Susan Boyle's story inspires stage musical

Susan Boyle's phenomenal rise from dowdy, unemployed Scot to international singing star is to become the subject a new stage production.

Susan Boyle and actress Elaine C Smith 

PUBLISHED BY WALES ONLINE

A musical starring Scottish sitcom actress Elaine C. Smith will premiere at Newcastle's Theatre Royal in March 2012.

Subsequently, it will tour for at least six months, with dates already scheduled in the U.K., Australia and the U.S.

Fittingly, the production is titled I Dreamed a Dream — the tune from the musical Les Misérables that shot Boyle to fame after her performance of it on TV reality contest Britain's Got Talent in 2009.

From protesting for gay rights to the Order of Canada

Parliament Hill, site of Canada's first demonstration for gay rights, is visible from the National Gallery of Canada, where Charlie Hill is the long-time curator of the Canadian collection. (Paul Galipeau)

Charlie Hill, 65, is known for two things: he is a pioneer in the Canadian gay liberation movement and he is a prominent curator at the National Gallery of Canada. 



After the 1980s, Hill left gay politics and focused on his career. He was already known for his 1975 exhibition and catalogue Canadian Painting in the ’30s. In 2001, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson made him a member of the Order of Canada for his contribution to Canadian art and gay liberation. Hill lives with his partner of 16 years, Brian Foss.  

The world really IS flat!

An eye-popping optical illusion created by Parisian artist François Abelanet is on display outside Paris City Hall. This work of art looks like a giant grass sphere, but it's actually flat.


Watch this video in French that describes the construction of this anamorphic 'global park'.

"Vous êtes ailleurs" ou à l'Hôtel de Ville ? by mairiedeparis

What if Earth had rings?

This is a really cool representation of what it might be like if the Earth had rings around it like Saturn.

Ottawa LRT tunnel to go under Queen Street

The tunnel for Ottawa's $2.1-billion light rail transit project will now go under Queen Street instead of Albert Street as part of modifications designed to keep the project under budget.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said the move to Queen Street will allow the tunnel to be built at a depth of 15 to 16 metres instead of 39 to 40 metres. The LRT station at the Rideau Canal also rises from 38 metres to 29 metres.

The cost of the project also drops to $1.74 billion in 2009 dollars, or $2.1 billion in inflation adjusted dollars.

Who needs humans?

United Nations condemns gay discrimination

The United Nations issued its first condemnation of discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgender people on Friday in a cautiously worded declaration hailed by supporters including the United States as an historic moment.

Members of the UN Human Rights Council narrowly voted in favour of the resolution put forward by South Africa, against strong opposition from African and Islamic countries.

"You just witnessed a historic moment at the Human Rights Council and within the UN system with a landmark resolution protecting human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people," U.S. ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe told reporters after the vote.Members of the UN Human Rights Council narrowly voted in favour of the resolution put forward by South Africa, against strong opposition from African and Islamic countries.

Homophobic hate crimes on the rise, UN human rights chief warns

John Amaechi awarded O.B.E. by Queen Elizabeth

Former NBA player John Amaechi was awarded the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in her Birthday Honours List. It’s a big deal in Britain, handed out to a select few individuals for their chivalry. Amaechi was given the honor for his work with kids. 


In February 2007, Amaechi released a book, Man in the Middle, published by ESPN Books (ISBN 1933060190), which discusses his career and life as a closeted professional athlete. Amaechi is the firstNBA player to speak publicly about being gay.

It's all how you look at it

With a few supplies and some careful cutting and pasting, you can build this gravity-defying structure that won the 2010 Best Illusion of the Year Contest. Created by Japanese mathematical engineer Kokichi Sugihara, the magnetlike slopes illusion is cleverly designed to make marbles roll "uphill." It's a trick of perspective.

“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggonit, people like me”

“Accentuate the positive,” the 1944 song by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen cheerfully implored us. 

Plug “positive thinking” into Amazon.com, and you will find a never-ending supply of products designed to help us see life through rose-colored lenses.

In fact, however, positivity is not all it is cracked up to be. Although having an upbeat attitude undoubtedly has its benefits, gains such as better health and wealth from high spirits remain largely undemonstrated. What is more, research suggests that optimism can be detrimental under certain circumstances.