Shrinking World

I find it astonishing that people from 43 countries have read this Blog. The highest number of readers come from in descending order; the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Ghana, and Brazil. In the last couple of days, readers from six States across the Pond have been reading the Blog. That’s interesting because I didn’t think that any of the recent posts were particularly relevant to my American cousins.

Then again, what attracted those readers from Turkey, Romania, Poland and the like? It’s just wonderful, not that so many people read my rambling, but that we are in the position to ramble and to be read.

It wasn’t that many years ago that I entered a department store in Bristol and as I went up the escalator, a chap was descending on the other side with a box in one hand, a lead coming from that box, and a phone in his other hand on which he was talking to someone. I gazed at him in awe. Me, the chap from the gasworks who had to walk two streets to push my coins into the telephone kiosk, after my statutory twenty minute wait stood in the cold and rain with others in the queue waiting for someone to run out of money and end their call.

Who could have thought at that time that we would have a thing call the Web, and hand held phones that would access the Web or call and text anywhere in the World. Oh gosh the words ‘Web’ and ‘Text’ would have caused serious confusion at that time. We have progressed at a phenomenal technological rate, to a position where we have the facilities to readily and effectively engage with others throughout the world. It’s simply astonishing.

Doing the right thing

I don’t mind losing because I never try to win.

I try to remain detached, and try and fight the issues involved in the way that I believe each situation or problem should be highlighted. Everything that I have ever done has always been about doing the right thing. I have never knowingly embarked on a project or made a decision that in some way was about or involved getting one over on the other side. If I needed someone to do something, then the likelihood was that I believed that others would benefit. When I have stood up for something, it is because I truly believed that the something deserved to be aired. I have strong views and am opinionated because I believe that some things are worth saying.

The world would probably be a better place if people made decisions and engaged in events as participants rather than competitors.

Maybe a little bit of humility, coupled with a willingness to see the other point of view, would go an awful long way. Instead of opposing one another; working together to find a relevant and equitable solution to the problem. You do not have to win to succeed.

We should look at problems on the basis of what is fair, equitable and right. What should we do to put it all straight? What can we do to make the outcome successful? Maybe we cannot do what is right for everyone, all of the time, but much of what we do, can and should be towards the greater good. So the next time you are trying to stick someone (an individual or a group), please stop and remember these are real people that you are dealing with. People, who, like you, have the same or similar; fears, aspirations, needs, and desires. If you ignore this and go ahead and stick them anyway, then remember that in many ways, you have also ‘stuck’ yourself; as you become a lesser person through your behaviour.

Well done to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke

A big well done to Justice Secretary Ken Clarke regarding his announcement today (29 June, 2011) of an intention to clarify the law regarding defending yourself when you find an intruder inside your property. I particularly welcome the remarks attributed to Mr Clarke that appear to suggest that ‘Reasonable Force’ may include killing an intruder providing that they are not running away from you, and you are not chasing them down the street as they attempt to flee. Nobody wants to see anyone die before their time, but as I have mentioned in two previous postings; a person faced with an intruder whether masked or not will at that moment in time, quite rightly and probably without exception be overcome with fear.

The size, physical strength, or professional background will not deviate from that fear. No one will know why the intruder is there, and the bottom line is that a reasonable person will be expecting violence against them or other members of their family.

I also welcome the comment from Mr Ken Clarke that; “nobody should be prosecuted and nobody should ever convict anybody who takes these steps”. I for one could not have convicted a person who harmed anyone who broke into their home and which they came face to face with. It is great news that the lawmakers have recognised that doubts in the existing law require clarity, and great news that the Coalition Government are doing something worthwhile and significant for all citizens.

Anyone who wants to break into a person’s home is welcome to do so as that is their choice. But in making that choice, please remember the new rule: ‘intruders beware’. You may get stuck with a knife, bludgeoned or strangled to death. The person who does it to you will not be prosecuted because of a new law that may recognise that an intrusion brings fear, and fear causes a reaction. Norbert Elias has taught us that fear drives people to act, and it is great news that as the law is developed it will recognise this response to fear. The new law will provide legal protection for those who are unfortunate to meet face to face with an intruder, and that fleeting moment where they will believe themselves to be vulnerable.

Well done Ken Clarke, and well done to David Cameron for supporting the move.

Stop rushing and top up the 'to do list'

In addition to my airbrushing blog post (You know, the one about things that you can't do and then suddenly it clicks) the following points have now been learnt:

Yellow paint airbrushed onto grey primer = gold and not yellow. It's best to prime with white when using light colours for the top coat.

Thinners isn't paint cleaner and that is now on my 'to do list'. I need to go and buy the correct cleaner for the paints that I use. The problem is I am using so many different kinds of paints. Model car paints, real car paints, and non car paints. Some water based and others not. I have cleaner for my water based paints, and Tamiya thinners works a treat with Tamiya paints; it's the other lot that are causing the problems. Now there's a lot of trial and error going on here, but I am pleased to announce that my current bit of spraying is all done. My mini air compressor is almost silent running, and my large cardboard box spray booth works a treat when resting on top of my donkeys years old workmate.

The spraying job was for 50mm edges for a Scalextric layout that I am building on a 4' by 4' board. The 50mm wide curved edges allow the cars to splay out on the bends. The edges are cut from laminate flooring (which is the same height as the Scalextric track) and smoothed with glass paper. Thereafter each edge was sprayed with Halfords Grey Primer. When dry, I used masking tape to break each piece into 50mm segments from either end and then decided on blue, green, white, yellow, and red colours. The next type of edging that I am modelling is the barriers around the outside curves and inside the tunnels. This barrier will be out of 60mm high strips of hardboard that are sprayed white base coat and then a single colour along each length. Possibly 'change purple' (changes colour with varying light). But that's tomorrow or the next day and today is about today's problems and solutions. The downside for the Scalextric track widening edges, was that the second lot of masking lifted the yellow as if it was plastic. The yellow paint was a water based paint with 'reducer' (like a thinners but also aids drying) added. I decided to re-mask and re-spray the yellow, and this time I used 'low tack' masking tape bought this afternoon. Not that low tack mind you, as it managed to lift bits of the red paint.

Lesson to learn: don't be in a rush and let things dry out properly.

Ghanaian Choco

Now there's a rare treat back in Wales. One of the gang bought me a small slab of Ghanaian Chocolate amongst other presents for Father's Day. If you have never tried any folks, then the best way I can describe it; is like our dark chocolate, but an awful lot stronger.

The sort of taste that if it wasn't 'your cup of tea', then a nice ice cold Pear Cider would be an ideal accompaniment. If you get my drift. It certainly isn't like our Cadbury's. Then again, that isn't everyone's cup of tea either. I prefer Cadbury to most, but then again you can't beat a good Thorntons. Apparently Cocoa is so important to the Ghanaian economy that the Cocoa Board has a Cabinet level politician and Cocoa is the second highest earner of export dollars for Ghana. The bottom line regarding the chocolate, is that what we think is good, isn't always regarded as that good by others. So trying to compare Ghanaian chocolate with ours is a tad difficult. The chocolate is so different, that for me, it is like trying to compare apples with oranges. But remember, Ghana export so much of their quality cocoa, it's highly likely that your favourite nibble has some in its recipe, or is made up entirely of Ghanaian Cocoa Beans.

Ghanaian Chocolate; "It's chocolate, Jim, but not as we know it."

Thingamajig and Mathematics et al

I have mentioned in a previous Blog posting how we like to think that we are good at something and then someone comes along who is a whole lot better at the same task.

The other side to this position in life is those things that we are not very good at. Indeed sometimes, we are so bad that we are next to useless. Then all of a sudden something clicks and we are up and running. Worse still, all too often we don’t actually know what influenced the change.

Quite a few years back, mathematics was my “thing that I can’t do”. I recall my friend Adam explaining that it was not magic, and that there were a series of rules that had to be understood and then applied as appropriate to whatever mathematical problem was being scrutinised. Don’t ask me how, probably with the help of Adam, Daniel, and Joe; I overcame the mental block and went on to score an astonishing 86% in my University examination. It sort of clicked.

My latest ‘Wall’ is airbrushing. As an accomplished artist, it follows that I should be reasonably good. With a few degrees behind me, it also follows that I should understand the principles involved and be able to work through to find the solutions. But that has not been the case. Maybe, some of the problems are from being unwell, maybe there was a lack of confidence, but whatever the problem, not only was the ‘Wall’ still intact, but it had started to get bigger. Now there's nothing worse than a big wall when you aren't capable of climbing.

Then suddenly, for absolutely no good reason (other than stumbling upon a few solutions through trial and error) I am now wondering what all of the fuss was about. The 'capability' started off by accidentally putting the thinners into the mixing pot that connects to the airbrush and then adding the paint. This ensures that the thick paint doesn't clog the paint flow orifice from the paint holding pot into the airbrush and go on to clog the airbrush nozzle as well. Adding the thinners first, ensures that no clogging occurs. Followed by realising that airbrush nibs (the type that I use) come apart into three sections, all of which were easy to clean in water. Then I worked out that you layer it and wait between coats for the paint to dry. And don’t forget to blast it off to one side (in the cardboard box that doubles as my spray booth) before sweeping a stroke across the object that is being sprayed. The reason for that is to ensure that any start-up droplets (instead of the required and previously often hoped for, fine mist) land on the box and not the object being sprayed.

So says the man who up until a few days ago couldn’t get any of the nibs to work, didn’t know that they came apart, and didn’t know how to mix paint for airbrushing. I also didn’t understand what the variable thingamajig on the airbrush was for. Then out of the blue it all comes together.

It’s a strange world isn’t it?

Salford Burglary

For several reasons the media coverage of the Salford Burglary, represents an important part of the civilising process of the United Kingdom.

The coverage demonstrates the current freedom in this country that enables fair and accurate reporting. The detail contained in the reporting also suggests that the current law may be wrong when a householder is faced with an intruder, irrespective of whether or not that intruder is wearing a mask. The burglary and the untimely death of a criminal in many ways shows us that our laws, reporting systems, ideals, and beliefs, are subject to advancement and improvement.

But what strikes at the core for me; is this idea of 'defending your property'. I have explained in an earlier post, that any person faced with hearing or seeing an intruder in their home will at that precise moment be faced with absolute terror. There will be no thought about 'reasonable force', the 'rights of the criminal', or the 'defence of my property'. It will be a case of 'flight behavior'; with or without bowel movement, raised alertness, increased heart rate, sweating and so on.

The occupier will not know if the intruder is there to steal, or to rape, or to beat, or to kill.

So can we all please stop going on about 'his right to defend his property'. No one is defending their property, because the mere presence of an intruder whether masked or not, and whether alone or accompanied, whether armed or unarmed, for that precise moment in time is a real and absolute threat to the safety of the occupier and his or her family.

If you decide to break in, and as a result you are killed, then tough luck. No one deliberately set out at the start of that day to kill you. No one plotted your demise. You chose to break in, and the consequences of your act, should be yours alone.

The current debate is almost as fundamental as the last significant change in law, when those who stole a sheep or lamb would not be convicted by a jury who knew that they would be hung for the offence. Instead the punishment became deportation, and at that point jurors began to convict again.

The law is wrong regarding the need to attack an intruder. There is a need, simply because the occupier is in fear of his or her safety and the safety of anyone else in the household. The law has to be changed and that change needs to be well publicised by the media. Everyone should know that if you break into a property, then you run the risk of injury or death. This risk should include no legal consequence against the true victim i.e. the law abiding citizen at home who upon hearing or seeing an intruder is struck with fear.

Peter Flanagan should not be charged with any crime.

A home is a Castle

If a gang of people in the current example, or a single person breaks into someones home, then by doing so, they automatically scare the shit out of the occupier. Let's be straight here; the intruder doesn't have to do anything. The mere act of breaking in is enough, as any reasonable person would be terrified to hear or see a stranger who has broken into their home.

At that point, no one should act surprised if an intruder is killed. An Englishman's home is his Castle. The person who committed the crime, made a decision to cross the threshold into a property belonging to someone else. No one made anyone commit the crime, the act was based on choice.

If a person wants to live their life to the full; then they need to choose not to break into a persons home. The breaking and entering at the point of entry is an unknown act containing at that point in time, an unknown intent to steal, or rape, or beat, or to kill. It is an initial act, that is leading towards something unknown that will naturally place the occupier or occupiers in fear of their safety.

The occupier does not know if you have come to steal, or rape, or beat, or to kill. My view for what it is worth; is that the rights of an individual are automatically forfeited the moment that they break into a property belonging to someone else. There can be no scale of 'reasonable force'. The victim will be terrified as to why the intruder is there. The victim will not be thinking of reasonable force, and will only (and quite rightly) be thinking of self preservation.

The law should be 'Intruder Beware'. You choose, and if you get hurt or killed; then it was your choice. It is as simple as that, and the law needs to be changed to protect those who are faced with an intruder inside their home.

G-Mac

I don't know who to congratulate first; Rory McIlroy for his stunning performance in winning the 111th U.S. Open, or my friend Francis Cole-Davies on the birth of his first born. Both are significant events for each of them, their family, and their friend, but yet each event is also so different.

Mind you, the feelings of elation, and thoughts about what the future holds probably applies equally to both events that happened yesterday.

I shall get around to writing the next poem in due course, but this one was written this afternoon before I heard the news from my friend.

G-Mac

Who is this McIlroy,
A young son of Ulster,
Age only twenty two,
With a very long swing,
To enhance his golf game.

You know, the one that won,
The U.S. Open that time,
This Ulsterman Rory,
Whose putting did bring,
A top Major to name.

Yes, I know the one,
Scoring minus sixteen,
Over those four long days,
Again did Ireland win,
Golf shall not be the same.

From Holywood this Champion,
Youngest since twenty three,
Two six and eight, his run,
Ball flying like a wing,
Maryland Rory did tame.



Roger Bennett
June 2011

The poem consists of four stanzas set out as a quintet with three feet per line. As usual I exercise my right to be known as the author if anyone tries to use my poem.

Father’s Day 2011

I am extremely fortunate to have a caring family and this has been a great Father's Day. The pressies and cards that I opened this morning were complimented by the long phones calls from my chicks that live away. The weather has been lovely and I enjoyed the walk along the promenade in Aberystwyth, the model making outdoors, and the coffee break in Costa that gave me the opportunity to write another poem. This was all topped off by a three course stunning delight served up by Mrs. B

Father’s Day Menu 2011

To Start
Roasted garlic and goat’s cheese toasted on bloomer with chorizo and sweet lettuce salad

To Continue
Oven baked Salmon with butter, cream, dill, and spring onions sauce on sliced and Roasted New potatoes with peas, broccoli and oven baked carrots with olive oil

To Conclude
Homemade double layer strawberry cheesecake with strawberry coulis and fresh cream with strawberries dipped in chocolate

Well done everyone, and thank you for a great day.

A Shakespearean Sonnet

I have just written my first ever Shakespearean (English) Sonnet, consisting of 14 lines in 'iambic pentameter' (that's five feet where each foot has two syllables stressed and unstressed). With each of the first three stanzas being a quatrain of four lines. Finished off by a fourth and final stanza that is a couplet consisting of only two lines.

Unfortunately I am unable to replicate the sonnet at this moment in time on my Blog; as the sonnet was written by yours truly to celebrate our forthcoming anniversary.

I warned her that if she doesn't behave then I will go out and buy a card instead. Oh power, it's brilliant. And do you know the best bit? Well after parking my car in trouble free parking heaven in Aberystwyth yet again, I then sat in my favourite coffee shop and had the joy of using the Waterman fountain pen that the gang bought me when I retired. It was lovely as a cartridge pen, but like the Gold Sheaffer that the Executive Suite bought me, I sourced Piston Fillers from across The Pond and when they arrived, I popped them into the barrels. Pure bliss, great fun and for me quite uplifting.

Oh joy, oh joy for paper and ink and the time to think.

:-) Happy days

Alice Pyne

If you are ever feeling down, then go to: http://alicepyne.blogspot.com and read that Blog and be very grateful for everything you have and will ever have. The power of the Media and the Internet to bring information into your life that otherwise would have slipped you by. I cried when I read the article in the Times newspaper while sipping coffee in a coffee shop in Carmarthen, and I cried again when I used my Xperia X10 to access the Blog a few minutes later.

Joss Stone

I was appalled at the news story that broke yesterday regarding Joss Stone and the stuff that those who have been charged allegedly had in their car. This led me to write a poem about the Joss Stone story. It sickens me that people go and plot and plan the way that they do; with total disregard to their fellow human beings. Let's hope that those involved get what they fully deserve and that Joss Stone lives life safely.

Joss Stone

Rejoice to those who spotted the duo,
And for making the emergency call,
Praise the officers taking the lead,
And to those who searched the Punto.

Two now charged and unable to blag,
Why they were there at all,
Banged to rights they will plead,
The reasons why a sword and body-bag.

And when the jury find the guilt,
The two from Manchester shall fall,
Locked away so that others heed,
What happens if blood could be spilt.

Roger Bennett, June 2011

As always I reserve and execute my right to be identified as the author of this poem if anyone lifts it and uses it elsewhere. Oh, and some dosh please if you are a newspaper or other high volume reader organisation, as I'm just a poor pensioner. Tee he hee :-)

Parking in Aberystwyth

What's all this rubbish about Parking in Aberystwyth? I take my car into the centre of Aberystwyth every day, and I mean every day; even Saturdays and Sundays. For me the Parking Wardens going in Aberystwyth has not been a bad thing. Not because I haven't picked up any more tickets, but because I have been able to park my car legally and with ease every day since they have gone. Indeed, parking for me has become easier and not more difficult. Better still someone else said the same thing this afternoon about where he parks. And two others said similar yesterday. The press and the media coverage does not seem to reflect what is happening on the street. I'm not saying that it is bad reporting, but maybe it is poor informing. The media report what they are told.

So I have to ask; who is creating this story and for what reason? Is the real story about generating interest about the location, and thereby creating an improved tourism economy through product awareness?

Because parking is not a problem, far from it. The parking in Aberystwyth has never been any better, and the truth is that everyone is being sensible and Roger gets a legal space every day. Let's all hope that the story goes away and those in power don't waste public taxes on employing traffic wardens in the future. Instead put up a few automated enforcement cameras in the key locations such as the narrow part of High Street where illegal parking could prevent an Ambulance or Fire Engine getting through (High Street is a side street), and on Pier Street where the situation was no better with the traffic wardens as anyone with a blue disk - could and always did and still do - block the street and reduce it to a one vehicle width while the purpose built Disabled Car Park at the bottom of Aberystwyth usually remains half empty.

Better still folks, how much do you pay to park in the centre of your town? I park in the centre of mine legally for several hours almost seven days a week on road and free of charge. Work that one out and then tell me there's a problem, as many who read this would love to be in that position in their town centre.

Free parking - legally parked - space every time I look - space every day - space at peak afternoon times and Saturday morning times - no cost - no hassle - space found very quickly - a different space every time. Can someone please tell me where the Parking Problem is in Aberystwyth because I haven't found it yet!

Seeing others do it right

Most of us like to think of ourselves as being good at something. But all too often someone comes along who is far better.

I particularly like making models out of waste material, you know scenery and the like. These can be used for wargaming, scalextric and model trains. As good as I am, I always seem to put off completing the big project. Maybe it's the stress of making such a huge commitment, or maybe it's the uncertainty about how it will all finish up. I've started two, but they're now just abandoned projects. Starting out with certainty, purpose, and energy. But quickly becoming anxiety and depressing and in dire need to be cast off to think of doing something else.

When it comes to building a model railway, I know that it is an awful lot of hard work, and an extremely time consuming process (says the man that has never completed a layout). So it really got to me with this months 'Model Rail' magazine (June 2011 Edition £3.55) to see two layouts built to an astonishingly high standard in two months and seven months respectively. One in 'n' gauge with its realistic setting and superb viaduct, and the other in '00' scale that looks like the real thing. Indeed, at first glance I thought the photo on the front cover was the life version, and only when reading the article inside did it dawn on me that it was not.

Slow slow Blogger

Sorry folks, but I haven't felt well of late so the Blogging is a bit erratic

London Olympics 2012

The Olympic ticket selling methods for London2012 don't seem to have done anyone many favours. We put in some healthy bids for the family but didn't realise that we should have bid as five separate people using our various bank accounts and not one family member trying for us all. We got two tickets, but then again many people got none. When I mention 'many' I should of course written 'several hundred thousand'. My disappointment, meant that I had to write some poetry.

So here is a Roger Bennett Poem regarding London 2012

Olympics

My Olympic money was here,
But now it’s gone,
For what and when I don’t know,
But for others there is none.

Oh London 2012,
You confused me with your ruse,
Not to sell the tickets,
Even to your muse.

I thought it was a celebration,
Chance to see the best,
Let’s hope there’s no black market,
But bidding like the rest.

Track, field or equestrian,
The system doesn’t say
My mind was blank,
But yet you made me pay.

How I longed to be there for you,
At this feast of sport,
But now watching television,
I shan’t be your cohort.

Roger Bennett, 01 June 2011

As usual I exercise my right to be identified as the author of this piece under the Design and Patents Act etc., but providing you add my name and the date, plus the webpage address, then you are welcome to spread the poem.

It could be worse the Olympics could have been in another Continent. Oh, it doesn't matter as I'm not able to go anyway even though it's where I live. What a let down. One chance for many people and we don't get it right. Oh, deary me.