“If only I could alwys get up by my body alarm clock, and not that beeping from my device…”
Ritu Bhathal
For Linda’s #1LinerWeds
One-Liner Wednesday – Well Rested
26 Oct 2022 31 Comments
in #onelinerwednesday Tags: #1linerweds, #onelinerwednesday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, R&R
This is NOT our #Obama Moment #UKPolitics
25 Oct 2022 77 Comments
in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Politics
I hesitated a while before writing this because this is not a political blog.
Politics scare me. I do try and keep up with things happening, but not an awful lot makes sense. I especially look at what is going on in Education because of my own job and the cost of living crisis, etc., but beyond that, I really don’t know much.The thing is, it’s been a shambles really, our government, the last few years, and the last few months, in particular, hasn’t it?Three Prime Ministers in two months, goodness knows how many cabinet changes, an economy that is tanking, loss of face as a country to the rest of the world…And yesterday, on the auspicious day of Diwali, many British Hindus celebrated the fact that Rishi Sunak, one of ‘us’ (i.e. a brown face) was now the top dog in Downing Street.Now, I don’t know the guy from Adam, and I’m sure he has some redeeming features, but there is plenty about him that is freely out there to read to show that maybe he isn’t one to be proud of.
- He was a Brexit supporter… Sorry, that is a 👎🏽👎🏽 from me, anyway.He may have been born to honest EastAfrican Indian migrant parents in Southampton, but his £40k a year Winchester College education means that his life is far removed from the majority of Brits, brown or otherwise.He married an Indian Billionaire’s daughter and is consequently richer than Charlie King Three!He lost the UK a lot of money in the Covid debacle.He backed the Rwanda plan! He was also fined during #PartyGate!
I look at him and think, yes it’s good to see some representation of minorities in a high position, but surely we want that face to be one to be proud of.I hope he can do right by everyone, and not just his rich pals, thereby helping us all and becoming worthy of this premature excitement by the aunty brigades out there, who will no doubt expect all their British Asian children to reach PM level in the future.But, you have the masses who are not happy. Have you heard the openly racist remarks made by an LBC listener who called in and basically said he’s not English (White, basically)so he would never get their vote, and this was a Conservative party member calling in. A sentiment echoed by many, it seemsThe defections to the Reform Party are shocking – is this a good thing?
He was not elected. He was appointed.He hasn’t shown a clear vision of his own.
A short victory for some could amount to him becoming the scapegoat for a lot of previous mistakes and when the next General Election comes about (if he lasts… but you never know, looking at the PM track record right now) and they lose, the Conservatives will turn on him, too.Let’s be frank, here, there aren’t any better alternatives right now, out there, though, anyway! (Thank the Lord BoZo didn’t stand!) But even looking at other parties, if we had a General Election, which is the party offering the best for everyone in this country? They all seem too busy knocking the Conservatives, but not telling us what they could realistically do, to offer stability in such a precarious world.Might just start my own party…But, ultimately, as my post title says, this is no #ObamaMoment for the UK. He’s just another rich politician with his own agenda who just happens to be blessed with more melanin than his predecessors.
Stepping off my soapbox, now…
Chai And A Chat #208 #ChaiAndAChat
24 Oct 2022 33 Comments
in Chai and a Chat Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat
Happy Monday, Peeps! And we are finally on HALF TERM!
Got your drink?
- If we were having chai, I’d collapse on the chair and say THANG GOODNESS it’s half term! It has been an 8 week one, which is long, and filled with so much, that my brain is filled with more cotton wool than usual! (Perimenopause? Maybe, but the exhaustion is unreal!) We had a lovely week, celebrating Diwali and talking about Harvest Festival, as well as Halloween. The children had a dress-up day on Friday and we all went to our first whole school assembly, where we performed a little song for the rest of the school It was so cute!
- If we were having chai, I’d tell you we had rain of an almost biblical nature on Thursday, too! I had a course that day but went to school first to help the supply teacher set up. The sky was dark and then thunder rolled and the heavens opened. I didn’t realise how hard until I peered outside and our playground resembled a pond! There is a staircase we have to descend to unlock the gate when the children come in, and I feared for my poor aching joints as I paddled down the waterfall that was running down the stairs as I did the needful. Children came in soaked to the bone! We had book bags, socks and shoes lined up all around the classrooms, trying to get the kids dry! Then I had to leave, to get to my course. I drove through deep swathes of water that was rolling over the kerb onto pavements. It was only in the lunch break when someone sent us a video on Whatsapp of a local road that had water that had reached the trunks of cars in the space of an hour that we realised how bad it was. Houses flooding and some businesses having to close due to the excessive rain! And Sunday has been pretty wet, too…
- If we were having chai, I’d say that I am at a loss as to the political situation here… Another PM gone… who will we have next? And the amount of low-level racism that is being shown to one of the popular candidates, Rishi Sunak, is quite horrifying. It isn’t a general election so the Tory party vote among themselves, but the consnsus is around the country that the typical Tory constituents won’t vote for him as he isn’t white and English is quite horrifying; I mean, he isn’t the best, but the best of a bad bunch, righ now! Can you believe people are even rooting for Bo-Zo to make a comeback?? The mind boggles…
- If we were having chai, I’d share with you that after a long chant with my doctor, we have decided for me to try HRT. I start it today so let’s see how it goes! The pains are still in my joints as well as numerous other symptoms. I can’t wait to see if this helps!
- If we were having chai, I’d tell you that I had an impromptu dinner with my sister-in-law on Friday, seeing as I was having to wait around while Lil Man’s social life got a little more interesting! We’ve rarely done this, just us two and it was a lovely evening. Much needed for both of us, too.
This week is all about relaxing, R and R to the max! I do want to get editing, though, too. We have Diwali to celebrate today, which is today (Monday), as well as a meeting with the local Society of Authors Group, and I am meeting with my girlfriends for dinner on Friday, which I am really looking forward to!
And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!
Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 398 – Take a Break
23 Oct 2022 21 Comments
in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Battery recharge, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Relax, Spidey's Serene Sundays
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… even you.”
Anne Lammot
Lovely quote and an apt reminder, there, Spidey. Thank you!
As I write this, I am aware it’s later than usual, because I have been doing what the quote said and powering down for the week.
It is finally half term break for us teachers and school kids and boy was this term long! For us it was eight weeks of hard slog; settling in the new children, and dealing with a few unexpected situations, but we got through. It is done, and now I have a week to relax and unwind.
What will I do?
Well, there are a few things.
I will switch off, totally, to start with, then I have Diwali to look forward to, as well as a meeting with the local Society of Authors group, and I believe I have a dinner with my girlfriends tentatively planned at the end of the week, too!
But, I also want to get some editing done, too, so that has to be a bit of a priority… after I have powered down for a few days, first, though!
So, tell me, what do you do to switch off?
Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!
#SoCS Oct. 22, 2022 – Bowl
22 Oct 2022 29 Comments
in #SoCS Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Linda G Hill, Socs
Linda’s SoCS prompt.
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “bowl.” Use it as a noun or a verb—use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
Going for a proper SOC post, today.
Bowl means many things, but to me, cricket is the first thing that comes to mind. My son, Lil Man is an epic (apparently) leftie spin bowler. He loves chucking that little red ball round, making it curve delightfully, to the surprise of the batter at hand!
Bowl equally means a vessel to fill to the brim with cereal or your favourite hot soup, or if you’re feeling a little naughty, all the icecream you can cram into it!
Then there is that washing-up bowl in the sink, which, it seems, you are the only one capable of emptying…
And who could forget bowl haircuts? mine was definitely one of those, the first time I had it done, though it was cleverly labelled as a ‘Pageboy’ cut… Nope, definitely a bowl!
