tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71007420184768853242024-03-13T21:48:11.383-07:00Cup of tea and a chatAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-33498077564136309232015-01-23T08:22:00.000-08:002015-01-24T12:00:18.825-08:00Page 3? who should feel exposed?Like it or not we the Great British public are subjected to manipulation on a daily basis, by the media, politians retailers friends and family. Everyone has an agenda, a message to press home. By and large we have the ability to spot whats going on and disregard it, but sometimes we swallow it up whole.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVlzNLr5Xzo/VMJzWIJwkvI/AAAAAAAAAnM/bPlgd5w87v4/s1600/italy%2B2010%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OVlzNLr5Xzo/VMJzWIJwkvI/AAAAAAAAAnM/bPlgd5w87v4/s1600/italy%2B2010%2B011.JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think page 3 booby photos, say much more about men in our society and what men think of men than anything else.It is the Editors, (mainly men I bet) who have targetted the male consumer and made them the biggest patsy in all of this. Yes it may influence how young men see women if they read a newspaper that has half naked women in it, but the internet may do worse. Yes women are capable of more than showing off their beautiful bodies, Duh!!!! and yes news and titiliation should be considered strange bedfellows, but they are now indistinguishable.<br />
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The fact that for decades a pair of bare breasts and sparkling eyes have been used to sell newspapers to men, only magnifies the poor regard society has for these poor guys who can't quite manage to read a whole newspaper without some light relief.<br />
<br />
For all I care Page 3 can continue, it is men who are left exposed and exploited, I wont be buying that particular paper anytime ever and laugh at anyone who does, you suckers!<br />
<br />
Alison x<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-48747286285855431582015-01-12T11:36:00.001-08:002015-01-13T04:04:43.300-08:00Horse rescue or a licence to print money?????When I decided to rescue a horse I thought I was a reasonably discerning person and not easily duped.I researched the possible options and was drawn to the Lusitano horses plight in Portugal. I know I could have made it much easier for myself and rescued a horse here in the UK, but my choice, my prerogative.
After identifying a rescue operation on the Silver coast, I looked at their web site and spoke to someone who had already "adopted" a horse from there it seemed on the up, but still that wasn't enough. I wasn't totally sure enough to go ahead and support this group so I went out with a friend to visit the centre.
Now at this point I think I want to ask you what would you look for, if you went to a rescue organisation to reassure yourself everything was bone fide.I think I was looking to meet the people involved and see how they came across in the flesh, so to speak. See if the need was genuine and there were horses that needed rescuing. That donations were being well used and facilities were adequate for the care of the horses.
Well I arrived in a foreign country and was welcomed and shown round and asked questions and allowed to see everything. However the problems started when I saw that perhaps there were not enough people to look after the number of horses, the quality of food and bedding was not great and daily routines were haphazard. However as well as seeing the two premises where the rescue horses were kept we were taken to see other horses as yet not rescued, in even worse conditions.Small groups of horses kept in woods or on small patches of ground with very little grass.Old, young, some terribly emaciated, some mares with youngsters at foot, some tethered out of reach of water, all incredibly sad. We were accompanied on this tour by a local man referred to as the "meatman" he was responsible for collecting and keeping these horses in these conditions and showed them off to us in case we wanted them, for a good price. Finally we were taken to a building with stone stalls and a small coral, it was utterly miserable.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SWwNSzRuoYM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=SWwNSzRuoYM"></a>
Its at this point my emotions took over and any concerns regarding shortcomings in the care of the horses in rescue were explained away because of the pressure to rescue more horses like the ones we could see anything was better than this? right?
So how did it work, the horses would stay with the "meatman" until someone came along to pay the "bail" money to get the horse out of there and into rescue, somewhere in the region of 400 to 500 Euros. That would not be quite enough though because whoever paid the bail money would also have to pay livery and all related expenses, before they were fit to travel to this persons home. This is what "adoption" entailed.If they were not rescued they would go for slaughter. Some had been in those stalls for months getting thinner and thinner.
The rescue premises were full, but they would put themselves out to take any horse that was bailed out by a supporter. If necessary they would be placed in local livery where they had good relations with other likeminded horse lovers, at the going rate of course.
At the same time we were told how they needed money for a watering system, for feed, because they didn't have enough, for the rent of premises, for horses treatment, for everything basically. Pretty good business model, dont' you think? But of course it was temporary when things were more stable etc etc etc......
So if the operation had been well run and horses were very well looked after and everything going well, where would be the motivation, to help. How well would their fundraising go how many heartstrings could they pull. This is the beginning of a long story an experience that has had a profound effect on me.
Where there is suffering people are easy to rally to help, unfortunately both the vulnerable creatures suffering and the people with kind hearts are ripe for exploitation. The question for me is how can you tell the difference between a genuinely run rescue operation and a money making project?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-61150459186122310442014-01-02T06:44:00.001-08:002014-01-02T06:44:31.564-08:00In your groove? Or stuck in a rut?<div class="MsoNormal">
I now have an abundance of a commodity, which once was rare
for me and still is for many, and that is time. Precious and fleeting for those
with hectic careers and families to raise as a pensioner (very young I might
add!). At last I am the master of my own destiny . Or am I?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New Year is a time to reflect and make changes, so I did and
I find my life although less hectic is on examination quite regimented. I walk
the dog most days between the same times, on the same walk. I meet the same
people along the way, we generally make the usual comments on the weather and
so on. I love riding and I ride on the same days of the week generally at the
same times with the same people. I do my housework on the days I don’t ride. I
still find myself shopping on Saturdays, even though I could shop any day of
the week which would be quieter, I hear you time poor shoppers complaining now,
cursing why the likes of us don’t clear the aisles for you on the only day you
can shop. We eat Dinner at seven, I phone my sister on a Tuesday, I get my
laptop out after lunch and watch the same old tv soaps each week.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vr8pMrRmoGk/UsV5WnxlGBI/AAAAAAAAAW8/n4iv64TKlss/s1600/bonnie+in+a+rut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vr8pMrRmoGk/UsV5WnxlGBI/AAAAAAAAAW8/n4iv64TKlss/s320/bonnie+in+a+rut.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stuck in a rut?<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why? Oh Why? I hear you ask well I am asking that myself.
When I hated the routine of work life so much catching the same train sitting
opposite the same people dealing with the same BS every day, why have I now
created my own rituals and routine?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The answer comes sharply into focus today when I gave my
kitchen a good “bottoming” after the Christmas festivities, changed the beds
and mopped the floors. It felt good to get back to my “ <st1:place w:st="on">Normal</st1:place>.” All this eating big dinners in the
middle of the day, falling asleep watching old films in the afternoon, being nice to the family and entertaining folk!</div>
well it
discombobulated me.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6c7lcWPa_s/UsV5aBotV0I/AAAAAAAAAXE/82toWQeJP4Y/s1600/bonnie+in+a+groove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6c7lcWPa_s/UsV5aBotV0I/AAAAAAAAAXE/82toWQeJP4Y/s320/bonnie+in+a+groove.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In her groove!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can quite happily say I like my routine and I guess the
difference between being in a rut or in your groove, is choice, so I have created my own groove and its comfy and it suits me. Freefalling can be real scary so we are all probably happier with routine.So I hope that you can find more time to do what you want and perhaps more importantly like what
you do, more, so you get in the groove too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy New Year,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-25232271688992525892013-12-17T13:26:00.000-08:002013-12-17T13:26:32.811-08:00When does a brainwave give you a pain in your bottom?<div class="MsoNormal">
The other day I found myself yielding to an argument that withholding
child benefit for any more than 2 children , in a family was a good idea. Sunday morning politic shows were discussing the brainwave of some well positioned MP, of how to reduce the benefit bill. The arguments included extolling the virtues of good parents, and that to be a parent you
need to be responsible? “Of course”, I agree. Families should be planned?” Ideally,
yes”. Furthermore if people can’t support their own children then they shouldn't
have them, well I suppose so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must be honest initially, I almost swallowed it whole,
images of enormous families gorging on the fated calf, plumped up by us hard
working plebeians, filled my head.. The thought of rich family lives of
leisure enabled by an outdated socialist phenomena, made me feel that this initiative was a responsible approach to encouraging moderation with regard to family planning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I felt a sharp pain in my derriere, I felt well and
truly shafted. The imagery was clear, the negative connotations of large families
and the inference that you were either a good guy or a slimy parasite, made my
skin crawl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life and our journey through it is not so simple or
predictable, if only it was then we could all choose good parents to bring us
up in appropriately sized families with supportive extended family members to
guide and nurture both our parents and us. Our parents would be happily
married, stay together work hard and get well paid, never get ill or die
prematurely, from disease or accident. They would never leave us and never fail
to cope with the array of demands on them. Our parents would never get made
redundant, fail to make progress in their career and would never have anything
but perfectly formed children, who would follow a prescribed path and not need
any special care or attention, which would distract our parents from their main
job to provide for us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Family life is not simple and a civilized society is, surely one
which acts as that extended family and looks out for the ones that fall by the
wayside and need a leg up. We all have choices and yes we can say, your bed you
lie in it, but what sort of world would that be and what sort of society, not
one fit for any child, me thinks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-37880900088254330942012-06-30T02:45:00.000-07:002012-06-30T02:45:38.554-07:00What’s good about minding your own business?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Has social networking given us a useful tool to help others
or is it just a modern way to be nosy?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the second world war there was a lot of temporary housing,
”prefabs” which became permanent and lasted well into the 70s. As a young
couple my parents lived in one. Some of theses groups of little corrugated iron
bungalows were built in the strangest of places, away from existing streets or
bomb sites. One in particular was a settlement of twenty or so built on a large
traffic island in the middle of a small town, surrounded by traffic and shops;
it was a whorl of activity of coming and going.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not sure how people were allocated these homes if they
were neighbours moved en bloc or initially
strangers to each other. It didn’t take long, though for everyone’s routines to
be known to one another the walls were thin and the paths crisscrossed under
bedroom windows. The little gardens were usually kept tidy and colourful but
they too were small and there was nowhere to hide. Family life therefore was
very much exposed for all to witness, the highs and the lows. There was still a
mixture of cultural responses to “trouble”, some felt what went on was private
, but somehow disapproval of certain goings on hovered ever ready and acted as
a moderator in some cases and a safety network in others. Domestic violence is
a fairly new term in a historical sense but it is something which has been
around since the caveman. Tolerance of it and of child abuse has sensitised
somewhat in the last 30 years, but I think people always had a bottom line
which was not to be tolerated. Hitting children, quite harshly was acceptable,
then, after all. However in this tight,
cheek by jowl existence there was something that united them and it became a
practise as concern spread they would react spontaneously to a new event to
protect a vulnerable member of the neighbourhood
, a child, a wife an elderly man, perhaps. Sometimes it involved nothing more
than a crowd forming to oust the abuser once and for all and give a woman the
confidence to shout “and don’t come back” and everyone would know. Other times rightly
or wrongly more pressure was brought to bare to “reform” someone’s behaviour.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crowds forming at incidents were common, people had no
embarrassment of being right there in the thick of it and throwing in the odd challenging
remark, buoyed by the presence of their neighbours. Then it seem to peter out
and net curtain twitching was all we could muster and a surreptitious call to
the authorities, in some ways this “nosy” behaviour became despised. We all
moved into more insular lives, more cars, bigger shops, higher garden fences.
We stopped looking and we stopped caring and it became somebody else’s
responsibility, to look out for others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now social networking has brought us a new opportunity to
spread the word when someone needs help and we have a tool we feel comfortable using
to bring pressure to bare. There are bad things about technology and there will
never be a replacement for a brave sole to step up and be counted and use their
own physicality to protect someone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we have entered a new era where each and everyone one of
us can make a difference and add our voices to others to raise the volume to be
heard. The following film is an example of how we can each be a voice for good. It is 30 mins long but it is so interesting and provoking,even if you don;t agree with this particular cause, you can see how each one of us can use technology for good.</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y4MnpzG5Sqc" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-73540941649612172182012-06-06T08:59:00.000-07:002012-06-06T08:59:06.987-07:00What lurks beneath<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>I sat and cried when I read an article about a woman who pays
for her daughter’s spray tan every month as well as the services of a
professional make- up artist. Not a big deal for some “wanna be” beauty queen,
you might say, at least her Mom hasn’t got her a boob job yet!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.johnsimonsfunfairs.com/images/Thumbnails/carousel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://www.johnsimonsfunfairs.com/images/Thumbnails/carousel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playtime </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No but the girl is only three years old. The purpose of this expenditure is to prepare
the little toddler for regular beauty pageants. By three you could describe her
as an old hand after all she has been taking part in these pageants since she
was ten months old.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>It’s above board and organised, so what upsets me
so much then? It's not the isolation from playful times and free spirited fun, no
not necessarily It's not how children involved in these pageants might be affected about their looks and what that means to how they are treated. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No it’s
the fact that the enhancements are to make the girls look like sexy little women.
There is no getting away from that. The make up is adult in every way, pouting
lips, thick eyeliner; the hair piled up and big, not a plait in sight. Even a
swimwear section! Which is apparently this little girl’s favourite part and that’s
why she loves her darker skin tone. Did she really figure that out all on her
own, at three?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="poultry" src="http://www.meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk/images/stories/poultry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parading Livestock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Girls are paraded for others to judge them whether they win or
not what does that say to them, either she isn’t attractive enough to win
despite all the effort, or that wearing all that make up is the only way she
will get noticed. I can’t see any positive messages for any young girl let alone
a mere toddler. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am distressed about the fact that a whole industry is set
up around the sexualisation of tiny children. This has the potential for
changing some people’s perceptions of all children not just those taking part
in the pageants.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How precious is innocence and how important is it that we, as a society, protect our children from degrading
and dangerous environments. Surely this must include firmly stamping out
associations between children and sex.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How mothers and other adults try and justify their
participation in this type of activity makes me gag. There is no justification
for traipsing little girls around this circuit, as if by illustrating she has a
moral handle on the whole debacle the mother, identifies that there is a line
not to be crossed and she has kept her daughter on the right side adding she
has not considered surgery or Botox! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wonder what is on the other side of that line, what dark
and horrific place must that be? At least this mother and other parents who
enter their daughters in these pageants are saving their children from that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stop child abuse now.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-64259693336503268382012-05-27T02:04:00.000-07:002012-05-28T09:09:25.990-07:00No budgie smugglers for the men then?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
How far have we women come on the journey towards full
emancipation and standing on a “level playing field”. Well I suppose it all
depends on what playing field you are standing on. If its Beach volley ball
there seems to be a very obvious difference between the sexes that at first
glance may seem petty and inconsequential. But like all these “small” issues,
they have deep rooted negative insidious connotations for women, all women. Not
just those interested in beach volley ball or sport generally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Simultaneously because the matter seems mere “window
dressing” anyone tempted to castigate the dress code, of the
players and compare the glaring differences from a “sexist” point of view, runs
the risk of being labelled, “hysterical” or extreme. Its just Beach volley ball
for goodness sake?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><img src="http://www.london2012.com/mm/Photo/sport/General/01/23/64/28/1236428_M01.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well call me what you like but let me ask just a few
questions,(I'll make a stab at the answers too)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1Why do the ladies shorts need to be so brief, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Answer,</b> perhaps
because its “beach” volley ball stupid and they are playing on a beach. So it’s
like they are wearing a bikini as if they have just started playing a game
after a sunbathe </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Oh I see).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Its not long since Beach volley ball has been an approved
Olympic sport so perhaps it looks startlingly modern and with it, but now it’s
a serious sport right? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Answer</b>, yeah
right!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. So there has to be a unified look a team strip and they
came up with this for the all the ladies of the world? Are the ladies happy to
wear such revealing and potentially easily wardrobe malfunctioning kit? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Answer, </b>Of course
they are just happy to be playing for their country and they look really happy
don’t they? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. Yes, but what responsibility do they have to make it more
professionally appreciated for their skill and inspire other young women to
take this up as a serious sport? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Answer</b>, they are
doing a great job, they get loads of attention, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><img alt="Serving in Beach Volleyball at Beijing 2008" src="http://www.london2012.com/mm/Photo/sport/General/01/23/64/31/1236431_M01.jpg" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. You hardly see photos of the men’s team do you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Answer</b> No that’s true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6.Don’t they want to look cool and get photographed and
appeal to the masses to generate interest in the sport. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Answer</b>,Well the
girls seem to be doing that all on their own.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7. So no Budgie smugglers for the men then?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Answer</b>, No way! what would that look like, ridiculous!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JHwAEbwlGDk" width="560"></iframe>
Alison</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-14516732676257846522012-05-20T02:40:00.000-07:002012-05-20T02:40:12.471-07:00Equality in a Talent Show World!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XpRhLVHhbys/T7i3-lsQvII/AAAAAAAAAKU/iFiS4sFOWko/s1600/P1020469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XpRhLVHhbys/T7i3-lsQvII/AAAAAAAAAKU/iFiS4sFOWko/s320/P1020469.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does success mean stepping on others</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I often have anxieties about whether society at large is
manipulated intentionally by popular culture, to benefit a master plan. I find
Feminism is under strain (yet again) and whilst I emphasise I am not an avid
reader of feminist literature or ideals. I have my own base level of
comprehension which is open for discussion of course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems that not only is feminism becoming untrendy by
young girls who feel they can make it on their own thank you very much, but
equality per se is under attack.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The world goes round on an ability to feed and clothe
itself, the majority look for their basic needs to be met whilst the greedy
minority are encouraged to gain fortunes in enterprises because they act as the
catalyst for the provision of the many. So the Tycoons are forgiven their
opulent lifestyle because they provide the infrastructure for the ordinary guy
to earn a crust.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To balance this of course we have seen any number of
“protectionists” schemes introduced to ensure the “little guy” isn’t exploited.
Fair Trade, minimum wage, hours of work directive, health & Safety, human rights and so on.
We are a caring world are we not? Through history there has always had to be a
less important group of humans who need the work no other group should be asked
to do. This has been a transient group as they form, through struggle into a
force to be reckoned with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noy1j6NsQGw/T7i4yC6wiiI/AAAAAAAAAKc/kUBBEvarIw0/s1600/P1000185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noy1j6NsQGw/T7i4yC6wiiI/AAAAAAAAAKc/kUBBEvarIw0/s320/P1000185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or can we be happy as one of the herd ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So where has all this emancipation got us? The status quo
seems alive and kicking doesn’t it? Someone in a sweat shop somewhere has to make
“stuff” cheap enough for us to buy it and make enough millionaires to keep the
wheels of industry turning. If not why hasn’t exploitation been routed out?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps we have to accept in a small part of our guilt
ridden brain, that we are natural oppressors and we are happy to turn a blind
eye to the suffering of others, in order to be happy?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look at the way we eat up all these talent shows, where the
need to survive is ever present. The contestants (modern day gladiators) are
encouraged to be prepared to step over others to get ahead. Equality suggests a level playing field, when
in reality we have to compete in a hierarchal pyramid, who wants to be at the
bottom?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-26128699016440576142012-05-13T00:02:00.001-07:002012-05-13T00:04:17.979-07:00That’s it I’m getting up<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What keeps you awake at night? Have you got any magic formula
for preparing for and succeeding in achieving a good night’s sleep?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It sounds crazy I know because I feel tired quite a lot and
get fatigued easily,(ME/CFS) but I don’t sleep well. Now last night I had a few
drinks (wine) but not a lot and early with my evening meal. But I will accept
it is better if I don’t have any alcohol at all, but, its my one weakness!(and
it was Saturday night and the BGT final was on and now I am running out of excuses).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ironic thing about this morning, it’s usually about 4am,
what about you? I was awake for a while, you know that sort of wide awake that
no closing your eyes and snuggling under the duvet will coax you back into
dreamy sleep, awake. When that unruly
mind of mine, starting darting all over the place, shooting from one thought to
another like a squash ball slamming up against the walls of the court during a
fast and furious game. One of the thoughts that got hold was writing a blog
about not sleeping, oh for goodness sake how daft is that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought about the medical causes, physical and psychological.
Obviously pain can keep you awake but I was comfortable, worries or grief can
make it hard to relax and sad or unpleasant thoughts can make it impossible to
settle. No I checked my thoughts like a guy with a hundred pockets in his suit
looking for his keys, no, no worries. Lucky me I thought (apart from not being
able to sleep, I countered).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw-epC95gqQ/T69cAbvIMDI/AAAAAAAAAJU/sVLNYi6yfPA/s1600/PC280033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw-epC95gqQ/T69cAbvIMDI/AAAAAAAAAJU/sVLNYi6yfPA/s320/PC280033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think of lying by the sea in a hammock,couldn't sleep here either!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course there is that period when you try to stay, sleepy
and get back to sleep before you give up and actually admit, Ok I am wide
awake! That’s the danger time for me because not only do I have to combat wild
thoughts flying into my head, I have the representation of a snorting Rhinoceros
lying next to me. Once I start to “hear” his snores and become aware of their
never ceasing rhythm I am “doomed”,(Mr Mainwaring, Dad’s Army fans!). I won’t
get side tracked about his snoring and what I do to stop him, (I might be leaving
myself open to legal action if I divulge too much anyway Ha!). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So then I accept, yes I am awake, wide awake the only one
awake in the house, alone but not alone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do I want a cup of tea, which for two reasons will
probably not help my sleep at all? I do have a cup of tea though because its
something to do and its warm and comforting and I sit in my armchair chatting
to myself(in my head) I try not to disrupt the whole household(that sounded
grand), I don’t want to disturb the sleeping
mound of snores upstairs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sit with my tea and think again of that thought, alone but
not alone. It’s a comfort. I don’t know what the answer is and I would love to
hear your ideas but. I sort of accept that there are times I just can’t sleep
and I know that there are a lot of us out there making tea at four o’clock in
the morning and I raise my cup and say Hi. If it helps you are not alone
either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-17191174524020823432012-05-08T05:39:00.000-07:002012-05-09T14:00:55.110-07:00Raising Awareness:Means Being Aware<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
At last technology is starting to work in the favour of good
people trying to protect children. We are starting to get the message out regarding the epidemic proportions of child
abuse be it at home or abroad, the information about figures and the damage is
being communicated with a click or a tweet. People are having to be disillusioned
that it’s not some anonymous “boggy man” or woman? Who hides in wait in an
alley way or in a car, in “dodgy dark places? It happens to children in all
communities across social strata and religions and that most abusers are known
to the children. That the abuser is trusted with the care of the child and that
the majority of cases of abuse start before children are 4 years old.
Before they have the benefit of asking for help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now technology is being used for good? We good people are passing on this important
and to some startling information, with just a “click.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a good step
in the right direction, but it doesn’t stop with a “click”. We have to read
this information and pause and consider what this means to us in our daily life.
What responsibility does this now leave us with. Is it starting to feel a bit
heavy now, this knowledge, this knowledge that has to stay with you and change
how you think, it can’t be dispersed with a “click”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We now have to look around and think about all the children
that live in our house, apartment block or street. Visit our parks and hang
around the shops. These are the children this is about. Not some poor little unseen
child in another block another street another country. They live next door to
someone you know, even if it’s not the other side of the wall. It may be that
house up the lane, or on top of the hill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These networks we are creating need to be aware that we don’t
enable the very people intent on wheedling their way into the lives of children,
in order to abuse them. The difficulty
is that good well meaning people, believe it or not look very much like paedophiles.
We are human these awful human beings don’t have a tattoo on their forehead or
a unique identifying mark. We can’t tell the difference I am afraid. The sexual
predator can spot a struggling parent at a 1000 paces and knows exactly how to
groom them to gain access to their children. They will be charm personified
helpful, manipulative and make them wonder how they ever did without them. The
emotional bully or violent abuser can use equally effective coping strategies
to cover their tracks. As we carry this new responsibility of looking out for
children, everywhere and make it easier for them to seek refuge. Be aware these
abusers are already amongst us, they know what we know and they can slip seamlessly
into the “protector” role. Be careful,
be aware and be prepared to act. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1gFzgbd8jXo" width="640"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-19486713703316761722012-05-06T23:31:00.000-07:002012-07-27T01:12:05.204-07:00Love the one you're with<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the days when my husband was just becoming my boyfriend
and I was young and insecure and he was gorgeous and well, shall we say, popular?
I hated that song, with that line in it, “If you can’t be with the one you
love, love the one you’re with.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was in a band and was “on the road” a lot and I think he
did actually sing that song. Occasionally I would finish my job for a couple of
days and go and meet up with him. I would sit and watch him play and then watch
when girls, rushed to “talk” to them after the “show”. What is it about a man with a guitar in his
hand? I remember one time when a girl elbowed me in the ribs and said ”hands
off love he’s mine” She stepped onto the
stage with the grace of a starving bear, intent on putting her claws into him.
What a life he had back then, charmed I’m sure!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That song though, Oh I hated it as if they needed any
encouragement at that age! Whether I had anything to worry about or not its 30
years later and he is snoring upstairs, I’d like to say like a baby but he’s
like a wart hog! Oh and I love him still ha!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea of the song was probably all wrong, an excuse to
fill your boots and all that. But as I have grown older, I see it slightly
differently and think the core sentiment might be a pretty good one to follow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With families and friends far flung and time so pressurised
perhaps we should see everyone we encounter every day as a precious person.
They are to someone if not us. If we treat others like our mother or brother with
loving kindness and compassion perhaps someone will do the same for our sister
or Nephew.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we show patients and understanding, perhaps we will help
others give it back to us. But boys,(or
girls) if you think this gives you carte blanche to spread the love in “that”
way don’t be surprised if your other half shares some strong and painful
attention to your nether regions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-28576045008848348102012-05-04T02:36:00.002-07:002012-05-10T00:55:59.359-07:003 Wives 24 Kids,Hey how long must his “to do list be?”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was reading an article today about a polygamous marriage,
in <st1:state w:st="on">Utah</st1:state>, <st1:city w:st="on">Salt
Lake city</st1:city> between a man twin sisters and the sisters’
cousin. Three woman one man and 24 children. Well it got me thinking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not so much the
rights and wrongs of it, that’s a whole can of worms, but the how’s and whys of
it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I considered my situation, compared and contrasted it,
married for a long time, (such a long time,) to one man. I don’t share him with any other woman, to my
knowledge! And I think it’s about all he can cope with. He has his “cave” you
know when men disappear into the shed, the attic or the garage, his is the
little music studio his cobbled together in the spare room. He spends hours in
there, playing his guitar and recording “stuff”. Do polygamous men have a “cave”
where they can be alone? Do they need one? Mine needs his and I need him to go
in there at regular intervals. Does the other woman or women take the place of
the “cave”. Give one wife rest from his nuances (endearing little ways) demands
(so utterly predictable) and other signs of presence (odours).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Could it be a simple as that, I don’t mind what he does in
the spare room alone because I am at liberty to do what I want, without feeling
obliged to stop and consider him. Can
sharing a man actually be a relief? It may have its possibilities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mind you I do like to get him out of his “cave” and motivate
him towards a “productive “ day every now and then, he is swamped in DIY
projects, I occasionally like it if he comes with me places so I don’t have to
drive and he can carry heavy things, even once in a while I like some relief,
hey don’t get excited. I like some relief from the domestic chores like cooking
the odd meal clearing the kitchen, feeding the dogs Oh and vacuuming (I hate vacuuming).
How does that work in a polygamous marriage, are the “to do lists” longer for
the man/husband or do the women get more help by sharing between themselves? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was starting to warm to the idea then I thought about the
power base, which settles somewhere in all relationships, the swing of give and
take, take take and that’s where I could not see how it would work, because
women loose a bargaining chip in this set up. Like it or lump it if it’s a good
meal, a cuddle or an interested expression when they are telling the same old
joke for the umpteenth time, we give and receive. If he can wander around from
room to room, where’s the option to withhold in order to manipulate and get our
own way when we want. No I don’t like this idea, it’s entirely unhealthy when a
girl can’t blackmail her husband into submission. Get that “to do list “ out
and add a few things to the bottom, got to keep him busy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. I do love him really</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-14302749430989180712012-04-28T05:17:00.000-07:002012-05-04T11:16:54.067-07:00The Time is Now..<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In general we live our lives at a pace which means we
collect regrets like a squirrel gathers her nuts. Fleetingly we enjoy a moment
of pure joy, which, we suddenly value greatly, which causes us to reflect on
how we live our lives, if only momentarily.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But if we can’t or wont change, the “nuts” of regret get
heavier and disappointments can cling like grey sticky cobwebs around our
hearts. We feel pulled every which way, by a multitude of conflicting demands. We
often dish out our time, haphazardly to others resulting in someone always gets
short changed. We try and calm the rising feelings of fear and shame in our
minds by justifying the choices we have made and promising to make amends. But
somehow we loose our own arguments.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0m0t5rJd18/T5vfBd1DdKI/AAAAAAAAAHo/lEFPJB08beo/s1600/Elounda+Crete+2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0m0t5rJd18/T5vfBd1DdKI/AAAAAAAAAHo/lEFPJB08beo/s320/Elounda+Crete+2009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise-good time to start afresh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be still now and think, stop and decide to make the best
choices you can and accept that you will try and do your best. If you really
are not trying hard enough, realise that it is in your own interests to do so.
If you honestly believe you are doing your best and making the best possible
choices, cut yourself some slack, do it now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We cannot do more, we need to do less. We cannot wait until
tomorrow, to find a window for this and that. The time is now, for now is the
only time we have. Let’s make a choice that lets our hearts feel light and full
of love, not heavy and smothered in guilt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-62201556872293526642012-04-27T01:44:00.000-07:002012-04-27T01:44:03.467-07:00Check this, check that and check this again!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t have OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder), which would
be extremely debilitating and difficult to manage. I can however have a
tendency to become obsessive, fixated on particular interests or information.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I read a blog yesterday about a state called hyper-vigilance,
which certainly resonated with me. For example, I tweet and blog. I routinely
check my hot mail, my connections on Twitter and blogger statistics, It s
incredibly interesting to see what methods produce increase in page views and
where sources of traffic emanate from. I then incorporate or discard methods
according to this information, good tool. It makes sense to use information,
but I will double check, go back to hotmail make sure I haven’t missed anything
and then quickly check the blogger stats again
in case there has been a “rush on”. This has every danger of getting out
of control for me so I have to set
limits and try to observe them, or I will still be in my PJs at 4pm checking
and re checking, I can do this. Therefore I think I have the situation under
control.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Hyper vigilance thing though made me think as it was
introduced in the blog in terms of its connection with ME/CFS. I have a mild
form of CFS and generally manage with it OK, after a debilitating period some
years ago. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I was ill my husband used to say I was constantly
scanning, if we sat in a pub I would have to face the door and watch people
coming in and see who was with whom. It’s generally called nosy! I know. I didn’t
think I was particularly observant I just thought Hubby was in a world of his
own,, he never seemed to notice anything. I used to juggle loads of
responsibilities and enjoy having the ability to multi task and decry others
for being such plodders. When I was relaxing, I routinely monitored the TV read
a book and went over lists in my head. Is it any wonder really I had a crash?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know this is controversial, the fact that I have pretty
much recovered, sometimes attracts responses that I never had CFS in the first
place. It’s such a fragile acknowledgement of the condition that those who
suffer severely and very long term feel under attack, I think, when there’s any
action which might undermine their situation and diagnosis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is the last thing I want to do and when I was ill it
was very real and I still moderate my whole life to be as well as I can. I wont
get into the argument whether I did or do actually have CFS or not. Other than
to say I went through the process came out with a diagnosis from a consultant and
coped the best I could. I was lucky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My controversial point is this, is there a type of
personality that falls prey to ME/CFS? Is there any credence to the
implications of being hyper-vigilant. Now I am more vulnerable, shall we say, I
cannot have conflicting noises, (ie TV and talking) I do not like the buzz from
being in a crowd and heightened emotions agitate me immediately. Unless I have
a reasonably ordered and quiet life everything gets too much for me. The
affects are very physical the headaches, the body pain, the fatigue, sore
throat, etc engulf me. Sometimes my husband is holding my hand watching TV and
says relax, you’re all tense. I check and my legs and arms are as stiff as a
board. No wonder I ache. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Relaxing my mind has
really helped me and I know there is more to ME/CFS than an emotional condition
its very physical. I hope I haven’t upset anyone it’s the last thing I want to
do but do you think how we are and how we respond to the things that happen to
us and attack us can put us in a better or worse position in relation to our
health?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-75158362791734905832012-04-26T07:44:00.001-07:002012-05-30T23:49:46.361-07:00I don't want to talk about sex, but.....<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What role does media reportage about sex have in perpetuating certain unhealthy behaviours or trend setting new ones as an older woman I wonder sometimes if we are being manipulated, by someone who wants us
all to be sexually active until the grave. Then I thought well who benefits
from this? Besides my husband!<br />
<br />
Occasionally we get the horror reports but mainly its a cold rehash served up with a thin topping of how we should all be doing it more, marketing sex helps sells so many things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a start off, the authors of all the “how to” books then
there’s the “why you should” books and the “what your missing out on” books. Besides books there is a whole merchandising
and service/counselling industry that thrives on this “ sex for ever”, premise
being promoted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So yes there could be a capitalist plot to keep us at it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But hey! why be sceptical, I don’t have to buy anything if I
don’t want to I could just keep abreast of developments couldn't I. With all this information about how to, etc we are experiencing a rise in STDs. Before the older people out there get all smug dare I say cocky!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
There are specific concerns about the rise in STD s amongst
the over 50s, so encouraging safer sex is a good thing, right after all the statistics
indicate a reluctance of older men to use condoms. So lets reduce apathy, but doesn’t this
information tell us something more sinister?
That among an age group that should know better there’s a whole lot of very “casual” unsafe sex, going on. (By definition, lacking
commitment). The rise of STDs amongst seniors, knocks the shine off “ free love
on a pension”, For me it conjures up a picture of Multi partners, experiencing low
levels of intimacy, disingenuous affection, more than likely a hell of a lot of
deceit and not much satisfaction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know this conclusion may seem to be a stretch but
advocates of mature or even elderly intimacy point to and stress the health
benefits, physical and emotional. of staying sexually active So if we can get everyone wearing a condom it
will be cool? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No because this celebration of “senior sex” seems to allude
to some pinnacle in human development. Where
emotional neediness is a thing of the past and relaxed physical enjoyment can
be truly appreciated for itself, perhaps? Like a good Merlot of a bacon
sandwich, no pun intended.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGzI_d-OZZw/T5laBlm6ybI/AAAAAAAAAHM/-PadUFqRaZ4/s1600/P1010732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGzI_d-OZZw/T5laBlm6ybI/AAAAAAAAAHM/-PadUFqRaZ4/s320/P1010732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does my old Bum still look good dear?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those seeking to start again with
someone new, being older surely makes one more vulnerable. Not necessarily mad
like a bunny boiler, but sensitive to the risks involved in exposing your
wrinkly behind to someone new.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel lying underneath the assertion, that we (the over 50s,
60s +70s) should be like rabbits, is the ever present insidious undermining of
men and women in general, “If you can’t do this you’re not a real man/woman. Where there is a
mismatch of needs in a relationship of course it needs to be managed with
love and affection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSbOtc_Hh2k/T5lbDa1IsRI/AAAAAAAAAHc/QaWRJUgggIk/s1600/P1010746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zSbOtc_Hh2k/T5lbDa1IsRI/AAAAAAAAAHc/QaWRJUgggIk/s320/P1010746.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nurse,"Mr Smith?" "yes that's me"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what about accepting
changes, getting older, and trying new things that are really fun and not
pressurised? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t want to talk about sex I want to have a laugh enjoy
my grumpy old man, my life my family and love myself (no pun intended again).
Happiness is the goal, sex isn’t necessarily the ball. Hey wouldn’t you rather be happy than waiting
in a queue at the STD clinic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
(platonic) Love </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-37086548000391193802012-04-19T16:17:00.004-07:002012-04-19T16:21:07.045-07:00To Russia with Love -Привет (Privet)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img height="320" src="http://www.mmarttravel.com/photogallery/spb/tn-p9271761.jpg" width="240" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted people to read my blogs but never imagined how far
flung my readers would be. I love the tool on Blogger that lets you see the
various statistics surrounding page views, audience and traffic sources.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What this information tells me is that <st1:place w:st="on">Russia</st1:place> is my biggest audience; I am
surprised and intrigued and hope that whoever is viewing my blog actually
enjoys the content.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, though I can only guess as I am not getting
any comments or feedback at all from this part of the world..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I get carried away thinking I am the new sensation in
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region>
and have a growing fan base. I have considered the other possibilities. Please don't be offended but I even thought crazily is there some sort of intelligence gathering software, scanning all
blogs for any threats to National security? Its possible I suppose and very “Spooks”.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do get feedback from other countries around the world,
America Canada, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region>,, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">New
Zealand</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region>
and <st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place>,
which is great and to be honest quite
thrilling for "little old me".</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So please anyone in Russia reading my blogs please leave
some little note for me, of course I know you have a different alphabet and don’t
know how computers are configured to enable you to view my blogs and perhaps
you can’t answer I really don’t know and feel really ignorant. Educate me
anyone tell me what’s going on here</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana;">Всего наилучшего (Vsevo nailučševo)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana;">Alison x</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-34471522166978185762012-04-16T15:35:00.000-07:002012-04-25T09:45:39.549-07:00Can A Market Culture be Deadly?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have never visited <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>,
but the recent tragic death of baby Afreen, in <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> last week makes me count my blessings and gives me
cause to reflect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a beloved daughter I grew up with the love of my
parents surrounding me. My education was as good as my brothers. At sixteen I
left school even though my Mother wanted me to go to college to improve on my
qualifications. I began work straight away and as well as earning enough money
to look after myself, I paid my parents a small token for my “keep”. I had a career and succeeded to gain promotion
and contributed to a good standard of living for my family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I married my husband. We met and married as equals. I would not be the woman I am without his love
and support and he would not be the man he is without my love and support. This
Synergy creates more than double the energy, as we work together with the agreed
values. It means we don’t waste energy disagreeing on our direction..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am lucky, I happened to be born into a family of wise and wonderful
parents. Poverty comes in many guises, no one can be paid to value their
daughter, not recognising and valuing the precious gift of a new life, be it a
boy or a girl, is to be truly impoverished. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The driving factor of the Market culture where everything
has a price or a cost, puts an enormously inflated price tag on a boy child.
With it, overwhelming expectations of the boy to become a man who will support
and protect his family and be able to carry that weight on his shoulders alone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fathers of <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>
if you believe a son is a “saviour “ and more capable of being a provider for
his aging parents, than a daughter. Think again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Daughters of <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>,
survive in spite of a deep and dark conspiracy to devalue them. They succeed
even though the cards are stacked against them, imagine if that tenacity,
ability and potential was truly nurtured and valued how great things would be,
how easier life would be for men to share the load equally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So can a market culture be deadly? yes it can, not only can
it create pressure to unjustly kill the girl child but it can kill the promise of a brighter
more fruitful future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-68891940624334127442012-04-15T08:10:00.000-07:002012-04-15T08:10:11.653-07:00Are we raising a batch of soft boiled eggs?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<img alt="Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs. Photo by Diana #2" src="http://food.sndimg.com/img/recipes/16/37/24/large/picoH6YRD.jpg" />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A lot of criticism is hurled at parents today, it’s a job
that requires a hard hat and a thick skin. Because whichever way you turn you
do the wrong thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For as many variations of families there are, there are styles
of parenting. Some people are just not capable or cut out to be parents, some
are absolutely fabulous Most of us juggle like crazy in the hope we bring up our
children to be safe, happy and accomplished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s true that for quite a lot of today’s parents a good
education including extra curricular activities is promoted and provided for
their children. However how this is negotiated and actually managed requires
logistical capabilities an air traffic controller would be proud of. Because of
time constraints and worries about safety, children are taken door to door
usually in a car sometimes parents share this to ease the load. But there is no
effort required of children, as to where they are going, when they have to be
there and what they need to take. These activities are expensive and its much
easier for parents to sort all that stuff out, they don’t want little Johnny
missing his flute lesson because he left it at home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we all know about the taxi service mentality for the
children but can it be a bad thing? In a time of “stranger danger”, busy roads
and inclement weather.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parents stand at the touch line of sports fields up and down
the country shouting their support. Isn’t that a good thing, interested
participating parents? Their presence is
intended to Reinforce high self esteem and give reassurance. We all want our
children to believe in themselves and feel good don’t we? There can be dangers
in these environments too we need to monitor. After all we know now that
churches, sports fields and scout huts can be magnets for sexual predators who
seek to groom children with the intent to abuse them. Some parents worry that coaches
and other children can if left unsupervised bully or overlook their children.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then parents who worry about all these external risks relax
about providing stimulation, through the use of the latest technology in the
safety of their own home. Unfortunately sometimes the youngster’s knowledge of
what’s on offer and how to fully exploit the games and computers in their hands
far outweighs that of the grown ups and on many occasions activities can be far
from, educational, wholesome or safe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So outside of the home, we carry our children round in a
virtual bubble not allowing them to experience things on their own with real
people, everything is done for them and any effort no matter how small is
praised and any failing pushed to one side or blamed on someone else. We tell
them to ignore negativity and take them away from challenges that upset them. Pushing
a child into an unpleasant situation is too much trouble anyway.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We encourage use of technology in the safety of our own home
and let our guard down because we have security software on the computer. Our
children communicate with “friends”
They play games send photos or images of
themselves via the web cam talk live, but when they get bored they switch off
they don’t have to show any courtesies., or compromise their way with anyone
else’s. Then there is the possibility
that they engage with a new “friend” online and want to take the relationship
into the real world and arrange to meet up. How equipped are they?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With our zealous protectionist stance do we make them
secretive, eager to shake us off? Worst still do we protect them so much they
never feel the jeopardy of their surroundings, feeling totally safe and “bullet
proof” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lets face it in a blink of an eye they will be 18 (yes
really that old) and planning their gap year backpacking around <st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Brazil</st1:country-region> or <st1:country-region w:st="on">Thailand</st1:country-region>. Are
we going to carry their bag? No, so at some point we have to let them get a “bloody
nose” and feel the heat so they can
toughen up ready to stand on their own two feet recognise risks around them out
there and on the internet. Just hope we can all get it right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-9716416184074389522012-04-10T04:39:00.000-07:002012-04-11T06:02:33.411-07:00Billion Dollar Question (warning comment about child sexual abuse)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does our use of Technology reveal about us (Warning not
pleasant reading)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to write something light and funny today but I can’t.
When Mr Zuckerman (Mr Facebook)
reportedly hands over a billion dollars for Instagram a question springs to mind, that keeps banging around in
my head. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Billion dollars, seems to have been swilling about ready for this single acquisition
and it tends to infer money is easy to come by and the business of sharing
images and all things connected to social networking is incredibly lucrative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So isn’t it time the people making a successful business out
of this technology finally invested sufficient money to use the technology
positively to protect all the people who are abused and exploited through the
use of the Internet and if not to stop it, reduce it and increase arrests of criminals
involved in this evil trade. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do I mean? Images, still and moving are so easy to
capture and distribute now, its equally easy to identify who is uploading
downloading and what computers are being used to view images. So if someone is making
and distributing illegal images via this or similar technology. They could be
identified. More importantly, given the resources it would be possible to trace
and rescue children and abused adults.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its an accepted part of our culture that we communicate via
words and images through the ‘net. and nothing is going to change that. This
type of technology (Image sharing) does however document more clearly than ever
before the more deviant behaviours that have existed within our communities
probably since cavemen days. So I am not suggesting the internet is the cause
of horrific corruption of our species. What is evident from numerous
investigations into child sexual abuse and the distribution of indecent images
of children, is that this technology, propels the scale of Image capture,
distribution and collection into a new, never imagined stratosphere. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So yes investigations are successfully taking place, but
they are so time consuming and can be expensive and law enforcement agencies
only have a defined budget to tackle them the surface is only being scratched. The
reports in the news of the scale of the numbers of indecent images collected by
individuals and the number of individuals driving the demand of new and more graphic
images of sexual abuse of children is truly horrifying. In my opinion without
the new technologies this explosion of demand and supply would not have
happened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyone who thinks viewing indecent images of children is not
so serious remember this. The incident really occurs a child is being abused,
probably because of the demand for the images and the price being paid for
them. Demands include evidence that it is new, dated with current newspapers etc
included to show the date. These deviants are proud of their collections and a
lot of kudos is attached to obtaining “new releases”. So this drives new abuse, torture and at times
murders.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The element of live broadcasts also add to the horror as “customers”
become directors of the abuse. This abuse may happen abroad in some third world
country, so it may not be “our “children, believe me some people think that
makes a difference. But because of technology and the sheer vulnerability of
children this could be happening in a house, a flat, a room near you. These
children are real they suffer and are controlled and are not necessarily locked
in a dungeon in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Indonesia</st1:country-region>.
They might be that quiet little girl who misses school a lot. Or that cheeky
kid who is nothing but trouble and runs away from home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So while this is a billion dollar acquisition I want to know
what level of money the industry will contribute to the fight against this
awful trade and tackle this huge and growing betrayal of innocence.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-75635119065212183942012-04-04T03:27:00.000-07:002012-04-09T03:51:40.521-07:00Who’s pulling our strings?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are you the sort of person who can spot a “Hidden agenda” at
ten paces? Or are you the gullible type who has to be told by someone else that
you have been duped, sucked in, yes Manipulated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started thinking about this when I was reading the news
online. It ‘s always flooded with celebrity gossip. Who’s pregnant, who’s lost/put
on weight. Romance, bromance break ups, real or manufactured? Fashion trends
success or faux pas. It’s everywhere and sadly we seem to lap it up with an insatiable
appetite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is it harmless escapism? Well with the phone tapping scandal and all we
know its far from innocuous. .A proportion of “celebs” may court attention, for
their own reasons. But is there a bigger “hidden agenda” why we are fed this
diet of spurious revelations and intimate disclosures?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Already accepting its not force feeding, and we do have the
option to think for ourselves. I have to ask are we making a free choice. In a
society, where neuro linguistic programming, and intentionally influencing
peoples decisions is weaved through all the mediums and environments we
inhabit. Derren Brown is not the only master of mentalism, others may not be as
good or as open but I believe their
practices are played on us all the time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So not only are we distracted with juicy gossip, when a serious events occur we have no real way of knowing
why the “story” has come to our attention on that day, who is pushing this to
the fore and what’s behind it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lets look at the a recent handling of fuel prices. The
threatened strike of Tanker drivers, the advice given to fill up Gerry cans?
The date, or time of the month and point in the financial year, the large scale
panic buying. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then surprise surprise, we avoid a double dip recession and
experience growth which is good news, but who’s been played? Us?, the tanker
drivers? Have they been Scape goated as
the cause of all this panic buying and excuses for price rises. Who led them
into this now? The advice, seemed crazy to me and as they say timing is
everything. Call me a sceptic, but I want us to be more sceptical about things
that matter. Not satisfy our curious natures on the detritus, whether some
romance is real or fabricated for media coverage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a host of talented articulate investigative
journalists out there come on, dig a bit deeper. The PM eats a pasty and Ed Balls
orders a huge amount of sausage rolls and that’s the story? I am tired of attempts to sucker me and
fearful how often its happened without me knowing. I crave integrity, naked
truth and ask who’s going to stop pulling my strings and start changing the
world?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-23340402316587952152012-03-31T04:35:00.000-07:002012-03-31T04:35:26.330-07:00Would you suffer a fool gladly?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The phrase “he doesn’t suffer fools gladly” takes me back to
the days when I worked for a living, I am now retired. It was banded around
like some badge of honour in the testosterone fuelled environment that I inhabited
then.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Got a new boss coming to join us, if you asked what they
were like you’d get this response, like watch out if you’re a fool! Tough super
slick guy on the way and I would cringe. It encouraged a culture of intolerance
where compassion was a sign of weakness
and there was no place for it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can’t help but get sucked into that way of being, you’re
either the fool or the one who doesn’t suffer them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Retiring is good, you get out, away from the crazy
performance related egotistical ladder climbers and you are left facing
yourself. Sometimes, and it’s pretty accurate in my case, you don’t like what
you see. It’s been four years or so now and I wouldn’t say I am changed, I would
say I have regained myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get comfort from the Buddhist doctrine, the most important aspect is “do no
harm ”it is also the most basic principle and further steps progress to “taking
responsibility for helping others” a proactive endeavour which takes commitment
and energy. So where would this toe curling phrase, first written by St Paul
and forever taken out of context, sit with a Buddhist way of life?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Firstly the way I understand Saint Paul and I’m not sure
here, but I think it was written as a criticism of a group of people who
considered themselves better than others (the fools) and therefore put
themselves above them considering themselves wise. At times the phrase is used
to describe a short tempered grumpy type, but still some sort of backhanded
insult/complement. The inference being again they were superior.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Buddhism acknowledges that being good is not entirely altruistic
and it can be done for selfish reasons. Because being the good guy feels nice
and a lot of kudos can be gained by it. It matters not if good is done. So
showing tolerance and patients to someone who is difficult to communicate with
or live with is a win, win situation. There are a number of possible outcomes,
you may realise they have something important to share with you that you gain
from. You take time and figure out that the person can be helped, you get
information that you need to help yourself or others. You have an opportunity
to influence someone who is doing or thinking about doing something detrimental
to themselves or others. The list goes on. The plus side is you did something
good and you can feel good about that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what about thinking about it like this. Gladly take time
to listen to others or suffer like a fool.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-67199118949415816472012-03-29T02:28:00.003-07:002012-03-29T02:28:29.489-07:00A ghoulish sale of Titanic proportions?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An estimated value of 200 million dollars has been placed on
relics recovered from the wreck of the Titanic. They are to be put up for
auction soon and sold as a single lot. Initial reaction from some descendants
of those who lost their lives was strongly against the retrieval and sale of
some very personal items, such as a bracelet with the name Amy on it. A piece
that could easily be identified and attributed to an “owner” one would think.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My initial reaction was that it was akin to grave robbery I
felt uncomfortable with the scavenging through a scene of such tragedy. I
thought about an occasion when it is necessary to disturb such emotive debris.
Past the time when the search for survivors and retrieval of the dead has gone
why would you route through the remains with any justification. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously a crime scene or an accident where questions need
to be answered, evidence amassed to prosecute offenders and learn lessons for
future safety. The other situation is that no matter how sensitive or
distressing the aftermath at some point it has to be made anew, so life can go
on at that place. The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Twin</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Towers</st1:placetype></st1:place> springs to mind,
such was the horror and loss it could never be a place other than a memorial to
the victims and their families, but every peace of debris had to be picked over
and eventually cleaned away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is an argument put forward that recovering such items
and examining the wreck allows us to tell a story and great care has been taken
to protect the process in conditions set out by courts and solicitors to
authenticate what some see as unnecessary intrusion and uncivilised behaviour.
There have been many occasions where in the name of education a “civilised”
society has rummaged through another cultures’ sacred artefacts and taken them
away for “safe keeping.” Seems to me they were pretty safe where they were, and
the process has been subsequently vilified on several occasions and the
precious belongings returned to their rightful “owner”. Such as the case of the
Aboriginal remains, returned to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
from a Glaswegian museum last year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I were to come across the scene of an accident where
everyone was clearly dead and I was able to examine this closely because I had the means
to access the, car , shall we say, deep in a dyke upside down in water, because
I had the equipment, a ladder and a crow bar and a snorkel. What if, once after
expending energy and using my equipment I
saw property which had been flung from the open boot in the ditch and collected
it and decided to keep it or sell it and keep the money for myself. Because
otherwise they would be ruined or lost and I found them Would that be any kind
of defence when I was standing in the dock? Of course not! Also surely even
though I called the emergency services what kind of monster would I be to scavenge
amongst the poor dead casualties. Isn’t it easy to see what is right and wrong?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I for one can’t see the difference there is no other reason
to disturb the Titanic it is at rest, we should leave it and the memories at
peace.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-7762310273632576452012-03-26T15:09:00.000-07:002012-03-26T15:09:11.456-07:00Starting a Horse specific BlogHi to my little group of followers I have decided to start a horse only blog, as I rant on about lots of things and these blogs get mixed up with my "adventures! on horseback, so from now on I will chat about Tales of a middle aged Novice on the following blog <a href="http://talesofamiddleagednovice.blogspot.co.uk/">http://talesofamiddleagednovice.blogspot.co.uk/</a>.<br />
<br />
General stuff will be discussed here on cup of tea and a chat.<br />
<br />
Hope you can join me occasionally on both<br />
Alison xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-87986600582466071472012-03-24T00:37:00.000-07:002012-03-24T00:37:08.916-07:00The ground is hard but getting over it is harder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDp6lFlMTic/T214szOZfjI/AAAAAAAAAD4/BMQFYEle0ok/s1600/P1020538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lDp6lFlMTic/T214szOZfjI/AAAAAAAAAD4/BMQFYEle0ok/s320/P1020538.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I talked about my over reaching experience, which resulted in falling off and hurting my back, in one of my previous blogs “catch 22.”I have had a lesson since and thought I could draw a line and move on, but no.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did see my Doctor about my back and he identified a lack of flexion in my lower back and advised a combination of pain killers and exercises to increase mobility. He also encouraged me to get riding again as soon as possible. My husband said I must of misheard him and looked at me suspiciously, no I assured him, the doctor wants me to ride honestly. I promised Phil I would be careful and not overdo it. At that he smiled knowingly and gave me a hug ”take it easy.” I honestly intended to be sensible. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As it was I was on my faithful Flair and felt very safe, ahh great. The weather was great too so everything was hunky dory. (See photo the fabulous safe and sound Flair, my schoolmistress)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had no choice about taking it easy , not too bad in trot but as I cantered I could feel a stiffness in my back and couldn’t really ride with my seat. I was gripping with my knees and couldn’t “pulse “ with my leg , oh get me, with my technical jargon. But I could feel myself lifting out of the saddle as if I would go pop. So I stopped cantering and concentrated on my trot, flexing and generally trying to ease my lower back. And enjoy being on Flair. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The realisation of what I had done and what could have happened hit me as I discussed care of my back with my instructor. She is so careful about how she introduces new challenges for me, the choice of horse everything and I go and screw it up by being impatient. Going off into the sunset on some random ex racehorse and being caught off guard.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How can you get to my age and still be so reckless and immature? I had been feeling unwell with my back, with my ME/CFS and the flood gates opened. I want to be good so much I try too hard. I cried like a baby how embarrassing and now I am telling everyone! I couldn’t write for a few days I was so raw and wobbly. My emotions were all over the place. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I sound like a right flaky weirdo getting so worked up about my hobby? Its supposed to be fun right? Its not that though its not that simple, riding, learning, pushing myself trusting other people respecting other people, loyalty judgement success and failure. Its about life how I relate to myself, others and how I try to grow and that very basic requirement, how to pick yourself up and start again.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">OK I started over, but not quite I’ve had a cry, “fessed up “ (to everyone) made my apologise, now I must get over it repeat after me (to myself) “I was a muppet, I’ve survived, its not the end of the world, I wont do it again, end of”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Love Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100742018476885324.post-52678305449454880962012-03-18T13:04:00.002-07:002012-03-18T13:10:16.247-07:00Real relationships or virtual friends ?<div class="MsoNormal">Some people say using computers is making us all cocooned from reality. Having virtual relationships through a computer screen, means we have undeveloped interpersonal skills because when we get bored we log off controlling our environment in a very clinical unemotional way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We can be delighted by a cheery message from “someone” we have never met, and</div><div class="MsoNormal">when we are in real company we get our phones out and start tweeting. Which takes us back into our comfortable virtual world. The real conversation fades to a distant hub bub and once again we are in agreeable company.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What are so many people finding in this medium that they aren’t getting in the “real world” can it all be too much, too" in your face".</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There has been a growing trend for people to express their feelings more honestly. Could it be the influence of reality TV where people are encouraged to be honest with each other to make exciting viewing. People who are “nice” all the time are slammed for being cheesy and not real! What’s so wrong with making an effort being kind and considerate of other people’s feelings? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know there are incidents of cyber bullying which are atrocious and really harmful, but in the main it’s a more controllable environment. There are also a lot of people who can’t get out and about so much and social networking opens up a whole new world.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I for one am in a position to choose who I spend my time with, being retired, I don’t have to deal with office politics. As well as keeping in touch with and seeing friends and family, I enjoy meeting new people and chatting face to face. But when I am tired and resting up I love writing my blog and casting my social net wide, through tweeting. Tweeters can be so interesting too and you can have chances to hook up with people you would otherwise never meet. Yes you can switch off whenever you like. But far from keeping me isolated tweeting has brought new opportunities my way, so there is simply no choice, real life or tweeting, like puddings I will have a slice of each please.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Love Alison x</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04268769648332418812noreply@blogger.com0