bookmark_borderEurope

Stopped vomiting (which is nice) and managing to get some work done, only for our Office Manager to phone and say my new camera has arrived at work – typical! Wasn’t expecting it until next week (this also means that our lovely Office Manager had to pay the duty on the item, £50, so now I feel doubly bad, although as it is pay day not too bad… she’s a gem though!).

Di-di-di daaaa, Di-di-di-di daa!!! (Damn you Becca!)

Lunchtime finds
FLEA. The most basic cartoon ever (via Bloing Bloing)

Ugly sentiments sting American tourists. Interesting article about how American tourists are being perceived in Europe. Includes some tips for American tourists wanting to avoid confrontation, e.g. “Soften your speech; Americans typically overshadow their hosts in the volume department” which in itself is atypical (‘overshadow’ – what an understatement). Thankfully the article does point out that most people in Europe are against the American government and the way it portrays itself, but quite welcoming to Americans in general, I’ve heard there are a couple of them that aren’t too bad… 😉

And nicely related to the previous link is this article by Simon Schama: The Unloved American ?It is incredible how naively cocksure Americans are in their belief that they can whip any enemy whatsoever,? noted Knut Hamsun in the 1880s.

At Google, the Proof Is in the People. A meteoric rise to prominence, which cannot be denied, has been founded on the belief that employees come first. Man, I hope someone from our office reads this (think I’ll forward it on to our HR Manager anyway)

Firefighters Strike
Reluctant history makers
Some random thoughts whilst I make up my mind about this:
+ Yes I agree firefighters (and those in public service) should be paid more, they risk their lives, and how do you put a value on what they do?
– But, they choose the job knowing the salary, and those in the public services are the few who, these days, have a job for life.
+ I agree that more funds should be given to all public services, looking at figures that detail how the UK compares with the rest of Europe, we fall well short.
– I don’t think that public service workers should be allowed to strike. Add to that, the current worries about terrorism that are playing out in the press alongside the fire strike and you get a rather horrible feeling deep in your gut.

I realise the strike is aimed at raising the profile of this issue, but at what cost? In the end, who wins? And more importantly, when lives may be at stake, who loses?

bookmark_borderIt's up to you

thelefrakwebsite. The wonder of the Internet. I have a friend who lived in New York. She used to work for Time magazine, and we shared an enjoyment of the Saw Doctors music. In the 4 or more years I’ve known her she’s been married, been made redundant, found a new job, visited Europe, and is now moving house. I’ve never met her. We’ve exchanged gifts, laughs, sobs, and everything else that goes with friendship. Yet we’ve never shaken hands. The horrors of 11/9 were all the more real from me because maybe she was in the area when it happened. The wonder of the Internet.

Back still v.f*ckin’ sore (sorry but my pain threshold is directly related to my ability to eloquently state the pain level I’m suffering). Think I’ll have to phone the docs and get some bigger painkillers. Nuts.

bookmark_borderPetrol

“That is not the way to make policy in Britain and as far as I am concerned it never will be.” – Tony Blair.

Totally agree Tony. Well said. We can’t have a government that is dictated to, that’s the entire point in voting, elections and the democratic process.

Slight problem though, aren’t the people we voted for supposed to act on our behalf? Aren’t they supposed to listen to what we say, take it on board and at least consider it? Mr.Blair’s reaction seems rather childish. He is already lifting what is a simple campaign, based around one simple idea (we pay too much for our petrol) into the political arena, and trying to stamp his authority on the matter. Aside from that small matter of not being able to take someone… who uses pauses…. far too much…. when speaking to…. the public, seriously, I think this is another example of the basic flaw that every politician develops.

We think we are paying too much for our petrol. The government says, we’ll sorry…tough. So we ask again and start a small scale campaign (the ‘don’t buy on the 1st of the month’ one). Response from the government, yes we do hear you, but we can’t do anything. We start a blockade. The government gets twitchy and starts getting authoritative.

So, we ask, and ask, then act. The government politely declines us twice, then clamps down (to stop the matter getting out of hand, no doubt). What is stopping them acting? What are they afraid of?

They have just launched a £1billion initiative to get more of the UK online. What the hell are they spending it on? The last published figures, from the government, stated that around 60% of households in the UK are online, with over 85% owning and using a computer. Schools all have computers (usually shiny new iMacs that no-one uses, the staff not having received any training).

We work longer hours than every country in Europe, pay more tax, and earn less. So, the government receives, per head, more money from us than any other company. We have less in our pockets, so obviously we shouldn’t mind paying high prices for just about everything.

What is the government afraid of? They are afraid that if they act over the current petrol dispute, they will very soon be put under pressure to lower prices, tax etc on many, many other things.

We need a strong government. I don’t doubt that. I am fully aware that there is no quick fix. Mr.Blair and the Labour party need to learn one thing very quickly. What they are doing right now is not being strong. They have been pushed into a corner, and want to come out fighting. This is not a display of strength, this is a display of petty schoolboy (public schoolboy?) arrogance. I’m all for keeping integrity, and stay focussed to reach goals that will benefit everyone. The hardest part of keeping your integrity is learning when to give it up.