PG and I have been having a small 'discussion' as to which day is considered to be officially the first day of each week, Sunday or Monday.
I won't tell you at this stage which one of us thinks what!
Opinions please. :o)
Monday, 16 January 2006
Fight or flight........
......or behave like a damn fool?!
The 'flight or fight' response in humans, animals, birds, in fact almost all living creatures, is not a new phenomenon. Since time in memorial, when faced with danger we have had this in-built response to threatening situations, our mind recognises a danger and immediately floods our body with the various chemicals, adrenaline being the obvious one, necessary to give us the speed, strength and presence of mind to 'fight or flight', i.e. fight the danger or escape from it.
Not so it seems in some! Sure, there are those who have trained their minds and bodies to overcome the response, the feeling of panic and of having to 'get the hell out'. Emergency services personnel who's remit requires them to walk toward what the rest of us run from, armed forces personnel etc. etc. they have all had to learn to overcome and control their bodies natural response to threat, and with good reason......but then there are those, that sometimes I am sure, are just devoid of enough common sense to recognise a danger and consequently behave like complete fools!
I have been witness to this once before and again in a smaller way yesterday and it confounds me. Many years ago, in the late 70's, I was working in a West End department store that the IRA saw fit to bomb. Luckily on this occasion it was only a small incendiary device in a window space, but we didn't know that when the call
came through and it none the less resulted in serious injury for those in close proximity. Two aspects of the incident remain strong in my mind, the first was the almost overwhelming feeling of my body telling me to escape, to run, to do anything but remain where I was and the second was my incredulity at the stupidity of some others.
Whilst my job required that I remain in the building to evacuate customers and to help look for the device (yup, all sixteen years of me) there were those, that despite the threat, were so intent on making or completing their purchase that we had to argue with them to get them to leave the building!!
Yesterday I was reminded of this stupidity.
Mid morning at work the fire alarms sounded. I was on a break with a colleague, for a moment we considered if this was merely a drill but instantly recognised that
there are never drills in opening hours, the company is way too concerned about losing an hours trade to do that, and so we set about our evacuation procedure and left the building. Our location in the store meant that by virtue of the 'leave by the nearest exit' rule we were not involved in having to secure the building or evacuate customers and there was no apparently immediate threat to our safety but I was still aware of my flight or fight response beginning to kick in.
Conversely, as we stood, shivering in the cold wind watching the evacuation it was patently obvious that some seemed not too perceive any threat whatsoever.
Never mind the usual fear of panic in a situation presenting danger, no, some of our customers were sauntering about and almost requiring a cattle prod to persuade them to leave with any degree of urgency! Whilst in that part of the building there was no immediate evidence of fire and so panic was not going to be the order of the day, did they have some inside information that there was no fire in a roof or wall space, that in a store full of flammable materials there would be no explosion? Has shopping become of such importance in some people's lives that they will risk their lives for a purchase, have they become so desensitized by today's graphic media images that their normal responses have declined or do some people merely have the I.Q. of a peanut rendering them completely stupid???
Furthermore, as the situation unfolded and the building was resplendent with screaming alarm system and fire tenders sporting blues and two's, it's staff all stood in the car park and obvious activity by the fire brigade.......potential customers were arriving, meandering up to the doorway, apparently oblivious and asking if they could be let in.....and then showing displeasure when told no!
As it was, the alarm had been triggered by a fault but one wonders, had there been 100 foot flames leaping from the roof whether some of these idiots would have noticed anything unusual at all?!
I accept that having been married to a fireman for years I am maybe more aware of the possibilities but hell, it's not rocket science is it.........
The 'flight or fight' response in humans, animals, birds, in fact almost all living creatures, is not a new phenomenon. Since time in memorial, when faced with danger we have had this in-built response to threatening situations, our mind recognises a danger and immediately floods our body with the various chemicals, adrenaline being the obvious one, necessary to give us the speed, strength and presence of mind to 'fight or flight', i.e. fight the danger or escape from it.
Not so it seems in some! Sure, there are those who have trained their minds and bodies to overcome the response, the feeling of panic and of having to 'get the hell out'. Emergency services personnel who's remit requires them to walk toward what the rest of us run from, armed forces personnel etc. etc. they have all had to learn to overcome and control their bodies natural response to threat, and with good reason......but then there are those, that sometimes I am sure, are just devoid of enough common sense to recognise a danger and consequently behave like complete fools!
I have been witness to this once before and again in a smaller way yesterday and it confounds me. Many years ago, in the late 70's, I was working in a West End department store that the IRA saw fit to bomb. Luckily on this occasion it was only a small incendiary device in a window space, but we didn't know that when the call
came through and it none the less resulted in serious injury for those in close proximity. Two aspects of the incident remain strong in my mind, the first was the almost overwhelming feeling of my body telling me to escape, to run, to do anything but remain where I was and the second was my incredulity at the stupidity of some others.
Whilst my job required that I remain in the building to evacuate customers and to help look for the device (yup, all sixteen years of me) there were those, that despite the threat, were so intent on making or completing their purchase that we had to argue with them to get them to leave the building!!
Yesterday I was reminded of this stupidity.
Mid morning at work the fire alarms sounded. I was on a break with a colleague, for a moment we considered if this was merely a drill but instantly recognised that
there are never drills in opening hours, the company is way too concerned about losing an hours trade to do that, and so we set about our evacuation procedure and left the building. Our location in the store meant that by virtue of the 'leave by the nearest exit' rule we were not involved in having to secure the building or evacuate customers and there was no apparently immediate threat to our safety but I was still aware of my flight or fight response beginning to kick in.Conversely, as we stood, shivering in the cold wind watching the evacuation it was patently obvious that some seemed not too perceive any threat whatsoever.
Never mind the usual fear of panic in a situation presenting danger, no, some of our customers were sauntering about and almost requiring a cattle prod to persuade them to leave with any degree of urgency! Whilst in that part of the building there was no immediate evidence of fire and so panic was not going to be the order of the day, did they have some inside information that there was no fire in a roof or wall space, that in a store full of flammable materials there would be no explosion? Has shopping become of such importance in some people's lives that they will risk their lives for a purchase, have they become so desensitized by today's graphic media images that their normal responses have declined or do some people merely have the I.Q. of a peanut rendering them completely stupid???
Furthermore, as the situation unfolded and the building was resplendent with screaming alarm system and fire tenders sporting blues and two's, it's staff all stood in the car park and obvious activity by the fire brigade.......potential customers were arriving, meandering up to the doorway, apparently oblivious and asking if they could be let in.....and then showing displeasure when told no!
As it was, the alarm had been triggered by a fault but one wonders, had there been 100 foot flames leaping from the roof whether some of these idiots would have noticed anything unusual at all?!
I accept that having been married to a fireman for years I am maybe more aware of the possibilities but hell, it's not rocket science is it.........
Sunday, 15 January 2006
The feel good factor
Rather than blatantly thieve the post, may I direct all you good people HERE for a small dose of the feel good factor and a Sunday evening smile.
Well worth the click I promise.
Well worth the click I promise.
Saturday, 14 January 2006
Once in a lifetime?
My knowledge of astronomy is somewhere between 'very little' and 'absolutely nothing' and as a consequence I can't account for the reason I was treated to an amazing display on my home from work this evening.
I left work at about four fifteen and as I walked out of the building I smiled a little to myself that it was the first time for months that daylight was still in evidence, spring is next on the agenda and whilst I love winter, I like the changes too.
I turned my engine on and set off on my journey home. As I hit the A1, at this point a long, straight, uphill drag with the sea just below the horizon, I was struck by a strange light, it was barely dusk but the light was odd, almost a creamy yellow. Something caught my eye on the horizon, I looked straight ahead of me and there, seemingly sat on the roadway and filling the horizon, was the biggest, roundest moon I have ever seen. Absolutely untainted by cloud, haze or darkness, just a massive creamy yellow, perfectly glowing ball.
It's impossible for me to do it justice , it was as low as I have ever seen the moon and so clear it's darker shadows were starkly visible. It appeared enormous, it really, truly seemed to fill most of the horizon and perch just on the tarmac, it was hard to believe that one wouldn't just drive straight into it....and still it was almost daylight.
Of course, as ever on these rare occasions, the only camera I had with me was my phone. I stopped as soon as I was able and took one or two pictures but needless to say they were dire!
For the remainder of my journey this beautiful moon, the like of which I have never before seen was 'following' me in my rear view mirror, apparently suspended, in all it's glory just above the ground, filling my rear view.
By the time I got home it was lost, nightfall had proceeded and my beautiful moon was higher in the sky, still perfect, still clear but not the amazing sight it had been just half an hour earlier.
Not to be defeated I rushed in and grabbed my camera but as is apparent from this image, whilst still it was a nice moon, I missed capturing what was probably a once in a lifetime vision.
Truly, I just can't describe the sight adequately, of the moon so yellow, so big and so low, just 'sitting' happily and brightly on the tarmac filling all of the view!
I left work at about four fifteen and as I walked out of the building I smiled a little to myself that it was the first time for months that daylight was still in evidence, spring is next on the agenda and whilst I love winter, I like the changes too.
I turned my engine on and set off on my journey home. As I hit the A1, at this point a long, straight, uphill drag with the sea just below the horizon, I was struck by a strange light, it was barely dusk but the light was odd, almost a creamy yellow. Something caught my eye on the horizon, I looked straight ahead of me and there, seemingly sat on the roadway and filling the horizon, was the biggest, roundest moon I have ever seen. Absolutely untainted by cloud, haze or darkness, just a massive creamy yellow, perfectly glowing ball.
It's impossible for me to do it justice , it was as low as I have ever seen the moon and so clear it's darker shadows were starkly visible. It appeared enormous, it really, truly seemed to fill most of the horizon and perch just on the tarmac, it was hard to believe that one wouldn't just drive straight into it....and still it was almost daylight.
Of course, as ever on these rare occasions, the only camera I had with me was my phone. I stopped as soon as I was able and took one or two pictures but needless to say they were dire!
For the remainder of my journey this beautiful moon, the like of which I have never before seen was 'following' me in my rear view mirror, apparently suspended, in all it's glory just above the ground, filling my rear view.
By the time I got home it was lost, nightfall had proceeded and my beautiful moon was higher in the sky, still perfect, still clear but not the amazing sight it had been just half an hour earlier.
Not to be defeated I rushed in and grabbed my camera but as is apparent from this image, whilst still it was a nice moon, I missed capturing what was probably a once in a lifetime vision.
Truly, I just can't describe the sight adequately, of the moon so yellow, so big and so low, just 'sitting' happily and brightly on the tarmac filling all of the view!
Friday, 13 January 2006
Blogs, splogs and vlogs
Thanks to BFJ for this link which explains way better than I could, how the bastards are out to get us one way or another.
What is the matter with some people? Those who commit these offences (are they even offences in a legal sense?) to extort money or information I suppose are no better or worse than any other perpetrator of a crime but the real clever guys, the seriously geeky kids that do this just because it is 'there to be done' need to find a better outlet for their apparently very selective, intellectual abilities!
Gah!.
What is the matter with some people? Those who commit these offences (are they even offences in a legal sense?) to extort money or information I suppose are no better or worse than any other perpetrator of a crime but the real clever guys, the seriously geeky kids that do this just because it is 'there to be done' need to find a better outlet for their apparently very selective, intellectual abilities!
Gah!.
Precarious positioning
Why just sit comfortably on a chair when as an alternative one can perch precariously atop the narrow back....... for hours on end?!
Love it or hate it.....
......the argy bargy is over, the pink has gone, hurrah I hear some of you scream, no promises though that it won't return in another guise. I like pink....though I will admit it was very pink!
But...er.....the image was of questionable 'heritage', I remembered finally from where I got it and despite much tampering, the copyright is the under the ownership of someone other than moi! Oopsss.
This being friday the 13th and given my recent history on this unfortunate date, I thought it best not to push my luck! ;o)
But...er.....the image was of questionable 'heritage', I remembered finally from where I got it and despite much tampering, the copyright is the under the ownership of someone other than moi! Oopsss.
This being friday the 13th and given my recent history on this unfortunate date, I thought it best not to push my luck! ;o)
Thursday, 12 January 2006
He came...he came!
I take it all back, well ok, not all of it because despite my landlords late arrival the job is still not done in it's entirety!
Why am I not surprised.
The leak is from the neck of the monobloc, I could have told him that, it is in need of a new 'o' ring, but did he bring one? Did he hell. Once the water has escaped the neck of the tap it is tracking down to the (perished)gasket and leaking in under the sink via that little convoluted route.
Did he have a spare gasket? Nope. Did he even have a bloody basin wrench? Nope. Seems a pretty basic requirement when one is called out to fix a leaky tap but none the less, who am I to assume! So what did he do? He lifted the tap a little and squirted some silicone sealant under the offending gasket! Arghhhhhh.
So in exasperation I have done him a deal, I will buy a gasket and 'o' ring and I will fit them........on the strict understanding that if it all falls apart he will stand the cost of further repair.
Hells bells and little fishes, is nothing simple?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
........and for those of you questioning my current choice of colour, I'm not sure I can stand it either!
Why am I not surprised.
The leak is from the neck of the monobloc, I could have told him that, it is in need of a new 'o' ring, but did he bring one? Did he hell. Once the water has escaped the neck of the tap it is tracking down to the (perished)gasket and leaking in under the sink via that little convoluted route.
Did he have a spare gasket? Nope. Did he even have a bloody basin wrench? Nope. Seems a pretty basic requirement when one is called out to fix a leaky tap but none the less, who am I to assume! So what did he do? He lifted the tap a little and squirted some silicone sealant under the offending gasket! Arghhhhhh.
So in exasperation I have done him a deal, I will buy a gasket and 'o' ring and I will fit them........on the strict understanding that if it all falls apart he will stand the cost of further repair.
Hells bells and little fishes, is nothing simple?
........and for those of you questioning my current choice of colour, I'm not sure I can stand it either!
So here I am......
....waiting yet again for my landlord to turn up, as promised on each occasion I might add, to make some repairs. This is the sixth day of waiting and thus far he is very conspicuous by his absence!
He used to be good, I phone if I had a problem I couldn't resolve myself and he would be here, in a flash, but no longer. Nowadays it's akin to extracting blood from a stone trying to get him here.
Most jobs I or PG do ourselves, we never charge him for parts, as we could, but this time the problem is plumbing, or more specifically the fact that I collect about two litres of water from a pipe under the kitchen sink each day, my understanding is that the water should be exiting the system via the tap, not a joint! I don't like plumbing, or rather I don't like messing it up, particularly as we live on the first floor with some other poor unsuspecting soul below us should I cause a flood.
And so, many calls later and on the sixth promise of a visit, here I am waiting again. Forgive my cynicism but I'm not giving good odds.
Why oh why can people not just call and say if they can't make it, it's not rocket science.....even I could show the guy the intricacies of a telephone!
He used to be good, I phone if I had a problem I couldn't resolve myself and he would be here, in a flash, but no longer. Nowadays it's akin to extracting blood from a stone trying to get him here.
Most jobs I or PG do ourselves, we never charge him for parts, as we could, but this time the problem is plumbing, or more specifically the fact that I collect about two litres of water from a pipe under the kitchen sink each day, my understanding is that the water should be exiting the system via the tap, not a joint! I don't like plumbing, or rather I don't like messing it up, particularly as we live on the first floor with some other poor unsuspecting soul below us should I cause a flood.
And so, many calls later and on the sixth promise of a visit, here I am waiting again. Forgive my cynicism but I'm not giving good odds.
Why oh why can people not just call and say if they can't make it, it's not rocket science.....even I could show the guy the intricacies of a telephone!
Wednesday, 11 January 2006
Challenge accepted
I'll probably live to regret this but when I posted a few days back that I had managed to meet the challenge issued to me to post here every day for a year two people, Melissa and Shephard, challenged me to make it two years!
So, for good or evil I accept the challenge to get a post here everyday heaven help me again until 31st December 2006. Same rules as before, the 'how's why's and wherefore's' don't matter, I just have to get the post up somehow each day.
....and you thought you had escaped so much drivel! You thought wrong.
Oh and Melissa, Shephard, backatcha guys, I am offering up the same challenge to you. Any takers? ;o)
So, for good or evil I accept the challenge to get a post here everyday
....and you thought you had escaped so much drivel! You thought wrong.
Oh and Melissa, Shephard, backatcha guys, I am offering up the same challenge to you. Any takers? ;o)
Tuesday, 10 January 2006
Really, honestly, I promise......
....that if I owe you an email I will get to it. Life has seemd more hectic than hectic this last week but at last I have three days off the day job and some catching up is well overdue. Honest guv. I promise I will get to it all.......
Monday, 9 January 2006
Now this is revenge!
In the news today, as story of a mouse and a house. I shouldn't cheer or laugh but I did, I can't help but feel little or no sympathy for the owner of the house and cheer loudly for the mouse, who unwittingly caused the ultimate revenge to rain down upon the perpetrator of such unkindness!
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