Ouch… I’ve fallen…

Whenever I see the advert for injury insurance with the woman who tripped on strapping, I can’t help but fill in the real words…

“As I walked across the warehouse with no other reason than to catch a sly glimpse of the new guy with the muscles, I saw some strapping like the stuff used to bind boxes laying on the floor.

As I’m not a cleaner and I didn’t leave the strap there, I stepped over it instead of picking it up… I mean, like, why should I? It’s not mine…

…Anyway, as I daydreamed about the new guy I went out of my way to look like I hadn’t seen the strap, because I didn’t want to pick it up, I caught my foot in it and stumble a little bit.

My manager ran over to see if I was okay, and it was at that point I realised my stumble must have looked worse than it was, and I saw £££££ in my future… so I milked it for all it was worth…”

Had an injury at work? Then 9 times out of 10 you were probably not looking at what you were doing…. Suck it up and take the blame.

.

Children in Need FAIL

Good grief…

BBC news had story about a youth disco/club venue that is being shut down because of the underage drinking & fighting it caused…. and then within 5 minutes they show a clip for Children in Need where they want our money to fund a disco/club venue to keep kids off of the street & away from underage drinking & fighting….

Which one is it you want?

Okay, I think there are some charities that deserve my money -BUT I’m growing to hate the big events that take our charitable donations and give it to unworthy causes.

For charity, my money goes direct to the cause I support. I’m not letting some huge event organisation distribute it for me… and tonight on BBC News my beliefs have been well a truly cemented. I was disgusted – well and truly disgusted…. maybe I’m just getting old, but there is no way Children in Need are getting my money.

So there I was watching the BBC and that Children in Need advert I mentioned at the start came on. This concentrated on funding a disco/club venue for kids not having anything to do apart from go out and cause trouble – “because there’s nuffink else to do, so we, ya know, just get our kicks and cause trouble..”

They aren’t wanting for money as they currently DO go out drinking, smoking, (some do drugs) fighting – all because they supposedly have nothing to do! For God’s bloody sake! Every year there is more and more for people to do! When my Dad was growing up in the 1920’s & 30’s he had more to do than his Dad. When I was growing up there was an even bigger leap of things for me to do than the gap between my Dad and Granddad! Now Alex is growing up…and if he ever says there isn’t anything for him to do I’ll be amazed! There is so much to do!

I wasn’t even into computers so much back when I was a kid. I’d go out and play around with my mates in a local forest. Proper stuff – tree climbing! war games (no paint ball back then though – we had to pretend!)! ride bikes & make jumps! I’d go to the local swimming pool or sports centre. I had plenty of hobbies and things to do…. I had far, far less to do than kids have to do now!

So… there is no way on earth that I’ll give money to keep yobs off of the streets just because they say it is the lack of stuff to do that leads them to cause trouble! There is plenty to do, but the kids can’t be bothered to do them and just use this pathetic excuse to hide behind.

Teenage pregnancy is another thing I really don’t want my cash going on. Once more, compared to “my day” and my Dad’s day, there is so much more information about sex available that I shouldn’t have to fund little miss bored and little miss stupid. Yes – accidents might happen – and I’m sorry for those kids, BUT most of the time these aren’t accidents – they are just lazy, arrogant kids who think they know better. If the kid gets in trouble, then let the parents sort it out – because I put a lot of the blame on them.

This might rub a few people up the wrong way – but we are being to bloody soft nowadays. I’m sorry you had to mug an old lady because you were bored – here… have some money. You have to rob a house to get your drug and beer money because there’s absolutely nothing to do… my heart bleeds for you.

I pay my taxes which goes towards the benefits these people get anyway – and I have no choice where that goes… so there is no way I’m giving more away to them.

Where I can, I’ll place my charity directly where I want it to go. If I want to help real children in need (because I’m not dumb and DO realise there are many that are in genuine need!), then I’ll pay it direct to the supporting group.

Children in Need – you pushed this one out of me – Hope this helps you.

The Big Rant – Goody, Grass, Airports and more

Are you sitting comfortably – This is a big one.

The biggest yet.

Okay – I warn you now that this one will be controversial.

If you bring it on yourself, then you have no-one else to blame.

If you couldn’t help what has happened – then you have every right in the World to say your piece.

I am playing Devils Advocate, so don’t hang me! I am more than happy to discuss these issues with anyone who leaves a comment.

Scenario One:

So you’ve been paying a kid to cut your lawn for the past year. It’s a temporary job for him and it keeps the garden tidy. So all is good.

A hot summer kills the grass so there is nothing for him to do any more. Add to that you have taken a big pay cut and can’t afford to pay him (even if you did have work for him).

What’s the solution? Simple! Ask a random neighbour to give you cash just so the kid can still get money for turning up at a job that cannot support him because there is no requirement for what he needs…

Sounds crazy doesn’t it. Crazier still if you are the neighbour (who has no connection to the kid at all – or the guy who hired him) giving the cash support to the guy with no lawn who is paying a kid to cut it…

Hang on in here with me people – it will all make sense.

Scenario Two:

You see a job advertised as a toilet cleaner at a busy roadside café – It says it pays £5.00 per hour. You take the job, and a few weeks later you go on strike and ask everyone to support you because you don’t think the pay is enough and you don’t like what you do.

Hang on? That sounds crazy? I agree it’s a dirty job – but you knew what you were getting into. I’m with you all the way on that low pay issue and I think it deserves more, but you were aware before you took the job.

What is Sometimespace going on about? Keep reading – it will all become clear…

Scenario Three:

You buy a house near a motorway on the edge of a town that is obviously going through major expansion. A year later the town is bigger, busier and the motorway traffic has picked up… so you complain to the authorities about the noise.

Why would you do that? You knew the town was growing. You knew the motorway would get busier – let’s face it, over the years there hasn’t been a downturn in traffic amounts anywhere – let alone on a route to an expanding population centre.

OH COME ON Sometimespace….. WHERE is this leading?

I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you in a black and white way, because I feel sorry for the kid, I support the toilet cleaners case and I sympathise with the home owner near the noisy motorway… but I also see the other side. This could get controversial, and when you are the victim you will tend to only see it in your own way – so don’t attack me for just “putting it out there”. I’m simply playing Devils Advocate.

I was asked to sit in on a disciplinary as a witness against a co-worker once. I was his friend and training to be a Team Leader. The Coordinator was carrying out the disciplinary regarding excessive sick leave and general lack of contribution to the work place. I never really liked the Coordinator (to put it nicely), but as I sat in on the meeting I saw the whole thing from an outsiders point of view.

The Coordinator was very fair and calm. My friend was argumentative and angry.

After the meeting my friend said “Did you see how he attacked and insulted me? Did you?”

I told him I didn’t. From the outside I could see that my friend knew he was in the wrong, but just fought all the way. The Coordinator was trying to help, but my friend just kept fighting.

When you are the victim it is very hard to see the big picture. Even tougher if you feel you have been hard done by, by the system, the boss, the Government etc… Sometimes you need to take the responsibility yourself. You put yourself in that position – and you are to blame. Yes, I feel empathy for you, but it is still on your head, your actions, your decisions or indecisions.

I learnt a lot from that Coordinator. I’ve learnt a lot from Managers, Directors, Business leaders… I’ve learnt a lot from being the guy on the other side AND THEN being the guy carrying out the disciplinary. I am speaking from experience, so don’t complain that I can’t possibly see both sides of the story.

So, let’s get back to the scenarios.

I used to do temporary work and contracting. It’s the type of job where you know you could be looking for work the next day. Companies take on agency staff and contractors to build up worker numbers for projects that may or may not keep running.

I was in aircraft engineering. During the out of holiday season periods the airliners would all come in to be overhauled. Work really ramped up so contractors were taken on to keep up with this seasonal workload. They knew that it was only a matter of time before they would have to find another contract. It is the nature of the business.

Remember the kid cutting the lawn?

BMW have just dismissed a large number of agency workers. The car market has slowed down and cars are not selling. These agency workers are the first to go – and I am sure if they read their contracts they would realise that they need no notice period (I have done agency work).

Let’s face it – British Leyland workers in the 70’s didn’t exactly help this new BMW Mini position when they deliberately produced poor quality cars and took no care in their work during the strikes over pay etc. If I was a manufacturer today and I had to lay people off – I would look back at that Leyland incident and would want that type of employee off of my site as soon as I told them about their jobs.

What annoys me is that they expect redundancy money and Government handouts. Okay, you have done the same job for 3 or 4 years..BUT you are still agency workers, and with that comes job insecurity on the top line. I am really sorry for you, but that is the very nature of your work.

I left agency and contract work because I wanted a secure future. If I had been an agency worker for 4 years, then that would have given me a fair bit of time to find a more permanent job… or I could have just sat on my hands and then got really angry when the work dried up.

I will not pay for that kid to cut grass that isn’t there for a neighbour who can’t afford to pay him – and that’s what these workers are asking.

How about the Toilet Cleaner?

I think that the emergency services are underpaid. They do a very important job (not like those idiot footballers who earn more in a week it seems than the entire Hampshire Fire Service earn in a year).

I don’t like the fact that they go on strike to complain about pay though. I DO UNDERSTAND where they are coming from, but I have to ask this question: “Did you not ask about the salary and hours when you applied for the job?”

For years now we have all known that the military and emergency services are underpaid and overworked – so it just angers me that new people join up and then strike to complain. These people are not doing themselves any favours!

I honestly think you deserve more money – and I really appreciate and admire what you do – but complaining about issues that were well known before you joined up? That won’t work.

Maybe if no-one joined up due to these low pay/long hour issues, then the Government would realise that something needs to be done. The trouble is all the time people are joining up the Government can sit pretty.

Where does this leave the home owner and the motorway?

What kind of superhero can look around a house that they want to buy in just 30 seconds?

I ask this because London Heathrow has an aircraft leave/land around about every 30 seconds. If you missed the fact that a lot of aircraft were flying overhead as you looked at the property then buddy, it’s your own problem.

Even back in the 60’s people knew that air travel was expanding rapidly, yet even then and right through to today there are people who buy houses on the outskirts of these airports AND THEN complain about the noise.

What were they thinking?

Here’s an amusing tale. At a well known airfield and race circuit on the South Coast there was a complaint phoned in about the noise of the racing cars on the circuit. The circuit has been there since racing began!

The caller was told that there was no racing on that day, and then she was asked why she had called to complain. Her response was that it was her turn on the neighbourhood committee to make the phone call.

Brilliant! Noise or no noise, the locals would call in. Get a life people, really.

So there you have it – I really do understand where these complaints come from, but I also think that we are not being totally honest with ourselves when we make these complaints.

Is it just us being the victims – not wanting to be proven wrong – that is the problem here?

The phrase “Look before you leap” comes to mind.

And Finally – as they say in the news….

Jade Goody. I really can’t stand her. Celebrities who are famous for being famous. People who are famous for marrying the famous… Celebrities who do the stupidest of things and then complain when it gets spread all over the tabloids. GAH!!!!

I hate the scum tabloid press. It just spreads rumour and anger to sell its poisoned low brow bull.

The thing is I also hate when public figures and celebrities moan when they appear in these gutter rags after falling half naked and drunk from a night club.

You chose the path – much like factory workers, the emergency services, the armed service …. The difference being is that you earn a shed load more cash for what really can’t be compared to these other professions.

Don’t get me wrong, I know the entertainment industry is tough – but when was the last time Tom Cruise pulled a child out of a burning building, or Steve Martin was spat at in the face by a drugged up idiot who had just beaten up his wife?

When was the last time the cast of High School Musical picked up a rifle and defended their country in a foreign war?

I’m not against these celebrities mind you – I value them and we need them – I just think they should quit moaning when they appear in the press for something they did on there own decision.

So… Jade Goody, I feel sorry for her  ( I didn’t think I would ever say that!)…Not for the crap she has pulled in the past. She deserves what ever she gets for all the things she has self consciously done (as do all public figures and celebs) – BUT the Big C – that is off limits.

She could not help that, it is not some cheap publicity stunt and she does not deserve the press and public using it as a cruel jibe against her. If you can’t say anything nice or at least neutral about her cancer, then shut the heck up.

If she goes and pulls some self indulged weird stunt or whatever – then on her own head be it – she is in the limelight.

OKAY – EDIT TIME – This from a Twitter Friend:

MadDeva

Submitted on 2009/02/17 at 1:25pm

Thought I’d best do some research and found lots of snippets about Jade and her cancer. However the more I watch or read, the more annoyed I’m getting.

Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6NP2JtvOMs&feature=related she does mention other sufferers, but still manages to turn back to herself.

You can also watch on YouTube the moment she was told she needed to go back to her hospital (whilst on BB India). Watching it I don’t understand why she went back into the house instead of staying in the diary room considering that her family had yet to be informed. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/article300101.ece?vxSiteId=6247211d-66e0-4454-b73a-3f1610efa39a&vxChannel=Sun%20Exclusive&vxClipId=1347_SUN9863&vxBitrate=300

She has had a history of pre-cancer cells, yet chose to ignore requests for her to go in for treatment http://sify.com/movies/hollywood/fullstory.php?id=14747451

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/press/surely-it-is-time-to-look-away-as-jade-struggles-with-cancer-1547670.html

That last bit of information about ignoring requests for treatment is not good at all. If it is true that she simply IGNORED requests because she couldn’t care less – and not that she ignored them due to fear or lacking knowledge – or denial, then I will be disgusted.

You know what that would mean? It would mean that what could have been treated more effectively earlier was left until it was too late – and as such she needs more medical time and attention than if she hadn’t ignored the warnings. THAT MEANS she could be taking up treatment time and space from those who actually give a damn.

If you want to find out more – then follow this link. As with most things, Knowledge is a major part in understanding and dealing with cancer.

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

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To wrap up this, my most major rant to date, I would like to say this one last thing:

To those workers who are losing their jobs – I wish you all the best in your future and I hope that things resolve for the better as soon as possible. I have a family and would not want to be in your position again (I have been there).

To our Armed Forces and Emergency Services – May the Government and Authorities sort themselves out so you get a better deal, better equipment and training, and the recognition that you truly deserve. For putting yourselves in the way of danger to protect our freedoms and well being, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To those who recently bought houses near obviously busy roads and motorways – What do you want from me? That’s just idiocy for not doing proper searches and investigations prior to purchase. Jeeez.

To the public figures and Celebrities – You bring it on yourselves most of the time – but I empathise with the lack of privacy you have in those moments where you just want to be yourselves, or have to deal with issues you had no hand in playing.

To everyone else – Look before you leap.

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If I have any facts mixed up or confused in this rant, then please let me know. I am more than open to corrections and learning from my mistakes.

Guns, Booze, Cars, Education, Thatcher, Obama – I spoil you!

Combining my pre and post US election rants into one article:

Guns, Booze, Cars, Education …. and the X-Factor…

Enjoy (or sleep)…

I wrote this before the US elections – It was in response to some of the thoughts and rants a few Americans were having at the time.

The 29th October in 1919 saw America start prohibition.

Why on earth am I mentioning that then?

I was blindly surfing the net on my iPhone as I didn’t have a great deal more to do at the time (due to a bad back – see earlier posts), and I found that the Volstead Act (Prohibition) came into being on this day in history…and it made me think.

I know a lot of Americans who are worried about the up and coming elections, and how it may well restrict their gun ownership. Many that I have talked to say that something as huge as banning all guns, or certain types of gun, just wouldn’t be possible – logistically it surely wouldn’t be possible – and anyway, it would upset far to many people and be far too difficult to enforce because too many people would oppose it.

A ban on alcohol over the entire United States. It may not have been hugely successful, but it was carried out, and stayed in force until 1933. Now I can’t help but think that banning guns is a darn site easier than banning a liquid that most people could make themselves (with a little knowledge and not much equipment). I would also think that more people enjoy a drink than own a gun – yet that mass of people couldn’t stand up to the Government of 1919… what chance is there against a Government with the technology and information of today?

So – Gun owning Americans, please don’t sit too comfortably on your freedoms, you’re not untouchable.

I’m all for the education of firearms, and not the all out banning. I shoot target rifle, and get really annoyed when the UK Government keep restricting use. They only do this to pander to the masses so they can win more votes. If anyone took a blind bit of interest they could see that firearms are not a serious threat – but peoples views on them are tainted.

Someone who wants a gun to commit a crime is not going to go through the health and Police security checks, the joining of registered government gun clubs, and the 3 to 6 months probation waiting period before they get a license.

They are not going to put Police approved security into their house and have the Police visit to ensure it is safe, and that the user has a valid reason to own the gun.

They are not going to go out and buy a firearm from a registered dealer who notifies the police so they know who the firearm is registered to.

They are also not going to put down a restriction on a license as to what firearms they can carry, and what the limit of ammunition is they are allowed to buy.

NO….. they’ll get a gun illegally and go out and commit a crime.

The trouble is, when one of these illegal gun owners go and shoot someone or hold up a shop, it is the legal gun owners… the ones who go through probation, back ground checks, Police interviews etc, that get further restricted…. and why? So that the Government can say they have reduced gun ownership in the UK…Yeah, great… you’ve reduced it from the ones that weren’t illegal.

This is like those idiots who steel cars and put YOUR insurance up!!! What have you done? Nothing!!! But the insurance companies can’t get money from some untaxed, unlicensed and uninsured idiot thief can they? No…. but they can get it from you.

The Government may as well ban all people who legally hold a drivers licence and have taxed and tested cars. Okay… it won’t stop those that are carrying out illegal driving in the first place, but who cares? Not the voters, because they’ll have seen that the government has reduced the amount of car drivers, regardless of the fact that the illegal drivers won’t care, and will still blitz around dangerously in stolen cars… and those illegals won’t lose their licenses because they didn’t even have one in the first place!!!

So you see, this won’t stop illegal road activity – thefts etc., but that’s how those in charge deal with firearms. They restrict the people they know legally own guns, because the legal gun owners are the only ones that the government know for sure have guns…

I blame statistics as well – or at least peoples misunderstanding of them – and the misuse of them. Statistics are warped and only reported in a way that works for the case in hand. It is the misuse of power by those in charge that scares me more than the very low gun crime in the UK (YES – it is low, don’t be mislead).

People need educating about firearms – In fact they need educating more on most things they vote about, because the group uninformed mentality of people is now starting to run the county – and not the educated vote of people who make considered opinions.

The Government seems to be in to win votes and to stay in power as long as the wave will carry them – even if that means making decisions that are not so great for the country, but WILL still keep them the vote. It’s like the X-Factor or Big Brother generation hold the future of the UK in its hands – and it is the political party with that X-Factor “Wow” that will win – and not so much the party with the countries best interest at heart.

Phew… that feels better.

Prohibition! Pah!!!

Anyway… The election happened and some peoples nightmares started… well, it’s what they think will be a nightmare, but only time will tell..

Obama – Lap dog or Leader?

What were you doing on the day of the inauguration?

The first day on a job is always a bit daunting – so imagine how you’d feel if several million people watched you as you start out in the position.

Yes, that’s right – On the 20th January 2009 America welcomed in a new President. President Barack Obama gave a speech at his inauguration that sounded full of challenge and hope for both America and the World. Sure – as with all leaders – he’ll do things that really upset some people and make others happy, but it is how he deals with it all that will make or break him.

Will he just say things to be popular, or will he grasp even the most unpopular decisions in the course of improving and bettering the USA?

Look at Baroness Margaret Thatcher – love her or loath her, she stood for her principals and didn’t turn tail when the people started complaining. She did what she thought was best for the country – and not chase that public arse kissing popularity vote. We need a leader like her again – she may not make cheap instant gratifying vote winning plays, but she wouldn’t have let the UK get into the state it is today.

I think our Prime minister is a joke at the moment (the last few haven’t impressed me at all). It appears that he just tries to please the mass voters – and not do what is right for the Country.

I think a leader should do what is right for the better development of a company or country – and not try to be a friend to everyone – after all, look at the state of UK Government now – it’s like the X-Factor. The party leaders do what they can to get the vote – but it isn’t necessarily the right thing for the actual country. They remind me of Hugh Dennis – Once they get the mic they just HAVE to hold on to it in case they never get another chance! Popularity over effectivity – but you need to blame the voters really…. but that’s down to the state of education and peoples understanding of politics and the running of a country. Maybe we need a Dictator? …. no….. not yet.

It’s a hard balance, but you need to be a boss first and a friend second.The trouble is that people need to see you have their best interests at heart, even if they don’t like it. If you fail at this then you won’t stay in power long enough to start making things better.

The President has high popularity at the moment (a lot due to the fact that he isn’t George Bush), and is at the start of his (first?) four years. This may well be the best time to make the unpopular decisions that upset people – as that will give several years for those decisions to then reap benefits and show to the people that he does have the interest of the people at heart (even if they didn’t realise it at the time), and will do what he has to do to forge a better future.

Being a good boss will win you the respect and then the friendship of those around you – and not the other way around.

Good luck President Obama – good or bad policies, I hope you stick to what is right for the people, and not just go for the easy popularity votes.

Assume nothing ~ Change it up

There are not many people who have had a great influence on me (besides teachers and instructors of course!), on how I am and the way I view things – as a person in myself and my career. The few that have had a fundamental influence are worth mentioning (especially in these troubled times).

Firstly, my Dad. He was a Scientist, Engineer and before retiring to run a private consultancy, he was Head of the Royal Aircraft Establishments Accident Section. Not only did I look up to him as my father, but as a role model and engineer. I was lucky enough that he was my Dad and Hero all in one.

He had a motto that has stuck with me:

ASSUME NOTHING – JUST BE CERTAIN

Although he used this in his wreckage analysis role, it is also worth thinking about in other situations – e.g: World financial crisis/radiation leaks from Japan’s tsunami aftermath/continued wars – people are getting worried (as am I), but mostly they are worried about “What ifs“.

Yes, things might get better or worse BUT there is no point worrying about these things, or pinning hopes on things that haven’t materialised yet – that would be irrational, as no-one knows the future. You can’t assume the worse or best case, you can only be as prepared as you can be.

Why fret over things that have not happened? You are suffering fear of nothing!

DUNE

There is a litany to fear written by Frank Herbert (Dune 1965):

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.

Only I will remain.

Fear feeds on itself and starts to play with your mind and perception, which is why you should ASSUME NOTHING – JUST BE CERTAIN. Although I like this litany, I would change the last two lines. I believe that if you are going through difficulties – or just strolling through life, then you should leave gained knowledge and wisdom in your path. You need to learn from your actions, not just blindly go through life. As such, Herbert’s litany would be changed to the following for me:

I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be wisdom.

And I will be stronger.

Okay – so that tells me “Why worry?” – Find out the facts first, get tangible information, then you have something to deal with – but what should you do to get the facts? How do you find out where you are?

Henry Rollins holds the answer. I had an email conversation with him several years back, and then a brief chat in the flesh after a gig. I had just lost a friend – a guy who was more like a brother to me than just a friend (I am still very close to his family – I see them as an extension of my family in a way). My friend passed away in his early 20’s – just days after saying he’s be my best man. I was beside myself and had no idea what to do. I knew Rollins had lost a best friend when he was young, so I sent him an email – I didn’t think he’d reply, but I had written done some of my thoughts and questions, and that was a therapy in itself.

Rollins did reply – and his response was both one of compassion and in true Rollins spirit, a big dose of “Suck it up”.

His response was very similar to the Billy Connolly statement:

“The cemetery is full of people who would love your problems“

Rollins basically said that I still have my life, so I should live it, as I was still able to – sure I should remember my friend, but don’t get sucked down and dwell on the bad stuff.

Wise words indeed -and later whilst listening to his song “Change It Up” I picked out another fine view to live by…

You say your job is a pain
It’s pulling you down the drain
I think you’d rather complain
Than quit it

Now the words in this verse are about a job, but they work in all situations. People would rather complain about things dragging them down, or how unlucky they are and how shitty life is… but what are they doing about it? I say you only have a right to complain IF you are bothering to do something about your situation.

Don’t whine about your job, and then go in day after day and do nothing about it. If you are looking to get a new job, if you are really trying to better your situation, then sure, you have the right vent now and then. It’s the same with anything in life – If you aren’t trying to progress the situation, then don’t moan about it.

This old phrase comes to mind:

“If you aren’t part of the solution, then you are part of the problem”

Got a problem, then shut up or sort it out.

Okay… that’s the main ingredients building up for a way to approach these tricky times, Hell, in any times…

Assume nothing, just be certain: Don’t get wound up if you don’t know all the facts.

If you know all the facts, still don’t get wound up – there are many people who would love to swap their problems with yours.

Don’t moan and complain once you have the facts – just get out there and do something about the situation. Get reactive – get proactive – just get active.

If you find yourself neither going backwards or forwards, then you fall into another category all together. The phrase my late, great friend Ryan Brown used to use was this:

“If you ain’t making waves ~ you ain’t kicking hard enough…”

Two sticks, a pushchair and a rant!!!

Well, in just under a month (and I haven’t been out today…yet) I have covered over 120km training. Most of it was walking due to my back – and some of it was with Alex in his pushchair around the lake. Both of these things keep me in a comfortable stable position and are currently things I look forward to, as normal walking is still leaving me in pain and hobbling along gingerly – I hope the physiotherapy can sort that out, as this joke is wearing thin now!

I noticed on Facebook (an internet social web-group) that there are a small hand full of people who are anti-Nordic Walking (or Ski-Walking, as some people call it).So much so that they have set up and “Anti-Nordic Walking group“… Ha ha ha!!!! Yes… What are you going to do then? Block my way with “Down with that thing you do that we are too thick to understand” banners? Grow up you morons and look at yourselves.

These people see it as some Finnish fad fitness thing like a lot of these diets that come out, and haven’t looked at what it can do for them…. Mind you, they are probably mindless morons who think it is stupid because it is different… and includes having to do something other than watch football and drink beer.

It may look a bit odd to a passer by (somewhat like a hiker who is constantly one pace ahead of his walking sticks) – and that is what some of these morons have picked up on!

“Hey look at the guy/girl with those sticks…. HAHAHAHA it’s funny because we know no better…. now lets point and laugh at disabled people and drink cheap lager at the elderly…“

Still, what can be expected from the type of people who came from the shallow end of the gene pool?

And so the rant begins…. I guess it might have something to do with Stephen Fry, King Midas and Podgrams…and why it is often a good thing (or bad, if you happen to be the Barber of a certain Midas) to have a rant down a hole…..So this blog entry is that hole…..

So, the idiot thinking behind people who lack the intelligence to understand things that are new to them….The scary thing is, this type of thinking is mainly part of a mob culture – and as such, these low brow knuckle dragger’s just build in numbers… and as they build in numbers they become the majority… and these same idiots have the vote. These same people who have an inability to think for themselves end up being able to vote – and the politicians know they can buy these people with a few promises of what they want to hear. It’s not about what is best for the country – it is about what the politicians can say so that they get voted in again and again…. even if that leaves the UK as a lager land of Burberry wearing work shy idiots.

Yup… a bit of a rant today. I can’t do much due to my back, and on my wanders out I see these work shy Neanderthals, fags in gobs, just lolling around or annoying everyone with their tuned up plastic body kitted cars and dolled up plastic faced girlfriends….dragging around kids who’ll be lucky to not end up brain damaged from all the smoke and cheap booze that their parents force them to endure – pre and post birth.

Why does it make me mad? Well I’d rather be working – I like to earn and do my job, and doing nothing isn’t great (yes – it isn’t through my choice, but it’s still annoying)…. especially when I see that my taxes are being spent on these morons so they can claim benefits and live in houses better than the one I work hard to keep.

Happy place….happy place……

Ah… that’s better….