Perhaps I should explain for any new readers……(well I can always hope)……the foundations of our new extension were completed in October. We are still waiting for the builders to come and do the building itself. Then there will be a wait for the plumber to put in the shower-room, then the wait for the electrician to do the electrics….. With any luck it might be finished by the summer. That is a whole year later than expected.
This is the West Highlands after all.
Still more tweaking of medication required. Hopefully I shall have a lot more energy once the blood pressure stabilises. I feel very fortunate to have good medical care in this area. It should have dawned on me much sooner that stopping work would automatically lower BP…… less stress. I tend to lead a very gentle life these days, and enjoy having the time just to look around. Maybe one day soon I will see a joiner.
After agonising long and hard I have decided that I have to come clean, come out and confess. This pains me greatly, especially in view of my earlier comments about Celebrity Big Brother…… but this year, I decided to watch it so that I could try and understand the whole phenomenon in a social and cultural context. Now that the row has broken out over potential racism there are some points worth mentioning. In case you are not aware, one contestant Shilpa Shetty, an Indian Bolywood actress is being victimised verbally. This is verging on the abusive use of a human being by the TV programmers.
The producers and editors of the programme are able to manipulate both the housemates and the viewers to an extensive degree by means of selective editing. For example, on last night’s programme I was all for adding my objections to the thousands already made in a formal manner to the media Watchdog, Ofcom, on the grounds of racism, bullying and abuse. Allied with this I was concerned that our country is being showcased to the world in a manner that is quite frankly appalling. However, towards the end of the show, the producers showed two “diary room” interviews which redressed the balance, including one clip which illustrated how an “inmate” had vowed to learn from her ignorant and unacceptable behaviour. More successful editing. With regard to manipulation of housemates, this I am sure can be done very subtly in the diary room, with questions and innuendo.
And all the while the programme makers must be delighted with all the extra publicity. As for me, well, I am still interested in the interaction of the participants, whilst still being aware that any act of experimentation or observation will inevitably alter the state of the subject being studied. (Sorry, I cannot remember the scientific term for this!) I just hope that some intelligent people bring more understanding out of all of this. The big worry is that the programme is actually a true reflection of our society; as Shilpa said at one point, “Is this what the UK is like today? It is really frightening!”
Haircut day. The question is this: is it wonderful or sad when that becomes the focus of the day?
The Act of Union 1707 deserves a mention for its three hundred years….. There have been a lot of words penned already, not least by the political parties in Scotland. So what can I say? It has to be personal. I was born in Scotland, of a Scottish mother and English Father; was brought up in England, came back up north at age 18 and married a Scot. I guess I think of myself more as Scottish than English, and funnily enough, that applied even when I lived south of the border. Can I even conceive of a truly independent Scotland? No to be honest. I worry about whether we have the skills, but then I think of all the ex-pat Scots who are running the country. (UK I mean.)
Sorry…… there are no answers here, merely an acknowledgment of a shared past and present.
Misty and I have been looking at the sale dept of petplanet.co.uk – she doesn’t really fancy the kilt outfit, but has taken a shine to the duffle coat.
Sometimes you just have to remember that the sun is always shining…. above the clouds. And go out for a walk anyway.
