I saw Britain in a good light...

...three weeks ago! Hmmm.....


Good to see the fine upstanding people of the capital cities of the UK showing how great the British nation is...really, wth??? Embarrassing. And 11/12/13 year olds involved. I was more interested in my Johnny Hates Jazz and Bros LPs when I was 12 years old.

Is it genuine protests? Nope, I think it's boredom. What else is there to do on a Monday night. In my day the 'yoovs' would just hang out by the corner shops in Owlsmoor [or town of choice], intimidating the younger kids (and me) and the elderly. Now it's a few steps up from that.

Apparently it all escalated following a police shooting in Tottenham...and it's gone from there. The criminal element of society kicking off. Which worries me about the size of the criminal element that they are overpowering the police. The government's planned police spending cuts (possibly at least 10000 fewer officers) will be the solution. No problem. Well done, coalition, well done.

I'm sure other people actually living in these districts and towns are no doubt scared, shocked and embarrassed, like many Omanis said they were during the Sohar riots (I think I can call it a riot rather than a protest now).

I can be quite old fashioned sometimes, but I'm all for bringing back National Service. Not sure nanny-state Britain will allow for that though. Bless Her, wouldn't want to upset anyone, would we...?

The other question is should the Army be involved... any thoughts? The Army is stretched as it is and really, is that what the Army is there for? Just playing Devil's advocate here, can't decide what the answer should be.


As an aside, I feel for the organisations that are organising the Olympics...1 year to go... And football matches postponed. (Although understandable given the reputation of some London team fans. My team included ;-) )


However, you've got to see the funny side of it...Wayne Rooney's social comment on Twitter (I don't tweet, just picked this up from Sky news)

"These riots are nuts. Why would people do this to their own country, own city, this is embarassing for our country. Stop please"

Please note he's that peaceful, calm, restrained, courteous Manchester United football player. As you can see from this picture: 

or this one....

I've just had to switch Sky news off...Holmes is a national institution but he's appalling sometimes!


Ooh I'm in a sarcastic mood today....


...I cannot believe I have posted pictures of Wayne Rooney on my blog...

UK trip update - day 6

Reading the UK papers today reaffirmed the fact that we are in a bit of a bubble in Oman. It is often said that you should give yourself a break from the news and all media etc for, say, a day a week to avoid the depression, oppression, gossip, hate, the general negativity of the majority of the news making the headlines…why not use this time to be positive and constructive…reconnect with the present (I’m a believer in this but often find myself with Al Jazeera on, or the Oman Times in front of me). We definitely have unintentionally broken that media habit since being in Oman. I think that contributes to the relaxed and calm lifestyle that we find ourselves in.

Anyway, one headline today in the UK tabloids:

‘red wine increases breast cancer risk’

…groan…I have not missed all this scaremongering whatsoEVER!!

I’m supping a glass of warm, rich Wolfblass now and intend to finish it with a flourish.

Big news…I’m starting new job in September. I haven’t been mentally ready really up intil now. I’ve been using and relishing the time for me, developing skills, doing things for me. I realised last year that I needed a creative release otherwise I get frustrated and pent up.

However, I am ready (am I????) now to work fulltime again and in my new profession. Going back to Albom’s book again; he wrote down something that his old professor told him.

“Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

I'm honestly quite nervous, a little anxious, worried my kids will lose out on my attention and patience. teaching can be hard work, draining, frustrating. But I need to take a check every now and then to remember what I am doing. Giving something back. Offering something. Contributing to the community. And where would we be without teachers.

Any stories of your favourite teachers, whether at school, college, in life in general?

If anyone is interested the book is called ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’, by Mitch Albom published by Anchor Books.