Home Comforts

Home Comforts

Posted on by The Grumpy one

I do not believe that there is a single person amongst us that does not appreciate home comforts. After all, home is where the heart is.

No matter if your home is small or large, house or flat, it is still your home. It is the place that you can return to. A place of safety. Somewhere we you can shut out the world and be yourself.

Does size matter?

For some, the home is a show piece, a statement of where they think they are in life. Perhaps a cry for social acceptance. For many, the home is modest, comfortable and safe. A place to escape the world. Personally, my home falls into the latter grouping.

For me, a home is functional. It is not a statement of who I am. Nor is it a statement of importance or wealth. My home is my home.

As I travel around, I often reflect on the dwellings that are rich in variety as well as size. I view the larger houses with a measure of puzzlement. Is the size and price of a large house a sign or wealth or debt? Does a large house offer the occupants more comfort? Are the stress levels of ownership greater or less? What is the cost to the environment and the housing shortage of such large houses.

An Englishman’s home is his castle.

The most important function of a home is to provide a safe & comfortable refuge from the world. For me this is my nest, my burrow, my bolthole. It is a place where I can be completely relaxed, It offers no pretence of social standing. No matter where in the world I travel, returning home is always a relief; call it my comfort blanket!

The United Kingdom is also my home. I feel safe when in the country.

Can you move your home and your heart?

I am aware that people manage to move house but also move their home to another country. As a result, I ask myself not only how they do this, but where does their heart really lie? Is it possible to move your home, really move it. Moving to another country is a big step, but is it possible to really take your heart there? Having lived in the same city all my life, thinking of moving elsewhere is beyond my comprehension.

Possibly the most important question

How do you determine where your home is? Perhaps it is your first home? Maybe the city is really your home? What about your country? Does it actually matter?

Being honest with myself, I really don’t have the answer to this question. I do know that it is important to know where home is. Knowing where you can be truly safe is so important.

All I do know is that home comforts as so very important.

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Beer

Charity Beer

Posted on by The Grumpy one

We are living in unprecedented times. The Coronavirus is touching everyones lives. Of all the people that we need to support right now, those working in the NHS must be near the top of the list. So I would like to propose Charity Beer.

Like me, the idea is very simple.

I like a beer or 2. Infact, probably more. Yet I am now being told to avoid the pub. The consequence of this, is that I am not spending as much money on beer as I normally would.

I also work for 2 charities –

  • The Friends of QMC, Nottingham
  • Nottingham Hospitals Radio.

It is probably true to say that right now, the work these two charities do in Nottingham is great and perhaps never more important. Friends of QMC supports the patients, carers and staff of Nottingham’s QMC hospital. Nottingham hospitals radio entertains those in Nottinghams’s QMC and City hospitals.

Charities will be under pressure also

However, I believe most charities will also be struggling. People are not on the streets to shop in charity stores. People are worried about income and loved ones so do not think about charities. Fundraising event could be considered mass gatherings so have been cancelled.

The Idea I am going to follow

So what I have decided to do, is to donate the money I would spend on beer equally between these two charities for the next 3 months.

I recognise that I am relatively lucky. My job is secure and I have savings that I can fall back on. Not everyone is in this lucky place. So I plan to make it really count.

If you are fortunate enough to be in the same position as me, I implore you to consider donating your beer money to charity whilst we are in social distancing measures (and perhaps beyond.

As I am based in Nottingham, my three recommended charities are –

Obviously, I would love you to support these charities at this time, however, the main aim is for you to donate your beer money to a charity whilst you can’t go to the pub. The choice of charity can be yours.

It’s just a thought, but hopefully a nice one.

References

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Virus

Sheep like people

Posted on by The Grumpy one

The Coronavirus is making sheep like people. This is sad but true.

I find it very difficult to understand this behaviour. Even more mysterious is why toilet paper is so very popular!

Panic buying

Despite all the advice presented by both experts and government, people ARE panic buying. Yet all this does is make the problems worse.

Is the reason for this behaviour selfishness, ignorance, insecurity or something else?

Keep it in proportion

For me, the coronavirus is being blown out of proportion. It maybe the sensational journalism or perhaps the simple unknown. Whatever the reason, we need to calm it down. Now is not the time for panic. The time is now right to be sensible and look out for each other.

I truly believe there is sufficient evidence from different countries to suggest no one has died due to lack of food or toilet roles due to this virus! So why is this happening? Why are we not looking out for the high risk people? Have we offered to go shopping for those who may suffer a more serious impact from the illness?

Do the right thing – consider those in the high risk category

I have previously written about volunteering for a registered charity. In this blog, I talked about the fact that this need not be time consuming. Doing shopping for a vulnerable or elderly person whilst doing your own is no great effort. As a result, I believe it would be more beneficial to look out for each other. This would surely be better than being selfish and panic buying for oneself.

In this modern day an age, when we are dealing with a global virus, we need to remember our traditional values. Work as a community. Look after those elderly and at risk neighbours. Be sensible.

Poor behaviour causes others misery

Unfortunately, these caring attitudes are not what the sheep like people do. I do understand that they may think they are doing the right thing. Perhaps looking after their family. As a result of this behaviour, other people suffer.

If you take nothing else away from this blog, please take this one thing. Take away the thought of common sense and community. Doing so will help. Help the community. As a result we will all be better off in so many different ways.

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Man Reading a book

Reading

Posted on by The Grumpy one

One of the skills that has been passed down through the ages is reading. Reading is considered an essential communications skill, especially with our computer controlled world. However, reading is so very much more than a tool.

Reading is a way in which we can enrich ourselves. It also allows us to escape the world for a while.

At the time of writing this post, Google estimates that there have been 129,864,880 books published in modern history. By any stretch of the imagination, that is a lot of books.

Being in the room

If you have by chance read any of my previous blogs, you will know I encourage you as a person to ‘be present’. To contain yourself in your location and enjoy its contents. For me, reading is very much in line with this appeal.

Reading a book, be it fact or fiction, requires no external interaction. The world can be put truly in its place. However, some books have the ability to transport you to another world of the authors choosing. Others can pique your interest and open up new real worlds.

It matters not why you are reading a book. Nor does it matter what the book is. Enjoy the solitude. Take in the text at your own pace. Reading is very much a time for peace and to block any distractions. Enjoy the story, absorb the facts, shut out the world.

Paper v Electronic

Many people are passionate about owning a physical book. They wax lyrical about the sensation of the paper, the magic of the page turn. Surrounding themselves in books old and new all adds to the experience. I do not hold this against them. Personally, I use a kindle. The convenience of having a wide selection of books available. The ease of carrying. Not to mention the space saved at home.

This magical device allows me to catch a few moments of my favourite book whenever I can carve out some time in my busy day. It is not to everyone’s taste, but it works for me.

Helpful

Many people find it very difficult to just stop for a while. Doing nothing for a few moment seems foreign to them. Such pauses cause them discomfort. To them I say, read a book. Use those precious moments to absorb yourself in a good novel.

It is perhaps a shame, that most people only pick up a book when they are on holiday. They miss so much. Perhaps it is easier to watch the television or youtube. Maybe a browse of social media. This for me is missing the point. Reading is a time for solitude and relaxation. A way to put the world out of your mind for a while.

The act of picking up a book and switching your concentration to it is very beneficial. If you absorb yourself in the book, your mind stops thinking about other things. When you resume your daily life, you may even find yourself refreshed and with new ideas.

I would encourage you to make books a part of your life. It is a timeless way of catching some time for yourself. You may be very surprised at the positive effect it has on you.

Read!

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Power Button on Mac

Power

Posted on by The Grumpy one

The Power of Google. Have you ever considered where power is held. Power, not in the form of Electricity or gas, but in influence and control.

In the past, I would have considered that our Government had power. After all, they control budgets, public services, defence, health, and schools. In todays world, I do not consider this to be the true powerhouse any more.

Gobal

The world that we live in today is truly global. Rightly or wrongly, some of the true powerhouses are now business organisations. Power is derived more from the control of information than how much money is in the bank.

Consider the likes of IBM, Microsoft and Apple. All these companies either store and use your data or provide the systems to do so. They are private organisations with so much data and power. There are so many more.

Of all the companies today, I believe there is just one that is all encompassing. That organisation is probably the one that brought you to this page; Google.

Google

On the face of it, Google looks simple. However, the power and control behind that simplicity is truly frightening.

What leads me to suggest this fear? Whilst Google does not directly store the information that you want, it does hold the keys to the filing cabinet.

Think about it. Recent statistics suggest that Google has 90% of the global market share for internet searches. Assuming that statistic is true, then Google truly has power.

It has power because it makes decisions on what you see and what you don’t! If Google decides it does not want to tell you about a website, it is unlikely you will ever find it. The ramifications of that power are truly immense.

Comfort

I am unsure that I can say that I am comfortable with just one organisation having so much control. It is likely that if this size was the result of 2 companies merging in the UK, it would not be considered in our best interest. The merger would likely be blocked. So why do we accept it?

I guess we accept it because it is easy. One place that we can go for any information. It has been added to the Oxford English dictionary. The English language embraces Google.

I hope my concern is unfounded. Perhaps the algorithms that Google uses are perfectly acceptable. However, the potential for control exists.

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Written Word

The English Language

Posted on by The Grumpy one

I recently read a new blog and it made me realise how rich the English language is.

The blog (a journal from England) is new. New not only in the time that it has been online, but for its style.

Upon discovery of the first entry, I was thoroughly absorbed. Not only by the topic, but also by the style and vocabulary.

The writers command of the English language is sublime. It makes me feel inadequate when I compare with my own. Words and phrases seem to come easily to the writer.

Knowing that individuals with such skill exist is comforting. Assurance that the English language, in all its richness, is in safe hands is warming.

Reflection

As always, it does raise questions in my mind. Why is the English language so misused? What has caused people’s vocabularies to shrink so much?

There can surely be no single reason for the decline in the English language. It is likely than many people would blame the politicians. Perhaps the education system is under performing. Technology and the internet may not be blameless. Cultural diversity. Who knows?

Does it matter?

Perhaps it doesn’t really matter. As I have written many times, the speed at which we live our lives today is so fast. Everyone is starved of time for creativity. How many of us pause long enough to be unnecessarily creative with our words?

I believe however, that it matters. It matters greatly.

English is an historic language. Perhaps the most historic of all. Would it not be a great crime if we let the fullness and richness be lost forever?

Enjoyment

I do not claim to have a flair for writing. Nor do I claim to have the best range of vocabulary. Perhaps slightly above average at most. However, when I sit down to write one of these blogs, I experience much joy. The art of creating a text worthy of reading is a challenge. A challenge that I hope one day to achieve.

Writing is a simple, historic pleasure. An art form to be enjoyed both in the writing and hopefully the reading.

The written word remains a critically important form of communication. Let us not only utilise it, let is also enjoy it.

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Mobile Phones

Phones in pubs

Posted on by The Grumpy one

I have written in the past about being present and being in the moment. One of the obstacles are mobile phones. For me, mobile phones in pubs can destroy the reason for being there.

Background

Not so long ago, whilst sitting in the pub, I witnessed a sight that really depressed me.

The sight was a scene that should be joyful. A family spending time together. A family out for Sunday lunch. All should be good.

Sadly, not one of the four family members was in the room. Why? Because each and everyone of them was tapping away on their mobile phones.

This can only be considered as a missed opportunity. An opportunity for the family to spend quality time together. To be a unit. Time to talk and bond. A couple of hours where the priority is the family.

Is it right?

I consider this to be such a waste. More than a waste. It is also a sad reflection on todays society.

I could almost excuse the children. They perhaps know nothing better. The children learn what is acceptable from their parents.

The age of the parents and of mobile phones would suggest to me that they would know better. They would have lived before the scourge of the mobile phone arrived.

Whilst it is totally true that the mobile phone is revolutionary and brings many positives. Misuse is becoming so prevalent.

Widespread

The problem is so much more widespread and this is not an isolated occurrence. Only yesterday, whilst drinking with two friends, it happened again. One of my friends was consistently on his phone. He may as well not have been there. There were only two people in the conversation. Shame.

This problem can be seen in so many places. I consider it rude. I consider it disingenuous to those who have elected to spend time with the individual.

As a society, I think the the mobile phone is becoming toxic. We need to act. Why do we elect to be with one set of people whilst talking to others? Let us all be present in the room. Show respect to the people we are with.

Surely this is just good manners.

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Friends

Friends

Posted on by The Grumpy one

What is a friend?

This may seem like a strange question. However, I urge you to think about your answer. Really think about it.

In todays online age, you often hear people brag about how many Facebook friends they have. The bigger the number, the more popular they are. Indeed, the number of Facebook friends perhaps does indicate popularity. But are these people friends?

What is a friend?

I believe it is necessary to define what a friend is.

For me, a friend is not an acquaintance. Nor is it those members of the group that you go for a drink with. The people you play sport with, are they friends? I suspect not.

For me, a friend is a person that will be there for you no matter what. Someone that you trust implicitly. With a true friend, you can be yourself. There are no secrets, no acting or being the person you think they want you to be. Expectations are non existent. Perhaps your friend lives a distance away, but when you meet it is like you have never been apart. When together, you are not afraid of silence. It may not always be easy, but the friendship will endure.

So How many friends do you have?

Using the definition above, and being truthful to yourself, how many friends do you have?

I feel immensely fortunate to say that I have 2. Friendship wise, I feel rich indeed. I neither want nor need more.

If you have such friends, cherish them. Take time to realise what you have. Make sure you continue to invest the time and effort when needed in that friendship.

Mates and Acquaintances

It is important to remember, that like so many things in life, a person needs variety, they need resilience. As such, I am not suggesting for one moment that you go and ditch your mates. Just recognise the difference between a mate and a friend. Set you expectations appropriately. Respect boundaries.

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