IN THE CORNER OF SOME FOREIGN FIELD

'Someplace to stay

Enough to eat

Somewhere old heroes shuffle safely down the street

Where you can speak out loud about your doubts and fears

And what's more

No one ever disappears

You never hear that standard issue kicking in your door'

'You can relax on both sides of the tracks

And maniacs don't blow holes in bandsmen by remote control

And everyone has recourse to the law

And no one kills the children anymore'

I have a few problems with Roger Waters these days.  His vocal anti-Israeli views and trendy far left politics are completely at odds with what I believe but just sometimes his lyrics really just hit the spot.

Like these.

I don't watch the News much now.  It depresses me.  Seems to be wars or disruption everywhere.  It's always bad news.  

The World just seems to thrive on division.  Be it race, religion, nationality, gender, whatever.  It saddens me.  Someone like me isn't allowed an opinion anymore or I'm branded as a Nazi amongst other things.

Here in the UK the murder of baby Star Hobson by her mother and her mother's 'partner' recently was heartbreaking.  

Just how could anyone, let alone two people torture and murder an innocent 16 month old baby is beyond belief.  

What sort of people are they?

Most of the world has some sort of religious beliefs. Christianity, Islam, Judaism or one of the thousands of others.  Most have some sort of deity figure to believe in.

As Christian I fail to understand how a kind, loving God lets something like this happen.  I know how my Minister would answer that question.  He would say God gives us all a choice in how to live our lives and that freedom of choice defines how we are and how we act.  I don't know?

The Bible also says (somewhere) that every individual and that every act they commit has a purpose.

Begs the question - 'Just what in the name of f*ck' was the purpose of this one?'

I'll leave it there.

'SHADDERS. ON ME LUNGS.

Was watching 'Alfie' late last night again for the umpteenth time.  The Michael Caine version obviously.

It's one of my favourite movies and I watch it on a fairly regular basis.

It's actually pretty uncanny just how many of my favourite films that have Michael Caine in them.

It never gets old and some of the subject matter is still pretty relevant even today.

It does irritate me a little that it's often described as a Comedy?

Yes, it is pretty funny at times but at other times it reaches some very dark places especially considering it was made in 1966.

The abortion scenes are as disturbing and unpleasant now as they were then.  How they made it past the censors in 1966 is another matter.

I take something new from it every time I watch it.  Life lessons for all.  

The fact that Alfie becomes a sad, pathetic figure at the films end was a brave choice considering what had come before.

I did watch it on Laserdisc.  The format of choice.

Also good that Carter USM used samples from it throughout their 2nd album '30 Something' and the young Julia Foster was stunning.

PERCHANCE TO DREAM

Probably the only Shakespeare quote you'll ever get from me.

Anyone who has ever had the misfortune to spend the night in the same room as me or be around about me when i'm sleeping will be more than aware of the problems I have with sleep disturbance.

Over the last few years it's gotten much worse.  I usually sleep on average around 14 hours of any 24 hour day.  I tried to make it different but nothing seems to work.  I go to bed now just whenever I feel like it and get up whenever I wake.  Could be anytime day or night.  If I have an appointment somewhere I will get up but otherwise it's just sleep, sleep and more sleep.

My Doctor has put me through every test known to man but it seems that it's not something physical and she puts it down to either medication or a symptom of depression or a mixture of both.

That's only the beginning of it.  It's the nightmares that get to me.  Every single night or day they come.  Not many times now when I don't wake screaming and bathed in sweat.  It's a difficult one to understand. One of those things about how the mind works I suppose.  I hate falling asleep as I know that within minutes of closing my eyes it will begin.

As usual with dreams most of them are totally bizarre and don't make any sense at all. Some are pretty common visitors.  The latest 'thing' from my Doctor is that it might be therapeutic to try and write them down as a way to try and understand them better.  Not the full details but what memories they bring up and what way they make me feel and that sort of thing?  Utter bollocks probably but I'm willing to give it a go?

Back in my mid to late teens I was never all that much a big hit with the opposite sex. The whole 'one night stand' thing never really happened for me.  I never really had much confidence then (or now) and I've always been aware that I'm not the most attractive man to ever walk the Earth.  There were a few but compared to every other normal human being probably not that many.

One of my dreams always involves a girl called Leigh. I won't give her surname just in the off chance that someone actually reads this.  She was a lovely girl and just my type.  Small and dark.  Nothing ever changes with me that way.  Must have been about 40 years ago I suppose.  Me and Leigh actually had a few go's at it.  Three I think.  Met her once years after by accident on a Bus and then again when I used to call deliberately for Petrol where she worked. I liked her and have really no memories now of what happened that it didn't work out?  I always considered her to be one of the ones that got away I suppose?  My Dad really liked her too and said she was a 'keeper'.  Suppose I was young then and had no experience or idea of how to actually be in any sort of relationship either casual or otherwise.  I haven't physically seen her for years now but I do say Hello once an awhile now on Facebook which is nice.  As far as I know she likes girls now.  I'm frequently called a Homophobe but like a lot of things I'm accused of i'm not.  I won't even pretend to understand but if 2 people are happy together then who am I to judge anyone?  

For some unknown reason she is frequently in my dreams.  And. no, it's not one of 'those' dreams. 

The first one is always at her house.  Only it's not actually her house.  It takes place further up from where she lived at the turn off to Burney's Lane beside where Pamela Gordon used to live.  There is apartments there now I think but in my dream it's always a bungalow. I'm waiting outside for her and she doesn't come out.  Why I'm waiting there i've no idea?  This waiting thing can go on for days without any purpose.  It seems i really need to speak to her about something important but it never happens?

Second one is even more bizarre.  I'm in the house and there is some sort of party going on.  I hated that sort of thing then and hate it even more now.  I always have the dog with me.  I miss Clippy terribly and If I remember it right Leigh used to have a lovely Collie called Carly  (I think).  Lynne Millar and Sharon Williams are always there too.  I'm trying to move some furniture or something too and it doesn't end well.  People are drunk and getting on my nerves.

Makes you think about what actually goes on in your mind during nightmares?  

Bizarre?

Answers on a postcard to the usual address as to what this one is all about?

ON THAT COVID PASSPORT THING.

It appears that locally SDLP leader Colm Eastwood is calling for so called Covid Passports to be mandatory for entry into certain venues here in Northern Ireland?

Before I go on please note that I am not an Anti Vaxer or a Covid Denier.  I have a Auto Immune Disorder so am particularity at risk from Covid.  I have had both doses of the vaccine and wouldn't even know where to start on those idiots who think that it doesn't exist.  The evidence is there and is overwhelming.  

But. here's the thing.

If those imbeciles up at Stormont do bring in something making a Passport mandatory to be effective it will have to be made law.  Law is the only thing that is enforceable.  A policy or a mandate or whatever is not.

The only people that can enforce the law are the Police.

I would assume that this Passport would have to have some sort of individual photograph on it.  Otherwise it would be pointless.  Anybody could use someone's passport and there would be no way of proving it was or wasn't you? Unless the individual was asked to give an other form of pictorial ID along with the Passport?  It's all pretty unclear right now.

Herein is a huge problem The only people that can legally ask to see your ID are the Police.  Even then that is only in certain circumstances.  

A member of the door staff at a Restaurant e.g. has no right whatsoever to demand your ID.  They would be breaking the law by even asking for it, not you. 

So are they now going to change the law that a civilian will be able to demand to see another civilian's ID?

And if you refuse  the only course of action for them would be to call the Police?

There are other confusions surrounding this e.g. whether or not it's Private of Public property you would be trying to enter.  No one can be trespassed from Public property or from Private property that is open to the Public. 

You might be thinking but staff in places like Off Licensees can ask for ID.  Well actually they can't.  In a case like that if the staff think you are under age or have presented false ID they should call the Police as you would be suspected of breaking the Law.  They get away with it as most members of the public are unaware of what they should do in a situation like that. 

Whether or not, generally, a Passport is a good idea is neither here nor there.

It's totally unworkable and in it's present state would be a looming disaster.

ON INSULTS AND FACT CHECKING.

Facebook can be so predictable sometimes.

It's the only one of those Social Media type things I use and I do post there on a fairly regular basis and comment on other posts when i feel I've something to say on whatever topic is in question.  I do occasionally comment on Youtube too but the reactions there are pretty similar.

I can't be bothered arguing with total strangers much these days.  It's pretty pointless and only leads to stress that I can do without.  What I normally do is comment and then walk away.  I hardly ever respond to a follow up comment.  Life is so much easier that way.

But you always know what's to follow.  Comment after comment of abuse, attempts at insults, those stupid gif/meme things and always, always ridiculous accusations.  I often wonder if people dishing this sort of thing out actually take the time to read what you've said?

A case in point recently that I didn't respond to but will answer here.

BBC Northern Ireland, NORTHERN IRELAND is the words you should keep in mind here, had full coverage and even sent a camera crew to cover Boxer Kellie Harrington's gold medal win at the just finished Tokyo Olympics.

Now don't get me wrong, fair play to the girl and I wish her every success for the future but she is from Dublin and was representing the Republic of Ireland's Olympic team so I questioned what relevance this had to Northern Ireland sport?

Yes there are other points here which are for another day.  I realise that several competitors at the games from NI chose to represent ROI and others represented the Team GB & NI team.  But your Irish I hear you say....again another thing for another day.  Why Team GB & NI is not just Team UK is yet another which I won't go into right now.

No sooner was my comment on when within milliseconds the abuse began.  You can probably imagine the sort of usual stuff it said without me repeating it here.

But one comment in particular I'd like to look at in detail.  My comment was described as 'Racist' and 'Sectarian'.

So then, number one 'Racist'.

Kellie Harrington is white.  I am white too.  So 'racist'?  In what way am I racist against someone who is the same race as I am?  I never mentioned or commented on her skin colour whatsoever?

Number two.  'Sectarian'.

I don't have the slightest idea what religion Miss Harrington is (neither do I particularly care) and I would safely assume that the person making the accusation has no idea what religion I am?  Taking a stab in the dark I would think that she is probably Christian.  I am Christian too?  You get where I'm coming from here?  

It does irritate me being accused of things that I'm quite clearly not but I don't lose much sleep over it.  Sticks and Stones and all that sort of stuff apply.  It's not the first time and won't be the last I'm sure.

But it passes the day. 

 

SO HERE'S THE THING ON SUFFRAGETTES AND LATE NIGHT 'DOCUMENTAIRIES.

My sleep routine has been pretty much all over the place for years now. Mostly I sleep during the day and am up and about most of the night.

Much of the time I do watch some Documentaries on those irrelevant Sky History Channels or even some of the true Crime programmes that are very much a constant now as part of their programming schedule.

They irritate me greatly sometimes.

Documentaries are supposed to be factual.  Right? So how come many of them, but not all, still peddle ancient myths, rumours and lies as truth? 

For some unknown reason they seem to be having a lot of programs recently about the Suffragette movement.  Don't know why and am assuming it's some sort of anniversary that I'm not aware of.

They are nearly always celebratory in nature.  You can imagine the sort of thing?

I have a few problems with that in general.  

Were the aims of the movement justified? Absolutely.  100%.

But should we really be celebrating an organisation that was happy to use bombing. arson and various other violent methods as legitimate?  Not in my world.  No.  Tell the history yes but please don't glorify it.

One thing in particular they get wrong time and time again.

The death of Emily Davison.

And yes in your mind already is the thought that that was the woman who threw herself in front of the King's horse in an apparent suicidal move to attract attention to the cause. 

Only she didn't.

Five minutes research will clearly show that it was an accident and she did not, as commonly perceived, commit deliberate suicide.

Modern technology has slowed the footage down and analysed it thoroughly.  She was, in fact, trying to place a sash of some sort around the horses neck as it rode past and couldn't get out the way quickly enough and was sadly killed in the process.

But still the fact checkers don't seem to able to do a quick Google search on these programs and are still telling the old myth over and over and over again.

Not good and not professional.

ON ISLAMOPHOBIA, THE BIBLE AND ALL THAT JAZZ.

One of the things I'm often (wrongly) accused of is being Islamophobic or Anti-Islam.  It's not true, obviously, much like all the other things.

I've never read the Koran and don't personally know anyone who is Muslim. There isn't a big Muslim community here in Northern Ireland.

I think most of it comes from my absolute support of Israel's right to self defence which I make no apologies for.  In some minds that makes me Anti Islam.  So be it.

What we hear from the news is only about the Radical and frequently violent form of that by the likes of ISIS, Hamas and the Taliban.  Am I against that?  Absolutely as I expect the vast majority of Muslims are. 

I can't abide those who will frequently lambaste the Koran for saying this thing and another.  Some of them don't appear to have read much of the Old Testament lately.

Which brings me nicely to this.

I was at my own Church last Sunday.  I'm not really a regular but I do attend once in awhile.

Anyway, Sunday's Old Testament reading was from 2 Samuel, Chapter 11, verses 1-15.

I won't type it all out verbatim but the story goes something like this.

King David, yes as in Goliath, 'Once in Royal David's City' etc has sent his armies off to war.  As apparently they do in the Spring.  They have destroyed the Ammonites and are besieging another City.  So nothing like a bit of Warmongering and Genocide so far.  David is up on the roof of his palace and is leering at a girl having a bath in an adjacent building.  So some voyeurism  here too.  So far so good?

He asks one of his servants (slavery perhaps?) to go and find out who she is.  He learns that she is the wife of one of his Generals who is currently away killing people.  David, naturally isn't leading his troops.

He sends for her, has sex with her and she finds out later that she is pregnant. So some adultery to add to the mix. There is also a pretty disturbing line about 'a woman's monthly uncleanliness' but I won't go there.

When her husband comes back from the War David invites him over.  I'm assuming here that the poor man isn't aware that David has shagged his wife and is pregnant? He gets him drunk and plies him with gifts as a sort of pay off I assume?

Next, when the unfortunate man is heading back to the front lines David makes a plan with his top Commander that the man is directly placed in the front line so that he will be killed in the upcoming battle.

Charming.

I fairness I haven't read the preceding Chapters or the one's after so there may be some context I'm missing here but still.....

My Vicar handled this fairly disturbing story quite well.  I'm sure it wasn't easy for him to find anything positive to say from that particular segment.

So what's the meaning on this little fable?

That old one about 'People in Glass houses shouldn't throw stones' is appropriate.

Don't condemn religions or texts that you know nothing about.  All religions have stuff in them which isn't very palatable.  The Bible included.

I'll probably be accused of being Anti-Christian now.

Such is life?

SHORT BOOK REVIEW

   

STEPHEN KING

THE INSTITUTE.

I'm happy to confess that I am one of Mr.King's 'constant readers'.  His books have played a huge part in my life for about as long as I can remember.  For me, the man is a genius and one of only a few authors whose new books I will buy in Hardback as soon as they are released.

But.  And it's a big but..recently he seems to have lost something?   Maybe it's age or a reaction to the awful accident he had a few years ago or something else but his last few have left me with a distinct disappointment.

This one I'm sorry to say is another one of those. 

No spoilers as per usual but the plot involves a secret organisation who are kidnapping kids with latent physic abilities.  They are being taken to 'The Institute' where these abilities are being enhanced and are then used to carry out various nefarious tasks including murder.  Needless to say The Institute isn't the most pleasant place to reside and the kids are routinely tortured and discarded once their usefulness is over.  One group of kids decide to rebel.

You may think it's all very Firestarter   and you'd be absolutely correct.  It is VERY Firestarter.  

He always writes children well and does here to but there is just something missing.  I'm usually gripped by a new SK from paragraph one on page one but here I wasn't.  I found myself not really caring about any of the main characters and some of the others like The Institutes 'ferocious' head was about as threatening as a bowl of vegetable soup.

It all ends very much as expected.

I didn't enjoy it.  It was a chore to read.  I've felt a similar way to his last few I'm extremely sad to say.  He just seems to have ran out of ideas?

Still be a 'constant reader' and will still read everything the man ever writes but I can't really recommend this one at all.  Go back and re read 'The Stand'.  You'll be glad you did. 

 

SHORT BOOK REVIEW

 

12 MONKEYS 

ELIZABETH HAND.

Movie tie in.

12 Monkeys (The Movie) and 12 Monkeys (The Series) are two of my favourites.

This one is based on the Movie only as it was published at that time when the TV Series was only on someones 'what if' wish list.

Written by someone called Elizabeth Hand who i'd not heard tell of before or since. It's pretty short at just over 200 pages for this paperback edition.

It doesn't veer too far from what occurs in the Movie at all and that would be a pretty huge problem for anyone reading the book without first watching the film.

It's not the easiest movie to follow.  Full of time travel puzzles and paradoxes that require the watchers full concentration.  The book is similar.  You won't have much of a clue of what is going on unless you've watched the movie.

It's fairly typical for a tie in Novel.  Nothing special but reasonably well written. 

I finished it fairly quickly which is unusual for me.

Hard to recommend if you don't love the concept of the film.  If you do you may get something out of it or you may not.

That's about all I can say about it really?