RIP Michael Jackson

I love the fact that the media have not idea where Michael Jackson's body went after the Memorial Service. If his family have managed to take the body away and bury it in a private place, away from the public eye and the bloody media's gaze, then I say good job!

Why should the world know his final resting place? For a man who couldn't fart in this world without the media reporting on it, this is a very fitting and peaceful way for him to be buried.

What a tortured soul Michael was. So sad. If the rumours are true that his father Joseph did tease him about his appearance and especially his nose, then no wonder he had issues about his looks. Someone doesn't do that to themselves through cosmetic surgery without having some very deep-rooted issues with how they look. And Joseph, leave Michael's children alone, they don't need the exploitation that you inflicted on their father.

Michael was so talented. A huge legacy of music, videos and DVDs has been left behind. It is a tragedy, the world has lost an icon and a legend too early. I am not embarrassed to admit that shed my share of tears for Michael.

Good-bye MJ. You are in that better place now. RIP.

Carparks, Geriatrics and Rainy days!

What a shame that this blog entry is going to be a rant, but I need one. Maybe its because I have been at home sick with a dose of Bronchitis that has driven my tolerance factor down to zero. I didn't have any today that for sure.

Right, on with the rant. I needed to take my library books to the library today, they were due. I haven't poked my nose outside my house for nearly two days, so an airing to the library was probably what the doctor ordered.

The Library. What a mad house, well the car park was anyway. I drove around and around four times, not a parking space to be seen. What do I see? As I cruised past the window in the RSA next door I spotted the grey-haired fraternity sitting in mass having a meeting. The mystery of the of the completely full car park was solved. Dear lord! You would think old people would stay at home on a wet day and keep warm, but no!

Eventually I spotted an old duck reversing her car out of a spot, so I finally got a parking space. As law would have it, it's pouring with rain and I'm completely over the other side of the car park from the library. Just what a woman who has been sick for two days needs, to be wet!

If my library books hadn't been due today, I wouldn't have bothered! So the PC brigade will probably shoot me for this entry, yeah I know, old people have the same rights as everyone else, blah blah blah, but I needed to rant!

I swear I didn't put extra SPEED in with the Cat Food.

Sparrow Priscilla, my fur child. The girl is not right! I fed her this morning, the usual routine. What was yummy and delicious last night is no longer. I get the look that only a cat can give. The "WHAT? YOU EXPECT ME TO EAT THAT?" look. She then does me a favour by having a small nibble of the food and then walks off. The routine is always the same.

30 seconds later, she gets this wild look in her eyes and starting racing around the lounge like a cat doing an impersonation of a race horse. Quite a strain on the Cat's Mother's nerves I can tell you and ended as it quite often does. It resulted in me losing it completely and resorting to blasphemy - "Will you stop that @!!**# galloping!"

What does it take to get these people excited?

I was watching Antiques Roadshow UK on TV last night. I always find it interesting to see what the things people bring along are worth.

Anyway, before I get off on a tangent, a man had just finished showing the expert his antique collection of war medals. The expert had spent a great deal of time sharing his knowledge and the medals origins. Interesting stuff. Well, I thought so. The man looked about as interested as if the expert had just discussed the origins and age of a toilet seat. No expression on his face and if this guy had a personality he wasn't aware of it.

Then the expert asks the owner if he knows what is worth. The man says he has no idea. The value was stated as about 9,000 pounds. 9,000 pounds! Wow!

What is this stiff's response? Wait for it. His dead-pan expression does not change and he says "Right". No excited expression, no smile, no thanks, kiss-your-bum (as we say in New Zealand sometimes), NOTHING!!!!

Right, end of that rant. Here's another example though. Radio stations run competitions. The prizes vary, holidays, stereo equipment, there's an endless list. Anyway, I heard another guy. The DJ rang him. "Congratulations! You have won an all expenses paid trip to London". Again, another personality-inept stiff, he comes up with a dead-pan "Great". What????!!!!!!!

If I had just been told I had won a trip to London for free I'd be bouncing and whooping, announcing it to the world! He didn't even thank the radio station, the DJ's sounded if they were wondering why they bothered and the guy who won seemed completely unmoved by his win. What is it? He wins a free holiday to countries all over the world every day of the week, so it's all become a bit boring and hum-drum to him. Oh please!

I really have to question what is will take to get some people excited about anything. In this world that can be unfair at times, why is it that undeserving stiff's win prizes, have good luck in a monetary way and they can't even smile, look excited or show some gratitude?

It's a bit disturbing.

What happened to their innocence?

I am constantly in awe of how children are losing their innocence about the world. Maybe I see it more because I am a teacher. Children seem to know too much or more than they should about adult things.

Sex being the most common. I was told the other about a little girl I have taught by a colleague that she told another girl that she wanted to have sex with her. What? Where does that come from? This girl is nine years old. I have to ask what that child has been allowed to be witness to?

When I was nine I was climbing trees and falling out of them. I was still a kid and I played kids games. Maybe I was a bit of an innocent. I didn't even know what sex was, I knew that it took a mum and dad to make a baby, but that was it. That was all I needed to know at that age.

What is happening in our world? Why are children having their right to be children taken away from them? I know teenagers are having sex earlier and earlier now, but really, a nine year old having thoughts about having sex? Mind you, she is not the first kid I have come across who knows more about the adult world than is healthy.

Ok, I may be seen as old fashioned by some, but let kids be kids. It just seems a shame that the world is full of crap that exposing our kids to stuff that no child deserves to see. It really is a shame and to me, disturbing. Food for thought anyway.

Today I know why I am a Relief Teacher

It was 1.00pm. The kids were seated on the mat. I took the role and then reached for my chosen book - "Bad Jelly the Witch" by Spike Milligan. I started reading. It was a joy to watch the delight spread across their little faces. They appreciated the funny voices I used for the characters. A little Polynesian boy sat in front of me, at one stage I was afraid for his health, he was laughing so hard.

I feel lucky and blessed that I am free to share these moments with children. I used to teach in the mainstream, day after day in the beauracacy that teaching has become, where most of the life seems to have been squeezed out. I don't remember having as many days that I can actually say I enjoyed. I enjoyed today.

Maybe I have more freedom now as a relief teacher. I enjoy my special moments of just being able to read to children. There is nothing better for me than watching children laugh and begin to relax. During their day of structure and routine at school, I think I provided a respite for them so they could just sit and enjoy the written word.

What are we afraid of?

Two posts in one day, this could become an enjoyable habit. I had to share this though.

I went to the shops this afternoon. I had some errands to do, go to the library, post a letter, go to the bank and make a doctors appointment. While I was in the queue at the library waiting to have my books issued, I heard a librarian make a statement that has always baffled me. "You'll have to go over to that counter over there, I'm afraid." My ears pricked up. What? Why is she afraid?

I haven't heard this said as commonly here in New Zealand as I did in the UK. I heard it often when I lived in London for a few years. "Blah blah blah blah, I'm afraid." OK, I will probably be shot down by the PC brigade here, but I used to put it down to the general up-tightness that can be a bit of a disease over there.

Anyway back to the library. I watched the little old lady mumble an apology and wander over to the correct counter. What was the librarian afraid of? The little old lady was going to beat her to death with a library book for asking her to go to the other counter.

I"M AFRAID. It is either tacked on the beginning or ending of a statement, especially when asking people to do something. What is all that about? Has the world become that intolerant of each other that we are afraid? Has the human race become naturally apologetic? Is it a fear of offending people? It seems such a strange two words to tack on the end of a statement.

Why are we so scared? I have said it myself, a couple of times. I will admit it. I said it to a work colleague who phoned me at home. "I can't help you, I'm afraid, ". Why was I afraid? My work colleague and I are still on speaking terms. She didn't come to my house and attack me for saying I couldn't help.

I"M AFRAID. Humans, we are strange creatures aren't we?

Childfree vs Childless

This is my first post and it is starting with a rant. I went to the hairdresser yesterday. I needed my usual mop chop, I have the sort of hair that won't behave. Anyway, before I go off on a tangent, warning people it can happen, this is about Childfree and not hair.

The woman in the hairdresser asks if I have children, obviously wants to strike up a conversation. I say no and I'm not planning on having any. My partner and I are Childfree by choice. Then I laugh and say I am a school teacher and I have enough kids in my life. It was a joke, but I should have realised that if she had a sense of humour, she wasn't aware of it, because then she dropped her bombshell. She gives my a strange look and says "How can you be a school teacher if you don't like children?"

What is it with people? I don't want children and I am Childfree by choice. That does not mean I don't like children. How rude? I quickly put her in her place on that score. Let's just say it killed the conversation.

People just don't get the Childfree thing. There is this assumption that if you don't want kids you don't like them. I do like kids, I just don't have an overwhelming desire to populate the world.

Why do people think they have the right to ask? I've actually been asked by another rude person "Oh, is you or him?" Unbelievable! Rude!!!! They assume that not wanting children means the same as being infertile?

There is a real misunderstanding in society that Childfree is the same as Childless. We are not children haters! Childless is the unable to have children or not having had them yet. There is a difference. I have been in the teaching profession for nearly 12 years, I do like children. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to spawn. My life is complete, I'm happy, Angus is happy, we don't need or want to have children.

All I ask is for is a little pre-thought from these bulldozers of people's feelings and personal choices say their piece.