Carravaggio
I ended up watching a program about who killed Caravaggio on BBC4. This is the sort of program I worry about, if the BBC decides to save money. Having been introduced to the works of Caravaggio by an artist friend, I feel that this is the program, I should watch, to make sure I am less of an ignorant Philistine.
According to Caravaggio‘s entry in Wikipedia, today is the four hundredth anniversary of his death.
Big Brother
I didn’t know that the odious Big Brother was still going, but whilst looking for something to see on my Sky+ box, I saw it listed on Channel 4.
I really think that my life has been improved by forgetting to watch it! In the past, I’ve often watched the first program to see what freaks they’ve dragged up this time. But I didn’t even do that this year!
Dry Eyes
I have been suffering from dye eyes recently and when |I last went to Addenbrookes, I got a prescription for some eye drops to ease the problem. They do to a certain extent, but I can’t put the drops in myself. I have this thing about eyes.
I did find this page for stroke sufferers on the RNIB web site, which explains how eyes can be effected by strokes and also gives some helpful advice.
A common effect of stroke-related vision problems is an increased sensitivity to light. The brain seems to have difficulty adjusting to different levels of light. Tinted glasses or sunglasses may be helpful in reducing the discomfort some people experience.
Another problem which can follow stroke is dry eye. The rate of blinking may slow following a stroke and /or there may be incomplete eye closure with a partial blink which will cause a part of the cornea to dry resulting in the eye feeling uncomfortable. Artificial tears, and reminding the person to try to blink completely and often, may be a possible solution for dry eyes.
But then the RNIB should know about eyes.
So I’m wearing my prescription sunglasses and trying to remember to blink! That is not meant to be trite or sarcastic, but it is easier for me than to put the solution in my eyes!
Austria versus England at Under-19
I’m watching the England Under-19 footballers against Austria on Eurosport. Much better than Capello’s crap in South Africa! They’re winning 2-0 at half time, with two goals from West Ham’s Frank Nouble.
It’s now 3-1 with ten minutes of the second half gone. England seem skilful, keen and disciplined.
In the end they hung on for a 3-2 win.
Facebook Is A Nightmare, If You’re A Bad Typist
I just tried to post something on Facebook and I ended up writing something to the wrong place. Manners said, that I should delete it, but there didn’t appear to be a Delete link for comments. At least the comment wasn’t offensive or even the tiniest bit rude!
I’ll stick to this blog!
A Heartwarming Story From The Open
With just a few holes to go in the Open Golf, it looks increasingly like Louis Oosthuizen will win it. But behind the South African’s performance, there seems to be a story, that may feaure in tomorrow’s papers.
Oosthuizen’s caddy, Zack Rasego is black and according to this report in the New York Times, it would appear that he came up the hard way, by working as a caddy at Sun City. Here’s a taste of what is said.
Rasego, who once caddied for the South African icon Gary Player, has been with Oosthuizen since 2003, when Oosthuizen’s management company helped put them in contact. They have developed a close working relationship and communicate frequently on the course in Afrikaans.
The faltering image of South Africa as a “rainbow nation” has regained some of its luster with the successful staging of soccer’s World Cup and a renewed sense of common purpose between the country’s black majority and white minority.
Rasego, who is one of the few black caddies on tour, and Oosthuizen, who is white, are aware that they reinforce that image but do not wish to focus on it.
“As South Africans, we are a rainbow team,” Rasego said. “But really it’s politics aside. It’s a sport. We cannot put politics into sport.”
Let’s hope nothing serious happens to them in the last few holes.
Are Redundancies Responsible for a Surge in New Companies?
This was posed by Robert Watts in today’s Sunday Times, but I can’t find it on-line. Is this because The Times are restricting what they put on-line?
But it’s not even mentioned in othe web sites, that we are now having a real surge in new company registrations.
But this is understandable as recessions are one of the best times to start a business, as companies are trying to outsource goods and services, there is a good supply of quality people, machinery, premises and other things available. Often from companies that have gone bust! We started Metier in the depth of a recession and you can’t say, that that wasn’t a success!
The only problem with this recession, is the attitude of the banks, but then, it would appear that many are using redundancy money as seed capital for their businesses.
Jill Bolte Taylor
Although, I was told about this remarkable woman a few weeks ago, I hadn’t followed her up until I read an interview with her on Caring.com. I have now found her web site and ordered her book, My Stroke of Insight.
She is a brain scientist, who suffered a much worse stroke than I did and her insight may well aid recovery for many and help to shape and improve healthcare.
Should We Ban The Burka?
Should we follow France and impose a ban or take the advice of Damian Green and not ban it, as that would be un-British?
To be fair, I do oscillate from one view to another. A lot depends on my personal expereience at the time.
I remember once I was walking through Mile End in East London and I was horrified to see a woman walking meekly fully vieled and very heavily loaded a couple of metres behind her husband, who was carrying nothing and was totally oblivious to his wife’s plight. Are some men like him, the Islamic equivalent of your stereotype white male loser? They don’t want a wife, but they do need a full time servant at all of their beck and call.
On the other hand, also in East London, I was in need of help in Staples. I was assisted by the manager, who was about twenty-five or so and obviously a Muslim lady, as she was fully vielled. By the use of her eyes, hands and obvious personality, we had a strong conversation and my small problems were solved. Incidentally, whilst seving me she instructed a young white kid to help another customer, who had accidentally knocked a display over. From his reaction, it was obvious that they got on well, as business colleagues should!
To add another example. I was brought up in London and my mother always told me to hold doors and assist people on the stairs in the Underground. As C and myself, used to travel extensively on public transport in London with three boys under three, I know how difficult it is to manage some parts of the Underground by yourself with children. So if someone is struggling, I will often take the front of a buggy and help the pusher, be they man or woman, up or down the steps. Sometimes it is declined, but most take the offer, as what is it to me? A gain probably, as I don’t get stuck behind the struggler. I have been questioned by some as to why I do it and usually reply about my past experiences and the fact that I think it is courteous. I must admit that sometimes, when I do something smaller, like hold a door say and I get no sign of thanks, such as a smile or a raised hand, I feel that is very sad!
So is it not what you wear but how you behave? Relate properly with your fellow human beings and it doesn’t matter what either of you are wearing.
I Hate Flies
Are they bad this year, but they seem to be infecting my house more than usual? They have already caused me to break a glass, because I knocked the fly spray over.
But they do seem to want to sit all over me. Perhaps I taste good at the moment!
Any idea why? Is there a fly psychiatrist out there?
The Anonymous Widower 