The end of the world never came..

December 21, 2012 was, allegedly the last day of the Mayan calendar. We were told that the end of the world was nigh, but the end of Dec 21, 20120 heralded in a new era called Dec 22, 2012.

As always, a fair few high profile stars came to their end this year. Also twenty kids aged between 6 and 7 in the Sandy Hook school, Newtown, Connecticut. The NRA saw it as collateral damage. I will never understand the views of the NRA and its members. They all need psychological assistance in my opinion.

The Bushmaster AR-15 became the most famous semi-auto rifle because it was the weapon of choice for two mass shooters and a nutcase who took out two firemen in Rochester, NY.

The USA is about to step off the ‘fiscal cliff’. Pardon me for thinking that the USA had been sliding into inequity for some while. Obama tries to do his best for ALL US citizens, while Republicans do what they can to stop him.

Corruption in high places is nothing new. Four city mayors across Canada could be worse. There are eleven major cities! Banking in Europe has been found to be every bit as corrupt as it is in the USA. Surprise surprise. This is what happens when you entrust others with your money. They call it ‘human nature’.

Why isn’t corruption higher in Canada? Is it because nobody has long enough to escape before winter sets in? There is corruption in Canada, but at a lower level except for Montreal. That city has its own code.

The Middle East still has problems, Syria in particular. The Russians worry about who might replace Assad. So does everybody else, but is that a reason to stand by and do nothing to help the people? The Arab Spring has produced mixed results in other countries, mainly bad mixed in with very bad.

The West still hasn’t caught on that it is dictatorships which keep the countries unified. It may not suit us, but many less people die. The other side is that the people live very poorly whatever they try to achieve. It is not easy to see an answer, and never has been.

The London Olympics was a huge success, and despite claims by the US that security there would be a joke, it wasn’t. In the end, all they could say was “Who is Ray Davies?”.

Queen Elizabeth did a great job of standing on a boat in less than perfect conditions for hours, watching the largest British flotilla since the Armada slowly drift by. What a star that lady is. For his efforts, the Duke ended up in hospital. The man is ninety years old. I would not have done what he did, nor could I have done it.

Piers Morgan, having upset the Brits for a long time, has now upset the wannabe Wild Bills of the USA. That’s almost half of the population, and he may be looking for safe passage to Argentina fairly soon. If I had any advice for him, I would suggest that he does not start calling the Falklands by Argentina’s preferred name.

Documents relating the Falklands War have been released recently, and we find out that Her Majesty’s Government had grave doubts about whether Britain could re-take them from Argentina. While Reagan openly told the world that US involvement would only go as far as letting the Brits use Ascension Island, there were secret talks suggesting greater involvement by the US. I am pleased that there wasn’t. Americans can be insufferable as it is. Fortunately, and with few resources left, the Brits scared the Argentinian force enough that they finally surrendered.  Yay for the Brits.

On a happy note, a South Korean entertainer known as Psy has broken YouTube records by being the most watched video ever, surpassing the one billion mark. There have been many parodies made around the world, but this is the original, the one and only Psy..

Amazing stuff

It’s almost time to close down on 2012. Now you know how to make an entrance into 2013, Psy style..

No way for kids to start life..

I refer not only to the kids who watched, saw what happened in front of the them yesterday at the Sandy Hook school, Newtown Connecticut, but to ALL kids everywhere who suffer because the people who have control over their lives are too stupid, too selfish, too greedy to care.

I am sorry but I can’t imagine what it must be like to hear rapid gunfire approaching. I simply can’t imagine what it must be like to be lead through where dead school friends are laid out on the floor.

I can’t imagine these scenarios because I never had to face them. Where I grew up, there was no right to bear arms. In the UK, there is no civilian right to carry a handgun, concealed or open. Since Hungerford, a civilian is not allowed to own a working handgun or an assault rifle.

There is no place in a civilised society for people to carry guns.

I can’t imagine what it is like to go hungry, to be ill or infirm without the hope of medical care, to have no parents to protect me and teach me how to survive.

It would be bad enough to have to go through any of the above at my age, but to put a small child through any of the above is mindless, selfish, stupid BEYOND belief.

What I can tell you is that I am glad that I lived in a gun free society, or as gun free as a society can be. I am glad that I never had to grow up fearing everything that moved.

Lest you should forget..

.. in the run up to the season of ‘goodwill to all’.. 

Calling other people ‘ugly’ doesn’t make you any prettier..

Give these up and be happy..

Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all those things that no longer serve us, and we will embrace change. Ready? Here we go:

1. Give up your need to always be right. There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong – wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big?

2. Give up your need for control. Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.” Lao Tzu

3. Give up on blame. Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.

4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk. Oh my. How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive self-defeating mindset? Don’t believe everything that your mind is telling you – especially if it’s negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.

“The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” Eckhart Tolle

5. Give up your limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!

“A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind” Elly Roselle

6. Give up complaining. Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, many things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

7. Give up the luxury of criticism. Give up your need to criticize things, events or people that are different than you. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by us all.

8. Give up your need to impress others. Stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not just to make others like you. It doesn’t work this way. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not, the moment you take of all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.

9. Give up your resistance to change. Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace change – don’t resist it.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph Campbell

10. Give up labels. Stop labeling those things, people or events that you don’t understand as being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open. “The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne Dyer

11. Give up on your fears. Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place.
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

12. Give up your excuses. Send them packing and tell them they’re fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses – excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.

13. Give up the past. I know, I know. It’s hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.

14. Give up attachment. This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.

15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.

A footnote. These are NOT my words, but I support them wholeheartedly. Feel free to pass them on..

Karma – a quick recap for 2012..

The dictionary definition in simple terms:

Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect. In Western terms, “reaping what you sow”

OK so far?

So, before you speak badly of somebody or something, do a bit of soul searching first because WE all have skeletons in the cupboard.

Stupid is as stupid does, not just because YOIU say so.

When you talk behind somebody’s back, ensure that what you are saying is citable truth based on consensus and not just personal dislike. Generally, people who talk badly of others will leave NOBODY off the target list. Yes, you too will become the topic one day.

When you do good, do it quietly and expect no return. To expect anything back is selfish, a desire for praise, public recognition. If you only do good for praise, recognition of how ‘good’ you are, don’t expect others to swoon at your greatness. They will be able to see quite clearly that you are fulfilling the task all by yourself.

If you have belief in a ‘human’ god, a god who watches over you, bear in mind that your god will see good and bad, and that all actions made by you, everything you say, could and most probably will be used as evidence at your final trial.

On that note, I will leave you to sleep soundly. because you have no reason to worry, right?

----------------------------------------------------

I have done much soul searching of late. For all the good that I may have done, there is a slew of stupid, mindless actions and statements, some of which I am unreservedly ashamed.

Sometimes, I talk about them, not to get forgiveness, not to show any god that I have changed, but purely to pull them out of the Pandora’s box where I so carefully stored them, out of sight of anybody who might think less of me for what is there.

I am admitting that I have not always displayed sense or thought or care for anything around me. Before I talk about others now, I look back at some of the stuff that I have pulled out of the box and if I see something that looks even close to identical, I temper what I say and show some understanding.

People have often said to me that I am not perfect in response to something I have said or done. I don’t need to be told that I am not perfect, and I never claim to be, but I do try to head in that direction. It is a pity that the people judging me show few to no signs that they are even trying.

May your god go with you..

Here we go again..

If you are living with somebody or a group of people who bring life and vitality, be thankful and have a great day.

For those who of you who live with giant leeches who suck anything good around them into their personal black holes, you have my sympathy. I know the feeling well.

Do what you can today and everyday, and try not to let the buggers grind you down.

I had a very brief experience which brought a smile to my face and gave me hope for the future. I will endeavour to take the feeling of that that experience with me into the new year.

Wish me luck as I wish all others luck..

2011..

Please let this be a better year than 2010.. please
Initial indicators are NOT looking good already..

The dance we never had..

ILD - iue – DL

Its been awhile..

I am going to attempt to resurrect this blog. Previous articles were mainly of a general nature. This type of entry will still be included..

Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009

His personal life was a mess, but he was the ultimate showman. He wrote his own songs, and developed a dance style which every young kid wanted to emulate. Young kids today are still trying to emulate him.  His pop videos were in a class of their own, and many pop stars owe their success to the ground rules set by him.
His ‘Thriller’ album of 1983 was the biggest selling album of all time, and was part of the 750 million albums sold in his name. The accompanying video defined ‘pop’ videos and was a major factor in the initial success of MTV.
Unfortunately, like many stars, he became a victim of medication abuse, partly brought on by use of prescription drugs used to overcome the pain from injuries sustained while perfecting his craft.
His behaviour was a little weird, but what can we expect from somebody who never had the experience of being a regular kid. Accusations of child abuse and generally poor health in the last years of his life drove him to be a recluse. Since 2007, he was trying to rebuild his career. As I type this, the cause of death is not known. The world will have to wait for toxicology reports.  
Rest In Peace, Michael. It is most likely the first you have ever known..

It makes you wonder..

The End..

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
Ill never look into your eyes...again
Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need...of some...strangers hand
In a...desperate land
Lost in a roman...wilderness of pain
And all the children are insane
All the children are insane
Waiting for the summer rain, yeah

Oh, the irony..

Barack Obama faces some huge challenges as he takes office as the most powerful man in the world. Despite the statement made by the outgoing President, the USA has lost a not inconsiderable amount of credibility around the world, financially and morally.

My hope is that all citizens of the USA will pull behind Obama. There is no way that he can live up to expectations unless they all pull their weight. No one person could cure the nations ills alone.

He has put together a team of varying political persuasion, all of whom have experience of the situations which have lead the country to its present state. His choice of Hillary Clinton for the position of ‘Secretary of State’ has to be good. She is well known, well respected, and she is really very smart.

I wish Barack Obama and his team all of the best as they clear the minefield which was George W Bush..

Happy Bloody New Year..

.. to all of the selfish, greedy, thoughtless bastards who contributed to the global economic crash..

.. to all of the dictators who cling onto power by decimating their own people..

.. to all terrorists who hide behind religion, women, children and the elderly while they fire rounds indiscriminately at anybody they do not like.. 

.. to all politicians who knowingly lie through their teeth when they make promises to the people in order to get elected..

You have all done a great job thus far, and I don't doubt that none of you see fit to change your sleazy ways for 2009 and beyond..

Keep up the good work and we can maybe save a forest somewhere by not bothering to print diaries and calendars for 2010.. 

Remains of missing toddler, Caylee Anthony, identified..

Discovered in an area that was supposed to have been searched already, what is left of the toddler could have been found as early as August. Cause of death would have been easier to establish at that point. As it stands, cause of death can't be determined. This little girl is a victim of incompetence in life and after death. She has been failed by all upon whom she would have relied for a decent life.

Maybe it is better this way for her that she is free of the craziness.

Casey. the mother, has not spoken one true word about her daughter's disappearance since the story originally broke. Her capacity to fabricate is enormous. This can't be anything new, and the parents of this woman must have known that she NEVER ever tells the truth.

Cindy, the grandmother, has openly admitted to misleading the authorities. She and her husband now want immunity from prosecution before they will tell a straight story. George does as he is told, it is said.

What chance would this little girl have had of anything approaching a normal life? Any innocence she had prior to death would have been replaced by less than favourable qualities shown by her immediate family of late.

The local police chief is saying that there were thousands of 'leads', so it would be easy enough to 'lose' the three leads which would have lead to finding the body months ago. The police, professional searchers, mediums, all kinds of people had been looking for Caylee, but the three reports of a suspicious bag within a half mile of her home were obviously not properly followed up. Too busy; we looked there already; didn't want to get our feet wet; there was a snake there.

It is very sad that a little child's life has to end the way this one did, but people knew that not all was well, and the statements of morons who have appeared on TV interviews justifying dysfunctional behaviour is absolutely sickening.

Let's all live in La-La land and pretend that all around us is 'tangerine trees and marmalade skies'.

Nobody wants to take responsibility anymore. Caylee Anthony is not the first to die like this, and she will not be the last, and we have learned NOTHING.

Sit quietly for a minute, close your eyes, and pray in advance for the next child to be let down by society, because there is a child there in the wings with thousands standing in line behind.

Something to consider while out Christmas shopping..

If you have never experienced the
danger of war or the solitude of
imprisonment, the agony of torture
and hunger, you are much ahead of
the 500 million people who live in
this world.

When My Times Comes..

When I pass from this life, you may see people cry. You will assume that they are crying for me, but don't be fooled. They will be crying because they could not find the pile of gold or stack of banknotes which made me happy, made me who I was and what I was.

They will not find either of the above because I never had or needed either of the above. I can take with me the things that made me who and what I was, but I will not be taking those things out of spite. They come with me because they are what makes me who and what I am. They are me..

To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine...

.. and those who don't.

As  Ben Franklin said:

In wine there is wisdom,

in beer there  is freedom,

in water there is bacteria.

In a number  of carefully controlled trials, scientists have  demonstrated that if we drink 1 litre of water each day, at  the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria  found in faeces.

In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of  poop.However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking  wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor)  because alcohol has to go through a purification process of  boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember:

Water = Poop,

Wine =  Health.

Therefore, it's  better to drink wine and talk stupid,than to drink water and be full of crap.

There is no need to thank me  for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service.

A Dictionary Definition..

Hope..

.. is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of despair, wanting, wishing, suffering or perseverance — i.e., believing that a better or positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

The key word here is 'some'..

Sometimes, the world does not seem like a good place to be..