What a week it has been. I have been able to keep myself occupied thanks to working in Argos and have got a few apps off to places too. Productive to say the the least! Its just a shame I have a million things to do at home, like tidy my car, replace my indicator lights, find out the source of my home wireless network problem and bring some order to the clutter which lives in my bedroom. I could have got a real good start on it today but I wimped out at the thought; instead I had a lie-in and decided to spend a few hours in Penarth where I bought some books and had a nice haircut.
I don't know whether it was because today has been really sunny and fine, but walking around the small, fairly quiet and tranquil town of Penarth really makes me consider it to be somewhere to live in the future. I know what some of you may be thinking - I better be prepared to dip my hand into my pocket - it just seemed right. I always have liked Penarth and I often consider it a refreshing place to shop as an alternative to Cardiff. For the moment though, I must be able to afford to live somewhere a bit more in my current price range. At this rate, the Rhondda is calling my name. Llwynypia perhaps?
In other news, I face my first job interview tomorrow. It is for a job which I never thought I would be applying for, but it is certainly not one which will put me at a bad financial situation. Nerves haven't kicked in yet, but I'm sure they will take ahold of me some time this evening! Above all, this interview brings relief and hope to what has been a very blighted job seeking campaign. Since searching from November, I havent had a sausage from anyone at all and my morale on the whole thing has slowly hit rock bottom. I'm just hoping after this interview I have a bit more luck on the job front, or if we are looking for the best case scenario, a job!
Finally, the mighty Wales effectively bowed out of Euro 2008 qualifiying with a lacklastre defeat against the Irish. I originally planned a Dublin trip last year and now I'm thoroughly glad I didn't go through with it! I didn't see the game but from all the reviews, our Dragons were just plain awful. I had real hopes we could pin something from this game especially as Ireland have been self-exploding in particularly bad fashion lately, turning on manager Steve Staunton after a woeful 2-1 last minute victory against the San Marinese. With Steve now off the hook and a bit of breathing space, the pressure is now on John Toshack to deliver. I have always been a supporter of Tosh, mainly because of his immense acheivements in Spain and Turkey, and I think he has the tactical know-how to push Wales forward. I also agree with the FAW that he is undergoing an overhaul of new youth players who need to be blooded while some of our older players are stil there to guide the way. But that game has rocked my confidence slightly. I mean, two attempts on goal? With Bellamy and Giggs? I find it hard to believe that we couldn't take the game to them a bit more. And at the centre of it all, is a very hollow midfield which still bears the scars of the absent Savage, Thatcher and Oster. Don't get me wrong, no-one's ego should ever be bigger than the team but has Tosh burnt too many 'bridges' that we need to qualify? I hate to say that - I just really hope that results against San Marino on Wednesday and the Czechs in June will expel these doubts and restore my faith in the Welsh gaffer.
The Quickening
If the mighty Kronos knows all and sees all
I would have had my existence refund paid long ago.
For all the days I have laid looking at the bedroom wall
And for all the naiveities I still hold and know,
Too many cornflakes can embitter the soul
Just like too much daytime TV can rot your brain
Everyday stuck in a banal, virtual hole
Of the daily afternoon post always returning the same.
Above it all, I am sloth, I am my worst enemy
I am eighty percent becoming of what I never wanted to be.
And time just... moves... so... slowly....
Twenty percent feels like that's all I'm ever going to be.
And yet, the world moves at the quickening
No time to find your Valhalla when the seas are fraught with doom
And your search becomes chaotic and most sickening
As your prided long boat is sinking; your great asset you once presumed.
To be idle, you are slain, but in this battle
Even the good ones find themselves on their knees
To miss the tide with waffling and prattle
Are not the right words for your bargaining pleas.
And all this, to put bricks to your house, fuel to your car
And get the very things you think you lack,
And now a month has passed, have I come this far?
Can I please have my five minutes back?
So tomorrow brings another lazy, work filled day
And if you don't take heed, you will be in danger of being late,
As the seconds of eternity are frittering away,
They keep up frantically with Wall St. at an hourly rate.
Been a long time since I have written a poem, just wanted to clear the cobwebs a bit on the creative side of my brain! Those who know me well can probably guess the main subject of it, despite it not being directly mentioned, but what I tried to convey here is that time can move slowly and quickly at the same time; a feeling that I have harboured recently.
If you are interested in other poetry that I have written, please visit: http://allpoetry.com/janstar
I would have had my existence refund paid long ago.
For all the days I have laid looking at the bedroom wall
And for all the naiveities I still hold and know,
Too many cornflakes can embitter the soul
Just like too much daytime TV can rot your brain
Everyday stuck in a banal, virtual hole
Of the daily afternoon post always returning the same.
Above it all, I am sloth, I am my worst enemy
I am eighty percent becoming of what I never wanted to be.
And time just... moves... so... slowly....
Twenty percent feels like that's all I'm ever going to be.
And yet, the world moves at the quickening
No time to find your Valhalla when the seas are fraught with doom
And your search becomes chaotic and most sickening
As your prided long boat is sinking; your great asset you once presumed.
To be idle, you are slain, but in this battle
Even the good ones find themselves on their knees
To miss the tide with waffling and prattle
Are not the right words for your bargaining pleas.
And all this, to put bricks to your house, fuel to your car
And get the very things you think you lack,
And now a month has passed, have I come this far?
Can I please have my five minutes back?
So tomorrow brings another lazy, work filled day
And if you don't take heed, you will be in danger of being late,
As the seconds of eternity are frittering away,
They keep up frantically with Wall St. at an hourly rate.
Been a long time since I have written a poem, just wanted to clear the cobwebs a bit on the creative side of my brain! Those who know me well can probably guess the main subject of it, despite it not being directly mentioned, but what I tried to convey here is that time can move slowly and quickly at the same time; a feeling that I have harboured recently.
If you are interested in other poetry that I have written, please visit: http://allpoetry.com/janstar
Bobbies on the Beat
Before I went to work yesterday I watched Sunday AM at the 'glance at the papers' section for a quick idea of whats happening in current events. There was one story particularly caught my attention, however I was unable to get the name of the paper to have a real good read of the article. It basically reported that bureaucracy in the police force has gone farcical and that there are roughly 53 pencil-pushers behind every single bobbie on the beat. As you can possibly agree, that is completely ridculous! I'm now glad I didn't get that job in the police, if that is the accurate state of affairs! What we are seeing here is the highly politically sensitive issue of street policing, and the broken promises made by governments alike of putting more policemen and policewomen on the streets, to directly stem the flow of crime where it matters.
The issue of policing always makes me think of the time Jen and I went to Tunisia, on an excursion into the cities of Kairowan, El Djem and Monastir. We were very lucky to have a highly interested, funny and intelligent tour guide who was also a Masters graduate in International Relations. This guy was therefore in a position to give us information about anything in Tunisia, in a very coherent and knowledgable way. What I could hear from the fellow Brits whispering around me, and was something I had also considered, was the heavy presence of policemen on the streets in each city. We must have thought 'ah, African country, must have a real problem with crime'. But when one tourist asked the guide why there were so many policemen on the streets he responded with another two questions. "Why not?", he said, followed by "why don't you in your country?". It was here that the guide shown great clarity on the subject. He said that despite Blair going to war on the rest of the world, our PM failed to understand that if there is a risk to your own people in that same war, they need to be protected. The guide went on to explain that in Tunisia, crime levels are fairly small mainly due to its insular nature in international politics and the visable presence of police on their streets. But what sold me was the more simple phrase of "why not"? I mean, its fairly simple really isn't it? More street police, less street crimes like muggings, theft and violence.
This Labour government stated that it will get tough on the causes of crime to bring down lawlessness in this country and has seemed to ease the police presence on our streets. It will probably argue therefore that it will look at cracking down on drug dens, prositution rings and illegal slave trades as they are the roots of more petty crimes associated with it like theft. In addition, Labour have also done something towards getting more police on the streets, even if it seems like a real copout (no pun intended, honest) by getting the public to act as policemen and policewomen. They have brought in 'community wardens' as junior members of law enforcement, but despite this move, they still remain to be scarce when I drive around. Maybe I just drive into the wrong places. But I'm sure you could relate to this observation.
Or maybe the lack of street police is down to something a bit more psychological. Just like we Tunisian tourists thought, with policemen on the streets we automatically assumed that there must be a problem; that the streets must not be safe for such a strong presence. And with a North African backdrop removed, I'm sure the general public would have the same fears back home. With more coppers around, people may feel safe, but the sceptical side of their minds must feel as though to have more coppers around, something must be afoot in our great, law-abiding British society. If the government were to implement more police around, one rather weak criticism which could be raised by some is that it would be making smoke without a fire perhaps. But sadly, as the knife killings in London and gang killings in Birmingham show, maybe there is a fire. Maybe also it is time to wake up and realise that some of those 53 bureaucrats must be reduced if we are going to going to get tougher on crime.
The issue of policing always makes me think of the time Jen and I went to Tunisia, on an excursion into the cities of Kairowan, El Djem and Monastir. We were very lucky to have a highly interested, funny and intelligent tour guide who was also a Masters graduate in International Relations. This guy was therefore in a position to give us information about anything in Tunisia, in a very coherent and knowledgable way. What I could hear from the fellow Brits whispering around me, and was something I had also considered, was the heavy presence of policemen on the streets in each city. We must have thought 'ah, African country, must have a real problem with crime'. But when one tourist asked the guide why there were so many policemen on the streets he responded with another two questions. "Why not?", he said, followed by "why don't you in your country?". It was here that the guide shown great clarity on the subject. He said that despite Blair going to war on the rest of the world, our PM failed to understand that if there is a risk to your own people in that same war, they need to be protected. The guide went on to explain that in Tunisia, crime levels are fairly small mainly due to its insular nature in international politics and the visable presence of police on their streets. But what sold me was the more simple phrase of "why not"? I mean, its fairly simple really isn't it? More street police, less street crimes like muggings, theft and violence.
This Labour government stated that it will get tough on the causes of crime to bring down lawlessness in this country and has seemed to ease the police presence on our streets. It will probably argue therefore that it will look at cracking down on drug dens, prositution rings and illegal slave trades as they are the roots of more petty crimes associated with it like theft. In addition, Labour have also done something towards getting more police on the streets, even if it seems like a real copout (no pun intended, honest) by getting the public to act as policemen and policewomen. They have brought in 'community wardens' as junior members of law enforcement, but despite this move, they still remain to be scarce when I drive around. Maybe I just drive into the wrong places. But I'm sure you could relate to this observation.
Or maybe the lack of street police is down to something a bit more psychological. Just like we Tunisian tourists thought, with policemen on the streets we automatically assumed that there must be a problem; that the streets must not be safe for such a strong presence. And with a North African backdrop removed, I'm sure the general public would have the same fears back home. With more coppers around, people may feel safe, but the sceptical side of their minds must feel as though to have more coppers around, something must be afoot in our great, law-abiding British society. If the government were to implement more police around, one rather weak criticism which could be raised by some is that it would be making smoke without a fire perhaps. But sadly, as the knife killings in London and gang killings in Birmingham show, maybe there is a fire. Maybe also it is time to wake up and realise that some of those 53 bureaucrats must be reduced if we are going to going to get tougher on crime.
Yeah that's Right, MANLY MEN!
In the absence of a picture in my last post, I thought I'd make it up with one of the greatest comedy sketches within a movie, since 'Spamalot' in The Holy Grail. All hail this masterpiece of classic choreography and fantastic lyrics!
Manly Men
This post begins with no pictures and much scorn. For some reason since Saturday, my wireless network has failed to give my precious Sally (my lappy) any internet goodness. In addition, the digisender which I use to watch Sky in the front living room has also gone caput. I sense that some treachery or some tomfoolery is afoot, but for now I am relegated to the family PC to tell you all of my woes, my recent trips and burning issues.
Jen and I had the weekend before last off from work, so we decided to do something to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. We settled for Kenilworth Castle, which is sandwiched nicely in the countryside between Coventry and Warwick. It was a superb castle, complete with lots to see and learn, as the prominent figure which owned this estate was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth I's 'closest advisor'. And I hope you know what I mean when I say 'closest'....
Anyway after Kenilworth, we though we would grab some food in Stratford-upon-Avon, which was a short distance away. There we had chips in the rain (romantic!) after we attempted to sit by the canal and admire the scenery. We later found the Stratford Argos (tiny!) on the same street as Shakespeare's birthplace. See, Argos can be a part of history! After we refused to enter Big Will's crib, we decided to get some Warwickshire ice-cream and then see Anne Hathaway's cottage to complete the Shakespearean extravagansa. We then went to Worcester, where we dined at classy Nando's and had the usual Meal Platter. We walked around the city centre and failed to find the Argos, but we did establish that it was a very 'alternative' place. There were so many goths, skate punks, metallers on the streets it looked like it was the set of a Slipknot video or something! We did see the cathedral but sadly by then it was night and the pictures didn't come out so well. We then went home through Great Malvern and also failed to find the Argos there, but by then it was pitch black and any excursions in teh middle of the Malvern hills would just be plain crazy. We then went home back over to the green green grass of home.
This weekend just passed I finally became a manly man. It's true; you are not a real man until you have experienced the ancient ritual of the Stag, and I was lucky enough to part-take of this of sacred event in style. The victim, or should I say the groom-to-be, was Mikey Pinto, regular latino soul man of TTFE. We went over the bridge to the city of Bristol, where we were promised a much better night out was to be had than we would experience in Cardiff. It didn't disappoint; the place was simply buzzing. Wasn't overly busy where ever we went, but it certainly wasn't a ghost town either, and this was a Saturday night! The atmosphere was just so much calmer there than I would expect in Cardiff, where I often feel as though I'm crusing for a bruising for just walking down St. Mary Street. Anyway it was a great night, complete with drinking, fun and frolic, and dancing.
To end this post, I would have to say the job hunt continues on and the search is becoming even more mudane. I have counted my blessings lately as I have some much needed overtime in Argos, but I know before long that will dry up and I will be once again taking in my daily breakfast of toast and Jeremy Kyle. Please someone out there, give me a chance!
Jen and I had the weekend before last off from work, so we decided to do something to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. We settled for Kenilworth Castle, which is sandwiched nicely in the countryside between Coventry and Warwick. It was a superb castle, complete with lots to see and learn, as the prominent figure which owned this estate was Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth I's 'closest advisor'. And I hope you know what I mean when I say 'closest'....
Anyway after Kenilworth, we though we would grab some food in Stratford-upon-Avon, which was a short distance away. There we had chips in the rain (romantic!) after we attempted to sit by the canal and admire the scenery. We later found the Stratford Argos (tiny!) on the same street as Shakespeare's birthplace. See, Argos can be a part of history! After we refused to enter Big Will's crib, we decided to get some Warwickshire ice-cream and then see Anne Hathaway's cottage to complete the Shakespearean extravagansa. We then went to Worcester, where we dined at classy Nando's and had the usual Meal Platter. We walked around the city centre and failed to find the Argos, but we did establish that it was a very 'alternative' place. There were so many goths, skate punks, metallers on the streets it looked like it was the set of a Slipknot video or something! We did see the cathedral but sadly by then it was night and the pictures didn't come out so well. We then went home through Great Malvern and also failed to find the Argos there, but by then it was pitch black and any excursions in teh middle of the Malvern hills would just be plain crazy. We then went home back over to the green green grass of home.
This weekend just passed I finally became a manly man. It's true; you are not a real man until you have experienced the ancient ritual of the Stag, and I was lucky enough to part-take of this of sacred event in style. The victim, or should I say the groom-to-be, was Mikey Pinto, regular latino soul man of TTFE. We went over the bridge to the city of Bristol, where we were promised a much better night out was to be had than we would experience in Cardiff. It didn't disappoint; the place was simply buzzing. Wasn't overly busy where ever we went, but it certainly wasn't a ghost town either, and this was a Saturday night! The atmosphere was just so much calmer there than I would expect in Cardiff, where I often feel as though I'm crusing for a bruising for just walking down St. Mary Street. Anyway it was a great night, complete with drinking, fun and frolic, and dancing.
To end this post, I would have to say the job hunt continues on and the search is becoming even more mudane. I have counted my blessings lately as I have some much needed overtime in Argos, but I know before long that will dry up and I will be once again taking in my daily breakfast of toast and Jeremy Kyle. Please someone out there, give me a chance!
ITV Play - A Reprise
ITV suspends premium phone-ins
It seems my blog has more clout than I first thought!! This issue with the premium rate phone lines really does highlight the issues I was trying to convey in my earlier post, concerning the way in which we as a society don't just watch television, we have to get involved too. Please read the article from the link above to read more!
