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.

Monday Moaning: Social Sex!

Monday Moaning: Social Sex! 

Here we are on a new Monday Moaning with a big mug of coffee and a simple sandwich by its side. Okay it might be a couple of hours later than that since I was trying to get some creative juices flowing. It has been a while since I watched the news or read a paper. My days have been about gathering papers and what not so I might find me a new job. In the mean time my body’s adjustment is screwed up and have me sleep during days or early mornings.

It is the best part of the day for me but when you look at the social aspects I am pretty much the lonely old goatee somewhere in a cave. Life becomes boring when you have to do things alone or always to late to make an appointment for a drink. That last bit is still beyond me and gets me down anytime you hear people say that they can squeeze you in next week.

As with that sex is on a pretty much, no, I should say it nothing but an ember waiting for a wood to light up.

This brings me to the moan of today and the issue that we all seem to have but not once dare to alter. Afraid to burn our fingers we take some distance whenever we are confronted with it.

How far do you think you can run, or where does one think to hide when the subject is being shown or thrown into a conversation. Laugh it of with a fake smile, spit on it with disgust or keep silent pretending it was never mentioned.

The word is SEX or the sexual innuendoes all around us. Every magazine we look at, in any commercial, not forgetting the always popular music videos and what to think about the TV programs. Our children are being confronted with it as earl as the age of 10 though a bikini ad inside of a bus stop is pretty much undeniably there at every age.

Yet this is the world we have been creating and living in.

Each and everyone of us does have a big mouth and lots of Pooh-Hah (air) but soon as the conversation comes to close to home we go silent and hide it behind our bedroom door. Worse is that the political system is neglecting this even more. Those suits know how to have sex, talk about sex when together with some mates and a beer in one hand, but when in function as minister, or what ever political name they have, they shut up not wanting to get burned.

Through some news and posts I read in the past, I may have mentioned in  post that in the US it is okay to walk around with a gun (if permitted) but it is illegal to walk around with a dildo.

Sexuality or the sex talk is being restricted and pushed away under the blood stained rugs of murders and piles of spend bullet casings.

Insanity of us free and outspoken human beings.

So why is that the discussion of gun control is more important than accepting sexuality.

You can’t deny the facts that is spread across every social platform and media, but we can’t talk about it.

The only time it becomes a subject of conversation is when we hear about another shooting on a gay bar. And even then we try to keep it off as if none existing and only is about the gun control.

Can you ask yourself what you are afraid of?

This is something that came to my attention today when I read an article about the Swedish government wanting to know what goes on inside the bedroom. As this may sound weird you would have to understand that Sweden is one of the most sexual countries where even less people are ashamed of talking about it. And this is me saying that. Me the Dutch dude who would go out in Amsterdam on occasion.

In a society where we are obsessed with sex or sexual content as mention before in and around our social media we can’t talk about it.

Here is something that has occurred.

Out with some blokes and tools, having a beer or whatever floats our boat and talk about the sexual adventures. This scene is not only for the men as I know that women can be just as bad. Though subjects stay about the same. Sizes, stamina and overall performance including playfulness. The women do might add a little talk about the lack of things. (This can be subject to the difference of the one reading this)

When you mix the two talk becomes less or even awkward.

Another scene to sketch is that confirms that is when you sit on a sofa in a mixed gathering and something like a flogger whips by or the blown-up objectifications of gay guys in leather pants are being shown or the eccentric transvestite.

The faces and sounds from that moment might differ per person but the conversations is quickly shunted to death. Words like ‘Disgusting’ or ‘who would like that kind of thing’ become prominent. As none is willing to show signs of like.

In a social system like ours and it is a worldwide thing to that is that for some reason some subjects are just to bee seen as wrong, disgusting and against all rules.

Reasons we all know and heard of have passed the revue and each and everyone of us will have some thoughts about them but not dare mentioning them. This is at the same time a political issue as they lack any spine to take a hold of things that contradict their own upbringing.

Last week on Monday it was another “Pink Monday” in Tilburg. The largest carnival in our country and the most extravagant as the first day is about the LGBT community. BING it if you want to know more. This week is also about hem with a finishing boat parade in the Canals in Amsterdam. They do objectify themselves to what most think of them. Extravagant and over the top.

Why is there no debate or conversation to accept these people?

If anything the last question pretty much is, what are we afraid of? Are we afraid to be seen as freaks when we like a spanking or flogging and enjoy a little bit of pain. Would we become monsters from another world if we turn out to be gay.

What is your thoughts and do you choose who you talk to, about these things? Would you be for an open conversation without judgement? Than maybe I should open up a chat so we can do just that.

Social sex is but a conversation to bring satisfaction in life!

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Monday Moaning: History Refurbished!

Monday Moaning: History Refurbished! 

I think the title is just to funny and may have your brains already trying to figure it out and even come up with some amazing ideas of what it could mean.

The truth is quite simple when you hear the moan I came up with this week. It is something I may have addressed in other ways before but after a talk with some elderly ladies in my Nanna’s nursing home and great laughs olden times relived have shed light on the ideas we uphold as new and experimental or even revolutionary.

Mind you that the ladies may not have the greatest of memories left, they still were able to smile when others recognized their stories.

This generation of youngsters think they hold all the knowledge when it comes to changing the world. Often enough call the older generations as the bad guys for ruining the planet. And they may have a point in some ways as we did industrialize way to much, not to mention we are still doing so even with their new ideas.

Older people had to build a completely new world if you think about how divided the world was after the wars. During the wars things started changing in rapid speeds and only after the second world war did we had time to rebuild for a better future no matter how bad it was.

Time were definitely changing and new inventions may have ruined our thought process and never thought of the possible negative outcome.

Enough of this rant though and back to the older people, their lives of when they were younger and watching the world being rebuild. Together with the  refurbished ideas of the new era.

So one of them is the simplest and is about the biological hype that is going on. How everything has to be grown naturally and biological, not to mention environment friendly.

Just the mentioned to my Nanna makes her angry in a way. It is for one about the prices asked and the days they ate from the fields. That veggies were very much season produce and with smaller grocery shops wide spread and always fresh.
This is unlike the times we have now where food comes from over productive greenhouses to feed the large population while people are still starving elsewhere. Though that may be another moan for a different Monday. Fact still is that the expensive greens these days were normal veggies in their younger years. And even in my younger years, and I am not that old.

Is this not something we done and threw away and introduced as a new idea and must for this century.

Plastic is the biggest polluter we have ever created but it was new and innovative the time it was introduced. And this newer generation may have a point we need to change that and discard plastic bags from shops. True enough it is what is happening. In the mean time paper, linen or hemp bags are being produced again, since they are environmental friendly.
Though did you know that before all those plastic bags we had paper bags? Those you still used in commercials or films. Inconvenient was the lack of a handle. So they were not so good to carry around. Yet we threw them away for plastic. Then there are the stories of the older people.
How they wrapped beans or other veggies in newspapers when you wondered the market. In those times it was normal to RECYCLE newspapers for this. After that they were used to light the fires.

Yes there is stuff to learn from these old brains and it is sad we are proudly giving ourselves pads on the back for our revolutionary ideas.

Times are changing and though it is a good thing we should not forget how we got here and see the good things our seniors have done. Because even now we the new generation are most likely introducing things that will harm a future.

We speak up on how we need to change and come out of our homes and connect to people. It is just in our nature and thanks to new gadgets we learn the newest of generations to communicate through screens only.

This is a personal observation, but in my neighbourhood where old people still rent the homes is or rather was a sense of community and slowly while they are been going to nursing homes or dying of old age the homes are being sold to young and very high educated people. And the doors stay shut. Hardly any communication or interaction with any of their neighbours.

One would be hearing old stories where people would just walk next door, pull a string and enter without thinking for a cup of tea and a talk. Sidewalks filled with people interacting and discussing, some working and helping with chores. And how these old people if living on their own still can’t go to their neighbour for a cup of sugar. The look on their faces, or so the story goes is just surprised. Sugar or salt is not something they have in bulk as I still do and other than that the other reaction is how they would repay them? Of course it is about money again.

We talk about understanding and helping our fellow human beings but for some reason we always need to think about what there is in it for ourselves. Selfishness is something that has gone as well.

I miss the old days and if you think they were ancient, the most of these stories above are no older than a 50 years. Yes only a little over 50 years ago we were still being responsible and a real community. Half a century is all it took to understand that we need to be like those times again.

It makes ‘old times’ or the ‘when I was younger’ seem closer all of a sudden then the latest generation likes to think.

Internet is only like what 40 years old? Just like the mobile or car phone. Not to mention a television is but close to a century old. Before all this people gathered in churches and squares or at home to talk or relay the news.

Times are changing as we refurbish the old and tried and call them new.

There are so much more funny stories and things that sound better than they are now but these are all on more personal level and closer to a home. Just think coffee. Grounded freshly in a shop. It is one of the new trends just like tea. Soap was just the same or sugar by the ounces since they did the shopping daily just to be outside and find some interaction. And nowadays we see health shops, grocery shops and small supers pop up everywhere, smaller more user friendly, green/biological and with better service. Oh how good the old days must have been right?

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Monday Moaning: Restricting Protocols!

Monday Moaning: Restricting Protocols! 

It is not the first time I moan and complain about rules and more so protocols. It has been a couple of hectic weeks and it got the better of me. It went as far I even quit my job as the stress I was buried in suffocated me to the brink of insanity.

Maybe it was not the best idea to stop working in a time where jobs are not lying around and that cost me a lot of time to find to begin with, but the idiocrasy of the politics and desk managers was just to be insane.

We need rules and protocols I understand that. If we would not have these in place anarchy would be flooding the world. And yet a part of me says that we are men enough to manage ourselves and keep some level of control if there were no rules in place.

The title in place is as it is read or however you would want to read it really.

Are we living in a world where everything needs to be put down on paper. Each protocol we come up with explained to the tiniest of detail?

If you would be answering this, would you come to the same as mine. A big YES, we need to control every aspect of our lives and that of those beneath us.

Sorry, I should not say that since protocols are there to prevent mistakes and failures, or so we are told. In the end if we look more closely we see that it is more of a political gain of who to point the guilty finger to when it does go wrong.

Responsibility.

That word sends shivers down a managers and CEO’s spine. They do not like to be held accountable so they set up protocols to protect themselves. And so on to the lowest on the ladder. A small tiny office worker.

We live in a world where everything needs to be ordered and in line. To the extreme one might go as far as to start seeing a dictatorship where every step you make is according protocols. And hell if you forget to sign for every step you make.

Each of these layers keep piling up and it was me who had to follow each and every one of them. The paper work was beyond proportions.  And it was not that I was cutting any corners, I just worked my way around them and being able to actually do some work.

Responsibility. Nobody wants it, but I do like to think in a world of anarchy we would have to. And most likely even do.

So how restricting are the protocols to do a decent job. Or to actually do a job without needing a second person. There is also the self preservation of managers and the overseeing ‘police’. Don’t tell me you forgot that with every protocol there is a person checking if it is followed. Face it without protocols we do not need a controller. Independent or from your own company each rule, law and protocol has one.

They may not entirely make the rules they sure uphold them and most definitely advise for further ruling.

Making it work with the littlest amount of money and being restricted there is very little room to breath and it broke me.

I am pretty sure I already managed this and it shows how far we are taking it here in this dumb ass country.

The government here has set up a protocol on what to do when a sperm whale washes ashore. It does not happen often, only once a year and it happens all over the world, but still in order to prevent confusion it has been set up what to do. Not many people know of this so it is a lot of wasted money. And it pretty much says that you need to call the alarm number. As many would do to start of with. And for any animal lover (or media horny) alert friends through twitter and got knows what before  getting a bucket of water to wet the whale. This last thing is something you are not allowed to do by the way. You need to take a distance since the tail can sweep you.

This kind of insanity is spreading into health care home for the elderly, health care in general and even the smallest of schools.

A day care has almost no time to take care of children as the are filling up a piece of paper in three fold for every dirty diaper they change.
Demented elderly are being put at the table for dinner. And than the nurse needs to fill out a paper. In the mean time she sits there silently looking at a plate of food getting cold. And if you are visiting a family member, do not dare help any one else without the necessary papers and knowledge of protocols.

Soon as something goes wrong no body would be at fault as protocol was followed.

Lately we see how confusing it is with in the blue men patrolling the streets, they to have no idea what is right or wrong.

To many protocols, to many rules to confuse even the most senior worker. And all in the name of safety.

Safety is lacking, responsibility is written off by lawyers when protocols are followed. Each and every one of us is to busy with following protocol we forget how to walk freely and own our responsibility. Mistakes are made, but it does not need a new protocol in order to prevent it in the future.

Where is the time we learned from our mistakes. Where is the time we had time to think before acting and doing the right thing. Acting on your own responsibility and do it right instead of following a set path and walk in line like the others.

From the top down we all walk in line following protocols.

Did you know you even set up your own protocols? It gives a sense of safety when you do something in a strict order. Yes we are crazy to gamble away our sanity for insane rules. Do you start putting on your left or right sock? Do you even know why?

We think we can control life this way but I think it is the exact opposite we relinquish control to be controlled.

Ooh well back to a jobless life but in control of my own sanity.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

Monday Moaning: Paid Work!

Monday Moaning: Paid Work!

Last week was about how we sell ourselves to the highest bidders and pretty much never have enough or how we are working for that little pay we do get with fear of losing that little we do have. Work ethics have changed ever since that big crisis in the bank sector that effected all of us. It is not to say it will stay this way, though I would like to add we do get accustomed to situations as the generations grow up.

It is going on everywhere in the world where new generations get used to new rules or other general ideas that have been implemented throughout time. Whether we talk work or even religion we see people change and wanting different times because they see it could have been done in other ways. Once the people get enough of the exploiting we surely will rise once again.

But for now we just do as is said for the sake of having a job.

And you must be wondering where this is going again as last week was all about this crap. Just let me tell you it is only getting started as the story that is unfolding is even weirder.

The title can be read in two different ways. You ether get paid for work or as I will address in the next case you have to pay to be at work. Did your mouth just drop t the floor?

You read it right. Pay to have a job or be at work.

Now the job in this case is mailman or woman. So walking down the street delivering hand mail and these days’ small parcels. There is no weight limit that your own bike can hold, so it will be pushed to its limits until breaking down, bending wheels as the rims can’t hold the load. Grinding down your shoes with every mile you walk in wind, snow or rain.

This just get you some compensation after all the bike and shoes and pants are your own. They need washing and maintenance and thus the boss will pay you about 16 bucks a month. This so much is fair don’t you think? Still getting a shirt, that is the uniform or a coat for the wet and cold days may be included, you still need to wash it yourself. That would be one coat and 2 shirts.

Working 4 days a week would make it possible all thanks to the new mail and internet systems at work hand mail has gone down by what, 50%?

Bills are send through email as well or can be checked online. This is assuming each and every one even has internet. Go figure how it has become a part of our lives.

Going back to the mailman story.

This is a two part rant. As above how we assume we all have internet we also do so with smartphones and the worst thing is that there is the assumption we all have the latest model as well. Just this way of thinking coming from regular people might be considered okay. After all the phone has become a part of society a common good we all fiddle with day In an out. Having each year renewed with a new phone is a norm for the younger generations. They pretty much do not know any better anymore. (See how the first part came back here)

So despite the new generation finding it perfectly normal to walk around with the most expensive and newest of phones there is an old generation that is okay with an old phone and even a cheaper contract as they do not call so much or use less internet MB.

But the moment a boss assumes each and every employee has a new phone, to me falls in the category of harassment or stupidity. Not to mention that the few contracts for employees is only for a select few and of the older guard. Other youth are hired per hour from the agencies.

Back to paying to be at work.

My age is one that falls in between generations and I am appalled by what is happening.

Think of this.

Age 40, working 4 hours a day 4 days a week. Phone is an old windows phone.
Job prescription. Mailman.

Contract for phone is a simple 100 minutes call/text and a 500 MB. Can’t help it, since I hardly use the thing to begin with. Price 3 and half bucks a month.

Nothing special right. Though here comes the kicker.

New job requirements. Android version 5 or up or Iphone to install an app to scan parcels for delivery. With eyes on to the future also might become the person to collect the numbers of the water or gas meters and maybe become the neighbourhood watch. (2 hours max per neighbourhood with a 4 hours max per day). Contract with enough MB (1000 at the least).

That might become an issue. Though they did think of this, the company that is and it is even considered okay. They will pay you an 8 bucks a month compensation for the phone contract. If you do not have the required phone to install this app you can get a new contract at blabla dot com.

Restrictions are as told with the versions and no Windows phone allowed. If one is unable to comply the company will see if relocation for another job is available. We are still mailman right and sorting is done automatically for the majority of the mail and parcels. SO basically they are saying. Go with the program or get lost.

So care to do the math with me.

For now I am paying 3 and half bucks. I get an 8 bucks for compensation so a total of 11 and a half bucks could be spend. But my boss forces me to use a phone I do not want. One way of looking at that might be to have a second phone just for the job but that will only cost extra just like getting a new contract with a phone that easily get you to pay a 20 bucks at least.

In the end the calculations shows me that I need to pay at least an 8 bucks extra a week just to be able to do a job.

Sure the new generations is fine with this, they all have the newest model and biggest contract, but not that middle aged man/woman who doesn’t care about a phone.

This kind of intimidation, having to pay just to do a job is even seen as normal.

Does this mean I am losing the plot here, am I the crazy one who is not willing to pay to hold my job.

I have seen most of them give in and to be honest, I wonder why the company could not just make a scanner. I guess there is a new norm established that says we all have to bring our own tools to work.

Best Wishes
Ranting Crow

PS I am slowly getting used to the new situation, so I am hoping to be back like I used to be.