No plastic bags, now what do we use?

It's growing difficult to get plastic bags now days when you go shopping. Odd when we spend so much money at the supermarket they now want to sting us for the purchase of a bag. Then those supermarkets who propound this actions is because they are going green, are just making up an excuse. Because if they were really going green then they would provide you with a paper carrier bag rather than plastic. Instead they prefer to charge and thereby extend their healthy profits by a few pence more.

I can understand the need to reduce plastic bags, because it is a wise green thing to do, however, there has to be an alternative. You just can't take away the use of a carrier, it's vital. Then not come up with a valid strategy to replace it with an alternative. But this is exactly what is happening at this time. There is no such alternative. There is now a market out there for the alternative to a plastic bag. It's got three important criteria. It must hold shopping, of various weights and sizes, it must be green and lastly it must be cheap. If there is anyone who can come up with this alternative they could be the next billionaire. Otherwise it then becomes a matter of re educating the entire country. However, seeing how difficult it is to get many people to consider education of any kind as a benefit this become a literal no brainer.

Personally I've always been careful with the plastic bags I've had. Always put them in bins, taken them home and re used as often as I could. Yet it's the other idiots out there who just throw their bags in the street and not care. These are the ones who have given plastic bags a bad name. To some extent it's a bit like the American use of guns. Anyone can buy a gun, but it's the person behind the gun who kills. The gun is just a tool, a convenient and easy to use murder weapon yes. Which like a plastic bag is convenient and easy to use carrier. It's bad use however is now leading to it's demise. Seems odd though, regardless of how many lives guns take, how many families they destroy and how bad lead is to the environment I don't see them being banned. Certainly not in America.

Perhaps there should be a plastic bag justice league. Where only the honest and truthful can use plastic bags. The people who take an oath not to abuse them. I'll sign up straight away. I'm sure it would be a lot less damaging than carrying a gun about. Free plastic bags to the righteous please and leave the lead on the roof thanks.

Being Shafted

I'm getting angry quite a lot lately. But for me it's other people who are the reasons for this anger. For instance finding big Moma would rather get her in the house-maintenance-business boy friend to do a little painting, for which he'll charge her an extortionate rate as well. What makes me angry is she is allowing herself to be shafted. Although I said to her there was nothing a bit of paint could not fix and I had already bought the paint for the job. She'd made up a reason to say there was something wrong with the wood. Considering she's not been up a ladder her entire life and knows nothing about wood doesn't actually enter her mind. She wanted to go out and let herself be financially shafted. This of course enraged me, but particularly because the job was a simple one.

I had the paint and loan of a ladder already at hand it was my intention to sort it out. Not considering also the circumstances of a fellow Shafter to the boyfriend. A bloke who spoke to one of Big Moma's Grand son's and said "so and so (boyfriend) is screwing your nan, how'd you feel about it?" The Shafter is a devious and probably mentally disturbed individual who takes gratuitous pleasure out of teasing in a malevolent way. It is therefore no wonder I was angry and in these circumstances I think justifiably angry. To the point of feeling physical violence towards this individual. In the meantime Big Moma has the demeanour of living walking victim just waiting for the next person who feels like it to just take advantage of her. Why she acts in this way I do not know. Which leads me to think I must of been swapped at birth and am not really related to any of my family at all.

In a huff I sent a text message this morning to Sparkling. Then later on when I have a break I try and chat via MSN. I am chilled at this point. But Sparkling almost immediately accuses me of being in a mood when I am not in a mood at all. This kind of behaviour makes me wonder if there is actually something wrong with me. If I really am Mr Angry and it's me who has the problem, if it weren't for the fact I knew I was chilled while drinking my cup of tea and eating a dark chocolate digestive biscuit then I'd of thought I was crazy. But the fact is I wasn't.

Yesterday I spoke to Green Car man, the first time in about six weeks or maybe more. I had enough of the little Oriental fellow and had told Green Car man the reasons why. Then Green Car man says it's me who is sounding aggressive. Yes I was aggressive and angry, but it was justified, there was reason for my reaction. Does this mean I should not react? I should just sit still and accept the inevitability of being constantly shafted. Should I just go to prison and find a cell inhabited by the biggest gayest tattooed convict, bend myself over and say "come and shaft me buddy, coz every other fucker has." Should I? When it is other people who do these things to me I have no control, so I am going to get fucking angry.

Anger is usually caused by something, in which case it is justified, letting it out is a release valve, storing it up is mentally dangerous. These are facts and should be common place and known to every individual in society. So if someone shows aggression or anger then there is a reason for it and they should be listened to in an empathic way (not sympathetic which is quite different). They should be allowed to let it out, then they will feel better for the whole experience.

At times like this I can easily reason it is better to do with no friends, no family, nobody to rely on in any way possible. Then to die at a clinic in Switzerland when old but not quite infirm, because being a burden to any other person in any way would be relinquishing independence. And communicating with anyone else could mean interpreting an action from me which would make them think I am angry. However, were others not trying to shaft me then I'm sure I would be fine. Yes this is such a beautiful world.

Calm down

When you have to talk to an individual who in the back of your mind one word sticks out "incompetent" and rely on them to act, things can be depressing. Very depressing. It can be family, friend or workplace. Although when it comes to choosing friends if it is a friend then you have to admit to having bad choice. There isn't a great deal you can do, perhaps just be resigned to it, sit down and then meditate to rid yourself of those unpleasant thoughts. Count to a million, count sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, especially rabbits because the multiply quicker and hope those thoughts go away. Hope they dissipate. They don't immediately, it takes time, just as it takes a while to cool down and not let your head explode, or worse you do something silly which makes you look bad when it is actually they who are in the wrong. 1, 2, 3, 4, ............

Getting off a train

There is a number of pet hates I have, I'll admit it freely and say it has something to do with being middle aged. But these personal moans and groans actually do get more emphasised in their significance. They just grow. And then grow some more. Hence this blog. But imagine this, you're on a train and about to disembark at the next station so you go to the doors. The train is still moving but has slowed down because now it is entering the station, and you got up from your seat early because you wanted to be the first one off. The train slows down more, you're in the station and in just a moment it will stop. You know when it stops you will press the door button straight away so they can open. However, here's the biggy, when the train comes to a halt you can see people on the platform also heading towards the doors. Perhaps even one particular individual, like a man in a shirt, tie, nicely pressed trousers but a kind of dumb look on his face. This man then in anticipation of the doors open stands immediately in front of them. Right in the middle of the two as they slide open ready to jump on. He has only one consideration, getting on the train and getting to work. You have only one consideration getting off the train and getting to work. So what do you do?

You can squeeze to one side and let this man push right through the middle of the open doorway and onto the train. Yet, he is at a disadvantage here because the train is not level with the platform and is slightly above the platform level. Which gives you a superior viewpoint. You could let everyone who wants to get on the train crowd in past you while you stand to one side then jump off when the coast is clear. You could stand back then take a run and jump just as the doors open crashing straight into the dumb looking fellow. Now this is a wonderful idea which unfortunately could have it's repercussions, especially if you find yourself getting into a fist fight. Another strategy might be to act crazy, sing out loud to yourself, something anyone would want to avoid and let you get off first. Alternatively put your hand in your pocket take out your mobile phone and pretend to be speaking to someone. And say into the phone something of the like "I am getting off now, just have to negotiate the fecking idiot standing in front of the train door" I like this one and haven't done it yet but it's definitely high on my possibility list. Or pick up a paper, or perhaps book and stand with the reading material in front of you as you slowly keep walking forward, very slowly as if you are engrossed in the book and the morons trying to get on the train have to be rude and actually push past, but you make sure to give them a good stubborn shoulder as they do so. I like this one as well and have done a little shouldering I'll admit. Then next and final strategy, one which I use most of the time. Is to pick on the most impatient and eager person about to push their way onto the train. Then very slowly step directly in front of them. Their usual move is then perhaps a slight side step, just enough so as to allow you to side step the other side away from them. But their side stepping is a reluctant one, it's not a generous one which says "sorry mate, you go first." My next move is simplicity in itself and I am sure very irritating to the idiots. I do the same small side step exactly to the side they were went. This means there is now no movement from the over zealous idiot who really wanted to get on the train first. But the best part of all is, at this stage I have now stepped off the train and there is a space, just enough to one side where other people on the platform can squeeze onto the train. It is a brilliant move on my behalf and I must admit to getting a perverse pleasure out of it, even if it slows me down for a brief second on my journey to work. Brilliant.

The thing is, British Rail as it used to be known, once issued announcements just before you got off a train. It would tell people on the platform in simple to understand words "please let the passengers off the train first before you get on." Maybe the PA systems have got sore throats, maybe the common courtesy of good manners and common sense as well has now evaporated. But let it be known, any idiot, regardless of tie and suit, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or what have, any idiot who decides to rush the doors as they open and it just happens they are the doors I am getting off the train, well they may just learn the art of being rumbled. Spread the word all ye gentle persons who have had enough of stupidity and give it a try.

Self worth

What is the problem with being ordinary? Normal? If such a thing actually exists, when it's all down to perception. Other peoples' perceptions of ourselves. I might seem ordinary to someone who saw me in the street, just a normal Joe, like anyone else. While inside I stand out as me, quite individualistic, with my own quirks and abilities. More than capable, much more in most circumstances yet unrecognised. Fiercely individualistic, independent minded and I believe pretty intelligent. Yes there's a few grey cells up there dancing about, well they are on occasion. I'd go so far as blowing my own trumpet and say smarter than the average bear, which then takes me out of the ordinary. Yet it's not something I wear as a rainbow coat, or Gucci glasses, but it is there, there for the perceptive. It can't be seen by just looking, it has to be found by talking and knowing who I am. A quick glance will say nothing.

And yet there are people who by virtue of their position, look down on others and never get to know them or understand them. Who are insular to the point of insidiousness and don't see it. What a dangerous place to be. You can imagine what the cat thought of the queen when visiting her. Quite simply it would of been "not much" because she is not important to a cat, nowhere as close as a mouse, another cat or a tweeting little bird.

In the Bay of Pigs episode of the 1960s President Kennedy by the smallest whisker evaded Nuclear War. The expression "lucked out" arose. In addition a phenomenon called "group think" also came to the forefront in the understanding of group dynamics. Yet, there are may people who sit in stagnant groups who have no notion of what this concept is. Who repeat mistakes which have been documented decades earlier. Ignorance is worn like a proud new designer label. Unfortunately those who are not allowed into the circle and can see this are not heard. It might be said such a thing is happening to our very own government at this moment and it is only the MPs expenses and awards travesty which is bringing them to realise. Realise they will likely not remain MPs in the next election. One short ginger woman comes to mind who has no self conscious notion of how the country sees her actions. I'm sure the voters though will show her.

So what am I really talking about amongst all this digression I ask. It's not so difficult. It's self worth. If we were all put on a level playing field no person is worth more than another, although we can give each person we admire our respect, there is no set of steps for the high and powerful to stand on when on the playing field. Whether politicians, monarchy or other persons of authority. When we are born we are naked, when we die we take nothing with us and our bodies turn to dust. What sobering facts for those who believe their self worth higher than others and do so by remunerating it as well.

Attention Dictators

I don't know what it is, but I like peace and even sometimes silence when doing a task which requires my attention. This however can be pretty difficult when in a work place with other people only a desk away. Then even when they are occupied with actually doing some work, you can not anticipate for visitors. Yes. Those ones who turn up just to have a chat, steal a sweet, biscuit, cake or part of your time with a query they can't use their own initiative to work out. But it must be inane chatter I dislike most of all. Sitting there trying to concentrate is a Herculean task, you're trying to tie in figures against text, reason and understand spread sheets, or complex legal things and someone stands nearby and just chats. It doesn't matter what their chat is about. Whether it is cats, dogs, the price of fish or even work related. It is chat which breaks the peace, but worse still breaks your concentration. When your attention is narrowed to understand something and these persons stand there arms crossed looking like a Les Dawson character they actually become dictators. It seems they have no incite into their own behaviour as if they are mentally ill in some way.  For they also know the need to concentrate when trying to get on with their own job. You would of thought there was an innate understanding.

Not the dictator of a country, like Stalin was or the Italian fascist bloke during the second world war. No. These individuals become dictators of your mind and your work. The gibbering rubbish gets in the way of thought and clarity. These are the same persons who if they get stuck on a query they just can't get around are likely to come up to you and steal your time. It's not just this it is also attention. When you are ready and have psyched yourself up and have fully immersed your mind and attention in what it is you are trying to understand, these dictators decide how much work you are going to do. They decide if you are going to work or not going to work. Then after ten minutes they will wing their self away on a zephyr of happy contentedness having passed the time with their colleague, and of complete oblivion of how they have effected you.

If only it were possible to completely cut out sound on such an occasion. To fully obliterate whatever it is these people are doing to your mind. Or it were possible to mind control them the same way they grab and distort your own concentration. Mind control the dictators of attention into a blank zombie ism. So they can not speak, so they can barely dribble and then as their own attention is so short they wonder off bumping into fellow zombies along the way. Perhaps congregating in places where they can do no harm. Like long lost fields where nothing but long grass and nesting birds inhabit. Then they can stand zombie like and try their powers of dictator attention grabbing on the open air wildlife. Miraculously they would then fade into oblivion their bones feeding the soil and contributing to the wonderful country side we could have. Another alternative is to have spring loaded cattle prods, which automatically come out of a wall crevice and shoot ten thousand volts through the dictators. It would be nice to see how much they have to say then and whether they are able to even blubber. If they can I'm sure another prod could be provided at no extra cost of course.