Jim Stewart's Blog

The Trump moto is interesting – Make America Great Again. What does great actually mean? Does it mean ignoring the rest of the world? Does it mean acting like a bully? Does it mean putting your country first in everything? A kid in the playground that acted like this would soon be Billy no mates. It really is a behavior that is not attractive.

As we go through this tough period I am following different reports. I see the USA pulling out of WHO funding – and as I study this I discover that my county (UK) is the biggest voluntary donor to the WHO.

I look at the consortium that will be providing vaccination to the worlds poorest GAVI, who has been providing this vaccination for years for all sorts of illness – and I read that the UK is the biggest donor, and we have committed £2B to assist in vaccination against coronavirus for the poorest countries.

We are not totally altruistic – I know we recognise that what you do to others will most likely come back to you in the way they will treat you. But the more I see things like this then the more I feel proud of my country. True greatness to me is measured by how you treat others, not how you treat yourself.

In other news – I had a busy day today – preparing everything for a church quiz (On-line). It seemed to work well, many thanks to those people with connections to Christian Aid that gave me some good questions that nobody could answer (I always find that impossible questions in a quiz can lead to the best discussions).

My old garden shed is now splinters – ready for the delivery of the wood on Tuesday.

And I even had time to watch the conclusion of the Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (Middlesburgh transporter bridge series). I think I would watch that just to hear Mark Knopfler – great song to use with this programme. Remember we used to be the poor man of europe – and now we are reaching out to the rest of the world. Donald, this is how you make a country great.

This makes 2 months since the start of isolation. Time for a stock take.

Toilet paper – I started with enough for 100 days, and managed to get a top up, so I now have more than enough for another 100 days. But somebody posted about mice today – reminds me I really should put my toilet rolls in a mouse proof box. Just image the panic as you realise you just have paper dust when you reach for a replacement.

Hand sanitizer – well I have only had one trip out to the chemist, so I have hardly used any. I still have over 2 litres left. That should be enough.

I am ready for the next month of isolation.

I normally work at home, I have no reason to leave the house. And I guess the mantra “If you can work from home then you should” will be one of the last ones to be dropped. I can live with that. I have to admit the lockdown has been good for me – I have had time to think, to do things around the house that I never get round to.

I have timber arriving next week to put a raised decking in place. Sadly the planters that were supposed to come at the same time were out of stock. Tomorrow I’ll build a growing frame for my tomato plants out of the remains of my shed. I have ten trees that have been growing in pots that desperately need planting out.

My garden is looking good – both Rhododendrons that I planted two years ago are starting to flower. The ivy from next door is gone (it was destroying the fence). The weeds are under attack frequently.

My carbon footprint has shrunk enormously (that was one of my targets for this year – and it looks like I will beat it by a long way). My car is washed more than driven.

I think I have been in touch with more people regularly than ever.

So on the down side – I think seeing people in the flesh (well, in the flesh but wearing clothes, you know what I mean). I have had to postpone Garth in concert, the eco-day and the chocolate and wine tasting. Greenbelt has been cancelled. So I think the biggest minus is the events that I am not going to.

And then there are the things I notice more. the birds are getting friendlier. I’ve realised that my neighbour is trying to steal my toilet roll and hand sanitiser. The milkman is playing mental games with us. The government are sending spy wasps to keep an eye on me.

Anyway – early bed tonight – I have a quiz night to run for a Christian Aid evening tomorrow. An event – one of the things I have been missing. I guess the thing I am taking away from the stock take is that going back to normal would be a step backward in a lot of ways, and staying with this new normal I can have a better life with just a little effort.

Interesting message today. If I get the virus I am invite to join a trial group for treatment. There are clearly some advantages in being over 55. Yes, it might mean that if I get infected I will end up with some of the horrible medication they are using for treatment, but I think I would rather do something active if I get ill.

Maybe this is the same as the fear of flying, we don’t feel happy sitting there doing nothing. I’m not sure about the psychology of that one, but it seems to fit. That might fit with being a bad passenger in a car.

We sit in a traffic jam and get frustrated, so we look for the side roads to drive down. If we sit there in the traffic we get really frustrated.

I found some music that I listen to in traffic jams. You can listen to it here. I was sitting in a long traffic jam on my way to Vienna and this was playing. To my surprise I realised after 90 minutes that I wasn’t feeling frustrated in the slightest.

I am sure this has a lot to do with the reaction of some people to the lockdown. It really doesn’t feel good to sit and do nothing. So a lot of us have created a system where we can feel we have some control. There are lots of ways we have done it. Some are more helpful than others (actually some are unhelpful).

I’m not driving anywhere at the moment, so there are no traffic jams. But I have taken time working our what activities help me avoid going stir crazy. I still have a few up my sleeve even after 60 days. And summer id coming when I will be able to create some more.

But I am glad for the option to take part in the trial of treatment if I get ill. It works well for me. There is a Bible verse that pops in to mind.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:31

I know some people find the idea of meditation works for them, but I have always found it a hard activity. But somehow I think it will be worth giving it a try – maybe in the garden next week as the temperature rises.

But I would be interested in hearing if people have their own calming music.

In other news I had three milk bottles taken yesterday. My neighbours were astounded – they have never had three milk bottles taken. So I really am coming to the conclusion that the milkman is testing us to see our reactions.

A nice cool day today, so I attacked the old garden shed with a mixture of saw, crowbar and sledgehammer. Yes, the longer I spent the bigger the tool. I now have a floor and half of a wall left, ready for converting into a raised deck. I also have a lot of wood that I removed. Now I need to find something to use the old wood for now. Half rotted, poor quality wood. Any ideas?

I see there are lots of adverts for lotteries of various kinds going out at the moment. I remember a really interesting television programme looking at why people played the lottery and investigating the relationship to their ability to judge probability. It appears that a lot of people have very poor perception of probability.

There is the interesting story about the board of a large company whizzing through million pound decisions quickly, but spending ages discussing the price of a shed for storage. All to do with being able to relate to some numbers and not others.

I love going to casinos in Las Vegas, but I never see it as gambling. I always treat it as paying for an evening of fun. I go out with the amount of money I am prepared to spend on a nights entertainment and count it as a win if I return home with some of it.

Tonight we were discussing the allocation of people to breakout rooms in Zoom and what are the chances of finding the same person time after time. Probabilities can be hard to judge. If there are 30 people in a room then there is a more than 50% chance that two will share the same birthday. If there are 40 people in the room then the chance goes up to 90%.

There has been a lot of complaints about not knowing whether we can meet one or two people under the rules. In this region the app currently says there are 1 in 10 households with COVID-19 (accuracy is not great). In places like Swansea it is as high as 1 in 5. With numbers like that the question should not be can I meet one or two people, but really should be whether it is really that essential for you to meet anybody. The probabilities are really pretty high and the potential consequences high.

We complain about people having parties during lockdown. But most of us stretch the rules a little bit – a lot of us have that feeling of being able to live forever. What is in our brains can often be disconnected from reality – just look at the conspiracy theories people believe.

How do we find a way to connect to reality? What is reality? I have said a few times we live in a post-factual age. Science is questioned, fact-feelings are shouted loud on social media. For some reason people have moved to this new framework for thinking, and it is an interesting concept to talk about. That is until somebody is pointing a COVID firing Magnum at us and asking if we feel lucky. Then it becomes important to know the fact – did Harry fire 5 or 6 shots?

Milk bottles not collected (neigbours were) – feeling like I am living in a Douglas Adams novel and the milkman is a mouse in disguise.

While tidying up tonight I came across a book I got as a present from my godson. The Ladybird book of the Zombie Apocalypse. Reading it made me wonder whether the author could see the future. For example there is one page:

I do wonder though, there do seem a lot of Zombies around at the moment, staggering around in a brainless manner. I think this is part of the key messages from the government – STAY ALERT. In other words look out for brainless Zombies staggering around in herds because they could kill you.

I read the guidance document today (and some of the workplace documents). I have tried to extract the guidance that applies from tomorrow. It seems fairly simple. This is what I think it says, but the caveat is that you really need to read the document yourself.

Can you go outside

If you can work from home you should not leave home for work

If you have had a letter saying you must shield you should not leave your home

If you have NOT had a letter but are clinically vulnerable (e.g. 70+, liver disease, diabetic, pregnant) you should stay at home as much as possible

If you are having symptoms you should self isolate, or if somebody in your house is ill then follow isolation guidelines.

Activities like tenis, golf and fishing are allowed (but not sports where you have shared equipment)

You can drive to somewhere in your area of the country to exercise as long as this does not involve contact with others (e.g. if there is a full car park you probably can’t isolate)

You can go out for exercise as much as you want as long as you limit the number of people you meet

Outdoor areas that are not allowed to be open

Playgrounds, sports courts, outdoor gyms and outdoor swimming pools except parks

Outside the Home

Distance and time:

• Stay away from others (2m is a guide)
• Minimise time near others
• If you wish to spend time with somebody then you need to be on your own and they need to be on their own

Cleanliness:

• Wash and dry hands regularly
• Use santitiser before going in to buildings and after touching surfaces
• Don’t touch your face
• Wash clothes regularly

No face-offs:

• If meeting people don’t stand face to face

Avoid crowds:

• Avoid rush hour on public transport
• Walk or bike
• If you must go into a crowded area use a hand made face covering

Work

There are banned activities:

• If the work activity is banned (e.g. pubs) then you must not work

If you can work from home:

• Then you should work from home and avoid going to work
• Your employer should help you make reasonable adjustments

Otherwise:

• Your employer must provide a safe place of work
• You should go to work if your workplace is open and safe unless you have special reasons to stay at home (e.g. having to take care of children)
• See if there is a chance to vary work times / have staggered shifts
• See the guide for being out of the house
• Make sure there is good ventilation at the workplace
• Make sure common touch points are cleaned VERY regularly (e.g. door handles)

Children

Children of critical workers can attend school

Paid childcare is becoming a permitted activity within normal workplace guidance

Businesses not allowed to be open include

Restaurants and public houses, wine bars or other food and drink establishments including within hotels and members’ clubs, such as dining room, Except:

• Food delivery and takeaway
• Room service

Cafés and canteens, except:

• Food delivery and takeaway
• Cafés and canteens at hospitals, police and fire services’ places of work, care homes or schools
• Prison and military canteens
• Services providing food or drink to the homeless
• Workplace canteens where there are no practical alternatives

Hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail salons, including piercing and tattoo parlours

All retail, other than:

• Making deliveries and operating by telephone or on-line
• Food retailers, including supermarkets
• Dental services, opticians, audiology services, chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths and other medical or health services
• Pharmacies and chemists, including non-dispensing pharmacies
• Petrol stations
• Bicycle shops
• Homeware, building supplies and hardware stores
• Veterinary surgeries and pet shops
• Agricultural supplies shops
• Convenience stores, corner shops and newsagents
• Off-licences and licenced shops selling alcohol, including those within breweries
• Laundrettes and dry cleaners
• Post offices
• Taxi or vehicle hire businesses
• Car repair and MOT services
• Car parks
• Banks, building societies, short-term loan providers, credit unions, savings clubs, cash points, currency exchange offices, businesses for the transmission of money, and businesses which cash cheques
• Storage and distribution facilities
• Public toilets

Car showrooms

Outdoor markets

Auction houses

Holiday accommodation including hotels, hostels, B&Bs, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses with some exceptions (such as for key workers)

etc etc etc – really long list

I have two images that can be printed:

I just noticed that my empty milk bottle was still on my step. But the milk had been delivered. My neighbors had warned me that the milkman had special rules. I think I left the bottle in the wrong place. Apparently he will NEVER collect three bottles.

I would hate to live in a world where everybody was perfect. I love the fact that in this country we have really odd behaviour. Sadly the current lockdown has affected some of our oddities – like the International Worm Charming festival, which was cancelled. I hope it doesn’t go the way of the Stilton cheese rolling festival.

Thankfully there are people that have managed to find new ways to express their weirdness like the postman that delivers in fancy dress. If there is one thing I don’t want during lockdown it is everything to be the same day after day.

So I am trying to introduce some randomness to my life. Today I managed to complete one and a half photo books. I have another to complete after these two. Hopefully that will be tomorrow. The rest of tomorrow will be spent in the garden.

I am also trying to introduce some randomness to other peoples lives – so if strange things happen in your life it could well be me.

And just remember, I have minions worldwide that will follow my instructions, so you cannot escape.

Anyway – I must go and put out another milk bottle for Ernie – and to celebrate more weird Britishness.

I need to make something clear – you might have seen some different colours in the text. Blue is tongue in cheek. Red is religious.

So I assure you I am the leader of the new world order.

I watched the PM announcement tonight and noticed his pointed comment about being leader of the United Kingdom. I believe this was a direct response to the Scottish and Welsh leaders making early announcements. It certainly got their attention judging by the response. We can do without the national games.

At the same time I am reading about quarantine for all those foreigners arriving in the country. Actually internal travel is far more likely to be a problem with virus transmission, but other than the transport unions we seem to be blind to that.

Watching the film “Hidden Figures” tonight, a lot of poetic licence, but this was just before I was born and the segregation rules in place at the time are hard to fathom today. But then it was only just over 50 years ago we had the turban issue on buses in Wolverhampton.

I remember travelling across the USA in 1996 for a sponsored bike ride (San Francisco to the Olympics in Atlanta). We had a problem with the tarmac sticking to a wheel of the support car and I had to go to a garage and get it fixed. The garage owner told me he wanted to visit Manchester to help his brothers in the struggle. Later, as we were approaching a town, we were waved down and directed to an out of town venue instead of going to the church hall we had booked. It was explained that the church was a black church, and if we whites stayed there the local whites would probably shoot at us. This was when churches were being burned.

It can be amazing how intolerant we can be to difference.

Facially, I am brunette, but madam you should see the rest of me. Palm of my hand, soles of my feet.

Are a peroxide blonde. Friction, caused-

Foolishly madam- by sitting down, has turned

My bottom raven black

Telephone conversation – Wole Soyinka

Of course we are now enlightened. But what does the high death rate of black people mean? Is it caused by nature or nurture (genetics or racial related deprivation). Either way we face hard questions in the future. If we have a bias in society that is killing black people then do we need to revisit bias in our society.? If this is a genetic issue then should we introduce racial constraints on certain work? Neither is an easy option.

In other news my nose is either streaming or tingling – tree pollen time. Looks like it will be dry and cool this week – so it should get worse since I will be working in the garden a lot.

I am exhausted – not only did today turn in to a working day it was also a garden day. So four hours in the morning, a break for work, and then four hours in the afternoon. Followed by a delivery from Asda. I am now restocked – back to where I was before lockdown started. I think Asda were the strangest of the supermarkets I have used. Last night I had to change my order to some substitutes because things were unavailable – only to find they re-substituted the things I originally asked for because my substitutes were unavailable. My head hurts.

Actually, so does my back, arms, shoulders and legs. I could do with some bad weather to stop me gardening.

Quite an interesting week in my life. After 50 years I have been diagnosed as having an eating disorder. It has only been recognised for about 5 years, and the funding for treatment only started at the beginning of April in this area. One of the ways I describe it is with tomatoes. I love lovely red round tomatoes. But change them to a plum shape or a different colour and I am revolted by them (but I can use them to make soup). I know this isn’t rational. I have an irrational revulsion and that isn’t healthy.

I remember a lot of people complained about Starbucks and their effect on coffee growers and their corporate attitude. Some people pushed for a boycott. I always believed this was the wrong approach. I believe that encouraging good behaviour can be the most effective way to change the world. I would like Starbucks to become a leader in how coffee shops should work. But some people have an irrational revulsion to encouraging Starbucks to do the right thing.

I may not be a parent, but I know there is a principle that you respond to good behaviour to re-enforce it, and you do not respond to the tantrums.

A lot of the things I see posted on Facebook have convinced me that there is a political version of the eating disorder. Some of the things being done by the government at the moment have been proposed by people who now find it impossible to say good things about it.

Take today, for example. The investment in walking, cycling and green transport is a really positive step. Why not take time out to reward this good behaviour? Drop a note to your MP to show your support. And if you find it impossible to reward good behaviour think about why that is.

And if you find it too hard to thank the Tories then thank me and my minions in the New World Order for manipulating the world to make the UK government do this.

I love music, but I don’t have a musical bone in my body. But sometimes I wish I did – especially when I see things like this. But alas not a chance. Youtube has also been serving up some interesting videos recently. This one popped up as an option tonight, takes me back to my youth.

It’s a good way to spend a bank holiday – wandering from one Youtube video to the next. Unfortunately that wasn’t my day. Working internationally in a time critical business means bank holidays often don’t make much difference.

It can be a bit of a pain listening to the garden parties going on as you work. I think this bank holiday I was more aware of the people working through holidays to preserve lives. I know the country needs to have a smile on it’s face, but somehow the VE day celebrations just didn’t seem the right thing emotionally.

I’m not saying that the day shouldn’t have been marked – just so many of the celebrations seemed self-indulgent – the war ended 75 years ago. I saw people trying to replicate the feelings of that day. Me – I would rather have something a little more somber – remembering the people that gave their lives for others. I spotted a film on TV and I decided to read up on the events – to hear about the role of the Welsh rough sleeper in saving lives.

And today many of the people working today in the NHS are putting our future before their lives. I wonder if we will have celebrations in 75 years to remember them, or will we just clap for two minutes a week till the end of lockdown?

It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them.

Frodo

And so I had an almost normal working day. You see world domination is a business that never sleeps.

I was reading today that about 30% of americans say they will reject the vaccine when if it is available. I hear that one outlet (with links to Falun Gong) are suggesting that Fauci has invented the virus to manipulate people in to fearful obedience.

I am being sent conspiracy videos by friends. Apparently they think the New World Order is behind all this.

I can say absolutely conclusively that this is all wrong. You see I am the secret leader of the New World Order and this is not our intention. What we are doing is passing round a conspiracy theory that will prevent our opponents from accepting the vaccine – they will fall prey to the virus and our opposition will be eliminated.

And now you know it to be true because you read it on the internet.

This is as valid as any of the conspiracy theories – it has as much basis in fact. The only difference is I don’t have adverts built in to this to make money from gullible people.

I see people starting to complain about the new NHS app – and suggesting all sorts of reasons for not using it. Really? Look, if the government really wanted to track you they could without the NHS app. But please, don’t try to tell me you are important enough for them to even have an inkling of a notion that perhaps there could be a reason for them to track you.

I can assure you that we, in the New World Order, are not interested in you.

But seriously folks – just stop it. You are killing people with your stupidity.