Thursday, October 30, 2003
Been a bit busy stripping a door with a hot air stripper this week. I've nearly finished it, but it gets a bit boring and really makes your hands ache after a while. So tonight I took my chance to get some pc time, narrowly beating my son to it. Anyway, he's on school hols this week so has had lots of internet time during the day while I've been at work. Its ages since I really had a look at the online news. I never seem to have enough time - what with reporting spam, catching up with friends by email (now that I can't do so at work), and trying to fit in a bit of reading time, a bit of tv, and a social life!
I sent off for my provisional driving licence on Monday, and have had a bit of a look round for an affordable driving school. Needless to say, the most reasonably priced one is fully booked. Most of those that advertise on the internet don't tell you how much they charge - although they do invite you to book online. Would you book without knowing the cost? I certainly won't. Looks like its back to the phone. Anyway, no word on the Child Maintenance claim yet.
I had my coal delivery today, so we'll be nice & toasty for the next couple of months. And coincidentally enough, the local paper ran a story about burglars creeping in through coal holes in the middle of the night and making off with folks' valuables. Mine is securely fastened, I hope, as is the cellar door.
I sent off for my provisional driving licence on Monday, and have had a bit of a look round for an affordable driving school. Needless to say, the most reasonably priced one is fully booked. Most of those that advertise on the internet don't tell you how much they charge - although they do invite you to book online. Would you book without knowing the cost? I certainly won't. Looks like its back to the phone. Anyway, no word on the Child Maintenance claim yet.
I had my coal delivery today, so we'll be nice & toasty for the next couple of months. And coincidentally enough, the local paper ran a story about burglars creeping in through coal holes in the middle of the night and making off with folks' valuables. Mine is securely fastened, I hope, as is the cellar door.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Went to see Dexy's Midnight Runners on Saturday. It was a bit weird, being at the Grand Theatre. Quite dancy, but we all had to sit down. I was never actually much of a Dexy's fan, although I remember their hits. But someone offered to take me, and I thought 'Why not?', I'll try anything once. Anyway, it was ok. Not particularly exciting, but I was with good company and afterwards we went and drank too much at the North Bar.
I've had a couple of days off work, it being school hols, but I have to go back tomorrow. Lots to do. Oh well. It'll be Christmas soon enough.
My spam count is getting ridiculous, despite bouncing and reporting it. I suppose I'll have to abandon my current email address, but thats SUCH a hassle.
I've had a couple of days off work, it being school hols, but I have to go back tomorrow. Lots to do. Oh well. It'll be Christmas soon enough.
My spam count is getting ridiculous, despite bouncing and reporting it. I suppose I'll have to abandon my current email address, but thats SUCH a hassle.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Today was a dentist day, and it was horrible. I suppose it wasn't quite as bad as the last one, because this time he did the job, so at least now its over with - until something else goes wrong. And today I wasn't daft enough to visit the Absent Man for some sympathy.
At this very moment my application for child support will be wending its way through the system at the Child Support Agency, and the Absent Man will soon get a phone call from them informing him that he has to cough up the cash. I have decided to put the money towards learning to drive so that when my son finally decides to have a social life he will be able to call me up at midnight to collect him from some drunken teenage party.
So anyway, I'm feeling rather traumatised, and orally tender at the moment. Four injections, no less, were needed for full numbness. Nightmare. It doesn't help that I'm horribly hormonal at the moment. I hadn't realised this until after I threw a big strop at my boy for shortcomings in his washing-up technique. Noticing that I seemed to be getting things a bit out of proportion, and not coping too well with the aftermath of the dentistry, I checked my diary and sure enough, pmt is sticking its oar into what was already a difficult day.
While I was crying into my lentils though, my friend rang up with the news that her mum has cancer. So my self-pity shrank somewhat.
At this very moment my application for child support will be wending its way through the system at the Child Support Agency, and the Absent Man will soon get a phone call from them informing him that he has to cough up the cash. I have decided to put the money towards learning to drive so that when my son finally decides to have a social life he will be able to call me up at midnight to collect him from some drunken teenage party.
So anyway, I'm feeling rather traumatised, and orally tender at the moment. Four injections, no less, were needed for full numbness. Nightmare. It doesn't help that I'm horribly hormonal at the moment. I hadn't realised this until after I threw a big strop at my boy for shortcomings in his washing-up technique. Noticing that I seemed to be getting things a bit out of proportion, and not coping too well with the aftermath of the dentistry, I checked my diary and sure enough, pmt is sticking its oar into what was already a difficult day.
While I was crying into my lentils though, my friend rang up with the news that her mum has cancer. So my self-pity shrank somewhat.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
The following is taken from an email I received from the Baku Ceyhan Campaign:
The 'public consultation' period on the Baku Ceyhan oil pipeline ended on 14th October . But we still have a chance to influence the UK Government's decision whether to back the project.
PLEASE JOIN THIS URGENT EMAIL ACTION TODAY - it will only take a couple of minutes.
The two banks considering backing the pipeline - the IFC and EBRD - want to make their decisions at their next Board meetings, on 28th October and 11th November respectively.
We are calling on the UK government to DELAY ANY DECISION until major concerns have been addressed. An NGO review finds the project to be in violation or partial violation of every relevant World Bank safeguard policy, as well as European Commission Directives, on at least 173 counts.
The man who can urge this delay is HILARY BENN, the new UK Secretary of State for International Development. Please join us in sending him an urgent email (suggested text below) to:
HILARY BENN, c/o privatesecretary@dfid.gov.uk
Dear Secretary of State,
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline:
Violations of international standards
I am writing to you regarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, which the IFC Board is due to consider on 30 October 2003 and the EBRD Board on 11 November. I urge you to instruct the UK Executive Directors on those boards to press for a delay in making a decision whether to back this highly controversial project.
DFID proposes to make its recommendation based solely on a desk review of the project, in effect ignoring the reality of project implementation on the ground. This is highly disturbing given that DFID's justification for international banks' involvement in the project is to improve project implementation standards. I believe this is totally
unacceptable, especially as DFID has information revealing many grave questions about the pipeline's implementation, in particular a recent submission by NGOs to DFID reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Turkish section of the BTC project.
This review finds the project to be in violation or partial violation of every relevant World Bank safeguard policy, as well as European Commission Directives, on at least 173 counts. Under the project agreements, such violations also constitute possible breaches of host country law.
Based on these and other findings, I would urge you to delay any decision until major changes have been made to the project's design and implementation so that it complies with World Bank policies, host country law and, at this stage, Turkey's international obligations.
The following issues are of particular importance:
*The review reveals the BTC project to be in violation of every relevant World Bank safeguard policy on multiple counts. On consultation alone, the project breaks 6 key
World Bank guidelines on 83 separate counts.
*As a result of these myriad breaches, many of the claims made in the EIA, and elsewhere during the course of the project, are misleading and unsupportable. For example, BTC Co. claims to have conducted comprehensive consultation exercises, yet those exercises lasted little more than two months in total and fewer than 2% of people were consulted face to face.
*In order to keep to the project's construction timetable, Emergency Powers available to the Government of Turkey have been invoked to override key provisions of the World Bank's guidelines on involuntary resettlement. For poorer people, the likely outcome is that they will be worse off than before the project. Some are already talking of having to leave their lands.
*BTC Co. has declined to apply the World Bank's policy (Operational Directive 4.20) on Indigenous Peoples, the only directive specifically aimed at safeguarding the interests of minority groups. However, Kurdish people affected by the pipeline in particular meet every one of the criteria for applying that directive. The decision by BTC Co. and bank staff not to apply the policy leaves ethnic minority groups unjustifiably vulnerable to socio-political difficulties connected to the BTC project.
In light of the above, I believe the case for a delay in any decision on financing the project is overwhelming. A decision on the project must be delayed until a full-scale investigation into the many breaches detailed in the review has addressed all outstanding issues.
In addition, the project is currently the subject of two formal complaints - one to the European Commission and the other under the OECD Guidelines on multinational enterprises - which the relevant authorities are still investigating. Any decision to fund the project prior to adjudication on the complaints would serve to undermine due process.
I trust that you share my concerns over the continuing serious flaws in the BTC project and will therefore press for a delay in the decision on project financing. I look forward to your response.
Please support the campaign.
The 'public consultation' period on the Baku Ceyhan oil pipeline ended on 14th October . But we still have a chance to influence the UK Government's decision whether to back the project.
PLEASE JOIN THIS URGENT EMAIL ACTION TODAY - it will only take a couple of minutes.
The two banks considering backing the pipeline - the IFC and EBRD - want to make their decisions at their next Board meetings, on 28th October and 11th November respectively.
We are calling on the UK government to DELAY ANY DECISION until major concerns have been addressed. An NGO review finds the project to be in violation or partial violation of every relevant World Bank safeguard policy, as well as European Commission Directives, on at least 173 counts.
The man who can urge this delay is HILARY BENN, the new UK Secretary of State for International Development. Please join us in sending him an urgent email (suggested text below) to:
HILARY BENN, c/o privatesecretary@dfid.gov.uk
Dear Secretary of State,
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline:
Violations of international standards
I am writing to you regarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project, which the IFC Board is due to consider on 30 October 2003 and the EBRD Board on 11 November. I urge you to instruct the UK Executive Directors on those boards to press for a delay in making a decision whether to back this highly controversial project.
DFID proposes to make its recommendation based solely on a desk review of the project, in effect ignoring the reality of project implementation on the ground. This is highly disturbing given that DFID's justification for international banks' involvement in the project is to improve project implementation standards. I believe this is totally
unacceptable, especially as DFID has information revealing many grave questions about the pipeline's implementation, in particular a recent submission by NGOs to DFID reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Turkish section of the BTC project.
This review finds the project to be in violation or partial violation of every relevant World Bank safeguard policy, as well as European Commission Directives, on at least 173 counts. Under the project agreements, such violations also constitute possible breaches of host country law.
Based on these and other findings, I would urge you to delay any decision until major changes have been made to the project's design and implementation so that it complies with World Bank policies, host country law and, at this stage, Turkey's international obligations.
The following issues are of particular importance:
*The review reveals the BTC project to be in violation of every relevant World Bank safeguard policy on multiple counts. On consultation alone, the project breaks 6 key
World Bank guidelines on 83 separate counts.
*As a result of these myriad breaches, many of the claims made in the EIA, and elsewhere during the course of the project, are misleading and unsupportable. For example, BTC Co. claims to have conducted comprehensive consultation exercises, yet those exercises lasted little more than two months in total and fewer than 2% of people were consulted face to face.
*In order to keep to the project's construction timetable, Emergency Powers available to the Government of Turkey have been invoked to override key provisions of the World Bank's guidelines on involuntary resettlement. For poorer people, the likely outcome is that they will be worse off than before the project. Some are already talking of having to leave their lands.
*BTC Co. has declined to apply the World Bank's policy (Operational Directive 4.20) on Indigenous Peoples, the only directive specifically aimed at safeguarding the interests of minority groups. However, Kurdish people affected by the pipeline in particular meet every one of the criteria for applying that directive. The decision by BTC Co. and bank staff not to apply the policy leaves ethnic minority groups unjustifiably vulnerable to socio-political difficulties connected to the BTC project.
In light of the above, I believe the case for a delay in any decision on financing the project is overwhelming. A decision on the project must be delayed until a full-scale investigation into the many breaches detailed in the review has addressed all outstanding issues.
In addition, the project is currently the subject of two formal complaints - one to the European Commission and the other under the OECD Guidelines on multinational enterprises - which the relevant authorities are still investigating. Any decision to fund the project prior to adjudication on the complaints would serve to undermine due process.
I trust that you share my concerns over the continuing serious flaws in the BTC project and will therefore press for a delay in the decision on project financing. I look forward to your response.
Please support the campaign.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Grr. My post just got eaten by 6 Music!!!!
As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, I didn't plan to blog tonight cos I was out on a date. But I got home at 10pm feeling much more bouncy than I felt earlier in the day, so here I am. As I arrived home I caught my son scuttling off to bed, hoping not to be caught up late. But hah! I spotted him in his pyjamas.
My date was a good one. The guy is a self confessed loner, so not looking for full-time romance, but we had a really good evening, and he is very cute - an artist, and a care worker (cos sculpting doesn't pay much). He cheered me up when I was feeling a bit glum. I hope we'll do it again soon. I heard from Potential Policeman too, and we will probably get together for a meal next week. I'm meeting Posh Man tomorrow after work. Not sure how that will go. We've had a couple of chats on the phone, and I don't think he'll mind my boots and roll ups too much. We'll see. I told him he'll recognise me by me Cat in the Hat hat.
I'm sure there must be important things going on in the world today, but I haven't got round to looking yet. Got to walk the dog and go to bed soonish.
As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, I didn't plan to blog tonight cos I was out on a date. But I got home at 10pm feeling much more bouncy than I felt earlier in the day, so here I am. As I arrived home I caught my son scuttling off to bed, hoping not to be caught up late. But hah! I spotted him in his pyjamas.
My date was a good one. The guy is a self confessed loner, so not looking for full-time romance, but we had a really good evening, and he is very cute - an artist, and a care worker (cos sculpting doesn't pay much). He cheered me up when I was feeling a bit glum. I hope we'll do it again soon. I heard from Potential Policeman too, and we will probably get together for a meal next week. I'm meeting Posh Man tomorrow after work. Not sure how that will go. We've had a couple of chats on the phone, and I don't think he'll mind my boots and roll ups too much. We'll see. I told him he'll recognise me by me Cat in the Hat hat.
I'm sure there must be important things going on in the world today, but I haven't got round to looking yet. Got to walk the dog and go to bed soonish.
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Quiet Sunday, relaxing. An afternoon with friends, then a big dinner. I had the fire lit in the kitchen today, for the first time this autumn. Its been so mild lately we haven't needed it.
Now I'm listening to 6 Music, one of the BBC's newish digital radio stations, via the pc. When I tuned in Ozric Tentacles were playing. Its not often you hear them on the radio. Now there's a Julian Cope track on, that I remember having on vinyl many years ago.
Its Joe Strummer day on 6 Music tomorrow.
Now I'm listening to 6 Music, one of the BBC's newish digital radio stations, via the pc. When I tuned in Ozric Tentacles were playing. Its not often you hear them on the radio. Now there's a Julian Cope track on, that I remember having on vinyl many years ago.
Its Joe Strummer day on 6 Music tomorrow.
Saturday, October 18, 2003
A couple of items in today's Guardian stuck out for me as prime examples of US hypocrisy during the war on terror and quest for global democracy. This extract is from a story about a British diplomat, recently returned from Uzbekistan, who has been upsetting people with his honesty:
Uzbek security services use "torture as a routine investigation technique", according to the US State Department. But Washington's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have led them to finance much of the regime's security apparatus. In exchange the US gets a military base in Khanabad as a centre for operations in Afghanistan. Last year Washington gave the government $500m (£298m) in aid, $79m of which was specifically for the same "law enforcement and security services" they accused of routine torture.
And here are edited highlights from an article about the current situation in Nepal:
Nepal is far from a normal civilian democracy. A year ago the king dismissed the elected government; he has now appointed two prime ministers from the pro-monarchy party, which enjoys little popular support.
The army's role in politics has grown in step with increasing foreign military assistance. While Britain is withholding lethal military aid, the US is massively increasing its support, and US special forces have trained a quarter of the army in counter-insurgency operations. In an arms escalation which India fears could lead to new weapons ending up with its own Maoist insurgents, the US has provided 5,000 new M16s, with the same number reportedly in the pipeline. This is done in the name of combating international terrorism, though the Maoists have never been accused of operating outside Nepal and few doubt that there are plenty of genuine social grievances to fuel a popular insurgency.
In its 2003 report, Amnesty International pointed out that "the security forces continued to carry out unlawful killings. It was estimated that of the more that 4,000 'Maoists' officially declared as killed since November 2001, nearly half may have been unlawfully killed." In normal English that means that they were either murdered as non-combatants or that they were simply innocent bystanders shot down to make the army's figures look a little better. If 2,000 innocents were killed during the last round of fighting, prospects for this current round are not good. This week, Amnesty released a report on "disappearances" carried out by government forces, documenting 250 cases since the war began and 30 since the end of August.
Uzbek security services use "torture as a routine investigation technique", according to the US State Department. But Washington's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have led them to finance much of the regime's security apparatus. In exchange the US gets a military base in Khanabad as a centre for operations in Afghanistan. Last year Washington gave the government $500m (£298m) in aid, $79m of which was specifically for the same "law enforcement and security services" they accused of routine torture.
And here are edited highlights from an article about the current situation in Nepal:
Nepal is far from a normal civilian democracy. A year ago the king dismissed the elected government; he has now appointed two prime ministers from the pro-monarchy party, which enjoys little popular support.
The army's role in politics has grown in step with increasing foreign military assistance. While Britain is withholding lethal military aid, the US is massively increasing its support, and US special forces have trained a quarter of the army in counter-insurgency operations. In an arms escalation which India fears could lead to new weapons ending up with its own Maoist insurgents, the US has provided 5,000 new M16s, with the same number reportedly in the pipeline. This is done in the name of combating international terrorism, though the Maoists have never been accused of operating outside Nepal and few doubt that there are plenty of genuine social grievances to fuel a popular insurgency.
In its 2003 report, Amnesty International pointed out that "the security forces continued to carry out unlawful killings. It was estimated that of the more that 4,000 'Maoists' officially declared as killed since November 2001, nearly half may have been unlawfully killed." In normal English that means that they were either murdered as non-combatants or that they were simply innocent bystanders shot down to make the army's figures look a little better. If 2,000 innocents were killed during the last round of fighting, prospects for this current round are not good. This week, Amnesty released a report on "disappearances" carried out by government forces, documenting 250 cases since the war began and 30 since the end of August.
I've actually finished reading Cat's Eye now, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I only finished it yesterday though, so haven't quite got round to changing the link on the left to my latest reading matter, or writing a review of the Atwood. My new book was supplied by BBC Leeds, and I will have to provide a review for their website in return.
This is from an email I received from Friends of the Earth:
The EU chemical legislation is at another crucial stage and so we need your help again. On the 29th October all 20 European Commissioners will adopt a draft if they can agree on the text. Then it will go to the Parliament and Council of Ministers. Industry is lobbying hard to weaken the text and we urgently need to generate public pressure for strong legislation! Your action can make a difference.
Please go to:
http://www.chemicalreaction.org/
To send an email to one or more commissioners. Let them know that we want a proposal that protects our health, which gives consumers a right to know about chemicals in products that we buy and that protects wildlife and the environment.
The EU chemical legislation is at another crucial stage and so we need your help again. On the 29th October all 20 European Commissioners will adopt a draft if they can agree on the text. Then it will go to the Parliament and Council of Ministers. Industry is lobbying hard to weaken the text and we urgently need to generate public pressure for strong legislation! Your action can make a difference.
Please go to:
http://www.chemicalreaction.org/
To send an email to one or more commissioners. Let them know that we want a proposal that protects our health, which gives consumers a right to know about chemicals in products that we buy and that protects wildlife and the environment.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
If you haven't had a look at Baghdad Burning yet, please do. It is a very well written blog, telling us how it is in Baghdad. Even the best western media can't tell us how the situation looks through Iraqi eyes, but RiverBend can. I found this item about the palm trees in and oround the city, and their place in local culture particularly interesting.
And this item about political manouvreings is also worth noting. We only tend to hear news at the moment about problems that occupying troops are having.
And this item about political manouvreings is also worth noting. We only tend to hear news at the moment about problems that occupying troops are having.
This morning I went along to the support group that my department runs for the foster carers on the long term fostering scheme. Some of the carers have been fostering children with disabiliities for as long as 20 year. One woman has looked after more than 30 children over the years, some only for a short time, as emergency cover, others for many months at a time. A therapist came along to talk about attachment difficulties which a lot of the children experience. Apparently, we learn to bond with others through our primary carer through eye contact during our first two years of life. If there are disruptions during those early years, we can suffer serious emotional problems. Some of the children on the fostering scheme are physically disabled and have spent a lot of their early years in hospital, cared for by a series of nurses and maybe having limited contact with their parents (if any). Some of the children have been abused or neglected, or maybe their mother (who is, after all usually the primary carer) has been unable to be there for them to attach to - maybe she was ill, whatever. Attachment disorders have only been studied fairly recently, and the medical/social work community is only just getting to grips with the problems that can result - some such children can find it extremely difficult to develop trust, and relationships. Without lots of loving care, they may grow up to have personality disorders. Its heartbreaking hearing some of the stories, but totally awe inspiring to hear some of the success stories and to meet the wonderful people who take these children into their lives.
After work I went along to my old workplace to a farewell party for a former colleague who was leaving. It was a bit strange going back, even though I haven't really been gone long. They still haven't advertised for a replacement for me, so the remaining staff have been extremely busy. Things seem to be going from bad to worse. Because of re-organisation and changes in the working systems, my former workmates have been working late regularly, not getting paid for the extra time and not getting time off in lieu. It wouldn't have been much different had I still been there, so I am so glad I got out when I did.
After work I went along to my old workplace to a farewell party for a former colleague who was leaving. It was a bit strange going back, even though I haven't really been gone long. They still haven't advertised for a replacement for me, so the remaining staff have been extremely busy. Things seem to be going from bad to worse. Because of re-organisation and changes in the working systems, my former workmates have been working late regularly, not getting paid for the extra time and not getting time off in lieu. It wouldn't have been much different had I still been there, so I am so glad I got out when I did.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
I'm not having the best of weeks, really. My trip to the dentist yesterday was a bit of a disaster. He couldn't do all the work he had planned to do, so there I'd got all psyched up for it, and now I will have to go through the whole experience again to get the work finished.
To begin with I was reluctantly sedated - reluctant in that I wish I didn't need sedation, but without it the dentist wouldn't get near me. So I took my tablets at work and shuffled around vaguely until it was time to go for my appointment. I had to leave in the middle of my first team meeting. Bad timing indeed. Fortunately, I work with social workers, at least one of whom suffers similarly with dental nightmares, so there was sympathy from sympathetic people.
Then when I got settled in the dentists chair he told me he couldn't complete the work in one session, but I still needed numbing, so had to have the dreaded injection. It was in my lower jaw, which meant my tongue went numb too so I couldn't speak properly. He did as much of the work as he could and sent me off home with a promise that he would make time to see me soon to finish the job.
I felt really miserable, so decided to call in and see the Absent Man - he lives close to the dentist surgery, and on my way home. I was hoping for a few words of support. He has trouble with his teeth too, so I hoped he would be able to summon up a little sympathy. And I couldn't think of anyone else who lived locally who might be around in the middle of the day. Strictly speaking the Absent Man should have been at work, but he's no more conscientious about working than he is about parenting. Anyway, he was in. He let me in and asked me if I was ok. I mumbled, with my numb tongue, that I had just been to the dentist. He said, "I don't want to hear it. I'm sick of everyone moaning. You can leave now". And chucked me out.
Selfish, heartless, inconsiderate w***er.
When I got home I curled up on the sofa and slept for a few hours while the numbness and sedation wore off. But when I woke up I rang the Child Support Agency and asked them to send me an application form. I never bothered to chase him for child support when I was on state benefits, because if any money had been granted me my benefits would have been reduced accordingly. But he would probably not have paid and I would have been constantly chasing him, or the social security people to make up the money. I just couldn't afford to go without. Then after I started work, 2 years ago, I was pretty sure he was unemployed, so I wouldn't have got anything anyway. Now they have changed the system slightly, and I think they can get money from him whether he's working or not. So why not, eh? He gives nothing else - no emotional support for my son or me, no friendship, no contact. Nothing. I've been too nice for too long. Vindictive? Maybe, but so what.
To begin with I was reluctantly sedated - reluctant in that I wish I didn't need sedation, but without it the dentist wouldn't get near me. So I took my tablets at work and shuffled around vaguely until it was time to go for my appointment. I had to leave in the middle of my first team meeting. Bad timing indeed. Fortunately, I work with social workers, at least one of whom suffers similarly with dental nightmares, so there was sympathy from sympathetic people.
Then when I got settled in the dentists chair he told me he couldn't complete the work in one session, but I still needed numbing, so had to have the dreaded injection. It was in my lower jaw, which meant my tongue went numb too so I couldn't speak properly. He did as much of the work as he could and sent me off home with a promise that he would make time to see me soon to finish the job.
I felt really miserable, so decided to call in and see the Absent Man - he lives close to the dentist surgery, and on my way home. I was hoping for a few words of support. He has trouble with his teeth too, so I hoped he would be able to summon up a little sympathy. And I couldn't think of anyone else who lived locally who might be around in the middle of the day. Strictly speaking the Absent Man should have been at work, but he's no more conscientious about working than he is about parenting. Anyway, he was in. He let me in and asked me if I was ok. I mumbled, with my numb tongue, that I had just been to the dentist. He said, "I don't want to hear it. I'm sick of everyone moaning. You can leave now". And chucked me out.
Selfish, heartless, inconsiderate w***er.
When I got home I curled up on the sofa and slept for a few hours while the numbness and sedation wore off. But when I woke up I rang the Child Support Agency and asked them to send me an application form. I never bothered to chase him for child support when I was on state benefits, because if any money had been granted me my benefits would have been reduced accordingly. But he would probably not have paid and I would have been constantly chasing him, or the social security people to make up the money. I just couldn't afford to go without. Then after I started work, 2 years ago, I was pretty sure he was unemployed, so I wouldn't have got anything anyway. Now they have changed the system slightly, and I think they can get money from him whether he's working or not. So why not, eh? He gives nothing else - no emotional support for my son or me, no friendship, no contact. Nothing. I've been too nice for too long. Vindictive? Maybe, but so what.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Cast your eyes over The Observer's list of The 100 Greatest Novels of All Time. They invite us to send our own suggestions. There are many 'classics' on the list, many of which I haven't read, but I've read a few.
At no 40 is Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame. I had a conversation about that book with my son the other day, after seeing posters all over the city centre advertising a dramatisation of it playing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse later this year. The play has been adapted by Alan Bennett, so I think it should be good, though not necessarily as radical an interpretation as mine. My boy isn't tempted though, having been made to read the book at school. I tried enlightening him with my interpretation of it - that Grahame was casting a nostalgic eye over the decline of the English aristocracy (the eccentric Mr Toad), while worrying about the rise of communism (those wicked weasals). But my son just looked at me sideways with that "what you on about mum?" look in his eye.
At no 48 is The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. Slimline in comparision to some on the list, and lightweight unless you really want to dig into all that American dream stuff, but very good nonetheless. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley follows at no 53, and gives an interesting transatlantic contrast to Gatsby, and 6 places on Orwell's 1984 appears to thoroughly scare us all. Lords come along in the 60s - of Rings and of Flies, but in the Observer's view Charlottes Web (of pigs and spiders)beats the pair of them - I think I would disagree on that.
Acebe's Things Fall Apart is the first African entry, at no 71, while Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude heralds South America's first showing at no 76 (if I've missed out any higher ranking non-Brit or American novels do excuse me). At 94 we see Salman Rushdie with Haroun and the Sea of Stories (which I haven't read) but where is my favourite, Midnight's Children?
An interesting list to peruse and argue about anyway.
At no 40 is Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame. I had a conversation about that book with my son the other day, after seeing posters all over the city centre advertising a dramatisation of it playing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse later this year. The play has been adapted by Alan Bennett, so I think it should be good, though not necessarily as radical an interpretation as mine. My boy isn't tempted though, having been made to read the book at school. I tried enlightening him with my interpretation of it - that Grahame was casting a nostalgic eye over the decline of the English aristocracy (the eccentric Mr Toad), while worrying about the rise of communism (those wicked weasals). But my son just looked at me sideways with that "what you on about mum?" look in his eye.
At no 48 is The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. Slimline in comparision to some on the list, and lightweight unless you really want to dig into all that American dream stuff, but very good nonetheless. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley follows at no 53, and gives an interesting transatlantic contrast to Gatsby, and 6 places on Orwell's 1984 appears to thoroughly scare us all. Lords come along in the 60s - of Rings and of Flies, but in the Observer's view Charlottes Web (of pigs and spiders)beats the pair of them - I think I would disagree on that.
Acebe's Things Fall Apart is the first African entry, at no 71, while Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude heralds South America's first showing at no 76 (if I've missed out any higher ranking non-Brit or American novels do excuse me). At 94 we see Salman Rushdie with Haroun and the Sea of Stories (which I haven't read) but where is my favourite, Midnight's Children?
An interesting list to peruse and argue about anyway.
Naomi Klein writes in today's Guardian:
Fighting Aids was supposed to show George Bush's softer side. "Seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many," he said in his State of the Union address in January.
He has since reconsidered, deciding instead to offer a few more opportunities to the few. First he handed the top job of his global Aids initiative to a Big Pharma boss, then he broke his $3bn promise of Aids relief. And now there are concerns that he may sabotage a plan to send cheap drugs to countries ravaged by Aids.
Love thy neighbour, George.
Fighting Aids was supposed to show George Bush's softer side. "Seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many," he said in his State of the Union address in January.
He has since reconsidered, deciding instead to offer a few more opportunities to the few. First he handed the top job of his global Aids initiative to a Big Pharma boss, then he broke his $3bn promise of Aids relief. And now there are concerns that he may sabotage a plan to send cheap drugs to countries ravaged by Aids.
Love thy neighbour, George.
38 spams today.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
We went out and bought my son a phone today. He's playing with it now, hence I've been able to get to use the pc at a reasonable time, rather than sitting here with my eyelids propped open with matchsticks long after I should be in bed. Hooray!
Judging by the number of fireworks that have been going off in my neighbourhood over the past couple of weeks, the yooff round here evidently have too much money, and much more money than sense. I like watching firework displays, the big, safe, properly organised ones, even though they probably aren't very environmentally friendly. But I really get pissed off when kids are letting them off in the streets. Isn't it time retailers stopped selling them to random members of the public? Shouldn't there be some sort of licensing system whereby only sensible people can buy them for proper displays?
Last year on Bonfire Night (November 5th for you non-Brits reading), we went off to a fire and firework display organised by the local council. We went for a meal afterwards, hoping that by the time we got home things would have quietened down a bit. But no. We got home around 9.30pm to find the neighbours over the back were having a fireworks party, and were actually letting off industrial strength display fireworks outside my back gate. The house shook everytime one went off. This went on til nearly midnight. I really hope we don't have a repeat performance of that again this year.
Last year on Bonfire Night (November 5th for you non-Brits reading), we went off to a fire and firework display organised by the local council. We went for a meal afterwards, hoping that by the time we got home things would have quietened down a bit. But no. We got home around 9.30pm to find the neighbours over the back were having a fireworks party, and were actually letting off industrial strength display fireworks outside my back gate. The house shook everytime one went off. This went on til nearly midnight. I really hope we don't have a repeat performance of that again this year.
Saturday, October 11, 2003
Justin Alexander is working for Jubilee Iraq in Baghdad.
Jubilee Iraq, founded by Iraqis and citizens in creditor countries, calls for:
Cancellation of all odious debt, which benefited Saddam but not the Iraqi people.
Debt negotiations that are fair and include a strong Iraqi voice.
A complete moratorium on payments until negotiations are complete.
A large enough reduction in debt to allow Iraq to recover and prosper.
Sign the petition.
Jubilee Iraq, founded by Iraqis and citizens in creditor countries, calls for:
Cancellation of all odious debt, which benefited Saddam but not the Iraqi people.
Debt negotiations that are fair and include a strong Iraqi voice.
A complete moratorium on payments until negotiations are complete.
A large enough reduction in debt to allow Iraq to recover and prosper.
Sign the petition.
The Guardian ran an interesting article today about the plight of women in 'liberated' Iraq.
Amid the ordinary lawlessness of a city of 5 million with a barely functioning police force, there are particular horrors for women. The last few months have seen the emergence of organised crime, trafficking in drugs and stolen cars - and, the evidence suggests, in women as well.
At the same time, Baghdad remains a city consumed by thoughts of revenge, against Ba'athists at first and now increasingly against rival gangs. Many scores are settled by kidnapping and rape.
This site was referred to. It has articles about the situation Iraqi women find themselves in now, and how they have borne the brunt of the suffering created by sanctions over the past decade. The information on the site suggests a harder time for women than the impression I get from River Bend's Baghdad Burning blog. Maybe River Bend is just luckier than some. Nevertheless, her life doesn't sound easy.
Amid the ordinary lawlessness of a city of 5 million with a barely functioning police force, there are particular horrors for women. The last few months have seen the emergence of organised crime, trafficking in drugs and stolen cars - and, the evidence suggests, in women as well.
At the same time, Baghdad remains a city consumed by thoughts of revenge, against Ba'athists at first and now increasingly against rival gangs. Many scores are settled by kidnapping and rape.
This site was referred to. It has articles about the situation Iraqi women find themselves in now, and how they have borne the brunt of the suffering created by sanctions over the past decade. The information on the site suggests a harder time for women than the impression I get from River Bend's Baghdad Burning blog. Maybe River Bend is just luckier than some. Nevertheless, her life doesn't sound easy.
I considered dying my hair purple today, but my son threatened to stop speaking to me if I did. Liberalness in parenting is obviously not reflected in 13 year old boys. I settled on very red instead, just the top layer. He says it looks stupid, but at least he is still speaking to me. I'll save purple for another time. After all, he will probably stop speaking to me soon anyway so I'll have nothing to lose.
I took a stroll along Town Street today, hoping to find some interesting odds and ends in the charity shops (the kind of clothes etc that make my son wince). I discovered that the Oxfam shop is currently not opening on Saturdays due to lack of volunteers. The Age Concern shop has closed down altogether. That left 4 to browse in, but unfortunately I found nothing that took my fancy. So all I ended up buying was a chocolate cake, and I collected my prescribed tranquilisers in preparation for a dental appointment on Tuesday. I'm the biggest coward ever when it comes to dental work. Its the needles. I am absolutely terrified of needles in my mouth. So my dentist makes sure I'm well sedated before he comes near me. I know there are many worse things in the world, but there you go. We all have our weaknesses.
I took a stroll along Town Street today, hoping to find some interesting odds and ends in the charity shops (the kind of clothes etc that make my son wince). I discovered that the Oxfam shop is currently not opening on Saturdays due to lack of volunteers. The Age Concern shop has closed down altogether. That left 4 to browse in, but unfortunately I found nothing that took my fancy. So all I ended up buying was a chocolate cake, and I collected my prescribed tranquilisers in preparation for a dental appointment on Tuesday. I'm the biggest coward ever when it comes to dental work. Its the needles. I am absolutely terrified of needles in my mouth. So my dentist makes sure I'm well sedated before he comes near me. I know there are many worse things in the world, but there you go. We all have our weaknesses.
Friday, October 10, 2003
Full moon tonight. Scroll down and you'll see my lovely new moon phase link.
Do you want a George Bush action figure? Try a bit of voodoo maybe. Wrap it up in sticky tape and bury it in the cat's litter tray.
Interesting picture, curious blog.
Ah! My links disappeared, but I fixed it and now they are back.
War On Want are running a campaign to urge the UK government to carefully consider the support it is giving The Columbian government. Human rights abuses are commonplace, especially the persecution of trade unionists and ither human rights campaigners.
In the last decade 1,535 people have been killed as a result of their involvement in trade union activity - more than in the rest of world combined.
Not only does this severely undermine democracy but it also means thousands of workers are forced to live in poverty. Colombia is one of the most unequal societies on earth with 3% of the population owning 70% of the land. War on Want believes that poverty will only be alleviated when trade unions are respected.
Trade unions in Colombia believe that the economic policies of the Colombian Government – such as widespread privatisation of public services – is increasing poverty and fuelling violence. The UK Government supports these economic policies and in any case believes that: “it is not our place as a foreign government to interfere”. But the UK government repeatedly interferes in the economic policies of countries across the world, through its role in international bodies such as the World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
In the last decade 1,535 people have been killed as a result of their involvement in trade union activity - more than in the rest of world combined.
Not only does this severely undermine democracy but it also means thousands of workers are forced to live in poverty. Colombia is one of the most unequal societies on earth with 3% of the population owning 70% of the land. War on Want believes that poverty will only be alleviated when trade unions are respected.
Trade unions in Colombia believe that the economic policies of the Colombian Government – such as widespread privatisation of public services – is increasing poverty and fuelling violence. The UK Government supports these economic policies and in any case believes that: “it is not our place as a foreign government to interfere”. But the UK government repeatedly interferes in the economic policies of countries across the world, through its role in international bodies such as the World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
Here's some spam I got today:
Hello,
This program worked for me. If you hate Spam like I do, you owe it to your self to
try this program, and forward this email to all of your friends which also hate Spam or as many people possible. Together lets help clear the Internet of Spam!
STOP SPAM IN ITS TRACKS!
Do you get junk, scams and worse in your inbox
every day?
Are you sick of spending valuable time
removing the trash?
Is your child receiving inappropriate
adult material?
If so you should know that no other solution works
better then our software to return control of your
email back where it belongs!
Imagine being able to read your important email
without looking through all that spam...
Cheeky bastard.
Hello,
This program worked for me. If you hate Spam like I do, you owe it to your self to
try this program, and forward this email to all of your friends which also hate Spam or as many people possible. Together lets help clear the Internet of Spam!
STOP SPAM IN ITS TRACKS!
Do you get junk, scams and worse in your inbox
every day?
Are you sick of spending valuable time
removing the trash?
Is your child receiving inappropriate
adult material?
If so you should know that no other solution works
better then our software to return control of your
email back where it belongs!
Imagine being able to read your important email
without looking through all that spam...
Cheeky bastard.
Britain is putting US interests on Diego Garcia above the right of Chagossians to return to their islands , reports The Guardian (via Codshit).
The article continues,
The story begins in 1968, when the Chagossians were flung off their homeland islands in the Indian Ocean to make way for a US military base. Some were tricked into leaving on the promise of a free voyage; others physically removed. The Chagos islands include Diego Garcia, from which US bombers have attacked Iraq and Afghanistan, and where al-Qaida suspects are being held in circumstances even more secret than in Cuba.
The islanders have long campaigned for compensation and the right to return, but the Blair government set itself against the Chagossians, and its sustained legal campaign has just been rewarded with a high court ruling that the Chagossians' claim has "no reasonable grounds".
Human rights Tony? You don't know what they are.
The article continues,
The story begins in 1968, when the Chagossians were flung off their homeland islands in the Indian Ocean to make way for a US military base. Some were tricked into leaving on the promise of a free voyage; others physically removed. The Chagos islands include Diego Garcia, from which US bombers have attacked Iraq and Afghanistan, and where al-Qaida suspects are being held in circumstances even more secret than in Cuba.
The islanders have long campaigned for compensation and the right to return, but the Blair government set itself against the Chagossians, and its sustained legal campaign has just been rewarded with a high court ruling that the Chagossians' claim has "no reasonable grounds".
Human rights Tony? You don't know what they are.
Just had a look at referrers to my blog. Google pointed in my direction for "punky black skirts". Cool! I also got a nod for "Jimmy White smoking Guinness". Strange one, that.
I met my potential policeman friend after work today. We went for a coffee, but were having such a good chat that we had to move on to a pub - the coffee bar was closing - to carry on talking. If I hadn't had to get home to feed my offspring we might still me rabbitting away to each other now. We found a couple of spookyish coincidences. He lives in the same block as the Absent Man, and I share a birthday with his first wife. Along with that, our politics run on similar lines. We'll be getting together for a meal sometime soon. I mark that date down as a success. And I'm not just being nice because he'll be checking out my blog later. (Cheers James, you're good company and I'll be in touch.)
On the way to meet him I nipped into a record shop and picked up Marc Bolan & T.Rex: The Essential Collection. I used to be a bit snobby about 'Best of' collections but now I buy them regularly. The first record I ever bought was Metal Guru, back in 1972 when I was 8 years old.
I also bought Iggy Pop's new album, Skull Ring, mostly because I was very intrigued to hear what Iggy is doing now, and what he is doing with Green Day and Sum 41. I'm amazed, really, that he is still alive. I remember going to a couple of gigs 20-odd years ago, and he was a wreck then, albeit a very exciting wreck. Anyway, I'm listening to it now and its surprisingly good I recommend track 6, 'Private Hell'.
On the way to meet him I nipped into a record shop and picked up Marc Bolan & T.Rex: The Essential Collection. I used to be a bit snobby about 'Best of' collections but now I buy them regularly. The first record I ever bought was Metal Guru, back in 1972 when I was 8 years old.
I also bought Iggy Pop's new album, Skull Ring, mostly because I was very intrigued to hear what Iggy is doing now, and what he is doing with Green Day and Sum 41. I'm amazed, really, that he is still alive. I remember going to a couple of gigs 20-odd years ago, and he was a wreck then, albeit a very exciting wreck. Anyway, I'm listening to it now and its surprisingly good I recommend track 6, 'Private Hell'.
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Control Arms is a campaign jointly run by Amnesty International, IANSA and Oxfam. They say:
"The Arms Trade is out of control. Worldwide arms are fuelling conflict, poverty, and human rights abuses. It doesn’t have to be like this."
Join the 'million faces' petition.
"The Arms Trade is out of control. Worldwide arms are fuelling conflict, poverty, and human rights abuses. It doesn’t have to be like this."
Join the 'million faces' petition.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Spam. My count is back up to about 30 a day, mostly trying to sell me viagra or anti-depressants, with a few loans thrown in. I'm still reporting them to Spamcop, but a couple of days ago I downloaded MailWasher which will bounce the bastards back to whence they came. But if you use it, don't delete the spam straight away because some is unbounceable. I report the unbounceable ones. If I have time I report the bouncy ones too, but its rather time consuming, especially since I can't use the internet during the day while I'm at work so need my few moments of evening internet (when I can prise my son from the keyboard) for blogging. I really must sort out the other pc for internet access. Why are there so few hours in the day?
Its Organic Week! There is a quiz here where you can test your knowledge about organic food, and the muck that isn't. I'm ashamed to say I only got 60% - but I did learn a few things along the way.
Monday, October 06, 2003
I had a blind date last week. I gave him this url (while we were on the date), so I'd better be careful what I write - actually, we had a pleasant evening, and I've nothing negative to say about him or our evening together, so thats ok. So, how did the date come about, I hear you ask. Well, fed up of never meeting any new or single men, I put an ad in the Guardian's Soulmates section. I've had 9 replies. My ad specified that I was looking for a 'green' man. Hmmm. One man who responded lives nearly 3 hours away by road. How green would that be? Considering what a crowded island I live on, I'm sure he could find someone a bit nearer than me. So I won't be contacting him.
I had a long chat with another, who isn't very local either (about 60 miles away), but his son has just moved to Leeds to go to university and I thought if he was going to be visiting his son, maybe he could visit me too. That would make his journey a bit more environmentally friendly, in a way, because he would be making more use of his time when he got here. Well, he was very enthusiastic on the phone and told me he was coming to Leeds last Friday to deliver some furniture to his son, so could he meet me while he was here? I said yes, that might be nice. Good, he said. Keep Friday free and I'll ring you as soon as I know what time I'll be there. Hmm. He didn't. As it turned out I was really tired on Friday, (after my date on Thursday), so I was quite glad to be able to stay at home. But still - champion bullshitter that one. Crossed him off my list.
Then there was one who said he was more 'green friendly' than 'green'. What does that mean? Does he smile at people in the supermarket car park who are putting their bottles in the glass bank?
I spoke to yet another tonight, who sounded like a very nice man - but really quite posh. Now, I haven't got anything particularly against posh. Some of my best friends are posh. But I kind of got the impression that he might be a tad disappointed if I turned up in my Dr Marten boots, rolling my own cigarettes.
There are still a couple who I haven't spoken to, and I've got a date for coffee with another at the end of the week - this one is hoping to start a late career as a policeman (I am open minded and will give anyone a chance, despite what I just said about the posh man). He came across as a very left-wing potential policeman though, so hence giving it a go.
Wish me luck!
I had a long chat with another, who isn't very local either (about 60 miles away), but his son has just moved to Leeds to go to university and I thought if he was going to be visiting his son, maybe he could visit me too. That would make his journey a bit more environmentally friendly, in a way, because he would be making more use of his time when he got here. Well, he was very enthusiastic on the phone and told me he was coming to Leeds last Friday to deliver some furniture to his son, so could he meet me while he was here? I said yes, that might be nice. Good, he said. Keep Friday free and I'll ring you as soon as I know what time I'll be there. Hmm. He didn't. As it turned out I was really tired on Friday, (after my date on Thursday), so I was quite glad to be able to stay at home. But still - champion bullshitter that one. Crossed him off my list.
Then there was one who said he was more 'green friendly' than 'green'. What does that mean? Does he smile at people in the supermarket car park who are putting their bottles in the glass bank?
I spoke to yet another tonight, who sounded like a very nice man - but really quite posh. Now, I haven't got anything particularly against posh. Some of my best friends are posh. But I kind of got the impression that he might be a tad disappointed if I turned up in my Dr Marten boots, rolling my own cigarettes.
There are still a couple who I haven't spoken to, and I've got a date for coffee with another at the end of the week - this one is hoping to start a late career as a policeman (I am open minded and will give anyone a chance, despite what I just said about the posh man). He came across as a very left-wing potential policeman though, so hence giving it a go.
Wish me luck!
Last night I watched a BBC Panorama report about Guantanamo Bay. Its quite awful what has been going on there, and at Bagram in Afghanistan. Those detainees, who Bush has branded 'bad' people, even though none have been charged with anything, have been held for many months in terrible conditions. Some have died. Panorama interviewed a few men who were released after months of captivity and interrogation. These men were shackled, had their eyes taped over, were hooded. Some were drugged before being transported. The American officers in charge claim that the detainees are treated fairly. The American officers claim that the US treats everyone fairly. Well, if that is 'fair' I'd hate to see what bad treatment would be like. Distinguished UN officials, former Human Rights inspectors say that the treatment of the prisoners is akin to torture.
Is it surprising that Israel thinks it is alright to attack Syria? Not at all. Israel is merely following the example of the US. I wouldn't for one moment condone attacks on Isaraelis (or anyone else), like the one in Haifa, but retaliation is not the way to solve any problems.
Is it surprising that Israel thinks it is alright to attack Syria? Not at all. Israel is merely following the example of the US. I wouldn't for one moment condone attacks on Isaraelis (or anyone else), like the one in Haifa, but retaliation is not the way to solve any problems.
Sunday, October 05, 2003
I hope Tony Blair read this story in yesterday's Guardian. Its quite a long piece, but here is just a little bit to give you a taste:
Iraq under the US-led occupation is a fearful, lawless and broken place, where murder rates have rocketed, 80% of workers are idle and hospital managers despair at shortages of IV sets and basic antibiotics. Police are seen as thugs and thieves, and the American and British forces as distant rulers, more concerned with protecting their troops than providing security to ordinary Iraqis. The governing council they created is simply irrelevant. A mile away from one of the richest oilfields on earth, the queues at petrol stations stretch for hours. "We completely underestimated how broken this system was," says Andrew Alderson, the financial officer of the British-led administration in Basra.
Also from the Guardian is this article about global warming. Isn't it time Bush took it seriously?:
Gamblers as well as scientists take a close interest in Alaskan temperature records. Each winter, the people of Nenana, a small town just south east of Fairbanks, place bets on the exact day, hour and minute that the spring ice 'break-up' will begin on the town's river. The tradition began when railroad engineers put down a wager of $800 in 1917; by 2000, the sum at stake had grown to $335,000, attracting punters from all over Alaska and assuring round-the-clock vigilance of the river from Nenana citizens. The average date of the spring thaw is eight days earlier than it was in the 1920s; Alaska has a week less winter.
The writer cites examples from around the planet. Be worried.
Iraq under the US-led occupation is a fearful, lawless and broken place, where murder rates have rocketed, 80% of workers are idle and hospital managers despair at shortages of IV sets and basic antibiotics. Police are seen as thugs and thieves, and the American and British forces as distant rulers, more concerned with protecting their troops than providing security to ordinary Iraqis. The governing council they created is simply irrelevant. A mile away from one of the richest oilfields on earth, the queues at petrol stations stretch for hours. "We completely underestimated how broken this system was," says Andrew Alderson, the financial officer of the British-led administration in Basra.
Also from the Guardian is this article about global warming. Isn't it time Bush took it seriously?:
Gamblers as well as scientists take a close interest in Alaskan temperature records. Each winter, the people of Nenana, a small town just south east of Fairbanks, place bets on the exact day, hour and minute that the spring ice 'break-up' will begin on the town's river. The tradition began when railroad engineers put down a wager of $800 in 1917; by 2000, the sum at stake had grown to $335,000, attracting punters from all over Alaska and assuring round-the-clock vigilance of the river from Nenana citizens. The average date of the spring thaw is eight days earlier than it was in the 1920s; Alaska has a week less winter.
The writer cites examples from around the planet. Be worried.
Last night I went to see The Undertones at The Cockpit with my friend Cath and had the best night out I've had in ages. It was absolutely excellent! The club was full of 40 year olds, who by the looks of things were enjoying themselves as much as I was. I got in there jumping up and down with the crowd at the front. The band were the original members, with the exception of the singer. Feargal Sharkey is long gone, replaced by Paul McLoone, who is much sexier than Sharkey and just as good a vocalist. They played all the old stuff and some new songs too. The new album, Get What You Need is out tomorrow.
Afterwards we went through to the Cockpit Bar. A couple of the band members were there too. I chatted with Damien O'Neill, reminiscing about their last gig with Sharkey at Selhurst Park football stadium in 1983. Cath's new man Carl joined us in the bar. He brought me a bottle of wine and a box of chocs as a thank you for getting him and Cath together! No thanks were needed really because just seeing how happy they are together is reward enough, but I'll enjoy the wine & chocs anyway. I just wish I had someone to share the wine with.
The Cockpit Bar closed at 11pm (disappointing because I hadn't had chance to chat with Paul McLoone who had cast a few glances in my direction), so we went to the North Bar for a few more drinks. The North Bar is one of the few places in the city centre that isn't crammed with 18 year olds. There were actually more people of my age there than bright young things, so I think I'll be going there again. Maybe I'll meet someone to share my wine with!
Afterwards we went through to the Cockpit Bar. A couple of the band members were there too. I chatted with Damien O'Neill, reminiscing about their last gig with Sharkey at Selhurst Park football stadium in 1983. Cath's new man Carl joined us in the bar. He brought me a bottle of wine and a box of chocs as a thank you for getting him and Cath together! No thanks were needed really because just seeing how happy they are together is reward enough, but I'll enjoy the wine & chocs anyway. I just wish I had someone to share the wine with.
The Cockpit Bar closed at 11pm (disappointing because I hadn't had chance to chat with Paul McLoone who had cast a few glances in my direction), so we went to the North Bar for a few more drinks. The North Bar is one of the few places in the city centre that isn't crammed with 18 year olds. There were actually more people of my age there than bright young things, so I think I'll be going there again. Maybe I'll meet someone to share my wine with!
Saturday, October 04, 2003
The trade in diamonds in Africa finances conflict, providing funding for many of the atrocities seen there in recent decades. It is estimated that 3.7 million people have died as a result. Global Witness is campaigning for controls on the diamond industry in order to prevent more suffering. You can read about the campaign and sign a pledge on their website.
Friday, October 03, 2003
This is an actual letter sent to a man named Ryan DeVries by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, State of Michigan.
Wait till you read this guy's response-but read the State's letter (top) before you get to the response letter (bottom).
> > SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec.20;
>
> > Montcalm County
>
> >
>
> > Dear Mr. DeVries:
>
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:
Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued.
Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2003.
Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a
follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.
Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative Land and Water Management Division
This is the actual response sent back:
Dear Mr. Price,
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm >County.
Your certified letter dated 10/17/02 has been handed to me to respond to.
I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan. A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or place you choose.
I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.
My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers or
(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?
If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the
Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.
Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
I have several concerns. My first concern is --aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event causing flooding is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect.
In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than
harassing them and calling their dam names. If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free - flow condition please contact the beavers --but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter they being unable to read English.
In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their
unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).
So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred
for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2003?
The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be
noway for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then. In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality (health) problem in the area.
It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone.
If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they dump!).
Being unable to comply with your dam request, and beintr think they would be highly unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.
Ryan DeVries
(Thanks to Kerry for sending me this)
Wait till you read this guy's response-but read the State's letter (top) before you get to the response letter (bottom).
> > SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec.20;
>
> > Montcalm County
>
> >
>
> > Dear Mr. DeVries:
>
It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal landowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:
Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond. A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity. A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued.
Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2003.
Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a
follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter.
Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David L. Price
District Representative Land and Water Management Division
This is the actual response sent back:
Dear Mr. Price,
Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Montcalm >County.
Your certified letter dated 10/17/02 has been handed to me to respond to.
I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget, Pierson, Michigan. A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or place you choose.
I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic.
As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.
My first dam question to you is:
(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers or
(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?
If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the
Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued.
Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, annotated.
I have several concerns. My first concern is --aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event causing flooding is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the Department is required to protect.
In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than
harassing them and calling their dam names. If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free - flow condition please contact the beavers --but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter they being unable to read English.
In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their
unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).
So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred
for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2003?
The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then and there will be
noway for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then. In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality (health) problem in the area.
It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone.
If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! (The bears are not careful where they dump!).
Being unable to comply with your dam request, and beintr think they would be highly unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.
Ryan DeVries
(Thanks to Kerry for sending me this)
