Silly Socks on Fridayhttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/en-NZhourly82000-01-01T12:00+00:00Silly Socks on Fridayhttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/ca/60f695e8f0af92cd47afc541042b9a_160x200.jpgMore Blog Paranoiahttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2009/01/09/more-blog-paranoia-5350740/2009-01-09T22:00:30+01:00 <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span>I wonder if people who blog are of a certain type &hellip;?</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>I noticed that after my last blog <em>(</em><em><span lang="EN-NZ">Where were we ?/ are we? / are we going to be?</span>)</em> that ad-tags for counselling and personality assessment attached<span>  </span>to my blog</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>I also note that 1 or 2<span>  </span>fellow bloggers appear to have suffered mental frailty from time to time </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>Maybe I am not only depressed but paranoid as well &ndash; I noticed the Man watching my blog in &rsquo;06, because I happened to blather on about the struggle to be free of the yoke of the necktie &hellip;..</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>I suppose it is just ad-people intruding to impose their products on anyone who may be disposed to consider them. They assume propensities from blog-utterances &hellip;</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>That can be risky because most people try to shield their true thoughts &hellip; ah well, I am happy to lead people down avenues of my thoughts &hellip;maybe they will glimpse sanity & reality !</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>On another tack &hellip; I have always tried to look at things from both sides, to try and understand the motivation of the most maligned side.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>No-one can applaud or rejoice in the deaths of so many innocents in the Gaza tragedy.. but, if someone kept on shooting at my house and wouldn&rsquo;t stop, I would probably send my soldiers to stop the problem too.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>Subtlety & patience tend to disappear when bullets fly &ndash; the usual response is to retaliate with all you have until the attack stops.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>I just wish it would stop &hellip;.</span></span></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2009/01/09/more-blog-paranoia-5350740/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I wonder if people who blog are of a certain type …?

 

I noticed that after my last blog (Where were we ?/ are we? / are we going to be?) that ad-tags for counselling and personality assessment attached  to my blog

 

I also note that 1 or 2  fellow bloggers appear to have suffered mental frailty from time to time

 

Maybe I am not only depressed but paranoid as well – I noticed the Man watching my blog in ’06, because I happened to blather on about the struggle to be free of the yoke of the necktie …..

 

I suppose it is just ad-people intruding to impose their products on anyone who may be disposed to consider them. They assume propensities from blog-utterances …

 

That can be risky because most people try to shield their true thoughts … ah well, I am happy to lead people down avenues of my thoughts …maybe they will glimpse sanity & reality !

 

On another tack … I have always tried to look at things from both sides, to try and understand the motivation of the most maligned side.

 

No-one can applaud or rejoice in the deaths of so many innocents in the Gaza tragedy.. but, if someone kept on shooting at my house and wouldn’t stop, I would probably send my soldiers to stop the problem too.

 

Subtlety & patience tend to disappear when bullets fly – the usual response is to retaliate with all you have until the attack stops.

 

I just wish it would stop ….

Comments

]]>Where were we ?/ are we? / are we going to be?http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/where-were-we-are-we-are-we-going-to-be-5291642/2008-12-29T09:25:47+01:00 <p>No urge to splurge for 814 days... good to see old friends are still around.<br> Very prolific ABE! I guess you are my inspiration ... you keep on writing.</p> <p>Much prefer the old editor, which starts with:<br> <strong>F</strong> <u>U</u> K<em> D which usually sums me up my quite well.</p> <p>I suppose I need to get up and steer the ship & drive it towards the destination I want to reach ... but where is that?<br> Must do better than that - let me sleep on it.</em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2008/12/29/where-were-we-are-we-are-we-going-to-be-5291642/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>No urge to splurge for 814 days... good to see old friends are still around.
Very prolific ABE! I guess you are my inspiration ... you keep on writing.

Much prefer the old editor, which starts with:
F U K D which usually sums me up my quite well.

I suppose I need to get up and steer the ship & drive it towards the destination I want to reach ... but where is that?
Must do better than that - let me sleep on it.

Comments

]]>What do you teach your children about life?http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/10/06/what_do_you_teach_your_children_about_li~1195259/2006-10-06T22:00:47+02:00 <p>Do you have a Hero? What is it that you admire about your Hero? I have been trying to find a role model for my children. It is not easy ...! What are the virtues of a role model? Do they have any vices?<br>Yes ... they must have some vice in them ,,, I mean even Jesus lost his temper and threw the moneylenders out of the Temple; Lord Buddha  lived the life of Reilly before he disobeyed his father, witnessed real life, embraced temperance and renounced desires.</p> <p>Aquinas' Cardinal Virtues ring a bell with me, they describe real models of behaviour for good people: <ul> <li>Prudence</li> <li>Temperance</li> <li>Courage </li> <li>Justice</li> </ul> A quick flick through Google on Aquinas and Temperance described models for behaviour that seemed real and achievable. Of course, there will be shortfalls and lapses ... the idea is that we recognise this and get up and re-direct ourselves, with  these virtuous beacons.<br>Why don't they teach them in schools? They are surely universally recognised as conduct which would maintain harmonious, productive societies?</p> <p>This is something real which politicians and role models should give to all of us! Spread the word! Shake the trees!<br>Help our children choose the best way of Life!</p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/10/06/what_do_you_teach_your_children_about_li~1195259/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Do you have a Hero? What is it that you admire about your Hero? I have been trying to find a role model for my children. It is not easy ...! What are the virtues of a role model? Do they have any vices?
Yes ... they must have some vice in them ,,, I mean even Jesus lost his temper and threw the moneylenders out of the Temple; Lord Buddha  lived the life of Reilly before he disobeyed his father, witnessed real life, embraced temperance and renounced desires.

Aquinas' Cardinal Virtues ring a bell with me, they describe real models of behaviour for good people:

  • Prudence
  • Temperance
  • Courage
  • Justice
A quick flick through Google on Aquinas and Temperance described models for behaviour that seemed real and achievable. Of course, there will be shortfalls and lapses ... the idea is that we recognise this and get up and re-direct ourselves, with  these virtuous beacons.
Why don't they teach them in schools? They are surely universally recognised as conduct which would maintain harmonious, productive societies?

This is something real which politicians and role models should give to all of us! Spread the word! Shake the trees!
Help our children choose the best way of Life!

Comments

]]>What's your Blog worth? Beware of Satan's tricks!http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/09/08/what_s_your_blog_worth_beware_of_satan_s~1109415/2006-09-08T22:01:19+02:00 <p>I saw this little weblink on the Walrus ' wallow and it set off a train of thought which is quite radical, so ignore it if you wish / at your peril, heh,heh!<br>It caught my interest & I immediately made to try it & then hesitated: .... <em>Walrus is witty, clever, cosmopolitan, wise & has 100 friends; his blog is worth $12.00 ... I am naive, unpolished and only have 3 friends ... what will my blog be worth ...12 cents? </em></p> <p>My train of thought went this way: <em>this is how Satan works ... he senses vanity and pride and a desire for re-assurance and exploits it: you could just be wiser / more entertaining than you thought... don't be chicken....<br></em>It has been a recurring thought<em>,</em> last thunk when I saw, at first glance, an attractive woman of about 40. Closer examination revealed those tight bubble cheekbones that suggest botox treatment.  <em> </em>That's when I thought about vanity & how Satan sucks people in through vanity. Botox is definitely a vanity thing. I don't believe vanity is ever a good thing.</p> <p>It's not easy though,is it - I still have a sneaky need  to know ...<br><strong><em>Vade retro, Satanas</em></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/09/08/what_s_your_blog_worth_beware_of_satan_s~1109415/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I saw this little weblink on the Walrus ' wallow and it set off a train of thought which is quite radical, so ignore it if you wish / at your peril, heh,heh!
It caught my interest & I immediately made to try it & then hesitated: .... Walrus is witty, clever, cosmopolitan, wise & has 100 friends; his blog is worth $12.00 ... I am naive, unpolished and only have 3 friends ... what will my blog be worth ...12 cents?

My train of thought went this way: this is how Satan works ... he senses vanity and pride and a desire for re-assurance and exploits it: you could just be wiser / more entertaining than you thought... don't be chicken....
It has been a recurring thought, last thunk when I saw, at first glance, an attractive woman of about 40. Closer examination revealed those tight bubble cheekbones that suggest botox treatment.   That's when I thought about vanity & how Satan sucks people in through vanity. Botox is definitely a vanity thing. I don't believe vanity is ever a good thing.

It's not easy though,is it - I still have a sneaky need  to know ...
Vade retro, Satanas

Comments

]]>new lifehttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/09/01/new_life~1089736/2006-09-01T21:29:08+02:00 <p>First of September is my Mum's birthday - she would have been 95 yesterday (today if you are north of Nairobi)<br>It is also celebrated as the start of Spring, south of that place - although the grass is riz & I know where the boidie is (on the branch of the tree above trilling &twittering its joy!)<br>We also received news of the birth of Luke who is the 20th grand child of my siblings (what is the collective for nephews & nieces?)<br>My sweetpeas are slow, but show promise, I cycled 15 kms yesterday and reduced my food intake, .... I intend to shed bulk and celebrate my arrival at <em>closer to 60 than 50</em> in sleek & admired form.<br>The sun promises to shine, so we have been told in this little slowly decaying outpost in the South Pacific (get away, you depressing note)</p> <p>There is a great deal to be thankful for - this applies to readers of this blathering blog. <br>Seize the day - paint your world in joyous colours, embrace your loved ones!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/09/01/new_life~1089736/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>First of September is my Mum's birthday - she would have been 95 yesterday (today if you are north of Nairobi)
It is also celebrated as the start of Spring, south of that place - although the grass is riz & I know where the boidie is (on the branch of the tree above trilling &twittering its joy!)
We also received news of the birth of Luke who is the 20th grand child of my siblings (what is the collective for nephews & nieces?)
My sweetpeas are slow, but show promise, I cycled 15 kms yesterday and reduced my food intake, .... I intend to shed bulk and celebrate my arrival at closer to 60 than 50 in sleek & admired form.
The sun promises to shine, so we have been told in this little slowly decaying outpost in the South Pacific (get away, you depressing note)

There is a great deal to be thankful for - this applies to readers of this blathering blog.
Seize the day - paint your world in joyous colours, embrace your loved ones!!

Comments

]]>You are being watched as you bloghttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/29/you_are_being_watched_as_you_blog~998927/2006-07-29T21:09:37+02:00 <p>My last blogblurt was quite innocuous; although the title contained the words <em>"weapons"</em> and <em>"campaign"</em> and it did mention that the <em>Man</em> could be foolish. On my next visit to the site, I noticed an ad tag in the header: <em>"Conservative Politics".<br></em>Now, I have 1 blog friend, who hasn't had a blog since 4 June. I have not received any feedback or comment on my call to increase the global campaign against the necktie <em>(do not despair - we shall overcome)</em>. <strong>The point is why and how was I so identified?</strong><br>My conclusion is that it was done by machine, which I resent. Politics are matters of the heart as much as the head. I do not believe that the intertwining recipe of intellect and emotion can be replicated by machine. <em>Ergo</em>: I cannot deny the utilitarian value of stereotypes, but I can resent it.<br>However, on occasion, the odd anarchic tactic may justifiably or at least understandably, be used to assuage the bruised psyche, <em>(surely? ... if used only moderately)</em> <em><strong>Tough tofu, you word weed wimp - you are what you are labelled; machines don't recognise slimy grovels... do they?<br></strong></em>To hell with it, I will perservere, like the Crusader, whose name I bear, in the path of virtue & righteousness <em>(I refute his religious intolerance though, without which, he would not have gone a-crusading , I suppose).<br></em>Soo, check my tags out next week, let's see if I garner any more Big Bro interest and labels.<br><strong>Get off my back, Jack - political values change, like people; tolerance is elastic and the centre moves!<br></strong>I am unique & and reject your label. <br><em>Wow! I am so radical...<strong>yeah right!</strong></em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/29/you_are_being_watched_as_you_blog~998927/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>My last blogblurt was quite innocuous; although the title contained the words "weapons" and "campaign" and it did mention that the Man could be foolish. On my next visit to the site, I noticed an ad tag in the header: "Conservative Politics".
Now, I have 1 blog friend, who hasn't had a blog since 4 June. I have not received any feedback or comment on my call to increase the global campaign against the necktie (do not despair - we shall overcome). The point is why and how was I so identified?
My conclusion is that it was done by machine, which I resent. Politics are matters of the heart as much as the head. I do not believe that the intertwining recipe of intellect and emotion can be replicated by machine. Ergo: I cannot deny the utilitarian value of stereotypes, but I can resent it.
However, on occasion, the odd anarchic tactic may justifiably or at least understandably, be used to assuage the bruised psyche, (surely? ... if used only moderately) Tough tofu, you word weed wimp - you are what you are labelled; machines don't recognise slimy grovels... do they?
To hell with it, I will perservere, like the Crusader, whose name I bear, in the path of virtue & righteousness (I refute his religious intolerance though, without which, he would not have gone a-crusading , I suppose).
Soo, check my tags out next week, let's see if I garner any more Big Bro interest and labels.
Get off my back, Jack - political values change, like people; tolerance is elastic and the centre moves!
I am unique & and reject your label.
Wow! I am so radical...yeah right!

Comments

]]>A call to take up inoffensive weapons in a global campaignhttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/28/a_call_to_take_up_inoffensive_weapons_in~996907/2006-07-28T22:30:53+02:00 <p><em>The time has come, </em>as the Walrus said, to think of other things. <br>The organisation / association / school which I am proud & happy to have been a part of for over a decade, has decided to broaden its campaign.<br>It has been accepted that the global campaign against neckties has had some impact. Sympathisers have increased awareness that tying decorated strips of cloth around one's neck is <strong>folly </strong>and a <strong>clear symbol of submission </strong>to the <strong>yoke of ridiculous convention.</p> <p></strong>I attended a seminar in the city recently. It was depressing: I had to seek guidance on how to access the lift - there were 6, with no buttons. One had to mechanically alert a console in the foyer as to one's destination & it advised which lift would convey you. The damn thing had only a clock & an alarm bell & took me straight to floor 20 without stopping.<strong><br>Even worse were the attendees</strong>: 90/100 uniformly attired in black; decorative nooses tightly wound around male necks & jackets buttoned .... slightly amused at my grey flannel slacks and cardigan, politely ignoring my lack of necktie.  All I could think of was <strong>urban clones.</strong> The lawyers who adressed us, could have been brother and sisters, raised by a Sergeant Major!<em> </em><strong><em>I am so glad I don't work in the city!! The campaign has a loong way to go. </p> <p></em></strong>The Israelis, those clever industrious aggressive people, who are the best example of a general rejection of that corporate noose, are not doing well with PR at the moment though! So, a different campaign, a strategic feint, is considered appropriate to garner fresh attention<br>Being easy going, we understand the courage and daring involved in resistance. The <em>Man</em> is mean, unreasonable and unrelenting - a challenge of this nature is likely to invite institutional condemnation from up high <br>The <em>Man</em>, who has tolerated this absurdity for many years, will have to admit his own folly to recant. That is hard and would attract labels such as <strong>radical, liberal</strong> and, <em>horror of horrors</em>, may risk <strong>refusal of entry to the Club!</strong> So any challenge will be stifled.<br>Of course, women do not have to comply - that is discriminatory; but don't tell a lawyer that, there will be an answer. <em>Perhaps men should wear skirts to work - they could call them kilts ...hmmm!<br></em><br>Take courage, talk about it, debate it, defend it, attack it!</p> <p>We believe wearing silly socks can bring about a gradual erosion of urban uniform mentality. Start on Fridays & spread the word; encourage participation, praise creativity. It cannot be  faulted (it is underwear , after all)</p> <p><strong><em>To socks, to socks!</em></strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/28/a_call_to_take_up_inoffensive_weapons_in~996907/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>The time has come, as the Walrus said, to think of other things.
The organisation / association / school which I am proud & happy to have been a part of for over a decade, has decided to broaden its campaign.
It has been accepted that the global campaign against neckties has had some impact. Sympathisers have increased awareness that tying decorated strips of cloth around one's neck is folly and a clear symbol of submission to the yoke of ridiculous convention.

I attended a seminar in the city recently. It was depressing: I had to seek guidance on how to access the lift - there were 6, with no buttons. One had to mechanically alert a console in the foyer as to one's destination & it advised which lift would convey you. The damn thing had only a clock & an alarm bell & took me straight to floor 20 without stopping.
Even worse were the attendees: 90/100 uniformly attired in black; decorative nooses tightly wound around male necks & jackets buttoned .... slightly amused at my grey flannel slacks and cardigan, politely ignoring my lack of necktie.  All I could think of was urban clones. The lawyers who adressed us, could have been brother and sisters, raised by a Sergeant Major! I am so glad I don't work in the city!! The campaign has a loong way to go.

The Israelis, those clever industrious aggressive people, who are the best example of a general rejection of that corporate noose, are not doing well with PR at the moment though! So, a different campaign, a strategic feint, is considered appropriate to garner fresh attention
Being easy going, we understand the courage and daring involved in resistance. The Man is mean, unreasonable and unrelenting - a challenge of this nature is likely to invite institutional condemnation from up high
The Man, who has tolerated this absurdity for many years, will have to admit his own folly to recant. That is hard and would attract labels such as radical, liberal and, horror of horrors, may risk refusal of entry to the Club! So any challenge will be stifled.
Of course, women do not have to comply - that is discriminatory; but don't tell a lawyer that, there will be an answer. Perhaps men should wear skirts to work - they could call them kilts ...hmmm!

Take courage, talk about it, debate it, defend it, attack it!

We believe wearing silly socks can bring about a gradual erosion of urban uniform mentality. Start on Fridays & spread the word; encourage participation, praise creativity. It cannot be  faulted (it is underwear , after all)

To socks, to socks!

Comments

]]>Nepotism starts at home...http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/22/nepotism_starts_at_home~980633/2006-07-22T20:59:51+02:00 <p>.. so to speak. Alliances are basic human instincts. I am sure that the hairy fellas who lived in caves banded together to take on the Mammoth and protect themselves from Ol' Sabre Tooth Tigger.<br>Keeping it in the family is surely good and acceptable practice?<br>In <em>Wikipedia</em>, nepotism is categorised as political corruption, along with cronyism and simony.<br>The word <strong><em>nepotism</em></strong> comes from the Latin word <em>'nepos'</em>, meaning "nephew". In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages" title="Middle Ages">Middle Ages</a>, some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholicism" title="Catholicism">Catholic</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope" title="Pope">popes</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop" title="Bishop">bishops</a>, who had taken vows of chastity, raised their illegitimate sons as "nephews" and gave them preferences.    <br>Governments are particularly susceptible to accusations of cronyism as they spend public money. Many <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic" title="Democratic">democratic</a> governments are encouraged to have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_%28humanities%29" title="Transparency (humanities)">transparency</a> in their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accounting" title="Accounting">accounting</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract" title="Contract">contracting</a> processes. However, there is often no clear line to denote when an appointment constitutes "cronyism."  <strong><span><br>Simony</span></strong><span> is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastical" title="Ecclesiastical">ecclesiastical</a> crime and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin#Roman_Catholic_Views" title="Sin">personal sin</a> of paying for offices or positions, named after Simon Magus who offerred the disciples of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus" title="Jesus">Jesus</a> payment for the power to perform miracles.<br>My squeal, 'cos that's what it is, is about  my son who has been a victim of political corruption. He was by far the best bowler of his age group at the local cricket club: he had 5 x 5 wicket hauls in 10 matches; he was also <em>Most Valuable Player</em> last season. But .... he wasn't selected to represent  the age group team, nor was he given any recognition by the club. I have surmised the reason to be that he didn't go to the school where the selectors coach, nor the Academy where 1 of those coaches is employed.<br>On receipt of my complaint, the club mumbled <em>" ... more transparency in future...".  </em><br>My point is this: <strong>Me 'n you</strong> must hold any community or national representative organisation to <strong>transparency</strong> <strong><u><em>all the time!!</em></u></strong> That is the only way to keep democracy alive. <br>The rules must be:<br></span> <ol> <li><span>Tell us what you're gonna do</span></li> <li>How you're gonna do it</li> <li><span>Then do it like that</span></li> </ol> If you don't, you get fired, just like Nixon.<br>This applies to your club, your church, your schools - everywhere you have a connection.<br><em>Cry "Ahem" .. and let slip the guard dogs of democracy!!</em> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/22/nepotism_starts_at_home~980633/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>.. so to speak. Alliances are basic human instincts. I am sure that the hairy fellas who lived in caves banded together to take on the Mammoth and protect themselves from Ol' Sabre Tooth Tigger.
Keeping it in the family is surely good and acceptable practice?
In Wikipedia, nepotism is categorised as political corruption, along with cronyism and simony.
The word nepotism comes from the Latin word 'nepos', meaning "nephew". In the Middle Ages, some Catholic popes and bishops, who had taken vows of chastity, raised their illegitimate sons as "nephews" and gave them preferences.   
Governments are particularly susceptible to accusations of cronyism as they spend public money. Many democratic governments are encouraged to have transparency in their accounting and contracting processes. However, there is often no clear line to denote when an appointment constitutes "cronyism." 
Simony is the ecclesiastical crime and personal sin of paying for offices or positions, named after Simon Magus who offerred the disciples of Jesus payment for the power to perform miracles.
My squeal, 'cos that's what it is, is about  my son who has been a victim of political corruption. He was by far the best bowler of his age group at the local cricket club: he had 5 x 5 wicket hauls in 10 matches; he was also Most Valuable Player last season. But .... he wasn't selected to represent  the age group team, nor was he given any recognition by the club. I have surmised the reason to be that he didn't go to the school where the selectors coach, nor the Academy where 1 of those coaches is employed.
On receipt of my complaint, the club mumbled " ... more transparency in future...". 
My point is this: Me 'n you must hold any community or national representative organisation to transparency all the time!! That is the only way to keep democracy alive.
The rules must be:
  1. Tell us what you're gonna do
  2. How you're gonna do it
  3. Then do it like that
If you don't, you get fired, just like Nixon.
This applies to your club, your church, your schools - everywhere you have a connection.
Cry "Ahem" .. and let slip the guard dogs of democracy!!

Comments

]]>The Flying Dutchmanhttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/15/flying_dutchmen~962349/2006-07-15T22:41:30+02:00 <p>...you may know the legend of the Flying Dutchman: doomed to sail the seas forever ... unable to land anywhere ... <em>(he shot an albatross or something, so probably deserves his plight)</em><br>I still grapple <em>(not so hard these days, I admit)</em> with thoughts about <em><strong>who I am</strong></em> and <strong><em>where do I belong</em>. </strong>I have been a citizen of 5 countries. The country where I was born, the country of my citizenship at birth and the country where at least 7 generations  of my direct ancestors, (including my parents) were born, <strong>ALL </strong>refused to give me citizenship!  I have never shot an albatross, am not insane (noticeably) nor have I criminal convictions or ever been insolvent. I have a university degree, my own house & only 1 family.<br>There are floods of refugees from the north into South Africa <em>and from there to other countries in & out of Africa. </em>There are also floods of people to other countries, like North Africans to France, Turks to Germany, Indians & Chinese to anywhere. (<em>This is beginning to take a race tinged rant - it was not meant to be!</em> ) </p> <p>What my point is:  politics define & label citizenship, the heart defines belonging - I guess I belong to the world ..... or the world belongs to me!  (Certainly the Springboks don't stir me much anymore ..nor do the All Blacks or the Irish).<br>My planned visit to my birth country should shake up some thoughts... do I have to belong? <br>I am distressed at the horrors that have been perpertrated in the name of Patriotism & God<em><br>I  think politicians need to be saints & matyrs to avoid Hell! If not they should be sent to join the Flying Dutchman!</em></p> <p> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/15/flying_dutchmen~962349/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>...you may know the legend of the Flying Dutchman: doomed to sail the seas forever ... unable to land anywhere ... (he shot an albatross or something, so probably deserves his plight)
I still grapple (not so hard these days, I admit) with thoughts about who I am and where do I belong. I have been a citizen of 5 countries. The country where I was born, the country of my citizenship at birth and the country where at least 7 generations  of my direct ancestors, (including my parents) were born, ALL refused to give me citizenship!  I have never shot an albatross, am not insane (noticeably) nor have I criminal convictions or ever been insolvent. I have a university degree, my own house & only 1 family.
There are floods of refugees from the north into South Africa and from there to other countries in & out of Africa. There are also floods of people to other countries, like North Africans to France, Turks to Germany, Indians & Chinese to anywhere. (This is beginning to take a race tinged rant - it was not meant to be! )

What my point is:  politics define & label citizenship, the heart defines belonging - I guess I belong to the world ..... or the world belongs to me!  (Certainly the Springboks don't stir me much anymore ..nor do the All Blacks or the Irish).
My planned visit to my birth country should shake up some thoughts... do I have to belong?
I am distressed at the horrors that have been perpertrated in the name of Patriotism & God
I  think politicians need to be saints & matyrs to avoid Hell! If not they should be sent to join the Flying Dutchman!

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]]>Return to Basic Valueshttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/14/return_to_basic_values~960316/2006-07-14T22:17:21+02:00 <p>Thoughts generated by ackerman's friend vortigern, commenting on the savage retaliation of Israel against the Hizbollah in Lebanon, which included killing civilians, as well as the terrorist bombings in Mumbai, Madrid, London etc targetting  civilians.<br> <br>Basic instinct when faced by threat is <em><strong>fight or flight or submit</strong></em>: The strong protect their community by attacking the threat using appropriate means to remove it. The US reaction may be a bit too prolonged & extended to be justified for much longer - but their enemy is the faceless evil of anonymous evildoers who have no value on human life as potential sacrifice to their specific ends.<br>The Israeli reaction is quick & brutal like a scorpion's tail. It says "don't mess with me". Sadly, civilians get killed. The policeman must be big & strong & quick to react to protect the community - people will get hurt on occasion, that must not stop the protective reaction. The difference is that <strong>civilians are not the target</strong>! <br>Evil needs to be captured and controlled before attempts are made to find out why they are evil & later seek ways to rehabilitate.<br>That is the law of the Jungle -from whence Man came & doesn't really stay too far away.</p> <p><em>(What do you think of that Anna?) </em><img src="http://www.blog.co.uk/srv/tinymce/jss/plugins/blogdeemotions/smilies/smiley-undecided.gif" border="0" alt=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/07/14/return_to_basic_values~960316/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Thoughts generated by ackerman's friend vortigern, commenting on the savage retaliation of Israel against the Hizbollah in Lebanon, which included killing civilians, as well as the terrorist bombings in Mumbai, Madrid, London etc targetting  civilians.
 
Basic instinct when faced by threat is fight or flight or submit: The strong protect their community by attacking the threat using appropriate means to remove it. The US reaction may be a bit too prolonged & extended to be justified for much longer - but their enemy is the faceless evil of anonymous evildoers who have no value on human life as potential sacrifice to their specific ends.
The Israeli reaction is quick & brutal like a scorpion's tail. It says "don't mess with me". Sadly, civilians get killed. The policeman must be big & strong & quick to react to protect the community - people will get hurt on occasion, that must not stop the protective reaction. The difference is that civilians are not the target!
Evil needs to be captured and controlled before attempts are made to find out why they are evil & later seek ways to rehabilitate.
That is the law of the Jungle -from whence Man came & doesn't really stay too far away.

(What do you think of that Anna?)

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]]>Resurgence of Silly Sock philosophy etc.,http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/06/23/resurgence_of_silly_sock_philosophy_etc~906557/2006-06-23T23:27:39+02:00 <p>Been away for a while ..... I think suffering from a slight resurgence of the 'mediocrities' ... just go with the flow Joe, can't be bothered, unmoved, don't stray from the TV type of mild depression - no light on the horison. I maintained silly sock discipline but was not active in spreading the word .... (shocking but true!)<br> But the sun has peeped through, I must have walked through the same park as ABE did & seen the smiles & good people. Anyway spring is nearly here & I am planning to re-visit my home country & isn't the World Cup wonderful! I pray evil does not seek an opportunity there ...</p> <p>Quirks & whimsy, smiles & waves, simple inoffensive silliness with a serious streak, just to maintain a bare minimum of intellectual challenge that's the philosophy.<br> As the main mouthpiece of the movement, I suppose its pronouncements are tinged by my faintly conservative, religious slant.... (I hasten to add that I do not like George Bush, Robert Mugabe or Helen Clarke, I do like John Howard, Nelson Mandela & Benedict)<br> I predict that the All Blacks will win the Rugby World Cup ... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/06/23/resurgence_of_silly_sock_philosophy_etc~906557/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Been away for a while ..... I think suffering from a slight resurgence of the 'mediocrities' ... just go with the flow Joe, can't be bothered, unmoved, don't stray from the TV type of mild depression - no light on the horison. I maintained silly sock discipline but was not active in spreading the word .... (shocking but true!)
But the sun has peeped through, I must have walked through the same park as ABE did & seen the smiles & good people. Anyway spring is nearly here & I am planning to re-visit my home country & isn't the World Cup wonderful! I pray evil does not seek an opportunity there ...

Quirks & whimsy, smiles & waves, simple inoffensive silliness with a serious streak, just to maintain a bare minimum of intellectual challenge that's the philosophy.
As the main mouthpiece of the movement, I suppose its pronouncements are tinged by my faintly conservative, religious slant.... (I hasten to add that I do not like George Bush, Robert Mugabe or Helen Clarke, I do like John Howard, Nelson Mandela & Benedict)
I predict that the All Blacks will win the Rugby World Cup ...

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]]>Ex Africa .... I don't think so!http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/ex_africa_i_don_t_think_so~555565/2006-02-12T00:13:12+01:00 <p>Le Frog Blog said it -<br> <blockquote>once you start a blog, you can't really control where it goes</blockquote> . The expression of vague emotions, thoughts, beliefs & ideas is not easy & the written form is usually some distance from the original thought.<br> I have recently been pursued by a tension relating to a hankering for a clear identity. Tension created by familiar discomfort. My siblings and their extended families are in Africa. I and my family are in the South Pacific. When the world is called to war, who do I side with? When I die where do I wish my dust to feed roses? When my daughter marries, where should it be?<br> I know what I want to be - I want to be an African, but how can I be if I live in the South Pacific? I'm just not brave enough to do the reverse migration bit - it was harrowing getting here! I can easily respect the flag & laws of my adopted country - any way Africa is a matter of geography & emotion, not political affiliation. Perhaps it is a matter of which language you spoke first. I spoke Swazi.<br> Mind you I am also an Irish citizen and feel quite Irish (wish I had a brogue). Well, the African diaspora begins to resemble the Irish one ...<br> But if I win the Lotto .... I will go home, (I think). </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/02/12/ex_africa_i_don_t_think_so~555565/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Le Frog Blog said it -
once you start a blog, you can't really control where it goes
. The expression of vague emotions, thoughts, beliefs & ideas is not easy & the written form is usually some distance from the original thought.
I have recently been pursued by a tension relating to a hankering for a clear identity. Tension created by familiar discomfort. My siblings and their extended families are in Africa. I and my family are in the South Pacific. When the world is called to war, who do I side with? When I die where do I wish my dust to feed roses? When my daughter marries, where should it be?
I know what I want to be - I want to be an African, but how can I be if I live in the South Pacific? I'm just not brave enough to do the reverse migration bit - it was harrowing getting here! I can easily respect the flag & laws of my adopted country - any way Africa is a matter of geography & emotion, not political affiliation. Perhaps it is a matter of which language you spoke first. I spoke Swazi.
Mind you I am also an Irish citizen and feel quite Irish (wish I had a brogue). Well, the African diaspora begins to resemble the Irish one ...
But if I win the Lotto .... I will go home, (I think).

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]]>Rack your brains, peacelovers .... (and zip your lips!!)http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/02/11/rack_your_brains_peacelovers_and_zip_you~555209/2006-02-11T21:08:22+01:00 <p>Greetings Fellow ranters and observers!<br> I surmise ... even vaguely fear ... that the world is on the edge of some ghastly global conflict.<br> The polarisation along traditional Western & Middle Eastern lines with significant religious and colour delineation clearly identify the main parties (the Arabs & the Aryans?? oil-rich & the oil poor?? the former colonisers & the formerly colonised??)<br> My grandfather (Boer War & WW1) and an uncle (WW2, Malaya etc) were professional soldiers, my father and other uncles were WW2 soldiers, I was a convoy escort in a small bush war in the 70's. The chances that my children will not be called to serve are dwindling.<br> Once differences are identified .... it becomes us & them, compromise & middle ground diminish. Conscientious objectors fail to support the cause & just hamper the propaganda of the right side, so Pollyanna ranters & Necktie revolutionaries will be conscripted, interned or shot. Freedoms become unsustainable distractions.<br> I understand that! Speed, centralisation & efficiency of decision making are essential at such times. War is the way of all animals including mankind. Civilisation merely increases the scope of conflict and its attendant horrors ...<br> What bleak thoughts & such a lack of faith in the power of love!<br> So how do we shut up the free speakers & cartoonists & flag burners & building bombers to allow the peacemakers to expand the compromise??</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/02/11/rack_your_brains_peacelovers_and_zip_you~555209/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Greetings Fellow ranters and observers!
I surmise ... even vaguely fear ... that the world is on the edge of some ghastly global conflict.
The polarisation along traditional Western & Middle Eastern lines with significant religious and colour delineation clearly identify the main parties (the Arabs & the Aryans?? oil-rich & the oil poor?? the former colonisers & the formerly colonised??)
My grandfather (Boer War & WW1) and an uncle (WW2, Malaya etc) were professional soldiers, my father and other uncles were WW2 soldiers, I was a convoy escort in a small bush war in the 70's. The chances that my children will not be called to serve are dwindling.
Once differences are identified .... it becomes us & them, compromise & middle ground diminish. Conscientious objectors fail to support the cause & just hamper the propaganda of the right side, so Pollyanna ranters & Necktie revolutionaries will be conscripted, interned or shot. Freedoms become unsustainable distractions.
I understand that! Speed, centralisation & efficiency of decision making are essential at such times. War is the way of all animals including mankind. Civilisation merely increases the scope of conflict and its attendant horrors ...
What bleak thoughts & such a lack of faith in the power of love!
So how do we shut up the free speakers & cartoonists & flag burners & building bombers to allow the peacemakers to expand the compromise??

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]]>Get real & toughen up!http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/01/14/get_real_aamp_toughen_up~471284/2006-01-14T21:43:48+01:00 <p>Greetings heroes of the revolution!<br> I honour & praise you & hope that your year will bring you new found joys & riches .... and the courage to face reality & do the right thing!<br> It must be something about New Year resolutions that brings out whining & blaming .....<br> Social interaction is like mixing new chemicals - the outcomes are unknown and often not understood & frequently only discovered long afterwards....<br> Does that meean we should not interact or attempt to influence our surroundings ... because we don't know what will happen? Or should we hide away and interact only with chemicals we know. (hic!)<br> Should Marco Polo have stayed at home, Jesus stuck to carpentry, Confucius to painting??<br> To take your self & your work & ideas to the world is a duty. You are unique & wonderful & change the world around you, just by being there.<br> Do more, change it for the good, challenge & test, entertain & build ... don't run away.</p> <p>(Don't know if I like this Pollyana red neck ranter?)</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2006/01/14/get_real_aamp_toughen_up~471284/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Greetings heroes of the revolution!
I honour & praise you & hope that your year will bring you new found joys & riches .... and the courage to face reality & do the right thing!
It must be something about New Year resolutions that brings out whining & blaming .....
Social interaction is like mixing new chemicals - the outcomes are unknown and often not understood & frequently only discovered long afterwards....
Does that meean we should not interact or attempt to influence our surroundings ... because we don't know what will happen? Or should we hide away and interact only with chemicals we know. (hic!)
Should Marco Polo have stayed at home, Jesus stuck to carpentry, Confucius to painting??
To take your self & your work & ideas to the world is a duty. You are unique & wonderful & change the world around you, just by being there.
Do more, change it for the good, challenge & test, entertain & build ... don't run away.

(Don't know if I like this Pollyana red neck ranter?)

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]]>Hair pee hairpee Kiissymoose!http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/12/23/hair_pee_hairpee_kiissymoose~411625/2005-12-23T20:07:25+01:00 <p>It seems when my thoughts turn to Blog they veer towards a religious theme. I think it is Jon the man that does it - he is so admirably unaligned, even when sober.<br> Mind you Helly raised some slightly unreligious ideas when we watched ZCars in uniform together!!<br> Abe seems to veer towards an anti Great Satan rant quite easily - beware the American Imperialist !!!<br> I suppose it is good to have a slant!!<br> What has really been scratching away at my random thoughts is the reason for the season.....<br> <strong>Gathering together & renewing ties, resting & feasting & joining the community in old rituals... expressing goodwill!</strong></p> <p>So be friendly & joyful, sing out, smile & wave .. and remember to help with the washing up!!<br> May your lives be increased with some happiness & silliness, whimsy & folly<br> P.S. The best defence to the gift of a necktie is to play the <strong>"If I was an extra terrestrial student of earthlings, what could this be used for? game...</strong> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/12/23/hair_pee_hairpee_kiissymoose~411625/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>It seems when my thoughts turn to Blog they veer towards a religious theme. I think it is Jon the man that does it - he is so admirably unaligned, even when sober.
Mind you Helly raised some slightly unreligious ideas when we watched ZCars in uniform together!!
Abe seems to veer towards an anti Great Satan rant quite easily - beware the American Imperialist !!!
I suppose it is good to have a slant!!
What has really been scratching away at my random thoughts is the reason for the season.....
Gathering together & renewing ties, resting & feasting & joining the community in old rituals... expressing goodwill!

So be friendly & joyful, sing out, smile & wave .. and remember to help with the washing up!!
May your lives be increased with some happiness & silliness, whimsy & folly
P.S. The best defence to the gift of a necktie is to play the "If I was an extra terrestrial student of earthlings, what could this be used for? game...

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]]>Bloggers' Blockhttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/bloggers_block~392864/2005-12-16T23:58:40+01:00 <p>Death & Damnation!! I eked out a miserywinge, squealing about the greyness of days and lifting ones eyes to the horison and that boring glare that hurt the eyes ...and lost the blog somehow.<br> I have had to cancel cricket because of the unrelenting rain - I can see consolation in the form of an Ultimate Double Whopper from Burger King .. and perhaps a vanilla shake (things are looking up).<br> However, in that blog, I confessed to a sneaking, naive ... no - really stupid sort of faith that what a young Irish priest said to a young impressionable altar boy (now, now, don't get ahead of yourselves)might come true - <strong>M......, God has great things in store for you!</strong>. I have sort of in my hazy daydream type thoughts, nurtured this belief: National Hero (saving the Queen from a rampant bulldozer), Martyr (dressing lepers' sores on Molokai); multiple Lotto winner (notable charity patron & bon vivant)Gifted Athlete (better than Jean-Pierre Rives & Lawrence D'Allaglio)....... well not yet & opportune moments have slipped away. I am now grey, plump & timid. Not your fault, God - you have been pretty generous. That well meaning nice young priest, fresh from the seminary didn't really have a direct connect to You - I assumed it. And great things have been given - just not the material & venial indulgences of my dreams.<br> So strike that light & get on with real life, boyo. I'll have to start providing for my own retirement & not relying on provision from Above.<br> That's probably what this grey, dirgy lump in the throat and faint urge to headbang is all about. Apprehension of the limits of mortality.<br> Grow up, son: Life is hard & then we die!<br> Mind you, life has not been hard, DG! & DV will continue in that way. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/12/16/bloggers_block~392864/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>Death & Damnation!! I eked out a miserywinge, squealing about the greyness of days and lifting ones eyes to the horison and that boring glare that hurt the eyes ...and lost the blog somehow.
I have had to cancel cricket because of the unrelenting rain - I can see consolation in the form of an Ultimate Double Whopper from Burger King .. and perhaps a vanilla shake (things are looking up).
However, in that blog, I confessed to a sneaking, naive ... no - really stupid sort of faith that what a young Irish priest said to a young impressionable altar boy (now, now, don't get ahead of yourselves)might come true - M......, God has great things in store for you!. I have sort of in my hazy daydream type thoughts, nurtured this belief: National Hero (saving the Queen from a rampant bulldozer), Martyr (dressing lepers' sores on Molokai); multiple Lotto winner (notable charity patron & bon vivant)Gifted Athlete (better than Jean-Pierre Rives & Lawrence D'Allaglio)....... well not yet & opportune moments have slipped away. I am now grey, plump & timid. Not your fault, God - you have been pretty generous. That well meaning nice young priest, fresh from the seminary didn't really have a direct connect to You - I assumed it. And great things have been given - just not the material & venial indulgences of my dreams.
So strike that light & get on with real life, boyo. I'll have to start providing for my own retirement & not relying on provision from Above.
That's probably what this grey, dirgy lump in the throat and faint urge to headbang is all about. Apprehension of the limits of mortality.
Grow up, son: Life is hard & then we die!
Mind you, life has not been hard, DG! & DV will continue in that way.

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]]>Asi Mbonangahttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/12/02/asi_mbonanga~356004/2005-12-02T21:50:03+01:00 <p>.... is the title of a song by Le Zoulou Blanc, Johnny Clegg, who makes South African style music which was very challenging in apartheid days, but is now mainly nostalgic.<br> It means: <strong>I no longer see</strong> and recounts how leaders like Mandela & Biko were no longer seen (because they were imprisoned or assassinated)<br> Clegg did a concert in Auckland on Tuesday, attended by thousands of expatriate Africans, 94% white 4% brown. (The only black Africans were on stage!)<br> It was sad to see the people arrive, eagerly/anxiously scanning for acquaintances (I did it too). How endearing were the injections of common slang and mimicry of typical types.<br> The thing about emigration is that it is difficult to go back - maybe that is pride? It is still sadtough after 8 years, ... I still wish I was on the passing planes winging away homewards..<br> I know too that I would not be completely welcomed. I rejected my heritage & left them all to survive the hard times & bleated our heartsore & longing.<br> Asi mbonanga iAfrica .... ek verlang aan my tuisland. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/12/02/asi_mbonanga~356004/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>.... is the title of a song by Le Zoulou Blanc, Johnny Clegg, who makes South African style music which was very challenging in apartheid days, but is now mainly nostalgic.
It means: I no longer see and recounts how leaders like Mandela & Biko were no longer seen (because they were imprisoned or assassinated)
Clegg did a concert in Auckland on Tuesday, attended by thousands of expatriate Africans, 94% white 4% brown. (The only black Africans were on stage!)
It was sad to see the people arrive, eagerly/anxiously scanning for acquaintances (I did it too). How endearing were the injections of common slang and mimicry of typical types.
The thing about emigration is that it is difficult to go back - maybe that is pride? It is still sadtough after 8 years, ... I still wish I was on the passing planes winging away homewards..
I know too that I would not be completely welcomed. I rejected my heritage & left them all to survive the hard times & bleated our heartsore & longing.
Asi mbonanga iAfrica .... ek verlang aan my tuisland.

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]]>What ever happened to Kevin?http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/25/what_ever_happened_to_kevin~337378/2005-11-25T19:34:21+01:00 <p>It is difficult to get the I out of me. But why should I? I think the thought that prompts this is that these blogs are essentially "I" ambles. Egoblography.<br> A shallow comment of mine was recently dissected quite clinically by a sharp thinker & left me feeling quite trivial. This led on to the thought that observations are often tainted by the "I" of the beholder. It presumably provides some uniqueness, but how original are a common person's (oops! nearly slipped there)thoughts. My sister commented on the risk of exposure and maybe that's what it is - webflashing!!<br> Kevin, by the way is a priest I saw, flashing his blog on the web. (Sounds obscene, don't it). In an attempt to engage, probably rooted in my unquenched Catholic altar boy experieces (fear I would drop the wine) I invited him to be my friend. ... nothing, no reply. How can this shepherd have ignored my bleat?<br> Mind you, he had a grey vest on, so is probably a Protestant. Never mind Father, I am sure He has a plan for you guys too, probably next to the Parsees. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/25/what_ever_happened_to_kevin~337378/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>It is difficult to get the I out of me. But why should I? I think the thought that prompts this is that these blogs are essentially "I" ambles. Egoblography.
A shallow comment of mine was recently dissected quite clinically by a sharp thinker & left me feeling quite trivial. This led on to the thought that observations are often tainted by the "I" of the beholder. It presumably provides some uniqueness, but how original are a common person's (oops! nearly slipped there)thoughts. My sister commented on the risk of exposure and maybe that's what it is - webflashing!!
Kevin, by the way is a priest I saw, flashing his blog on the web. (Sounds obscene, don't it). In an attempt to engage, probably rooted in my unquenched Catholic altar boy experieces (fear I would drop the wine) I invited him to be my friend. ... nothing, no reply. How can this shepherd have ignored my bleat?
Mind you, he had a grey vest on, so is probably a Protestant. Never mind Father, I am sure He has a plan for you guys too, probably next to the Parsees.

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]]>Remember back then..?http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/18/remember_back_then~318543/2005-11-18T20:14:49+01:00 <p>I thought & have been thinking how sad strange it is that in one's life you meet so many people who then disappear...completely. Some (most of the dogs & cats, I'm sure) have died.<br> I suppose it doesn't help that I buzzed off to the antipodeean land of the long white cloud. I lived in many places but I am going to have a go at remembering the people there ... (apologies to those I didn't remember, you are not forgotten, just ...)<br> <em>I have marked* those I have had contact with in the last 10 years or so</em><br> <strong>Bremersdorp </strong>(1950's): Jimmy Batchelor*, June Rose, Georgie Karagonis, Little Flower convent<br> <strong>Mbabane</strong> (late 50's, early 60's): Patrick(Pine) Pitcher; Peter Armstrong, Niel Rae*, Snarly Davies, Buster Culverwell*, John Horn, Nunkie Berry, Lindsay Rice, Monkey Slatem (RIP), the Marwicks, Martins, Lamzima, Samuel the cook, Samuel Matsebula (RIP); the Allardices (RIP?); Tsabetse, Bessie & Farouk, Cheeky Bums, Jess Robertson,Inky English, Miss Vos, Du'T, Kariba oval,George Gibbon & his dad (Akela); Roddy Smith*<br> <strong>Havelock Mine</strong> (60's & 70's)John & Peggy Critchley, the Nicholsons, Newcombes, Paige Greens, Jones, Collen Benson, Antoinete Britz, Golly Bowen, the Snooks*, Bob Sanderson, the Gordon Highlanders, Jess, Le Clus', Ian Jenner (RIP); Titus; Vas aan die slaap, Christine Keeler (the cat) Twiggy, Jock<br> <em>(*only 5/43)</em> </p> <p>This is too much - each name triggers off little cameo memories ... this is supposed to be a philosophy column not an ego-blography.</p> <p>Save to say that all these people have contributed to my life - thank you for your donations, gratefully (now) received!<br> Some have not worn socks, others have chewed them & others even washed them.<br> I am sure all of them would subscribe to the Silly Sock Philosophy (under construction), promoting quirks & whimsy, to make the world a better place. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/18/remember_back_then~318543/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I thought & have been thinking how sad strange it is that in one's life you meet so many people who then disappear...completely. Some (most of the dogs & cats, I'm sure) have died.
I suppose it doesn't help that I buzzed off to the antipodeean land of the long white cloud. I lived in many places but I am going to have a go at remembering the people there ... (apologies to those I didn't remember, you are not forgotten, just ...)
I have marked* those I have had contact with in the last 10 years or so
Bremersdorp (1950's): Jimmy Batchelor*, June Rose, Georgie Karagonis, Little Flower convent
Mbabane (late 50's, early 60's): Patrick(Pine) Pitcher; Peter Armstrong, Niel Rae*, Snarly Davies, Buster Culverwell*, John Horn, Nunkie Berry, Lindsay Rice, Monkey Slatem (RIP), the Marwicks, Martins, Lamzima, Samuel the cook, Samuel Matsebula (RIP); the Allardices (RIP?); Tsabetse, Bessie & Farouk, Cheeky Bums, Jess Robertson,Inky English, Miss Vos, Du'T, Kariba oval,George Gibbon & his dad (Akela); Roddy Smith*
Havelock Mine (60's & 70's)John & Peggy Critchley, the Nicholsons, Newcombes, Paige Greens, Jones, Collen Benson, Antoinete Britz, Golly Bowen, the Snooks*, Bob Sanderson, the Gordon Highlanders, Jess, Le Clus', Ian Jenner (RIP); Titus; Vas aan die slaap, Christine Keeler (the cat) Twiggy, Jock
(*only 5/43)

This is too much - each name triggers off little cameo memories ... this is supposed to be a philosophy column not an ego-blography.

Save to say that all these people have contributed to my life - thank you for your donations, gratefully (now) received!
Some have not worn socks, others have chewed them & others even washed them.
I am sure all of them would subscribe to the Silly Sock Philosophy (under construction), promoting quirks & whimsy, to make the world a better place.

Comments

]]>ALUTA CONTINUA !http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/11/aluta_continua~300527/2005-11-11T20:56:15+01:00 <p>The Struggle Continues! A slogan from the Mocambiquean war of independence - a ghastly little last gasp of imperialism.<br> However, I thought it could be borrowed for the equally protracted, if slightly less bloody global campaign against the necktie.<br> Is it necessary to dwell on the indignities and folly of the necktie convention? Is this frilly rag not an indication of the wearer's willingness to subjugate him/herself to a mindless uniformity? Notwithstanding the utter illogicality of this idiotic apparel!<br> (Mind you, if a woman wears a tie, she must be slightly off the beaten track!)<br> I am sure the willingness of so many to decorate their chests with lightweight nooses is merely unthinking habit.<br> THINK ABOUT THE NECKTIE, YOU CORPORATE DRONES! Invite the Chairman to debate this piece of silliness, flood the company bulletin board with practical uses of the necktie competitions, wear real nooses round your necks..... VIVA INDIVIDUALISMA!!</p> <p>On the subject of wars, tomorrow is Rememberance Sunday. I remember the old men's tears and fears at the parades, Barry, Mickey, Mike, Roy, Bill and the fear and beer of the sad times, the living wounded, so sad, such a wrong road. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/11/aluta_continua~300527/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>The Struggle Continues! A slogan from the Mocambiquean war of independence - a ghastly little last gasp of imperialism.
However, I thought it could be borrowed for the equally protracted, if slightly less bloody global campaign against the necktie.
Is it necessary to dwell on the indignities and folly of the necktie convention? Is this frilly rag not an indication of the wearer's willingness to subjugate him/herself to a mindless uniformity? Notwithstanding the utter illogicality of this idiotic apparel!
(Mind you, if a woman wears a tie, she must be slightly off the beaten track!)
I am sure the willingness of so many to decorate their chests with lightweight nooses is merely unthinking habit.
THINK ABOUT THE NECKTIE, YOU CORPORATE DRONES! Invite the Chairman to debate this piece of silliness, flood the company bulletin board with practical uses of the necktie competitions, wear real nooses round your necks..... VIVA INDIVIDUALISMA!!

On the subject of wars, tomorrow is Rememberance Sunday. I remember the old men's tears and fears at the parades, Barry, Mickey, Mike, Roy, Bill and the fear and beer of the sad times, the living wounded, so sad, such a wrong road.

Comments

]]>Futility beckons!http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/05/futility_beckons~285648/2005-11-05T19:51:25+01:00 <p>I have been trying to get a picture onto my blog this last hour & all I have done is build up a rant inclination.<br> Why do I feel almost threatened by my futile attempts? My ego fears a bruise because I can't do what others can? I can't play the piano or guitar either, so that may be some sort of equity!<br> Patience gives me a headache - I just want to ...do it.<br> So stuff futility, I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, Yes, I can, Yes I can, Yes I can, YesIcan, YesIcan,YESICAN!!!!<br> Tomorrow is another day & fuck off futility!!<a href="http://data1.blog.de/blog/s/sillysocks/img/Father_01.jpg" title=""><img src="http://data1.blog.de/blog/s/sillysocks/img/Father_01_small.jpg" border="0" alt=""></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/05/futility_beckons~285648/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I have been trying to get a picture onto my blog this last hour & all I have done is build up a rant inclination.
Why do I feel almost threatened by my futile attempts? My ego fears a bruise because I can't do what others can? I can't play the piano or guitar either, so that may be some sort of equity!
Patience gives me a headache - I just want to ...do it.
So stuff futility, I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, Yes, I can, Yes I can, Yes I can, YesIcan, YesIcan,YESICAN!!!!
Tomorrow is another day & fuck off futility!!

Comments

]]>A Prayer for my Daughtershttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/04/a_prayer_for_my_daughters~283378/2005-11-04T18:41:15+01:00 <p>One of my beloveds is ill, stricken by a mystery bug and reduced to uncomfortable misery. I retreat inwardly with fear & re-read Yeats' poem to see if he expresses what I feel.<br> It causes me to think of my other daughter, the well one, who is leaping out of school to sieze life & demand of it satisfaction. And then my son, and I read that Yeats' poem too. It invokes Michael the Archangel, with his fiery sword - I have introduced him to them, so they know that he will stand up for them.<br> What do godless people do when they fear what the future hold? Who do they pray to? That is where God is at, no doubt - there to allay despair, even that of evil people. It must be so tempting, so frightening to them: <em>Repent and I will embrace you</em><br> I am sure God would wear silly socks if he were'nt a sandal type. Just to show that he is not uniformly conventional, at least. Or maybe to sanctify quirks as acceptable. Lovely word - quirk! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/11/04/a_prayer_for_my_daughters~283378/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>One of my beloveds is ill, stricken by a mystery bug and reduced to uncomfortable misery. I retreat inwardly with fear & re-read Yeats' poem to see if he expresses what I feel.
It causes me to think of my other daughter, the well one, who is leaping out of school to sieze life & demand of it satisfaction. And then my son, and I read that Yeats' poem too. It invokes Michael the Archangel, with his fiery sword - I have introduced him to them, so they know that he will stand up for them.
What do godless people do when they fear what the future hold? Who do they pray to? That is where God is at, no doubt - there to allay despair, even that of evil people. It must be so tempting, so frightening to them: Repent and I will embrace you
I am sure God would wear silly socks if he were'nt a sandal type. Just to show that he is not uniformly conventional, at least. Or maybe to sanctify quirks as acceptable. Lovely word - quirk!

Comments

]]>Jaw Abcesshttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/10/28/jaw_abcess~268165/2005-10-28T22:05:10+02:00 <p>How quickly scenarios of the worst kind enter one's mind. I mean cancer doesn't arrive overnight ...does it?<br> I thought it was just an old dodgy tooth!<br> Ah well - I might have to shave my beard off, Lawks!!<br> This is likely the penalty for wearing vaguely unsilly socks yesterday (Friday in Aotearoa) and mingling with some suited tie wearers. They were navy blue with Xmas trees and gold stars, - quite tasteful, I thought.<br> It was a meeting of HR professionals - really disturbing to see the range of attire - jeans and shaved heads to orange pink suits and hairspray. The profession really lacks backbone - perhaps I shall spread the good word of SSP (Silly Socks Philosophy). It is a sufficiently gentle revolutionary rationale which might appeal to the intellect and energise the need for an attack on stupid conventions.<br> Yeah, I will consider a way to sneak a link onto the society's website!<br> Oooh, I'm such a risky devil!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/10/28/jaw_abcess~268165/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>How quickly scenarios of the worst kind enter one's mind. I mean cancer doesn't arrive overnight ...does it?
I thought it was just an old dodgy tooth!
Ah well - I might have to shave my beard off, Lawks!!
This is likely the penalty for wearing vaguely unsilly socks yesterday (Friday in Aotearoa) and mingling with some suited tie wearers. They were navy blue with Xmas trees and gold stars, - quite tasteful, I thought.
It was a meeting of HR professionals - really disturbing to see the range of attire - jeans and shaved heads to orange pink suits and hairspray. The profession really lacks backbone - perhaps I shall spread the good word of SSP (Silly Socks Philosophy). It is a sufficiently gentle revolutionary rationale which might appeal to the intellect and energise the need for an attack on stupid conventions.
Yeah, I will consider a way to sneak a link onto the society's website!
Oooh, I'm such a risky devil!!

Comments

]]>It's still Friday in lots of the worldhttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/10/21/it_s_still_friday_in_lots_of_the_world~251880/2005-10-21T20:19:57+02:00 <p>I suppose it is appropriate to update this column/blog on Fridays. I missed that day in New Zealand but half the world still has lots of Friday left, so I suppose that's okay.<br> How easily we add rules to our life!<br> Well, having thought up the rule - I will now discard it.</p> <p>That brings me to some awkward aspects of the Silly Socks on Friday (SSOF)institution/movement:<br> What do we call this type of collection of thoughts held by people? Institution suggests insanity, movement scatology and school may be juvenile. Do advise..!<br> This is about the 10th or 11th year that I have been part of the school / movement / institution and strangely enough, I am currently the only known member!<br> There have been other members but they appear to have fallen by the wayside or fallen into the trap of a lack of creativity and discipline. I recall one case of an aspirant follower who had to be denounced - he wore the same socks on 3 consecutive Fridays, for goodness sake! (Mind you, he was not all that bad, I believe he did wash them!)<br> I do hope that this type of thinking will attract some like minded simple philosophical thoughts.<br> Until next Friday ... or whenever. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/10/21/it_s_still_friday_in_lots_of_the_world~251880/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>I suppose it is appropriate to update this column/blog on Fridays. I missed that day in New Zealand but half the world still has lots of Friday left, so I suppose that's okay.
How easily we add rules to our life!
Well, having thought up the rule - I will now discard it.

That brings me to some awkward aspects of the Silly Socks on Friday (SSOF)institution/movement:
What do we call this type of collection of thoughts held by people? Institution suggests insanity, movement scatology and school may be juvenile. Do advise..!
This is about the 10th or 11th year that I have been part of the school / movement / institution and strangely enough, I am currently the only known member!
There have been other members but they appear to have fallen by the wayside or fallen into the trap of a lack of creativity and discipline. I recall one case of an aspirant follower who had to be denounced - he wore the same socks on 3 consecutive Fridays, for goodness sake! (Mind you, he was not all that bad, I believe he did wash them!)
I do hope that this type of thinking will attract some like minded simple philosophical thoughts.
Until next Friday ... or whenever.

Comments

]]>First Time Outhttp://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/10/15/first_time_out~236862/2005-10-15T21:07:21+02:00 <p>The institution of Silly Socks on Friday occurred in Africa in the early 90’s. It was intended to place some focus on the silly side of serious, or vice versa, the internal debate rages on. <em>Ex Africa aliquid semper novus. </em><br> There is one rule for aspirant followers: <strong>On Fridays, wear silly socks.</strong><br> It is a very simple but strict rule:<br> · no monotones, with one exception, different colours on each foot is acceptable.<br> · If one forgets, rectification must be immediate.<br> · If no silly socks are to hand, go sockless as the rule only applies if you wear socks on Fridays<br> · The same silly socks on successive Fridays is seen as counter revolutionary and unacceptable</p> <p>We stand for quirks and whimsy, serious looks at silliness and silly looks at seriousness.</p> <p>Our current campaign is a global war against that yoke of uniformity, the neck tie. There can be no logical explanation why people continue to tightly tie strips of cloth round their throats and then dangle them on their chests. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://sillysocks.blog.co.uk/2005/10/15/first_time_out~236862/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>The institution of Silly Socks on Friday occurred in Africa in the early 90’s. It was intended to place some focus on the silly side of serious, or vice versa, the internal debate rages on. Ex Africa aliquid semper novus.
There is one rule for aspirant followers: On Fridays, wear silly socks.
It is a very simple but strict rule:
· no monotones, with one exception, different colours on each foot is acceptable.
· If one forgets, rectification must be immediate.
· If no silly socks are to hand, go sockless as the rule only applies if you wear socks on Fridays
· The same silly socks on successive Fridays is seen as counter revolutionary and unacceptable

We stand for quirks and whimsy, serious looks at silliness and silly looks at seriousness.

Our current campaign is a global war against that yoke of uniformity, the neck tie. There can be no logical explanation why people continue to tightly tie strips of cloth round their throats and then dangle them on their chests.

Comments

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