What is it about men?? They have an uncanny knack of coming up with an excuse for all situations.
3 o'clock this morning saw us woken abruptly by the none too pleasant sound of Poppy throwing up, almost certainly in the most inappropriate spot somewhere. She always chooses the white rug or the bathroom so that in the unlikely event that we miss the actual event there is a nasty surprise waiting as one of us pads, barefoot and bleary eyed first thing in the morning.
Now, the clearing up operation normally falls to me, how lucky do I feel? I'm not sure why it falls to me other than PG isn't keen.........er.....hello? this doesn't rate as one of my favorite pastimes! So the normal conversation began,
'you do it' (in my best pathetic voice)
PG 'no'
'please' (a better quality of whining this time)
PG 'no'
'pretty please'? (bring on the sad and pathetic tone)
PG 'NO...I have to get up earlier than you'
and? (the 'so wot' tone comes into play)
PG 'you know I can't deal with that stuff'
At this point I must add he works with severely disabled adults who require 100% care.
'Go on, please, just this once' (more pathetic)
PG 'NO, you do it'
Why should I do it?
PG 'you always do it'
Not his best excuse from where I was lying!
'So why can't you this time'?
PG 'because I do it all day every day and you know I don't do cat puke'
Hmmmmm........so you deal with the less pleasant aspects of your job but not cat puke....somehow that struck me as a 'man excuse' so I dug my heels in....
'NO' (tempers fraying at this point)
PG 'expletives deleted'
Amazing, he gave in, got up and duly completed the task amid much crashing, banging and colourful language.
And guess what, 10 minutes later he arrived back in bed, still alive and none the worse for wear........strange that! :o)
As for Poppy...she was by now fast asleep on the end of the bed and ignoring the fact that this had anything whatsoever to do with her! :o)
Thursday, 8 July 2004
Wednesday, 7 July 2004
Draw your own conclusion………
I am incensed at the lack of tolerance and understanding that still exists in some quarters.
We are in the UK are considered to be a reasonably well educated, forward thinking nation, we have had laws in place for many years now to combat various forms of prejudice and are lucky enough not to suffer all the difficulties and degradations suffered by the third world and politically repressed countries, in theory at least!
Am I being naïve then to feel horror and abhorrence when incidents of prejudice still blight our lives in areas where I would have considered those in power had the necessary education not to allow themselves to behave in such a manner?
I accept that one cannot legislate against bigotry and small mindedness and that education fails some but I cannot accept that in this country and in the year 2004 there are people who still at least don’t keep those feelings to themselves.
And what has caused this outburst? Well on the scale of world famine a relatively small incident but one that makes me realise how much is still wrong when it can happen in a large and respected organisation.
On Monday a colleague of mine was sacked, not so unusual you might think but it is the reasons surrounding this incident that horrify me. The individual concerned was as far as I could see very personable, hard working, of good integrity and popular with many of his colleagues and customers.
So what was he sacked for……… dying a coloured stripe in his hair! I do understand that in these days of ‘corporate image’ it is many not be quite what the boss was looking for but I also think we are individuals and the balance is difficult. What I cannot accept however, is the reasoning in this particular case. Lets face it hair grows and this mans hair is very short so it was never going to be a life long situation. Apparently the company felt that the stripe was offensive but that he could avoid having his contract terminated by choosing to follow one of two courses of action, shaving his head ( is that not more intimidating and offensive to some) or dying it all over. If he chose the latter option they would accept if the all over shade was ………….you guessed it…………..the same colour as the stripe! I somehow don’t see that as an improvement if the concern was the god, ‘corporate image’
The individual concerned argued that some others within the companies employ sport unusual hair styles and colours, piercings, tattoos etc. but was met with replies that where either non committal or blatantly untrue. He was on a loser as they say….. the deal was already done in truth.
And so having hit an apparent corporate brick wall the individual in question chose to be stand by his principals and was duly dismissed.
I have tried hard to see this situation from both sides but the inherent differences in the treatment of other colleagues and the handling of this case causes me the greatest anger and concern.
Ok………so nothing too strange you may think in this sad story, nothing earth shattering and the individual concerned perhaps should have realised that even in the 21st century economically motivated business is still very conservative and it’s leaders run scared. It all perhaps seems like a mountain out of the proverbial molehill, with little perspective on both sides and one party or the other should perhaps have accepted the others view.
It may become more concerning however when I tell you that the man in question is gay and has recently been the subject of homophobic treatment from another colleague, his complaint about which seemed to instigate a sudden closing of ranks and ‘playing down’ by management.
I leave you to draw your own conclusion………………
I have for obvious reasons never identified my employer or individuals concerned but I wonder, should this blog ever come to the attention of my employer what my future might be? I have held a life long belief in the British sense of fair play that has gradually, over the years, been eroded, incidents of prejudice like this only serve to convince me I was naïve.I truly never believed I would see this happen again and feel very let down that it can be bought about by an institution that I had respect for. I am not alone among my colleagues in these feelings and the damage done goes far deeper than that caused by any hair colour!
We are in the UK are considered to be a reasonably well educated, forward thinking nation, we have had laws in place for many years now to combat various forms of prejudice and are lucky enough not to suffer all the difficulties and degradations suffered by the third world and politically repressed countries, in theory at least!
Am I being naïve then to feel horror and abhorrence when incidents of prejudice still blight our lives in areas where I would have considered those in power had the necessary education not to allow themselves to behave in such a manner?
I accept that one cannot legislate against bigotry and small mindedness and that education fails some but I cannot accept that in this country and in the year 2004 there are people who still at least don’t keep those feelings to themselves.
And what has caused this outburst? Well on the scale of world famine a relatively small incident but one that makes me realise how much is still wrong when it can happen in a large and respected organisation.
On Monday a colleague of mine was sacked, not so unusual you might think but it is the reasons surrounding this incident that horrify me. The individual concerned was as far as I could see very personable, hard working, of good integrity and popular with many of his colleagues and customers.
So what was he sacked for……… dying a coloured stripe in his hair! I do understand that in these days of ‘corporate image’ it is many not be quite what the boss was looking for but I also think we are individuals and the balance is difficult. What I cannot accept however, is the reasoning in this particular case. Lets face it hair grows and this mans hair is very short so it was never going to be a life long situation. Apparently the company felt that the stripe was offensive but that he could avoid having his contract terminated by choosing to follow one of two courses of action, shaving his head ( is that not more intimidating and offensive to some) or dying it all over. If he chose the latter option they would accept if the all over shade was ………….you guessed it…………..the same colour as the stripe! I somehow don’t see that as an improvement if the concern was the god, ‘corporate image’
The individual concerned argued that some others within the companies employ sport unusual hair styles and colours, piercings, tattoos etc. but was met with replies that where either non committal or blatantly untrue. He was on a loser as they say….. the deal was already done in truth.
And so having hit an apparent corporate brick wall the individual in question chose to be stand by his principals and was duly dismissed.
I have tried hard to see this situation from both sides but the inherent differences in the treatment of other colleagues and the handling of this case causes me the greatest anger and concern.
Ok………so nothing too strange you may think in this sad story, nothing earth shattering and the individual concerned perhaps should have realised that even in the 21st century economically motivated business is still very conservative and it’s leaders run scared. It all perhaps seems like a mountain out of the proverbial molehill, with little perspective on both sides and one party or the other should perhaps have accepted the others view.
It may become more concerning however when I tell you that the man in question is gay and has recently been the subject of homophobic treatment from another colleague, his complaint about which seemed to instigate a sudden closing of ranks and ‘playing down’ by management.
I leave you to draw your own conclusion………………
I have for obvious reasons never identified my employer or individuals concerned but I wonder, should this blog ever come to the attention of my employer what my future might be? I have held a life long belief in the British sense of fair play that has gradually, over the years, been eroded, incidents of prejudice like this only serve to convince me I was naïve.I truly never believed I would see this happen again and feel very let down that it can be bought about by an institution that I had respect for. I am not alone among my colleagues in these feelings and the damage done goes far deeper than that caused by any hair colour!
Tuesday, 6 July 2004
A change in routine!
My normal routine, that's the one where I sit fiddling with one thing or another on here for most of the day, has been disrupted of late and today I barely made it here at all until now!! :o/
This change in habit it in most part due to attending my poorly neighbour, who from now on I will refer to as 'E'. She was sent home on Sunday night in a taxi, something I was unaware of until she arrived, which duly cost her nearly £50. I'm not sure who I think should be paying for that in these days of a cash strapped NHS but it seems a bit harsh for her, as a pensioner to have to, anyway, I digress. Bart was beside himself with excitement on her return and has been glued to her side ever since, only allowing himself to be taken on short walks for fear that she may not be again when he returns.
'E' for her part is marginally better. There seems to be some confusion about her diagnosis, the G.P. still insists she has acute angina, the hospital disagree but can't say what they think is wrong with her heart. She is none the less 'up and about' but can't as yet leave the flat for more than a few minutes.............that's where I come in!
The last two days have been a round of helping with her household chores, getting her shopping done and Bart walking. I'm no longer used to having to do things to a specific time on the days I'm not at work (ah....this idyllic country lifestyle) and have resorted to setting my mobile alarm to sound every 2 hours for worry that I might miss a walk!! This morning on the early walk call 'E' said she had a fancy for a bread making machine, a badly concealed hint that I might like to make the 40 mile trip to 'Argos' to fetch her one....... which of course I duly did. This evening I am 'invited' to teach her how to use it before I take Bart out for his last hike of the day!!!! Damnation...........for once there was something I wanted to watch on T.V. Yes, I know I have a VCR, I just know that for some inexplicable reason I won't ever get to watch it if I record it. I don't know why that it, I just know it's always the case.
One her return on Sunday I told her in no uncertain terms that if she wants me to take responsibility for Bart etc. in any future emergency then I need to be slightly better organised and be furnished with one or two contact numbers. Lol...... she fully understood, gave me a list of numbers for her relatives in Germany and unbeknownst to me did the reverse...........I now seem to be trying to field various emails..........all in German!!! aarrgghhhhhhh. Anyone know a good piece of translation s/w! lol
On an entirely different subject, while I was 'blog surfing' last night I found this photograph on 'Mutual Misunderstanding'........... brilliant!
This change in habit it in most part due to attending my poorly neighbour, who from now on I will refer to as 'E'. She was sent home on Sunday night in a taxi, something I was unaware of until she arrived, which duly cost her nearly £50. I'm not sure who I think should be paying for that in these days of a cash strapped NHS but it seems a bit harsh for her, as a pensioner to have to, anyway, I digress. Bart was beside himself with excitement on her return and has been glued to her side ever since, only allowing himself to be taken on short walks for fear that she may not be again when he returns.
'E' for her part is marginally better. There seems to be some confusion about her diagnosis, the G.P. still insists she has acute angina, the hospital disagree but can't say what they think is wrong with her heart. She is none the less 'up and about' but can't as yet leave the flat for more than a few minutes.............that's where I come in!
The last two days have been a round of helping with her household chores, getting her shopping done and Bart walking. I'm no longer used to having to do things to a specific time on the days I'm not at work (ah....this idyllic country lifestyle) and have resorted to setting my mobile alarm to sound every 2 hours for worry that I might miss a walk!! This morning on the early walk call 'E' said she had a fancy for a bread making machine, a badly concealed hint that I might like to make the 40 mile trip to 'Argos' to fetch her one....... which of course I duly did. This evening I am 'invited' to teach her how to use it before I take Bart out for his last hike of the day!!!! Damnation...........for once there was something I wanted to watch on T.V. Yes, I know I have a VCR, I just know that for some inexplicable reason I won't ever get to watch it if I record it. I don't know why that it, I just know it's always the case.
One her return on Sunday I told her in no uncertain terms that if she wants me to take responsibility for Bart etc. in any future emergency then I need to be slightly better organised and be furnished with one or two contact numbers. Lol...... she fully understood, gave me a list of numbers for her relatives in Germany and unbeknownst to me did the reverse...........I now seem to be trying to field various emails..........all in German!!! aarrgghhhhhhh. Anyone know a good piece of translation s/w! lol
On an entirely different subject, while I was 'blog surfing' last night I found this photograph on 'Mutual Misunderstanding'........... brilliant!
Monday, 5 July 2004
My Grandmother
My paternal grandmother died 5 years ago today, two days before her 89th birthday and on my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary.
It was not, in many ways, as terrible as it first sounds; in fact it was on her part immaculate timing and an exit, that for those of us that loved her was perfect.
Yes, of course we were deeply sadden and I still miss her greatly but she always had what I suppose is a common fear of dying alone and being found by a stranger. In the event we had all spent the day and evening at a lovely hotel eating good food and drinking good wine with all my parents’ closest family and friends. My grandmother had made a speech and was surrounded by those important to her. She had for a time become maybe a little ‘tired of life’ on occasion and could, on her bad days, be ‘hard work’ but had a wonderful happy day that day.
She died very quickly the following night with my parents at her side.
I couldn’t help but imagine she had planned it, that she purposely made it to that important day and then decided enough was enough.
Don’t misunderstand me, this lady was for her age reasonably fit and in full control of her faculties, I just think she had had enough by then.
Many many of my childhood memories include my Grandmother. We often spent holidays in Gateshead with my grandparents and they are still some of my favourite memories. She was a stoic Geordie lady who only left her beloved Gateshead to escape the smog (she was asthmatic) and to be near us. My father is an only child and so we were all the close family she had. Sadly only about a year after the move my Grandfather died, still only in his late 50’s. In some ways I don’t think she ever got over that loss but she made the best of it. She took on various part time jobs, made friends, took in a lodger who ultimately stayed for years and years and took holidays back in the North East with her old friends.
I was lucky to spend the last few years of her life close to her. I moved at 20 years old, miles from home but returned and lived within half a mile for her last 5 years. We always had a tendency as she got older to try and protect her from some of life’s less pleasant aspects, where they affected us but she was nobodies fool and always knew what was going on! When my 1st marriage disintegrated she was brilliant, we spent a lot of time together and her support of me was unwavering. Despite her advancing years we did some mad things together and had an absolute blast. I’m not sure what she would have thought about the demise of my 2nd marriage, or the way I handled it but I know ultimately she would have supported me and would have been ‘over the moon’ that by strange coincidence I ended up living in ‘her North East’ and with a Geordie!
So yes, to lose her was very sad but we were lucky to have her so long and her departure, given that we all have to make one at some time, was perfect for her. I’m not religious or particularly spiritual but I still hear her laugh occasionally like she’s really here, still see her pulling funny faces and in an odd way feel she is never far away keeping and eye on me.
Gateshead, approx.1935
It was not, in many ways, as terrible as it first sounds; in fact it was on her part immaculate timing and an exit, that for those of us that loved her was perfect.
Yes, of course we were deeply sadden and I still miss her greatly but she always had what I suppose is a common fear of dying alone and being found by a stranger. In the event we had all spent the day and evening at a lovely hotel eating good food and drinking good wine with all my parents’ closest family and friends. My grandmother had made a speech and was surrounded by those important to her. She had for a time become maybe a little ‘tired of life’ on occasion and could, on her bad days, be ‘hard work’ but had a wonderful happy day that day.
She died very quickly the following night with my parents at her side.
I couldn’t help but imagine she had planned it, that she purposely made it to that important day and then decided enough was enough.
Don’t misunderstand me, this lady was for her age reasonably fit and in full control of her faculties, I just think she had had enough by then.
Many many of my childhood memories include my Grandmother. We often spent holidays in Gateshead with my grandparents and they are still some of my favourite memories. She was a stoic Geordie lady who only left her beloved Gateshead to escape the smog (she was asthmatic) and to be near us. My father is an only child and so we were all the close family she had. Sadly only about a year after the move my Grandfather died, still only in his late 50’s. In some ways I don’t think she ever got over that loss but she made the best of it. She took on various part time jobs, made friends, took in a lodger who ultimately stayed for years and years and took holidays back in the North East with her old friends.
I was lucky to spend the last few years of her life close to her. I moved at 20 years old, miles from home but returned and lived within half a mile for her last 5 years. We always had a tendency as she got older to try and protect her from some of life’s less pleasant aspects, where they affected us but she was nobodies fool and always knew what was going on! When my 1st marriage disintegrated she was brilliant, we spent a lot of time together and her support of me was unwavering. Despite her advancing years we did some mad things together and had an absolute blast. I’m not sure what she would have thought about the demise of my 2nd marriage, or the way I handled it but I know ultimately she would have supported me and would have been ‘over the moon’ that by strange coincidence I ended up living in ‘her North East’ and with a Geordie!
So yes, to lose her was very sad but we were lucky to have her so long and her departure, given that we all have to make one at some time, was perfect for her. I’m not religious or particularly spiritual but I still hear her laugh occasionally like she’s really here, still see her pulling funny faces and in an odd way feel she is never far away keeping and eye on me.
Gateshead, approx.1935
Sunday, 4 July 2004
Sod's law
I generally only work two days a week at the moment, those two days being Saturday and Sunday and so as 'sod's law' would dictate it was yesterday, while I was out at work that my previously mentioned neighbour (mother of 'Bart') should suddenly be taken very ill.
Thankfully PG was off work ill himself and stepped into the breach. An ambulance duly attended poste haste, a paramedic did his stuff and off she went to our local hospital.........40 miles away!
All this left us not only worried but with one or two difficulties, the first being a very confused Bart, the second, that the lady in question only has one relative in the UK, a son who she has no contact with and all other relatives scattered around Germany, we speak no German and they no English. With that in mind we decided temporarily to abandon ideas of attempting to contact someone and wait until we had some news from the hospital.......we would cross that bridge if we got to it.
So Bart was our next problem. Given that as nice as he is, he would happily have our cats for a small snack, we couldn't take him home with us so we began a rota of feeding, walking and dog sitting. All this sounds quite simple but I suddenly discovered that never having kept a dog I was slightly at loss as to exactly they require. Added to that, despite turning the place upside down we could find no 'Bart food' and by now ( I did'nt get in from work until 21.00) the shops had shut. I also had no idea how long he would tolerate being on his own before he would get stressed.
The feeding problem was temporarily alleviated by the discovery of a large packet of dog treats and the second by the introduction of the 'keeping Bart company' rota!!!
I phoned the hospital later at night and after some difficulty finding her and convincing them she has no one else in the UK they overlooked that I am just a neighbour and informed me she was 'comfortable'.........what the hell does 'comfortable' mean in a medical sense? I decided in the absence of any more detailed information that it at least meant she was in no imminent danger and finally got to bed.
06.30 this morning and it was dog walking in the rain before work.....oh joy.... and then more 'doggy treats' to keep him going until I could get home from work with something more appropriate in the dog menu line.
I worried all day, spent my lunch time trying to choose between the dog diets on display in the local shop, well aware that if I chose something he took offence too it would be me cleaning it up, and raced home at 17.00 for another walk in the rain.
Having fed and walked a now slightly miserable Bart I phoned the hospital again to discover his 'mum' was one her way home *sigh of relief* but apparently with a problem with her heart that as yet can't be identified *sigh*
Somehow I think Bart and his 'mum' are going to become more of a feature in my life for a while to come.
Thankfully PG was off work ill himself and stepped into the breach. An ambulance duly attended poste haste, a paramedic did his stuff and off she went to our local hospital.........40 miles away!
All this left us not only worried but with one or two difficulties, the first being a very confused Bart, the second, that the lady in question only has one relative in the UK, a son who she has no contact with and all other relatives scattered around Germany, we speak no German and they no English. With that in mind we decided temporarily to abandon ideas of attempting to contact someone and wait until we had some news from the hospital.......we would cross that bridge if we got to it.
So Bart was our next problem. Given that as nice as he is, he would happily have our cats for a small snack, we couldn't take him home with us so we began a rota of feeding, walking and dog sitting. All this sounds quite simple but I suddenly discovered that never having kept a dog I was slightly at loss as to exactly they require. Added to that, despite turning the place upside down we could find no 'Bart food' and by now ( I did'nt get in from work until 21.00) the shops had shut. I also had no idea how long he would tolerate being on his own before he would get stressed.
The feeding problem was temporarily alleviated by the discovery of a large packet of dog treats and the second by the introduction of the 'keeping Bart company' rota!!!
I phoned the hospital later at night and after some difficulty finding her and convincing them she has no one else in the UK they overlooked that I am just a neighbour and informed me she was 'comfortable'.........what the hell does 'comfortable' mean in a medical sense? I decided in the absence of any more detailed information that it at least meant she was in no imminent danger and finally got to bed.
06.30 this morning and it was dog walking in the rain before work.....oh joy.... and then more 'doggy treats' to keep him going until I could get home from work with something more appropriate in the dog menu line.
I worried all day, spent my lunch time trying to choose between the dog diets on display in the local shop, well aware that if I chose something he took offence too it would be me cleaning it up, and raced home at 17.00 for another walk in the rain.
Having fed and walked a now slightly miserable Bart I phoned the hospital again to discover his 'mum' was one her way home *sigh of relief* but apparently with a problem with her heart that as yet can't be identified *sigh*
Somehow I think Bart and his 'mum' are going to become more of a feature in my life for a while to come.
Saturday, 3 July 2004
The thoughts of Lion Kimbro
Still bleary eyed and on my first cup of coffee this morning an article about a 26 year old American geek, Lion Kimbro popped into my sights. This guy has for reasons know best to himself spent 3 months writing down every single thought in his head. Why would anyone want to do that?? He does try to explain his reasons but I'll be damned if I can see it. For that matter I'm not sure if I could, that I would want to make myself consciously aware of all my thoughts let alone offer the written document for free public download!!!
I can't imagine it makes stunning reading but I might just go and have a little look. :o)
I can't imagine it makes stunning reading but I might just go and have a little look. :o)
Friday, 2 July 2004
Rally night
Well I got to see the first night at least this year.........woooooooooooo, stunning!
Rally 1
Rally 1
Jim Clarke Memorial Rally
This village has at least one famous individual in it's past, Jim Clarke the 1960's F1 driver.
He was born in Fife but lived most of his relatively short life here. The only things to suggest the link are a small sign on the road into the village and a museum commemorating his achievements....... that is until one weekend every summer when the Jim Clarke Memorial Rally takes place on the roads and lanes of the area and everywhere goes mad with high powered rally cars screaming at break-neck speeds.
The village takes on a new life for 2 days, stuffed to the gills with spectators lining the roads, the pubs (all 2 of them) busy and the corner shop doing a roaring trade!
This year it kicks off this evening 50 yards from our door. As yet I have not managed to see it,(work commitments, grrrr) only to hear it through the night stages but hopefully this time I will have a grandstand view at least for tonight.
Jim Clarke
He was born in Fife but lived most of his relatively short life here. The only things to suggest the link are a small sign on the road into the village and a museum commemorating his achievements....... that is until one weekend every summer when the Jim Clarke Memorial Rally takes place on the roads and lanes of the area and everywhere goes mad with high powered rally cars screaming at break-neck speeds.
The village takes on a new life for 2 days, stuffed to the gills with spectators lining the roads, the pubs (all 2 of them) busy and the corner shop doing a roaring trade!
This year it kicks off this evening 50 yards from our door. As yet I have not managed to see it,(work commitments, grrrr) only to hear it through the night stages but hopefully this time I will have a grandstand view at least for tonight.
Jim Clarke
Introducing 'Bart'
Given that this dog duty thing seems to be becoming something of a regular occurrence I thought it was about time I introduced the dog in question...........so meet 'Bart'.
We have just completed the second drag of the day and as ever he has me sussed. Not content with his usual carrying-ons, today I couldn't shift him out of the house with out this multi coloured encumbrance. Try as I might to persuade him it might get lost/muddy/stolen or mislaid, down went the rear end, paws instantly embedded in the carpet and he was not for moving.
So off we went, multi colured encumbrance firmly lodged in mouth. As I had suspected that was not to remain the case. Each time a cat, bird or other more interesting subject appeared the encumbrance was abandoned for me to pick up!
All this and still no 'rear end action'!! Bah............. he just knows I'm gonna keep taking him out as long as he keeps this up!
This must come too!
We have just completed the second drag of the day and as ever he has me sussed. Not content with his usual carrying-ons, today I couldn't shift him out of the house with out this multi coloured encumbrance. Try as I might to persuade him it might get lost/muddy/stolen or mislaid, down went the rear end, paws instantly embedded in the carpet and he was not for moving.
So off we went, multi colured encumbrance firmly lodged in mouth. As I had suspected that was not to remain the case. Each time a cat, bird or other more interesting subject appeared the encumbrance was abandoned for me to pick up!
All this and still no 'rear end action'!! Bah............. he just knows I'm gonna keep taking him out as long as he keeps this up!
This must come too!
Ugh.
I've had one of those nights, you know the ones. I didn't get to bed until 1.30 and was still tossing and turning at 4.00. That was hotly pursued by PG waking me at 5.30 feeling unwell. Having dealt with that I couldn't get back to sleep despite feeling like someone had jumped on my head and now, oh joy, I remember I am on an entire day of dog dragging duties! Ugh!
Thursday, 1 July 2004
Yes, I'm a pariah.
So here's one that never fails to induce strong emotion and opinion in people.....and I'm no different!
I noticed in the news yesterday that our current 'illustrious leaders' have (stage) managed another 'document leak'..... this time concerning their intent to ban smoking in public places should they be victorious at the next election. No surprise there then, that yet another piece of intended legislation appears conveniently pre election. Forgive my sceptisism but might this just be intended to win over more of the 'politically correct' vote!
As a smoker I am ever aggravated at some non smokers and the authorities ability to assume that because I was stupid, misguided or weak enough to begin this hateful addiction in the first place , it must therefore follow that I also don't have the mental capacity to understand the effects of smoking and passive smoking!!
I would not smoke in the vicinity of others, particularly children and am only too well aware of the effects it has. I do not for one moment doubt the medical evidence and I respect the choice of others to live in a safe environment. What the hell though, has happened to my choices. There are already very few places I can smoke, I have two options, not to frequent a particular establishment or to stand out side like a pariah in all weathers,shamefully feeding my addiction. The reality of the situation for me is that I do the standing outside on frequent occasions, quite pleasant in the summer.....not so in the winter!
I am only too happy as the minority, to be the one secreted away in another room with a massive air conditioning unit for company or to be stood outside. I don't want to endanger other peoples health but I do want a little more understanding from those 'holier than thou' individuals who feel they have the right to judge me for my weakness.
I hate me for smoking, it scares something unmentionable out of me, it frustrates me beyond belief, that as yet it still controls me, I don't control it. Do those people really think I want to die an agonising death??... Well just incase there is any doubt on that one I don't.
These individuals mostly defend their opinions by being 'right' and for 'caring'.....well yes I know they are right but what, tell me is so bloody right or caring about letting elderly hospital inpatients, post operatively, stagger through the catacombs of a hospital, I.V. carts trailing in their wake to stand outside in sleet to have a smoke??? I sure don't see the care in that but believe me, I have seen the scenario, or one similar, many times.
If I was a 'crack head', an alcoholic or indeed suffered almost any other addiction there would be systems in place to help and support me. Not so for the smoker. Yes there are pharmaceutical producs to assist but not the moral or practical support. Yet many professionals believe that nicotine to be as addictive as many other abused substances.
So for those on that particular band wagon, please don't make assumptions and judgments so readily. When you have dealt with a personal addiction, become professionally qualified to treat one, know every individuals life circumstances or attain perfection in your own lives let me know.......... Until then save it eh?
......and for anyone who has beaten this thing..........well done, I have great admiration for you and feel free to beat me up for not managing to be one of your number. :o)
I noticed in the news yesterday that our current 'illustrious leaders' have (stage) managed another 'document leak'..... this time concerning their intent to ban smoking in public places should they be victorious at the next election. No surprise there then, that yet another piece of intended legislation appears conveniently pre election. Forgive my sceptisism but might this just be intended to win over more of the 'politically correct' vote!
As a smoker I am ever aggravated at some non smokers and the authorities ability to assume that because I was stupid, misguided or weak enough to begin this hateful addiction in the first place , it must therefore follow that I also don't have the mental capacity to understand the effects of smoking and passive smoking!!
I would not smoke in the vicinity of others, particularly children and am only too well aware of the effects it has. I do not for one moment doubt the medical evidence and I respect the choice of others to live in a safe environment. What the hell though, has happened to my choices. There are already very few places I can smoke, I have two options, not to frequent a particular establishment or to stand out side like a pariah in all weathers,shamefully feeding my addiction. The reality of the situation for me is that I do the standing outside on frequent occasions, quite pleasant in the summer.....not so in the winter!
I am only too happy as the minority, to be the one secreted away in another room with a massive air conditioning unit for company or to be stood outside. I don't want to endanger other peoples health but I do want a little more understanding from those 'holier than thou' individuals who feel they have the right to judge me for my weakness.
I hate me for smoking, it scares something unmentionable out of me, it frustrates me beyond belief, that as yet it still controls me, I don't control it. Do those people really think I want to die an agonising death??... Well just incase there is any doubt on that one I don't.
These individuals mostly defend their opinions by being 'right' and for 'caring'.....well yes I know they are right but what, tell me is so bloody right or caring about letting elderly hospital inpatients, post operatively, stagger through the catacombs of a hospital, I.V. carts trailing in their wake to stand outside in sleet to have a smoke??? I sure don't see the care in that but believe me, I have seen the scenario, or one similar, many times.
If I was a 'crack head', an alcoholic or indeed suffered almost any other addiction there would be systems in place to help and support me. Not so for the smoker. Yes there are pharmaceutical producs to assist but not the moral or practical support. Yet many professionals believe that nicotine to be as addictive as many other abused substances.
So for those on that particular band wagon, please don't make assumptions and judgments so readily. When you have dealt with a personal addiction, become professionally qualified to treat one, know every individuals life circumstances or attain perfection in your own lives let me know.......... Until then save it eh?
......and for anyone who has beaten this thing..........well done, I have great admiration for you and feel free to beat me up for not managing to be one of your number. :o)
Technology.....Pah!
I'm sure if I obtained the appropriate education on the subject all this would become clear..........or maybe not!
Every day this infernal machine reminds me just how little I really understand. It has a life all of it's own. I'm convinced little gremlins reside happily along with my motherboard, graphics card and hard drive etc. ready to give me the finger at every opportunity!
Take yesterday for instance, I was trying to mail a friend, just a few lines, nothing earth shattering, one address after another failed to either send or receive. I switched to my laptop in aggravation to find the same problem, but with different addresses..............and does anyone actually understand all those error messages??? I checked my settings, all fine, nothing changed, so I set about deciphering some of the errors.That in itself requires a few free hours and generally results in my being none the wiser. I did discover however that in this instance it was the old chestnut 'server problems. This time my personal family of gremlins where not to be blamed. That said, and given the number of different addresses I was attempting to use to carry out this great email sending feat .............was yesterday 'international server rest day' or some such event?? Grrrrrrr.
My other ongoing annoyance is certainly due to my lack of knowledge. No hard drive residing gremlins to lay the blame with on this one! I know other bloggers etc. can track me, my movements on their site, where I have come from, what country I live in etc. etc. How do they get such detailed information? Granted my site stats app. is a freebie so I can't expect miracles. It does provide me with some of the aforementioned 'spy tactics' but by no means all.......... will someone out there please make my day and enlighten me?
My final grumble is closer to home..........PG! Why does he feel it so necessary to fiddle here to such an extent that he sends 'Windows' crashing to the ground in thousands of minute pieces with regular monotony! Ok I hear you say, my fault for using Windows in the first place, but gimme a break, I can't take in a new o/s as well just now! Granted, he picks it up and puts it all back together for me but hey.......I can live without it!
Rant over :o)
Every day this infernal machine reminds me just how little I really understand. It has a life all of it's own. I'm convinced little gremlins reside happily along with my motherboard, graphics card and hard drive etc. ready to give me the finger at every opportunity!
Take yesterday for instance, I was trying to mail a friend, just a few lines, nothing earth shattering, one address after another failed to either send or receive. I switched to my laptop in aggravation to find the same problem, but with different addresses..............and does anyone actually understand all those error messages??? I checked my settings, all fine, nothing changed, so I set about deciphering some of the errors.That in itself requires a few free hours and generally results in my being none the wiser. I did discover however that in this instance it was the old chestnut 'server problems. This time my personal family of gremlins where not to be blamed. That said, and given the number of different addresses I was attempting to use to carry out this great email sending feat .............was yesterday 'international server rest day' or some such event?? Grrrrrrr.
My other ongoing annoyance is certainly due to my lack of knowledge. No hard drive residing gremlins to lay the blame with on this one! I know other bloggers etc. can track me, my movements on their site, where I have come from, what country I live in etc. etc. How do they get such detailed information? Granted my site stats app. is a freebie so I can't expect miracles. It does provide me with some of the aforementioned 'spy tactics' but by no means all.......... will someone out there please make my day and enlighten me?
My final grumble is closer to home..........PG! Why does he feel it so necessary to fiddle here to such an extent that he sends 'Windows' crashing to the ground in thousands of minute pieces with regular monotony! Ok I hear you say, my fault for using Windows in the first place, but gimme a break, I can't take in a new o/s as well just now! Granted, he picks it up and puts it all back together for me but hey.......I can live without it!
Rant over :o)
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