Easter Day Musings & Rants

It is heartening to see that the Church is united in condemning the government's welfare reforms. Church organisations and support groups such as my own see first hand on a daily basis the appalling impact that cuts to welfare are having for people with long term illness, disability and those unable to find work. Frankly, it is these organisations that see the real effects and it is they to whom so many people turn to for help. I see the hardship caused to the vulnerable in our society all the time. Many of those we support through Blue Skies are fearful of every letter in case it threatens further reductions in their benefit or yet another flawed medical assessment. For them each day is a struggle and a helping hand or sympathetic ear goes a long way to easing their stress. New members to our group tell the same story. They are afflicted with sometimes crippling mental illness yet deemed well enough for work. Only last week, a member of our group living with his poorly mum in a two bedroom bungalow received a letter telling him he has one room too many and will therefore have his benefit cut to pay the ill thought out 'bedroom tax'.  Is it any wonder our disabled and vulnerable feel victimised? Personally, I would like to see other organisations joining forces with the Church to create a united front against a government out of touch with the genuine needs of its people. Perhaps then, we can call a halt to what some are branding a 'war on the poor'.

Turning to road safety as I occasionally do in this blog, I am once again witness to another case of the most appalling driving I have seen. In total disregard for the 30 mph limit through the village of Lutton this morning, a driver saw fit to drive inches from my rear bumper and overtake at ridiculous speed just to get to a house a few hundred yards further down the road. The driver of this monster of a vehicle (gold Volkswagen 4x4) was left in no doubt of my dismay when I passed him further down the road exiting it.
It really does make me more sure than ever that dash cams should be a mandatory requirement in cars. They are exceptionally cheap and very easy to use. Just knowing that they are being recorded would be enough to make idiots such as this think twice. There should also be a means by which footage could be uploaded to a road safety body whose job it would then be to investigate the most serious of cases and to publish the footage online for all to see. Perhaps naming and shaming would act as an effective deterrent to those who clearly believe they are above the law.

The clocks went forward an hour last night. Most won't give it a second thought and can adjust to the change in time quite easily. For me, it is something I hate. I rely very much on my routine - it helps me to function and plays a vital role in my fight against depression. Any change to my routine is very disruptive and the change to British Summer Time is something I really don't cope very well with. I know it is just a fact of life, but waking this morning to find that I had missed 'Broadcasting House' completely was really too much to bare. Instead I had to take my shower listening to 'Steve Wright's Love Songs', something I never normally do. Yes I know it's all very trivial but for someone like me whose routine is their defence, it can be quite a major thing.
As I look at the clock, it is approaching 1pm. This to me feels wrong, it shouldn't be this late and I feel as if I am behind and running late. In a few days, I'm sure everything will feel normal once more, but I do wonder if all this time changing is really necessary...

I did hear on the radio recently that Easter is considered the largest and most important event in the Christian calendar.  It is a shame that for a great many people, Easter just means chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. I suspect commercialisation (that's a long word!) has resulted in Easter taking second place to Christmas but it was nice last week to see that our local schools place huge importance in this holiest of events. A church service attended by the local schools was held at Holbeach St. Mark's, a very fine church built to the designs of Ewan Christian in 1868-69.

It has wonderful stained glass windows, each telling a story and depicting the major events in its history. I am fortunate that my circumstances allow for me to attend these services - had I been working, my son wouldn't have been able to look out to see his dad's beaming grin amongst the congregation. As it was, my wife was, for the first time, able to attend as she had been able to finish work early. I place huge importance on being there - above all else in fact - I think it's so important.

I am hopeful that the coming couple of weeks will see the first part of the grant transferred to our Blue Skies Group bank account. I have managed to negotiate for us to receive two-thirds of the full amount in the first payment. This will enable us to launch all our arts & craft projects and buy all the equipment we need for the computer skills sessions I will be running. We have also benefited from the donation of a digital camera which will enable our members to take photos and edit or print them. I am hopeful that we will be able to put together an exhibition of our photography later in the year.
We were joined by a new group member on Thursday. I had met him on the previous Tuesday and he was keen to help out with the group. His timing is perfect and I am sure there will be a lot he can become involved with. It's not often you come across people who fit in straight away, but Paul clearly has and brings with him many skills useful to the group. It also transpires that he has the skills to administer our new Blue Skies website which will help me tremendously. A real win-win for all concerned.

 Warmest Easter greetings to you all.

Thank you Mum!

It's Mothering Sunday here in the UK and we celebrate today our mums and everything motherhood. We did the visits early today depositing cards and gifts. My son had made his own card at school and I bought for him some chocolates and a cupcake, much of it he managed to eat himself.

My son has just one more week at school and then it's the Easter break for two weeks. I can't believe how quickly Easter has come round again, but saying that the chocolate eggs have been in the shops for months.

I'm still enjoying Tween and I'm tweeting more often. In fact one of my tweets was re-tweeted this morning. It was to do with my purchase of some more records at a charity shop yesterday. It was picked up by a charity group and re-tweeted. I don't mind at all, in fact I was quite chuffed that someone was paying notice to my occasional tweets.

My son won't stop growing. We took him to have his feet measured yesterday afternoon and it transpired his feet have grown a whole size in just a few months. He is now a 1G, forcing us to buy him a new pair of school shoes. It's a shame they can't make shoes that can be extended... it would save a fortune.

OK, short update today. I have to be in a writing mood, and I'm not, but more perhaps tomorrow when my head will hopefully be clearer. I'm definitely coming down with something, I woke up feeling like crap this morning. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow...

Easter with the In-Laws

Yesterday afternoon was spent in the company of my in-laws. A deep low had set-in a few hours before and being someone that hates social events of any kind, I knew an enormous effort would have to be made. This was helped somewhat by half-a-bottle of brandy. Id decided beforehand that this was the only way I would get through the afternoon, and it worked.
Everyone had been expecting a BBQ - instead, we had a modest cold buffet - to everyone's disappointment I think. Nevertheless, it was pleasant and I spent much of the time in the garden trying desperately to look happy and interested in what was going on around me. I've worked quite hard at my technique and I think I've managed to hone it to perfection.
As the evening approached, I knew I had drunk too much. It doesn't effect me a great deal, I don't become silly in any way, just lethargic and a little unsteady. I don't think anyone had actually noticed to be honest. I think sensing my unease with social occasions, I'm normally left alone except for the obligatory hello's and goodbye's. I was fortunate to have attracted the attention of my brother-in-law's dogs so was able to give them some fuss and prevent them from getting to an Easter egg my son had found hidden in a bush.
As it became cooler, we headed inside where the subject had turned to photographs of my wife and her family dating back years. Always a source of amusement, this had us entertained for a while. Countryfile on the TV gave the cue for everyone to start making their excuses and soon we were loading ourselves into the car. My wife drove us home, something I'm not used to very much. She drives faster than me, but I didn't mind as I tried focussing on the scenery as it whizzed past us.
The evening was brief, I fell asleep from 8-9. So that was Easter. Note to self: Make it better next year.

Another setback

Letter received today telling me I've been unsuccessful in my application. Wonderful. I can only assume it's because I haven't got my D1 or D license. So after getting me hyped-up, this nice lady at TransL**c must have realised that I didn't stand a chance without it. Let's face it, if two others come along waving their PCV licenses, they're going to take them on regardless of anything else that may go in my favor.
So it's back to square 1 and all options to gain my full PCV. Something I have been looking at is a CDL (Career Development Loan). Apparently it is arranged between your bank and the training provider providing the funds needed to complete a given training course. You then pay back the loan at reduced interest rates over an agreed period. That of course assumes you get a job as a result of gaining your new qualification... Something to look into I suppose and can't do any more harm.
I'm a little p'd off that Easter is now upon us. Everything now shuts down until next Tuesday though in truth, nothing will be normal until well after next weekend as we have the Royal Wedding to focus on. For me though, it's not the most important thing going on at the moment.
So yet another blow that I mustn't allow to get the better of me. 'Brush yourself down and get on with it', as my father would say. I can hear him now. My mum would want to go to Lincoln and lynch them. My wife will be worried that I will slip into a depressive state in time for the weekend. We're invited over her parents for an Easter get-together of the whole family. I always struggle at these sorts of occasions. Maybe I should just get drunk?
Thanks then to whoever it is making the rules up there... Happy Easter everyone!

Waiting...

The observant amongst you will have noticed that I have given no mention yet to the call I was supposed to have received the beginning of this week. Indeed, I am still waiting for it and becoming a little worried that either I have been forgotten or that my hopes have once again been dashed. I am for now putting it down to the fact that it's fast approaching the Easter Bank Holiday weekend so things are perhaps a little hectic with people off on their hols and looking after their children. We'll see what tomorrow brings...