Not a epiphany but more a space saver. A 'Cross Over' was a way in which railway engineers made the most of a small space. This house hold has been a bit like a railway Cross over. An awful lot of the routine stuff has been going on, but with little time to it.
The wife discovered that the Mitsubishi Dealership she bought her car from, and thus had a three year servicing agreement with, had gone into Administration on the 8th March, 2010. Vincent's of Yeovil had been trading in various road related forms for 150 years. Not anymore.
The lad had a mediocre result from a Geography GCSE module. A wake up call hopefully. I suspect not.
Lace has informed me that she is moving.
The Shogun requires at least two front tyres, and the front brake pads will soon do damage to the discs if not replaced. I am still toying with the idea of changing the rear springs and shock absorbers, although not via a Mitsubishi dealership as 18 months ago I was told it would cost £700 a side (yipes!) Milliners here we come.
There is more, yet really I can not be bothered.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
*
Attempted to order a copy of 'In Praise of Older Women' (Stephen Vizinczey) from Bridgwater Book Shop. I say attempted because they informed me that both of their trade suppliers were still awaiting stock from Penguin. I have checked with Penguin this morning, they say they have stock.
Texted Lace.
Watched Culture show on iPlayer, and trying to read NYT article on St. Clair McKelway. Heating is on as I am cold.
Texted Lace.
Watched Culture show on iPlayer, and trying to read NYT article on St. Clair McKelway. Heating is on as I am cold.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
News from the ant colony
Motherhood in South Devon, a form of Lebensborn with clotted cream. Together with the whiff of eugenics South Devon is, for the middle classes, the epitome of social well being. A nauseating ghetto for the well healed, their offspring educated in schools so well funded and resourced they syphon the life blood out of every Devon comprehensive or community school.
Read in the IHT that a family from Germany has been given asylum in the USA, because the German authorities do not allow children to be taught at home. The Germans have a well developed public education system, designed to educate, as opposed to Christianity (sorry did I not mention that the German family were Christians?) which shuts down thought, by filling minds with fairy stories about special friends.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/us/01homeschool.html?scp=10&sq=germany%20christian&st=cse
“In fact,” he said, sitting on his sofa as his three older children wrote in workbooks at the dining table, “I want my children to learn the truth and to learn about what’s going on in the world so that they can deal with it.” ...
...and the father sought ayslum in the US, the land where the font of knowledge is fed from a firmly held belief that my grand daddy walked with dinosaurs.
Read in the IHT that a family from Germany has been given asylum in the USA, because the German authorities do not allow children to be taught at home. The Germans have a well developed public education system, designed to educate, as opposed to Christianity (sorry did I not mention that the German family were Christians?) which shuts down thought, by filling minds with fairy stories about special friends.
In Germany, he said, home-schoolers are seen as “fundamentalist
religious nuts who don’t want their children to get to know what is going on in
the world, who want to protect them from everything.”
“In fact,” he said,
sitting on his sofa as his three older children wrote in workbooks at the dining
table, “I want my children to learn the truth and to learn about what’s going on
in the world so that they can deal with it.” (Mr. Romeike (pronounced
ro-MY-kuh - the father)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/us/01homeschool.html?scp=10&sq=germany%20christian&st=cse
“In fact,” he said, sitting on his sofa as his three older children wrote in workbooks at the dining table, “I want my children to learn the truth and to learn about what’s going on in the world so that they can deal with it.” ...
...and the father sought ayslum in the US, the land where the font of knowledge is fed from a firmly held belief that my grand daddy walked with dinosaurs.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
The Public and Private duplicitous of the human condition
"...a brilliant if diabolical operative who excels in the dark art of psychological warfare..."
A description to Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's White House Chief of Staff by The New Republic (Est 1917). It is a description that could be attributed to many, perhaps lesser, beings.
I can always tell when 'something is up', that familiar not always welcome whiff that surrounds someone who has knowledge. It has been a awful day.
Son has been jabbed etc. Apparently, TB is no longer on the menu. Shame,why should he not go through the pain I did? They don't even administer the jab by blow pipe!
A description to Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's White House Chief of Staff by The New Republic (Est 1917). It is a description that could be attributed to many, perhaps lesser, beings.
I can always tell when 'something is up', that familiar not always welcome whiff that surrounds someone who has knowledge. It has been a awful day.
Son has been jabbed etc. Apparently, TB is no longer on the menu. Shame,why should he not go through the pain I did? They don't even administer the jab by blow pipe!
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
New US Embassy for London
The Borg are here, we have been assimilated.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/23/us-embassy-cool-remote-not-subtle
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/23/us-embassy-cool-remote-not-subtle
MP3 Players & Flagellation
I had to replace my MP3 player. The Sony froze last week, locked itself. The new instrument came from ALDI, unfortunately I have mislaid the lead which enables me to download my podcast's. Square one.
Sex and religion. Ed Balls - yes Balls - was on the radio this morning. The Catholics have got to mention 'condoms' at least once during sex education. I can not for the life of me understand why this will be a problem, especially following revelations that Papa Wojtyla indulged in self flagellation [1][2], as part of a need to feel closer to God. The condom does not work, but hitting oneself with a belt or tree is okay it seems.
Went to Mothers, to be told they were going to the doctors for a 10 o'clock appointment. Considered it a possibility that mother and father would appear at my doorstep at some point later in the morning so filled kettle at home and prepare teapot. Mother duly arrives. I'd hate to be her Doctor.
Having subscribed to the International Herald Tribune (IHT), starting from the 22nd February, the first one arrives on 23rd February. Damp.
Sons Birthday today, fifteen.
[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/26/john-paul-ii-self-flagellation
[2] http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/0128/1224263288641.html
Sex and religion. Ed Balls - yes Balls - was on the radio this morning. The Catholics have got to mention 'condoms' at least once during sex education. I can not for the life of me understand why this will be a problem, especially following revelations that Papa Wojtyla indulged in self flagellation [1][2], as part of a need to feel closer to God. The condom does not work, but hitting oneself with a belt or tree is okay it seems.
Went to Mothers, to be told they were going to the doctors for a 10 o'clock appointment. Considered it a possibility that mother and father would appear at my doorstep at some point later in the morning so filled kettle at home and prepare teapot. Mother duly arrives. I'd hate to be her Doctor.
Having subscribed to the International Herald Tribune (IHT), starting from the 22nd February, the first one arrives on 23rd February. Damp.
Sons Birthday today, fifteen.
[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/26/john-paul-ii-self-flagellation
[2] http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/0128/1224263288641.html
Monday, 22 February 2010
Death and the lost Art of Education.
Our son's school is closed this coming Wednesday, apparently this is so that members of staff can attend the funeral of one of the staff members.
The decision to close the school exemplifies the school attitude to educating the pupils, in that the actual pursuit of 'education' is secondary to events, in this case the death of a colleague. Given that the deceased was the first to contact parents, usually in writing - never by phone at least by herself - when there was the slightest hint of a misdemeanor on behalf of the child, I find the whole reasoning behind the closure an excellent, if appalling, confirmation of how detached the management of the school is to why it exists and what they are employed to do. A letter to parents stated that there would be counselling available to those who required it. If the deceased was a great educationalist, enthusing pupils to think and...erm...learn, then they would have been appalled at this ludicrous decision.
The sudden and unexpected death of a colleague is a tragedy for all concerned. I am reminded of other human tragedies, such as the Burundi Genocide for example. Needless to say my cynicism surrounding this affair will not curry favour with those determined to baste the situation in faux shock and display the charade of grief, reminiscent of a hired Victorian mourner.
The decision to close the school exemplifies the school attitude to educating the pupils, in that the actual pursuit of 'education' is secondary to events, in this case the death of a colleague. Given that the deceased was the first to contact parents, usually in writing - never by phone at least by herself - when there was the slightest hint of a misdemeanor on behalf of the child, I find the whole reasoning behind the closure an excellent, if appalling, confirmation of how detached the management of the school is to why it exists and what they are employed to do. A letter to parents stated that there would be counselling available to those who required it. If the deceased was a great educationalist, enthusing pupils to think and...erm...learn, then they would have been appalled at this ludicrous decision.
The sudden and unexpected death of a colleague is a tragedy for all concerned. I am reminded of other human tragedies, such as the Burundi Genocide for example. Needless to say my cynicism surrounding this affair will not curry favour with those determined to baste the situation in faux shock and display the charade of grief, reminiscent of a hired Victorian mourner.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
SV Concordia
I read in the IHT that the SV Concordia has gone to Davey Jones locker off Brazil. Shame
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/19/world/AP-LT-Brazil-Ship-Capsizes.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=concordia&st=cse
Update...
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/20/world/AP-LT-Brazil-Ship-Capsizes.html?scp=1&sq=concordia&st=cse
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/rescued-canadians-dock-in-rio/article1475527/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concordia_(ship)
One wonders why she wasn't put into the wind. Certainly an uncomfortable option for those on board by any stretch of the imagination especially for a ship so small. But then this is the sea and she was a sailing vessel.
The problem is, as will any enquiry find, there is little by way of day-to-day experience in the sailing of this type of vessel, utilising C18 and C19 technology, and just as important, an C18 and C19 mind set. Fifty years ago, there were still a sizable number of individuals who actually worked these vessels, as in making a living from it. They would have been the last of those who plied the trade routes and could tap into the seam of experience of generations of 'manual' sailors. As it is, all we now have is written accounts and an awful lot of 'experts' and theorists.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/19/world/AP-LT-Brazil-Ship-Capsizes.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=concordia&st=cse
Update...
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/02/20/world/AP-LT-Brazil-Ship-Capsizes.html?scp=1&sq=concordia&st=cse
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/rescued-canadians-dock-in-rio/article1475527/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concordia_(ship)
One wonders why she wasn't put into the wind. Certainly an uncomfortable option for those on board by any stretch of the imagination especially for a ship so small. But then this is the sea and she was a sailing vessel.
The problem is, as will any enquiry find, there is little by way of day-to-day experience in the sailing of this type of vessel, utilising C18 and C19 technology, and just as important, an C18 and C19 mind set. Fifty years ago, there were still a sizable number of individuals who actually worked these vessels, as in making a living from it. They would have been the last of those who plied the trade routes and could tap into the seam of experience of generations of 'manual' sailors. As it is, all we now have is written accounts and an awful lot of 'experts' and theorists.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
The frozen north
Back today from Co Durham. A week of driving and cold weather (including sleet, hail and snow and all stops in between). Took the Laptop with me but did not log on, just too knackered. When we left there was snow on the ground, not a lot but enough to crunch under foot.
Thinking back, we didn't 'do' a lot really. Visited father-in-law a number of times he is now in a private home, being cared for to a level required by his situation, which is pretty much everything. The home is a temporary holding station whilst work is carried out to the in-laws home, in order that equipment can be accommodated.
The boss is watching Causality.
One highlight, in fact one of a number of highlights (in my book) was the visit by my son and I to the University of Northumberland Art Gallery in Newcastle. The Guardian/Observer Jane Bown Photography exhibition was on. Quite good. I was struck by how few of the subjects were still alive. There was a photo of Thatcher at the beginning of the exhibition. When questioned about the prominence, the person at the desk said as Thatcher was an important figure, it was "considered appropriate" to give the portrait the position. All this was delivered without a hint of irony or even interest. Tell that to the Durham Miners, I thought.
The Laing proffered up the usual fayre from the collection, plus I noticed through a closed door the hanging of the next exhibition featuring works from the Gallery's '1970s Collection' Hmmmm.
Found a useful Chippy in Belmont.
The rejuvenated Model Railway shop in Darlington appears to have succumbed to the lack of cash around. Must be Labour's fault. Yeah - if you ignore the the global aspect of the recession, Mr Cameron, and the fact that the Tories ensured that we have Little (other than finance) to employ people. Now tell, that to Mrs Rimmington. Which brings me back to that portrait.
Thinking back, we didn't 'do' a lot really. Visited father-in-law a number of times he is now in a private home, being cared for to a level required by his situation, which is pretty much everything. The home is a temporary holding station whilst work is carried out to the in-laws home, in order that equipment can be accommodated.
The boss is watching Causality.
One highlight, in fact one of a number of highlights (in my book) was the visit by my son and I to the University of Northumberland Art Gallery in Newcastle. The Guardian/Observer Jane Bown Photography exhibition was on. Quite good. I was struck by how few of the subjects were still alive. There was a photo of Thatcher at the beginning of the exhibition. When questioned about the prominence, the person at the desk said as Thatcher was an important figure, it was "considered appropriate" to give the portrait the position. All this was delivered without a hint of irony or even interest. Tell that to the Durham Miners, I thought.
The Laing proffered up the usual fayre from the collection, plus I noticed through a closed door the hanging of the next exhibition featuring works from the Gallery's '1970s Collection' Hmmmm.
Found a useful Chippy in Belmont.
The rejuvenated Model Railway shop in Darlington appears to have succumbed to the lack of cash around. Must be Labour's fault. Yeah - if you ignore the the global aspect of the recession, Mr Cameron, and the fact that the Tories ensured that we have Little (other than finance) to employ people. Now tell, that to Mrs Rimmington. Which brings me back to that portrait.
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Butt of necessity
My arse. My arse was inspected today by a member of the medical profession. Female, Irish and now disturbed. I seem to present my Doctor with various parts of my anatomy for inspection on a increasingly frequent basis. What a way to start the day, for both of us.
Cholesterol level is 5.4.
Women's Hour Dramatisation distinctly non-fluffy this morning; Writing the Century 12: 1966-1969 - Pleidiol Wyf I'm Gwlad/True To My Land not bad and available on iPlayer...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qjvq9
Cholesterol level is 5.4.
Women's Hour Dramatisation distinctly non-fluffy this morning; Writing the Century 12: 1966-1969 - Pleidiol Wyf I'm Gwlad/True To My Land not bad and available on iPlayer...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qjvq9
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Notes from the Viewing Platform
"The proposals to ban the burqa in France and minarets in
Switzerland, wrong in and of themselves, are not the answer to what is merely a
knee-jerk reaction to the influx of immigrants from the Middle East to Europe
and their increased religiosity when they get here, often as a reaction to an
enforced permissiveness and radical secularism to which they were never granted
the societal tools to deal with." (Editorial: NYT & IHT 5th
& 6th Feb 2010 respectively)
The quote above, written by Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, intrigues. I am tempted to view the rebellion against the French establishments burqa campaign has largely been driven, from behind the scenes and thus from the anonymous rear (is it ever thus?), by educated (middle class) Muslim women keen, as with the middle classes everywhere, to ensure that it is their version, their wisdom and their ideals are imposed on the (sic) less educated, in this case raw immigrant. There is a game at hand being played out not so much between the infidel and the devoted Muslim, than within the Muslim community itself.
Lace said "NO!" to Miss Dolleery on Friday. The Tectonic plates are foment indeed! The thumb remains, for the time being at least, stubbornly horizontal.
Cleaned up light shades and tried out 180ml or there abouts of Lidl Porridge gulp.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Corporeal Hoi polloi
In the fictional world of Star Trek, Commander Benjamin Sisko makes contact with the Bajoran, a non-corporeal race who do not understand the human concept of time or linear existence.
The Friday evening club gatherings can take on a non-linear existence.
The LA Times reports that one of Hollywood's 'blacklisted' Screenwriters, Anne Froelick Taylor, passed away on the 26th January in Los Angeles. Taylor's career was relatively short. She was 'denounced' by colleagues on the last day of the McCarthy House Un-American Activities Committee hearings. Taylor worked for Orson Wells amongst others, then post Blacklisting, she scratched a covert living editing soap opera material for friends.
Mother pushed an Asda shopping coupon through the door, she had mentioned it to Andrew the previous evening on the telephone. The coupon, £10 off the weekly shop, ran out on the 31st January. She is aware of this, but has to give it us anyway. "It's your mother son" said Father "She organised it". Always aim for the course of least resistance Pater.
The Friday evening club gatherings can take on a non-linear existence.
The LA Times reports that one of Hollywood's 'blacklisted' Screenwriters, Anne Froelick Taylor, passed away on the 26th January in Los Angeles. Taylor's career was relatively short. She was 'denounced' by colleagues on the last day of the McCarthy House Un-American Activities Committee hearings. Taylor worked for Orson Wells amongst others, then post Blacklisting, she scratched a covert living editing soap opera material for friends.
Mother pushed an Asda shopping coupon through the door, she had mentioned it to Andrew the previous evening on the telephone. The coupon, £10 off the weekly shop, ran out on the 31st January. She is aware of this, but has to give it us anyway. "It's your mother son" said Father "She organised it". Always aim for the course of least resistance Pater.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
February - Anarchist
Found a reference to Emma Goldman in a book review in the NY Times...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/books/review/Mihm-t.html?scp=1&sq=joyce%20appleby&st=cse
The book, by Joyce Appleby, called 'The Relentless Revolution: A History of Capitalism' (ISBN 978 0 393 31286 7, Pub: 2010, John Wiley & Sons., New York) and is due out this month. I hope to get a copy, although the limp bound version may be worth waiting for if only to keep costs down.
Emma Goldman, anarchist, managed to upset virtually everyone especially the Soviet loving British Communist's. Goldman is tainted if only because she fell in behind Margret Sanger who, like our very own Marie Stopes, was not only an advocate of Birth Control (as a means of combating poverty amongst the lower orders) but of eugenics.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/books/review/Mihm-t.html?scp=1&sq=joyce%20appleby&st=cse
The book, by Joyce Appleby, called 'The Relentless Revolution: A History of Capitalism' (ISBN 978 0 393 31286 7, Pub: 2010, John Wiley & Sons., New York) and is due out this month. I hope to get a copy, although the limp bound version may be worth waiting for if only to keep costs down.
Emma Goldman, anarchist, managed to upset virtually everyone especially the Soviet loving British Communist's. Goldman is tainted if only because she fell in behind Margret Sanger who, like our very own Marie Stopes, was not only an advocate of Birth Control (as a means of combating poverty amongst the lower orders) but of eugenics.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Nearly the end of January
J D Salinger.
The New York Times announces
By all accounts (much of them written over the last few days) ol' JD was a bit of curmudgeonly fart, who was beginning to get under the skin of many living in his community. The Catcher in the Rye has been variously described as wonderful, equivalent to my first orgasm, over-rated by many and even as a "silly book" by the reclusive author. I have never read the book, or even other JDS works so I can not comment.
New person at the Friday gathering, young, enthusiastic, smart (as in educated), professes to be interested in imagery in preference to text as a means of disseminating information, at least for other people's consumption who are probably not as young, enthusiastic or smart (as in educated). Quite possibly a product of a modern degree course from a modern, unspecified university - Dudley Port perhaps?
Lace turned up. No conversation, I was pre-occupied with the cold and she was equally preoccupied with the Lockyer.
The New York Times announces
..."Mr. Salinger’s literary representative, Harold Ober Associates,
announced the death, saying it was of natural causes."
By all accounts (much of them written over the last few days) ol' JD was a bit of curmudgeonly fart, who was beginning to get under the skin of many living in his community. The Catcher in the Rye has been variously described as wonderful, equivalent to my first orgasm, over-rated by many and even as a "silly book" by the reclusive author. I have never read the book, or even other JDS works so I can not comment.
New person at the Friday gathering, young, enthusiastic, smart (as in educated), professes to be interested in imagery in preference to text as a means of disseminating information, at least for other people's consumption who are probably not as young, enthusiastic or smart (as in educated). Quite possibly a product of a modern degree course from a modern, unspecified university - Dudley Port perhaps?
Lace turned up. No conversation, I was pre-occupied with the cold and she was equally preoccupied with the Lockyer.
Friday, 29 January 2010
I like the way Mariella Frostrup presents Open Book on BBC Radio 4 . Did anyone watch the Diary programmes on BBC4 Television recently?
I have also discovered The Book show presented by Ramona Koval on Radio Australia National (ABC). I have yet to find time to listen to the Book Show, although I have downloaded a Podcast to my player and if I can find a spare thirty minutes or so (that is a linear, uninterrupted 30mins) this coming weekend I'll give it a go.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/
I will be working on my own this afternoon, my colleague is attending a family funeral .
I have also discovered The Book show presented by Ramona Koval on Radio Australia National (ABC). I have yet to find time to listen to the Book Show, although I have downloaded a Podcast to my player and if I can find a spare thirty minutes or so (that is a linear, uninterrupted 30mins) this coming weekend I'll give it a go.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/
I will be working on my own this afternoon, my colleague is attending a family funeral .
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Cost cost and yet more cost!
A British govt report publish yesterday (26th Jan) , concludes that the the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' is widening. Great.
My son and heir (bless) brings a letter home from a school teacher, which states that he has "expressed and interest" in going to Silverstone for a trip to the GP. Great, wonder opportunity, etc. Point is he didn't show quite as much interest in informing his parents - for Parents read Bankers - about it.
This year we will be expected to fund a trip to either Switzerland or Scotland for Scout Summer Camp, training camps for Duke of Edinburgh Gold etc as well. At some point the draw strings will have to be tightened.
I would suggest he gets a Newspaper round to help toward costs, unfortunately most jobs of that kind are now done by OAP's in an attempt to make their pension go further. They should be grateful they have a flippin' pension.
Rant over.
My son and heir (bless) brings a letter home from a school teacher, which states that he has "expressed and interest" in going to Silverstone for a trip to the GP. Great, wonder opportunity, etc. Point is he didn't show quite as much interest in informing his parents - for Parents read Bankers - about it.
This year we will be expected to fund a trip to either Switzerland or Scotland for Scout Summer Camp, training camps for Duke of Edinburgh Gold etc as well. At some point the draw strings will have to be tightened.
I would suggest he gets a Newspaper round to help toward costs, unfortunately most jobs of that kind are now done by OAP's in an attempt to make their pension go further. They should be grateful they have a flippin' pension.
Rant over.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Sunday, bloody Sunday.
Today is a quiet day. Sunday for us usually means a trip out to somewhere locale. But not today, a combination of homework, reading and sleeping kept us at home.
I had intended to finish Saturdays IHT, but fell asleep.
An acquaintance emailed me intent on giving me an English Lesson revolving around the adjective 'Normal'. I fear an element of clasping the wrong end of the proverbial is the order of the day.
The rather cryptic Tectonic Plate comment in my previous posting caused a few eyebrows to point to Polaris. Needless to say the influx of new members into the Ditch Diggers and Hod Carriers Club, from different backgrounds (Dare I suggest more varied, less introspective) is causing a stir in amongst the founding fathers and the Poultney set. There is a need to maintain control, a desperate need to maintain the status quo. They have one important advantage, they are on the board.
Haiti? Nope the really moving and shaking is done in S. Devon, where the sea nibbles at the calcium carbonate with tenacity.
Mother rang.
I had intended to finish Saturdays IHT, but fell asleep.
An acquaintance emailed me intent on giving me an English Lesson revolving around the adjective 'Normal'. I fear an element of clasping the wrong end of the proverbial is the order of the day.
The rather cryptic Tectonic Plate comment in my previous posting caused a few eyebrows to point to Polaris. Needless to say the influx of new members into the Ditch Diggers and Hod Carriers Club, from different backgrounds (Dare I suggest more varied, less introspective) is causing a stir in amongst the founding fathers and the Poultney set. There is a need to maintain control, a desperate need to maintain the status quo. They have one important advantage, they are on the board.
Haiti? Nope the really moving and shaking is done in S. Devon, where the sea nibbles at the calcium carbonate with tenacity.
Mother rang.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Listened to 'Thinking Allowed' a BBC Radio 4 programme on my MP3 player.
This particular programme dealt with the concept of social mobility in Britain. The consensus is that there isn't any, at least not as much as was allowed after WW2 when the ruling establishment required brains (as opposed to mere social standing by right of birth) to pull the country from the brink of bankruptcy. Then Grammar School boys (plus the occasional girl) were permitted to join the club as associates.
We do not live in a meritocracy. As if I hadn't realised it.
I am sure the choice of venue for the programme, the University of Bedfordshire (Est 2006), was deliberate. UoB was rated 88th out of 117 in The Guardian University Guide, 2009. Exeter is thirteenth. http://www.beds.ac.uk/
Lace informed me yesterday evening that she had 'assessed' the daughter's boyfriend "He's okay" apparently. Much use of the adjective 'normal' to describe the chap, poor chap, poor poor chap. Normal is what exactly? Safe? I hope he cross-dresses.
The diety of the NLO must be feeling threatened. The tectonic plates are moving; not quite on a Haitian scale, but in a macro sense just as facinating.
This particular programme dealt with the concept of social mobility in Britain. The consensus is that there isn't any, at least not as much as was allowed after WW2 when the ruling establishment required brains (as opposed to mere social standing by right of birth) to pull the country from the brink of bankruptcy. Then Grammar School boys (plus the occasional girl) were permitted to join the club as associates.
We do not live in a meritocracy. As if I hadn't realised it.
I am sure the choice of venue for the programme, the University of Bedfordshire (Est 2006), was deliberate. UoB was rated 88th out of 117 in The Guardian University Guide, 2009. Exeter is thirteenth. http://www.beds.ac.uk/
Lace informed me yesterday evening that she had 'assessed' the daughter's boyfriend "He's okay" apparently. Much use of the adjective 'normal' to describe the chap, poor chap, poor poor chap. Normal is what exactly? Safe? I hope he cross-dresses.
The diety of the NLO must be feeling threatened. The tectonic plates are moving; not quite on a Haitian scale, but in a macro sense just as facinating.
2010!
Greetings all! Happy New Year and all that stuff.
Happy New Year is pushing it, 2010 has a sense of foreboding about it. 'It' is not a thing, like a bird a telly or a telescope, it isn't even a failing relationship. I feel my relationship with 2010 is destined to fail. What ever it is, it isn't good.
A colleague (actually someone who works in an adjacent work area) lost a relative in Afghanistan, her nephew.
Some how I feel this death, one of many in a bizarre war, sets the scene for 2010, both in societal terms and also, perhaps more importantly, personal terms.
Christmas was a non event. No visit to the NE.
In the New Year the snow came, the first real snow for at least two decades. As always everything stopped. The concept of PFI and contracting out public service to a Taiwanese based conglomerate does not lead to flexible decent public services. What a surprise.
The first Observatory Public opening of 2010, at which we were to assist, was cancelled.
Lace has been in touch, via text. Still making headway, cutting a tack between the twin dangers of creditability and a desire to be in control of her own destiny. It helps to have a good lawyer.
Happy New Year is pushing it, 2010 has a sense of foreboding about it. 'It' is not a thing, like a bird a telly or a telescope, it isn't even a failing relationship. I feel my relationship with 2010 is destined to fail. What ever it is, it isn't good.
A colleague (actually someone who works in an adjacent work area) lost a relative in Afghanistan, her nephew.
Some how I feel this death, one of many in a bizarre war, sets the scene for 2010, both in societal terms and also, perhaps more importantly, personal terms.
Christmas was a non event. No visit to the NE.
In the New Year the snow came, the first real snow for at least two decades. As always everything stopped. The concept of PFI and contracting out public service to a Taiwanese based conglomerate does not lead to flexible decent public services. What a surprise.
The first Observatory Public opening of 2010, at which we were to assist, was cancelled.
Lace has been in touch, via text. Still making headway, cutting a tack between the twin dangers of creditability and a desire to be in control of her own destiny. It helps to have a good lawyer.
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