It's been a tough few weeks. Last Monday my sister was rushed to hospital with a burst appendix. Then due to complications from that op, they took her back in on Tues for an emergency operation again. She is doing well but in a lot of pain and with various tubes coming out of her poor thing. So I've been making daily visits and juggling my new job and final stages of the PhD.
It's such an eye opener just how the nurses operate. I'm sure they would say they are overworked and I've always had sympathy for them. But no one comes when she presses the emergency button (which she does very rarely) and people make promises that they will come and do things and just don't. Her drip runs out and someone says "oh I'll be back to do that". They don't reappear. Something needs checking, they don't check it. Almost every visit I must go and find a nurse, who is usually sitting having a chat with another nurse.
It was the same when I was at A & E where I kept sending Alex to get my blood results/ ask questions/ get them to connect me to the drip that they had forgotten about. Each time they were sitting around having a laugh, eating pringles.
Are nurses overworked? Hmmm. I'm reserving judgment.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
catch up
I've been following the US elections with interest. I find it really depressing that John McCain might win. I just had a look at his website. He's anti-abortion, but pro guns - isn't there a contradiction there? I just can't stand people like him (and his awful running mate Sarah Palin) pontificating about the desperate situation that some women and girls might find themselves in.
Of course Palin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant too. I feel sorry for her, she is having to marry her boyfriend to make it more acceptable and there is no way she would have the option of abortion. Of course I accept that she might want to marry her young boyfriend and keep the baby, but somehow I can't help but think there was serious arm-twisting. All in all, the idea of the Republican's coming in to power again is an extremely depressing and backwards step.
On a totally different note, I have blogged for a bit. Things have been rather hectic, with my sister rushed to hospital with a burst appendix. She's on the mend, but it was a worrying time and she feels down because she was supposed to be on holiday! But nevermind, health comes first.
I started my new job on monday, but haven't been back in because there is nothing to do until teaching starts. Well there is lots to do - course and lecture prep, finish the thesis! - but all of it can be done from home. So that's what I've been doing.
Of course Palin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant too. I feel sorry for her, she is having to marry her boyfriend to make it more acceptable and there is no way she would have the option of abortion. Of course I accept that she might want to marry her young boyfriend and keep the baby, but somehow I can't help but think there was serious arm-twisting. All in all, the idea of the Republican's coming in to power again is an extremely depressing and backwards step.
On a totally different note, I have blogged for a bit. Things have been rather hectic, with my sister rushed to hospital with a burst appendix. She's on the mend, but it was a worrying time and she feels down because she was supposed to be on holiday! But nevermind, health comes first.
I started my new job on monday, but haven't been back in because there is nothing to do until teaching starts. Well there is lots to do - course and lecture prep, finish the thesis! - but all of it can be done from home. So that's what I've been doing.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
RIP Baldy
I've been following the progress of Adrian Sudbury, a young journalist who had leukaemia and campaigned to raise the profile of bone marrows. His blog "Baldy's blog" was sad and funny at times and I always felt that he was just so incredibly unlucky.
He died early this morning at only 27. How awful to die at such a young age. It sounds really glib to say that it makes you put your life in perspective but it really does. Having your health is so important and something that you can't do much about and tonight I will give Alex an extra tight cuddle.
RIP Baldy.
He died early this morning at only 27. How awful to die at such a young age. It sounds really glib to say that it makes you put your life in perspective but it really does. Having your health is so important and something that you can't do much about and tonight I will give Alex an extra tight cuddle.
RIP Baldy.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Chipper
Feeling decidedly more chipper this week -thanks for the kind wishes. I feel a bit of a prat moaning about my week but it really was crappy and not just because of the hamsters. But I am feeling slightly more cheerful. So what's been happening with me?
-I had my hair cut and coloured but I hate the colour. It is far too dark - not the colour that I chose. Therefore I look really pale! I wanted to tone down the blonde but now I have really dark brown hair. That will teach me to meddle.
-I haven't been watching much of the Olympics, mainly because of work and the time difference! Most of my favourites are on at 3am, which means watching highlights.
-We have a new hamster! I knew that would be one way to cheer me up, so on Sunday we went and got a new syrian and her name is Milly. She is very cute and very small - she can't quite work out how to control the wheel yet and keeps flying out of it! Bless her.
So not much has changed but at least my mood has!
-I had my hair cut and coloured but I hate the colour. It is far too dark - not the colour that I chose. Therefore I look really pale! I wanted to tone down the blonde but now I have really dark brown hair. That will teach me to meddle.
-I haven't been watching much of the Olympics, mainly because of work and the time difference! Most of my favourites are on at 3am, which means watching highlights.
-We have a new hamster! I knew that would be one way to cheer me up, so on Sunday we went and got a new syrian and her name is Milly. She is very cute and very small - she can't quite work out how to control the wheel yet and keeps flying out of it! Bless her.
So not much has changed but at least my mood has!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
And then there was one...
I have had an unbelievably awful week for many many reasons which I can't bear to write about.
and now I have lost Rosie too. She died yesterday.
and now I have lost Rosie too. She died yesterday.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
RIP Felix
Having blogged about Rosie and worrying about her for the last week, I can't believe that I have just had one of the other hamsters put to sleep.
Oscar and Felix (pictured above- Felix on the left, eating some carrot) have lived happily for 20 months. They have had the odd play fight but generally get along fine. Until 2 nights ago when Felix was attacked by Oscar, so much so that he was bleeding and cowering in a corner. Very unlike Oscar who is usually just a ball of fluff and very docile. Last night the same thing happened again and so I decided that they would need to be separated. Only I didn't get that far. After returning from the pet shop with a new cage I found Felix again cowering. But his eye was out of the socket -sorry to be gruesome. He was in a terrible state.
So I took him to the vets at 12pm and they found he had lots of other injuries - mostly bite marks and scratches. So sadly he had to be put to sleep. It was horrible, something I haven't had to do before. Now I want to throw Oscar out of the window for being so savage - but obviously I won't.
So it's a sad day here.
Oscar and Felix (pictured above- Felix on the left, eating some carrot) have lived happily for 20 months. They have had the odd play fight but generally get along fine. Until 2 nights ago when Felix was attacked by Oscar, so much so that he was bleeding and cowering in a corner. Very unlike Oscar who is usually just a ball of fluff and very docile. Last night the same thing happened again and so I decided that they would need to be separated. Only I didn't get that far. After returning from the pet shop with a new cage I found Felix again cowering. But his eye was out of the socket -sorry to be gruesome. He was in a terrible state.
So I took him to the vets at 12pm and they found he had lots of other injuries - mostly bite marks and scratches. So sadly he had to be put to sleep. It was horrible, something I haven't had to do before. Now I want to throw Oscar out of the window for being so savage - but obviously I won't.
So it's a sad day here.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Lost ring
I can't believe it's been over a year since I lost my wedding ring. Yes, those of you who did not read about the saga here is a refresher....
Sat 7th July 2007, took off ring to make dinner. Put it on top of fridge. Two hours later it is gone. Whole flat searched by me, Alex, family. Everything pulled out, lifted, opened, poked...no ring. We did not leave the flat so it cannot physically have gone. Yet despite a thorough search it never materialised. (yes we did check in the fridge, the lining of the fridge, the mechanics of the fridge and in the rubbish bin!)
So I got a new - very different -ring made which I love. In many ways it was more special as I got it made from my engagement ring, using the gold and diamond from that.
But it's still not the same as having the original and equally beautiful and diamondelicious ring.
Makes me sad :-(
Sat 7th July 2007, took off ring to make dinner. Put it on top of fridge. Two hours later it is gone. Whole flat searched by me, Alex, family. Everything pulled out, lifted, opened, poked...no ring. We did not leave the flat so it cannot physically have gone. Yet despite a thorough search it never materialised. (yes we did check in the fridge, the lining of the fridge, the mechanics of the fridge and in the rubbish bin!)
So I got a new - very different -ring made which I love. In many ways it was more special as I got it made from my engagement ring, using the gold and diamond from that.
But it's still not the same as having the original and equally beautiful and diamondelicious ring.
Makes me sad :-(
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
This and That
Feeling rather odd at the moment - oddly excited!
Coming nearer to the end of the PhD (still LOADS to do though). Going to start a new job on Sept 1st and moving to Kent. I am really, really starting to get excited about things
BUT
I need to focus on my work and make sure I finish it! It's very difficult to maintain a good work pattern when I want to move on to the next stage.
Rosie the hamster, is doing really well! She won't survive wet tail but is still going strong, 1 week later and although she is hobbling round in a hunched way and making strange noises she is still very perky and has regained her apetite. I love her determination - if only I was like that.
On an unrelated note, I have been following "Baldy's Blog" - I mentioned it ages ago, a young guy who is dying from leukaemia. He now only has weeks to live and I would urge you to read his blog - of course it is a sad read but also oddly uplifting too. He just went on "desert island discs" on BBC Sheffield and it got me thinking about what songs I would choose. You can only have 6.....
1) Beatles - In my life
2) The White Stripes - Seven nation army
3) Etta James - At Last
4) Billy Joel - Honesty
5) John Mayer - Waiting for the World to Change
6) Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
Coming nearer to the end of the PhD (still LOADS to do though). Going to start a new job on Sept 1st and moving to Kent. I am really, really starting to get excited about things
BUT
I need to focus on my work and make sure I finish it! It's very difficult to maintain a good work pattern when I want to move on to the next stage.
Rosie the hamster, is doing really well! She won't survive wet tail but is still going strong, 1 week later and although she is hobbling round in a hunched way and making strange noises she is still very perky and has regained her apetite. I love her determination - if only I was like that.
On an unrelated note, I have been following "Baldy's Blog" - I mentioned it ages ago, a young guy who is dying from leukaemia. He now only has weeks to live and I would urge you to read his blog - of course it is a sad read but also oddly uplifting too. He just went on "desert island discs" on BBC Sheffield and it got me thinking about what songs I would choose. You can only have 6.....
1) Beatles - In my life
2) The White Stripes - Seven nation army
3) Etta James - At Last
4) Billy Joel - Honesty
5) John Mayer - Waiting for the World to Change
6) Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thought for the day
Max Mosley is Chairman of the FIA - governing body of Formula 1.
In March the News of the World reports that he has been involved with a sex scandal. He had engaged in "Sado-masochistic" acts with 5 prostitutes, allegedly with some Nazi role playing.
He was outraged - how dare they suggest that there had been a Nazi element to his actions! He sued the NOTW and another paper in France.
Yesterday the Judge awarded him £60,000 damages for breach of privacy. Mosley was delighted because the "Nazi lie was completely invented". The Judge ruled that if there had been a Nazi theme, then it WOULD be in the public interest. But engaging in sex acts with 5 prostitutes is not.
Now whether or not you agree with the public's right to know is one thing. But what I find so curious is that we now appear to live in a country where being perceived to be a Nazi is less socially acceptable than cheating on your wife (and 2 sons) with FIVE prostitutes! He seemed only concerned that the public would view him as a fascist. Nice guy
In March the News of the World reports that he has been involved with a sex scandal. He had engaged in "Sado-masochistic" acts with 5 prostitutes, allegedly with some Nazi role playing.
He was outraged - how dare they suggest that there had been a Nazi element to his actions! He sued the NOTW and another paper in France.
Yesterday the Judge awarded him £60,000 damages for breach of privacy. Mosley was delighted because the "Nazi lie was completely invented". The Judge ruled that if there had been a Nazi theme, then it WOULD be in the public interest. But engaging in sex acts with 5 prostitutes is not.
Now whether or not you agree with the public's right to know is one thing. But what I find so curious is that we now appear to live in a country where being perceived to be a Nazi is less socially acceptable than cheating on your wife (and 2 sons) with FIVE prostitutes! He seemed only concerned that the public would view him as a fascist. Nice guy
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A Brief Hiatus
Ooh I haven't blogged for a while. But like Veggie Carrie, it's because my daily life is spent typing lots of words on a computer - so writing a blog is the last thing on my mind. I have also been totally consumed by my PhD which is slowly stumbling towards its conclusion. So what's new with me?
-My hamster Rosie is very ill. Lots of people take the piss because she is "only" a hamster, as if her size or short life span means I shouldn't give a damn about her. That really irritates me. She is no less important than if I had a cat or other animal. Working at home a lot means I go a bit crazy and its nice to see the hamsters when they are awake. They give me comfort! Rosie is over 2 years old and went to the vets last week to have her teeth trimmed. Since then she has really gone down hill and can't seem to eat anything, she is just hobbling round her cage. So I am spoon feeding her soft things and cat food. Yes hamsters can have cat food, it really helps when they are ill. But for Rosie it might be too late.
-We are looking around for places to rent when we move to Kent in September. We thought about buying but with the market as it is right now, the property would definitely go down in value. We also aren't sure if we will like it there, so renting is less of a risk. I just can't wait - although can't do anything about it until I finish the PhD.
-I have gone a little mad with the pressure of finishing a PhD in time to start my exciting new job which begins in September. It's very daunting and means we won't have a holiday until December or January. But it's great for me to have got a job - a good one - so easily when many of my colleagues spend months or years looking for academic work.
-Talking of going mad, after having food poisoning I was struck down by terrible headache caused by my own stupidity. I got dehydrated which bought on a migraine and I took painkillers which made me sick. I do feel constantly tired, which is probably a symptom of the things I'm dealing with right now. I hope to have found some "serenity" by the end of the year.
-Alex, as always is completely mad but totally amazing. Thank God for him!
-My hamster Rosie is very ill. Lots of people take the piss because she is "only" a hamster, as if her size or short life span means I shouldn't give a damn about her. That really irritates me. She is no less important than if I had a cat or other animal. Working at home a lot means I go a bit crazy and its nice to see the hamsters when they are awake. They give me comfort! Rosie is over 2 years old and went to the vets last week to have her teeth trimmed. Since then she has really gone down hill and can't seem to eat anything, she is just hobbling round her cage. So I am spoon feeding her soft things and cat food. Yes hamsters can have cat food, it really helps when they are ill. But for Rosie it might be too late.
-We are looking around for places to rent when we move to Kent in September. We thought about buying but with the market as it is right now, the property would definitely go down in value. We also aren't sure if we will like it there, so renting is less of a risk. I just can't wait - although can't do anything about it until I finish the PhD.
-I have gone a little mad with the pressure of finishing a PhD in time to start my exciting new job which begins in September. It's very daunting and means we won't have a holiday until December or January. But it's great for me to have got a job - a good one - so easily when many of my colleagues spend months or years looking for academic work.
-Talking of going mad, after having food poisoning I was struck down by terrible headache caused by my own stupidity. I got dehydrated which bought on a migraine and I took painkillers which made me sick. I do feel constantly tired, which is probably a symptom of the things I'm dealing with right now. I hope to have found some "serenity" by the end of the year.
-Alex, as always is completely mad but totally amazing. Thank God for him!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Scores on the Doors
There is a way that you can check the health and safety standards of restaurants and cafes. Your local council will do a random check and award a number of stars for hygiene standards. 3 stars and above is good - below is dodgy. I just discovered that my local eaterie where my food poisoning emerged got 1 star.
So look up your local favourite restaurant and be shocked....
http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/index.php
So look up your local favourite restaurant and be shocked....
http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/index.php
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Going veggie
going veggie seems like a great idea right now after I had food poisoning on Sunday night. Violent sickness, a trip to the hospital, a drip and now I just feel crap. All because of some beef.
Yes, it's definitely time to ditch meat
Yes, it's definitely time to ditch meat
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Patients and Patience
So I now have a chest infection. Yes, my throat had had enough of being ill, so passed it down to my chest- very nice! The problem is that I am coughing all of the time - especially at night.
Now I might have mentioned that I am married to a generally marvellous and lovely man. He is kind, sweet, loving.... but he is a nightmare when I have a cough. It is one of the few things he can't stand at night. I can't help coughing of course because I'm ill. He can't help sighing and saying "do you have to cough?" (no, i do it for fun, is my reply!) Last night was a particularly uncomfortable one because he then kept counting down how many hours he had left until the alarm clock. "five hours left"......"four hours left".....
In the end, he went to sleep in the lounge.
I stayed awake and .....coughed.
Now I might have mentioned that I am married to a generally marvellous and lovely man. He is kind, sweet, loving.... but he is a nightmare when I have a cough. It is one of the few things he can't stand at night. I can't help coughing of course because I'm ill. He can't help sighing and saying "do you have to cough?" (no, i do it for fun, is my reply!) Last night was a particularly uncomfortable one because he then kept counting down how many hours he had left until the alarm clock. "five hours left"......"four hours left".....
In the end, he went to sleep in the lounge.
I stayed awake and .....coughed.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Lost in transition
I am feeling very frustrated at the moment.
My life is undergoing a big transition - or will be in a couple of months and I am terrified. I recently went for and got, the job of my dreams - yet I don't feel elated. I feel scared. I have been studying for 10 years doing various degrees, culminating in the PhD. All that time doing one thing in one place means that moving on has become something that fills me with fear. Finishing the PhD by September will require some serious graft and I can't motivate myself. It's like I'm on self destruct.
We will also be moving. Not too far, but to another county. That too is exciting and any chance to move away from our dreadful, odious neighbours is great.
So why do I feel so on edge? It doesn't help that just when I started working hard this week I have been struck down by a throat virus which has left me sapped of energy. How can I turn the corner and get the work done!?
My life is undergoing a big transition - or will be in a couple of months and I am terrified. I recently went for and got, the job of my dreams - yet I don't feel elated. I feel scared. I have been studying for 10 years doing various degrees, culminating in the PhD. All that time doing one thing in one place means that moving on has become something that fills me with fear. Finishing the PhD by September will require some serious graft and I can't motivate myself. It's like I'm on self destruct.
We will also be moving. Not too far, but to another county. That too is exciting and any chance to move away from our dreadful, odious neighbours is great.
So why do I feel so on edge? It doesn't help that just when I started working hard this week I have been struck down by a throat virus which has left me sapped of energy. How can I turn the corner and get the work done!?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Vote!
Please vote on my mini poll! I'm interested in what others like reading about. I don't go on about my day to day life for fear it's a tad dull.
Please VOTE!!!
Please VOTE!!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Irritated? Moi?
I am irritated today by a number of things....
1) This year I'm not watching Big Brother. It'll be the first series I don't watch - honestly the people on there are like caricatures, not real people.
One of the girls said she had strong views, but was blissfully unaware of the contradictions. Against fox hunting, eating animals and abortion but in favour of shipping foreigners back to their own country. What a humanitarian! And then some idiot boy - Dane or Dale or something saying that if there was "fanny" in the house he would "go and get it". I really dispair of our future if these creatures represent young people. Sad.
2) I'm also annoyed that the government might win the vote on 42 day detention. As usual, the "lock em up" brigade have been spouting on about how it doesn't matter because a) there's no smoke without fire or b) We need to fight against terrorists. That's okay if you are white and non-Muslim because it's unlikely that you will be targetted and held without charge for 6 weeks. What are we "fighting" for, if we don't want to defend our right to freedom and civil liberty? Imagine being held in prison for 6 weeks and then released without charge? It's a disgrace. Other countries - including the US - manage it in far less time.
3) Ulrika Jonsson has given birth to her 4th child by - shock - her 4th partner! She has been called all sorts of names, yet no one does this to serial breeders like Mick Jagger or Rod Stewart.
1) This year I'm not watching Big Brother. It'll be the first series I don't watch - honestly the people on there are like caricatures, not real people.
One of the girls said she had strong views, but was blissfully unaware of the contradictions. Against fox hunting, eating animals and abortion but in favour of shipping foreigners back to their own country. What a humanitarian! And then some idiot boy - Dane or Dale or something saying that if there was "fanny" in the house he would "go and get it". I really dispair of our future if these creatures represent young people. Sad.
2) I'm also annoyed that the government might win the vote on 42 day detention. As usual, the "lock em up" brigade have been spouting on about how it doesn't matter because a) there's no smoke without fire or b) We need to fight against terrorists. That's okay if you are white and non-Muslim because it's unlikely that you will be targetted and held without charge for 6 weeks. What are we "fighting" for, if we don't want to defend our right to freedom and civil liberty? Imagine being held in prison for 6 weeks and then released without charge? It's a disgrace. Other countries - including the US - manage it in far less time.
3) Ulrika Jonsson has given birth to her 4th child by - shock - her 4th partner! She has been called all sorts of names, yet no one does this to serial breeders like Mick Jagger or Rod Stewart.
Maiden names
My best friend gets married on Saturday and I'm very excited. She, like me is a modern kind of gal and won't take her husbands surname when she marries. Nor will she take the "mrs".
It's a funny thing, discussing names upon marriage and something women cannot really discuss with each other because it tends to be a little taboo. Two of my friends took their husbands names and I felt a little sad about it. But it was their decision I guess and I can see how the force of tradition makes it easier to go with the flow. I constantly have to explain my name, people address me as Mrs **** - assuming -wrongly - that I have the same surname as my husband. I refuse to answer marital status questions because it causes a judgment. People assume that I'm a "Mrs" and it irritates me. They also deliberately refuse to acknowledge my choices, addressing letters to "Mr and Mrs". For me it's about my identity and dropping my name completely would lose some of that. Of course my surname is actually my father's name - but it is the one that I have grown up with.
I can see why people do it for ease and to create a new family unit. But in that case, why not use the woman's name? Alex completely supports my decision. In fact he said "call yourself whatever you want, we are still married!". Touché
It's a funny thing, discussing names upon marriage and something women cannot really discuss with each other because it tends to be a little taboo. Two of my friends took their husbands names and I felt a little sad about it. But it was their decision I guess and I can see how the force of tradition makes it easier to go with the flow. I constantly have to explain my name, people address me as Mrs **** - assuming -wrongly - that I have the same surname as my husband. I refuse to answer marital status questions because it causes a judgment. People assume that I'm a "Mrs" and it irritates me. They also deliberately refuse to acknowledge my choices, addressing letters to "Mr and Mrs". For me it's about my identity and dropping my name completely would lose some of that. Of course my surname is actually my father's name - but it is the one that I have grown up with.
I can see why people do it for ease and to create a new family unit. But in that case, why not use the woman's name? Alex completely supports my decision. In fact he said "call yourself whatever you want, we are still married!". Touché
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Playing the Race Card
I've been following the Obama - Clinton battle with interest. It seems Obama will win the nomination and maybe become the first black president. This is a massive deal because in the US - and in Britain, ethnic minority people still rarely reach the higher echelons of power. It seems sad to me that the battle between Barack and Hillary is about black versus woman and shows that we still have a long way to go before we get gender and racial equality. In any event, racism and sexism are 2 totally different things and it's really annoying and patronising to think of them in the same way.
On Fivelive this morning they have been talking about race discrimination. When people say they felt they didn't get jobs because of their race, they are accused of "playing the race card" because there is no proof that it wasn't just because they weren't up to the job. But discrimination can be much more subtle. Few employers would say "I'm not employing someone black". But the speakers on fivelive noted the shock when they walked into a interview because based on their CV, the employer was expecting someone white. Sometimes discrimination isn't blatant, its a feeling. No doubt there are some people who do bemoan everything and everyone as racist - but they should not distract us from the genuine cases. Discrimination can also be in terms of the networks we have, our contacts and our schooling which are still sadly often defined by race.
“Playing the race card” is a horrible way to describe someone’s attitude because you are suggesting that they are moaning and have no business doing so. What is so wrong with referring to race as an explanation for why you didn’t get a job? Why are we frightened to admit that many of us make judgments about each other based on it? I think it’s because the idea of racism has become extremely value-laden. If you suggest someone made a racist comment or remark, most will recoil in horror. Or they’ll start a sentence with the classic “I’m not racist but…”.
Look also at the media. The recent stabbings of teenagers in London has been covered by the press but mainly when the victim is white. Jimmy Mizen and Rob Knox are the 2 white victims that I can easily name because they were plastered over the front pages of the tabloids. They were church goers, or had a part in a Harry Potter film but more importantly, they were white. They have been dragged into the awful seedy world of gangs. Not to worry if it's a black life, we'll just mention it briefly and move on. It's so sad. And don't get me started on my opinions had Madeleine McCann been white.
So, rant over. I had to get that off my chest. I'm not a loony left winger but I do find it sad that in this day and age there is still a racist undercurrent in our society. I am an anti-racist and a feminist. Will we have a black Prime Minister? Not in my lifetime.
This article is interesting… Click
On Fivelive this morning they have been talking about race discrimination. When people say they felt they didn't get jobs because of their race, they are accused of "playing the race card" because there is no proof that it wasn't just because they weren't up to the job. But discrimination can be much more subtle. Few employers would say "I'm not employing someone black". But the speakers on fivelive noted the shock when they walked into a interview because based on their CV, the employer was expecting someone white. Sometimes discrimination isn't blatant, its a feeling. No doubt there are some people who do bemoan everything and everyone as racist - but they should not distract us from the genuine cases. Discrimination can also be in terms of the networks we have, our contacts and our schooling which are still sadly often defined by race.
“Playing the race card” is a horrible way to describe someone’s attitude because you are suggesting that they are moaning and have no business doing so. What is so wrong with referring to race as an explanation for why you didn’t get a job? Why are we frightened to admit that many of us make judgments about each other based on it? I think it’s because the idea of racism has become extremely value-laden. If you suggest someone made a racist comment or remark, most will recoil in horror. Or they’ll start a sentence with the classic “I’m not racist but…”.
Look also at the media. The recent stabbings of teenagers in London has been covered by the press but mainly when the victim is white. Jimmy Mizen and Rob Knox are the 2 white victims that I can easily name because they were plastered over the front pages of the tabloids. They were church goers, or had a part in a Harry Potter film but more importantly, they were white. They have been dragged into the awful seedy world of gangs. Not to worry if it's a black life, we'll just mention it briefly and move on. It's so sad. And don't get me started on my opinions had Madeleine McCann been white.
So, rant over. I had to get that off my chest. I'm not a loony left winger but I do find it sad that in this day and age there is still a racist undercurrent in our society. I am an anti-racist and a feminist. Will we have a black Prime Minister? Not in my lifetime.
This article is interesting… Click
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Fun times!
These funny clips will make you laugh.
1) Britain's Got Talent - Signature. I don't normally watch this show, but caught this act and they were so funny. It makes a change from the moaning "I've been bullied and live on a council estate" sob stories. Click
2) I don't normally like to take the mickey out of the mentally challenged - but Miss Teen USA, sorry - this is great! Click
3) If you aren't acquainted with Charlie Brooker -shame on you! Click
4) From the first series of The Apprentice, I'll never forget James and his wolf jacket! Click
1) Britain's Got Talent - Signature. I don't normally watch this show, but caught this act and they were so funny. It makes a change from the moaning "I've been bullied and live on a council estate" sob stories. Click
2) I don't normally like to take the mickey out of the mentally challenged - but Miss Teen USA, sorry - this is great! Click
3) If you aren't acquainted with Charlie Brooker -shame on you! Click
4) From the first series of The Apprentice, I'll never forget James and his wolf jacket! Click
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Mixed bag!
I was relieved at the abortion result, one small victory for the time being. Of course some anti-abortionists were up in arms and parading pics of babies who were born at 22 weeks. I still find it ridiculous to base laws around a handful of babies who survive when most die or are severly disabled if born prematurely. It's bad science.
So Eurovision is on again. I normally start watching it and then get bored after an hour. Terry Wogan is the best part, his descriptions are hilarious! The best part is the voting and guessing which countries will vote for each others. It's so predictable now. Greece and Turkey hate each other, the Scandinavians stick together - as do Germany, Austria and Switzerland. No one stands a chance with the Balkan block voting. It's a shame but fun nonetheless. Everyone talks about whether "we" have a great song but it makes no difference - we will NEVER win ever again! The UK is hated by most of Europe.
I have just watched "I'd do anything" and my favourite is definitely Jodie. I was also glad to see little Gwion get through as one of the Olivers. His welsh accented rendition of Bright Eyes had me in tears in the early weeks! Bless him.
But I must have one complaint - why keep pretending that the results show is filmed tomorrow!? ALW kept saying "tomorrow night is going to be tough". They change all the outfits to try and dupe us. Why bother? They do the same with Come Dancing. I have nothing against the results show on the following day but just don't lie. The Beeb has been in trouble for lying so they should know better! How do I know it isn't live? Because I find out the result on the internet forums on Sunday morning!
I am impatient...
So Eurovision is on again. I normally start watching it and then get bored after an hour. Terry Wogan is the best part, his descriptions are hilarious! The best part is the voting and guessing which countries will vote for each others. It's so predictable now. Greece and Turkey hate each other, the Scandinavians stick together - as do Germany, Austria and Switzerland. No one stands a chance with the Balkan block voting. It's a shame but fun nonetheless. Everyone talks about whether "we" have a great song but it makes no difference - we will NEVER win ever again! The UK is hated by most of Europe.
I have just watched "I'd do anything" and my favourite is definitely Jodie. I was also glad to see little Gwion get through as one of the Olivers. His welsh accented rendition of Bright Eyes had me in tears in the early weeks! Bless him.
But I must have one complaint - why keep pretending that the results show is filmed tomorrow!? ALW kept saying "tomorrow night is going to be tough". They change all the outfits to try and dupe us. Why bother? They do the same with Come Dancing. I have nothing against the results show on the following day but just don't lie. The Beeb has been in trouble for lying so they should know better! How do I know it isn't live? Because I find out the result on the internet forums on Sunday morning!
I am impatient...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Abortion
I'm sure that I've blogged about abortion before, but with the crucial MP vote tomorrow I feel compelled to do so again.
Tomorrow MP's will vote about reducing the limit from 24 weeks. It sounds reasonable - just knock a couple of weeks off, after all some babies survive at 22 weeks. Well it's much more sinister than that I'm afraid. In the debate about abortion we hear about viable foetuses and premature babies but the plight of women is totally obscured. In the discussion about human rights and humanity, women are sadly excluded. They are not pro life - they are pro controlling women's bodies and few spare a thought for the woman who would be forced to carry an unwanted foetus to term.
We can't make laws based on the fact that a few babies survive - it's a tiny percentage and most have serious disabilities. Those with religious arguments should also be excluded - law and religion should be totally separate. Plus only 1.5% of abortions take place at 24 weeks anyway and these are women - or girls - who are frequently among the most vulnerable members of society. Girls who didn't know they were pregnant, or ignored it for fear of what might happen. Women who have disabilities, women in domestic violence situations or who have suffered personal traumas like the death of a husband or partner. Do we really want to live in a society that says to these damaged women "tough luck, you MUST carry the foetus to term". Of course what happens to the baby afterwards, the pro-lifers don't care about. Maybe it will end up in care or worse - but where are the so-called caring anti-abortionists then? What about the reckless women who have frequent abortions and aren't vulnerable, some people ask? My answer to them would be to ask whether they think they would make good mothers, just because they are forced to have that baby?
At the end of it all, women should have a choice over what happens to their bodies. Any further restrictions in abortion legislation won't stop it or reduce it. It will just lead to more vulnerable women being in increasingly worse predicaments and more backstreet abortions and unwanted babies. That is not desirable. Of course it's not desirable either that we should have the highest abortion rate in Europe - but that should be about preventing pregnancy in the first place rather than restricting abortion.
So while I might not have an abortion myself, I passionately defend a woman's right to choose. Her life should always come before that of the unborn foetus.
Pro lifers? don't make me laugh!
Tomorrow MP's will vote about reducing the limit from 24 weeks. It sounds reasonable - just knock a couple of weeks off, after all some babies survive at 22 weeks. Well it's much more sinister than that I'm afraid. In the debate about abortion we hear about viable foetuses and premature babies but the plight of women is totally obscured. In the discussion about human rights and humanity, women are sadly excluded. They are not pro life - they are pro controlling women's bodies and few spare a thought for the woman who would be forced to carry an unwanted foetus to term.
We can't make laws based on the fact that a few babies survive - it's a tiny percentage and most have serious disabilities. Those with religious arguments should also be excluded - law and religion should be totally separate. Plus only 1.5% of abortions take place at 24 weeks anyway and these are women - or girls - who are frequently among the most vulnerable members of society. Girls who didn't know they were pregnant, or ignored it for fear of what might happen. Women who have disabilities, women in domestic violence situations or who have suffered personal traumas like the death of a husband or partner. Do we really want to live in a society that says to these damaged women "tough luck, you MUST carry the foetus to term". Of course what happens to the baby afterwards, the pro-lifers don't care about. Maybe it will end up in care or worse - but where are the so-called caring anti-abortionists then? What about the reckless women who have frequent abortions and aren't vulnerable, some people ask? My answer to them would be to ask whether they think they would make good mothers, just because they are forced to have that baby?
At the end of it all, women should have a choice over what happens to their bodies. Any further restrictions in abortion legislation won't stop it or reduce it. It will just lead to more vulnerable women being in increasingly worse predicaments and more backstreet abortions and unwanted babies. That is not desirable. Of course it's not desirable either that we should have the highest abortion rate in Europe - but that should be about preventing pregnancy in the first place rather than restricting abortion.
So while I might not have an abortion myself, I passionately defend a woman's right to choose. Her life should always come before that of the unborn foetus.
Pro lifers? don't make me laugh!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Cos Gina told me to...
1. Last movie you saw in a theater?
Sweeney Todd
2. What book are you reading?
Nothing. I haven't read any fiction since last September, it's just academic literature for me at the moment!
3. Favorite board game?
Scrabble
4. Favorite magazine?
I don't really read magazines, but probably the Observer Mag each Sunday
5. Favorite smells?
Freshly brewed coffee, freshly cooked bread, freshly showered Alex
6. Favorite sounds?
Alex's key in the door
7. Worst feeling in the world?
Worrying about Alex
8. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?
"Damn, I slept in til 9am AGAIN"
9. Favorite fast food place?
None
10. Future child’s name?
Matilda, Max - if I don't have children, I'll use them for future hamsters!
11. Finish this statement. “If I had lot of money I’d….?
give generously to family and friends. treat myself to a long holiday and a new car
12. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?
No.
13. Storms - cool or scary?
Love them!
14. Favorite drink?
Tea or chocolate milkshake
15. Finish this statement, “If I had the time I would….”?
do more exercise. (maybe it should be "if I wasn't such a lazy cow I would...")
16. Do you eat the stems on broccoli?
Yes
17. If you could dye your hair any color, what would be your choice?
I like it as it is now
18. Name all the different cities/towns you’ve lived in?
Leigh on Sea, Colchester, Westcliff. Only Essex - but not for long!
19. Favorite sports to watch?
Tennis or athletics
20. One nice thing about the person who sent this to you?
I love her blog!
21. What’s under your bed?
Dust and tissues
22. Would you like to be born as yourself again?
Why not!?
23. Morning person, or night owl?
Morning person - though not lately.
24. Over easy, or sunny side up?
Sunny side up
25. Favorite place to relax?...
On a Greek Island
26. Favorite pie?
Chicken and mushroom
27. Favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate
28. Of all the people you tagged this to, who’s most likely to respond first?
Not sure - Veggie Carrie maybe!?
Sweeney Todd
2. What book are you reading?
Nothing. I haven't read any fiction since last September, it's just academic literature for me at the moment!
3. Favorite board game?
Scrabble
4. Favorite magazine?
I don't really read magazines, but probably the Observer Mag each Sunday
5. Favorite smells?
Freshly brewed coffee, freshly cooked bread, freshly showered Alex
6. Favorite sounds?
Alex's key in the door
7. Worst feeling in the world?
Worrying about Alex
8. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?
"Damn, I slept in til 9am AGAIN"
9. Favorite fast food place?
None
10. Future child’s name?
Matilda, Max - if I don't have children, I'll use them for future hamsters!
11. Finish this statement. “If I had lot of money I’d….?
give generously to family and friends. treat myself to a long holiday and a new car
12. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?
No.
13. Storms - cool or scary?
Love them!
14. Favorite drink?
Tea or chocolate milkshake
15. Finish this statement, “If I had the time I would….”?
do more exercise. (maybe it should be "if I wasn't such a lazy cow I would...")
16. Do you eat the stems on broccoli?
Yes
17. If you could dye your hair any color, what would be your choice?
I like it as it is now
18. Name all the different cities/towns you’ve lived in?
Leigh on Sea, Colchester, Westcliff. Only Essex - but not for long!
19. Favorite sports to watch?
Tennis or athletics
20. One nice thing about the person who sent this to you?
I love her blog!
21. What’s under your bed?
Dust and tissues
22. Would you like to be born as yourself again?
Why not!?
23. Morning person, or night owl?
Morning person - though not lately.
24. Over easy, or sunny side up?
Sunny side up
25. Favorite place to relax?...
On a Greek Island
26. Favorite pie?
Chicken and mushroom
27. Favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate
28. Of all the people you tagged this to, who’s most likely to respond first?
Not sure - Veggie Carrie maybe!?
Friday, May 16, 2008
Baldy
I have been listening to a story on Fivelive. It's about 25 year old Adrian who has been suffering from Leukaemia for 18 months. He has now been told that he only has weeks or months to live and has decided to refuse any more intensive treatment.
It sounds a cliché to say that he is brave or that it makes you think about your own life. He was very matter of fact, explaining how he was putting everything in order and spending time with his family. But it made me realise that I always think of my life as a long journey and that at 28 I have lots more things to achieve and do over the coming years. i have made plans for the future. But what if there was no future? I suppose you would get on with living rather than putting things off.
Read his blog - it's not depressing and really makes you think.
http://baldyblog.freshblogs.co.uk/2008/05/the_beginning_of_the_end.html
It sounds a cliché to say that he is brave or that it makes you think about your own life. He was very matter of fact, explaining how he was putting everything in order and spending time with his family. But it made me realise that I always think of my life as a long journey and that at 28 I have lots more things to achieve and do over the coming years. i have made plans for the future. But what if there was no future? I suppose you would get on with living rather than putting things off.
Read his blog - it's not depressing and really makes you think.
http://baldyblog.freshblogs.co.uk/2008/05/the_beginning_of_the_end.html
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A mixed bag
Had an okay sort of day. I went up to University and saw a couple of friends for coffee and lunch, did some work and used the library. Then I did my food shop at Sainsbury's. Today's blog is a random list of my observations!
1) I was struck by how little I go in the freezer section of the supermarket. I never do - don't do the chocolate, biscuit, crisp or alcohol aisles either. When I got to the checkouts they were all busy and a nice lady said "hold on, I'll open up this one for you". So I proceeded forwards, but so did a man with his 2 daughters tutting and moaning at my rudeness. I didn't push in mate - I was INVITED!
2) Everything is so expensive. One pound for a pepper! It's an outrage.
3) I was nearly tempted by coffee and walnut cake in the campus cafe this morning. It's my favourite cake but I resisted. It got me thinking about food combinations and how some things together are just delicious - strawberries and cream, lemon and lime, carrot and coriander, cheese and onion/tomato/pickle/marmite/anything! Some things just go together perfectly. Like me and Alex (aaaggh)
4) I seem to be gradually switching lots of foods over to organic. Some things really are nicer - carrots, cheese and cornflakes being my top tips. Might account for my shopping bills.
5) I am currently addicted to green olives!
6) It's Alex's birthday in 3 weeks and I'm trying to think of something to buy him. After 10 years together, it gets more difficult each year. I have some ideas - but can't put them on here as he might read them!
7) I LOVE wednesdays - at least at the moment. Not being a huge telly addict, wednesdays are one evening when I indulge. Child of our time at 8 on BBC1, The Apprentice and then Dexter. Great entertainment.
1) I was struck by how little I go in the freezer section of the supermarket. I never do - don't do the chocolate, biscuit, crisp or alcohol aisles either. When I got to the checkouts they were all busy and a nice lady said "hold on, I'll open up this one for you". So I proceeded forwards, but so did a man with his 2 daughters tutting and moaning at my rudeness. I didn't push in mate - I was INVITED!
2) Everything is so expensive. One pound for a pepper! It's an outrage.
3) I was nearly tempted by coffee and walnut cake in the campus cafe this morning. It's my favourite cake but I resisted. It got me thinking about food combinations and how some things together are just delicious - strawberries and cream, lemon and lime, carrot and coriander, cheese and onion/tomato/pickle/marmite/anything! Some things just go together perfectly. Like me and Alex (aaaggh)
4) I seem to be gradually switching lots of foods over to organic. Some things really are nicer - carrots, cheese and cornflakes being my top tips. Might account for my shopping bills.
5) I am currently addicted to green olives!
6) It's Alex's birthday in 3 weeks and I'm trying to think of something to buy him. After 10 years together, it gets more difficult each year. I have some ideas - but can't put them on here as he might read them!
7) I LOVE wednesdays - at least at the moment. Not being a huge telly addict, wednesdays are one evening when I indulge. Child of our time at 8 on BBC1, The Apprentice and then Dexter. Great entertainment.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Holy smoke!
I am such a lazy toad at the moment. I refer back to my previous blog - in the hot weather I just don't do any work! And I have lots to do.
This weekend Alex and I were out and about. It was his Dad's birthday so we went there for a BBQ. That is one thing I do like about summer! It was a lot of fun, until Alex's sister started talking babies. She was very sweet but obviously looking forward to being an aunt (she is 12 years older than us and has 2 of her own). The truth is I'm still undecided on the whole baby thing, I just don't see when we'll have the time and I'm not that fussed by children. I still actively avoid places where children will be and am not one to coo around babies. Maybe that will change, but after 10 years together we still don't have room for a 3rd person in our relationship! We are selfish and love being just the two of us.
On an unrelated note, the miserable evil cow downstairs (sorry, there are few people I don't like but she is one of them) was playing Marvin Gaye at full volume at 1.45 this morning. I put my ear plugs in and miraculously fell back to sleep. Revenge was sweet though, when at 5am Alex was making his toast and set off the smoke alarm. He woke her up and she slammed her door. Ha ha , hee hee! That's what it's like to have to hear someone elses noise you selfish woman!!! That will be my new response when she does it again. Petty aren't I!?
This weekend Alex and I were out and about. It was his Dad's birthday so we went there for a BBQ. That is one thing I do like about summer! It was a lot of fun, until Alex's sister started talking babies. She was very sweet but obviously looking forward to being an aunt (she is 12 years older than us and has 2 of her own). The truth is I'm still undecided on the whole baby thing, I just don't see when we'll have the time and I'm not that fussed by children. I still actively avoid places where children will be and am not one to coo around babies. Maybe that will change, but after 10 years together we still don't have room for a 3rd person in our relationship! We are selfish and love being just the two of us.
On an unrelated note, the miserable evil cow downstairs (sorry, there are few people I don't like but she is one of them) was playing Marvin Gaye at full volume at 1.45 this morning. I put my ear plugs in and miraculously fell back to sleep. Revenge was sweet though, when at 5am Alex was making his toast and set off the smoke alarm. He woke her up and she slammed her door. Ha ha , hee hee! That's what it's like to have to hear someone elses noise you selfish woman!!! That will be my new response when she does it again. Petty aren't I!?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
I don't like it hot!
I don't really like Summer.
Oh dear, that's not a popular view is it! We had a lovely few days in Suffolk, although I was really uncomfortable going for long walks in the boiling sun. I put sun cream on but still got badly burnt. Somehow people thing it's appropriate to walk around with hardly anything on - yes men, I'm talking about the naked torso. Why is it suddenly okay to go into a bank with your top off because it's hot?
Summer also starts my hayfever off. And the old trout downstairs sits outside all day with her music playing. There is a tremendous pressure to go out at the weekends because the weather is "nice".
I prefer Autumn and Spring when the weather is less predictable but less extreme too.
Oh dear, that's not a popular view is it! We had a lovely few days in Suffolk, although I was really uncomfortable going for long walks in the boiling sun. I put sun cream on but still got badly burnt. Somehow people thing it's appropriate to walk around with hardly anything on - yes men, I'm talking about the naked torso. Why is it suddenly okay to go into a bank with your top off because it's hot?
Summer also starts my hayfever off. And the old trout downstairs sits outside all day with her music playing. There is a tremendous pressure to go out at the weekends because the weather is "nice".
I prefer Autumn and Spring when the weather is less predictable but less extreme too.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Jonny
I've recently discovered Channel 4 On Demand. It's great - a bit like BBC iplayer except you can watch older programmes.
I am a big fan of documentaries and just noticed one listed on there - it's call "The boy whose skin fell off". Honestly, if you can only watch one more documentary in your whole life you must watch this one. I don't think I have ever been so affected by a programme, Jonny's bravery and character have lived with me ever since. Whenever I hear "don't stop me now" by Queen I think of him. If you watch it, you'll understand what I mean.
Watch it NOW!
I am a big fan of documentaries and just noticed one listed on there - it's call "The boy whose skin fell off". Honestly, if you can only watch one more documentary in your whole life you must watch this one. I don't think I have ever been so affected by a programme, Jonny's bravery and character have lived with me ever since. Whenever I hear "don't stop me now" by Queen I think of him. If you watch it, you'll understand what I mean.
Watch it NOW!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Madeleine McCann
I can't believe it is nearly a year since Madeleine Mccann went missing. I remember the day it was on the news and the fact that we know little more now than then is very depressing. I found the news saturation OTT at first and wondered why she was getting so much attention when other children didn't. But as her mother explained on TV last night "the question should be, why don't all children get the same attention when they go missing". Despite all of this attention, she is still gone and as I was watching her parents on TV I just kept thinking "where the hell is she".
With my criminological hat on, I would think that there is a good chance she is alive. Most abducted children are killed within 24 hours and normally by disorganised sex predators. This means that had she been killed, there is a high probability that her body would have been found - the killer would have been unlikely to be an expert. More likely is that she was taken for foreign adoption or child trafficking. The abduction looked planned, there was no forensic evidence and the kidnapper was probably watching the complex for a few days. When the parents were away, he/she struck. This would make finding her more difficult because she would be far away by now, in a foreign country. Three or four year old children are often the targets for this sort of thing because they are not as dependent as babies yet are young enough to forget their real parents with careful moulding.
But that is of course, just my opinion based on my knowledge of the area and the most likely outcome. I think that's what happened to Ben Needham too - he went missing as a toddler in 1991 from Kos. Sadly, he has never been found.
I hope that one day they will be reunited with Madeleine and that it is sooner rather than later.
With my criminological hat on, I would think that there is a good chance she is alive. Most abducted children are killed within 24 hours and normally by disorganised sex predators. This means that had she been killed, there is a high probability that her body would have been found - the killer would have been unlikely to be an expert. More likely is that she was taken for foreign adoption or child trafficking. The abduction looked planned, there was no forensic evidence and the kidnapper was probably watching the complex for a few days. When the parents were away, he/she struck. This would make finding her more difficult because she would be far away by now, in a foreign country. Three or four year old children are often the targets for this sort of thing because they are not as dependent as babies yet are young enough to forget their real parents with careful moulding.
But that is of course, just my opinion based on my knowledge of the area and the most likely outcome. I think that's what happened to Ben Needham too - he went missing as a toddler in 1991 from Kos. Sadly, he has never been found.
I hope that one day they will be reunited with Madeleine and that it is sooner rather than later.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Common decency?
When I went out earlier I was delighted to see that the rubbish men had not collected 2 bags that our neighbours left out this morning. As I approached, I saw that they had been attacked by foxes (the bags, not the neighbours - sadly) and were wide open. Used sanitary products and other unpleasantness on show for all passersby to see.
It belongs to either the repugnant beast living below us or the woman next door. Neither have been equipped with basic social skills or etiquette - in other words they won't be clearing it up anytime soon. So I have called the council who - despite their reluctance - are sending someone out to clear it up. What a lovely world.
Other than that, I am working on a couple of job applications. Yes dear reader, my PhD days are nearly behind me and I will be joining the ranks of the employed. That is if I can convince someone to hire me!
It belongs to either the repugnant beast living below us or the woman next door. Neither have been equipped with basic social skills or etiquette - in other words they won't be clearing it up anytime soon. So I have called the council who - despite their reluctance - are sending someone out to clear it up. What a lovely world.
Other than that, I am working on a couple of job applications. Yes dear reader, my PhD days are nearly behind me and I will be joining the ranks of the employed. That is if I can convince someone to hire me!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Inheriting homophobia
I have to go up to Uni later today, which is a pain considering it is raining. I don't like going out in the rain, I am such a wuss! The good news is that my eye is a lot better today.
I was struck by the story of the 2 sisters who have been fighting inheritance tax legislation. They claim that their relationship should be treated the same as any marriage because of its longevity. I agree that inheritance tax is a nasty thing and as it stands, when one sister dies the other will be whalloped with a large bill and be forced to sell their joint home. Neither has ever married and they have shared a home for their whole lives. But it's not the same as a partnership or marriage. When you get married, you are entering into a contract- an agreement, hopefully by choice. That contract can be ended - being sisters cannot, it is not a choice. Sadly, their comments were telling and displayed classic homophobia. "If we were lesbians, we'd have all the rights in the world". What they are basically saying is that if we can re-define marriage to include gay relationships, then why can't we re-define the law to include siblings? They are annoyed that "gays" are being given special rights, when surely they should be discriminated against. Why should homosexuals get something that they - "normal" sisters cannot have.
Being in a relationship -gay or otherwise is simply not the same. Maybe I'm being a little harsh, it just annoys me when people cloak homophobia in the guise of unjust laws.
I was struck by the story of the 2 sisters who have been fighting inheritance tax legislation. They claim that their relationship should be treated the same as any marriage because of its longevity. I agree that inheritance tax is a nasty thing and as it stands, when one sister dies the other will be whalloped with a large bill and be forced to sell their joint home. Neither has ever married and they have shared a home for their whole lives. But it's not the same as a partnership or marriage. When you get married, you are entering into a contract- an agreement, hopefully by choice. That contract can be ended - being sisters cannot, it is not a choice. Sadly, their comments were telling and displayed classic homophobia. "If we were lesbians, we'd have all the rights in the world". What they are basically saying is that if we can re-define marriage to include gay relationships, then why can't we re-define the law to include siblings? They are annoyed that "gays" are being given special rights, when surely they should be discriminated against. Why should homosexuals get something that they - "normal" sisters cannot have.
Being in a relationship -gay or otherwise is simply not the same. Maybe I'm being a little harsh, it just annoys me when people cloak homophobia in the guise of unjust laws.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Punched in the eye
I HATE hayfever.
Normally I get itchy eyes and a runny nose. I have a nasal spray and tablets but this year I have a nice new symptom. I woke up this morning looking like someone had punched me in the left eye. I'm pretty sure Alex didn't do it in the night - I am a light sleeper after all! It has gone down slightly but is very red and unpleasant. I want to scratch it but mustn't!
So now I have eye drops to add to the list. This is why I love Autumn and Winter more than Spring and Summer!
Normally I get itchy eyes and a runny nose. I have a nasal spray and tablets but this year I have a nice new symptom. I woke up this morning looking like someone had punched me in the left eye. I'm pretty sure Alex didn't do it in the night - I am a light sleeper after all! It has gone down slightly but is very red and unpleasant. I want to scratch it but mustn't!
So now I have eye drops to add to the list. This is why I love Autumn and Winter more than Spring and Summer!
Friday, April 25, 2008
(In)Tolerance
I consider myself to be a fairly tolerant person. My research investigates prejudice across a variety of areas - race, religion, sexuality, disability, age and gender. It has taught me the importance of diversity and difference and the problems of bigotry. However, there is one area where I am not tolerant - and that is regarding the old woman downstairs.
She isn't really old - she is in her 50s and lives with her daughter. Since living above them we have observed an array of loser boyfriends of all different sorts. The common theme is the volume of alcohol that they drink - she is an alcoholic. About a month ago she returned home late from one of her regular pub jaunts at about 11.30pm. They put on the stereo and proceeded to laugh, shout and scream for 2 hours. I called the environmental health who came round and "sorted it out". Since then things have been okay - no music, but the fact is that we live very different lives. We go to bed before midnight and get up before nine. She lives an opposite schedule, going to bed after 3 and lying in. Our timescales are incompatible - so who is in the wrong?
I am saying all of this because a friend of hers has just turned up with 2 large crates of stella artois. It could be a heavy night.
Overall she is a detestable creature I think, with little regard for those living around her. She persists in being loud and vocal, despite our polite complaints. All we ask is that when she has a party, she knocks on the door and warns us. When we leave I am going to put dog poo on her bike.
19.11 update - their drug dealer has just arrived. Three hours earlier than normal for a friday. Definitely a tough weekend ahead.
She isn't really old - she is in her 50s and lives with her daughter. Since living above them we have observed an array of loser boyfriends of all different sorts. The common theme is the volume of alcohol that they drink - she is an alcoholic. About a month ago she returned home late from one of her regular pub jaunts at about 11.30pm. They put on the stereo and proceeded to laugh, shout and scream for 2 hours. I called the environmental health who came round and "sorted it out". Since then things have been okay - no music, but the fact is that we live very different lives. We go to bed before midnight and get up before nine. She lives an opposite schedule, going to bed after 3 and lying in. Our timescales are incompatible - so who is in the wrong?
I am saying all of this because a friend of hers has just turned up with 2 large crates of stella artois. It could be a heavy night.
Overall she is a detestable creature I think, with little regard for those living around her. She persists in being loud and vocal, despite our polite complaints. All we ask is that when she has a party, she knocks on the door and warns us. When we leave I am going to put dog poo on her bike.
19.11 update - their drug dealer has just arrived. Three hours earlier than normal for a friday. Definitely a tough weekend ahead.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Teaching
I'm back after a break! I'm sure any reader will understand that having submitted my draft PhD on Sunday (which was 65.000 words) the last thing I have wanted to do was more writing on this blog!
I have been stirred to write about the current teacher strike. I was just listening to a teacher on the radio who is moaning about pay. He is 30 and earns £34k a year. Now maybe I am completely off base here but I think that is a bloody good salary! Nevermind the holidays that they get - I personally would rather have less time off than be forced to go away when the children are off. Most people earn a lot less and work equally hard and without the pension and other benefits that teachers earn. I just don't understand what they are complaining for.
Life is about choices. We all decide upon a career and weigh up the various factors. A few years ago I made a decision between training as a lawyer and carrying on in academia. I chose the latter, knowing that I would earn less money but in the long term would feel happier. Teachers surely make the same choices, as do fire fighters and nurses.
I have been stirred to write about the current teacher strike. I was just listening to a teacher on the radio who is moaning about pay. He is 30 and earns £34k a year. Now maybe I am completely off base here but I think that is a bloody good salary! Nevermind the holidays that they get - I personally would rather have less time off than be forced to go away when the children are off. Most people earn a lot less and work equally hard and without the pension and other benefits that teachers earn. I just don't understand what they are complaining for.
Life is about choices. We all decide upon a career and weigh up the various factors. A few years ago I made a decision between training as a lawyer and carrying on in academia. I chose the latter, knowing that I would earn less money but in the long term would feel happier. Teachers surely make the same choices, as do fire fighters and nurses.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Fighting talk
So I have survived.
Had a 2 day migraine, the usual and it was expected. It's a hard battle when I have one as I try not to give in to it and see how long I can resist going to bed. I did really well on Tuesday and battled for a few hours. But it won in the end. I am now allergic (ie have no response at all) to the very strong drugs that I have. When I get a "normal" headache and take a low dose paracetamol or something my body has no reaction at all. I'm so used to the strong stuff that my body says "what is this crappy paracetamol!"
Have been busy writing my literature review. The hardest part of the thesis because I don't know how much to include but the easiest as it doesn't require so much analysis. I'm up to 7797 words, so about 2000 to go.
Am going on a hen weekend which I am really looking forward to. I have a new dress which Alex really likes- shame he won't see me in it for a while. I think he is jealous because I'll be wearing it out without him. Bless. I will really miss him, if only for a few nights!.
I have been reading other blogs lately. Apart from the ones that I check regularly, I have become interested in those written by people in various "professions"- ambulance drivers, A & E nurses etc. I love how candid they are! I know this blog is sort of anonymous, but I would never say what I really think about the standards of academia today. I have LOADS to say and would love to, but can you imagine if it was found out!? I would ruin my career.
Had a 2 day migraine, the usual and it was expected. It's a hard battle when I have one as I try not to give in to it and see how long I can resist going to bed. I did really well on Tuesday and battled for a few hours. But it won in the end. I am now allergic (ie have no response at all) to the very strong drugs that I have. When I get a "normal" headache and take a low dose paracetamol or something my body has no reaction at all. I'm so used to the strong stuff that my body says "what is this crappy paracetamol!"
Have been busy writing my literature review. The hardest part of the thesis because I don't know how much to include but the easiest as it doesn't require so much analysis. I'm up to 7797 words, so about 2000 to go.
Am going on a hen weekend which I am really looking forward to. I have a new dress which Alex really likes- shame he won't see me in it for a while. I think he is jealous because I'll be wearing it out without him. Bless. I will really miss him, if only for a few nights!.
I have been reading other blogs lately. Apart from the ones that I check regularly, I have become interested in those written by people in various "professions"- ambulance drivers, A & E nurses etc. I love how candid they are! I know this blog is sort of anonymous, but I would never say what I really think about the standards of academia today. I have LOADS to say and would love to, but can you imagine if it was found out!? I would ruin my career.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Mixed Mood.
I am experiencing a mixed mood today.
As usual I am trying to distract myself from my work, but I'll settle down to it shortly. I am annoyed that I still have so much to do and that I am expecting a migraine. It's inevitable and I have a feeling that it will be a bad one for some reason. So I need to crack on. I feel tired though because my anti-migraine medication makes me really dozy. More than normal!
I also feel happy because I am going away on a hen weekend to Bath. It should be very nice, civilised yet drunken. I don't drink though as I'm teetotal,so I can enjoy watching everyone else get drunk instead! I am also excited about the last episode of "Damages" tonight - what a great series.
As usual I am trying to distract myself from my work, but I'll settle down to it shortly. I am annoyed that I still have so much to do and that I am expecting a migraine. It's inevitable and I have a feeling that it will be a bad one for some reason. So I need to crack on. I feel tired though because my anti-migraine medication makes me really dozy. More than normal!
I also feel happy because I am going away on a hen weekend to Bath. It should be very nice, civilised yet drunken. I don't drink though as I'm teetotal,so I can enjoy watching everyone else get drunk instead! I am also excited about the last episode of "Damages" tonight - what a great series.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Too young
I was reading that Tina O'Brien from Corrie is pregnant. Fair enough, she's 24 and in a long term relationship. But what strikes me as weird is that only a couple of weeks ago she was saying how they were far to young to get married.
I always find it odd that people think that marriage is more of a commitment than having a baby. Or that you need to be older before commiting to marriage, but can commit to a baby at any age. I just don't get the logic there.
I felt old enough to get married at 24, because I knew that I'd found the love of my life. Yet I still feel too immature to have to look after a baby. Perhaps this "too young" business actually means "I'm not sure he's 'the one'"?
I always find it odd that people think that marriage is more of a commitment than having a baby. Or that you need to be older before commiting to marriage, but can commit to a baby at any age. I just don't get the logic there.
I felt old enough to get married at 24, because I knew that I'd found the love of my life. Yet I still feel too immature to have to look after a baby. Perhaps this "too young" business actually means "I'm not sure he's 'the one'"?
Friday, April 4, 2008
Don'ts for wives
My friend is getting married soon and we were reading this funny book from 1913 called "don'ts for wives". It shows you have much we have moved on, some of it was just hilarious. We are both feminists, and I love reading some of the suffragette material from the 19th century. It's amazing to think how powerless women were and the people involved are inspirational to me. I found this quote from a campaigner at the time:
"A high standard of education among women affects their position with regard to marriage. It makes them undoubtedly more independent of marriage, and at the same time raises their standard of marriage. It makes them unwilling to marry men distinctly inferior to them in education or understanding it also I quite believe, makes them less attractive in the eyes of such men….A student of a ladies college, summing up the general results of her education said to me ‘ I don’t exactly see why learning Greek should make one feel it impossible to marry a man one did not respect; but it seems to amount to about that’ I thought for my part that this whimsical testimony was the highest possible tribute to her collegiate training."
Education is still the solution to many problems of freedom. It improves your chances of a career, of independence and not having to rely on a man as the breadwinner. To balance things out, here are some "tips for husbands, written by the author of "don'ts for wives", Blanche Ebbutt:
Tips for husbands
Don't be surprised, or annoyed, or disappointed, to find, after treating your wife for years as a featherbrain, that you have made her one, and that she fails to rise to the occasion when you need her help
Don't give up cricket, or football ... or whatever outdoor sport you have been accustomed to just because you are married. Athletics will keep you from becoming flabby.
Don't argue that a new hat isn't necessary because there is nothing visibly wrong with the one she is wearing. You probably have forgotten that this is its third season, but she hasn't
Don’t sulk when things go wrong. If you can’t help being vexed, say so, and get it over.
Don’t say she needn’t stay up for you. You know she can’t sleep until you are safe at home.
Don’t hesitate to mention when you think your wife looks especially nice. Your thinking so can give her no pleasure unless you tell your thought.
Don’t forget to trust your wife in everything – in money matters; in her relations with other men . . . Trust her to the utmost and you will rarely find your trust misplaced.
Don’t call your wife a coward because she is afraid of a spider. Probably in real danger she would be quite as brave as you.
"A high standard of education among women affects their position with regard to marriage. It makes them undoubtedly more independent of marriage, and at the same time raises their standard of marriage. It makes them unwilling to marry men distinctly inferior to them in education or understanding it also I quite believe, makes them less attractive in the eyes of such men….A student of a ladies college, summing up the general results of her education said to me ‘ I don’t exactly see why learning Greek should make one feel it impossible to marry a man one did not respect; but it seems to amount to about that’ I thought for my part that this whimsical testimony was the highest possible tribute to her collegiate training."
Education is still the solution to many problems of freedom. It improves your chances of a career, of independence and not having to rely on a man as the breadwinner. To balance things out, here are some "tips for husbands, written by the author of "don'ts for wives", Blanche Ebbutt:
Tips for husbands
Don't be surprised, or annoyed, or disappointed, to find, after treating your wife for years as a featherbrain, that you have made her one, and that she fails to rise to the occasion when you need her help
Don't give up cricket, or football ... or whatever outdoor sport you have been accustomed to just because you are married. Athletics will keep you from becoming flabby.
Don't argue that a new hat isn't necessary because there is nothing visibly wrong with the one she is wearing. You probably have forgotten that this is its third season, but she hasn't
Don’t sulk when things go wrong. If you can’t help being vexed, say so, and get it over.
Don’t say she needn’t stay up for you. You know she can’t sleep until you are safe at home.
Don’t hesitate to mention when you think your wife looks especially nice. Your thinking so can give her no pleasure unless you tell your thought.
Don’t forget to trust your wife in everything – in money matters; in her relations with other men . . . Trust her to the utmost and you will rarely find your trust misplaced.
Don’t call your wife a coward because she is afraid of a spider. Probably in real danger she would be quite as brave as you.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
A to Z - stolen from Gina
A- Available or Single? – Married
B- Best Friends? – Alex
C- Cake or Pie? – Cake
D- Drink of Choice? – Kenyan Tea
E- Essential item? – Mascara.
F - Favourite Colour? - Pink or Red
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? – Gummi Bears
H- Hometown? – Leigh-On-Sea.
I- Indulgence? – Chocolate fudge cake, glass of milk and a massage
J- January or February? – February
K- Kids and Names? – No children
L- Life is incomplete without? – Alex
M- Marriage Date? – 25th September
N- Number of Siblings? – One younger sister
O- Oranges or Apples? – oranges
P- Phobias/Fears? – Spiders!
Q- Favourite Quote? – "feminism is the radical notion that women are people"
R- Reasons to smile? – Alex
S- Season? – Autumn
T- Tag 3 People? – No, but copy if you wish
U- Unknown Fact About Me? – I have a 2 inch scar on my left leg from jumping on a radiator when I was 5. I had 6 stitches.
V- Vegetable You Hate? – Beetroot, it turns my stomach!
W- Worst Habit? – Pulling my hair out.
X- X-rays You've Had? – Teeth, spine.
Y- Your Favourite Foods? – Chocolate, anything with balsamic vinegar, strong cheeses
Z- Zodiac? – Scorpio
B- Best Friends? – Alex
C- Cake or Pie? – Cake
D- Drink of Choice? – Kenyan Tea
E- Essential item? – Mascara.
F - Favourite Colour? - Pink or Red
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? – Gummi Bears
H- Hometown? – Leigh-On-Sea.
I- Indulgence? – Chocolate fudge cake, glass of milk and a massage
J- January or February? – February
K- Kids and Names? – No children
L- Life is incomplete without? – Alex
M- Marriage Date? – 25th September
N- Number of Siblings? – One younger sister
O- Oranges or Apples? – oranges
P- Phobias/Fears? – Spiders!
Q- Favourite Quote? – "feminism is the radical notion that women are people"
R- Reasons to smile? – Alex
S- Season? – Autumn
T- Tag 3 People? – No, but copy if you wish
U- Unknown Fact About Me? – I have a 2 inch scar on my left leg from jumping on a radiator when I was 5. I had 6 stitches.
V- Vegetable You Hate? – Beetroot, it turns my stomach!
W- Worst Habit? – Pulling my hair out.
X- X-rays You've Had? – Teeth, spine.
Y- Your Favourite Foods? – Chocolate, anything with balsamic vinegar, strong cheeses
Z- Zodiac? – Scorpio
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sexism and Society
In Kent a local councillor has had to resign after printing some extremist opinions on his blog. I know a lot about this story - mainly because Alex has been covering it at work (he is a journalist). The man in question wrote on his blog that serial single parents on benefits should be considered for compulsory sterilization. He later said that he had pasted the quotes from another blog and that they weren't his own. Quite clearly this is untrue and irrelevant anyway. You must take responsibility for your own blog - especially in a position of power. I am careful not to write about certain issues involving my work, even though it would be hard to identify me personally.
But aside from that, many people have spoken up in support of his views. "Sterilize the scroungers!" "I'm fed up paying for these layabouts"! We often squirm in discomfort when we see a family with 6 children on tv and no member of the family has ever had a job. There are some people who are lazy and have no intention of ever working. But how would compulsory sterilization even work? Would we take people in handcuffs down to the clinic and then tie them to a bed? What if someone "reformed" their life and then got a job. Sterilization is pretty final - especially for a woman. There would be no more children. It also asks even bigger questions about whether people with money can look down on the poor members of society and force them not to have children. I do not like that elitist position. Who next - the disabled? Prostitutes? Beggars? In fact why not just exterminate them completely as they are so useless in society?
Needless to say, much of the debate is about single mothers - not serial fathers. It's always the woman who is to blame - look at Shannon Matthews, her mother had "seven children by five fathers". What a slag! How outrageous! While we might not agree with her lifestyle, she is probably doing her best to bring up her children - albeit on benefits - when the fathers get away scot-free. A single mother is often single because the fathers have buggered off and left them in the lurch. It is the same kind of sexism directed towards Ulrika Jonsson. She is pregnant for the fourth time, but a fourth different man. In the press she has been criticised and labelled a 4x4 mother, a loose woman who can't control herself. What about Rod Stewart - he has at least 7 children by 4 woman. And Mick Jagger too. But they are studs, spreading their seed, so it's okay.
Similarly, the venom directed at Heather Mills last week over her divorce. Yes she is a bit of a loony, yes she is greedy and yes she is a fantasist. But all of this talk of her being a "porn star" - she can never ever live down the fact that she once appeared in a low budget film. But why is that more horrifying than the massive number of men who watch porn? So what if she married Paul for his money? Maybe he married her for her youthful looks - which is worse? The mother of Scarlett Keeling - murdered in Goa has been subject to scrutiny because of her "alternative lifestyle". No mention of the father of course, the mother is to blame for abandoning her daughter. Kate McCann was criticised for looking "not upset enough". We women can't win!
Last week I listened to a debate about maternity leave and could not believe the attitudes of employers who would not hire women of child bearing age. Women are criticised as "unwomanly" for not having children, yet can't have a career if they do. If you stay at home, you are lacking ambition and if you work you are selfish.
It all leaves me with a nasty feeling that we still live in a misogynistic society where women can never live up to the perfect image that they (we) are supposed to.
But aside from that, many people have spoken up in support of his views. "Sterilize the scroungers!" "I'm fed up paying for these layabouts"! We often squirm in discomfort when we see a family with 6 children on tv and no member of the family has ever had a job. There are some people who are lazy and have no intention of ever working. But how would compulsory sterilization even work? Would we take people in handcuffs down to the clinic and then tie them to a bed? What if someone "reformed" their life and then got a job. Sterilization is pretty final - especially for a woman. There would be no more children. It also asks even bigger questions about whether people with money can look down on the poor members of society and force them not to have children. I do not like that elitist position. Who next - the disabled? Prostitutes? Beggars? In fact why not just exterminate them completely as they are so useless in society?
Needless to say, much of the debate is about single mothers - not serial fathers. It's always the woman who is to blame - look at Shannon Matthews, her mother had "seven children by five fathers". What a slag! How outrageous! While we might not agree with her lifestyle, she is probably doing her best to bring up her children - albeit on benefits - when the fathers get away scot-free. A single mother is often single because the fathers have buggered off and left them in the lurch. It is the same kind of sexism directed towards Ulrika Jonsson. She is pregnant for the fourth time, but a fourth different man. In the press she has been criticised and labelled a 4x4 mother, a loose woman who can't control herself. What about Rod Stewart - he has at least 7 children by 4 woman. And Mick Jagger too. But they are studs, spreading their seed, so it's okay.
Similarly, the venom directed at Heather Mills last week over her divorce. Yes she is a bit of a loony, yes she is greedy and yes she is a fantasist. But all of this talk of her being a "porn star" - she can never ever live down the fact that she once appeared in a low budget film. But why is that more horrifying than the massive number of men who watch porn? So what if she married Paul for his money? Maybe he married her for her youthful looks - which is worse? The mother of Scarlett Keeling - murdered in Goa has been subject to scrutiny because of her "alternative lifestyle". No mention of the father of course, the mother is to blame for abandoning her daughter. Kate McCann was criticised for looking "not upset enough". We women can't win!
Last week I listened to a debate about maternity leave and could not believe the attitudes of employers who would not hire women of child bearing age. Women are criticised as "unwomanly" for not having children, yet can't have a career if they do. If you stay at home, you are lacking ambition and if you work you are selfish.
It all leaves me with a nasty feeling that we still live in a misogynistic society where women can never live up to the perfect image that they (we) are supposed to.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Days off
I've had a nice few days with Alex. I feel guilty for not working, but the time off has done me good.
We went down to Tunbridge Wells as we are looking to move there at the end of the Summer, for Alex's work. It's so pleasant down there, friendly people, nice parks etc. I think we'll be happy there. We have also spent some time shopping as one of my closest friends is getting married in June. I need an outfit and of course can't find a thing. Like most women, I am 2 different dress sizes- 8/10 on the top and 10/12 on the bottom. This makes dresses a bit tricky and I must avoid anything non-fitted and floaty as I end up looking like I'm wearing a tent. I found this lovely dress in French Connection. Tried the 12 on and it was massive. Then tried the 10 on and it was too tight! Damn these dresses. So I showed Alex and the nosey shop assistant stepped in. The conversation went like this:
Her: What's the problem?
Me: Well the 10 is too tight and the 12 is huge on me. (showed her)
Her: Well I'd get the 10, when is the wedding?
Me: June
Her: You've got time
Me: Time for what?
Her: Too lose the weight
Me: Oh, right thanks
Her: Well I would if I were you
Me: Thanks
Then I put both back and left. I don't think I particularly need to lose weight, although I would have been happier if the 10 had fitted. But what can you do? Buy a dress that is too small and try to lose weight?
The dilemmas!
We went down to Tunbridge Wells as we are looking to move there at the end of the Summer, for Alex's work. It's so pleasant down there, friendly people, nice parks etc. I think we'll be happy there. We have also spent some time shopping as one of my closest friends is getting married in June. I need an outfit and of course can't find a thing. Like most women, I am 2 different dress sizes- 8/10 on the top and 10/12 on the bottom. This makes dresses a bit tricky and I must avoid anything non-fitted and floaty as I end up looking like I'm wearing a tent. I found this lovely dress in French Connection. Tried the 12 on and it was massive. Then tried the 10 on and it was too tight! Damn these dresses. So I showed Alex and the nosey shop assistant stepped in. The conversation went like this:
Her: What's the problem?
Me: Well the 10 is too tight and the 12 is huge on me. (showed her)
Her: Well I'd get the 10, when is the wedding?
Me: June
Her: You've got time
Me: Time for what?
Her: Too lose the weight
Me: Oh, right thanks
Her: Well I would if I were you
Me: Thanks
Then I put both back and left. I don't think I particularly need to lose weight, although I would have been happier if the 10 had fitted. But what can you do? Buy a dress that is too small and try to lose weight?
The dilemmas!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Whinging Moan
I woke this morning to the sound of an irritating buzzing noise. It was like a swarm of mosquito's had descended on me. Yes, my radio was on and playing out Formula 1. I detest and loathe car racing although my Dad loves it. I guess it is like Marmite. There is no in between.
We had a nice Indian takeaway at Alex's folks house last night. It was a great evening and good to get out of this shoebox. I am so fed up working here, it's really disheartening. I had taped "I'd do anything" on BBC1, I love those audition shows and unlike on ITV they don't draw out the auditions for weeks and months. I was disappointed that my favourites were all knocked out. I also noticed that most of the "Oliver's" were from boarding schools and had posh backgrounds. For some reason I find that really irritating and I am not quite sure why. I wouldn't put my child up to public ridicule and rejection on TV. How many children really know what they are getting themselves into?
It has stopped snowing outside now, although it was coming down quite hard earlier. When I was younger I used to love snow - playing in it and the normal time off of school. But now it's an inconvenience. Plus the local feral children delight in throwing snowballs with stones in at your car which is always fun.
Since I wrote this I have discovered that my most favourite film ever is on Five and I've been watching for the last half hour. It's "The Slipper and the Rose" and I just love it - the songs, the frocks and of course Richard Chamberlain. When I found out he was gay I was devastated (why? - he's, like 75 now!) It's such a great, camp film and my top of all time.
We had a nice Indian takeaway at Alex's folks house last night. It was a great evening and good to get out of this shoebox. I am so fed up working here, it's really disheartening. I had taped "I'd do anything" on BBC1, I love those audition shows and unlike on ITV they don't draw out the auditions for weeks and months. I was disappointed that my favourites were all knocked out. I also noticed that most of the "Oliver's" were from boarding schools and had posh backgrounds. For some reason I find that really irritating and I am not quite sure why. I wouldn't put my child up to public ridicule and rejection on TV. How many children really know what they are getting themselves into?
It has stopped snowing outside now, although it was coming down quite hard earlier. When I was younger I used to love snow - playing in it and the normal time off of school. But now it's an inconvenience. Plus the local feral children delight in throwing snowballs with stones in at your car which is always fun.
Since I wrote this I have discovered that my most favourite film ever is on Five and I've been watching for the last half hour. It's "The Slipper and the Rose" and I just love it - the songs, the frocks and of course Richard Chamberlain. When I found out he was gay I was devastated (why? - he's, like 75 now!) It's such a great, camp film and my top of all time.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Cold fish
So my friend died. I was okay at first, but yesterday was chatting with another friend about him and burst into tears. I just can't believe that such a brilliant mind (and he really was an amazing intellect) has just been switched off.
I am working to a really tight deadline as my supervisor wants a draft of my work by the 31st. I need to take a few days off to gather my thoughts and just "be" for a little. So I emailed him and explained the situation and that I needed another week. He replied with no sympathy, no "sorry to hear the news" or anything and just asked when I would get it to him as he needed to re-schedule his work. I found that really cold and now I feel under pressure again.
I am working to a really tight deadline as my supervisor wants a draft of my work by the 31st. I need to take a few days off to gather my thoughts and just "be" for a little. So I emailed him and explained the situation and that I needed another week. He replied with no sympathy, no "sorry to hear the news" or anything and just asked when I would get it to him as he needed to re-schedule his work. I found that really cold and now I feel under pressure again.
Monday, March 17, 2008
And so it begins again
Last Summer we had a hellish time because the woman in the flat downstairs got a new, dodgy boyfriend. Both in their 50's (not that that is relevant) they embarked on a summer of drunken parties and shouting. It was an absolute nightmare, I can't even begin to tell you. We tried the polite approach at first but she was totally unresponsive. Not rude or aggressive, just "oh, yes I did have a party". So we (I) moaned and whinged and didn't do anything about it. Then the degenerate boyfriend went - probably to prison and peace was restored. We did not hear a peep from September .....until now.
Yes last Monday night a party began again. A new loser boyfriend, presumably an alcoholic like her. We stayed at my mums to get a good nights sleep. Maybe, please God it was a one off. Until last night. 11.30pm and the music started, accompanied by the "singing" and drunken shouting. So at 1am I cracked and rang the emergency "noise nuisance" number at the council. I was so angry. They sent a guy out who at 1.30 knocked on the door and presumably told them to keep the noise down. Then he left and there was an hour of drunken shouting, obviously they were annoyed at having their fun spoiled. They don't know it was us but it wouldn't take a genius.
Alex thinks I overreacted - he could sleep through a nuclear bomb. But I just couldn't face the misery of the summer and wanted to take "action" early. What should we do? There seem only a few options:
1) The polite approach (been there, done that)
2) The angry threatening approach (but we are law abiding citizens)
3) Do nothing and just moan at home (But why should they get away with it?)
4) Pursue the legal route (although because they own their home, this won't achieve much either).
Alex worries about repurcussions after last night as they were very angered by it. But I am left feeling very fed up as in the end, people can do what they want and there is nothing you can really do.
Yes last Monday night a party began again. A new loser boyfriend, presumably an alcoholic like her. We stayed at my mums to get a good nights sleep. Maybe, please God it was a one off. Until last night. 11.30pm and the music started, accompanied by the "singing" and drunken shouting. So at 1am I cracked and rang the emergency "noise nuisance" number at the council. I was so angry. They sent a guy out who at 1.30 knocked on the door and presumably told them to keep the noise down. Then he left and there was an hour of drunken shouting, obviously they were annoyed at having their fun spoiled. They don't know it was us but it wouldn't take a genius.
Alex thinks I overreacted - he could sleep through a nuclear bomb. But I just couldn't face the misery of the summer and wanted to take "action" early. What should we do? There seem only a few options:
1) The polite approach (been there, done that)
2) The angry threatening approach (but we are law abiding citizens)
3) Do nothing and just moan at home (But why should they get away with it?)
4) Pursue the legal route (although because they own their home, this won't achieve much either).
Alex worries about repurcussions after last night as they were very angered by it. But I am left feeling very fed up as in the end, people can do what they want and there is nothing you can really do.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Death
I haven't blogged this week as I have been going through a rollercoaster of emotions.
Last weekend we went out with the Bopper and got talking about death. Not sure why it cropped up, but we got onto the subject of funerals. Why does everyone want to plan their own funeral? You won't be alive for it. Yet I know that I would want to be buried rather than cremated. I would also want 2 songs played - Don't Stop me Now by Queen (tacky, I know) and This Woman's Work by Kate Bush. Apart from that I am unfussy. I don't fear death at all but I do fear something happening to Alex. That thought keeps me awake at night and terrifies me.
What has really affected me this week is that my friend Ian from Uni had a brain aneurysm last week and I have found out that he will never recover. His life support has been turned off and it will take a few days before he will likely pass away. I feel so angry about it all, but don't know why. I really do feel pissed off about it, I guess it's the injustice of it. He wasn't doing a PhD for career reasons but because he genuinely wanted to effect change in society. He is a great guy and I am feeling so awful about it all. They thought that once the oxygen was turned off that death would follow quite quickly, but he is fighting it. There is some comfort in that.
A new list of songs has been added on the left. This one is for Ian, who actually gave a damn....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zpTQCQEFhg
Last weekend we went out with the Bopper and got talking about death. Not sure why it cropped up, but we got onto the subject of funerals. Why does everyone want to plan their own funeral? You won't be alive for it. Yet I know that I would want to be buried rather than cremated. I would also want 2 songs played - Don't Stop me Now by Queen (tacky, I know) and This Woman's Work by Kate Bush. Apart from that I am unfussy. I don't fear death at all but I do fear something happening to Alex. That thought keeps me awake at night and terrifies me.
What has really affected me this week is that my friend Ian from Uni had a brain aneurysm last week and I have found out that he will never recover. His life support has been turned off and it will take a few days before he will likely pass away. I feel so angry about it all, but don't know why. I really do feel pissed off about it, I guess it's the injustice of it. He wasn't doing a PhD for career reasons but because he genuinely wanted to effect change in society. He is a great guy and I am feeling so awful about it all. They thought that once the oxygen was turned off that death would follow quite quickly, but he is fighting it. There is some comfort in that.
A new list of songs has been added on the left. This one is for Ian, who actually gave a damn....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zpTQCQEFhg
Saturday, March 8, 2008
What's in a name?
I was listening the the radio yesterday as usual and there was a caller on air called "Africa". I thought, what an amazing name! It got me thinking about names.
I have always liked my name - Hannah. It's a palindrome which makes me feel special and it's not so common that you hear it all the time. It also can't be shortened and I like that too! I saw an article with Neil Ruddock who said that his daughter was called Pebbles and I thought what an odd name. But what constitutes a normal name? Who decided that John, Robert and Clive were normal names and Pebbles, Friday and Africa were abnormal? I think a name is important as it defines a character. You always have to think about the child going through life. Will they be taken seriously as Pebbles? Or will they just be seen as a glamour model!? Some names will probably never come back in fashion - such as Carol (my mums name) and Deirdre. But then Alfie, Albert and George are en vogue again now so who knows?
My personal choice for children's names would be Max, Bayley and Matilda. They are our future 3 children! Original, interesting and not embarrasing!
I have always liked my name - Hannah. It's a palindrome which makes me feel special and it's not so common that you hear it all the time. It also can't be shortened and I like that too! I saw an article with Neil Ruddock who said that his daughter was called Pebbles and I thought what an odd name. But what constitutes a normal name? Who decided that John, Robert and Clive were normal names and Pebbles, Friday and Africa were abnormal? I think a name is important as it defines a character. You always have to think about the child going through life. Will they be taken seriously as Pebbles? Or will they just be seen as a glamour model!? Some names will probably never come back in fashion - such as Carol (my mums name) and Deirdre. But then Alfie, Albert and George are en vogue again now so who knows?
My personal choice for children's names would be Max, Bayley and Matilda. They are our future 3 children! Original, interesting and not embarrasing!
Friday, March 7, 2008
I hate
My likes and dislikes:
-I love banana yoghurt, but you can't get a smooth version anywhere. I have to buy crunch corners with the choc flakes, but I'd rather not. I hate banana's though and anything else banana flavoured.
-I love strawberries but hate strawberry icecream or milkshake.
-I like homemade cookies, but not shop bought ones.
-I don't drink anything fizzy.
-I love the smell of a new book.
-I start reading about 3 books a month, but never finish them. If i'm not gripped by page 3 then they don't get read! I have no persistance.
-I waste so much time on the internet and then moan that I can't write the PhD.
-I don't like dogs (sorry)
-I don't have an i-pod nor any desire to get one
-I will wear cheap necklaces and earrings but not rings
-I still can't believe that my lost wedding ring never turned up
-I love banana yoghurt, but you can't get a smooth version anywhere. I have to buy crunch corners with the choc flakes, but I'd rather not. I hate banana's though and anything else banana flavoured.
-I love strawberries but hate strawberry icecream or milkshake.
-I like homemade cookies, but not shop bought ones.
-I don't drink anything fizzy.
-I love the smell of a new book.
-I start reading about 3 books a month, but never finish them. If i'm not gripped by page 3 then they don't get read! I have no persistance.
-I waste so much time on the internet and then moan that I can't write the PhD.
-I don't like dogs (sorry)
-I don't have an i-pod nor any desire to get one
-I will wear cheap necklaces and earrings but not rings
-I still can't believe that my lost wedding ring never turned up
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Awful
I've just done something really stupid.
On Jeremy Vine they were discussing the Marine in Iraq who was filmed throwing a puppy off of a cliff. I just watched the video and am very upset about it.
I honestly despair of the depravity of some of our troops in Iraq. I know they see barbarism around them, but surely we are better than that? We've all seen them abusing Iraqi prisoners and read about the accusations of rape and violence. Anyone found acting like this should be sent home and banned from working in the Army or the Marines. Why do videos of animals being hurt always upset me more than watching human beings in misery?
On Jeremy Vine they were discussing the Marine in Iraq who was filmed throwing a puppy off of a cliff. I just watched the video and am very upset about it.
I honestly despair of the depravity of some of our troops in Iraq. I know they see barbarism around them, but surely we are better than that? We've all seen them abusing Iraqi prisoners and read about the accusations of rape and violence. Anyone found acting like this should be sent home and banned from working in the Army or the Marines. Why do videos of animals being hurt always upset me more than watching human beings in misery?
Monday, March 3, 2008
Doggy clothing
what is it with dogs and clothes? There seem to be so many pet owners who think it cute to dress their dogs - some in coats, hats, socks and scarves. It's bizarre and cruel I think.
All animals have perfectly adequate coats of their own and are not supposed to be fashion accessories. It's like when people carry dogs in designer bags, it's not fair on the dog!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Mother's Day
So today is Mother's Day.
Of course I am lucky because I have a lovely and unselfish mum. I always wonder why people go on about how motherhood is the "hardest job" and that mothers are wonderful and unselfish people who put their children first. Is that what being a mother is about, making yourself second class? I don't think that's a good example to set for your children. Motherhood is de-valued and I'll admit that I am as guilty as others of thinking this. When people say they have given up their career to look after the children I judge and pity them. I think, poor you, chained to the house. Why do I think that? I guess because it's not something that I would choose to do and I'm trying to justify my opinion.
Women are far worse than men at judging each other. I've seen stay at home mums or "full time" mothers (like there is such a thing as part time?!) slag off working mothers, saying they are selfish and putting their careers first. I see working mothers seeing housewives as pathetic individuals who have given up their ambition. Why are we always so divided?
Of course not all women should be mothers at all. Alex has been cursed with some really awful mother figures (not his current one) and it just goes to show that being a mother does not suddenly change your character and make you loving and unselfish.
But like I said, I am lucky!
Of course I am lucky because I have a lovely and unselfish mum. I always wonder why people go on about how motherhood is the "hardest job" and that mothers are wonderful and unselfish people who put their children first. Is that what being a mother is about, making yourself second class? I don't think that's a good example to set for your children. Motherhood is de-valued and I'll admit that I am as guilty as others of thinking this. When people say they have given up their career to look after the children I judge and pity them. I think, poor you, chained to the house. Why do I think that? I guess because it's not something that I would choose to do and I'm trying to justify my opinion.
Women are far worse than men at judging each other. I've seen stay at home mums or "full time" mothers (like there is such a thing as part time?!) slag off working mothers, saying they are selfish and putting their careers first. I see working mothers seeing housewives as pathetic individuals who have given up their ambition. Why are we always so divided?
Of course not all women should be mothers at all. Alex has been cursed with some really awful mother figures (not his current one) and it just goes to show that being a mother does not suddenly change your character and make you loving and unselfish.
But like I said, I am lucky!
Friday, February 29, 2008
My passion
In America yet another gay teenager has been murdered because of his sexuality. A teenage shot Lawrence King after he had asked him to be his Valentine.
At the same time in the UK, the Daily Mail (who else) are outraged about a foster couple who are not allowed to look after a child because of their homophobic beliefs. The couple said:
"I couldn't do that because my Christian beliefs won't let me. Morally I couldn't do that, spiritually I couldn'tdo that. I cannot understand why sexuality is an issue when we are talking about boys and girls under the age of ten."
So many issues here. Firstly, ardent Christians forcing their opinions on young vulnerable children. But more importantly, intolerance of sexuality is what breeds hate. Telling a child that you do not condone homosexuality perpetuates prejudice and leads to the idea that being gay is wrong. That then leads to murder and abuse of gay people. It is an obvious and logial end point. Sadly we can't control who can have children naturally. There are many homophobic, bigoted and racist people who because they are fertile can breed their own mini bigots. But where you have vulnerable foster children, it is our duty as a society to ensure that they are not placed with families who will fill their heads with prejudice and intolerance.
The irony is that the couple are black. Imagine if they were white and saying that they "didn't condone black people".
This is an issue that I am passionate about.
At the same time in the UK, the Daily Mail (who else) are outraged about a foster couple who are not allowed to look after a child because of their homophobic beliefs. The couple said:
"I couldn't do that because my Christian beliefs won't let me. Morally I couldn't do that, spiritually I couldn'tdo that. I cannot understand why sexuality is an issue when we are talking about boys and girls under the age of ten."
So many issues here. Firstly, ardent Christians forcing their opinions on young vulnerable children. But more importantly, intolerance of sexuality is what breeds hate. Telling a child that you do not condone homosexuality perpetuates prejudice and leads to the idea that being gay is wrong. That then leads to murder and abuse of gay people. It is an obvious and logial end point. Sadly we can't control who can have children naturally. There are many homophobic, bigoted and racist people who because they are fertile can breed their own mini bigots. But where you have vulnerable foster children, it is our duty as a society to ensure that they are not placed with families who will fill their heads with prejudice and intolerance.
The irony is that the couple are black. Imagine if they were white and saying that they "didn't condone black people".
This is an issue that I am passionate about.
Snoring....
Snoring Boring News...
1) Prince Harry. 11 pages in the paper today - leave him alone! Trust some pathetic American website to reveal it
2) The earthquake. A few plates fell of a shelf and a tile came off somebody's roof. Who gives a shit?
3) Today women can propose to men. Get over yourself. Alex never officially proposed to me, we just decided to get married. It's not less romantic, I just hate all that men being the ones who are supposed to propose crap.
1) Prince Harry. 11 pages in the paper today - leave him alone! Trust some pathetic American website to reveal it
2) The earthquake. A few plates fell of a shelf and a tile came off somebody's roof. Who gives a shit?
3) Today women can propose to men. Get over yourself. Alex never officially proposed to me, we just decided to get married. It's not less romantic, I just hate all that men being the ones who are supposed to propose crap.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Sun says
I used to love watching the Oscars. Sadly it's only on Sky One now and so I couldn't.
What I find odd is that way that the news over here goes on about how many British winners there are. I couldn't give a damn, for me it's about films that I've enjoyed. As "we" didn't do that well this year, the news starts talking about "European success". I don't get it.
I also don't get the new poll in the Sun. 99% of their readers want the death penalty returned. Well that's it then. If the Sun readers want it, then hang 'em high I say?!
What I find odd is that way that the news over here goes on about how many British winners there are. I couldn't give a damn, for me it's about films that I've enjoyed. As "we" didn't do that well this year, the news starts talking about "European success". I don't get it.
I also don't get the new poll in the Sun. 99% of their readers want the death penalty returned. Well that's it then. If the Sun readers want it, then hang 'em high I say?!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Muffins and moans
I see poor Paul Gascoigne has been sectioned. I say "poor" because it's always sad when that happens to someone. But it's even worse when Richard Madeley promised to go and visit him. As if the poor guy didn't have enough problems!
I am baking muffins in the kitchen. Walnut ones and blueberry ones. I find baking very cathartic and a nice way to reward a semi-productive work day. I'm working to a tight timetable and having met my deadline today I am relaxing. Unfortunately I have a stinking cold and it's hung on all week. This winter I seem to have gone from one ailment to another! I guess the germs know that I'm run down.
Alex has been promoted and is working his usual long hours. I guess he'll never change, it's just that I have to put up with sitting alone and waiting. That's okay while I'm at home (just) but when I'm working further afield I won't appreciate coming home late and having to cook dinner.
I am baking muffins in the kitchen. Walnut ones and blueberry ones. I find baking very cathartic and a nice way to reward a semi-productive work day. I'm working to a tight timetable and having met my deadline today I am relaxing. Unfortunately I have a stinking cold and it's hung on all week. This winter I seem to have gone from one ailment to another! I guess the germs know that I'm run down.
Alex has been promoted and is working his usual long hours. I guess he'll never change, it's just that I have to put up with sitting alone and waiting. That's okay while I'm at home (just) but when I'm working further afield I won't appreciate coming home late and having to cook dinner.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
What an arse
Richard Madeley is such an arse. I try to avoid R & J on channel 4 because his ego has grown to the size of a large planet. Probably Uranus.
I watched it yesterday and he had this item about a Russian woman who has written a book about Britain. It's tongue in cheek and talks about British men scratching their bums in public and drunken teenagers throwing up in town centres. He obviously invited her on there to deliberately have a go at her and it was sad and pathetic. Just like him. Poor Judy, who rarely gets a chance to shine without him telling some crappy story about himself and his fascinating life. He talks over her and at times is downright rude.
I saw the preview for tonight's show and it's another one to avoid. Ricky Gervais - his favourite person ever - is on there for mutual ego worship and fawning. And their talentless daughter. Pur- lease
I watched it yesterday and he had this item about a Russian woman who has written a book about Britain. It's tongue in cheek and talks about British men scratching their bums in public and drunken teenagers throwing up in town centres. He obviously invited her on there to deliberately have a go at her and it was sad and pathetic. Just like him. Poor Judy, who rarely gets a chance to shine without him telling some crappy story about himself and his fascinating life. He talks over her and at times is downright rude.
I saw the preview for tonight's show and it's another one to avoid. Ricky Gervais - his favourite person ever - is on there for mutual ego worship and fawning. And their talentless daughter. Pur- lease
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
These are Alex's - what an angry man!
| Greed: | High | |
| Gluttony: | Low | |
| Wrath: | High | |
| Sloth: | Low | |
| Envy: | Low | |
| Lust: | Low | |
| Pride: | Low |
Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz
Thanks Gina...
| Greed: | Medium | |
| Gluttony: | Medium | |
| Wrath: | Medium | |
| Sloth: | Medium | |
| Envy: | Very Low | |
| Lust: | Low | |
| Pride: | Low |
Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The deal breaker
After reading Gina's blog about Posh and Becks renewing their wedding vows, it got me thinking about forgiveness. Becks committed adultery - he has never sued the papers about Rebecca Loos, which is very telling from such a litigious couple (who sued about much more trivial inaccuracies). It also appears that Ashley Cole has cheated on his wife Cheryl. Both wives appear to have forgiven their husbands, or at the least carried on with the marriage. It made me think - what acts in a marriage are so bad that take it passed the point of no return?
Many marriages are terrible, with spouses abusing each other and being inconsiderate and hurtful. Yet we still see infidelity as THE worst thing in a marriage. For most people, it's the deal breaker. Yet many will put up with years of cruelty and neglect rather than divorce.
For me though, it's about a circle of trust. The bond you have with your husband or wife is a unique one. Alex and I share everything and we often refer to ourselves as a "team". For that bond to be broken would be horrific. But in truth, if I found out Alex had cheated I wouldn't dump him. That takes a lot to admit and goes against my feminist principles. It wouldn't just erase my love for him. The marriage would still end though because I would be untrusting and would be constantly making him pay for it. I hope that if temptation comes our way we are adult enough to talk it over, rather than just leap into the arms of another. Having said all that, I genuinely can't envisage it ever happening. I'm a lucky girl and I know it!
Many marriages are terrible, with spouses abusing each other and being inconsiderate and hurtful. Yet we still see infidelity as THE worst thing in a marriage. For most people, it's the deal breaker. Yet many will put up with years of cruelty and neglect rather than divorce.
For me though, it's about a circle of trust. The bond you have with your husband or wife is a unique one. Alex and I share everything and we often refer to ourselves as a "team". For that bond to be broken would be horrific. But in truth, if I found out Alex had cheated I wouldn't dump him. That takes a lot to admit and goes against my feminist principles. It wouldn't just erase my love for him. The marriage would still end though because I would be untrusting and would be constantly making him pay for it. I hope that if temptation comes our way we are adult enough to talk it over, rather than just leap into the arms of another. Having said all that, I genuinely can't envisage it ever happening. I'm a lucky girl and I know it!
Creature of habit
I have a weekend morning ritual.
Alex works on Sat and Sun, so I normally wake up at 7 and get up at 8. I shower, have breakfast and watch TV whilst doing my make up. I then go and get the morning papers at about 9.30. I get the Mail and the Guardian/Observer - I like my ying and yang. I come back and peruse the papers (horoscopes first) whilst having a coffee.
Then at 11 I settle down to work on my laptop. I do this while listening to "Life" on DAB. I wait for Alex to return.
Now I'm sure you found that REALLY interesting didn't you!? I am more of a creature of habit than I like to think!
Alex works on Sat and Sun, so I normally wake up at 7 and get up at 8. I shower, have breakfast and watch TV whilst doing my make up. I then go and get the morning papers at about 9.30. I get the Mail and the Guardian/Observer - I like my ying and yang. I come back and peruse the papers (horoscopes first) whilst having a coffee.
Then at 11 I settle down to work on my laptop. I do this while listening to "Life" on DAB. I wait for Alex to return.
Now I'm sure you found that REALLY interesting didn't you!? I am more of a creature of habit than I like to think!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
New with me
What's new with me?
1)I am most distraught that I didn't get a jar of the new champagne marmite for Valentine's Day. Very disappointing!
2)I just hit my head on the corner of a kitchen cabinet. "hit" isn't the right word - I bloody whacked it and now have another bump on my head!
3) The PhD continues to cause me anxiety and distress. I want to get out of it but can't. I have been informed that only 3% of the population have a PhD. Trouble is, I should be in the other 97
4) Alex and I are trying to cut down on the cakes. We have developed a habit of munching on sweet things recently!
5) I am writing this to avoid work
6) I am concerned that Alex's work colleagues want to meet me. I am sure that I'll disappoint them - they must think I'm a horrible cow as Alex seems to spend so much time at work, away from me!
7) I am 29 this year and despite previous blogs to the contrary, I find that a scary age. Is it weird to fear getting nearer to 30? I guess I thought I'd have a proper career by now.
8) Going to the cinema tonight. As we are old fogeys we go to the 6pm showing. Who can stay awake after 10pm?!
9) I have been reading about Republican candidate Mick Huckabee and feel glad to be living in britain. He is "protects the right to life" - but only for unborn foetuses. Raped women who are unfortunate enough to get pregnant can get stuffed as far as he's concerned. He wants to teach creationism as science and to ban same-sex relationships. He says his religion makes him "more humble and less judgmental". You could have fooled me! A candidate like him in the UK would be mocked - and rightly so.
1)I am most distraught that I didn't get a jar of the new champagne marmite for Valentine's Day. Very disappointing!
2)I just hit my head on the corner of a kitchen cabinet. "hit" isn't the right word - I bloody whacked it and now have another bump on my head!
3) The PhD continues to cause me anxiety and distress. I want to get out of it but can't. I have been informed that only 3% of the population have a PhD. Trouble is, I should be in the other 97
4) Alex and I are trying to cut down on the cakes. We have developed a habit of munching on sweet things recently!
5) I am writing this to avoid work
6) I am concerned that Alex's work colleagues want to meet me. I am sure that I'll disappoint them - they must think I'm a horrible cow as Alex seems to spend so much time at work, away from me!
7) I am 29 this year and despite previous blogs to the contrary, I find that a scary age. Is it weird to fear getting nearer to 30? I guess I thought I'd have a proper career by now.
8) Going to the cinema tonight. As we are old fogeys we go to the 6pm showing. Who can stay awake after 10pm?!
9) I have been reading about Republican candidate Mick Huckabee and feel glad to be living in britain. He is "protects the right to life" - but only for unborn foetuses. Raped women who are unfortunate enough to get pregnant can get stuffed as far as he's concerned. He wants to teach creationism as science and to ban same-sex relationships. He says his religion makes him "more humble and less judgmental". You could have fooled me! A candidate like him in the UK would be mocked - and rightly so.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Age
I always laugh when celebrities lie about their age. Take Caprice. She claims to be 36, but is quite clearly older - she's been that age for about 5 years! If I was famous I'd rather pretend to be older, then people would say "Wow, she looks great for 40!". When you subtract years, people just think "who is she trying to kid?" I guess that the problem is that we live in an age obsessed culture where women have to pretend to be younger to get ahead.
People often think I'm younger than I am. That's not boasting, I'm only 28 and think that's young enough. But when I was buying Alex's birthday card the shop assistant said "you look too young to be married!" When I look at our wedding certificate and see that I was only 24 when we did get married I think it seems so young.
People often think I'm younger than I am. That's not boasting, I'm only 28 and think that's young enough. But when I was buying Alex's birthday card the shop assistant said "you look too young to be married!" When I look at our wedding certificate and see that I was only 24 when we did get married I think it seems so young.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
My Valentine
It's Valentines day this week. While I hate the commercialism of it all, I always get Alex a card and present. We always have done so and it would be weird to break with tradition.
Our first Valentine together was in 1998. Ten years is a long time, but I still remember exactly what we did and where we went. Alex got me a huge card and wrote in it the wrong way - I thought he'd gone mad. When I read the message he had written "you have turned my world upside down". It's true and I wouldn't want the world the right way up if Alex wasn't in it! He also got me a massive tub of marmite, with a red bow on it and a red devil teddy in a leopard print bag. OTT, bright, colourful and original - his present summed him up perfectly. He took me to the Gold Coast restaurant on the seafront and we had an expensive dinner.
10 years later, I still adore him. How lucky am I!?
Our first Valentine together was in 1998. Ten years is a long time, but I still remember exactly what we did and where we went. Alex got me a huge card and wrote in it the wrong way - I thought he'd gone mad. When I read the message he had written "you have turned my world upside down". It's true and I wouldn't want the world the right way up if Alex wasn't in it! He also got me a massive tub of marmite, with a red bow on it and a red devil teddy in a leopard print bag. OTT, bright, colourful and original - his present summed him up perfectly. He took me to the Gold Coast restaurant on the seafront and we had an expensive dinner.
10 years later, I still adore him. How lucky am I!?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Go Hillary!
I have been watching some of the coverage of the American primary elections. It seems such a shame that the Democrats have 2 excellent candidates.
If I had to choose, it would be for Hillary. I thought about this the other day because I have noted the sexist attitude that she has faced. Commentators have talked about her being "pushy" (for that they mean, ambitious - God help any woman who is ambitious) and they suggest that she is riding on the coat tails of her husband. That's why she stood by him - for her career! It's amazing to think that in the year 2008, that women are still judged for their relationships and that she couldn't possibly have got there for her - shock horror- abilities. It wasn't Bill who used HER knowledge and skill to help his career. The fact that she stood by him after Lewinsky is seen as weakness rather than strength. When she was seen crying in a talk at a restaurant people said she was "playing the gender card"!
With Obama, no one would dare accuse him of character traits based on his race. They wouldn't say "he messed up there, must be cos he's black". So while I think he is an excellent candidate I'm afraid that Hillary is my choice. In the year 2008 it's a shame the world is still so divided and that women still occupy an inferior position.
If I had to choose, it would be for Hillary. I thought about this the other day because I have noted the sexist attitude that she has faced. Commentators have talked about her being "pushy" (for that they mean, ambitious - God help any woman who is ambitious) and they suggest that she is riding on the coat tails of her husband. That's why she stood by him - for her career! It's amazing to think that in the year 2008, that women are still judged for their relationships and that she couldn't possibly have got there for her - shock horror- abilities. It wasn't Bill who used HER knowledge and skill to help his career. The fact that she stood by him after Lewinsky is seen as weakness rather than strength. When she was seen crying in a talk at a restaurant people said she was "playing the gender card"!
With Obama, no one would dare accuse him of character traits based on his race. They wouldn't say "he messed up there, must be cos he's black". So while I think he is an excellent candidate I'm afraid that Hillary is my choice. In the year 2008 it's a shame the world is still so divided and that women still occupy an inferior position.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Apologies
At the moment I am being a snappy, moody cow. (no change there then!) I am taking out my frustrations on alex bless him. I moan about the mess in the flat, even though it's mostly mine. I whinge at him when he's sitting quietly and then when he talks too loudly. In short I am a nasty, miserable old toad.
The problem is that I'm not great at dealing with pressure. Well that's not quite true, I can deal with deadlines and stress but I can't deal with the insurmountable amount of work facing me. I am just not up to the job. Sometimes in life we have to learn that we just aren't good at certain things and should draw the positives from that. I am NOT an academic. I am a pretty decent researcher and can write a half good article, but I am just not intellectual enough to produce the goods. So what do I do now? All I can do is carry on the ground hog day that is my life. (Wake up, have tea, shower, type, read, type, read, type read...) One day this will be over and nothing in life will be the same again.Thank God!
Talking of God, the bloody Jehovah's witnesses have upped their game. Obviously sensing my acute depression and perilous state of mind they are now knocking on the door twice a week. Next time I'll answer and tell them to bugger off. They'll probably then start knocking three times!
The problem is that I'm not great at dealing with pressure. Well that's not quite true, I can deal with deadlines and stress but I can't deal with the insurmountable amount of work facing me. I am just not up to the job. Sometimes in life we have to learn that we just aren't good at certain things and should draw the positives from that. I am NOT an academic. I am a pretty decent researcher and can write a half good article, but I am just not intellectual enough to produce the goods. So what do I do now? All I can do is carry on the ground hog day that is my life. (Wake up, have tea, shower, type, read, type, read, type read...) One day this will be over and nothing in life will be the same again.Thank God!
Talking of God, the bloody Jehovah's witnesses have upped their game. Obviously sensing my acute depression and perilous state of mind they are now knocking on the door twice a week. Next time I'll answer and tell them to bugger off. They'll probably then start knocking three times!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Run away
I am such a disaster at the moment. Things are not going well at work and I'm struggling big time. Want to run away and hide and burn my thesis.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Odious Bastard
The odious bastard Shirley Phelps-Roper from the Westboro Baptist Church is going to picket the funeral of Heath Ledger. She is a vitriolic woman and is obsessed with gay sex and her inhumanity at this tragic event sums up her evil nature. But she was caught out in an interview on the radio in the states where the host brought up a subject she didn't want to talk about - her illegitimate children.
follow this link if you can face it.....
http://www.hot995.com/main.html
Kane Show On-Demand Crazy gay-hating woman...CAUTION!
follow this link if you can face it.....
http://www.hot995.com/main.html
Kane Show On-Demand Crazy gay-hating woman...CAUTION!
A foetus
There is a story in the papers today about a woman who was diagnosed with cancer when she was four months pregnant. She delayed treatment until the foetus could survive and died as a result. What a heartbreaking decision to have to make and no one would want to be in her shoes. Now her husband is bringing up 3 children without a mother.
This may be a little controversial. But what bothers me is the way that she is described as "selfless" and "courageous" because she put her baby's life before her own. It just perpetuates the anti-abortionist idea that a foetus is worth more than the mother. It reminds me of the Jehovah's witness who gave birth to twins and died because she refused a blood transfusion. Since when did a woman sacrificing her life become something to be admired? A pregnant woman has the weight of societal angst on her shoulders and is expected not to drink and smoke and to eat perfectly for the whole nine months. If a photographer catches a celeb mum having a sneaky fag then she is cast in the role of devil woman. The pregnant woman is expected to come second to the baby in every single way and this sad, sad case is just another example.
In the end it was her decision to make and one can only imagine the agony she went through making that choice. But don't moralise and say she did the right thing as if she made the correct and morally acceptable choice. Why is the unborn life worth more than her already alive children and her own?
This may be a little controversial. But what bothers me is the way that she is described as "selfless" and "courageous" because she put her baby's life before her own. It just perpetuates the anti-abortionist idea that a foetus is worth more than the mother. It reminds me of the Jehovah's witness who gave birth to twins and died because she refused a blood transfusion. Since when did a woman sacrificing her life become something to be admired? A pregnant woman has the weight of societal angst on her shoulders and is expected not to drink and smoke and to eat perfectly for the whole nine months. If a photographer catches a celeb mum having a sneaky fag then she is cast in the role of devil woman. The pregnant woman is expected to come second to the baby in every single way and this sad, sad case is just another example.
In the end it was her decision to make and one can only imagine the agony she went through making that choice. But don't moralise and say she did the right thing as if she made the correct and morally acceptable choice. Why is the unborn life worth more than her already alive children and her own?
Friday, January 25, 2008
Copycat
iTECHNOLOGY
Q. What is currently on your computer wall paper?
A hamster
Q. How many televisions are in your house?
2
BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right.
Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
My gall bladder and all of my wisdom teeth.
Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A PhD thesis - not mine as that would have been incredibly light!
BULLOLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
No thanks, although I'd like to know how!
Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I like having a palindrome thanks...
Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
Pink, red and white
Not beige!
Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake.
A 2 pence piece when I was younger which nearly killed me. Lots of hair (I know that's gross)
Q. Have you ever saved someone's life?
No.
Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
Nope
.Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
Of course!
Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
Depends whose life
DUMBOLOGY
Q: What is in your left pocket?
Nothing
Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
Carpet
Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?
Stand
Q: Could you live with roommates?
Been there, done that. Alex is a great roomie!
Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
No run-ins but have interviewed lots.
LASTOLOGY
Q: Person who texted you?
Alex
Q: Person you texted?
Alex
Q: Last person who called you?
Mum
Q: Person you hugged?
Alex
FAVORITOLOGY
Q. Football Team?
Don't do football
Q: College/Uni?
Uni - forEVER
Q: Season?
Autumn
CURRENTOLOGY
Q: Mood?
Pensive and concerned
Q: Listening to?
Jeremy Vine on Radio 2
Q: Watching?
Nothing
RANDOMOLOGY
Q: First place you went this morning?
to Mum's
Q:What can you not wait to do?
boring- finish the PhD!
Q:What was the last movie you saw?
I think it was Atonement at the cinema. No it was Rendition. Good films though.
Q. What is currently on your computer wall paper?
A hamster
Q. How many televisions are in your house?
2
BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right.
Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
My gall bladder and all of my wisdom teeth.
Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
A PhD thesis - not mine as that would have been incredibly light!
BULLOLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
No thanks, although I'd like to know how!
Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I like having a palindrome thanks...
Q. What color do you think looks best on you?
Pink, red and white
Not beige!
Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake.
A 2 pence piece when I was younger which nearly killed me. Lots of hair (I know that's gross)
Q. Have you ever saved someone's life?
No.
Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
Nope
.Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000?
Of course!
Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
Depends whose life
DUMBOLOGY
Q: What is in your left pocket?
Nothing
Q: Do you have hardwood or carpet in your house?
Carpet
Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower?
Stand
Q: Could you live with roommates?
Been there, done that. Alex is a great roomie!
Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
No run-ins but have interviewed lots.
LASTOLOGY
Q: Person who texted you?
Alex
Q: Person you texted?
Alex
Q: Last person who called you?
Mum
Q: Person you hugged?
Alex
FAVORITOLOGY
Q. Football Team?
Don't do football
Q: College/Uni?
Uni - forEVER
Q: Season?
Autumn
CURRENTOLOGY
Q: Mood?
Pensive and concerned
Q: Listening to?
Jeremy Vine on Radio 2
Q: Watching?
Nothing
RANDOMOLOGY
Q: First place you went this morning?
to Mum's
Q:What can you not wait to do?
boring- finish the PhD!
Q:What was the last movie you saw?
I think it was Atonement at the cinema. No it was Rendition. Good films though.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
A creepy man
Across the news today on TV and in the papers is a sketch of a man who is wanted in connection with the Madeleine McCann disappearance. A tourist reported seeing someone "creepy" near the apartment on the day she vanished. The momentum and ridiculousness of this case still amazes me. Someone who has just remembered seeing someone a bit weird in the vicinity of the apartment decides to come forward now. All of the media scrabble to get the picture.
Despite the constant coverage of "breakthroughs" and "exclusives" we are still no further forward in discovering what happened to Madeleine than we were 8 months ago.
Despite the constant coverage of "breakthroughs" and "exclusives" we are still no further forward in discovering what happened to Madeleine than we were 8 months ago.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Fat
I watched Jamie Oliver in the week, when he was talking about junk food and examining the diets of various people. Most were really overweight and existed on a diet of crap - crisps, chocolate, cheese, chips and pizza. There was even a vegetarian who didn't eat fruit or veg (wtf?) There was another prog in the week which looked at 3 people who claimed that they couldn't lose weight. One woman blamed her low metabolism - but you had to chuckle when she admitted to eating 3 cream cakes for dinner. She thought that her regular belly dancing class would counteract it?! There was another who blamed her thyroid, but when it was checked doctors said that the main reason for her weight was the constant snacking! Lastly, a guy who claimed to have the "fat gene" and guess what, no such gene was present!
It all smacks of excuses. Losing weight is really quite simple - eat less, exercise more. All this crap about low carbs, low sugar, not eating after 5pm etc is just rubbish. It's a simple equation. Some people undoubtedly have a propensity to put on weight. I have slim parents and seem to have inherited that. Yet I also grew up watching them prepare healthy food and exercising. I'm also "lucky" that when stressed I can't eat, rather than some people who comfort eat. I guess the point of this rant is that I was shocked at the amount of junk that people shovel away and their surprise that they are obese in many cases. It ain't rocket science.
(I should add that some people do have the fat gene and sometimes thyroid and other conditions cause weight gain. But in many case, it's an excuse).
It all smacks of excuses. Losing weight is really quite simple - eat less, exercise more. All this crap about low carbs, low sugar, not eating after 5pm etc is just rubbish. It's a simple equation. Some people undoubtedly have a propensity to put on weight. I have slim parents and seem to have inherited that. Yet I also grew up watching them prepare healthy food and exercising. I'm also "lucky" that when stressed I can't eat, rather than some people who comfort eat. I guess the point of this rant is that I was shocked at the amount of junk that people shovel away and their surprise that they are obese in many cases. It ain't rocket science.
(I should add that some people do have the fat gene and sometimes thyroid and other conditions cause weight gain. But in many case, it's an excuse).
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Q & A
What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Tried Karate.
Did anyone close to you die? No
What countries did you visit? Spain, Scotland, Greece
What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A PhD!
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably presenting at another conference and keeping hold of my sanity – just about
What was your biggest failure? Losing faith in my abilities towards the end of the year
What do you wish you’d done more of? Reading and working on my thesis. The first 6 months of last year I was too lazy.
What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing, moaning etc
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? A day with Alex, went shopping and out for dinner then to the theatre. It was lovely and I was, sadly, 28.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Not living above the chav neighbours.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007? That there is no point in having regrets. Think it over, learn from it and move on. There is no point in me moaning that I wish I hadn’t done a PhD (which I do) or that I should have done more work (which I should have). I’m in this situation so just need to get a grip!
Did anyone close to you die? No
What countries did you visit? Spain, Scotland, Greece
What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A PhD!
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Probably presenting at another conference and keeping hold of my sanity – just about
What was your biggest failure? Losing faith in my abilities towards the end of the year
What do you wish you’d done more of? Reading and working on my thesis. The first 6 months of last year I was too lazy.
What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressing, moaning etc
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? A day with Alex, went shopping and out for dinner then to the theatre. It was lovely and I was, sadly, 28.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Not living above the chav neighbours.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007? That there is no point in having regrets. Think it over, learn from it and move on. There is no point in me moaning that I wish I hadn’t done a PhD (which I do) or that I should have done more work (which I should have). I’m in this situation so just need to get a grip!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Free range
I have been watching "Chicken Run" on channel 4 this week and tonight I'll be watching Jamie Oliver's fowl dinners. It's all about the plight of the battery chicken and the short and brutal lives that they have so we can eat cheap meat.
I have often wondered if you can be a meat eater and also be concerned about the life that the meat you are eating had before it died. Does it matter that a chicken is able to wander free and is not over fed and abused before it dies? In my heart I'm a vegetarian but lack the will power to see it through into my life. That's a cop out but I have tried to give it up before and without success. My food was bland and lacking in something, so I caved in. I enjoy eating meat but it does concern me that the meat I eat has had a nice life before it is slaughtered.
On the programme, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall tried to convert his home town to free range. He was quite successful as he got a group of residents to raise some free range chickens and they were upset when the inevitable day came and they had to kill them. It's important that us meat eaters know the whole process from birth to death. But most of the locals were snotty about the idea of free range, moaning that they couldn't afford it. Yet they could afford to go to the pub every night, smoke and watch Sky TV. It's a question of priorities. We can afford to go free range, so from now on all of our meat will have led a half decent life.
What is also worrying is the strangle hold that supermarkets have over farmers, forcing them to use dodgy practices to produce cheap chicken. Unbelievably you can now buy 2 chickens for £5 from Tesco. That is ridiculously cheap. I don't shop in Tesco because I think it is bad in many many ways - now £1 in every £8 that is spent in the UK goes to Tesco. I hope that in my own small way I am helping the lives of some chicken somewhere.
I have often wondered if you can be a meat eater and also be concerned about the life that the meat you are eating had before it died. Does it matter that a chicken is able to wander free and is not over fed and abused before it dies? In my heart I'm a vegetarian but lack the will power to see it through into my life. That's a cop out but I have tried to give it up before and without success. My food was bland and lacking in something, so I caved in. I enjoy eating meat but it does concern me that the meat I eat has had a nice life before it is slaughtered.
On the programme, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall tried to convert his home town to free range. He was quite successful as he got a group of residents to raise some free range chickens and they were upset when the inevitable day came and they had to kill them. It's important that us meat eaters know the whole process from birth to death. But most of the locals were snotty about the idea of free range, moaning that they couldn't afford it. Yet they could afford to go to the pub every night, smoke and watch Sky TV. It's a question of priorities. We can afford to go free range, so from now on all of our meat will have led a half decent life.
What is also worrying is the strangle hold that supermarkets have over farmers, forcing them to use dodgy practices to produce cheap chicken. Unbelievably you can now buy 2 chickens for £5 from Tesco. That is ridiculously cheap. I don't shop in Tesco because I think it is bad in many many ways - now £1 in every £8 that is spent in the UK goes to Tesco. I hope that in my own small way I am helping the lives of some chicken somewhere.
Send her back
I don't believe that we should allow totally uncontrolled immigration. I don't think that our NHS should be used by health tourists who come here just to get treated for free. Let me make those statements first.
This morning I have been saddened by the case of Ama Sumani. She is a Ghanaian woman who came to this country to study. During this time she was diagnosed with cancer and kidney disease and it is a terminal case. Her visa also expired so she is here illegally. The Home Office are deporting her back to Ghana where she will certainly die more quickly because she can't get the appropriate treatment.
What annoys me is the blatant racism exhibited by some people - mainly callers to various radio phone-ins who have no compassion at all. "Send her back" "She hasn't contributed to this country". It is true that she is here illegally, but where is anyone's basic humanity? She has not had the same treatment as a British citizen would receive because she's not entitled to a bone marrow transplant which could possibly cure her condition. I know we can't treat every person that comes here but if someone is living here and gets ill and we start to treat them, what is wrong with providing dialysis to make her more comfortable? Where is the humanity in just shipping her off to Ghana like a piece of unwanted luggage?
Besides that, we should all be aware that if it wasn't for "foreigners" and often people from Ghana and the like, then our NHS would collapse anyway? From doctors to cleaners, the NHS is kept afloat by people from overseas. It's not about a concern for the economy or about taxpayers money. It's just racism.
This morning I have been saddened by the case of Ama Sumani. She is a Ghanaian woman who came to this country to study. During this time she was diagnosed with cancer and kidney disease and it is a terminal case. Her visa also expired so she is here illegally. The Home Office are deporting her back to Ghana where she will certainly die more quickly because she can't get the appropriate treatment.
What annoys me is the blatant racism exhibited by some people - mainly callers to various radio phone-ins who have no compassion at all. "Send her back" "She hasn't contributed to this country". It is true that she is here illegally, but where is anyone's basic humanity? She has not had the same treatment as a British citizen would receive because she's not entitled to a bone marrow transplant which could possibly cure her condition. I know we can't treat every person that comes here but if someone is living here and gets ill and we start to treat them, what is wrong with providing dialysis to make her more comfortable? Where is the humanity in just shipping her off to Ghana like a piece of unwanted luggage?
Besides that, we should all be aware that if it wasn't for "foreigners" and often people from Ghana and the like, then our NHS would collapse anyway? From doctors to cleaners, the NHS is kept afloat by people from overseas. It's not about a concern for the economy or about taxpayers money. It's just racism.
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