Unfortunately, it's tragic consequences in recent days that bring depression to mind.
Personally, I believe that we are only given one gift - the gift of life. It's magical. Wonderful. Tremendous. Miraculous, if you like. Life is precious and I can't think of any circumstance that would make me question whether it was worth continuing on.
Not everyone feels that way, unfortunately.
It seems to me that those that are suffering have something in common. They lack a feeling of self-worth.
Me? I think I'm great. I'm probably not, to be fair. But that shan't stop me from thinking it. Those I know who are suffering from depression certainly do not think they are great. Far from it. Gandhi once said "a man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes." In short, those with a low sense of self-worth will ultimately become worthless just as those that think they are great are destined for better things.
But when someone loses their self-worth, what can be done to show them the light. This week, I've learnt that some people are potentially beyond help. Certainly the tragedy I've experienced recently would've been difficult to avoid. But there has got to be a way.
For me... I see joy all around me. I just have to look at the stars in the sky and I feel privileged. I look at what man has achieved and feel great satisfaction (despite our flaws as a race). And I look at my daughters and think to myself that life is truly wondrous.
So how do we instil that sense of joy in those who are suffering? I'd dearly love to know before I have to endure another tragedy.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Friday, 1 April 2011
Birthday Wishes
Today is the last day of work for me before I turn 40 and to celebrate the event, my Project Manager bought some doughnuts and inserted a candle into one of them:
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Suit Wear And Tear
Suits? I wear them then I tear them. In fact, I'm prolific at the latter.
Suit 1: Five weeks ago, I tore the seam on my trousers running from the pocket down to the knee as I was getting into a car. I don't know how.
Suit 2: Three weeks ago, I tore the arm of my jacket while defending myself against a window with violent tendencies.
Suit 3: This week, I tore the seam on my trousers running from the pocket for about 2 inches when I put my mobile phone into the aforementioned pocket.
I had gone many years without tearing a suit. Admittedly, my suits only tend to last a maximum of six months before my girthy thighs take their toll on my trousers. But this new wave of destruction is proving to be quite disconcerting.
At any one point, I normally have three or four suits available for use and most of them have a couple of trousers available. By the time I get home from my travels this week, I believe I will have one complete suits without a tear in sight. I suspect this means shopping but if there is one thing that drives me nuts, it is shopping for suits!
Why can't our suit suppliers/manufacturers make a suit that actually last and what can I do to stop the perishing of my trousers due to "thigh rubbage"?
Suit 1: Five weeks ago, I tore the seam on my trousers running from the pocket down to the knee as I was getting into a car. I don't know how.
Suit 2: Three weeks ago, I tore the arm of my jacket while defending myself against a window with violent tendencies.
Suit 3: This week, I tore the seam on my trousers running from the pocket for about 2 inches when I put my mobile phone into the aforementioned pocket.
I had gone many years without tearing a suit. Admittedly, my suits only tend to last a maximum of six months before my girthy thighs take their toll on my trousers. But this new wave of destruction is proving to be quite disconcerting.
At any one point, I normally have three or four suits available for use and most of them have a couple of trousers available. By the time I get home from my travels this week, I believe I will have one complete suits without a tear in sight. I suspect this means shopping but if there is one thing that drives me nuts, it is shopping for suits!
Why can't our suit suppliers/manufacturers make a suit that actually last and what can I do to stop the perishing of my trousers due to "thigh rubbage"?
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Too Much Damage Done
I go away for a week and what happens?
I come home to find that my daughter's laptop has "died". Some lights are on, but there's nothing else happening. No spinning of disks, CDs or anything resembling power hitting the screen. Nothing. Nada. She claims she was in the middle of recording something using Audacity, when everything froze. One 13 month old Samsung R520 is now ornamental!
I also came home to find that the built-in DVD player in the television in our bedroom is making funny noises and refusing to recognise any disk. One 23 month old television which cannot play DVDs (which was one of the reasons it was bought).
What is it with manufacturers these days? Both of the aforementioned items are less than 24 months old. Both of them have failed spectacularly with very little use! And it would seem that "fixing" them will cost almost as much as replacing them completely.
What to do. What to do. I do wonder if the likes of Samsung can offer any advice as to what I should do!!!
I come home to find that my daughter's laptop has "died". Some lights are on, but there's nothing else happening. No spinning of disks, CDs or anything resembling power hitting the screen. Nothing. Nada. She claims she was in the middle of recording something using Audacity, when everything froze. One 13 month old Samsung R520 is now ornamental!
I also came home to find that the built-in DVD player in the television in our bedroom is making funny noises and refusing to recognise any disk. One 23 month old television which cannot play DVDs (which was one of the reasons it was bought).
What is it with manufacturers these days? Both of the aforementioned items are less than 24 months old. Both of them have failed spectacularly with very little use! And it would seem that "fixing" them will cost almost as much as replacing them completely.
What to do. What to do. I do wonder if the likes of Samsung can offer any advice as to what I should do!!!
Monday, 25 October 2010
Social Hi-Jacking
I like social networking. At least... I used to like social networking. Facebook has turned into a means of declaring how "wonderful" we all are. I don't mind people telling me about their achievements but what really gets me annoyed are the statements about how their son or daughter is the most special person on Earth. THEY ARE NOT!!!! In fact, I resent the fact that these people think that their precious little Johnny and Jenny are SO much more important than my off-springs.
I want to hear about my friends; I want to hear about their children. But I don't want them to tell me about how their special little boy or girl is just the best little person on the entire planet. It's delusional. It's upsetting. It makes me want to "de-friend" you. After all, when you say... "my little child is the best child in the whole world".... you are actually telling me that my little child is in some way INFERIOR. Aren't you? How DARE you?
Tonight... I read the drivel that my so-called friends felt I needed to be made aware of and was disgusted. I sat and wrote the following status update, then didn't bother to post it. I feel ashamed at failing to tell these people that they should have a re-think about how they behave online. But, I didn't want to offend; I want to keep my friend numbers up? Why? Because I figured if I did do it, it would upset these people too much. I car about them and don't want them to feel hurt. But I still need a means of offloading my feelings on this subject.
Social networking can be a very important tool in the future... but please, let's not abuse it!
I want to hear about my friends; I want to hear about their children. But I don't want them to tell me about how their special little boy or girl is just the best little person on the entire planet. It's delusional. It's upsetting. It makes me want to "de-friend" you. After all, when you say... "my little child is the best child in the whole world".... you are actually telling me that my little child is in some way INFERIOR. Aren't you? How DARE you?
Tonight... I read the drivel that my so-called friends felt I needed to be made aware of and was disgusted. I sat and wrote the following status update, then didn't bother to post it. I feel ashamed at failing to tell these people that they should have a re-think about how they behave online. But, I didn't want to offend; I want to keep my friend numbers up? Why? Because I figured if I did do it, it would upset these people too much. I car about them and don't want them to feel hurt. But I still need a means of offloading my feelings on this subject.
"Dear friends.... I already think highly enough of you to have you in some way associated with me. I don't need you to re-inforce this by telling my how fantastic you are and how your offspring have managed to acquire unimaginable talents. In fact, your self-congratulation (and the unworthy praise you heap upon your FABULOUS children) is having a negative impact on how I feel about you. Please give it a rest... Your kids are only special TO YOU!!!!"Thankfully... there's no chance of the "easily offended" finding this blog. They are, after all, Facebook through and through!
Social networking can be a very important tool in the future... but please, let's not abuse it!
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Goodbye Mr. Benitez
I've been following Liverpool Football Club since I first some them on TV in 1977. I was six years of age and idolised the players of that era. I made sure I had an up-to-date shirt in my possession for years after that and had great fun at the expense of my Manchester United supporting friends (of which there weren't many to be honest). League Championship after League Championship. European glory. Halcyon days.
But no longer...
I've been following a lot of the web commentary on the current situation at Liverpool and in particular the record of Rafa Benitez during his 6 year reign. Maybe it's a web culture thing but everyone believes they have access to the facts yet the commentators seem to contradict each other quite wildly.
Benitez spent millions v Benitez had no money to spend.
The squad is in excellent shape v the quality of the squad has gone backwards.
I'm sure these commentators know so much more than I do but I'm going to articulate my views nonetheless. You see, I don't particularly care about the millions - that seems to me to be a side-show! And as for the talent within the squad, I can only say that we have some great players and some not so great players. When I look at the Manchester United starting XI on any given week, I would think that Liverpool would be more than capable of beating them. Yet Manchester United have a habit of winning and last season, Liverpool looked like a team expecting to struggle.
So why does a team full of very well paid superstars fail to perform? Who can take the rap? Who is responsible for the mental well-being of the collective unit known as the team?
I watched most games last year and some players just didn't perform. Lucas seemed to be an easy target for many but I think that does the guy a great injustice. He played better than I expected. I cannot say the same for any other outfield players last season and that includes the untouchables within the team. Carragher didn't have a great start to the season and I'm sure he would recognise that himself. Gerrard looked completely disillusioned. Torres was rarely fit. Mascherano gave the ball away in dangerous areas of the pitch all too frequently.
(I am deliberately excluding Pepe Reina from this discussion because he was, by far, the best keeper in the league!)
Now, it is understandable that players will have dips in their form. But what happens when the entire team have a dip in form? Who can pick them up and tell them that they are special and that their efforts are appreciated? Martin O'Neill has long been highlighted as a great man-manager. Rafa Benitez has long been highlighted as a cold fish!
However, what was the big difference between 2008-09 and 2009-10 (apart from the 2nd place/7th place and huge points difference)? We could point at the loss of Alonso and no ready-made replacement. But that would disguise the facts too.
During 2008-09, I thought we were pretty lucky to be competing at the top end of the table the way we were. After all, it seemed to me that we won more than our fair share of games with a last minute goal! Those last minute goals didn't appear this season. Did our mighty points haul in 2008-09 disguise other frailties?
And what should the response be to the likes of Real Madrid when they come waving £30M for Gerrard? I for one would think seriously about taking it. He has courted moves before and his body language last year certainly seemed to suggest that he was lacking the enthusiasm.
Ultimately, when things aren't going well on the pitch and there is disharmony within the club, something needs to be done to resolve it. Someone needs to take the rap. Something has to change. I am quite happy to accept the fact that Benitez had to go but I'm guessing he was let down by internal wrangling and a team that was lacking motivation.
The big question is who should be his replacement. Hodgson? O'Neill? Moyes? McLeish? Dalgish? Eriksson? Some of those notions are complete fantasy others have merit and one might smack of nostalgia. Would I be happy to see King Kenny in charge? Absolutely. But I don't want to see him do it and fail and tarnish his reputation.
Whatever happens... the manager will need our support. I don't care about the owners and the way they have run the club in recent years. For me, as a fan, I just want to see the team perform on the pitch and challenge the top teams for honours. The squad is capable. The manager needs to know how to get the best out of them.
But no longer...
I've been following a lot of the web commentary on the current situation at Liverpool and in particular the record of Rafa Benitez during his 6 year reign. Maybe it's a web culture thing but everyone believes they have access to the facts yet the commentators seem to contradict each other quite wildly.
Benitez spent millions v Benitez had no money to spend.
The squad is in excellent shape v the quality of the squad has gone backwards.
I'm sure these commentators know so much more than I do but I'm going to articulate my views nonetheless. You see, I don't particularly care about the millions - that seems to me to be a side-show! And as for the talent within the squad, I can only say that we have some great players and some not so great players. When I look at the Manchester United starting XI on any given week, I would think that Liverpool would be more than capable of beating them. Yet Manchester United have a habit of winning and last season, Liverpool looked like a team expecting to struggle.
So why does a team full of very well paid superstars fail to perform? Who can take the rap? Who is responsible for the mental well-being of the collective unit known as the team?
I watched most games last year and some players just didn't perform. Lucas seemed to be an easy target for many but I think that does the guy a great injustice. He played better than I expected. I cannot say the same for any other outfield players last season and that includes the untouchables within the team. Carragher didn't have a great start to the season and I'm sure he would recognise that himself. Gerrard looked completely disillusioned. Torres was rarely fit. Mascherano gave the ball away in dangerous areas of the pitch all too frequently.
(I am deliberately excluding Pepe Reina from this discussion because he was, by far, the best keeper in the league!)
Now, it is understandable that players will have dips in their form. But what happens when the entire team have a dip in form? Who can pick them up and tell them that they are special and that their efforts are appreciated? Martin O'Neill has long been highlighted as a great man-manager. Rafa Benitez has long been highlighted as a cold fish!
However, what was the big difference between 2008-09 and 2009-10 (apart from the 2nd place/7th place and huge points difference)? We could point at the loss of Alonso and no ready-made replacement. But that would disguise the facts too.
During 2008-09, I thought we were pretty lucky to be competing at the top end of the table the way we were. After all, it seemed to me that we won more than our fair share of games with a last minute goal! Those last minute goals didn't appear this season. Did our mighty points haul in 2008-09 disguise other frailties?
And what should the response be to the likes of Real Madrid when they come waving £30M for Gerrard? I for one would think seriously about taking it. He has courted moves before and his body language last year certainly seemed to suggest that he was lacking the enthusiasm.
Ultimately, when things aren't going well on the pitch and there is disharmony within the club, something needs to be done to resolve it. Someone needs to take the rap. Something has to change. I am quite happy to accept the fact that Benitez had to go but I'm guessing he was let down by internal wrangling and a team that was lacking motivation.
The big question is who should be his replacement. Hodgson? O'Neill? Moyes? McLeish? Dalgish? Eriksson? Some of those notions are complete fantasy others have merit and one might smack of nostalgia. Would I be happy to see King Kenny in charge? Absolutely. But I don't want to see him do it and fail and tarnish his reputation.
Whatever happens... the manager will need our support. I don't care about the owners and the way they have run the club in recent years. For me, as a fan, I just want to see the team perform on the pitch and challenge the top teams for honours. The squad is capable. The manager needs to know how to get the best out of them.
Friday, 23 April 2010
Northern Ireland Politics Unveiled
I haven't yet missed a vote since turning 18. Whether it has been a General Election, European Election, Local Assembly Election or Council Election I have turned up and put my X, 1, 2 or 3 in the appropriate box.
And what is the appropriate box?
I've spent time ensuring that my online persona is non-controversial. For me, that means no swearing, no religious talk and no political talk. People are entitled to their beliefs whether religious or political and my views don't really need to be voiced. But today, I'm making an exception. Why? Well, a general election is just a handful of weeks away and assessing the political landscape is rather current! Plus I don't intend to me too controversial.
In England, voters have a choice between left, centre and right when it comes to political views. But I live in Northern Ireland where the choice is limited to green, orange and other.
Northern Ireland politicians typically align themselves with either an orange Unionist stance (where the candidate advocates keeping Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom) and a green Nationalist stance (where the candidate advocates a single Irish state). These stances have also aligned themselves with religious beliefs - Protestant Unionists and Catholic Nationalists (although that is not to say that there aren't Protestant Nationalists and Catholic Unionists as I know plenty of both).
For many in Northern Ireland, the issue of unionism versus nationalism means precious little. I, for one, don't particularly care too much and have a c'est la vie approach. I believe that "we are where we are" and that a democratic solution should prevail. Right now, the majority in Northern Ireland are happy with the status quo. I am, therefore, happy too. Should the majority want a united Ireland, then so be it.
For me, the important things needing addressing right now are:
The manifesto leaflets have started to appear through my letterbox. The party political broadcasts have been shown on television. The grotesque banners are attached to every lamp-post in the street. So now is the time to analyse the parties and judge them against the things that interest me.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
A vote for the SDLP is a vote for reconciliation and partnership according to their manifesto leaflet, which is riddled with grammar errors. Should I vote for a party in the hope they can address education issues knowing that they don't know how to write their own manifesto? Unfortunately, the manifesto launches into orange and green rhetoric using terms such as "poisonous" and "bitter relationships" and doesn't actually touch on the real issues affecting real people. And, of course, the SDLP doesn't seem all inclusive to me as it still seeks a united Ireland. Were they to start to concentrate on the real issues affecting all communities within this country, then I may have a different view.
Ulster Conservatives & Unionists - New Force
Any political party who thinks it is a good idea to have the word Force in their name is not going to grab my attention in a positive way. However, I do like the idea that they are engaged (in a small way) with mainstream mainland politics. A normalisation of politics has got to be a good thing, right?
Democratic Unionist Party
I don't want to bash Peter Robinson as I think he's a reasonable statesman who speaks quite well. He's a man under a lot of pressure, admittedly, and his wife's antics won't have helped. But it seems to me that the D.U.P. concentrate too much on the orange issue and are riddled with Presbyterian ministers who should be spending time tending to their flock rather than meddling in issues they no nothing about. I want political leaders who are not homophobic, religious fundamentalists thank you very much! Please... live and let live.
Sinn Fein
Any political party who puts forward election candidates who would be in jail in any other country in the world should not deserve a vote. And any political party who wants to stand in an election but will refuse to actually take their seat? The mind boggles! Having said that, I have a lot of time for Sinn Fein. I love listening to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. Their rhetoric is very powerful and it is easy to see why they get votes. But from a manifesto perspective, they don't tick my boxes. They have a very long way to go when it comes to convincing non-Republicans of their credentials.
Alliance Party
Finally... a political party standing in my constituency which doesn't have either an orange or a green agenda. And a manifesto leaflet with translations for Chinese and Polish communities. A manifesto which makes it clear that the border is not on the agenda and that the real issues that needing addressing are the issues that affect the normal "man on the street". But tribal politics will mean that they haven't a mission of getting elected. Westminster has only ever seen one Alliance Party MP (and I don't believe he was elected, but rather defected from the Unionists).
Independent
We have an independent standing in our constituency. I have no idea what his policies are. I can't possibly make a comment about this person but I do hope I get a leaflet or some idea of his policies soon so I can make an informed judgement on who should get my vote.
The best party political broadcast I've seen so far as been by The Green Party. Unfortunately, no Green candidate has been put forward to contest the North Belfast seat. Why?
Summary
The North Belfast constituency will undoubtedly return a unionist MP - Nigel Dodds (DUP) or Fred Cobain (UCU - NF). The constituency has existed for 125 years and has always returned either a Conservative or Unionist MP (although Stratton Mills defected to the Alliance Party for the last year of his tenure as an MP in 1973). It's hard to see that a vote for anyone other than Nigel Dodds or Fred Cobain will make any difference. But conforming would be no fun and will only perpetuate the tribalism we have come to almost accept.
In England, there is a choice of left, centre or right. I envy them such a choice.
That said, there's still time for the parties to sway me.
And what is the appropriate box?
I've spent time ensuring that my online persona is non-controversial. For me, that means no swearing, no religious talk and no political talk. People are entitled to their beliefs whether religious or political and my views don't really need to be voiced. But today, I'm making an exception. Why? Well, a general election is just a handful of weeks away and assessing the political landscape is rather current! Plus I don't intend to me too controversial.
In England, voters have a choice between left, centre and right when it comes to political views. But I live in Northern Ireland where the choice is limited to green, orange and other.
Northern Ireland politicians typically align themselves with either an orange Unionist stance (where the candidate advocates keeping Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom) and a green Nationalist stance (where the candidate advocates a single Irish state). These stances have also aligned themselves with religious beliefs - Protestant Unionists and Catholic Nationalists (although that is not to say that there aren't Protestant Nationalists and Catholic Unionists as I know plenty of both).
For many in Northern Ireland, the issue of unionism versus nationalism means precious little. I, for one, don't particularly care too much and have a c'est la vie approach. I believe that "we are where we are" and that a democratic solution should prevail. Right now, the majority in Northern Ireland are happy with the status quo. I am, therefore, happy too. Should the majority want a united Ireland, then so be it.
For me, the important things needing addressing right now are:
- Northern Ireland's economy
- Academic Selection
- Green Issues
The manifesto leaflets have started to appear through my letterbox. The party political broadcasts have been shown on television. The grotesque banners are attached to every lamp-post in the street. So now is the time to analyse the parties and judge them against the things that interest me.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)
A vote for the SDLP is a vote for reconciliation and partnership according to their manifesto leaflet, which is riddled with grammar errors. Should I vote for a party in the hope they can address education issues knowing that they don't know how to write their own manifesto? Unfortunately, the manifesto launches into orange and green rhetoric using terms such as "poisonous" and "bitter relationships" and doesn't actually touch on the real issues affecting real people. And, of course, the SDLP doesn't seem all inclusive to me as it still seeks a united Ireland. Were they to start to concentrate on the real issues affecting all communities within this country, then I may have a different view.
Ulster Conservatives & Unionists - New Force
Any political party who thinks it is a good idea to have the word Force in their name is not going to grab my attention in a positive way. However, I do like the idea that they are engaged (in a small way) with mainstream mainland politics. A normalisation of politics has got to be a good thing, right?
Democratic Unionist Party
I don't want to bash Peter Robinson as I think he's a reasonable statesman who speaks quite well. He's a man under a lot of pressure, admittedly, and his wife's antics won't have helped. But it seems to me that the D.U.P. concentrate too much on the orange issue and are riddled with Presbyterian ministers who should be spending time tending to their flock rather than meddling in issues they no nothing about. I want political leaders who are not homophobic, religious fundamentalists thank you very much! Please... live and let live.
Sinn Fein
Any political party who puts forward election candidates who would be in jail in any other country in the world should not deserve a vote. And any political party who wants to stand in an election but will refuse to actually take their seat? The mind boggles! Having said that, I have a lot of time for Sinn Fein. I love listening to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. Their rhetoric is very powerful and it is easy to see why they get votes. But from a manifesto perspective, they don't tick my boxes. They have a very long way to go when it comes to convincing non-Republicans of their credentials.
Alliance Party
Finally... a political party standing in my constituency which doesn't have either an orange or a green agenda. And a manifesto leaflet with translations for Chinese and Polish communities. A manifesto which makes it clear that the border is not on the agenda and that the real issues that needing addressing are the issues that affect the normal "man on the street". But tribal politics will mean that they haven't a mission of getting elected. Westminster has only ever seen one Alliance Party MP (and I don't believe he was elected, but rather defected from the Unionists).
Independent
We have an independent standing in our constituency. I have no idea what his policies are. I can't possibly make a comment about this person but I do hope I get a leaflet or some idea of his policies soon so I can make an informed judgement on who should get my vote.
The best party political broadcast I've seen so far as been by The Green Party. Unfortunately, no Green candidate has been put forward to contest the North Belfast seat. Why?
Summary
The North Belfast constituency will undoubtedly return a unionist MP - Nigel Dodds (DUP) or Fred Cobain (UCU - NF). The constituency has existed for 125 years and has always returned either a Conservative or Unionist MP (although Stratton Mills defected to the Alliance Party for the last year of his tenure as an MP in 1973). It's hard to see that a vote for anyone other than Nigel Dodds or Fred Cobain will make any difference. But conforming would be no fun and will only perpetuate the tribalism we have come to almost accept.
In England, there is a choice of left, centre or right. I envy them such a choice.
That said, there's still time for the parties to sway me.
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