Day 100

I never thought i would type that!

I read yesterday that a guy I used to work with way back in the 80’s and through to the 90’s has after 39 years with the company been made redundant. 

I mentioned a while back that my sister and all the people who were furloughed from her company received redundancy.

Whilst I realise that businesses have been severely restricted or closed and unable to generate revenue, I suspect this has become the perfect situation for many of them to cut their overhead. Personnel is the largest overhead most companies carry. For many it will have been their only option to cut costs. I fear that unemployment will rise sharply and finding alternative employment in a shrinking economy will not be easy. I expect a further growth to the self employed  market as many find their only course of action is to set something up for themselves. For many this won’t be possible.

I had a long working life with many jobs. I was made redundant three times not least of all from the company with whom my ex-colleague has now become a victim. I have been out of work often in my life but have always managed to find a way of earning and always found another job. It is not always easy and the older you get it can become even harder. 

My advice to those who now have to look for another job. Keep applying don’t give up and when and if you get an interview be yourself and not what you think you need to be. Those who are older, you have experience and life skills that those much younger have not developed yet. You bring experience to the table and that is a valuable skill in itself. 

It will will be daunting for those who have been in long term positions And who have not had to search the job market for many many years. Remember your long term service is a positive advantage. You know how to talk to people you are done it everyday, use that.

I wish everyone the best of fortune in your endeavours. Change can be a positive and you may end up doing something you never thought you would.

Stay well

Day 99

As you can see I’ve chosen a red for todays writing.

I have just read two articles about racism. Ona about a NASCAR driver from the early days whose experience was quite simply horrific in spite of the fact that he was one of the best drivers. What he faced was for the times was nothing unusual but his determination to never give up and fight until he no longer could was inspiring. 

The second is about a young Jamaican who arrived in Britain when he was 6 and has over the years put up with subtle and not so subtle prejudice. Now with all the protests happening his white friend asked him what it was like to be a black man in this society and even though they had been friends for years he was amazed at what his friend faced every day. He asked why he had never said anything and the reply was, that is just the way things are! He then joined him on one of the marches.

I have never experienced racial prejudice. I have no idea what it must be like. I may think I understand it but how can I? I am white. I may sympathise and condemn any form of racial inequality and prejudice But I cannot truly know the anguish it must cause simply because of how you were born!

I am not being completely truthful. I grew up in north London during the Fifties and Sixties And I have some knowledge of prejudice. Not racial but religious. I was born into a Jewish family and although from a very early age I rejected that religion and any other, I can recall be called being called all sorts of names because of it and some violence was done against me. I am not sure those who called me names knew what they were saying or really meant it or cared. They had learnt behaviour from their parents or were trying to fit in with their peer group. Let’s face it children can be cruel without even knowing why and will always pick on those who they think are “different” It was hurtful and upsetting. Not for one moment am I equating it with the prejudice those of ethnic races experience. It did not last and has never been an issue since.

I had a few fights and if I am honest became hostile to the religion (actually I am hostile to all religions, with one or two exceptions) I rejected it and probably became prejudiced towards it myself! My family were well aware of my attitude and to there credit never held it against me or admonished me for it. 

Familiarity they say breeds contempt it did with me and it’s a feeling that has never left although I am far more tolerant these days and even have a nostalgic soft spot for those of that persuasion. 

It is impossible for those of us who were born with white skin, no matter how much we care , to understand.

I pride myself on having never been prejudice regardless of what you are but it is easy when you don’t have to worry about it or deal with it!

We must continue to fight it and as with every fibre until it is eradicated but let us white people not kid ourselves that we really get it because we don’t!!!!!

Stay well

P.S. No pictures today because Blogger has introduced a new format and loading photos does not appear to function?

 

Day 98

Wendy said to me “I cant read the news it is to depressing”

I can do nothing but agree. Depressing sums this period up. Generally we are happy people but it is not easy to maintain when each day nothing of any joy happens. Yes there is humour, often grim humour. This week seems to have been particularly miserable? I have this desire to be anywhere else  (well not just anywhere) than at home. We should have been away in Crete at present. Obviously it has not been possible at present but the need to travel and get out of the house yesterday was almost overwhelming! I am sure I am not alone?

All things must pass but this feels like a bloody long time passing and it is not anywhere near over or ever will be. History teaches us that people have dealt with a lot worse problems for much longer and without all the modern conveniences we have. So yes it is churlish to moan and complain! 😃😀😁

There that was me smiling and trying to be optimistic!

I spoke yesterday to my great friend Kostas in Crete (I speak with him every week)

Our economic situation is not great at the moment but think of a town that almost totally relies on tourism and should already be well into the season, that has no tourists not even other Greeks. There is no prospect of it improving soon and the Greek government is giving precious little support to their citizens. 

Imagine having no money and no prospect of earning any even though you have a business. The locals do spend money in their local shops but when you are geared up to cater for visitors and there aren’t any it is difficult to say the least. Yet even they are better off than many in the world. You have to keep things in perspective, I guess?

He is not a young man (73) and there have been conversations where his desperation has been evident as he struggles to see a future. Greece has been through a lot in recent years and I can tell you from personnel experience that are the hardest working people I know. Yes they live in a beautiful place with a wonderful climate but their economic stability was fragile to say the least and although starting to recover this has dealt them a body blow!

We are better off than most and really have little to complain about. It does not seem to have stopped me!

Stay well

👌👳👌

Day 97

It is coincidence but todays word from Susie Dent is UNASINOUS  which means “united in stupidity“

I was going to write about that very subject, stupidity, It seems to me that much of the worlds population are “unasinous” it has become epidemic. I’m all for people expressing themselves, I am doing so now,  but the stupidity and ignorance displayed by so many who are then proud of their actions is stunning.
The litany of stupidity and madness just goes on and on. Everyday you read or watch stupid wankers everywhere behaving in a manner that makes you put your head in your hands in disbelief. whether it is crowding together or blatantly ignoring any semblance of control and safety. These people must drive the Police mad and wonder why they bother. Okay the Police aren’t perfect but you have to feel sorry for them for all the shit they have to deal with!
I am not the easiest person to tell what to do (ask Wendy) and occasionally rebel against what I might consider to be a stupid rule but I do not go out of my way or join with others to flout the obvious restrictions that currently prevail!
There have always been and always will be those who could not give a flying fuck what the advice is and deliberately defy it for their own ends or simply because they can. During this epidemic the idiots seem to have taken over the asylum. I cannot recall seeing so many acting with such blatant stupidity and disregard for their own and other people’s safety. If it wasn’t for the enormous pressure it would put on the NHS you could almost wish they all caught the virus!
I sit at my breakfast table writing this blog everyday and everyday I despair and the stupid behaviour of government, committees, politicians, and just about anyone. The amount of bollocks spewed out, often by people who should no better, is just incredible. It allows me to use one of my favourite sayings “they are as useful as a one legged man at an arse kicking party” (no offence intended to any one legged men)!
I doubt we can stop it and perhaps the upside is that their behaviour is a cautionary lesson to the rest of us and actually stops others from doing the same things?

Stay well

Day 96

First let me say well done Liverpool. A mate of mine has a regular bet with a friend a pound a point between Man Utd and Liverpool who finishes with the he most points. I’ve just texted him to say he owes him a fair bit  and he replied he wouldn’t take the bet this season much to his friends disgust!

Heat is a remarkable thing and yesterday I have to admit it got to me. I was rubbish on the golf course  and packed in on the 14th tee went home pissed off and overheating. I am fine abroad in even hotter weather but in England it gets to me. Having said that give me hot days everyday.

Have you seen the photo’s of the unbelievable amount of rubbish people are leaving behind them on beaches, in parks and other public places? What is wrong with them? You brought all that stuff or purchased it while you were there take the refuse home or dispose of it sensibly on the way home. We never learn. In the last weeks these are places we have all enjoyed because we have precious few choices as to where we could go.As I understand it the general feeling is that we have enjoyed nature? It is not a rubbish tip that you then spoil because on that day you were to lazy, ignorant or could not care less about who will be there after you! It is not a new problem and the amount of packaging we deal with encourages piles of refuse everywhere but that is no excuse for not disposing of it with care.

I would like to have a day when I have no need or subject to rant and moan about but there are so many to choose, that day is never likely to arrive. With the many platforms available for everybody, should they so wish to do so, to comment and so often make stupid, crass, ignorant, prejudicial, inaccurate, insulting and weird statements about everything and anything there will never be a shortage of subjects that I can write about. I like to think that the world is slowly improving and much progress has been made but when you read each day about all the madness it does make you doubt!

Stay well

 

Day 95

The more pressure applied to this government the more they capitulate on what are already poor decisions. whilst this situation is unprecedented this cabinet has prove themselves to be incompetent and liars, especially Boris. These are the representatives some of you voted in to because at the time you believed he could negotiate a great deal for Britain? Do you think that now? This lot are hopeless and with the current economy tanking anyway do you seriously believe that Britain will be “great” again!
It is a fallacy to think we were ever great or have been for a long long time. Our record as an “Empire” is shocking. The brutality and death we caused the indigenous people of the lands we wanted, is a litany of death and destruction. In India, Africa and other places our collective greed and desire for riches and wealth destroyed and subjugated people and resulted in enormous death.
We have no right to use the term Great Britain. This country has blood on it’s hands and nothing to be proud of. So making us great again is Bollocks we never were!

I’m angry and disappointed with all of the so called elected representatives wherever they are in the world. what a desperate and incompetent bunch of leaders there are in so many countries. Just a voice crying out in the wilderness!

Stay well

Day 94

Today’s word from the wonderful Susie Dent is Whiffle To blow this way and that without sticking to  one course of action. A Whiffler is someone who is evasive and/or is forever changing their minds.
Remind you of anyone?

Yesterday’s announcement of who can and can’t open is quite baffling. Not for those who can open but for those who still cannot. You can have a drink, a meal, get your haircut but not keep fit in a gym. Are the disinfectant or gaps required any more or less in these environments? Swimming pools are one of the safest places you could be because the water is chlorinated. Okay you can argue about the changing facilities but a gym you can attend ready to go and shower at home. Swim changing can be staggered with diligent management. In other words  it is no more difficult to manage these activities as any of the facilities that can now open. I suspect the pressure groups are better at pressing Johnson for these industries?
I know footballers are tested before being allowed on the pitch but that does make a mockery of any social distancing and is all about the money TV companies have invested. Don’t misunderstand I am not against these things, on the contrary I want them to go ahead but there is no logic or consistency to the measures now in place.
I have expressed the opinion, which everyone I have spoken has agreed with,  we the public will have to decide for ourselves what we are prepared to risk. If you are prepared to take part in something or travel on plane, train, bus or whatever and you understand and accept the risk then fair enough. I know we have a responsibility to healthcare to minimise getting sick but if the right precautions are taken and the rules followed we should be allowed.

We are told the infection rate is dropping to pre-lockdown levels. Let us hope that is both true and a sign of a decrease in the virus. I don’t wish to sound like the voice of doom especially after what I have written above but these virus have a habit of flaring up again and mutating. Let us hope that this will not happen. It takes all of us to be sensible and take responsibility for ourselves and those around us where ever we may be!

Stay well

Day 92


No good regretting all that has gone on, we are where we are and we have to move forward. Mistakes have been made, we all make them but no good dwelling there done.
So stop worrying about what went on and look forward to what is to come. Live for the now!


Stay well

Day 91

I don’t know whether I should be still counting the days but I suppose it will fade naturally as things do?

The youth ordered the tickets so as Trumps rally would be unattended by the vast crowd he predicted. Good on them and I hope they continue to screw around with him. I hope the majority of the young in the US and especially those of voting age are against him and will show that in the coming election? America desperately needs to get rid of him if only to regain the huge credibility as a nation they have lost. Sadly his supporters won’t disappear simply because he is no longer President. they will be the same ignorant people they have and always will be. Trump won’t go quietly into the night he will rant and rave as an ex-President from the sidelines trying to undermine and tell everyone that he was always right and they should have listened. The main thing will be that he is no longer President.

I read that some Conservative MP’s are beginning to whisper that maybe Boris is not up to the job and have lost confidence in him and his government. I suspect he’ll survive but its heartening to know that he his popularity is cracking. What a shame he managed to con enough people to vote for his party. Granted the opposition was not the best.

Look as though the sun is back on duty this week. I’m sure we needed the rain but it will be nice to warm and continue topping up the tan!

It appears that the final restrictions on various other businesses are beginning to fall. We cannot keep these places closed forever. To many jobs depend on them and the public needs to be able to go back to a night out or  to have a coffee. Things will be restrictive and the disinfecting will be laborious but at least they will be able to open?

Stay well

Day 90

So Premier League football is back. I’m confused, the government is debating whether to change the two metre guide (which from what I’ve seen disappeared long ago) and yet footballers, albeit after being tested can play. Am I missing something? I am a football follower and once again my wonderful team West Ham managed to loose (no surprise) We are receiving mixed messages and nothing has been clear for some time. Are we able to go about our daily lives as normal or aren’t we? Should there be social distancing in public or is it really a waste of time?

It is no wonder that Amazon has grown even larger during lockdown they make it easy to shop on their website. Many companies sites are so difficult to navigate, that often you give up. Here is a small example. Wendy wanted to buy from Boots. She tried logging in but the site would not accept her. She tried to change her password but no success. Tried as a guest but they said they had her email and she had to login. Round and round she went and got nowhere. (Accompanied by swearing shouting and general anger) I suggested Amazon. She got what she wanted in two or three clicks, cheaper, and the next day without a delivery charge. Boots would have taken four days and charged delivery! The web is a very mature medium, it’s not new. There is no excuse for not having a site that is easy and simple to navigate. Of course there has to be certain levels of security and this has needed to become more sophisticated but really it can so frustrating for something that should be so straightforward.
I don’t know how you feel about passwords or other forms of security? I understand the necessity for it but is becoming a pain having so many even if you have a browser with built in password saving or touch button is needed. It is inevitable that you will have forgotten passwords to those sites you don’t access often but now and again need to. They tell you not to use the same password time and time again but how do you keep coming up with variations you can keep track of? The suggestions that are now given by many sites are frankly so bewildering and complex that you might as well be asked to memorise the Dictionary in order!
Yes I understand that hackers and scammers are ever more sophisticated and will try anything to access your details. I understand we need to be protected. I have had someone scam my bank card and take thousands of pounds from my account (it was all returned) so I know how careful you have to be but there surely must be a simpler way of securing our details. I appreciate there is all sorts of levels of encryption and retina scanners etc. But we are just domestic users who want easy access without felling as though you are actually having to hack into the site you want to use!

Stay well

Day 89

Let’s start with another brilliant word from Susie Dent
Cacafuego (Caka-fwago): A blustering, swaggering  braggart, a spitfire : from the Spanish fire-shitter

Now are you ready, take a breath, smile, here we go.
Our government, like most around the world, are hopelessly out of touch with the mood of the country and the thoughts of the public. They are misjudging almost everything. The app they trumpeted with such fanfare and  confidence even by their own figures is a complete disaster. They are beyond any understanding or grasp on the practical realities of everyday living. This is an unprecedented situation and perhaps there are those who would cut them some slack because of that. To be fair when it first started if you go back in my writing you will read that I did damn them with faint praise. I was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt as they tried to grapple with this insidious pandemic. In true form however they reverted to type and as time has passed became the same bunch of contradictory, bumbling, untrustworthy, lying shits they always were and will always be. Unfair? I obviously don’t think so!
Just take the instance of the Cummings affair, which they now seem to believe is forgotten (not!). If you listen to them on a daily basis or any of the various ministers that are interviewed can you honestly tell me that you have any faith in what they tell us.
No doubt there will be those supporters who in spite of all the evidence think Boris and his ministers have handled it all wonderfully well. If that it is what you think then you are sadly misguided and are wearing blinkers.
I am not confident any government would have necessarily done a better job but this is the lot we have stupidly fallen for and they have not! I am genuinely of the opinion that even a significant number of their most ardent supporters are having their doubts over the wisdom of having Boris as PM?

Saturday and another weekend is here, one we should have been spending in Crete sunning ourselves by the sea and seeing all our friends. Sadly it was not to be. Sa la vie! Let us hope we will be able to go in September.

Whatever plans you have for this year that have either been cancelled or delayed I hope you are able to rearrange for another time or find an alternative. Life always changes this is one the biggest/

Stay well

Day 88

Yesterday was a miserable day both weather wise and just generally.
We are selling a house and it has been a long process. Fallen through three times and then finally a serious buyer  and what happens Coronavirus! We are back on track and it looks as though it will complete. Frustrated yesterday because the bloody solicitors seem unable, unwilling or incapable of moving quickly or suddenly deciding there is something they have not done yet. I understand that we are in difficult times more difficult than usual but they don’t have the same customer focus as other service based businesses! We are paying them for the work to be done and yet they seem to plod along at their own pace without any regard for our need to get this finished! They say selling a house is one of the most stressful things you can do and even for me this has become so.
In these modern times of fast electronics, I find it unbelievable that the work they need to do cannot be completed within days Okay forms , contracts have to be signed and posted but really.

I read that Trump has had a bad week and is well behind in the polls. Oh dear what a shame, the orange bigot is feeling the pressure, he has had a bad week. Every week is bad for America’s with him in power.

It appears the daily news on the virus has begun to subside. Is this because the virus’s is subsiding or because the need to report on other things is become more pressing. Brace yourselves for a plethora of news on our economy and don’t forget leaving Europe has not gone away. Who knows what has been going on behind this pandemic as Boris and his cohorts erode away all of his promises and sell the UK to the whoever will deal with us? You can bet they have sneaked all sorts of stuff past us while the distraction of Coronavirus has been the only news!
If this period has shown us anything about this cabinet it’s that you cannot trust them and they are desperate to be a popularist government?

Stay well

Day 87

I’m a golfer. There are many who say that golf is a stupid game and judging by the amount of balls I’ve lost over the years they might be right! I guess if you were inventing a game to play around the open country, one where you hit a small dimpled ball with a set of long handled metal headed sticks would seem on the face of it pretty daft!
We all like different things and certainly golf is not an inexpensive hobby. If you were starting out and purchased all your gear new it can be very costly. I have had numerous clubs over the years and probably spent a fair bit but I bulk at the price of even a single club and especially the drivers. I understand the research these manufacturers spend in order to produce the latest club that will hit further with less error and a bigger “sweet” spot but you pay a lot to own one. Don’t get me wrong as in most products good quality equipment can make a difference, although you might not think so watching us play each week!
It is a skill, not a skill that is transferable or useful in other areas The mental skill could be arguably helpful in daily life? It is a cliche but golf does teach some valuable lessons as frustrating a game as it is.
I am a high handicapper. For those of you who understand my official handicap is 24. Now I will bore you, I get 24 shots over the par for the course which is usually 72 shots and this is worked out based on how difficult each hole is rated. So you will have realised I get a shot on every hole and on 6 holes I get two shots, got it, good!
As it happens I am currently averaging four shots better then my handicap but believe me it can very quickly change! Sounds dull if you are not interested.
There is the social element playing with your mates and enjoying each other’s company and frankly having a laugh. Enjoying the banter and the competition. Golf many say is an elitist pursuit and perhaps it is but I enjoy the game (most of the time) and it certainly is not the worst thing one could be doing, although as I write this the weather looks as though today’s round will not be played?

Stay well

Day 86

Are we still counting or has the “official”lockdown ended? I guess the answer with the shops open is yes almost though we still have no hospitality.

Say what you will about Mr Rashford and his campaign which has now bore fruit, he put himself out there for a cause and used his fame to press the government to reconsider a poor decision. Yes he is a highly rewarded footballer. Yes he came from a poverty stricken family. No he won’t have to suffer that poverty again. All of those facts are irrelevant, he did not have to take on this task but he chose to do something about it, it matters not that he is wealthy, he did what he thought was right and more people should do the same.
We are to quick to point out the negative motives of those better off, when they speak up for those less fortunate. Philanthropy used to be a treasured characteristic of the wealthy who wished to use their wealth or fame to help others but in todays modern world everyone has a platform to comment and shoot them down if they so wish!
Should I ever win the lottery and have millions at my disposal and especially at my age, I can think of nothing better to do with that money than help others! Can’t see the point of all that wealth otherwise.
Those who hoard and cling to their wealth when there is so much that needs doing are simply selfish.
And before you shoot me down I am aware that there are many many rich people who do share their wealth to help others.
Money is not the criteria by which we should judge. If your prepared to help others your bank balance is not important.

I have occasionally written about my fascination with words and language. I love unusual words or words that have fallen into disuse but have interesting meanings.
A word I saw this morning INTERDESPISE To have as much contempt for someone as they have for you!

Have you been to the shops yet or like me are you steadfastly avoiding them? I am not one for the shopping at the best of times and only go when I specifically need an item. I am not denying I sometimes, when passing, browse a shops products or have a look round. There are one or two stores where I know the assistants and go in have a chat but generally I avoid them.

Stay well

Day 85

Shops crowded, queues, okay people have not been in them for a while. I said the people would ultimately decide and it seems they have. Little thought about the virus, let’s shop. The social distancing and avoidance of each other is unmanageable when the public go back to those things they think matter.
Did the government, who have largely abdicated their responsibility, honestly believe that people would stick to the guidance? Naivety of the worse kind.
We now need to manage our daily lives with disinfecting and caution not wholesale distancing which from the evidence I’ve witnessed does not work.

I notice Trump has been unusually quiet for the last few days? Maybe for once he as actually listened to someone who has told him to shut up. There must be someone who he takes notice of or he would never have got this far? Mind the odd snippet that has sneaked through are as crass and stupid as usual.

A footballer pleading with our government to reinstate free school meals is a sad reflection on our society. Good on him and well done for pushing so hard. His fame and high profile is needed in order to generate the necessary awareness. With everything else that this government has reluctantly put in place would free meals really make much more of a dent in a busted budget? The bigger question is why do we need to provide free meals in a supposedly wealthy country? I think we know the answer to that? According to government statistics they have reduced child poverty so we don’t need them!

Stay well

Day 84

Is there much left to say? When you’ve commented for 84 days straight about, well, most stuff, there is little left to write about. Being a professional grump is hard work! You have to find something to moan about each day. Fortunately there is a never ending stream of subjects to moan about. This period we are experiencing has been a particularly rich vein of content for the professional moaner. While certain men are in power there is always the daily crap the spew out to take issue with.

Apparently the most used word in the English language is “I” which kind of says it all really!

Has there been any advantages to lockdown? Have you discovered activities or hobbies either long forgotten or never tried? How has your relationship faired assuming you were in lockdown with others? If alone was it lonely or did you find you could thrive? Has your views been significantly altered or just more entrenched then they were before? Have you discovered your mental fortitude is strong or has it deteriorated? Has the last couple of weeks revealed a sympathetic streak for world events or has it hardened your heart? Have you found there is a racist living with you or someone who has revealed themselves as such? Has your view of the government altered? Do you support them more or less? Do you trust the information you receive more or less? Are you more hopeful or less? Does your future look better or worse?
A lot of questions for which many will have no answer and some will have an answer that is uncomfortable. I hope some answers will be optimistic and positive.

Stay well

Day 83

I’ve just seen I did it again and had two Day81’s. It does not really matter they’ve all blurred into one long day.
These protests have to stop now. I appreciate those with genuine motives but they are being hijacked by thugs who want nothing but trouble and having been lockdown are using them as release for their obscene violence. They will obscure and hide the cause the protesters have marched for because the media likes nothing more than highlighting this violence. The message must not get lost and I think even those who oppose it have got that message now. There are other ways of keeping the message alive.
I am saddened like most reasonable people that thuggery and violence are still a staple of these ignorant almost exclusively men. There is a streak of British manhood who can only express themselves through fighting and intimidation. It used to be worse but unfortunately has never gone away. There are many reasons and I think we all know what they are but no matter how society in general progresses it seems they never leave. The Police do not always help themselves and can be heavy handed at times but can you blame them when they are confronted with these barbaric arseholes who are there to deliberately attack them just because they can?

I have always been a supporter of peaceful protest should the cause be important enough to highlight (although to lazy or apathetic to actually take part) People should be allowed and encouraged to show the feelings about any thing and particularity this current cause. We must always demonstrate to those in power or whose attitude is less enlightened our strong support for any injustice or practice that is no longer acceptable. Ultimately it is always the public that brings about real change.


Stay well

Day 81

So many things happening it’s hard to know where to start.
Let go with Trump a man so used to thinking he is right and who has never given a flying fuck about anyone else, he does not have the language in his brain to be able to speak sympathetically, even when he has been told to (assuming A. He has and B. He would listen anyway) He has to go!
Our leader and his band of knobheads. Do they ever consult with anyone before making ridiculous and ill thought out proposals? The Airlines are taking them to court over their proposed quarantine rule. Now the airlines are obviously their own self interest group and want to get back to making money. Did the relevant ministers sit them down and consult with them before they imposed this rule? Did they ask what might be best? They may still have taken the same decision but at least the airlines would have been included? The policing of such a rule is fraught with difficulty and abuse and it’s not as though the law has enough to cope with as it is!
Our government have pushed themselves further and further into a corner of confusion and contradictory rhetoric.

Reasonable voices with balanced views are no longer listened too. We are too wimpy and liberal. Balanced suggestions, talking, consultation, listening are no longer in vogue. Rules and regulations have to be imposed without any recourse to any interested party because we know better than you! Those in power now believe it gives them carte Blanche to do what ever they think is best. They all say they listen to all the evidence and people who are involved but all the evidence shows that they either don’t or don’t hear!

So shops start to open from Monday and I ask this question? How long will it be before the methods chosen to follow some form of separation will break down? I hope people behave but if this pandemic has highlighted anything it is the stupidity of humans. I can see all sorts of bans being imposed on shoppers for either deliberately or accidentally infringing  a shops guidance?
I confess I have like so many millions used the web for shopping during this period. Nothing new for me I have done so for years and years. There are those who have postulated the complete demise of the high street shop. This pandemic has if anything hastened that demise. Many store will become showrooms there only to display what you can purchase from them online?

Stay well

I don’t normally write on this medium twice in one day but I have just had someone explain to me what a “snowflake” is. I had a vague understanding but had somehow missed this description!
I would just like to state publicly to all of those who could be termed as one FUCK OFF!!!!

Thank you

Day 81

I am delighted to read that Trumps popularity is taking a shellacking and he his numbers are dropping. A long way to go yet to the election but I have a little more hope that he will be defeated.

I understand that LBC have not renewed Farage’s contract and he will be off the airwaves. This is a man who has done this country irreparable damage, spread disharmony, prejudice and sowed hate when ever he has spoken. He should be consigned to the dustbin of history and I hope the media finally stop speaking to him for good.

If only Johnson and his cohorts could be consigned to the dustbin of history! Let us never forget the transgression of Cummings and the indefensible defence of him by his puppet Johnson!
It is often said that British society is built on tolerance, bollocks. We have a preponderance of giving oxygen to small minded nasty men who want to do nothing more than frighten you and tell you what you should be afraid of! Over my lifetime we have had a succession of them. There are always those whose beliefs and attitudes will need little persuasion of the cause of these men. I always fail to understand how so many others are then sucked into their rhetoric and believe their rubbish.
Society will never be fully agreed over any given situation (vary vary rarely) and that is what makes it so interesting and free. Perhaps we have to have these protagonist in order to shine a light and illuminate the people whose “tolerance” is not so evident and easily swayed.

The current situation is intolerable. I have a mate whose car showroom has been told to close by the Police this weekend. There will be a Black Lives Matter march through the town. They have been advised to board up the windows and move all the vehicles because they fear there will be vandalism? Several things come to mind. Social distancing not a chance. Vandals taking advantage of an opportunity to damage property. One rule for most another for the protesters. The entire thing has become a joke and has been now for some time!

The sudden trend to eradicate all things that might offend someone somewhere perhaps, maybe, has gone to far already. It beggars belief does this mean I can request various things that offend me to be removed simply because that offend me? UKTV have removed the episode of Fawlty Towers with the “don’t mention the war “ theme. Now I’m sure John Cleese wrote that because he hated Germans and wished to remind them that the allies won the war. It is humour and a piss take of Basil Fawlty and characters like him and is actually sympathetic to the German guests!

Stay well

Day 80

I’m all for removing symbols of our past that remind or worse glorify events that are generally accepted as the horror of human history. I would qualify it by saying that are just a moment in time and maybe if you remove them future generations may not learn the lessons of the past.
Slavery and all it’s associated barbarism  is rightly condemned. Let’s us not forget that many people in the past have been conquered and enslaved and it continues to this day. Should we destroy historical sites that remind us of these times?  What happened to the people of African decent is deplorable and must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. America has a tragic past which they are seemingly unable to get rid of and still perpetuate to this day with their symbols of past glories and worship of heroes that fought on the side of the Confederacy. Let us not forget that many of the founders of that country even those who had a hand in the constitution had slaves.
Read your history and there are few empires that did not abuse or enslave and massacre the people of the countries they ruled. The British have a gruesome history in India alone and were not exactly the kind and benevolent masters of Empire we like to portray ourselves as.
Younger people in the main are ignorant of these past horrors. No longer educated to understand the actual detail behind events if they are taught them at all. Passing exams is the only aim of their education. Government statistics are far more important than actual education in the true sense!
By all means remove those symbols of a past that remind and offends but let us not forget they were different times and we must be careful how we judge with todays more enlightened hindsight.

That is all

Stay well

Day 79

I’m confused. I suspect you are too? What can we do what can’t we do? I appreciate that what is now aloud to open has to conform to some form of social distancing. Went to a farm shop yesterday, which was very good and had a great selection of produce. They had all the signs and tape on the floor to indicate how to proceed. The cashiers were protected behind Perspex and you had to stand behind a line while they rang up your shopping. All well and good and well organised except for one tiny flaw. The people in the shop were taking no notice of the separation and there was no employees policing it. So basically a waste of time except for the staff (which is fine for them)
So these recommendations are required but appear to be completely impractical. I am not necessarily blaming the public (though they have  a responsibility) these shops big and small were not designed to cater for the current situation and they do not have the resource or inclination to alter their layouts.
I know this is new and early days but it is going to take some working out and I suspect quite quickly the guidance will be largely ignored as we go about out daily lives.

I want to write something happy and inspiring but I find a scan of the news gives me no pleasure or happiness. social media with the odd exception is a litany of bad vibes and criticism. Granted what I read is just a snap shot of a few users in a universe filled with all sorts of posts I will never see!

I’m not feeling to good this morning, had a poor nights sleep. Watched A Time to Kill yesterday made in 1995 but the racist story it tells still seems relevant today. Unfortunately my nasty brain plagued me with thoughts of the film , mixed with other stuff and gave an uncomfortable night.

This virus appears to be slowing down (hopefully) it will roll a coaster for some time but the trend seems to be downward. It won’t disappear, it will not go away but it will dampen down.

Stay well