and didn’t succeed because it was made illegal. That would not have stopped them looking for new ways to ‘penetrate’ our subconscious. We may be reading up on the pros and cons of 5G and whatever noises are made against the new technology, it’s only a matter of time before we will be made out to feel backward or technologically deficient if we don’t embrace that futuristic nettle. That is one major challenge that we face in a post-Covid 19 world. 

The Telecoms giants will have been emboldened by the sudden surge in our reliance on the virtual communication tools at our disposal. It won’t have gone unnoticed too that working from home reduces overheads and streamlines the way that new business and commerce is conducted. Transforming our homes into workplaces may seem a convenient thing at first glance but what will happen to the good old fashioned activity of ‘switching off’ in the longer term? That is also an important challenge that we must face up to.

All is not doom and gloom though because the new vaccines are being rolled out at the speed of light- now that will certainly be a challenge- to beat the new strain of the virus before it does more damage. Happily in Gibraltar we are small and the vaccination programme will be easily implemented and carried out. We could all be safe by summer if not sooner, now there’s something to be optimistic about. Where do I sign?

‘These are challenging times that we live in’ may be starting to sound clichéd and weary for most but let’s pause for a minute and examine some of the challenges posed by the near world-wide isolation that the Corona virus pandemic has imposed on society and the way that many things have been done hitherto. Nothing will ever be the same again because most of us have found new ways of doing things. There is a challenge in managing a new found digital independence that kept things ticking over while the lockdowns prevailed.

During these incredibly difficult times, it can be easy to blame politicians, dwell on the challenges of living through a pandemic or feel hugely frustrated with those in charge. However, to be more introspective and examine our own growth during this upsetting time is both healing and somewhat fascinating.  It may also be the most unique experience you will have during your life.

Many people have discovered an inner strength yet still find themselves struggling in everyday situations. 

Walking and connecting to nature is very pivotal to a persons wellbeing. Staying in contact with friends and family, maintaining connections to those close to us is emotionally important – in fact, essential. Being a people person makes lack of socialising difficult so ensuring regular and meaningful contact can keep our emotional wheels turning. 

Where can you find emotional comfort: loved ones, nature, animals possibly favourite hobbies or pastime. For each of us, it will be something different. Whatever gives you a sense of calm, some inner peace, must be embraced and cherished.

The time that we spend by ourselves can be revelation. It gives us the opportunity to explore what is important to us. It provides real time emotional space to discover or rediscover what our priorities are, in all areas of our lives. It is incredible yet somehow poignant that small moments and rituals can make such a big impact on our daily routines.  Whether it is a coffee and a browse through the newspapers or a stroll through a favourite park, recognise what gives you sense of wellbeing.  Feeling loved and cared for gives us all a sense of security. Looking at the past is pointless and trying to predict the future is also using up our energy on a fruitless task. It is worth channelling our feelings on what we can make a difference to, not on situations we have no control over.  The time this situation allows us gives us a chance to be honest with ourselves. Not in a judgemental way but in a measured, knowing way. The only solace at the moment is to live in and appreciate the moment. Has this crisis brought out qualities in ourselves? 

Almost certainly. Empathy, awareness and developing inner strength are all emotional assets, especially now when we need to embrace them more than ever. Some individuals who have needed to self isolate understand more about their own personality.  It allows time to reflect on my strengths, my fragilities, in fact, it gives us room to consider and think about various situations and events throughout our lives.  For others, the extra time has been an opportunity to take on tasks and jobs they would have previously paid for.  Be it home hair colouring, garden maintenance or some DIY jobs that have been neglected due to the pressures of everyday life.  

Vanessa Gebhardt, Mind Coach at Freeletics, the leading provider of AI-based fitness and mindset coaching.

Gebhardt states ‘The pandemic has been tough on everyone’s physical, emotional and mental health. People have learnt new things about themselves and how to cope during these strange times. I have learnt to slow down when it comes to working, which has made me look after my overall wellness and check in with myself every day. 

If you’re not sure where to start, just begin with a to-do list or simply write down your daily goals, thoughts and feelings, there is plenty of room for inspiration and writing down ideas. Journaling helps to give your life more structure, and checking the boxes gives you a feeling of achievement. It also allows you to emotionally navigate your feelings, make sense of them and figure out how to overcome them’.

Physical fitness is incredibly important at all times but non more so than now.  Our mental and emotional health is being severely challenged so the ability to channel our energies into our physical wellbeing is essential. It can prove positive for certain individuals to retain their particular routine, whether it’s a daily walk, online classes or a keep fit regime you have created to meet your abilities and fitness level.  Partaking of exercise at the same time each day can be reassuring and the sense of routine gives us a structure that we all need at such a difficult time.

The examination of ourselves can reveal surprising personality traits that we might not have been aware of. There are those who considered themselves to be quite introvert, not particularly in need of company or socialising. However, when placed in a situation where they are unable to meet up with friends or visit restaurants or bars, they realise just how vital human interaction is.  They are almost surprised how much they actively miss the companionship and interaction with others. This realisation can be emotionally reassuring and comforting. It actually feels good to know you are connected enough to people to actively miss them and desire their company. Another way to engage and be part of a wider community is to watch streamed live music. Of course it cannot replace the physical experience but you can be part of that moment.  There are plays, magicians, comedy – in fact a whole raft of entertainment to draw on. This is particularly valuable to those who live on their own, especially those who are isolating. How we ‘top and tail’ our days can also play a fundamental part in keeping balanced. For those based at home, whether working or perhaps home schooling, it would be easy to stay a little later in bed or watch late night films into the early hours. Our bodies and minds respond to routine. Getting up and going to bed at roughly the same time enables us to create our own rhythm.

Having time freed up can allow us the luxury of thinking, planning and dreaming of what we want. To realise our ambitions and embrace activities that embrace what motivates us.  It is a chance to explore interests that there simply isn’t enough time to enjoy when you are working full time. Delving into books that have been gathering dust on your shelves. Learning to play a musical instrument or picking up one you’ve toyed with over the years. The joy we receive from creative ventures are unique.

Gordon Fraser is a Health and Wellbeing Expert, Executive Coach and Motivational Speaker. Mindfulness and gratitude are two areas Fraser feels are important and comments

‘Stop multi-tasking and be in the moment. Do one thing at a time and giving it your full focus will help you maintain your calm. If you’re throwing your lunch down your neck, watching TV and scrolling through the internet – what’s the quality of your experience of life like? I mean, you won’t even taste or savour your food, slow down, chew much and take it easy’.

Regarding gratitude, Fraser suggests ‘Before you go to bed, write down 5 things you’re grateful for. Have a list next to your bed. It really makes a difference. If you are feeling confident and want to pass it forward you can also text people who you’re grateful for too. This first mental step of appreciation is excellent for your mind health. We spend so much time trying to obtain what we don’t have, (like the six pack).’

Gordon Frazer:

gordonfraser.blog

Vanessa Gebhardt:  

freeletics.com

As I introduce my second column of the New Year we find ourselves still struggling with the Pandemic. When we went into isolation for the first time in March last year I published some poems that were written with the best intentions to promote solidarity and perhaps raise a smile in those dark days which have still not left us. The four selected poems are called ‘Blue Angels’ ‘Lockdown’ ‘Again’ and ‘Deliverance Day.’  I think it’s fair to say that we still have some way to go before we can shake of this bad dream and return to some semblance of our old normal. It is in that spirit that I hope my words will be read and hopefully enjoyed too.

Blue Angels

Mostly they are blue but not always so and we love them to bits

They wear different colours and have different wings but they all matter to us

They have manifested their selflessness to rally against unknown odds

Fate has rolled the dice all over the table and the six has never come up once

Uncertainty and infection were seemingly insurmountable stumbling blocks at first

Blue angels got past the hurdles but yet their folks at home wouldn’t listen

They wouldn’t listen because they were not in that mindset and were not yet ready to obey

There were messages of staying indoors that were being misunderstood unheeded and certainly abused

The threat was still invisible to the naked eye but the havoc it was wreaking everywhere was real enough

World news is somehow still seen as detached from here because local stats are comforting at first glance

Blue angels and all the other divisions of frontline fighters are much loved and appreciated because we know that they will be our heroes

Yet somehow a number of noisemakers at the eight pm balconies rendezvous also make it outside next day – undoing all the good work done the day before

Blue angels are disheartened but they will never gave up on their folk

Day by day and night by night they fight their battles for them 

They are determined to win at all costs and there will be a cost

The fat wallet and the donations cannot buy time and still folk are not listening

Blue angels sometimes cry into their gowns when no one’s looking

Lockdown words

Unexpected unprotected
Segregated isolated disinfected
We were ready we made plans
Top of the list washing hands
Fight this war and win first battle
Still in hiding penned like cattle
Great outside we’re wishing for
Families meeting outside the door
Someone’s coming let them through
We like to ask how do you do
Suspicion lingers just enough
Spoils the moment life is tough
Smiles unseen behind their masks
Frontline heroes do their tasks
News is good what food is news
Life is changing TV views
We just listen – no debate
Unfolding drama at the gate
Are we there yet are we winning
Seems like so but few are grinning
Crystal gazing self effacing
We can’t lose our sense of humour
Don’t stoke the fire in the mill of rumour
Nose out of joint what’s the point
Staying indoors will set you free
Empty chairs just two for tea.
Cupcakes for you sandwich for me
Mortdella lucky fella
Not the way we it used to be
Happy families the more the merrier
Tasty scraps for cat and terrier
Over the top and always noisy
Happy birthday aunty Rosy
Missing that and missing more
Walks along the seashore
What to do what to say
Have to wait another day
Catching flies wishing ‘n’ hoping
Prefer blue skies to indoor moping
Never mind let’s just be kind
Let’s stay bright fit and sane
It will not have been in vain
Well worth staying alive for
That’s who we are resilient to the core.

Again

We shall dance in the supermarket aisles again
We will have our May Day Rally and concert again
We shall eat ‘calentita’ in overcrowded Casemates, again
Maybe not so soon this time but again

Maybe not too long from now we shall be smiling again
Again we will do our Red and White
This is not a shutdown it’s just a temporary glitch
Mother Earth is breathing easier, pollution resting, looking bright
Give her a break while we make our pitch
A vaccine will be found of that we can be sure
It’s waiting in the shadows for science to procure

Since we’re stuck in this together and it’s not of our own making
Let’s all stick to the plan. Let’s share some home baking- not for real- just onscreen
We can’t be too careful if outside we may have been
We shall laugh again, high five again and hug again
All those noisy things that make us who we are
We know we’re blessed, we have a lucky star.

Deliverance

There was joy in the air and we were running because we had to get there
This was going to be the day when most of us would sing and dance
We had found a new way to live because we had left nothing to chance
Far too long we had been quiet and still – very much against our will

Today would be the day that we could abandon precautions
Once again we could cast fate to our wind from the east
What will be will be and hopefully come in the right proportions
Many a tinge of sadness yes but mostly gladness – we had slain the beast

We had to isolate for a while and we had suppressed many a feeling
Time now to let it out with screams and shouts and hugs and many a kiss
Recent memories of fervent prayers and dark days that we wouldn’t miss
So dancing on the ceiling today would be a welcome break from kneeling

A million happy tears have rolled away the years – now we are all the same age
We have been reborn and we should write ourselves a new page
There was joy in the air and we were running because we had to get there
None of us would be late but the gathering crowds had the same idea

Let’s all go there early and get a view that’s clear
No room for moving with so many familiar faces packed in such tiny spaces
Expectation in the air- hearts in our mouths when we finally got there
Today we’re going to celebrate our deliverance day party in Casemates Square.

Suddenly I wake up and reality is clear this D-Day party’s not happening I fear
Would be playing into enemy hands with so many people to each other so near
We shall have to wait and see and those who believe continue to pray
That we come through this lockdown safely and gather to party another day.

Giving chocolates to your loved one on St. Valentine’s Day has been a tradition that goes back to the 1800s, but how exactly did the two become inseparable? Strangely, St. Valentine has little to do with it. The origin of Valentine’s Day is linked back to two early Roman saints, both named Valentine, who were lauded for their sympathetic, heroic, and romantic endeavours. One legend is based on an imprisoned priest named Valentine who sent the first “valentine” message, a letter, to his jailor’s daughter signing it “From your Valentine”.

Chocolate has been revered for centuries, but not always as the delicious, sweet confectionary that we know of today. Cocoa and cacao both come from the Theobroma cacao tree of South America, with the name Theobroma taken from Greek and literally meaning “food of the Gods”.

It was thought to have all begun in ancient Mesoamerica, present day Mexico, where the first cacao plants were found and the Mayan and Aztec indigenous cultures would grind the cacao beans, mix them with water, chilies and cornmeal to form a bitter drink. When the Spanish invaded Mesoamerica in 1519 they witnessed Montezuma, the Aztec King, drinking up to 50 cups of the dark liquid before his visits to his large harem of women, which gave some credence to the myth that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Whilst chocolate does contain tryptophan and phenylethylamine, two chemicals that affect the brain’s pleasure and reward centres, most scientists agree that the amount of these chemicals present in chocolate is too little to have any marked effect on desire.

The Spanish took the cacao bean back to Europe and by the early 1600s “chocolate houses” had become popular spots for social gatherings. The world’s most famous lover, Giacomo Casanova dubbed chocolate the ‘elixir of love’, and reputedly drank large quantities for its stimulating qualities. 

It was during the 1980s that some well-known chocolatiers came up with a process of extracting pure cacao butter from whole cacao beans to create a more desirable form of “drinking chocolate.” This process resulted in an excess of cacao butter, which was used to produce more varieties of what was then called “eating chocolate”.

Are you aware that there is a difference between cacao and what we describe as cocoa? Although both start out as beans from the cacao plant, it is common for chocolatiers to refer to cacao to describe the plant, the pod, the beans and the paste of the beans, whilst cocoa is applied to anything that has been processed, such as chocolate bars, drinks and cocoa powder. Nowadays, cacao powder is often packaged as vegan as it has been minimally processed with no additives.

It was Swiss confectioner Daniel Peter who developed the first solid milk chocolate in 1875, establishing Switzerland as a chocolate-making centre. In an effort to increase sales of chocolate produced by his own chocolate factory and driven by a need to increase his sales, Daniel Peter decided to experiment by adding milk powder, made by his friend Henri Nestlé. Switzerland is still renowned for producing delicious, smooth milk chocolate and some of the most famous chocolate brands in the world today are Swiss. 

Clever marketers started to package chocolates in heart-shaped boxes decorated with Cupids and rosebuds. It was Richard Cadbury, son of John Cadbury one of the leading cocoa and drinking chocolate traders in England, who in 1868 came up with the idea to sell an assortment of their ‘fancy chocolates’ in these decorative boxes. Cadbury’s boxes went on to become a popular gift of love on Valentine’s Day and the boxes were then often used to keep love letters in.  

In Japan, it is women who give chocolates to not only their male partner or to someone they have romantic feelings for, but also to their male colleagues. Men reciprocate a month later in March on White Day, an event dreamed up by chocolate makers in the early 80s to boost sales.

Germany is where you will find little chocolate or marzipan pigs, (the pig represents lust and luck) holding flowers or four-leaf clovers reclining provocatively on chocolate hearts, being exchanged between courting couples.  

Italy is known for romance and Italian lovers traditionally exchange a box of small hazelnut-filled chocolate ‘kisses’ wrapped in silver paper called Baci Perugina (baci means “kiss” in Italian). Each praline holds a little love note, with romantic quotes from philosophers, artists, authors, and proverbs, to help express feelings of love.

Chocolatiers are constantly coming up with unusual, exciting and exotic combinations that enhance the experience of eating chocolates taking it from the ordinary to the sublime. Whether you want to purchase fresh, handcrafted gourmet chocolates or whether you opt for the everyday brands, you can be sure that giving a beautifully decorated box on St. Valentine’s Day will be a sign of love.  

Dark, milk, white or even vegan, some filled with exotic flavours or ingredients such as fruit and nuts – let’s face it, most of us enjoy eating chocolate. Chocolate is synonymous with Valentine’s Day all over the world, especially in the US when the 14th February represents the most lucrative day for chocolate manufacturers. 

It’s all around us. Sometimes it’s subtle, other times it takes a more “in your face” approach. It can tug at your heartstrings… and it can make you smile and laugh. Sometimes it helps add pace and momentum. It’s a skill and craft that manages to marry emotion, technology and – for want of a better word – “vibe.

This is the world of the composer who matches visuals to sounds they create. In recent years, video gaming has also become a key part of this profession. Of course, film and television have been the core genres for years.

Close your eyes, imagine a scene from The Godfather. Can you not help but hear the iconic haunting melody playing along to the visuals in your mind?

Insight was lucky enough to catch up with Gibraltarian Hollie Buhagiar, who is currently in London – a centre of excellence in the mysterious world of composition for TV, film and gaming.

GI: To the uninitiated, what exactly is it that you do?

HB: I am a film and TV composer, in a nutshell I write the original music heard within a project. This generally includes conceptualising, writing and recording the soundtrack as a whole. Most of this tends to be extremely collaborative as it takes a village, I typically work very closely with the director of the piece to fully realise what is needed to complement it.

What’s been your favourite thing you’ve worked on?

Hard to say, I’ve worked on everything from documentary, fiction, animation and VR all of which have varied across genre, from psychological thrillers through to romance. What I would say is that the projects I tend to love and gravitate towards are the ones that feel like they have a narrative that deserves to be seen, one that feels like it will broaden people’s minds and perspectives on various subject matters in a positive way. That being said, I do very much adore all things weird and wonderful too, so those in combination are an absolute dream!

Do you get an idea for the musical concept first, and then doodle? Or do you sit in front of the video rushes and get inspiration from there? Or both?

Every musical idea feels different to me in some way, I’m always trying to find an element of uniqueness to each piece I write, so I find they naturally tend to form in different ways. Sometimes I’ll hum a melody to myself and it’ll excite me into writing something that finds a filmic home later down the line or perhaps I’ll have a film in front of me and that will directly inspire me. As I say it’s always different though, even when starting from a similar position as each narrative too is its own entity, sometimes the dialogue or the general concept, the sound or even the title card font and conversations I’ve had will inspire the final results.

What does your setup look like?

I would say my set up is really quite modest. I believe that depending on the person of course, it can be very easy to get lost in a Scrooge McDuck level of gear and options. I have mainly invested in a few beautiful, crucial bits and pieces like my monitors and microphones. That being said.. I am slowly hoarding instruments as I go and you could argue that it’s slowly becoming quite extravagant. Personally though, I’d much rather invest in real instruments and record them so that they are unique to themselves, even if the space itself isn’t perfect and has quite a character rather to it, I generally take this route rather than purchasing sample packs [software that emulates sounds and instruments] as I have found them to be quite recognisable and that is something I’m always looking to avoid.

How long does it take to complete a project?

This is next to impossible to quantify really. I’ve spent a very long time, years even, on some of the shortest pieces mainly due to scheduling changes and occurrences that are beyond control, in contrast some features have taken just a few weeks so it’s really hard to say. It does often depend on the type of project and at what stage I’m brought on board. If I’m on a project from the start, that tends to take quite a lot longer for my role to be completed than it would say me writing the music for a picture locked film. An animation too tends to take longer than a fiction film as a shoot will happen and then one can immediately edit whereas the animation equivalent takes time to be built from the same stage.

You’ve recently won an award. Can you tell us about that?

Yes! ‘Father’, a track of mine was very recently awarded the Gold at the LA Motion Picture Festival for ‘Best Music Track’. I was so astonished and thrilled to receive recognition for my music, especially having it be from across the pond. I’ve had various incarnations of this track hidden away and it felt like the perfect moment to reveal one of them to the world, I’m so overwhelmed to have had such a positive response. It was released in collaboration with the wonderful Sister Music under Sister X, there’s a full album written by different artists called Salience. It’s up online on all the major streaming platforms, I very much recommend giving it a listen! 

How did you get into such a specialist field?

To be completely honest, whilst I feel I’ve been involved in music in some way, shape or form since the dawn of time, I actually stumbled rather unexpectedly into film. I grew up with a brilliantly artistic mother and a very creative household, so visuals had always been at the forefront of my mind, especially as I dabbled in them myself. It was when I took a film composition module during the first year of my bachelors at Leeds College of Music (now Leeds Conservatoire) though that everything changed for me, it was a real lightbulb moment in my life. It was the catalyst that moved me to pursue a career in combining my love of both music and visuals, since then I’ve truly never looked back.

What would be your dream project?

I’m extremely fortunate to say that I’ve worked on quite a few projects that have been absolute dreams and currently am too at this very moment! In the future though I’m very much looking to move more consistently into long form. Whilst I will always have time for a piece that has an honest and positive purpose for the world no matter its shape, there is nothing more exciting and rewarding for me than being able to develop musical ideas across greater lengths of time and moulding them in various forms and interpretations.

What’s it been like in London during lockdown?

It’s been, interesting. Quite dystopian at times I would say ha, the incident of the disappearing loo roll was an extremely curious and historic event to witness across the United Kingdom too, but all in all I’ve been very very lucky and have fortunately been working quite consistently throughout the year. Emotionally it’s been very tough, but I’m so very thankful to have such wonderfully strong and awe-inspiring people in my life, be they near or far, together I think we’ve built a rather strong fortress.

When will you be visiting home again?

I’m very sad to report that I have absolutely no idea. London is in a “Tier 4” lockdown, so within this fortress I sit, watching and waiting for any realistic and safe opportunity to do so, fingers crossed it will be soon!

We wish Hollie continued success!