This old world seems to be going crazy lately. Well, maybe not the entire clump of rock third in line from the sun, but my own microcosm has it's needle wavering precariously in the 'Let's Weave A Basket' section, like a Geiger meter in the Curies' workshop.
Part of it is the devilish heat, which is coming direct from the furnace in Satan's basement.
Part of it is the pall of misery hanging over the town in which I reside. Usually, this town has a cloud of coal dust, but right now it's also got a pall of misery, and I'm feeling for my fellow citizens. The PAC has rejected an expansion for a local mine, and this is quite likely going to cost many people their jobs. I'm a 'when one door shuts; another opens' type of person, but it's hard not to feel for people at the moment. Mining itself has not ceased completely, and it's important there be diversification in local industries. Local businesses are showing support by hanging hi-viz shirts at their frontage. Some people have stated they will choose to frequent establishments with these garments on display. I say this is counterproductive as boycotting a business has a flow-on effect for EVERYONE. It is a business owner's right to decide how his or her shopfront is adorned, and just because someone has decided to not dangle a florescent piece of clothing, it does not mean that owner does not care or is not supportive. I have pointed out to the folk that choosing to shop on the basis of a hung-up shirt is a form of manipulative emotional blackmail. I have read online petitions with grammar and punctuation that has made my eyes bleed. What is worst is I have read abusive online comments lamenting the pending arrival of 3000 Syrian refugees, and a proposed mosque. I am aware there has been no application, and therefore no approval for, a mosque in this town. What is annoying me, aside from someone saying '3000 Syrian rapests' (learn to spell, whoever posted that one), is that vicious remarks are what leads to disenfranchised people being attracted to organisations such as ISIL. It's not even definitely refugees are being placed in this town, to my knowledge. I wish people would stop and think. I wish people would live and let live, and not be arseholes in the name of religion, which after all is just a form of superstition. You like Allah? Fine. You worship a monotheistic being in the name of a Jewish carpenter who got hammered? Lovely, enjoy. You prefer a multi-armed being with an elephant's head? Hey, knock yourself out. But don't act like an arsehole just because someone else doesn't. Please. Like religions learning to co-exist, so should the local industries in my home town co-exist.
Oh well, my eleven year old is due home from school shortly. He will want to be fed, but he will fight with me over his homework, and he will also have to practise the piano for his performance of 'When The Saints Go Marching In' tonight. He will no doubt practise because he loves to partake in the recitals, having discovered the addictive appeal of an audience and applause.
What music can I play to cheer myself up, I wonder? Might have to crank up the Beach Boys.
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