Comme ci, Comme ca.

Friday, September 10, 2004

Jokes

What succeeds?
...
...
...
...
...
A budgie with no beak.

Also, from www.bash.org,

User1 - 67% of all girls are stupid
Girl2 - I belong to the other 13%.

Sigh.

Thursday, September 09, 2004

3 years tomorrow

The anniversairy of the WTC attacks brings a few painful memories for me. Sept 11th was meant to be a special day - it was the day I'd dreamt about for nearly all my life. I was due to fly out to Western Michigan University in the USA to being a flight training course with British Airways (having got onto their pilot sponsorship programme by the second time of asking).

I'd packed all my bags. It was an hour before I was due to catch the flight from MAN -> LHR, where I'd meet current BA first officers for a drink and meal before catching the transatlantic flight the next morning. Suddenly, the news comes on. A plane has crashed. The WTC is burning. At first, we thought it was a small plane. Two other members of my BA class rang to tell me about the breaking news. Someone realised it was an airliner. My heart leapt a little in my chest... the thought that this was not normal, not a normal accident, not a normal day. Twenty mins later, the second plane hit. I'm ashamed to say that at the time, all I could think was "tell me this won't affect me"...

We set off for MAN airport - me with enough luggage to last the two terms at Michigan. On the radio, every station was talking about the WTC, and the firemans efforts to put out the blaze. Then came the news about the Pentagon. Surreal. It seemed like reality had totally gone out the window. A fourth plane was rumoured to be missing. How many would be involved before the day was out? Was this the start of a new war? [as it happened, yes, it was]

Manchester airport was VERY quiet. None of the usual hussle and bussle was present. Everyone was either on the phone or watching TV. I got to my flight - sitting on the back row (as a BA standby staff member), I talked to the hostess about what they knew. Air traffic control was in chaos... we were delayed for 2 hours before being allowed to take off. I had wanted to sit up front with the flight crew (my would-be colleagues)... not a chance in the climate of that day. As we got to London, the flight crew let us know that US airspace was closed, and UK might follow suit. As it was, we got diverted around the centre of London, before descending on an unusual approach in Heathrow.

I met the first officer mentoring our class in the arrivals hall. She was as numb as everyone else. We went to the pub to meet the other flight crew, but the atmosphere was one of shock, awe, sorrow, and grief. Who could hate so much as to destroy innocent lives?

That night, I remember sleeping on the floor of a stranger's house, watching the TV as endless repeats showing the Pentagon and WTC were shown. We tried to work out what it would mean for my class. At worst, a delay......

The next day, BA arranged for me to fly back to Manchester (without my luggage). One week later, we learnt the class had been 'indefinitely postponed'. Three weeks later, my luggage turned up again. 5 months later, the class was cancelled (our contracts were cancelled also, quoting 'force majeur'), and we were put into a holding pool. After 18 months in that pool, we were almost taken on. Then Gulf War II broke out, and the holding pool was disbanded.

I can still remember going up to the Lake District 5 days after the attacks, and walking as if in a daze, still wondering how my life could've been turned upside down. I still feel a little guilty that I wasn't empathising with the victims - I believe now that it was due to the immediacy of my events - and the fact that I was now completely out of control.

So what got me through that snatching of my dream away from me? 1. God. He is, as ever, my best friend, my guide and my king. 2. My parents, who constantly supported me. 3. My friends, who were always there to talk, and 4. Me... I decided to follow a different dream, and moved to a foreign country (Paris) where I spent a happy 12 months. I'm now back in the UK, in a job I love dealing with commercial aviation, and practicing my flying as a hobby (in small 4 seater aircraft). Maybe one day I'll go back. Flying is still in my blood, and I'd like to believe that some day I'll be found at the sharp end of an Airbus, with a big inane grin on my face as I watch a sunrise over the Alps from 39000 feet. If I do, I will remember the 1000s who, on the same day my dream died, lost a lot more than their dreams. Rest in Peace.

Thursday, August 12, 2004

Crime and punishment (or Sin&Win)

Damn - I should be a headline writer for the Sun! (Ed: Perhaps not, eh!)

So, two headlines from today:

The latest piece filling the column inches is the story of the convicted rapist (currently serving 'life' for attempted rape) who won the lottery.

Everyone is up in arms that someone who society has decided is evil should be allowed to win something from society. The interesting thing for me here is the relativism at work.

Each newspaper and comment carries a different angle - most saying that the victims should receive the cash (note: if so, should that hold for any other crime? - e.g. if a burglar is released from jail after 5 years, and builds up their own business, should they have to pay proceeds from that business back to the people they emotionally distressed by burgling their houses?).

Some newspapers say that if the guy has done his time, then he has paid his debt to society (a point which is debated by the rape counselling groups, who argue that he hasn't paid his debt to his victims, and indeed probably never could).

My thought: in cases where long-term injury (either emotional, as in rape cases, or physical, as in GBH) is done to the victim, there may be a case for the debt the assailant owes being not only one to society, but also one to the victim. In these cases, prison would only be the first step - some form of compensation post-prison for as long as the injury persists would perhaps redress the balance.

Is that a McDonalds wrapper on the floor? - you're nicked, son!

The other newsworthy item concerns the police's powers of arrest. Currently, they are able to arrest a citizen for a crime that attracts a prison sentence of over 5 years. Obviously, in order to maintain order, this rule has to be frequently broken - therefore, lots of exceptions have been published to help police.

The proposed change allows police to arrest people for any crime committed (such as dropping litter). It then sets down guidelines showing what you cannot arrest people for (i.e. showing when an arrest is appropriate).

As far as I can see, all we're doing here is moving from a negative statute book (i.e. you cannot arrest, except in this case), to a positive statute book (i.e. you can arrest, except in this case). It gives police more authority, and trusts them to use their common sense. And if we can't do that, why are they there at all?

So I sighed when I read the 'civil rights group' Liberty, saying "The broader the powers the police were given, the more they were used in an arbitrary and racially discrimatory manner."

Now, I accept that certain individuals within the police force have let the side down, in the main due to racially motivated actions. However, to tar the entire establishment with the same brush is to denegrate the wonderful service they carry out. Just because one man in Swindon is thinking of blowing up Britain, does not mean we should enclose Swindon in an electric fence to protect the rest of Britain (Ed: not such a bad idea though...)

Not to mention the fact that most 'racially motivated' arrests have been proved to be entirely justifiable - if a white gang is causing trouble, then the police will arrest several white men (sic).

I'm therefore glad when I read the latest Tory manifesto which reads:

"Many people now believe that they are no longer wholly
responsible for their actions. It's someone else's fault, or something else's fault - the environment, society and the government," he said. There was an "ethical quagmire" where "the clear distinction between right and wrong has been lost in sociological mumbo-jumbo and politically correct nonsense", he added.

Huzzah and Hear Hear, says I!

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Great people and long-term perspectives

Every now and again, I read of people who seem to rise above the morass and humdrum, and actually make a difference to life as we know it... not necessarily for their own benefit. Benjamin Franklin and William Wilberforce are two examples I've recently come across.

It got me thinking - why do people do that? What is there inside us that seems to rebel against the everyday materialism that pervades our every move here in this introspective country?

If we go by societal conditioning, this shouldn't happen. Why should we care about the common good, except where it aids us? Leaving a legacy can't really be the answer - if I live all my life to enhance my memory, it seems to negate the original point of living anyway.

Then there's a second point - why are there accepted principles in life, such as 'the law of the farm' and 'integrity is the best way' etc.

I'm convinced there's something more that leads us in that way. Think about your own life - living it day-by-day, lead around by the nose, looking to gain wealth, recognition, status, love etc. Then once in a while we step back, look at the big picture and the long-term. And our thoughts change accordingly.

Curious, ain't it? Maybe we do have something inside of us, common to every human being, which shouts out in the gentlest of whispers what each of us knows to be true, honest and decent. After all, what is our conscience, if not a moral compass to aid us in our life?

I think the key to changing is the long-term versus short-term thinking. Once our perspectives / paradigms / viewpoints change, then the everyday habits we cultivate change as well. I'm a strong believer in 'as you think, so shall you become'... people's actions betray their thoughts much more often than you think - see Niccolo Machiavelli's 'The Prince'. Equally, and on the opposite side of the coin to Machiavelli's manipulatory use of psychoanalysis, if you can change your thoughts and dreams (your 'vision of the future', if you like), and believe you can get there, quite often you do. Surprising not only others, but often yourself in the process!!

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Stream of consciousness...

Have you ever tried writing your thoughts? It's quite illuminating if you keep putting them on paper... short form... as they appear in your mind. Why do jammy dodgers have no cream in them, yet they're still more expensive than the cream and jam version? Talk about a brand. Looking forward to doing the MBA. Got to finish the applications though - and sort out my company funding proposals. Are women able to write streams like this? if they're multi-tasking and jumping fom subject to subject, it would probably get quite amusing/ fussy/ complicated (I'll come up with the right word eventually). Must put a space between those slashes, otherwise the line moves down one. Have to practice comedy writing a bit more... comedy writing secrets by Helitzer is good read - only got 30 pages through though - lots of ideas I should try in this blog. Doesn't Helitzer look like Hellmans? Mayo? Nice sandwich today from the new sandwich shop - well, not new, but new for me. Beef and cucumber baguette. Almost got to see the cute gals in my hairdresser as well. Which reminds me of a couple I've met recently elsewhere - must get back to them, and invite them out for coffee. Have i written enough yet, or do I need more? What does this actually read like? Stop thinking about the context, and concentrate on the content. Lots of 'cons' in that last sentence. Con air was a cool film, but not as cool as Super Troopers which I watched last night - funny film. You really need to be able to touch type to do this properly, otherwise you have to stop thinking and type for ages - causes too much of a pause. Should really get back to work again - lunch break is probably over for me now - might work from home this afternoon - mean i can concentrate better. And there's Liverpool football on TV tonight... perhaps Michael Owen is moving on - probably not a bad thing - get Morientes (check spelling on Google) instead of him, and we'd probably be better off - Cisse has the pace.

OK - let's stop there!

Thursday, August 05, 2004

Salsa-tastic

I LOVE SALSA!

Just had to get that out of my system. A fantastic night at The bar/cafe in Wimbledon with Chris and Jaclyn... things that set it apart:

high energy instruction;
more girls than guys;
progressing quickly to new stuff;
time at end for free dance.

A few (small) negatives:

not enough space on the dance floor (too popular);
no individualised instruction - again, that's not what this class is about, but it would have been nice to get some feedback at some point;
random attitude from a couple of the punters;
wrong start time (1930 advertised, actually 2040)

Overall, 85% for fun, entertainment, and learning new steps/turns etc. I'll certainly go again.

Random fact

Most toilets flush in E-flat.

(courtesy of www.thatwasrandom.com)

Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Getting the passport done

A little while back, I had the distinct pleasure of being able to renew my passport photo - the wee kiddy peering out from under a mid-90s mop of hair could finally be banished, and the new suave Rev unveiled.

Probably like most people when I got into the passport booth, there was the quick check of the hair and teeth, and some shoulder movement to determine which was my best side! The photo's taken, you get to choose the one you like, and everyone's happy.

Apart, it seems from Exhibit A, who decided to flaunt his individualism.

All I can say is: good luck getting past the in-bred American customs and security with that photo. Last time I went there, they nicked: a) my deodorant and b) my computer cable lock (could have been used to strangle someone, they said - yeh, like you, I thought).

Which brings me neatly onto the point about idiotic security practices at the moment... 1. you shall not take anything pointy onto the plane. 2. but you can buy glass bottles from customs. Sometimes I wonder...

And now for something completely different

From the world of aviation:

"ATIS" stands for "Automated Terminal Information Service," which is a recorded message broadcast at most busy airports around the country. ATIS gives pilots the current wind, air traffic, and runway information and each time the information changes, the broadcast is revised, with each revision being assigned the next letter in the phonetic alphabet. This designation is included in the broadcast, which is identified as, "Information Alpha..." Bravo, Charlie, etc.

At ATIS-equipped airports, pilots are required to listen to the recording prior to contacting Approach Control or the tower and must repeat the "Information so-and-so" identifier when they make their initial radio call. Sometimes, the results can be hilarious...

The scenario: it was night over Las Vegas and "Information Hotel" was current on the ATIS. Mooney 33W wasn't too sharp, but he didn't let that stop him from talking to Approach Control.

Approach: "33W, confirm you have 'Hotel.'

33W: "Uhhhmm, we're flying into McCarren International. Uhhhmm, we don't have a hotel room yet."

After that, Approach was laughing too hard to respond. The next several calls went something like this call to United 583 (which didn't make it any easier to stop laughing)...

Approach: "United 583, descend to Flight Level 220."

United 583: "United 583, down to Flight Level 220. We don't have a hotel room, either."