Change

Hi, This week sees the Scottish Parliament move forward with changes to human rights. Specifically, rights that will improve things for people who are transitioning or who have. Reading the statements made, it seems they wish to make the law match how people are living their lives. As with any change – be it in society, technology, or personally – it, change, seems to run on a curve. One that starts with enthusiasm, and moves through acceptance, uncertainty, dislike, before ending with opposition. I think a key issue can be a binary approach to a complex situation: reducing the options down to do or don’t. Instead, discussion and perhaps compromise might bring a solution that’s suitable to many. The catch […]

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Against the storm

Hi, Okay, Lynn: put your metaphorical big girl pants on and let’s give this a go. I’ve heard it said that a way to break through writer’s block is to just write. Hammer at the keys and just go. I guess staring at the page doesn’t move things along. At the moment, I feel like a person in a small row boat, bobbing slowly along in a foggy sea. Occasionally, cyclopean hulks will drift by, their shadowy wake dwarfing the light and any sense of safety. The pandemic, the war, the campaign of hate, etc. I would say that feels like three out of four on the horseperson Pokémon apocalypse special. If you catch ’em all, you get a free […]

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Shoes, meetings, shouty people, and lived experience

Hi, I think it’s fairly safe to say that last night visit to Chams was quite busy. I nearly wrote eventful, but I don’t want to suggest the corporate doublespeak of the sh**’s hit the fan. 🙂 No, it was the right type of busy. There was a spot of paperwork to do, new visitors to welcome (hello to new folk and Leicester Chameleons 👋), and a researcher dropped in as well. Also, I had tidied my shoe collection up and offered those up to the group. Any donations gratefully received to pep up the group’s finances. Pennies in the bank for Chams and more space in my wardrobe…. perhaps a good thing given I bought some new heels. Finally! […]

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Infernal baggage

Hi, The other day, a pen friend and I were talking – well, in email – about getting out. At least, when the wintery wind and rain abate, and Spring starts. BTW, is someone you email a pen friend if you don’t actually write? 🤔 Swipe friend doesn’t quite sound right and tap friend even weirder 🙂 Post lockdown, a female friend had said to me that they were tired of jeans and trainers. They hoped to break out a dress for a change. Likewise a colleague said they’d missed their heels for work, even though she felt then at the end of a long day. I found myself writing ‘Yes, to be out again, to feel the sun on […]

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Seeking pretty, not plain

Hi, Well, I think I can safely say it’s been a rather strange week. Thank you to those of you who offered kind words of support: it’s helped. ❤️ It has been a week away from work, but not time off in a holiday sense. But, hey, worker’s rights for sick pay and not being on a zero hour gig are reasons to be cheerful. I’m frustrated in that I am not quite there yet in terms of recovery. Cross with myself that this lethargy seems to have dragged on. It’s certainly made itself known this last two weeks and may have been lurking in the background from Christmas. The good news is that it’s just me and numerous COVID […]

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Neshinistas

Hi, I feel it’s time to be honest with you all and come out. I am nesh and proud of it. 🙂 Big up the nesh massive and unfurl the fluffy, rainbow blanket of warmth! Yes, I have a propensity to feeling the cold. As much as I like to be wrapped up and cosy (hello hygge ❤️ ‘hoo-gurr‘), frustratingly I’m not good in hot weather. You’d think that topping up the warmth batteries in summer would help, but it seems not to work like that. So, the eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed no midweek post. I felt of the mindset that if you don’t have anything nice to say… It was a case that what I might […]

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