Charles’ weather forcast

Borris’ Gondolas

‘When the Wind Blows’ is written and performed by Josh Healey.

Discussion Space is an experimental new concept, and unconnected to A Dam Relief. The idea is simply to offer up short concise opinions that may generate online debate; or at least provoke a little thought.

Find out more about it at Rattle Uganda.

You can find out more abut Dylan and www.DylanBrierley.com.

All our music videos (and pricing) can be found at on the Rattle Media website.

Anyway… the original film was seen by hundreds of millions of people world wide and succeeded in raising awareness of the atrocities committed by Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army, in Uganda between 1986 and 2006, by enormously oversimplifying a twenty year conflict in a developing nation.

NOTE: for the sake of simplicity, I am not going to talk about all the neighbouring countries that have also suffered but somehow not drawn as much awareness as Uganda.

So as I was saying – like many Ugandans, and other people who’ve actually been to Uganda, I was royally outraged by the type of awareness Jason’s film had created: 200 million people now thought Uganda was unsafe – a huge blow for tourism and investment…

But then I realised: Kony 2012 is a blessing in disguise. Before its release, the world’s population could be split into the following three categories:

1. Those who know Uganda well and are angry at it being portrayed as unstable
2. Those who have never heard of Uganda, let alone can find it on a map
3. Those who’s knowledge of Uganda boils down to: “Uganda? That’s in Africa, isn’t it? It must be dangerous there…”

The fact is that all Jason Russel has done with his movie is put more of group 2 into group 3. Group 1 are not going to be convinced that Uganda is unstable, however all those people now in group 3 are hungry for the truth, and they are now very much aware of a little African nation called Uganda… “Awareness”.

A Blessing In Disguise?

So not only has Kony 2012 increased the number of people in group 3, who now know Uganda exists, it has also riled the inhabitants of group 1; those who know the truth – who wan’t Uganda to stand out for the right reasons.

Ugandans all over the internet are speaking up, shouting in a way, because they want to reclaim their country’s narrative (the goal of this new website, set up by a group of young Ugandan professionals, called Uganda Speaks).

More Ugandans than ever before are logging onto Facebook and Twitter to share their truth. Even our project, A Dam Relief (conceived initially to raise awareness of tourism opportunities in Jinja, Uganda) has gained more support and passion from Ugandans and expats who want to correct the country’s identity. And you can watch our teaser video here:

“The biggest problem Uganda has is identity”

But this is why we shouldn’t hate Invisible Children, Jason Russell or Kony 2012. “Awareness” was the name of the game and, regardless of intent, it has truly worked. To clarify my point, the fact that you are reading this sentence suggests that Kony 2012 has increased your interested in Uganda…

The Bottom Line

There is a point to all this: I believe, and an awful lot of people in Uganda agree, that the way to help a developing country is through development. For development to occur, you need an economy.

A Dam Relief is a FOR PROFIT organisation. Profit for us, profit for our investors, profit for their staff and profit for all the local business that their staff buy products and services from during day-to-day life. And this can only work if more people are willing to visit Uganda, enjoy themselves and, for the odd entrepreneur passing through, invest.

So… if you really want to see Uganda become great, and I truly believe it can, then all you have to do is spread the truth – Uganda’s truth – that she is a safe and stable nation; full of fun, adventure and the most incredibly hospitable people you will ever meet. Like every country, she has her problems; like every democracy, she has her share of disagreement and discussion – but so much progress has been made.

Please share our videos with as many people as you can. Tweet the above video at every famous person you follow. Reinforcing these positive messages will help.

Well… this is why:

I came across the above TED video over half a year ago and was so blown away by the concept that I applied to be a BETA tester straight away.

And this morning I received an invitation to start translating the internet into German or Spanish.

It’s basically amazing; I can already say “Hallo, Ich bin aus Leeds”.

For those of you who haven’t yet, I suggest you go straight away to www.duolingo.com.

I reckon he’s come a long way since this cover of a Frank Turner track…

“Anyone attending the #NSR2012 shall have access to the #LiquidSatisfaction Twitter account. Just ask and you shall receive the login details”

“If you have a smartphone, tweet anonymously using the @LiquidSatis Twitter account. Do your worst… Burn my old brand!”

From Thursday afternoon, the story of The National Student Rodeo 2012 had begun… on Twitter:

DISCLAIMER: Most of these are the anonymous tweets of some of the 1100 students at the National Student Rodeo 2012. Some are not for polite eyes…

Friday Morning

 It’s 1.47am the day of the rodeo. If your in bed, that’s rubbish. Team @extremeev are still going for it! #partyhard

@LiquidSatis – 10:58am
Team briefed, #NSR2012 goodie bags about to be packed. Who’s coming?!

@JamesjHorton
The minibuses are all lined up outside the student union ready for #nsr2012

@MagpieBrewery
Hope everyone going to the National Student Rodeo enjoys the @MagpieBrewery Real ales on offer! Have fun guys @riverlegacyuk#realale

@IanSmithCME – 6:46pm
Let’s get #NSR2012 trending on the Trent! #PlymouthUniCanoe are getting closer!

@LiquidSatis – 6:47pm
Spreading the #NSR2012 love. With this many people, that’s a lot of love to be spreading. Gonna get messy… @NSR2012Info

@DanDouble2D – 7:01pm
Stuck in traffic on my way into Nottingham, it must be the queue for#NSR2012

Friday Night

@LiquidSatis – 7:17pm
Drinking Lamfresco Bianco at #NSR2012. That’s #LiquidSatisfaction

@R1cmw – 7:22pm
#NSR2012 arrived and ready to party.

@IanSmithCME – 7:56pm
Registering at #NSR2012 with #PlymouthUniCanoe

@Extremeev – 8:27pm
We got here early, got some shipping done and are now going to rocks your socks off. #NSR2012 

@LiquidSatis – 9:36pm
Don’t blame #LiquidSatisfaction for this one #NSR2012 

@JamesjHorton – 10:00pm
Surrey uni have arrived at #nsr2012 !

@studentpaddlers – 10:06pm
“@JamesjHorton: Surrey uni have arrived at #nsr2012 !” Get to the bar!!

@extremeev – 10:21pm
If your in the campsite and not down at the party you have already missed the macarena #NSR2012

@extremeev – 10:42pm
It’s coming up to 11pm we are going to start bring out the big songs now. Get to the dancefloor and the bar!!!! #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 10:43pm
Look, no hands! #NSR2012

@JamesjHorton – 10:49pm
Surrey uni have made it to the party tent #nsr2012

@LiquidSatis – 10:53pm
#PlymouthUniCanoe have arrived @ #NSR2012, beer me!

@grimtits – 10:55
if i cant be at #NSR2012 i will be there in the world of social media

@LiquidSatis – 11:41pm
Student boaterX in the alps is happening on the 16th of June (Saturday). Be there or be a dick. #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 11:43pm
Sheffield Uni in the house! #onit#NSR2012

@Extremeev – 11:48pm
Falmouth, Lancaster,Derby, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Lancaster, Loughborough your Unis are doing you proud! #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 12:05am
I’m going to poo on this moth #NSR2012 http://pic.twitter.com/V9RriHB1

@Extremeev – 12:11am
We seem to have lost our #shifty. Anyone seen him? Please point to the dj booth with beer! #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 12:44am
Your party needs you! #NSR2012

@mulrainm – 3:13am
Im in! #nsr2012

@thegift_guitar – 3:21
Glasgow uni arrive at #NSR2012 too late for the party! Tent has a river in it! But still in good spirits!

@LiquidSatis – 5:05am
Wish I had a hangover. That would mean I got some sleep#fuckinghatecamping #soooocold#nsr2012

 

Saturday Morning

@JamesjHorton – 6:38am
Up far to early, and possibley still drunk #nsr2012

@LiquidSatis – 6:49am
Lovely night in a hotel for the University of DamX faculty staff.#noneofthiscampinglark #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 7:52am
Safety crew are ready to go! #nsr2012

@DaleMears – 8:08am
Oh the decision #NSR2012 or stay in bed? Rodeo it is then!

@LiquidSatis – 8:33am
The luucc girls covering last nights wrongs with glitter #NSR2012

@Extremeev – 8:45am
#NSR2012 Saturday morning is GO!!!! Heats have started and we are spinning some bangers!! #anyoneseenourshifty?

@PLEA_AND_EA (Daz Clarkson) – 9:43am
Students kayaking, I remember the days. #nsr2012 you work shy, bongo playing, birkenstock wearing, blue wkd drinking, hopes for the future.

@IanSmithCME – 9:47am
#NSR2012 glad to see the topo carnage has started on good form.

@LiquidSatis – 10:40am
#LiquidSatisfaction tweets are announced over radio system. To get your tweets heard use this account or #NSR2012. Get involved!

@LiquidSatis – 10:42am
Dance harder! Dance the rain away! #NSR2012 #PlymouthUniCanoe

@LiquidSatis – 10:54am
@justinbieber come play at the #NSR2012!

@LiquidSatis – 10:56am
Dancing the rain away at #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 10:58am
Once it’s on the Internet, it’s there forever. Dancing the rain away at#NSR2012! Surely this is #LiquidSatisfaction http://yfrog.com/bb69tz

@LiquidSatis – 11:11am
A local has just asked us to turn the volume down! Sorry but we want you to KNOW how much fun we’re having at the #NSR2012 !!

@LiquidSatis – 11:18am
#NSR2012 thanks for the condoms! Got any size large?#PlymouthUniCanoe

@LiquidSatis – 11:32am
The @PyranhaKayaks high five conga at #NSR2012 http://t.co/hMbLVo9H

@LiquidSatis – 11:36am
The #NSR2012#RodeoRabbit was spotted 50 miles away at a different rodeo!

@LiquidSatis – 11:48am
#LiquidSatisfaction isn’t a brand, it’s a community of muppets – sharing, caring, creating and often offending at the #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 12:02pm
Having a #NSR2012 interlude with tea and cake#PlymouthUniCanoe

@LiquidSatis – 12:18pm
Can we have some toilet paper in the porter loos please #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 12:26pm
Oldskool at #NSR2012 !

@LiquidSatis – 12:50pm
Everyone you see in this picture is part of the #NSR2012 safety team gearing up for the women’s novice heats!

@RobOggy – 1:28pm
Time to saddle up and head on over to the rodeo. #NSR2012

@recoilboater – 1:37pm
On my way to #nsr2012 to enjoy the sunshine over Nottingham before returning to my warm house #nocampingforme #cleantoile t#bed gd luck lucc

@LiquidSatis – 2:28pm
Good tunes boys @extremeev #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 2:32pm
Aber Uni cc, clearly the best Uni here #NSR2012

@Simon_Kibble – 2:42pm
Power sleep done. Time to tag in with one of the others from the amazing @extremeev crew at #NSR2012!!!

@LiquidSatis – 2:50pm
Rodeo rabbit is like bugs bunny, just a bit more ethnic #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – pm
#mostnakeduni Nottingham Trent or Sheffield?? #nsr2012

@LiquidSatis – pm
University of DamX students sat their first term papers today, preliminary counts of the results look favourable #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – pm
Here’s the current tone of discussion

@LiquidSatis – pm
My name is max bilbow and my Willy looks like a cheestring. (NOTE: Not actually posted by Max Bilbow)

@LiquidSatis – pm
Drunk already, anyone for sexy time??

@LiquidSatis – pm
Andy turton’s illegitimate, he has got no birth certificate…

@LiquidSatis – pm
If @maxbilbow ever shuts up it will be #aDamRelief (NOTE: Tweeted during my 5 minute talk!)

@LiquidSatis – pm
RT @AlexInHouston: Finish this sentence; If you were to throw the ultimate party, it should definitely have 1100 drunk uk students!

@LiquidSatis – pm
Just burried a can of strongbow……hopefully there will be a stronbow tree in the morning!

@LiquidSatis – pm
Hi @jlwells26 here tweeting and there isn’t 1 girl I don’t fancy here! And they all want me #picknmix

@LiquidSatis – pm
Shout out to the sheffield snake love it. @nsr2012

@LiquidSatis – pm
Not the biggest but hitting it hardest #PlymouthUniCanoe

@LiquidSatis – pm
That is how to party #nsr2012 @NSR2012Info #Glasgow #hallam @ShuCanoe

 

Sunday Morning

@LiquidSatis – am
Good morning nsr2012 from Teesside uni

@extremeev – 9:50am
It all gone a bit delia! “where are you! Where are you!” students assemble! #NSR2012

@charles_blyth – 10:41am
#nsr2012 i win

@JamesjHorton – 10:46am
Nothing like playing on the inlet gate to get ride of a hangover#nsr2012

@LiquidSatis – 10:56am
So any one else get a wet willy last night? My tent leaked as well!#nsr2012

@LiquidSatis – 11:31am
It’s raining sideways at the #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 12:21pm
There is a flying squirrel at the rodeo! #NSR2012

@studentpaddlers – 12:28pm
“@LiquidSatis: Just woke up missed my heat who said nsr was about kayaking #worthit“ #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 1:40pm
Topo duo finals are about to start at the looping pool! #NSR2012

@studentpaddlers – 2:26pm
“@LiquidSatis: We love the carnage!! We do #nsrsafetyteam @NSR2012Info @studentpaddlers“ #NSR2012

@LiquidSatis – 2:30pm
What’s brown and nutty? #NSR2012 #punny

@LiquidSatis – 3:38pm
University of DamX students sat final papers today, all passed with flying colours. Job done, thank you and goodnight. #NSR2012

@extremeev – 4:00pm
Wowzers out of HPP and goodbye to #NSR2012 by 4pm. Records smashed this weekend. Largest rodeo, earliest sunday finish!

@LiquidSatis – 4:02pm
Cheese from @palmequipment resells with the biggest #NSR2012problem of the day

@charles_blyth – 4:15pm
Actually nothing better after 48 hours of partying than a massive fuck off mcdonalds #nsr2012

@studentpaddlers – 4:33pm
Congratulations to all the winners of #NSR2012 all the organisers@NSR2012Info and everyone who took part! Bring on #NSR2013 !!

@flowfree_lowri – 4:49pm
Woop woop, 3rd in the old school event! #NSR2012

 

NSR 2012 After-thoughts

@DaveStationUK – 6:33pm
Badass weekend at the biggest party in kayaking, #NSR2012Bangor party winners no question…

@Doug_Digby – 6:53pm
The words “Suck this” with an arrow pointing down are funny until you realise it’s a permanent pen. #nsr2012

@joyful791 – 6:58pm
Slightly broken & tired. Entirely worth it. Tomorrow is written off as I have a all day date with my bed #NSR2012 #safetyteamlovescarnage

@LiquidSatis – 7:03pm
What an amazing weekend at #NSR2012 cheers from all at Bangor Uni! Psyched for carnage and beer at #NSR2013 :D

@LiquidSatis – 7:31pm
Hugs to all the #NSR2012 competitors from the Safety Team. We hugged a lot of you on the course, but apologies to anyone we missed.

@Thomas_S_North – 9:32pm
Saw awesome view of fireball over UK whilst at #NSR2012Kayaking+Astronomy=#winning #happycampers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-17248959 

@jlgre2 – 9:47pm
Ah yes. The post-Rodeo chills, shivers, and cramps. #wemeetagain #NSR2012

@dave_p_adams – 10:08pm
Absolutely knackered after a weekend at #NSR2012. Bring on next year’s event!

@FullerNathan – 10:08pm
@maxbilbow loving the speech, I have heard less hallelujah’s at an american church! Praise Max Bilbow! #liquidsatisfaction #NSR2012

Monday

@flowfree_lowri – 7:44am
If I’ve been awake all night on the Sun/Mon of #NSR2012 - did I just win the party? @LiquidSatis @studentpaddlers

@IainSmithCME – 8:58am
Who else made it to work/lectures this morning? #NSR2012 @LiquidSatis #takemebacktobed

@FullerNathan – 12:43pm
From my dissertation analysis I have ascertained that data analysis sucks and #NSR2012 is a better way to spend time!

 

So in Conclusion

Our little social media experiment was a complete success. I personally enjoyed the extra dimension it added to the event and, for those of you who are still avoiding twitter… you will probably still avoid it after reading this little article. I guess you just had to be there ;o)

#NSR2013 still to come – What does #LiquidSatisfaction mean to you?

Joseph Kony, and the LRA, have been out of Uganda since 2006 and the north has recovered well. The south has been safe for decades.

If you genuinely want to support Ugandans; get a flight booked, get out there and enjoy yourself.

Tourism is an industry like any other and managed correctly it can have an enormous positive effect on people’s lives.

We’re not against bringing war criminals like Joseph Kony to justice; we just don’t want his legacy to put more people off visiting this beautiful and safe country.

A Dam Relief is a project designed to genuinely benefit millions of Ugandans by creating business and opportunity that allows Uganda to stand on its own two feet.

Read our mission statement to find out how!

COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF! 

If you want a longer explanation, read this article.

An educated Ugandan’s response to KONY 2012.

As seen in “Baby Monkey fighting a Kitten” Video

This is me and Esther from the Woman’s Co-operative at Bujagali

One of the professional Ugandan raft guides showing his clients a good time!

A spot of fishing at the Hairy Lemon, near Nazigo (Properly middle of no-where and safe)

Jet boating on the new Bujagali lake.

My good friend Alex on valentines day!

Staff at the Hairy lemon being taught new skills by tourists.

Pure Ugandan humour (I hope!)

And yes… All of the above!

This was filmed in one of the many beautiful resorts along the banks of the River Nile in Uganda and inspired by the cult movie: Baby monkey riding on a pig.

The Cat is called “Alley-cat” and the monkey is called “Darwin”

Darwin was discarded by his mother and has taken one of the managers of The Nile River Camp, in Bujagali, Uganda, as his surrogate father. #aDamRelief.

They are both under a year old.

History

In 2008, Sam Ward and Max Bilbow, with the cooperation of many others, produced a movie called A Dam Shame.

This movie was a politically neutral tribute to the Rapids that were to be lost after the construction of the Bujagali/Silverback dam (Watch on Vimeo or YouTube)

The film, with its positive message about the fun, love and beauty of the area, was watched by 1000s of kayakers and succeeded in raising awareness (and thus increasing business) for companies like Kayak The Nile, Love it Live it and rafting companies that provide services for the film’s audience.

The Problem

However once the dam was completed, the prevailing message that spread through magazine articles and social media was that the White Nile was now dead and gone; lives changed [ruined] forever.

But anyone in Jinja knows that this is simply not the case. The river is still here and now there is a beautiful new lake with even more activities popping up; not to mention the vast number of Ugandans that now benefit from employment at the dam and other new projects.

Not one safety kayaker or raft guide lost their job!

The Mission

So Max and Sam were going to make a sequel to A Dam Shame called A Dam Relief; a film that focusses on the amazing whitewater, and other activities and opportunities, that still remain – specifically the local Ugandan heroes who have achieved so much. But then we realised that we couldn’t make a film that short or concise since there is SO MUCH STILL THERE!

So A Dam Relief will only be the climax of an enormous co-operative media campaign that will dispel all the misinformation floating around with regards to Uganda: Kidnappings, pirates, war, hate, muggings…. we hear this in the news, Yes. But not in Uganda and DEFINITELY not at Bujagali, Jinja.

A Dam Relief will be creative media project, officially beginning in May this year and culminating in October during the Nile River Festival and Uganda’s 50th anniversary of independence.

It will be an umbrella for responsible sustainable tourism in Jinja and spreading to other parts of Uganda as well.

While the production team are in Jinja, they will make many short videos (promotions, humorous sketches, stories, documentaries) for individuals, companies and just for fun. And this is not a project to show off western kayakers and fim makers – Ugandans will be, and already are, heavily involved in the ideas and productions. The chief of Bujagali Village and the Jinja police are intrigued by this project and how it can benefit their beautiful and beloved town.

The idea is to create conversation and ‘buzz’ with these high-quality videos on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc… And all this around a central idea:

Uganda is alive, vibrant, growing, safe and full of fun. Even if all you do here as a tourist is enjoy yourself at the bar, you are making lives better for Ugandans. Sustainable tourism, dams aren’t always bad, come to Uganda!

A Dam Relief will be a megaphone for the right ideas – the good ideas – and we will all benefit. 

How can I help?

There are many things you can do but the first is simple: Watch, listen and talk; spread the word. Like the Facebook page and updates will arrive when they are ready: facebook.com/aDamRelief

The next big thing, and this is huge: COME TO UGANDA! Come this summer and be a part of the legacy we’re creating. Kayak, raft, bungee jump, ride a horse, drive a quad-bike, get in a jet-boat, SUP, help build a school with Soft Power, drink, eat and love.

But basically: know that this is happening. See you there!

However now that the show is finding its feet, its audience, and is growing organically as planed; it is time to tackle more pressing issues and take reach further afield for our guests.

On next week’s show (episode 8 ) we talk to Raymond Lunn. Raymond is an unemployed, graduate, ex-con, ex-offender, Yorkshire lad – on a journey to discover who he is and how he fits into society after being excluded from it.

Raymond is involved with ex-offender.co.uk, a site being developed to highlight the issues of rehabilitation from crime within society.

To get a feel for what the show’s about, you can listen to them at www.wearerattle.com/theshow.

The most recent episode, where we discuss virginity and religion, can be listened to right here, if you like!

Our most popular episode with (today) over 600 listens is episode 6, with Paula Volkmer where we discuss kayaking and employment law and other things…

And our second most popular, and most highly recommended, is episode 5 with Tony Bilbow (presenter on Late Night Line Up in the late 60s). Many interesting tales and opinions here!

We have some very exciting guests planned for the new round of recording, beginning in March, including the LibDem MP for Leed North West, Gref Mulholland. Stay tuned!

by Three Sheets T’ Wind, featuring Leesa Mae.

Video made by Rattle Media.

I suspect we’ll be having a lot more fun with these.

Episode 1 coming soon… Subscribe to podcast at:
http://theshow.wearerattle.com

New Rattle Media music video for the band ‘Little Vegas Lies’.

The Track is called: ‘Standing Room Only’

By Nick Horwood and Finn Buroughs.

Ben Greaves’s song: A Life Less Igorant – The latest music video from Rattle Media.

Chris ‘The Man in a Hat’ Marting’ features in this Rattle Media production…

Also downloadable via the podcast.

Make sure you look out for all the bonus features and deleted scenes on The NSR 2011: The Movie! Vimeo channel: http://vimeo.com/channels/nsr2011/

And if that isn’t enough, we’ve uploaded all previous NSR/Liquid Satisfaction videos to the following channels:
vimeo.com/channels/nsr2008/
vimeo.com/channels/nsr2007/

Rattle Media is a new video production company, specialising initially in corporate video and online promotional videos like thus:

Video 1: The Bitches

Video 2: Cardiff white water

However this is not the end of Liquid Satisfaction‘s extreme sports productions. Rattle Media will look to sponsor Means of Production 3 for which we hope to begin filming in 2013; taking advantage of all the high-end equipment the industry has to offer.

Mop3 will be a not-for-profit production.

I know I haven’t posted much in a while…. So I’ll just let this new “NSR 2011: The Movie!” trailer do the talking.

Subscribe to the NSR 2011 movie channel on Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/channels/nsr2011

Pre-order yours now from www.mopmovie.com (special price up until Xmas).

DVD CONTENT

Means of Production 2 (approximately 69 minutes)

BONUS FEATURES

* 2x Promotional trailers
* The Making of MOP2 documentary
* Slow motion headcam edit
* Deleted Scenes
* Sat Nav Sam music video
* 5 hidden bonus features to search for!

MUSIC BY

* Ugly Duckling
* Frank Turner
* Sat Nav Sam
* Kae Sun
* Hurricane Sunday
* The Dub Dentist
* Danny Pig
* No Change
* Chris (the man in a hat) martin
* The Screaming Citizens
* David Benassi

As we all know, creating a top kayaking movie is a painstaking process. Part of this process is the long and laborious task for composing and performing music to fit the quick cut scenes of a fast-pace extreme sports film.

In this episode of ‘The making of Mop2′, Ben Greaves from Hurricane Sunday is laying down another one of hie brilliant tracks.