Blame Game

This chart is quite useful, showing which countries actually generate the most (harmful) Carbon emissions. 

It's interesting to see how little the UK contributes.  Particularly when we consider how this country is being punished by its own government via ridiculous and extreme Net Zero policies. If the UK ever reaches its target, does anyone believe it will make any difference to our planet?

Bottom Of The Class

Begin rant. 

Last Sunday evening I put some important documents in the Post, with a Royal Mail First Class stamp on the envelope, going to High Wycombe. Only 45 minutes away. The Postie would have collected it Monday morning, taken it to the sorting office for processing before delivery on Tuesday morning. That's why a First Class stamp is so expensive. Imagine my frustration when it was finally delivered late Thursday afternoon. Not good enough, this caused the recipient a high degree of stress.

Rant over.

How Much?

The cost of everything seems to be increasing at present. 

The latest hit being car insurance, a legal necessity in the UK. The renewal for my Galaxy has gone up to a quite unbelievable £950 (AU$1830, US$1200) per year. An increase of over £200 on this time last year. The insurers are blaming rising repair costs due to current conflicts and spiralling EV costs. Not that I drive an EV. Or have made a claim in the past few years.

Seems careful driving and customer loyalty counts for nothing. I'll be shopping around for a more competitive policy. Rant over.

Japan 2020 Part 2

The Olympics and Paralympics that never were would have been over by now but this little gem has just arrived from DownUnder. Issued by the Royal Australian Mint, this lovely Fifty Cent coin marks the Aussie national teams' participation. All being well- Covid permitting- late August next year the games will go ahead.

For The Love Of Big Brother

I fear for this country, that before long a vocal extreme-left minority will be dictating government policy through the threat of mob rule. When that happens it is only a short hop to having thought-crime.

Do As I Say..?

Really cannot believe that some people think Social Distancing rules do not apply to them. Switch on the tv news tonight or trawl Social Media and everywhere you look there are images of people having get togethers with friends on the beach, in the park or some other tourist venue. They seem to be behaving as if it's 2019, not year of the Pandemic!

The new normal is we must keep our distance, not hug one another or pose in groups for that all important "we survived lockdown" image. The country avoided catastrophe by the skin of its teeth; now we behave like idiots and court disaster. Well the English anyway, the other three nations of the UK are still heavily restricted and no doubt looking at England with horror on their collective faces.

What is it going to take for some to face up to their responsibilities within society? Perhaps for them take this seriously again, a family member or cherished friend will have to be rushed into ICU and placed on a ventilator? For all our sakes, please don't be selfish, reign it in and show some self control.

Rant ends.

Really?

Can't believe I have to work today LOL. Normally I'm organised enough to hold back sufficient leave so I don't have to visit the office between Christmas and New Year. Something's gone wrong and thus I'm in for all three!

Manners Maketh Man (Or Woman)

What is it with people these days, when out, saying "Can I get" when it should be "Can I have" or better still "Please can I have"?

If you really want to be correct there should be a "May I" or "I would like, please" thrown into the vocabulary mix. Don't even get me started on the disappearance of that simple word that acknowledges receipt and shows gratitude, "Thank(you)." It just seems to me that people have become so rude and self obsessed that they show little regard to the person who is providing the service or goods.

Rant over.

Personsize

Apparently the concept of Mansize tissues is evil and soon to be withdrawn. It seems the term is sexist and excludes women who might feel intimidated. Are you kidding me?!? The suggestion is that it reinforces the stereotype that men are big and butch, needing big powerful tissues and women are dainty and don't. Does anyone actually think this in 2019? Language and it's use is important but has anyone actually died or gone to war over an inappropriately named disposable handkerchief? What about the design of the packaging- you might argue those are macho colours. Perhaps they could appeal to female shoppers by using women friendly colours and designs; how about some pink? A tad patronising perhaps?

Getting back to the point, when talking about our species, should we now refuse to use the word Mankind or how about human?

Never mind that there is actual inequality in this world. Some in this country have to rely on charities and foodbanks to feed their children and the kindness of others to put a roof over their heads in winter. So long as we deal with nasty terms like Mansize all will be right.

Sometimes I just want to give up.

I'm keeping this box so in a thousand years time, archeologist will discover it and conclude we were all a bunch of macho bigots LOL.

To Vote Or Not Vote (Part II)

This time, the pointless European elections. You know, the ones we were promised we wouldn't take part in because we would have left the EU by now.

The EU Parliament won't actually sit until July and there's an outside chance BREXIT might have occurred by then, that the majority will of the people of this great country will have prevailed. In which case the millions spent holding this election will have been wasted. Well done to the political elite, who behave like they think they know better.

Rant over.

Best Of Intentions

It's that time of year again when we want to get excited and celebrate Christmas but don't want to cause offence.

I mean what is it with wishing everyone "Happy Holidays"? We don't want to offend those of differing faiths or none and who maybe don't wish to mark the birth of Christ. Well how about those of us who do celebrate and have faith? Has it not occurred that the well intentioned removal of CHRISTmas might just be offensive to us?

Rant over.

Is It Easter Yet?

Apparently it is perfectly acceptable to stock these nearly three whole months before Christmas.

What is the world coming to? Don't we have actual festive seasons anymore, or have we all thrown in the towel and surrendered to greedy consumerism?

Up

I seem to be getting increasing annoyed with the (over) use of certain words or phrases.

For example I was listening last week to a female singer being interviewed and she seemed to pepper every sentence with at least 5 uses of the word "like." Get a dictionary, young lady, expand your vocabulary and set an example to your fanbase.

How many times has the phrase "up coming" been a substitute for "future" for goodnees sake? The latter is shorter and must be easier to say don't you think? Even on the radio this morning the weather reporter said "This up coming week..." hold on there was absolutely no need for "up" in that sentence, was there?

Please don't get me started on "experts" who, while being questioned in the media, start every response with "so." Grrrrr.

I think I need to go for a little rest in a darkened room.

Value For Money

Over £6 (about US $7.50, AU $9.50) for an extremely poor quality, tasteless hot dog, you have to be kidding right?!? And they had even run out of onions for goodness sake.

Should have complained but guess what? Sometimes I am far too polite and British for my own good.

More Homes?

The Get Reading newspaper is reporting the Ministry of Justice intend to sell the historic Reading Prison for housing.

Just what this over crowded part of the UK needs, I don't think. What we really need is additional quality leisure facilities and art spaces and for the government to encourage an even distribution of the population across the UK. Yes that might even mean moving jobs away from this area or better yet creating new well paid ones elsewhere. A tall order I know but south-east England is choked.

Anyway read the article here.

Unfair Use?

Apparently my mobile (or cell, US folks) phone company believes that an Unlimited Data plan actually means a limit of 3.5GB per month. This is despite offering plans capped at 5GB and 10GB, for a lesser fee. How does that work?

Charming!

A great big thank you to the person/idiot who last night decided they preferred driving on my side of the road grrr.

Thankfully a replacement mirror glass is only going to cost me £10 (about US$14, AU$19) but that's not the point, is it?

Problem Solved!

Have been reading today that the Prime Minister is due to announce a new house building scheme for the UK.

Why is it that politicians (of all persuasions) seem to feel the answer to all this county's woes is to build more homes? And most of them in the south east of England. Before long there won't be any green space to speak of for goodness sake!

Bah Humbug?

Yesterday on my way out from work I saw my first Christmas tree of the year. Yes HSBC Bank, I mean you. What are you thinking, September's not done yet!

Rip-off?

Today I received something in the post from the Land Downunder. It had been held by the UK Border Force pending payment of customs duty.

The parcels division of Royal Mail very thoughtfully paid these fees of £8.68 (US$13.58, AU$18.41) on my behalf, without asking me. They have then charged me a handling charge of over £13 (US$20, AU$27). Really?!? You have got to be kidding, how can this be justified?