Represent

Hi,

With it being half-term and near the end of the Ever Lovely Mrs J’s annual leave ‘use by’ date, we’ve had some time off together.

With health issues – physical and mental – plus extra family requirements, holidays – in terms of going away – have reduced. In honesty, I don’t mind this as I’m able to disengage reasonably well. Okay, provided I can distract my brain from its firework show attention span, at least ๐Ÿ™‚

Certain political processes beginning with B and the cost of living situation, means that we’re less likely to travel outside of the UK. Given this would probably be a flight, I wonder if staying put it helping out collective carbon footprint? ๐Ÿค”

Introspection aside for a mo, the here & there breaks that have, uhh, broken up and shortened the working week have been fab. The simple joy – and indeed good fortune to have this – of walking in quiet woodland. The sun through the leaves, the dogs sniffing around, and the quiet chorus of birdsong.

No sign of the Goblin

No, not the comedy misshapen homunculus of offal and wax that haunts a ministerial position – for legal reasons, I’ll let you decide on who that might be ๐Ÿ˜ – but the welcome no show of the dysphoria goblin.

If it’s the slower pace, a gradual easing of stresses, a change in the T Force, and/or realisations around possible ADHD, I don’t know. But, I’m enjoying not churning around mentally or seeking distraction through shopping. Instead, make the most of the quiet acceptance and trans joy that comes with it. I certainly won’t be checking the soles of the shoe gift.

( Hmmm. Not shopping but I am expecting a parcel from Vinted. Does that class as a form of recycling? ๐Ÿ˜‰ )

Leaving

As blogging has come in, out, and back around in certain circles. One thing that’s stuck with me, is trying to avoid taking about work. Partly because I’m not sure it’s relevant to this blog, but also because of some of the horror stories you hear of folk being sacked by their employer. Perhaps as with corporate email, one should always be careful of what’s posted online, for good or ill. Funny how the last two things can swap around so quickly as well.

However….. ๐Ÿ˜‰

I am just back from attending my line manager’s leaving do. There’s an old saying that goes people leave managers, not always jobs. I would say that has been the case for me in previous companies. Interestingly, of those two situations: one manager got the sack (a very rare event in the UK), and the other was the firm went under. I think you have to feel for the folk left in the wreckage of that, bless them.

Which brings me back to the point I read hoping to make ๐Ÿ™„

If I think back to the line managers I’ve worked with, the better ones – no, the best ones – were the ones that lead with empathy and kindness.

This does not mean they were soft, were pushovers, or any of that dismissive bunkum. Fair? Yes, as much as the system and work allowed. Firm? If required, but rarely from ‘do as I say’. Far more from what are we looking to have happen?; how can we get this moving? or what do you need to help?

When I think back to working with them, it’s inspiring and I think of the good ideas they gave me. I’m hopeful that perhaps some of the learning has flowed both ways. I’m not big on power structures, but I am on collaboration, partnerships, and kindness. For those of you who’ve been to Chams, you may have picked up on this. I just try and help folk get what they need.

I shall genuinely miss my boss as they’re moving away and on to something new. I guess we will see how things play out. ๐Ÿคž

In the sage wisdom of Saint Ru of Paul: Sashay away ๐ŸŒŸ

Gaming

Two things happened this week that piqued my interest.

First off, for any of you who’ve played (or watched) any of Cyberpunk 2077, you may be familiar with the retrofuture 80s hi-tech, low life of that virtual city. I had a strong dose (vibe?) of that as I walked in through central Nottingham in the afternoon. Not so much the bright futurism, but the boarded up shops, the gap where the Broadmarsh used to be, and discomfort of a somewhat alienating landscape. I hope the city will be regenerated through some of the work going on. At the moment, it seems to be sliding the wrong way.

On a positive note: representation. No, not the above game and yes, I would not disagree that there where strong whiffs of queerbaiting going on in the product launch… Gah, I did say this would be positive! ๐Ÿ˜”

So, I was replaying a much loved old fantasy game (Skyrim), having found a number of community written updates to change it. Yes, gaming massive and parents to teens, a mod ๐Ÿ˜ Anywho, I’m working through a quest in which you meet a sorcerer, Terynne, looking for a spell book. So far, so far go find, kill the bad guys, gain experience points, roll cut scene. ๐Ÿ˜‰ During and near the end of the quest, the young gent talks about his feelings of disconnection, that things feel wrong, that he’s looking at the world that’s not quite right….

Yes, my trans spider sense was tingling too. ๐Ÿ•ธ๏ธ

The quest completes as he uses the newly located spell book…. and the character becomes female. Cue a short speech (by a different voice actor) explaining the difference that makes to them. I felt very moved by this short quest and the happy ending. Yay for representation! ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ

Oh, and on a real world point of view, UCU – that’s University and College Union – have announced their plans to support trans people throughout their work. Solidarity, baby! โœŠ

L x

7 Comments

  1. May was a veritable smorgasbord of short weeks for everyone in the UK. (Oh sorry, can one use a European word like smrgsb*rd in polite post-Brexit company?). I think there should be a May Day/Labour Day, a Coronation day and a What the Hell, It’s Monday day every month. Glad you are finding it beneficial to enable more walks in nature with Mrs J.

    With regard to holidays, for years I’ve usually travelled within Europe slowly and gently by train, stopping along the way. It’s not so bad an environmental footprint and much less stressful than coping with airport security, cramped plane cabins, ear pressure pain and overcrowded terminals. Last week, for instance, I did a journey of 1000 miles across four countries and, although the trains were hi-speed, I broke my journey in London and Paris to rest and enjoy the local culture. You could consider trains as an alternative in terms of short-distance holidays, although there’s plenty to be said for a staycation. Britain is a beautiful country, certainly when the sun shines.

    As ever, wishing you and Mrs J improved health.

    Sue x

    1. Ha ha! I used asterisks to peep out the vowels in the Inappropriate European Word and the system turned the intervening letters to italics. How sweet! Actually, can one refer to “Italics” post-Brexit? Maybe “slopey-writing” would be better since I’ve no doubt true Brits would hardly wish to use anything inventing by those spaghetti-munching remain-niks.

      S x

      1. There’s a growing pile of evidence from interviews, research polls, and feedback, that many Brits regret the vote to leave. Even in areas of the country where support was very strong, that’s dropping quickly and markedly. How long – or even if – this reaches certain corridors of power, I would not like to speculate.

        Until then, Official Not Made Right Now off the Cuff Guidelines state that you may only reference smorgasbord when referencing material purchased and located within the EU ๐Ÿ˜‰

        You may be amused and/or annoyed at a certain tone deaf politician telling people to eat something else, if they couldn’t afford cheese in a sandwich. ๐Ÿ™„

        Collapse of the UK aside: the short weeks and warm weather have indeed been fantastic. Did you bring the sunshine with you or was it just luck on your visit?

  2. “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche!” = Let them eat cake.
    “Can’t afford cheese? ‘Ave summat else” = Let them eat …marge? slugs? dust? air? Ah, the fine community spirit of free and global Britain.

    I am a ray of sunshine, didn’t you know? My brief visit to the East Midlands (19-22 May) was sunny but it wasn’t till the 26th that the North West seemed to get proper dry sunny spring weather. So it may be that the east just got luckier with the weather this year.

    The two main parties are committed to full-on Brexit, hon. Brexit serves the British Establishment best, and its chums in tax havens who finance the status quo that’s useful to them. The EU won’t have Britain back after how it’s behaved over the decades so I do urge anyone who can to quit the UK, either in person or financially (though maybe not fiscally) as I can see only ongoing decline. Refugees welcome in Casa Sue!

    Sue x

    1. And I genuinely apologise, hon, for being so negative in my assessment of Brexit especially after claiming to be a ray of sunshine but I used to be a British trade negotiator and that is my informed, considered view of the situation. Miracles may happen, though, and there may yet be cake for all. Ha! Sue x

      1. You say negative, but, well, it’s a mess.

        But then I would say that. I mean, being part of the corrupting trans wokerati, with me leccy car, flexitarian diet, and helping recruit troubled folk into challenging gender norms. Outrageous! ๐Ÿ˜

    2. I think we’re seeing changes happen and while some will never say it was a mistake, I think we can agree that it’s not played out as -ahem- promised

      Time will tell, but I won’t be holding my breath for sudden change.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *