Monday Moaning: Money Consumption!

Monday Moaning: Money Consumption! 

The two words from the title are related to one and other though my thought today may differ from what goes around as the common view on how they are connected. Since we invented money or came up with the concept of making a piece of printed paper worth something, it has become the centre of our lives. For whatever reasons we come up with, we can’t seem to do without it anymore.

Its effect is one that ripples and dies a quiet death when it reaches a certain top. Would the image of a lake or puddle be accurate if we are not the ones swimming in money.

Sitting down and just taking on a view based on some events that have happened here it may not be as strange as it sounds.

Am I to explain what has been going on, it may well be to much to lay out here, but in short my Grandma has passed on last week. So it comes with a lot of stress and sadness while handling some of the money issues that are occurring. Like the moment we have to let town hall know she passed away. Yup being dead means you need to pay a fee to get scrapped from the list of residents of your town. Talking about stealing from the dead.

It is this kind of money spending that I see as consuming money. It changes hands for no real apparent reason or visual or tangible evidence. The heart can get pretty angry over such cold situations. The burial is pretty expensive too, these days. Just having a insurance for 6.000 Euro’s won’t cut much bread.

One simple casket, an hour or so inside a chapel to hear people speak their hearts, and say a final goodbye. Coffee and or a drink after with a slice of cake. One car to move her from her home towards her final resting place.

All in all it becomes a reality when you see the figures being put down on paper. No bad word about the undertaker. He takes his time and is very adequate when explaining everything around the choices the children are making.

But in the end it is still a lot of money for being dead.

These are changes we have made. Not wanting to pay for a parent who had died so they would not get buried or were buried in an unmarked grave if not getting a towns funeral. The most simple paid by the residents of the town and its taxes. We came up with insurance. Letting money exchange hands with no real knowledge you will or can get what you want.

Enough about this as it is the last wish of a person and should be listened to.

Back to the reason and my view on the consumption.

We have started to consume money instead of consume materials or what not was bought with money. The fact this feeling is only growing stronger is because of all money becoming virtual. Spending money like water every two years for a new phone, tablet, laptop and what not. Lucky to have a TV working for more than 5 years.

The items in the list have all become a common good and the most normal thing to own. It isn’t even seen as a consumers product anymore, but more as a part of life. This kind of money consumption is making the companies pretty fat.

Each of them are sitting around the pond with a rod in their hands, making ripples by pulling us fish in to try and take a bite.

Was there not a saying that said; Money makes the world go round.

It is outdated as money is the thing that is going around while each of us is standing still. We consume money like it is food instead of eating actual food.

Okay that may have sounded strange but the fact is that we do not know what we are eating and buying with our money. We have started to see it as a survival tool. Without it we would die, just like water.

Prices keep on rising as we earn more. But how precise is that assumption? Just asking for a raise is no guarantee we can afford a new TV.

To give another reason on why I say we consume money is what is going on here in this country.

Last year or it may have been a couple of years schools and other organizations opted for a new way of teaching, through tablets. I for one do not agree with this but it is for that reason people call me old and obsolete.

I plead for good education for each and every child and that includes the less fortunate.

Schools demand parents to pay up to 400 Euro’s for an Ipad so these children can be educated. The common good and assumed part of life is the so called tablet in this case. And no, another tablet would not be compatible with the new schools education.

Pasts have been ruled by books also paid but with help from governments. Now it is the parent who needs to have money if one wants the best education for their child. Taking away an equal chance for everyone.

This is the kind of society we are becoming or creating, thinking that money is like water and can be consumed on will. Saying that one has to consume in order to progress and be able to produce.

Was there not a time we needed to produce before we could consume. And to think these things break down or ned renewal after two years.

Being alone while writing this story it is still to have someone read this and have them think about their own situation. One does not have to agree but at least come up with their own idea how the title of today’s moan works.

Living in a consumers market and being a consumer I look at the changes from the bottom up. It is blurred and veiled by layers upon layers of rules and what not legal terms to hide the hooks we gladly bite in.

We are the fish in the pond and we swim in money, but it has become our habitat. Every brick, piece of paper is made from money to make money and with the digital age it becomes even more obscured on how we consume or use money.

Truth is; we need it, and always to much of it.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

I am off spending some more money on god knows what for the sake of having a chance to become the worm on a hook.

Monday Moaning: Past Present!

Monday Moaning: Past Present! 

I know it all sound so idealogical soon as one might read this title. But the reality might be different as there are many views or opinions from how we see it. And going straight into the arena and put myself out there. We have been looking at it in a wrong way.

The past is something that has already happened and is our basic knowledge from which we move forward. It is a base line we follow but deviate from every single day as we all have a feeling that we do not want to come to a standstill and keep a foot in the past. We look back as if it is garbage that has been thrown away or something we do not want to go back to.

As we gotten smarter, though that is something that can be argued about just the same, we like to think we know better and are doing better in this present. And I have once said that the past is the present for the future.

But in what way is that true if we leave it for what it is. Think about the past as something to forget and create new basics. In reality though we seem to be adding layers upon layers and confusing ourselves to where some idea came from.

No, this is not to say we should just erase our past as it is what made us what we are today. Right or wrong we moved on but are afraid to commit our mistakes and turn back time if it was asked of us. Instead we force ourselves forward and are most likely bound to be making mistakes in the process.

True that the past is not the present and never will be but it was a foot print left from which was set in motion a change.

So what is the past to you?

Is it old and dusty and full of nonsense, or can we still learn from it? Is everything from that time really so bad as we say these days or is it our conscious not wanting to admit a wrong.

The past is the present in a way it was given to us faults and all the good, it does however depends how we use it. Toy with it like a spoilt brad for a minute and then throwing it away as boring. Would you be the boy or girl keeping it safe as a treasure only to look at it when things go wrong. Or the nerd who would dissect learn and also see that is wasn’t all bad and that the bad was changed or change it for the better.

What’s more is that the future can’t give you any certainties that the past holds.

How come we are looking away when we make a mistake and simply put it off as the past. And when things go right it is the present.

Fickle as we are we stare back at our past and rethink our present in the hope to change the future.

And it becomes funnier when we would admit that something was done better in the past but we come up with arguments that we should still change it. That we as a community can’t and should not run back to something that worked in the past.

Who would come up with things like that?

The past can be perfectly implemented into our present day if we so truly want it. It is not as if we are going back in time, we just adept our daily lives to something that worked in the past. For some reason or another we are not able to and be all full of air and bright ideas and say we are smarter than our ancestors.

How one looks back at the past is for each and everyone of us different.

Our blueprints may differ but no one dares to look at them and start up a conversation.

The best example is the education and health care in this country. How it got worse over time through ideas that never seemed to work. And while people say we should go back to how it was, no one is wiling to admit defeat and there wrong. Second there is not a soul who is wiling to take the blame.

Is the past something to have come back?

Not everything was as great as it sounds by our grandparents, but we should not disregard them as ancient and dumb ideas. Or thoughts that could never work here and now.

In the end even the past does not old all the answer for today, and it is on those issues we need the most answers if we want to have a fighting change for a future. Improving is one thing, holding on to something strong or things that work perfectly most certainly is not wrong but we are not holding on to it often enough.

This is a rambling of an old man, sure enough but I am pretty sure my old values with some adaptations are not  old fashioned to say the least but are looked at is if I am from the stone age. IN a time where community and society was a common good we are now fighting to get it back while innovations push us another way.

The past is our present we kept hidden on the attic without ever taking a good look at it. Our eyes set on the future while we stumble across our present achievements.

What will become of our future if we only see what might be but never what is or was.

Best Wishes
Ranting crow

Monday Morning: Sports War!

Monday Morning: Sports War! 

The Olympics have ended in Brazil but it is not the end yet since we are still going to watch and see the Paralympics which is also worth to watch as some amazing performances will be given by great athletes who never gave up.

I tried to watch everyday or in my case most of the night to every sports event and channel to get as much of the sports performances and vicious wars to score and come out on top. It has been amazing back to front.

Realistically speaking it was a war between countries without the real bloodshed. Unless an athlete cut themselves during their trial. It happened with the cyclers but each heart sprinted in the honour of the fallen to perform and reach the finish line first. It is a comradery between rivals. The brotherly and sisterly love between equals while fighting for gold. No differences between colours or even sexes as sports can be done mixed. Religion being put in the back of our minds as we hold hands and cheer as loud as we can for each of them.

Sure we root for our countrymen and women, but we also acknowledge the opponents strength and determination to beat their rivals.

Minds and bodies clash but not in a way they will be clashing once again after this big worldly event. We point fingers and clap for those who triumph we comfort the ones who had lost. Sharing laughter, smiles and tears from whatever emotion they came from and reach out to embrace and hold hands of those around us.

The Olympics have ended and normal day life will come back to the present day. News will be filled with the opposite of what these athletes showed us.

We will forget them and move on as if it never happened. Forgetting what the Olympics stand for and go back hating, looking down on others who look different, seem different or have been losers in life. Blaming the unaccomplished lower parts of our society.

No sense in how we could change or be a better person all together.

Life maybe made by losers and winners, but in the end we all stand on the same field, court or hall. With only one difference, that life is not a game but should shared in pain and smiles. Each tear cried is one to dry, as in life tears are of loss.

How is it possible we understand the Olympic feelings and thoughts but have no way or no intentions to uphold them after the event is gone? Can you not see it goes beyond life and borders?

That the true thought should be carried beyond the wars of sport and stop the actual wars going on everywhere around the world.

It begs to answer the questions that arise after seeing the Olympics.

Does colour matter only in life and not sports? Is religion a reason to hate unless we are having a game. How come we cheat and lie every single day and feel alright by it but condemn those who cheat and lie in sports?

If the Olympics are a worldly thing and we unite as one under those rainbow of rings. Not caring whether we are gay, lesbian or straight. Not caring whether we belief in Christ, Buddha or Allah. Not caring if we are grey, black white or yellow. Here to compete share hardships and strive for the ultimate performance. To reach deep and pull out each and every ones own will to win but be a friend when you loose.

Why is the world not like the Olympics where we are all brothers and sister under a united flag.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Ps. it is a short post and I urge you to see if the Paralympics are shown on TV. Stand behind them, cheer them on and watch people go beyond their limits, just like you and me.

Monday Moaning: Crunching Numbers!

Monday Moaning: Crunching Numbers! 

It very well be a returning item this kind of moan but the reality is that the most numbers despite the our so sophisticated computers and brains it takes at least a year to fully understand the numbers. Registering everything may take time but are we not full of ourselves when we say this is the era of information and the speed in which we can generate outcomes to publicizes to the outer world.

For medicine I can understand we take a little longer before we have any real data and the numbers to say it either works or does not. Though the testing of that is pretty much still done on the person instead of putting it all through a algorithm in a computer. Our phones get faster and data is sped around in speeds we can’t even start to imagine. But a dedicated computer takes years to calculate and crunch some numbers involving registration.

All registration is done through the digital mediums, hell every damn citizen of this country, next to their passport also have a digital ID to use for tax and all other national related things like parking. And even than in this day and age they can’t tell within an hour how many have a parking ticket.

Could it be some town still live in the stone age and does everything on parchment and use a courier on foot like ancient Greece.

To be honest the reason for this rant is because of some numbers that have been made public and the ugly truth of humans and the fact that the sightings of people are being told as untrue.

One must understand this is a dig at the government and a very personal view on the war in Syria and the presumptuous people who look down on us commoners, who and as it turned out in truth were concerned about their safety.

The large flow of fugitives that flooded Europe and sure even now people will still look angry at me when I say these things. But my mind also said back when it started that the flow will be a good hiding place to send in suicide bombers and what not. And though many said this the government said that was untrue.

Until now where the public has ben notified that some extremist have landed in Europe while hiding in the flow of refugees.

These numbers came to light because of a backdrop at the digital registration and checking of identity. Fair enough there was no way to check the same identity in Syria since it was pretty much closed down. Even than a light should have been turned on when you look at who came over.

Seriously this has been observation that anyone else could have been doing with their own eyes and create some conclusion no matter how one sided it may look. I had this discussion before with someone about a couple years ago when it all started.

I was said to be cold towards the refugees who were in need of help. And I also had said that we can’t help others if we can’t even help ourselves or have things in order for us. It would only add to the chaos. And though every word we uttered was said to be unfair and untrue.

Apparently we weren’t so wrong.

The numbers that are being named are that in the beginning of the refugees flow the majority was male. Take note it was about a 65%. For a country at war to watch the male population flee first is looking at a bunch of cowards who leave behind their women and children in a war zone. To watch them abandon ship, home and country and not even consider family is low in my opinion. To think they even complain the most but were not willing to fight for what they lost is beyond me.

Should they not defend the retreat of women and children?

Funny to see though, that the central bureau of statistics can add a number of only half a year old because they can now say that in the beginning of the year the majority though still weird in my eyes is that now the refugees consist of 55% women and children. It is barely more than half.

Conclusions are yours to be made but why does one number take up to 5 years to be created and the next one is only half a year old. I am not saying we should not help but we should look at who we help and how.

Theories about conspiracy are old and if we ever will understand the human brain we might discover we are not so smart as we look and like to be fooled.

Question being if we are being fooled right now? Were we being fooled back then and get a convenient warm blanket to sooth some aching with a small apology in the form of ‘you were right’ but now it has turned out better?

I know this is rambling and some kind of spewing with the adding of a conspiracy and the fact we are being lied to.

Ooh right that is nothing new right. We already know we are being lied to and we even let it happen. And at the same time gives us reason to think up conspiracy theories and other crap. Because we like the intrique.

Okay getting of topic.

Crunching numbers.

The other reason for this rant is the nursing homes. About half year ago they were controlled, checked, weighted and had their faults written down into a thick pile of paper. Each home got a grade and there was a nasty discovery though the numbers were kept secret.

About a month ago the numbers came up and some homes were put down as failing and disgusting. Whether it was about a dirty toilet they found or the fact people were eating with shit on their hands it all was put into the papers.

Once the children or grandchildren found this out they started asking questions and now the homes listen.

Alternatively their has been a little snag. Though they pretend to be listening behind the scenes they already have been moving wanting to get their grade up as the home knew about them in march. The study took about 4 years.

In 4 years a lot can change and now they are changing it within the 5 months. Adding more managers who sit behind a desk to control and inspect while cutting cost by throwing out real nurses who are there for the patient.

Yes when it comes to numbers we are all about that and go to such lengths we forget about the people.

Crunching numbers is something that only reflects what happened in the past but we use them as if they are fortunes and things of the present. I am pretty sure that when we something is strange we will want to change it directly instead of wait for the numbers to appear. I might even go as far that the homes that were put down as bad had been struggling to improve way before the report. And might even have already yet their grade is 4 years old and is counted as the present.

Yes my Nonna is one of those homes and the nurses are doing one hell of a job and yet due to the numbers these great men and women have to make way. 20 people over the age of 80 have to move and already have been moved while negotiations with relatives are still going on. And in the future the changes they will have to move more than once is growing. This is a number given already and ridiculous as it may be they stick to it.

Maybe in the future we will hear that we have been punching in the wrong numbers.

Not to mention about the medicines where people complain when they get different meds every single month. Side effects of a cheaper pill and they were told to shut it and pretty much fucking swallow whatever the insurance told them to take.

Each patient was told to be a liar and it was all a bunch of bullshit. Until last week a doctor came forward with some colleagues and showed the numbers of the patient and the result of changing pills to often. These patients turned out to be right, but for some it is to late, they have a permanent side effect turned chronicle.

To listen to a human being is asking for a very personal view on things and we already know we are not all the same and think the same. But there must be some truth in their words we should listen to instead of waiting 10 years for a report to finish and come up with number that is old and lost all meaning. In this day and age of technological advancement we sure are slow minded.

We are a silly bunch. We compare the past with the present.

So go lucky number 13.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

PS. Still trying to find my flow back.

Monday Moaning: Sporting Danger!

Monday Morning: Sporting Danger! 

The title can be considered a play of words and a tiny bit joking. Still the truth may not be far from it and hide the small group of thrill seekers that set a trend for newer generations.

Facts in this matter are kind of hidden in our way of life and thinking. Searching for thrills we do make things more scary, higher or faster within the boundaries of what is considered safe at that very moment.

It may be that last bit that changes and is a personal thought. I happen to know I mentioned this before in one of my moans. If you think it is safe to walk through a red light does not mean I think it is safe. No matter how well you look to your left and right. This behaviour at the same time is an example to the younger generations, who in their minds see less danger in the first place.

So here we are creating higher and faster rollercoasters, waterslides. Add the extra rules in order to keep it within limits of safety and sport with death, or at least have the feel of living on an edge.

And here is me, a crow who once searched for thrills hanging of cliffs free climbing being all responsible. Or is it that I got smarter and stopped defying death. Not really as I picked up my mountain bike again and is racing downhill without a helmet (I take full responsibility).

It is obvious we all think different on the subject. Whenever a death occurs, whether it is a base diver hitting a cliff or a rollercoaster visitor swept from its seat it is also very obvious how we think. The base diver took a risk and the adventure park with the rollercoaster is faulty for not keeping safety in check or had not done maintenance. But is that fair to say these things when we are the ones seeking that thrill and what if they followed every protocol (responsibility again).

Still we are not pleased because I am sure that the one who died had the ride of his life before his or last one and even thought eh wanted to go faster or higher. We seek to sport a game with death but god if a person dies.

And after all that we quickly forget and move higher and faster once again.

This is pretty much the other side of a story as well where we do not listen to rules and warnings and move along anyways. But does not mean that despite warnings you are willing to take responsibility for the risk at hand. Why shout and scream death and murder when it goes wrong.

I love that adrenaline rush, I do. I plead guilty in al accounts and even have moved past restrictions whenever I felt it was safe enough to take that risk. Knowing full well I would never be able to hold anyone accountable for my own mistake if things go wrong.

Now the news reached me of a 10 year old dying on a water slide. The slide was for 14 year and up and had a minimum height. Sure enough there is a on going investigation to see if protocol was followed. One thing to mention is a ID card can not be asked when your in swimwear. Where to put that thing right. A lie is easily made up.

And no not saying the pool or park has done everything right, it is just keeping in mind our very own nature. And looking at myself when I was that age. Riding scooters when your years to young to do so, but with some height you already look older.

We sport danger and love it.

Through age and gathering some knowledge we cool down a little and take it slower. But we have done it and the youth wants to go beyond our boundaries of danger. The only difference might be when we throw in the responsibility tag into the equation.

Not to mention that with new techniques we also create different kinds of danger even the kind we do not want to visit. To be put in danger due to the irresponsibility of someone else is the worst thing that could happen to you.

What I am trying to get at is the Pokemon Go hype. Though we take risks I see an increase in dangerous situations and even have found myself in some.

Cycling is a danger to begin with, it holds risk of being scooped up by a car. Luckily here in this country as a cyclist you have more rights and protection by law. It is when you get hit by a car it is easy and assumed that the car drove to fast. Whether the bike drove through a red light or not would not be an issue.

With the game that is going on you see more cyclist if not the sporting kind looking at their phones rather than keeping an eye on traffic. It is good to mention that driving and being on your cell is illegal and can get you a fine of around 200 bucks. So why can you on a bike still hold a cell?

To sport with danger is one thing, to be irresponsible is just beyond stupid but it is not being fined, let alone have them get a slap on the wrist that is idiotic.

Do we still see danger when we look around us. Or do we only feel danger when we assume a terrorist attack during a gay parade.

Which by the way did not happen last weekend and was one big ass party for the LBGT community here in Amsterdam. I know I am getting of topic but it was great to see a boat full of different religions, or a boat with people above the age of 75. Last one to mention was the boat filled with foreign policemen and women, army , or government officials from countries who would kill them instantly if they were found out to be gay.

Back to the question on how our danger perception has either evolved or weakened. Does less things thrill us or do we need bigger highs on adrenaline.

These questions do come to mind when looking at life in general, have we lost our fun and love for life or did we let it take over to the point of boredom where everything is done instead of done ourselves.

Just your Monday Moan from the
Ranting Crow.