On Days Like This...

…life finally slows down and comes to a standstill like a cloud on a late summer evening.  It lingers like a bee on purple lavender. 

Happy and absorbed. 

I have not left the seaside today.  Through the window of my room I have been watching the waves batter the pebble beach, the foamy green churl and heave under the whipping wind before crashing against the rocky bay.

 

Thanks be to all you nymphs and mighty trident bearer!! 

I needed that!    

Lemonade Anyone ?

It's a good thing to know how to make lemonade if you are handed lemons -

 - that is if you like lemonade.

Coat of Rock

Lea had a dream the other night after we had returned home from a mountain hike with my parents and she told me about it the following day.  It was a continuation of the hike only that in her dream I chose to take extra risks while trying to reach the top by jumping over deep crevices and scaling up steep mountain sides.  Everyone else played it safe by sticking to the trail.  Each time I had successfully met my challenge, I was ceremoniously rewarded with a coat of rocks.  Gradually I came to wear this immensely thick armour of different coloured rock.  

I can relate to that somehow.... 

On Democracy and Narcism

An electoral system is by no means a guarantor of democracy.  Multi-party banana republics abound, where a ruthless clique at the top behave like rabid monkeys.  

But even though the system of checks and balances may function better in so-called Western Democracies, one is well-advised to double check.  

How independent is the media?  Can one trust the information on public networks?  In fact, is there any relevant information transmitted at all?  The BBC, for instance, revels in atrocities...children abducted, quartered, raped - but rarely provides in-depth political analysis. 

What links do political leaders have to key industries such as oil&gas and the media?  How closely are their ties to weapon manufacturers?  

How much of the state budget is appropriated to education & health versus defense and industry subsidies...?

How independent is the judiciary?

Barak Obama is maintaining an aura of transparency by having an active online interface where he (his PR unit) provide information about current policies and solicit comments from the public.

At least, he and his staff thereby acknowledge the existence of a populace for whom fast food and HBO don’t work as tranquilizers.  But let’s not be fooled...his goal is no different from all of the other ones who made it to that most distinguished spot where all eyes are focused on them day and night...

Oh, look at his turd...isn’t it sublime!

No Greatness Here !

The Great War, as we all know, was outrageous but not great!  The Americans called it the European War at first and although it was later renamed the First World War, the fact that so many nations were involved in it wasn’t really its most distinguishing feature.  

It would be more appropriate to call it the First Chemical Weapons WAR.  The Second World War would then logically follow with the First Nuclear Weapons WAR.  

To show the insanity of the single-minded destruction men are capable of, this would not only be more accurate - it would be more honest.  

War is a single-minded pursuit with the objective of gaining dominance through destruction - nothing great or original about it.  

The question is, why haven’t we found better means of dealing with this male all-or-nothing mentality.  

Maybe, secretly, we still admire it.  

Mr. and Mrs.

I received my daughter’s school report in an envelop addressed to Mr (first) and Mrs (second) M. (first name initial of husband), followed by our last name.  

Have they not noticed that I am the one who appears at all the parent evenings, who signs every sick leave, who contributes to school events and makes sure tuition gets paid on time.

I wonder whether my hubbie's bank statements can from now on be addressed to:

Ms and MSs A.

Oh, but no, after all I am the lucky girl who has the protection of the guy who will ensure the status of the family.  

Thank you for reminding me and anyone who cares....!