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Friday 21 November 2008

volunteering
Started volunteering with local elderly charity today. Just talking with residents of a residential facility, who because of their age and mobility problems are unable to get out much, so lack the stimulation of meeting outside people. That's where I come in...
They were pleased and excited to see a new face, and as it was mainly women there, I think some of them were flirting with me! Never mind. It was good fun, and we had some laughs. The Director had hoped to introduce me to the group having coffee in the conservatory, when I arrived, but I had already walked in, sat down, and introduced myself to them! I think that went down quite well.
There is tremendous need to help these lovely folk, and I will start by offering to do some simple shopping for them. Of course I have to apply for (another) CRB check, as my previous one is a bit out of date. They said they will pay for that. The greatest gift I have to help, is my time, and that I will give wholeheartedly.
Older people have so much to contribute, so much to give and share. Just today I heard about one person's travels in Russia, another who was a championship swimmer, and another who had been a land army girl during the war. Amazing adventures, but no one to tell it to.
I look forward to many meetings with them, and many ways to help, support and enrich their lives.

Wednesday 12 November 2008

emergency box
I have started my emergency box - containing vital things and paperwork that I would need if I had to evacuate within minutes, like fire or flood. Yes, it does happen. People are told to leave their homes by the emergency services for any number of reasons. So, my box contains all those vital things and ID that would be next to impossible to replace quickly if they were lost. I have been rummaging through various drawers and folders for days now, trying to accumulate everything I think I might need. I have quite a way to go, but have a short list of items to add.
Its quite a useful exercise, because it forces one to examine what is vital, and what is not. I only have one box, fairly large, but easy to carry if I needed to. The difficulty will be to replace things as I use them, so it is always up to date. The box must always be in the same place day and night, so even in the dark I could locate it immediately. There is even a wind up torch in the box!
I am sure I have not thought of everything, but I do feel I am "prepared". Are you?

Tuesday 11 November 2008

elderly poor
Breakfast TV show GMTV is running a series this week about the elderly poor of this country, because of the credit crunch. Alright you say, but hang on, so far it has featured white middle class home owning widows (only) who appear well dressed in immaculately furnished homes, overlooking manicured gardens! Either they couldn't find anyone so the presenter went round to his Mum, OR something is very wrong with the producers of this programme. Dr Hilary is seen chatting to an elderly "poor" person each day, and he is chipping in with fairly useless comments about dressing well and claiming benefits.
What about little old ladies living alone in inner city damp basement rooms, unable to heat their humble space, unable to carry home the shopping they have to buy at the corner shop, because the supermarket is too far to walk. How do they manage to get to the local post office (probably closed by now) to collect their meagre pension. How about the old man who lost his wife (and the will to live) and can't cook. Can he afford to dine out? Has he spoken to anyone for days? Elderly immigrants who never quite got round to learning English properly must feel very isolated.
Poverty is not just about lack of cash. Lets look at the broader picture, and today especially. Our old folk need a better deal. More money, better housing and much better support. We need to do our bit, instead of complaining about their clumsiness in the queue in front of us. It is too easy to ignore the situation, and walk on by. We all have neighbours - have you seen that old lady at number seven this month? Is she OK?
Lets have an insight into the r-e-a-l situation of the elderly poor. Come on TV companies, you can do better.

Sunday 9 November 2008

faith
Either you've got it, or you haven't, and I guess I haven't. Last Sunday I went to a Quaker meeting in search of something... faith, religion, God. I have been agonising all week about whether to return, and this morning I finally decided I wouldn't. If I don't go today, I never will, so that's that. In explanation I am saying to myself, there was no "wow" factor, but perhaps this is not the right attitude. I may be unknowingly at the mercy of the media in seeking instant gratification. After all the Quakers are the most un-church like people, so if that doesn't appeal, what will? I still feel attracted to the Catholic ways, and as a lapsed Anglican it is sort of understandable that this should be the case...
But, fundamentally do I want to believe, am I prepared to worship, what faith do I have?
I cannot easily solve these serious questions. Over the years I formulated my own ideas of the "Universe" but people answer that with the thought of an all being power that created life, and invented infinity. I don't know. I don't really know what I believe - that's is why countless others like me will opt for the structured (don't ask) approach, which "explains" everything in a formal dogma.
If asked, I would say I believe in God (?) and lots of other inherited Christian values, but my hypocritical self is demanding an honesty that causes me conflict. Not serious, but let's say I am still searching...

Saturday 8 November 2008

choose to refuse
Sometimes I wish I could "choose to refuse" British Telecom. I have suffered years of over pricing, poor service, and limited choice, and now the latest bad experience is connected to their service "choose to refuse". Because I am suffering two or three calls a day from an 08000 number, which turns out to be some dreaded marketing organisation - I found many entries on Google for the incoming telephone number. They ignore TPS (Telephone Preference Service) designed to protect customers from unwanted intrusions, and apparently are rude and aggressive to people who are foolish enough to answer their calls. I am able to see who is calling me because I have CLI (Caller Identification). I also have blocked "withheld numbers" from connecting - you see I am obsessive about privacy.
Anyway I am not blaming BT for all that, BUT I am complaining about the new (and expensive) service that I wish to activate. First I dialed the usual sequence of numbers to end up to with an operator in an obvious Indian Call Centre. Because of his poor English, we struggled through and he said it would be up and running within 24 hours. I duly waited for this time lapse, but you guessed, no service. I call a different sequence of numbers for calling features rather than customer service, and connected with Alex. His easy-to-understand English accent reassured me that although this had NOT been done, he would give my order priority. Yes, within a few hours it was, but when I tried to use the new service, using guidance notes downloaded from the BT website, I found that my PIN number was not accepted. I called again, Well, apparently they give YOU the PIN to activate the service, but they never told me that, and it was not mentioned in the instructions.
So, guess what, after several days I have still not be able to start the "choose to refuse" service because the marketing firm hasn't rung again, and they need to ring - so you can "answer" the call before barring the number... Help!
Is that the phone ringing ?

Thursday 6 November 2008

celebrity good
How I applaud the actions of the Duchess of York, who in a private capacity, plus her two adult daughters went under cover to visit deprived children in Romania and Turkey. We have been aware of Eastern European child abuse for many years, but now that Turkey is queued to enter the EU, they have been told to improve their human rights. The application process is perhaps too quick, because they cannot suddenly change their attitude to women, children, gays and many other minorities.
Being a celebrity usually means that people will take notice of what you do and say. Lets face it, a lot of the time all you hear about most celebs is when they marry (and divorce) or some other scandal. To hear about charity work or financial donations is a little boring isn't it. We are all heartened to know that Princess Diana did much under cover good work, and many others as well. Good for the Duchess right now.
Doing things for other people in any religion or state is always good. But it should be in the right spirit. Not - is anyone seeing me do this? Is this a good photo opportunity. I have a friend who whilst he helps a lot - it seems to be for what HE can get out of it, rather than for doing it for THEM. He wants to be the centre of attention, will expect a payback in the future, and demands "friendship" and acceptance for what he does. He needs constant congratulation for his efforts. He tries to please too hard, but always for what he expects in return. He will give "presents" to curry favour, but ironically these presents are not actually his to give. He is the sort of person that will tell the boss that it was "his idea" when we all know someone else thought of it first, and of course he is the one to tell tales about us - to the boss.
I am tired of analysing this person. He is so childish and divisive. Yet most people have to keep in with him because of what he can do for them, and because of his incestuous relationship with the boss. People actually dislike him as a person, and unfortunately he can't see this. "...Did they miss me" was an annoyingly frequent question, which I think at last he has abandoned. It must all go back to his childhood (only child) and the attitude of his mother (parents). Recently he has had the audacity to suggest that I am "helping" him, by doing things - yet my only motive is to help others - for their sake, not mine. I never seek a reward, or influence.
However many times I confront him with the situation, he only partly agrees, and then pretends to be instantly depressed, promising never to "help" again!!! Of course he does!

Wednesday 5 November 2008

November 5th
A date etched on our memories from history lessons, but today luckily the noise pollution has reduced thanks to government legislation and public opinion. Who wants to see children burned and scarred for life (or worse)? Who wants their pets petrified, and who wants the noisy interruption to their lives for several weeks. Even the bangers are quieter now. I have been to a local Firework Festival for the last two years, but even that bores me now. It is too cold, too dark, and too noisy! Also too many people behaving badly, as always.
This yearly routine of winter traditionally starts with the clocks changing and fireworks. next it is Remembrance, Advent and Christmas. Like wild nature we comfort ourselves with festivals and a repeated course of events. This time the overshadowing event is the US election, but soon it will be the X Factor result, and the Christmas number one. Perhaps it should be the famine in the Congo and the disasters that always seem to occur at this time of the year. Take care!

Tuesday 4 November 2008

TV celebs
A lot has been written about the behaviour of two famous celebs in the last week or so, and I am not going to be specific, but I think there were so many complaints from the public (even if they didn't hear the original broadcast) because they have had "enough". These two were "the straw that broke the camels back". Public broadcasting standards have reached gutter level in recent years. Do we want to be sitting down and have a constant flow of obscenities and swear words coming into our homes. The violence is bad enough, the degrading sexual scenes are almost pornographic, but nowadays there is no respect on TV. This filters down to street level, and is a factor is knife and gun crime - yes it is!
Highly paid "stars" think they have reached a level of untouchability. They behave arrogantly, and with no feelings for their stooges - who want the public exposure, so allow themselves to be humiliated. All this in the name of "celebrity". I wonder what the world is coming to, when all young people want to be is "famous". Again the media is to blame for this idea of instant this and instant that. Young people like Lewis Hamilton who just earned the F1 crown are perhaps able to write an autobiography at age just 23, but at least he has achieved something worthwhile - by effort. Not just by being there. The danger with instant fame (and fortune) is that without talent they are gone as quickly as they arrive. The world of pop music is full of these casualties. Watching the talent show heats, one wonders how some have the nerve to apply. Even then it is the drive for ten seconds of "fame". Their ambition seems to be - just to appear on television. Like the families that air their dirty laundry in public on many daytime TV shows. Most seem like pond life! If only they could put that energy into to getting a job and doing something decent with their lives. What a waste of human endeavour, yet they are the first to complain of others' achievements and rewards. So, why don't they do something about it. Their lives seem to be a repetitive cycle of negativity - surely they realise this, but they are expert in avoiding the truth, and have a ready made list of excuses for not doing anything. Time for brain chips I think!

Monday 3 November 2008

Quaker meeting
Attended a meeting of Quakers yesterday morning. My first time, and I am exploring the Society of Friends. First impression is very good, and my gut reaction is that I would like to go again. Whatever happens, it was rather memorable, because of the over heated room, my two layers and possible upset stomach, contributed to a nearly feinting moment. I had just removed the top layer, when I thought I was going to pass out. I retreated to the mens room, where I bathed my forehead with a cold paper towel, and sat on the floor. Luckily, soon the silence was over, and the person who had given me a lift came to see how I was. Feeling a bit better and looking forward to a cup of tea. On the way to the kitchen I met a neighbour (who had originally introduced me) and rather wobbily sat down for a chat, while she fetched the tea and water.
The core of the meeting is "the silence", which attracted me in the first place. Although I was a bit fidgety, I could not really focus today, and I understand this is common, so perhaps better next time? I have been "looking..." as they say, for some time. This could combine my feelings for the Universe, and the positive silence of meditation. Everyone was very friendly, and seemingly non-judgemental, so a good feeling.
They say you don't have to be a Christian to be a Quaker. There is no dogma, Creed etc, so maybe this is it? We shall see.

Sunday 2 November 2008

Worthing again
My expensive day trip to Worthing on Friday by train (because of the peak fare) was an enjoyable reunion with old friend. We shopped, ate and chatted. My picture was taken from inside the Marks and Spencer cafe (renovated since my last visit) now with splendid sea views and very nice toasted sandwiches. The hot food ordering system is clever, with a buzzer taken to your table and activated when the food is ready. Plenty of hardworking staff, with good food in clean and comfortable surroundings - excellent.
Not being a regular morning traveller into central London, I had forgotten the challenge of daily commuting, and because I had planned to catch the Brighton train from Watford Junction (where I purchased a cappuccino) but a delay in the service got me back onto another train to Euston. This was amazingly a fast train into the capital, so I enjoyed a seat in relative comfort. Then I had to endure the misery of a packed tube train on the Victoria line. A train every minute, but I had to let two go, as I could not get on. In the end I stood, head bowed, in the doorway. How could I survive this daily? Passengers were like silent zombies - programmed into silent repetitive action. The 12 car train from Victoria (which divided at Haywards Heath) was almost empty, and I would have enjoyed another coffee, but he was out of milk !!!
Worthing has changed so much, in a few years, and I did not feel able to relate to the town any more. There are the obvious delights of coast and country, but I have "moved on" and made a new life in Hertfordshire.
Nice to visit though, especially seeing my old friend. Thanks for a nice day.