The Month to Come

It's October already. That's come as more than  a bit of a surprise. Where has the year gone? More pertinently, why the hell have the shops got their Christmas stuff up already? Seriously. October!? Bah humbug.

But before I turn into J EbineezeR (see what I did there?) let's switch back to the positive. This month is shaping up to be quite a month. First off, this weekend I'm going up to Scotland (well this weekend and for quite a bit of next week). It is nicely coinciding with my mother's October holidays so, since I'm STILL not working I thought I might as well spend a few days up there. Not only will it be a nice change from staring at the walls here, it will allow me to spend some quality time in Scotland which, sadly, is something I don't often get to do. It is usually limited to rushed weekend trips.

As well as seeing parents and having some pre-emptive birthday celebrations for my mother (she has her birthday later in the month... note to self; send card) one of the main reasons for going up to Scotland this weekend is the ten year reunion of the people I was in Africa with. It is slightly scary to think that this was ten years ago. Since then a third to half of us are married/engaged, most have gone through Uni. (at least once) and have embarked on proper careers. This adventure was undertaken in our final year of school and it's slightly scary to think how much we have changed since then. Despite that, I am confident we will pick up like we saw each other yesterday. Friendships will be renewed and invigorated and hopefully it will provide stimulus to stay in touch for another ten years. It's still slightly scary to think that it happened all that time ago.

Also this month is my second anniversary with my girlfriend. Neither of us can quite remember/decide/agree on when we got together so we decided to set the date at Halloween: cue all sorts of jokes - go on, I've made them all already. Plans for celebration are still somewhat embryonic but I'm sure we'll think of something.

Finally there's an event which I've been waiting for for at least two years. Something that has loomed large in my consciousness and calender for a long time. The hype has been building for months now, aided by the fact that there's a significant anniversary of it's basic concept. Syfall, the new James Bond film, is being released at the end of the month on the 50th anniversary of the Bond film franchise. Bliss. I can't wait. So far what I've seen looks promising (although that wouldn't be hard after Quantum of Solace) now the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Bring it on.

So that's what's in store for me for the next few weeks. Happy October.

JR

Musings

I haven't posted in a while. This hasn't been because I've had nothing to write about, rather the opposite in fact. There are many serious items in the news I would like to pass comment on a) to explore my thoughts on the subject and b) in the hope that they get read by someone of influence and considered, even if they don't lead to change. Many more stories are less serious but make me grumpy. If I post about these it will be in the form of a bit of a rant that hopefully those of you that read this will find amusing. A lot of stuff is happening in my personal life at the moment as well. I'm not sure I will write about this as it would be really rather narcissistic of me to think that it would be of interest to anyone else. I realise that what is happening is nothing more than the slings and arrows of normal life and, while it isn't too pleasant for me, it isn't the biggest deal in the world. Overall, I know I have a pretty good lot in life and it would be extremely selfish to complain about it.

I see from the stats on my blog that I have a reader in America (yes I am sad enough to check these things). I purposefully didn't write anything yesterday as I thought the day was better suited to quiet reflection and found the hyperbolic sentimentality and action replays that featured heavily in the British Media insensitive and distasteful. However my thoughts were with those that suffered on that dreadful day ten years ago. My heart goes out to those who have perished and their families. I hope the resulting conflicts can be resolved swiftly and with the minimum loss of life.

I, like so many, remember exactly where I was ten years ago. I remember so clearly how I felt. Initially I didn't believe it. I thought the person telling me was making it up. When I saw proof on telly I felt numb disbelief. It took many minutes for the enormity of the events unfolding to sink in. Fairly quickly I found myself thinking, "The world is never going to be the same again". Along with this I was angry. I don't agree with killing people however I accept in limited circumstances it is necessary for the greater good. This was not one of  these circumstances. Killing innocent people going about their daily lives is inexcusable. Killing people on this scale was a work of pure evil. It made me angry that some twisted individuals saw fit to do this to their fellow human beings.

Ten years have passed. In this time, Britain has suffered attacks on her soil and against our citizens. The anger has galvanised. How dare certain individuals attack innocent people who are simply getting on with their lives?

Today, Britain and the U.S. stand together fighting those that seek to oppress and destroy us. It has cost us dearly. Hundreds of our troops have died in battle. Hundreds more have been wounded. However this fight is just. We cannot bow to those that seek to destroy us; we must defend ourselves and our way of life. We must fight the bully that tries to stop us choosing how we live but we must be careful not to lose ourselves in the process.

Ten years have passed and I hope we can soon find lasting peace and security.

JR