Thought of the Day (aka rant): Political literature is annoying me again for the following reasons:
1. It's bad enough that you quoted The Sun but to quote The Sun from a year ago...
2. It is not nice to suggesat that anyone who doesn't vote for you is a fool.
3. You state that "This is a LOCAL election. It is ONLY about who will make the BEST COUNCILLOR for Abbey Ward!". I have two issues with this.
Firstly, It seems you're trying to distance yourself. If that's the case why not run as an independent? You represent a political party right?
Secondly, your pictures clearly indicate what you think is wrong with the opposition party. MP's Expenses (Was all parties wasn't it?), Student fees, ruined economy, bankers run riot, closure of post offices, illegal war, low pension rise. These are national issues. Are we to ignore national issues for your own party but not in regards to your opposition?
Monday 30 April 2012
Sunday 29 April 2012
Thought of the Day (aka rant): The focus on one missing child lately (Which i don't deny is a terrible thing) led me to wonder how many UK citizens under the age of 18 are currently missing. I wanted to know why some receive a vast amount of media attention whilst others do not.
Apparently the answer is not easy to find. The UK missing Kids's database (http://uk.missingkids.com) lists 184 children (83 females, 101 males) that have gone missing in the last 20 years however it relies on accurate information from the police. 18 children went missing from the UK in the last year.
Kate Leaman, from Sky News, asked the same question back in 2088. In her article she quotes Lady Catherine Meyer, founder of Parents and Abducted Children Together.
Apparently the answer is not easy to find. The UK missing Kids's database (http://uk.missingkids.com) lists 184 children (83 females, 101 males) that have gone missing in the last 20 years however it relies on accurate information from the police. 18 children went missing from the UK in the last year.
Kate Leaman, from Sky News, asked the same question back in 2088. In her article she quotes Lady Catherine Meyer, founder of Parents and Abducted Children Together.
"It is impossible to obtain an accurate picture of the scale and nature of the problem. There is no single centralised place to collect missing persons data."
"We can't establish for certain how many children are missing.You'd have more chance of finding a stray dog" she said.
Alan Blackburn from the Police National Missing Persons Bureau, based at Scotland Yard, is unhappy that the police do not respond quicker by passing on missing persons' information.
"There is some under-reporting by police forces, some don't send it when they should do, some don't send it at all," he said.
"It takes 14 days before any case is considered serious and labelled 'long term missing'.
"There are so few missing children's photos on the official website, I am encouraging the police force to pass on photos and share information from the outset."
Although his unit is directly responsible, he too doesn't know how many missing children there are - although he is eager for a change.
I still haven't answered my original question, but in looking for an answer i'm found a much bigger issue. Surely a nation who is responsible for it's citizens should have accurate figures of those who are lost. I haven't even got on to those missing over the age of 18, which is even more under reported by the media and is no less any tragic than a missing child. No one should be missing but when they are we should do everything we can to try and find them. I think accurate and centralised missing persons site for the UK is the place to start.
You can read the full article at this address http://news.sky.com/home/madeleine/article/1271653.
Thought of the Day (aka rant): How to never be a politician.
Today's rant, slightly late but had trouble typing today. The actions of others are beyond our control, all we can control is how we react. If someone lets you down you have two choices, get back up and take a risk or spend your life on the floor. You are the master of your fate (William Ernest Henry, my other favorite poem) and no one can take your dignity (Well least that's what Whitney said).
Grace - favor or goodwill. Synonyms: kindness, kindliness, love, benignity; condescension. mercy; clemency; pardon: Synonyms: lenity, leniency, reprieve.
Hence the copy and paste job below (I like to change "You'll be a man" to "You'll never be a politician". Not quite as sexiest then).
If - Rudyard Kipling
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
Today's rant, slightly late but had trouble typing today. The actions of others are beyond our control, all we can control is how we react. If someone lets you down you have two choices, get back up and take a risk or spend your life on the floor. You are the master of your fate (William Ernest Henry, my other favorite poem) and no one can take your dignity (Well least that's what Whitney said).
Grace - favor or goodwill. Synonyms: kindness, kindliness, love, benignity; condescension. mercy; clemency; pardon: Synonyms: lenity, leniency, reprieve.
Hence the copy and paste job below (I like to change "You'll be a man" to "You'll never be a politician". Not quite as sexiest then).
If - Rudyard Kipling
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Friday 27 April 2012
Thought of the Day (aka rant): I sat upstairs in McDonald's for like an hour today just watching people walk in the rain (And drinking tea, so wasn't completely strange). Maybe I've watched too much Touch (Brilliant show) but i started to see patterns. Generally people walk at the same pace, some strides are longer than each other, but from above it looks like a beautiful unrehearsed but choreographed dance that nobody knows they are in. People walking has been used a lot in music videos and promo films (The credits of Touch) but I've never really paid attention to it first hand. Where are they all going? What's going to make them smile next? Do they like who they are? Do they know i'm watching them? :)
It's the people that are out of step that i like to watch. Those that not only go against the pattern but also cause others to upset theirs. That's kind of like life isn't it, that you're either with the flow or against it. Some let the currents glide them on whereas others swim against it. Do those that swim against it cause others to drown too? I don't know what the point of this is, i don't think there is one, other than sometimes people carry a ladder.
After a while i realized that people where starting to become more like ants than people (Is scary how easy it is to dehumanize people, why we do use animal language when we do though?) so i walked among them for a little while till i realised that i couldn't remember what i was shopping for and that my essay is still yet unwritten.
It's the people that are out of step that i like to watch. Those that not only go against the pattern but also cause others to upset theirs. That's kind of like life isn't it, that you're either with the flow or against it. Some let the currents glide them on whereas others swim against it. Do those that swim against it cause others to drown too? I don't know what the point of this is, i don't think there is one, other than sometimes people carry a ladder.
After a while i realized that people where starting to become more like ants than people (Is scary how easy it is to dehumanize people, why we do use animal language when we do though?) so i walked among them for a little while till i realised that i couldn't remember what i was shopping for and that my essay is still yet unwritten.
Medical Update: Back at the GP who has signed my off for another six weeks. Trouble walking this morning Legs won't go where i want so is kind of like a limp) and lots of tremors in my thighs (Do they count as exercise?). Feeling like an episode is coming. I've been having trouble smiling lately so i tried to smile at as many people as possible today just because i can.
Thursday 26 April 2012
Thought of the Day (aka rant): Have been thinking about the statement "Proud to be British".
The definition of Pride - A feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
The definition of Luck - Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.
Where i was born is completely down to luck. We could argue the nature/nurture split till the cows come home so lets say for arguments sake that who i am is 50% determined by my genetics and that the rest is due to my environment. My genetics, and therefore key components of what makes me me, would be the same regardless of if i was born in Istanbul or Paraguay. The rest is down to luck based upon where i was born and the society around me when i grew up. My being British is not the achievement of myself or anyone else, it was luck, which makes me far luckier than those born in totalitarian political nations which do not enjoy the same rights and privileges that i do, but doesn't make me proud, i had nothing to do with it and neither did anyone else. We're born into a veil of ignorance.
It seems that 'British Pride' is mostly raised in connecting to sporting events. If someone can throw a ball faster than someone else and they happen to be British should i be proud of that? If 50% of what makes them the best thrower is genetics then they would have that no matter where they were born. The rest is luck. I can hear people shouting "Yes, but they trained for years", that's hard work yeah but it's also luck too. If they hadn't been born in a Country that invests in sport they wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn. A woman born in Afganistan could have more potential to run the 100 metres faster than a woman born in England, the fact that she'll never be able to fulfill this potential and beat the English woman is down to the bad luck of where she was born. Maybe it's just me, if i had my way everyone who takes part would get gold ribbons and win. I don't like that fine line between pride and arrogance that says someone is better than someone else. Some people are luckier than others and who am i to pass judgement based upon luck.
I like Britain, i like that we have an NHS, that we don't use capital punishment, that we have freedom of speech, freedom of choice, that even though watching PMQs is like watching a bunch of gorillas we have PMQs, we can watch PMQs and we can dissent without the fear of persecution. It's not a bad place to live, to be a citizen of, and i don't think there's a whole load of places that have it any better. I'm not proud to be British though, I'm lucky to be British.
The definition of Pride - A feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
The definition of Luck - Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.
Where i was born is completely down to luck. We could argue the nature/nurture split till the cows come home so lets say for arguments sake that who i am is 50% determined by my genetics and that the rest is due to my environment. My genetics, and therefore key components of what makes me me, would be the same regardless of if i was born in Istanbul or Paraguay. The rest is down to luck based upon where i was born and the society around me when i grew up. My being British is not the achievement of myself or anyone else, it was luck, which makes me far luckier than those born in totalitarian political nations which do not enjoy the same rights and privileges that i do, but doesn't make me proud, i had nothing to do with it and neither did anyone else. We're born into a veil of ignorance.
It seems that 'British Pride' is mostly raised in connecting to sporting events. If someone can throw a ball faster than someone else and they happen to be British should i be proud of that? If 50% of what makes them the best thrower is genetics then they would have that no matter where they were born. The rest is luck. I can hear people shouting "Yes, but they trained for years", that's hard work yeah but it's also luck too. If they hadn't been born in a Country that invests in sport they wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn. A woman born in Afganistan could have more potential to run the 100 metres faster than a woman born in England, the fact that she'll never be able to fulfill this potential and beat the English woman is down to the bad luck of where she was born. Maybe it's just me, if i had my way everyone who takes part would get gold ribbons and win. I don't like that fine line between pride and arrogance that says someone is better than someone else. Some people are luckier than others and who am i to pass judgement based upon luck.
I like Britain, i like that we have an NHS, that we don't use capital punishment, that we have freedom of speech, freedom of choice, that even though watching PMQs is like watching a bunch of gorillas we have PMQs, we can watch PMQs and we can dissent without the fear of persecution. It's not a bad place to live, to be a citizen of, and i don't think there's a whole load of places that have it any better. I'm not proud to be British though, I'm lucky to be British.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Medical Update: Tremors 0, Pain immense.
Starting to hate the days without tremors more as are usually the days that i feel the pain.
Had a report from occupational health that says i'm "unlikely to be in a position to return to work for another three months or longer". Really hope it's wrong. Day time TV sucks and i get cups of tea made for me at work. On the plus side, my dressing gown is getting plenty of wear and i'm always in when parcels are delivered.
Starting to hate the days without tremors more as are usually the days that i feel the pain.
Had a report from occupational health that says i'm "unlikely to be in a position to return to work for another three months or longer". Really hope it's wrong. Day time TV sucks and i get cups of tea made for me at work. On the plus side, my dressing gown is getting plenty of wear and i'm always in when parcels are delivered.
Thought of the Day (aka rant): Watching Prime Minister's question time reminds me very much of being on a train with a load of drunk, rowdy football fans. A group of privileged boys fighting it out in with playground with other groups of privileged boys who happen to wear a different colour tie.
Fire Hunt, don't fire Hunt, in the grand scale of things it doesn't really matter. It makes no difference really, if he is fired he'll just get a different job in the party in a couple of months. It's political point scoring at it's best which will temporarily distract everyone from the real issues. If they put as much effort into solving issues that they do in finding reasons to big themselves up whilst putting their opposition down then maybe wouldn't have to wait two months for an MRI and could get back to work rather than the government having to pay me statutory sick pay.
I'm tired of being a victim, i wanna go back to work! Shut up about Hunt, stop fighting and sort the Country out will you please. I think it's what we hired you all to do.
Fire Hunt, don't fire Hunt, in the grand scale of things it doesn't really matter. It makes no difference really, if he is fired he'll just get a different job in the party in a couple of months. It's political point scoring at it's best which will temporarily distract everyone from the real issues. If they put as much effort into solving issues that they do in finding reasons to big themselves up whilst putting their opposition down then maybe wouldn't have to wait two months for an MRI and could get back to work rather than the government having to pay me statutory sick pay.
I'm tired of being a victim, i wanna go back to work! Shut up about Hunt, stop fighting and sort the Country out will you please. I think it's what we hired you all to do.
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Medical Update: Lots of tremors today (not to brag, just wanna keep a record innit). Had an episode in the middle of Next Clearance. You'd think they'd be a bit more convenient and upmarket and at least wait till i'm in the proper Next. Wasn't that bad though, don't think anyone even noticed that i was walking around funny.
I have singlehandedly disproved the theory that if your arms flap enough you'll eventually fly. I now have Orville stuck in my head (Why was he green anyways? Baby ducks are yellow). Now need to add rocking to my list of symptoms (From side to side, not rock and roll, haven't spontaneously become able to dance to Led Zepplin which would be cool).
I have singlehandedly disproved the theory that if your arms flap enough you'll eventually fly. I now have Orville stuck in my head (Why was he green anyways? Baby ducks are yellow). Now need to add rocking to my list of symptoms (From side to side, not rock and roll, haven't spontaneously become able to dance to Led Zepplin which would be cool).
Thought of the Day (aka not a rant): Here's to saving the world (One person at a time)
Today's thought of the day is not a rant, it's more of a thank you. Sometimes the small actions of others can make a huge difference for someone else. An actors comment in an interview, or a link that someone has posted on a forum can stop you freaking out when the same thing happens to you, friends who let you struggle because they know you need to and to boyfriends who care enough to get obsessed with stupid things.
If the action of another helps you face a a challenge with a smile rather than with a scream then it should be celebrated. The people around me change my world for the better every day and so i want to celebrate them.
The small things matter and the small things can change your life and change your outlook on life. You can save the world with small things, one person at a time.
I found a song, Jonny Lang (Had never heard of him before) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxqmTzE_X0 about changing the world one person at a time. It's a nice song (You have to ignore all the hints for radio play etc, think he has issues).
I leave you (Well me really, since only the people i pay are reading this) with these thoughts:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” - Barack Obama (Gotta love him)
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” - Mother Teresa
“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” - Apple Inc (Gotta hate them but good quote)
Today's thought of the day is not a rant, it's more of a thank you. Sometimes the small actions of others can make a huge difference for someone else. An actors comment in an interview, or a link that someone has posted on a forum can stop you freaking out when the same thing happens to you, friends who let you struggle because they know you need to and to boyfriends who care enough to get obsessed with stupid things.
If the action of another helps you face a a challenge with a smile rather than with a scream then it should be celebrated. The people around me change my world for the better every day and so i want to celebrate them.
The small things matter and the small things can change your life and change your outlook on life. You can save the world with small things, one person at a time.
I found a song, Jonny Lang (Had never heard of him before) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxqmTzE_X0 about changing the world one person at a time. It's a nice song (You have to ignore all the hints for radio play etc, think he has issues).
I leave you (Well me really, since only the people i pay are reading this) with these thoughts:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” - Barack Obama (Gotta love him)
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” - Mother Teresa
“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” - Apple Inc (Gotta hate them but good quote)
Annoying things bout having whatever it is i have (very long title)
Number 1: Sometimes, if my head shakes at the same time that someone is asking me a question, the person thinks i'm saying no. Here is a list of things i will never say no to:
Do you really need all these shoes?
Want to go shopping?
Are Vic and Bob funny?
Is George Bush an idiot? (Don't matter which one)
Shall we watch some Disney? (Don't matter which one)
Have you finished your essay yet? (Is always a lie)
Number 1: Sometimes, if my head shakes at the same time that someone is asking me a question, the person thinks i'm saying no. Here is a list of things i will never say no to:
Do you really need all these shoes?
Want to go shopping?
Are Vic and Bob funny?
Is George Bush an idiot? (Don't matter which one)
Shall we watch some Disney? (Don't matter which one)
Have you finished your essay yet? (Is always a lie)
Monday 23 April 2012
Medical Update: Got a new symptom today, couldn't lift my legs to walk. Had to shuffle along and then got stuck. Is like your feet are stuck in concrete with painless cramps in your legs that keep them rigid. Completely goes away if i count out loud though (I can pretend to be the Count from Sesame Street). Freaky but funny at the same time.
Met some very nice people at the http://www.mdjunction.com forum. Are all very nice!!
Met some very nice people at the http://www.mdjunction.com forum. Are all very nice!!
Medical Update: Feeling a bit rubbish today, only mild tremors but keep freezing and can't get motivated to read about violence. If anyone wants to write my essay for me (2,000 words on whether violence mean a breakdown of politics) would be great thanks.
Have been joining different medical forums on the internet as getting bored of the waiting game. Have ruled out essential tremor so far. If i have my own brand new condition that am going to try and convince the doctor who names it to call it BibbityBobbityBoo. Dame Edna can play me in the day time straight to tv movie.
Have been joining different medical forums on the internet as getting bored of the waiting game. Have ruled out essential tremor so far. If i have my own brand new condition that am going to try and convince the doctor who names it to call it BibbityBobbityBoo. Dame Edna can play me in the day time straight to tv movie.
Thought of the Day (aka rant): Finally the BBC actually agree with me, I've been ranting about this for years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-17787756
Only the Liberal Democrat candidate for Abbey ward in Derby actually lives in Abbey (unless he's given his Gran's address like people used to do to get their kids in good schools).
The Conservative Party Candidate - Doesn't live in any Derby ward. Lives in Nottingham.
The Labour Party Candidate - Darley
The Green Party Candidate - Darley
So then, i ask you, why are they not standing for election in the wards (Or town in conservative's case) in which they live?
Well, i have two answers. The political numbers game of moving people into key positions to win party seats and also people don't want to live near the plebs they represent, they might catch something. I haven't checked which councillors live where for a while but seem to remember a lot of them living in Darley (The nicer area of Derby) last time i checked. If you live in Darley then surely your priority is Darley, not the ward that you represent.
In response to those people who say does it matter, the name local elections should provide a clue. We select people to represent us. To both know and understand are our issues and to provide the people with a voice. Apparently we still fighting for Lincoln's " of the people, by the people, for the people" unless you happen to live in Darley.
Only the Liberal Democrat candidate for Abbey ward in Derby actually lives in Abbey (unless he's given his Gran's address like people used to do to get their kids in good schools).
The Conservative Party Candidate - Doesn't live in any Derby ward. Lives in Nottingham.
The Labour Party Candidate - Darley
The Green Party Candidate - Darley
So then, i ask you, why are they not standing for election in the wards (Or town in conservative's case) in which they live?
Well, i have two answers. The political numbers game of moving people into key positions to win party seats and also people don't want to live near the plebs they represent, they might catch something. I haven't checked which councillors live where for a while but seem to remember a lot of them living in Darley (The nicer area of Derby) last time i checked. If you live in Darley then surely your priority is Darley, not the ward that you represent.
In response to those people who say does it matter, the name local elections should provide a clue. We select people to represent us. To both know and understand are our issues and to provide the people with a voice. Apparently we still fighting for Lincoln's " of the people, by the people, for the people" unless you happen to live in Darley.
Sunday 22 April 2012
Thought of the Day (aka rant): Why do the Liberal Democrats think that the people of Abbey ward are stupid? Their literature, which they kindly posted through my letter box, states the the conservatives can not win the local election next week and therefore we should vote lib instead. It's backed up by a graph and every thing, showing last years results!
Is Derby no longer part of a democracy? I thought the whole point was that any one can win and we're not dumb (Well most of us ain't), we don't vote for the same party every year regardless of the candidate and their positioning on issues.
Almost made me vote conservative just to prove them wrong. No shouting at me, i said almost.
Thursday 19 April 2012
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