Sunday, 25 March 2018
Friday, 23 March 2018
Thursday, 22 March 2018
Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Passing thoughts
The world is full of cowards, bullies and liars.
Some of them do this to protect themselves or their livelihoods.
Some of them do it because they like it.
Others do it in fear, a reaction which has a resemblance to flight or fight.
There is something else in the mix though - to be punished for standing up for what one believes in or a person who genuinely challenges a wrong only to be met with cries of #abuser or #victim shaming...is disappointing.
We now live in a society where all genders are empowered but social media as a creature is out of control. Opinion has become "truth" and so has ideology if one shouts and screams loud enough.
However, imagine for a moment that there is no truth - only fact and when in happenstance, someone warps the facts to suit themselves, that could be perceived as....evil? Hitler did it, Putin is doing it as we speak. Trump has been doing it...well, since he went on the campaign trail. Don't get me started on Syria either.
So, disappointment? No....this feels more like a tribal approach with a hint of something I cannot quite put my finger on right now.
This kind of behaviour is not only happening on a global scale, it's happening on a macro one which has had a serious impact upon my well being to the point where I am reviewing my options regarding my anti-depressant medication.
But the worst thing is....the impact upon me has come from so called "fandom" - a mechanism designed to celebrate and bring out the best in people but I believe we are in dark times when people "moneytise" their output and depend on others like little parasites to pretend their careers are legitimate and worthy of recognition.
Publishing and fiction are dying, cinema is decaying...as consumers we have killed all the markets to the point where social media considers us all creators of content, except...most of that content is execrable. We're just little people, sitting in our boxes pressing like buttons that shape our universe. Or even more horrifying, participants in a Milgram experiement.
However, do you know what disappoints me more - passive behaviour. The willingness to sit by and tolerate negative, bullying activities with the excuse of "I cannot step in, my book is in danger". That is bullshit and if you say that, you're an enabler.
Think about that for a moment - shout down the actions of others, deny that activities have taken place and endorse poor behaviour? Well time travel back to Germany in 1914 and measure your activities against...well...you do the math.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Friday, 16 March 2018
Friday, 9 March 2018
Friday, 2 March 2018
Friday, 23 February 2018
Friday, 16 February 2018
Friday, 9 February 2018
Friday, 2 February 2018
Friday, 26 January 2018
Friday, 19 January 2018
Friday, 12 January 2018
Friday, 5 January 2018
Friday, 29 December 2017
Friday, 22 December 2017
Friday, 15 December 2017
Friday, 8 December 2017
Friday, 1 December 2017
Friday, 24 November 2017
Friday, 17 November 2017
Friday, 10 November 2017
Friday, 3 November 2017
Friday, 27 October 2017
Friday, 20 October 2017
Friday, 13 October 2017
Friday, 6 October 2017
Thursday, 5 October 2017
Wednesday, 4 October 2017
Country roads
Today was mum's funeral. Everything was a blur and I managed to say a few words before she was cremated.
I chose the music in line with her wishes and these were the songs played:
Feeling quite tired now but the service was what she would have wanted. I miss my mum and today was about closure.
I chose the music in line with her wishes and these were the songs played:
Feeling quite tired now but the service was what she would have wanted. I miss my mum and today was about closure.
Friday, 29 September 2017
Photo Friday
It's mum's funeral next week, the grieving process has been complex given the nature and circumstances of her death. I'm hoping some of the weight will be lifted and the air of melancholia will dissipate a little.
Friday, 22 September 2017
Friday, 15 September 2017
Friday, 8 September 2017
Friday, 1 September 2017
Thursday, 31 August 2017
A difficult post...
Over the past few weeks my mum has been
very unwell, undergoing a battery of tests (various -ostomies/MRIs etc). Four
weeks ago she had a fall and ended up being admitted to hospital.
While there, it was noted that she had a significant presence on her lung which
turned out to be aggressive lung cancer which sent her white cell count and
calcium levels off the chart. It had started to spread into her bones/bone
marrow.
Steadily, she was stabilised and released to my aunt's care (she is an
ex-nurse) last Thursday. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse as
mum's condition deteriorated, she started to hallucinate and was admitted back
into hospital on Monday (where Linda and I spent most of the day there,
although she couldn't communicate properly and mum thought she was at work).
This morning at 5:45 am I got a call to say head to the hospital asap. By the
time Linda and I got there at 6:30, mum had passed away in her sleep.
She looked as if she was having a nap and although the last few weeks have been difficult for
her, she is finally at peace.
While there, it was noted that she had a significant presence on her lung which turned out to be aggressive lung cancer which sent her white cell count and calcium levels off the chart. It had started to spread into her bones/bone marrow.
Steadily, she was stabilised and released to my aunt's care (she is an ex-nurse) last Thursday. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse as mum's condition deteriorated, she started to hallucinate and was admitted back into hospital on Monday (where Linda and I spent most of the day there, although she couldn't communicate properly and mum thought she was at work).
This morning at 5:45 am I got a call to say head to the hospital asap. By the time Linda and I got there at 6:30, mum had passed away in her sleep.
She looked as if she was having a nap and although the last few weeks have been difficult for her, she is finally at peace.
Friday, 25 August 2017
Friday, 18 August 2017
Friday, 11 August 2017
Friday, 4 August 2017
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Share it Sunday!
I've become a bit of a social and creative hermit of late - due to the depression "thing" and some other issues, I've not been myself.
However, here is a list of the things that keep me afloat and make me a (barely) human being:
The Fry Up Inspector - makes my mouth water just reading about the food adventures!
Fiona Cullinan Brave and determined - her travel blogs make for compelling reading.
Patton Oswalt - I cannot say how many times this dude has saved my life with his honesty and brilliant comedic talent.
Joel Meadows - a lovely, talented and creative person.
Liz Lunney - her art is just amazing! Talented, melancholic and a beautiful person.
Jason - wow, what can I say!? A true auteur in the comic world. His work is....crikey...just go check it out...like....now!
Jonathan Carroll - need I say more?
Last but not least - one of the most talented and beautiful and gorgeous people on the planet. Bunny Bissoux.
However, here is a list of the things that keep me afloat and make me a (barely) human being:
The Fry Up Inspector - makes my mouth water just reading about the food adventures!
Fiona Cullinan Brave and determined - her travel blogs make for compelling reading.
Patton Oswalt - I cannot say how many times this dude has saved my life with his honesty and brilliant comedic talent.
Joel Meadows - a lovely, talented and creative person.
Liz Lunney - her art is just amazing! Talented, melancholic and a beautiful person.
Jason - wow, what can I say!? A true auteur in the comic world. His work is....crikey...just go check it out...like....now!
Jonathan Carroll - need I say more?
Last but not least - one of the most talented and beautiful and gorgeous people on the planet. Bunny Bissoux.
Friday, 28 July 2017
Friday, 21 July 2017
Monday, 17 July 2017
George A Romero - 1940 - 2017.
The world has lost another auteur. Arguably one of the most influential directors of the 20th and 21st centuries.
I was lucky enough to have met him a few years ago and told him how his work inspired me to study film and the media. He was a very generous, humble person who I believe did not comprehend the importance that his productions had on the world of cinema.
Rest well George and thank you for all the great memories.
Friday, 14 July 2017
Friday, 7 July 2017
Friday, 30 June 2017
Friday, 23 June 2017
Friday, 16 June 2017
Friday, 9 June 2017
Friday, 2 June 2017
Saturday, 27 May 2017
Friday, 26 May 2017
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