Take two.. Or Three.

Here’s one for you.

I left school at sixteen, in 2010.  I got the qualifications I was told were a necessity (except maths, continues to haunt me, lets not discuss.)  To be absolutely truthful I could have left that place with A* grades, the reason I didn’t?  From quite a young age I had an underlying feeling that almost everything I was learning had next to no application in the real world so I just didn’t bother.  I wanted to know how to build fires and bivouacs (shelters), how to read maps and play music.  I sought these skills outside of my academic life and joined sea scouts. My friends thought it was a bit weird, I learnt everything I wanted to and had unlimited opportunities to apply that knowledge, thus, it lives on and based on these skills I am where I am now, happy and the future looks good for further training and eventually employment.  It’s scary when you think of how many kids never realise their potential because of how the education system works.  It’s like what Einstein said about fish trying to climb trees.

I wish somebody had told me that academic study really isn’t for everyone and that is absolutely fine.  I have spent the past two years as a circular block trying to ram myself through triangular holes. It’s uncomfortable, clearly incorrect and a very tight squeeze.
So for a second time I have dropped out of college and have embarked on a new, more adventurous, much more me pathway.  I’m currently doing some training to help me on my way to becoming an outdoor pursuits instructor, lots of hard work and lots of voluntary fun is ahead of me but I’m happier than ever and eagerly await every single day that floats toward me. (especially the 27th of May, because that’s my birthday and birthdays are really nice.)

In conclusion, if you’re a circular block, slip on through those circular holes. Otherwise you’re a fish trying to climb a tree. (could have just said exactly this and saved a lot of typing.)

Again, I lack the ability to post regularly, not that it really matters. Sincere apologies if it does to you.  For now however, I can hear Tom listening to Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel and have to leave immediately to commend him on his song choice.

Bless. x

GR.

I’ve just heard one of the most ridiculous things.  Primary schools want to introduce a no best friend policy to avoid the emotional upheaval of friendship fallouts!  How bloody ridiculous!

What bugs me is that if you really look at the reality of everything, children are getting progressively more crap.  Obviously this isn’t their fault (unless their especially vile).  Kids don’t play outside anymore, I often see the tiniest kids clutching blackberry phones, the high street condones the sexualisation of young people, and kids are fatter than those really upset people who are on ‘The Biggest Loser.’ (what a name for a programme filled with already gutted people).

There is a massive culture of health and safety in every situation a child finds themselves in everyday. Forget bubble wrap, kids could survive the apocalypse if they were wrapped in all of the risk assessments and regulations that concern their actions.

I genuinely think that there are parents who think a child shouldnt have a best friend  because the only chum they’ve got to chill with is that 0.01% awesome germ that detol doesn’t destroy.  In the germ world, I bet everyone wants to be friends with this guy..

The leading cause in the rise of asthma is the fact that parents are constantly disinfecting the lives of their kids.  Why does this even begin to feel logical when the basis of human immunity to illness is to get ill, fight it off and get stronger. Just like when you level up on Pokémon.. you simply have to get a little bit owned by Gyarados first.

Anyway, in conclusion I think this policy is absolutely ridiculous. This is social engineering.  All throughout life (not just human life either) the time of childhood is to learn! If schools remove a childs permission to have one friend they feel close to I think they’ll be breeding a generation of socially inept young people.

Peace. x

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2116699/No-best-friends-policy-rise-primary-schools-critics-warn-teachers-interfere-childs-play.html

Funny Cats

There are few things that beat funny cats.  Get a load of this guy.

Kony inspired post.

Where has this Kony campaign come from?!   Seems to be more of a fashion statement for facebook users than actual care for these issues.   Yeah wicked for raising world issues but seriously?  This info has been out there for a long time and only now people are going nuts for it.  I think that the Kony situation while it IS terrible and i totally support his arrest it isn’t the most serious shit going down in the world and you’re honestly wasting your time marching around Pembrokeshire with banners.

What’s annoying is that in 99% of cases if it hadn’t appeared on your news feed you would never have known about it..I think it’s time for a campaign to get people researching acurate, unbias info on world issues!

If you do care about making a difference I’d suggest a more effective path of joining www.avaaz.org and sign petitions sent to various different leaders and governments to put extreme pressure on the people with power and actually make an impression on your views on similar issues This method is one proven to get results … because, sadly no one really gives a shit if you print out a poster.

If you’re REALLY interested in this stuff and not just joining the fad here’s one to ease you in….read on and campaign for this too.

For Example:

“in Syria 7 unarmed activists were assassinated in cold blood while trying to bring medical supplies into the city of Homs. They join thousands of brave citizens, medical workers, and journalists murdered by a regime that has gone beyond all limits of brutality”

Here’s a little bit of reading on the Syrian detention centres and torture methods. READ THE REPORT HERE.

THIS PETITION IS ALREADY 658000 strong – sign it.

(Taken from the above linked report.)

Former detainees have described numerous brutal torture methods employed by the regime.
Transcriptions of survivors’ testimonies are included according to the location where the torture
was perpetrated. Some torture methods commonly employed by Syrian regime torturers are
listed below:

● The German Chair – The detainee is tied to a metal chair with moving parts, then the
chair is folded backwards so that it places extreme pressure on the prisoner’s spine and
leads to a quasi-permanent asphyxiation. This treatment may cause vertebrae to be
fractured, a paralysis of the arms for months, chronic headaches, hypertension, urinary
tract infections and stomach and intestinal problems.

● Electrocution, applied to genitals and other body parts.

● The Wheel – The detainee is put inside one or two tires of a large vehicle. The detainee’s
feet and legs are inserted first, then the detainee is folded over, with hands tied behind
the back, and the head is inserted into the tire so that the detainee is in a “U” shapem
with only the head and feet on the wheels; the detainee is beaten on his face and feet
until they bleed.

● Removal of fingernails and toenails.

● Suspension by the hands from the ceiling being made to stand or dangle for days.
● Severe beating on the head and body, or smashing detainee’s head against radiators or
walls.
● Extinguishing cigarettes on the body.
● Sleep deprivation.”

AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE DETENTION CENTRES:

● Homs Central Prison
4,000 detainees are currently being held, at
several times the capacity of the prison. The official capacity of the cells is
56 prisoners, but around 300 are currently crammed inside each. Food is still
provided for only 56 people per cell, however, so prisoners are forced to divide
up these meager rations, which are just enough to keep them alive. Detainees
have described sleeping amongst piles of garbage and being held in freezing
conditions, with at least 3 people sharing a single, filthy blanket in most cases.
High-profile activists such as Najati Tayara, the father of SNC member Naji
Tayara and a long-time anti-regime activist, were held and participated in the
strike here.
○ Avaaz has obtained information that between 50 and 100 detainees are being
introduced almost daily (at the time of writing) without any detainees being
released. The dormitories have about 65 beds but, because there are 300
detainees, the detainees take turns sleeping on beds and on the ground due to
overcrowding. Each dormitory has 3 toilets for 300 people. The water is almost
always cut. As there is no sanitation, the garbage accumulates in the cells,
and the detainees have to live amongst it. Insect populations thrive as a result
of these conditions, causing skin rashes and boils. Lice have also afflicted the
detainees because of the dirty conditions and no access to showers or baths.
Many cases of food poisoning are reported.

What’s annoying is that in 99% of cases if it hadn’t appeared on your news feed you would never have known about it..I think it’s time for a campaign to get people researching acurate, unbias info on world issues!

Try becoming an activist on www.avaaz.org.

Morning Musings.

The power of “hey, what’s your name?” constantly suprises me.  It scares me how many potential friendships pass us by as missed opportunities.  Anyway, here’s something for your eyes and ears and if you understand it, much beyond the five senses.  Enjoy. x

YOUTUBE LINK – JOHN BUTER TRIO – REVOLUTION

So tell me family now what do you think ?
Watch it all go down the great big sink.
Watch how the scum it rises to the top.
Don’t you wonder when it’s all gonna stop?
Sometimes I wonder how we do sleep,
serving the dodgy companies we keep.
All kicking and scrounging for the very first place -
dictionary definition of a rat race.
Pay off those losers we elect to lead,
stealing from the mouths that we’re meant to feed.
Enslaving the very clothes upon my back,
I feel the sting but I hear no crack, no crack, I’m saying

Running through the fire, running through the flame,
running through the hatred, pushing through the blame,
running through the hopelessness and shame,
revolution already underway.

Big Heavy Pirates man digging those holes,
messing with something that they can’t control.
Tresspassing lands where they don’t belong,
all I hear is screaming where there once were songs.
I got my brothers there fighting those wars,
fighting over scraps and scraping their souls.
Under a blanket of a fire and pride
that can’t keep us warm for the cold inside,
inside, I’m saying

Running through the fire, running through the flame,
running through the hatred, pushing through the blame,
running through the hopelessness and shame,
revolution already underway.

So tell me when you think we’re gonna rise?
Wake from this slumber wipe the tears from our eyes?
Yes from this nightmare yes I must now wake,
open my fist my destiny I take !
Good people sick and tired of being pushed around,
we call them kings but I see no crown.
Tell me when you think we’ll just stand up,
say enough is enough is enough,enough I’m saying

Running through the fire, running through the flame,
running through the hatred, pushing through the blame,
running through the hopelessness and shame,
revolution already underway.

Take back your feet, take back your hands.
Take back your words, take back your lands.
Take back your heart, take back your pride.
Don’t got to run, don’t got to hide.
Revolution.

Bargain Hunt

There really is only so much bargain hunt you can watch before you want to destroy that man and everything he stands for.   This is totally irrelevent to the post I am writing.

Yesterday I re-discovered the power of the best friend.  I’ve been a bit of a hermit recently if I’m honest which tends to happen in the wintery overcast months.. lack of light gets me down and gives me little motivation.  I can feel spring on it’s way and I already feel better.    All it took was a couple hours of sunshine and a walk. 

I feel that now is my new year and a fresh start in the sunlight.  beyyyyshh.

Oh – I am also very happy that my brother has started blogging.  It’s hard to express how good it is to vent frustrations and thoughts and oppinions and a mllion other things!!

lots of love. x

MUSINGS.

I’m Hungry.

I’ve found, through my thirteen years experience of education so far, that some teachers/lecturers, though not all, severely dislike students who enter their subject with a good knowledge of it and enthusiasm for it.   They looooovvveee students who really develop a talent and passion under their instruction and guidance, this leads me to think that their self-importance is stamped all over when they cannot take credit for genuine the talent and flair for what they teach.   I will be a teacher one day, but not this sort. BOOHOO.I would be entirely chuffed to teach someone with talent and interest in common with me!  I think this is something to be celebrated.  I on the other hand have just had an experience which gave me this impression…

” Due to the saying ‘Those that can’t do, teach’ I’m slightly insecure about my talent in the practical element of this subject and you quite intimidate me so I am going to patronise you until you know your place.  I am better than you.”

In fact, at the beginning of term I was somewhat in awe of this lecturer as her subject is one I love, I think her work is fantastic and wish I could produce work similar in quality.  Now I feel like an unvalued member of the class and a pain in the arse know-it-all. (Which I’m not.)   This type of teacher, the three times I have encountered one and many more I have witnessed, have a knack of branding the enthusiastic student as a know-it-all.  Do they think that’s the best way to let someone else answer a question? I don’t think stamping all over their confidence is the answer to be honest with you.

Rant over.

The animals hate me…

A big thankyou to Velcro the cat for doing a massive wizz on my bed.  Really, I commend you on both location and accuracy.  I’m currently in the spare bed, in the spare room.  I haven’t yet been back to my bed to investigate the severity of the offence, it’d only annoy me more.

Fond memories of childhood revisited me as upon discovery, I thought it an appropriate reason to go to my mum and inform her.  (even though she’d only tell me to do what i had already done about the situation)  The difference this time however, is that it’s not friendly four-year-old child wee, it’s stinky male cat piss.

I really don’t know what I have done to deserve this abuse from both the cat and dog.
In other news?  Life is pretty much ordinary, as it always is in term-time Pembrokeshire.   College has lost my interest recently but I’m sticking it out, still doing the best I can.  I got a distinction in my graphics assignment. beysh.
Oh, and I’ve got a job.

‘Other things’ have taken over band practices.. many other things… actually, MOST things have taken over band practices.  I have no doubt that we’ll be musically back on track very soon.  We need to be, next gig is on the 24th Feb.   Thinking about it, that seems ages away, I will have hopefully passed my theory test by then and soon after that my practical driving test.  I’m slowly winning my battles with gears, steering, mirrors and pretty much every aspect of getting a car to move in a legal fashion.

I’ll leave you there for now, or i’ll only convince myself that boring diary-like-blogging makes for a good read and that you’re actually interested in this shit.

Love. x

Happy Tuesday

On Tuesdays, i usually wish that it were a Wednesday.  Probably because college doesn’t start until 2pm on a Wednesday and that is a total bonus.   Today, actually today – not Tuesday in general, EVERYBODY seems savagely tired.  I do think it’s January that does it.  I’d say that i’m 99% not a January person.. when the new year hits me, I don’t swing back with a lethal dose of detox and exercise. There is that 1% of possible contemplation… but still, no.   For me, the winter is comfy time.  January is still winter and until the sun comes out I will be a cwtching, tea-drinking,PJ-wearing, comfort-food-eating legend thank you very much.  (Except yoga, I love yoga.)

Peaceeee. x

MUSINGS. (mandatory new year post. – Late)

I’ve been having weirdly, strangely intensely visual dreams recently.  I’m not complaining either, I love it.    I’ve been paying attention to them more and more, turning my consciousness inward for a little minute….

2011 was a pretty damn destructive year in my universe.  To be honest, I take every possibly measurable unit of responsibility for it too.   If I didn’t want to have been in the situations I was in, I  could have left them.  I could have taken myself away from the people who I let hurt me, and in fairness to those I must have hurt too.  More importantly than that,  I do believe that I attracted it all to me.  I focused all of myself on leaving nothing but positive energy, I attracted the negativity because in my mind, I was so fixated on avoiding it.  Everything is equal and opposite, I can’t escape that and was dull to think I could!

Aside from these things, I have also had an AWESOME year in many ways.  I met some of the now closest people to me, had some of the coolest experiences, and learnt a few lessons.

Something I have always KNOWN is to accept.  Now i genuinely FEEL it.    I feel that I have to accept every single soul that crosses my path for exactly who and what they are, whilst being nothing but who and what I am!  I feel that I am to take every opportunity, enjoy the positive and learn from the negative.

In terms of my 2012 plans:

I will make some absolutely awesome music. – I want more than ever for people to truly overstand when they listen to what we play.

I will spend time only with people who make me happy.

I Will convince my mum that my dog is a knob, hates me and actively goes out of his way to prove this to me.

The rest can be summarised only in the following way.:

tea, draw, friends, dance, sing, skank, beer, reggae, smoke, write, wonder, understand, learn, read, jump, messy, beautiful, colourful, photographs, paint, random Friday, create, music, eat (!), coastal path, sunset, rock towers, walk, ride, yoga, love,  SMILE.

Big love and massive respect to everyone.  Here’s to 2012.

One love. xxxx

(Written listening to: ‘ You came around’ – Nico Stai  (proper good tune.