So what do ‘the teenies’ have in store for us ? 2009 was an interesting and exciting year, so how will this decade compare to the last...
09: Political fallout over MP’s expenses – hilarious, time for a major shake-up and getting some real people in to form government.
10: A General Election Year – what are the chances of the UK getting a black Prime Minister !
09: Awesome F1 season – JB finally gets the championship he deserves, after a scandalous season of race fixing by McLaren and Renault.
10: Schumacher’s back – major, uncontainable overexcitement at the prospect of Button racing Hamilton, both at McLaren and against Michael Schumacher, how long is it till March 12th ?
09: Michael Jackson dies – music lost a genius ☹
10: UK rediscovers dance – So you think you can dance ?, Got to Dance, Dancing on ice... where are my leg warmers ?!
08: Beijing Olympics; 09: Murrymania at Wimbledon, England win the Ashes
10: Vancouver Winter Olympics – snowboarding, ice skating, skiing; South Africa Football World Cup – we’re playing for England, En-ga-land !
07, 08, 09: Banking crisis, deep dark recession, high unemployment
10, 11, 12: Well, it has to end some time !
The noughties: climate change, global warming
The teenies: Big freeze !
And me ? Last year’s resolution was to date more and be on time... both went well, no really ! So this year ? Learn to cook and be a little more creative in the kitchen. Well, I’m definitely committed to the idea and that’s a start ☺ .
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Is infidelity forgivable ? Why Elin won't be leaving Tiger
Modern relationships have evolved far beyond what was once considered traditional. Boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, get married and live happily ever after. Maybe it has never really been this way, but since good old Henry set the trend for divorce, it seems marriage and relationships in general, are never forever.
As a biologist, it makes perfect sense to me that man and woman should desire more than just one partner with which to procreate. There is a much better chance of ensuring the longevity of your genetic footprint if you mix it up a little. Yet we (mostly) chose to settle with just one partner and it’s socially unacceptable to have more than one partner, or to cheat. But we all know it happens... a lot ! Guys cheat on their girlfriends; husbands and wives have extramarital affairs; women frequently and knowingly enter into relationships with married men.
When discovered, infidelity causes great emotional fallout, but why are we always so surprised when we know it happens so often. If you weren’t getting everything you hoped for from a relationship, would you be able to resist the temptation of a more desirable prospect. Would it mean you loved your partner any less if you sought temporary physical relief ? No probably not. But does that justify the act. Would you expect to be forgiven ?
Most women, and probably men, can usually sense when their partner is up to no good. And when the matter is considered rationally, many would say they would forgive their partner. Yet there is still apparently an urge to, I don’t know, attack your husband with a golf club, when you find out. So it’s not ok, it’s not acceptable to cheat on your partner. But compared with the prospect of losing the partner you love and going it alone, it’s easy to see why many people forgive.
In Elin’s (wife of Tiger Woods) case, the multimillion dollar mansions, extensive staff and leisurely lifestyle will probably ease the pain, but even without all that, she’d probably still forgive him. For better, for worse right ?
As a biologist, it makes perfect sense to me that man and woman should desire more than just one partner with which to procreate. There is a much better chance of ensuring the longevity of your genetic footprint if you mix it up a little. Yet we (mostly) chose to settle with just one partner and it’s socially unacceptable to have more than one partner, or to cheat. But we all know it happens... a lot ! Guys cheat on their girlfriends; husbands and wives have extramarital affairs; women frequently and knowingly enter into relationships with married men.
When discovered, infidelity causes great emotional fallout, but why are we always so surprised when we know it happens so often. If you weren’t getting everything you hoped for from a relationship, would you be able to resist the temptation of a more desirable prospect. Would it mean you loved your partner any less if you sought temporary physical relief ? No probably not. But does that justify the act. Would you expect to be forgiven ?
Most women, and probably men, can usually sense when their partner is up to no good. And when the matter is considered rationally, many would say they would forgive their partner. Yet there is still apparently an urge to, I don’t know, attack your husband with a golf club, when you find out. So it’s not ok, it’s not acceptable to cheat on your partner. But compared with the prospect of losing the partner you love and going it alone, it’s easy to see why many people forgive.
In Elin’s (wife of Tiger Woods) case, the multimillion dollar mansions, extensive staff and leisurely lifestyle will probably ease the pain, but even without all that, she’d probably still forgive him. For better, for worse right ?
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Daytime beauties
So Belle de Jour, the anonymous author of online blog and books ‘Secret diary of a London call girl’ revealed her true identity last week, bringing to the news the topic of prostitution: whether it’s irresponsible to glamorise the industry as Belle and the TV spin-offs did; should prostitution be legalised?; should society do more to help those forced into the trade?
Obviously, I’m no expert in the trade, although many were quick to draw parallels between me and my new found enjoyment of blogging, my not always subtle expression of my sexuality, and the fact that Belle turned out to be a scientist from Bristol ! Having read her story, I can appreciate how she found herself to be exploiting the desires of men to fund her PhD. There may be more to her background than we are lead to believe, but should her call-girl past really be so taboo? The fact that her life turned out this way says more about the increasing cost of higher education and the desperate situations that many students face having accumulated so much debt, than it does about her character. I confess, on realising at the end of my degree I owed over 20k, I once seriously entertained the prospect of working as an escort myself. Fate, and perhaps self respect intervened, but the reality is, most women who turn to prostitution don’t have a choice.
The sad truth of the majority of cases of prostitution is that the men and women who find themselves resorting to such measures, have limited options. Society should not just ignore prostitution, but address the reasons why it happens. It is well said that prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. Men and women have sold sex for centuries and will do so for centuries more. Criminalising the act will not stop it happening. So legalise prostitution. Take the victims off the streets and provide regulated accommodation where those that are likely to benefit from support can be offered help. Maybe the five young women from Suffolk, murdered a few years ago, might still be alive if this approach had been taken.
Legalising prostitution would most certainly rid the trade would of much of the stigma that is currently attached to selling sex, and possibly to sex in general. Who knows, there might even be a knock on effect of reducing the ridiculous teenage pregnancy rate we have in this country; Holland is a good example of this. So long as sex is kept it clean, consensual, and with good contraception where necessary, what exactly is the problem? It is, after all, a well documented medical fact that regular good sex improves ones health.
With a legal and regulated vocation of ‘tantric training’, daytimes beauties might become as commonplace as women of the night. I, therefore, applaud Belle de Jour’s confidence to monetise her sexuality and admire her determination to succeed.
Obviously, I’m no expert in the trade, although many were quick to draw parallels between me and my new found enjoyment of blogging, my not always subtle expression of my sexuality, and the fact that Belle turned out to be a scientist from Bristol ! Having read her story, I can appreciate how she found herself to be exploiting the desires of men to fund her PhD. There may be more to her background than we are lead to believe, but should her call-girl past really be so taboo? The fact that her life turned out this way says more about the increasing cost of higher education and the desperate situations that many students face having accumulated so much debt, than it does about her character. I confess, on realising at the end of my degree I owed over 20k, I once seriously entertained the prospect of working as an escort myself. Fate, and perhaps self respect intervened, but the reality is, most women who turn to prostitution don’t have a choice.
The sad truth of the majority of cases of prostitution is that the men and women who find themselves resorting to such measures, have limited options. Society should not just ignore prostitution, but address the reasons why it happens. It is well said that prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. Men and women have sold sex for centuries and will do so for centuries more. Criminalising the act will not stop it happening. So legalise prostitution. Take the victims off the streets and provide regulated accommodation where those that are likely to benefit from support can be offered help. Maybe the five young women from Suffolk, murdered a few years ago, might still be alive if this approach had been taken.
Legalising prostitution would most certainly rid the trade would of much of the stigma that is currently attached to selling sex, and possibly to sex in general. Who knows, there might even be a knock on effect of reducing the ridiculous teenage pregnancy rate we have in this country; Holland is a good example of this. So long as sex is kept it clean, consensual, and with good contraception where necessary, what exactly is the problem? It is, after all, a well documented medical fact that regular good sex improves ones health.
With a legal and regulated vocation of ‘tantric training’, daytimes beauties might become as commonplace as women of the night. I, therefore, applaud Belle de Jour’s confidence to monetise her sexuality and admire her determination to succeed.
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
The Poppy wars
I am wondering why no-one has commented on the irony of the Poppy symbol for Armistice Day and its links with Afghanistan. Perhaps it’s not politically correct to do so, but given the increasing gravity of the situation in Afghanistan and the wish of the majority of Britons to support their troops, it seems a little ignorant not to point out the obvious.
With the devastating loss of so many young soldiers recently and the current intensification of British military activity in Afghanistan, what was dubbed the ‘war on terror’ is at the forefront of public concerns. Families of those who have been killed want to know what we are fighting for.
The US and British governments, and state controlled news media would have us believe that continued military presence is necessary to secure safe and fair elections, and maintain political stability. There was little attempt, at least, to deny that both governments supported an outcome favourable to the western world.
The truth is probably less savoury. The so called ‘war on terror’ is now predominantly led by counter-narcotics initiatives. The control of thousands of acres of poppy fields by the Taliban for the production of heroin and generation of cash continues to ensure their survival. The cash is put back into weapons and the war continues. On the face of it then, should one country’s political activities be of such concern to the British government? No-one seems quite as bothered by events in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Zimbabwe. When you consider the underlying reasons, however, there appears to be much stronger justification for continuing war efforts in Afghanistan. So why doesn’t the government just tell the truth?
Should eradication of Afghan poppy fields be one of Britain’s primary military objectives? I don’t have a better answer for how to control worldwide demand for narcotics and continued fuelling of terrorism. So until I do, I will trust current military objectives and offer my full support to every man and woman, young and old who has risked his life in the name of protecting his country. To me the poppy is a symbol representing the possibility of peace, and the duty for all of us to find a way.
With the devastating loss of so many young soldiers recently and the current intensification of British military activity in Afghanistan, what was dubbed the ‘war on terror’ is at the forefront of public concerns. Families of those who have been killed want to know what we are fighting for.
The US and British governments, and state controlled news media would have us believe that continued military presence is necessary to secure safe and fair elections, and maintain political stability. There was little attempt, at least, to deny that both governments supported an outcome favourable to the western world.
The truth is probably less savoury. The so called ‘war on terror’ is now predominantly led by counter-narcotics initiatives. The control of thousands of acres of poppy fields by the Taliban for the production of heroin and generation of cash continues to ensure their survival. The cash is put back into weapons and the war continues. On the face of it then, should one country’s political activities be of such concern to the British government? No-one seems quite as bothered by events in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Zimbabwe. When you consider the underlying reasons, however, there appears to be much stronger justification for continuing war efforts in Afghanistan. So why doesn’t the government just tell the truth?
Should eradication of Afghan poppy fields be one of Britain’s primary military objectives? I don’t have a better answer for how to control worldwide demand for narcotics and continued fuelling of terrorism. So until I do, I will trust current military objectives and offer my full support to every man and woman, young and old who has risked his life in the name of protecting his country. To me the poppy is a symbol representing the possibility of peace, and the duty for all of us to find a way.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
That evil BNP leader
I refuse to give him credit by naming him, however, I believe the BBC had a duty to invite the BNP leader onto Question Time last week. It is unfortunate that sufficient people in this country have given the BNP enough support to mean that they are now a political party of significance. The editors were, therefore, right to invite the party’s leader onto the show in the interests of inviting political debate. I, however, deliberately chose, as I have the freedom to do, not to watch. I have seen and read enough to know that there is nothing that man could possibly say to justify the party’s ridiculous stance to me. So I cannot comment on the programme, but of course have views on the party and situation as a whole.
The party trades mainly on its argument that immigration in Britain is out of control, and that ‘non-white’ immigrants are taking jobs and benefits away from ‘indigenous white Britons’. It gets me heated up just to repeat these ridiculous nonsense phrases; however, there is some strength in the immigration argument. Britain has long given the impression to immigrants that they can come here and live and eat for free as long as they wish. One way to tackle over immigration is not to stop those in need from seeking asylum here, but as I have commented before, by tightening up the welfare system. By removing the incentive to migrate to Britain from countries without such a generous welfare system, less people would be inclined to take the risk of being jobless and homeless.
There should not be the right for immigrants to arrive in Britain and automatically receive access to the healthcare and welfare system that British citizens work hard to pay for, without the expectation that any immigrant will make a significant contribution to the state. I would not consider it right to go to China, the Philippines or anywhere else and live off their welfare system (if they had one). I would expect to have to work for a living and, if offered free education, repay the country with the skills I had been provided with. I consider myself fortunate to have received a (reasonable) quality education from the British state and believe I have a duty to repay my debt to society.
The argument that jobs are taken from British citizens has little credibility. British workers aren’t willing to lower themselves to picking fruit or colleting cockles because they know they can just spend an hour at the job centre picking up their welfare cheque, then stopping off to buy cigarettes and alcohol on their way home to watch Trisha. The jobs market should always be a free market and if immigrants are prepared to work hard at both the lower and higher end of the jobs market where others wouldn’t or couldn’t, that is not a bad thing.
For the BNP to claim that they are not a racist party is simple not true. The party has rules that do not permit certain people from becoming members; this is arguably illegal never mind racist. A quick search of the party leader’s political history will reveal that he is an extremely rightwing, fascist, racist. It is frightening that those who have not sought or not been given accurate information on the party’s fundamental roots have been duped into voting for the BNP. Labour, the Conservatives, Lib dems, even the Greens must up their game to win back the support of voters and stop a BNP vote by default.
I am also disgusted at the BNP’s hijacking of certain symbols and phrases. You will notice the poppy on my picture today in support of the hundreds of thousands of brave servicemen and women that have fought to protect our country. This includes men and women of all races and creeds, remembering also our Ghurkha friends who have leant their support to Britain for many decades. The BNP party’s misuse of the British flag and questionably motivated support of British forces creates a misleading image of what it means to be British. I consider myself a British National and proud (if a little embarrassed sometimes due to weak government efforts). But it makes me very angry that this phrase also has other implications. I have worked and paid tax and NI in this country for over a decade and intend to do so for the rest of my working life, in addition to making a significant contribution to public services. So I am of course, a model example of a second generation immigrant! And proof that it is not immigration in itself that is the problem, but the invitation of a welfare system open to abuse.
The party trades mainly on its argument that immigration in Britain is out of control, and that ‘non-white’ immigrants are taking jobs and benefits away from ‘indigenous white Britons’. It gets me heated up just to repeat these ridiculous nonsense phrases; however, there is some strength in the immigration argument. Britain has long given the impression to immigrants that they can come here and live and eat for free as long as they wish. One way to tackle over immigration is not to stop those in need from seeking asylum here, but as I have commented before, by tightening up the welfare system. By removing the incentive to migrate to Britain from countries without such a generous welfare system, less people would be inclined to take the risk of being jobless and homeless.
There should not be the right for immigrants to arrive in Britain and automatically receive access to the healthcare and welfare system that British citizens work hard to pay for, without the expectation that any immigrant will make a significant contribution to the state. I would not consider it right to go to China, the Philippines or anywhere else and live off their welfare system (if they had one). I would expect to have to work for a living and, if offered free education, repay the country with the skills I had been provided with. I consider myself fortunate to have received a (reasonable) quality education from the British state and believe I have a duty to repay my debt to society.
The argument that jobs are taken from British citizens has little credibility. British workers aren’t willing to lower themselves to picking fruit or colleting cockles because they know they can just spend an hour at the job centre picking up their welfare cheque, then stopping off to buy cigarettes and alcohol on their way home to watch Trisha. The jobs market should always be a free market and if immigrants are prepared to work hard at both the lower and higher end of the jobs market where others wouldn’t or couldn’t, that is not a bad thing.
For the BNP to claim that they are not a racist party is simple not true. The party has rules that do not permit certain people from becoming members; this is arguably illegal never mind racist. A quick search of the party leader’s political history will reveal that he is an extremely rightwing, fascist, racist. It is frightening that those who have not sought or not been given accurate information on the party’s fundamental roots have been duped into voting for the BNP. Labour, the Conservatives, Lib dems, even the Greens must up their game to win back the support of voters and stop a BNP vote by default.
I am also disgusted at the BNP’s hijacking of certain symbols and phrases. You will notice the poppy on my picture today in support of the hundreds of thousands of brave servicemen and women that have fought to protect our country. This includes men and women of all races and creeds, remembering also our Ghurkha friends who have leant their support to Britain for many decades. The BNP party’s misuse of the British flag and questionably motivated support of British forces creates a misleading image of what it means to be British. I consider myself a British National and proud (if a little embarrassed sometimes due to weak government efforts). But it makes me very angry that this phrase also has other implications. I have worked and paid tax and NI in this country for over a decade and intend to do so for the rest of my working life, in addition to making a significant contribution to public services. So I am of course, a model example of a second generation immigrant! And proof that it is not immigration in itself that is the problem, but the invitation of a welfare system open to abuse.
Monday, 19 October 2009
Congrats to Jenson Button on F1 championship
Well, I couldn’t call myself a real F1 fan if I didn’t blog about Jenson’s fantastic championship win! He is an awesome driver and really deserves it. Was excellent to see him carve up the new boys on the track with some brilliant overtaking moves and drive his heart out to win the championship in Brazil last night. A quick mention to the other drivers in yesterday's race, Webber who won, Hamilton's brilliant drive through the field, and Kimi Raikkonen who was really 'on fire' !
Anyone who knows me will know I have been a fan of Jenson Button ever since his first drive in 2000 with Williams. This was probably more to do with his being from Somerset, not all that far from where I grew up, and me harbouring secret fantasies of bumping into him one day and him asking me out... ok, I said it was a fantasy! But he got me hooked on F1 and Grand Prix racing and I’ve been a dedicated follower ever since.
Watching Jenson struggle through his days at Renault and Honda, it was always clear he was an extremely talented driver and, with the right team and car, would have won an F1 race much sooner than he eventually did after nearly six years of trying. And thanks to the brilliance that is Ross Brawn, he finally got the break he absolutely deserved. He had a great team and car, but you still have to be an instinctively skilled, experienced and determined driver to win grands prix. And everything came together beautifully for Jenson this season.
The fact that Britain has two current world champions in F1 is awesome. Of course I support Lewis Hamilton, but I’m afraid if it came down to a head to head between the two, I would be cheering for Jenson every time! So bring on 2010. If McClaren can get their gear sorted out, which they probably will, and Lewis is still hungry to show everyone who is really the best (drop the pussy cat doll, she’s distracting you!)... then Jenson and Brawn won’t have an easy time defending their championship. And we will be loving watching every second !
Anyone who knows me will know I have been a fan of Jenson Button ever since his first drive in 2000 with Williams. This was probably more to do with his being from Somerset, not all that far from where I grew up, and me harbouring secret fantasies of bumping into him one day and him asking me out... ok, I said it was a fantasy! But he got me hooked on F1 and Grand Prix racing and I’ve been a dedicated follower ever since.
Watching Jenson struggle through his days at Renault and Honda, it was always clear he was an extremely talented driver and, with the right team and car, would have won an F1 race much sooner than he eventually did after nearly six years of trying. And thanks to the brilliance that is Ross Brawn, he finally got the break he absolutely deserved. He had a great team and car, but you still have to be an instinctively skilled, experienced and determined driver to win grands prix. And everything came together beautifully for Jenson this season.
The fact that Britain has two current world champions in F1 is awesome. Of course I support Lewis Hamilton, but I’m afraid if it came down to a head to head between the two, I would be cheering for Jenson every time! So bring on 2010. If McClaren can get their gear sorted out, which they probably will, and Lewis is still hungry to show everyone who is really the best (drop the pussy cat doll, she’s distracting you!)... then Jenson and Brawn won’t have an easy time defending their championship. And we will be loving watching every second !
Friday, 9 October 2009
Life under DC
Oh how I wish by DC I meant the delightful David Coulthard, wouldn’t that be a treat.
Unfortunately the DC I refer to is David Cameron. And, due to Labour and Gordon Brown’s lacklustre performance of late, I think we all know that, come next summer, Cameron will be running the country. I’m not normally a defeatist, but this is pretty much a foregone conclusion.
So how will the country change. I’m not normally a pessimist either, nor do I pretend to be a political historian of any authority, but what happened the last time the conservatives went into government ? Utilities, railways, and many other national industries were privatised; Financial services were deregulated; interest rates were the highest on record. So that all worked out really well then didn’t it?
To be fair, the conservatives do have a reputation of willingness to be ruthless with welfare, something I would support them in if it weren’t for the appearance of most conservatives that as long as they’re alright, who cares about the poor. And I admit, I have been genuinely impressed with Cameron himself. He seems to care. But this is the problem, he SEEMS to care. Cameron is just the pretty face the party are using to front them. He’s just the PR guy. It will still be the old Etonian boys that will be making all the decisions.
The only positive thing I can see coming our way at the moment is that the conservatives realise they will be picking up the keys to number 10 next May, and are actually making some solid plans. So they should be well prepared...but I think I’ll be fixing my mortgage rate before May!
Unfortunately the DC I refer to is David Cameron. And, due to Labour and Gordon Brown’s lacklustre performance of late, I think we all know that, come next summer, Cameron will be running the country. I’m not normally a defeatist, but this is pretty much a foregone conclusion.
So how will the country change. I’m not normally a pessimist either, nor do I pretend to be a political historian of any authority, but what happened the last time the conservatives went into government ? Utilities, railways, and many other national industries were privatised; Financial services were deregulated; interest rates were the highest on record. So that all worked out really well then didn’t it?
To be fair, the conservatives do have a reputation of willingness to be ruthless with welfare, something I would support them in if it weren’t for the appearance of most conservatives that as long as they’re alright, who cares about the poor. And I admit, I have been genuinely impressed with Cameron himself. He seems to care. But this is the problem, he SEEMS to care. Cameron is just the pretty face the party are using to front them. He’s just the PR guy. It will still be the old Etonian boys that will be making all the decisions.
The only positive thing I can see coming our way at the moment is that the conservatives realise they will be picking up the keys to number 10 next May, and are actually making some solid plans. So they should be well prepared...but I think I’ll be fixing my mortgage rate before May!
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