Tuesday 26 October 2010

Inspiration Underload.

It has been a tough couple of weeks. My inspiration has deserted me, along with my creativity. My get up and go got up and went. So rather than bore the few people that actually look at this blog with inane wittering, I thought i would just let it snooze for a while.

I will be back soon. Probably sooner than I think. Now all I need is something to piss me off and away we go.

Thursday 7 October 2010

RU OK? Day

My attention was brought to an ingenious Australian invention, and not it is not the stubby holder.

They have decided the 7th of October should be RU OK? day. Text spelling aside, it is actually a brilliant idea. As someone who has suffered from depression in the past, I know how hard it can be to open up, especially to people that know you.

RU OK? day can help, as if you see someone, be it at work, down the pub, or anywhere else that you think you can help, you just ask them if they are ok. This might seem strange, but if I knew it was RU OK? day, I might be more inclined to unburden myself to someone asking, rather than issue the usual thoughtless "I'm fine".

I have had a lot on my mind, so I let loose on a message board I visit.  It helped. These people didnt know me face to face, but were prepared to listen, and help, and talk about it. So I say to you, if someone asks how you are, be honest about it, just for today. If someone doesn't look themselves, ask them how they are. You may be surprised by the answer.

For more details visit http://www.ruokday.com.au/content/home.aspx

And let me finish by asking you, yes you! RU OK?

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Cutting up the Family (benefits)

Here in the UK, as some of you may be aware, Child Benefit, a universal benefit of £20.30 per week for the first child, and £13.40 for subsequent children that is given to all families is being cut from 2013 for families where one parent earns more than £44,000 per annum.

From the uproar that has been caused by this you would think that people were being asked to give up their first born child for ritual sacrifice to Dark Lord Cameron, Child Eater Prime, and Darth Osbourne, Shadowy Chancellor.

Some call it a tax on families, or a tax on children. I see it as a way to avoid taxing a larger majority of people. There are generally only two options open to the government. They can raise taxes, or they can cut benefits. The government have chosen door number two. To me as one of the few people who is unable to claim any form of benefit, it definately seems like the right choice.

While it may be unfair to tax families with only one parent earning over the threshold amount, whilst families with two parents who both earn just under the threshold amount still get child benefit, There are going to be problems no matter what is suggested.

In my opinion, children are a lifestyle choice, and if you can justify attacks on Alcohol drinkers, then you can certainly tax children. Well, their parents anyhow.