Monday, June 28, 2010

Oh to be English.

Let me be absolutely clear from the outset. If I reference 'the X factor' later on, I'm not talking about anything to do with the witless cretin that is Simon Cowell. I'm talking about an unknown ingredient; a mysterious chemical reaction and if we're lucky, a happy accident.

We all know why the England football team were recently so unsuccessful. Deep down, we all know it.

Instead though, we intellectualise it. It was Fabio's fault; if he'd put Gerrard in the middle it would have all been fine. Or; the players, they're not passionate enough, they're overpaid, they're not good enough. All rubbish.

We can win. We are good enough. It's not Capello's fault and Gerrard can play on the left. Gerrard could play right back if he needed to. Remember Istanbul?

There is something that has not been considered. We're trying to avoid playing our own game. As a country our citizens have no idea what it means to be English and similarly our footballers are trying play another country's game.

Surely the path to true enlightenment is understanding, acceptance and application. So let's work on understanding our own nature, accepting it and then applying ourselves.

In pure footballing terms, we all need to start loving the hulking great centre forward and trust our instincts to hit long hopeful balls as much as possible. Embrace the fact that we really can't be bothered to dribble our way out of defence like the Italians. We are just going to lump it forward and trust that the big man will knock it down for a quick easy goal.

The spirited performance comes out every now and again. When it does we are so surprised. England 5 - Germany 1. We catch a fleeting glimpse of how we want England to really play and we like it. We like it because we are being ourselves. We are connecting. The chemical reaction, the happy accident.

The X factor. (Simon Cowell is still a parlous twat)


Thursday, June 24, 2010

Rapid Vapid Consumerism

I'm going to avoid talking about the subject matter for as long as possible. I have to. If I peak too soon, I will quickly reach disdain. Disdain wouldn't be so bad but it quickly progresses to anger before a 'low mood fugue' sets in. I'm therefore prolonging the period before I sink into a state of resignation that 'all is not well with the world'.

For some people nothing and everything is ever enough. Grand gestures are required. A friend of a friend told me that his girlfriend had indicated that he spend at least £3000 on an engagement ring. Apparently, it was the 'done thing'. There was even a handy formula for him to follow ...two months salary or £3000, whichever the higher amount.

They are no longer together.

Should we not all be satisfied with a rusty curtain ring instead of a big rock? The important things in life are not enriched solely by grand gestures; they develop out of thoughtfulness, appreciation and common human kindness. Have this as a bedrock first and then throw in a few grand gestures (when you know you don't NEED to)

Ok I've deviated long enough. Consumerism. The throw away waste culture we all inhabit sickens me. It has turned people into Dawn of the Dead mall zombies. Stumbling, brainless from one disposable product to the next, never satisfied, never satiated of the desire to throw away and replace or buy crap for sake of buying crap.

I submit that consumerism has in it's own way contributed to a deterioration in the skills necessary for a meaningful connection with another human being. Those most affected either see their relationships as entirely disposable and replaceable or they see a demonstration of human kindness needing a pound-sign attaching, to give it some relative meaning for them.

The important things in life are un-consumable. My mum sums it up the best. Pointing to her heart... "Jono, it's what's in here that counts."

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Management Types - No#47

The Knee-Jerk

The Knee Jerk is generally weak, feeble and listens to everything everyone tells him.

The latter part of the aforementioned is generally a very good thing. Listening is a particular skill which will serve anyone well. Interestingly, the vast majority of people NEVER actually listen.

Sometimes I'm the same. I'm so caught up in 'delivering my message' or 'getting across my point' that I forget to process properly what another person is actually saying to me. But I'm better than most. I know this for a fact because my 'balls up' ratio is within normal parameters.

Unfortunately, however precious the skill of listening is, it is certainly not at all wise to act upon every piece of new information. The Knee-Jerk does this.

Repeat Knee Jerkers run the very real risk of turning into No#52's... Flappers. And there's only one thing worse than a Flapper, the dreaded and universally despised No#101.. the Happy Flapper.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The voice was there in my head. Quietly repeating. "this is a mistake.. This is not the correct course of action.. You don't need to do this". Over and over it repeated. The unfortunate thing was, it was drowned out by a louder voice. An incessant drone, dramatised to the hilt.

Now I realise, the case had been overstated. The case for the prosecution was flawed. I questioned, I sought clarity, I accepted and I took action.

I just didn't listen to my voice.

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Television. Drug of the nation.

When I was a kid, TV was my life. I was a serious cathode ray addict. I must have been because I can remember specific episodes of Sapphire and Steel. And boy, was that hard to watch.

These days I don't watch that much of it. About six weeks ago Virgin Media sent me a new 'smart card' to plug into the virgin set top. I haven't plugged it in. Nor have I taken the Set top box out of it's wrapping. That arrived in February.

Come to think of it I don't have a house phone either. I used to have it plugged in until I made one long local call that cost me 15 quid. No more. It's unplugged. Better still no one can ring me. That is of course unless they have my mobile. Suits me fine.

Anyway i'm straying of my point now. Television is a drug. Drugs are bad. Ergo Television is bad. But this is not quite correct. Like anything, too much is bad for you but a little of what you fancy does you good.

Now I'm contradicting myself. Let me start again.

We all have our addictions. We all do some things too often for our own detriment. Right now it's my iPhone. I use it for everything. Work, rest and play. Eventually there will be a support group I can join, I'm sure.

So what's yours?

What are YOU doing too much?