Steve from England

Some people believe I only post negative stuff so, this might come across as a little negative but, I want to explain something to you about me. I am always tired. Sometimes I am so tired I feel like I've not slept in a week, other times I feel like you probably do when you go to bed, that end of the day feeling when you've done your stuff and are ready for sleep. Most times I wiggle between those feelings, normal bedtime tired is a good day. So occasionally I might just not see enthusiastic about things. I want to be but I just don't have the umph for it. As with all of us when we're tired, I might feel so tired I am just grumpy, that's because actually I am sleepy even if it seems dopey to be like that. There is nothing the doc can do about it either. Don't be bashful, if you see me like that, give me a hug and make me happy but, if you are wearing a strong scent, you might make me sneazy. This is how life is for me, heigh ho. Even when I am mega tired my sens...

Gender Equality - We have some way to go I think. In my work as a professional carer I still get hints that we've got some way to go. The profession is seen as a female domain, men are somewhat rare. As such, it seems that some employers don't quite know how to full enact their equal opportunities policies. New female clients are routinely asked if they would prefer a female carer, male clients are not asked this, would they prefer a male carer. It is presumed they either would or they are assigned a female as the simplest option because perhaps there are so few male carers. Even after being assigned a male carer and saying it is OK, females are not questioned as to an alleged decision that they now require a female carer. Simply being male is good enough to reject a carer. If a male carer rejects a female carer then he will be asked what was wrong with his carer, not just accepted that he doesn't want her because she is female. Then there are gay and lesbian carers ... sho...

Every year we accept more and more cuts because we've a government which says they are needed. It's the deficit you see, we have to make these cuts, continue austerity because of the deficit. Yes, all well and good but, why suddenly now are we concerned about a deficit? We've had deficits this high many times in our history and no government worried about it because, it sorts itself out over time. Generally they happen because of large public sector spending projects, investment for the future which eventually pays back but, not this time. Now we are borrowing to get out of debt whilst dismantling the backbone of the country. Huge cuts to the NHS and Police are starting to show. Literally people are dying because of it. Gang Culture, knife crime, 8 hour plus on an A&E trolley.  People seem to think that the NHS is really OK, that claims to the contrary are just a myth, sadly not the case. They are very real. Factual reports of people dying whilst waiting to see a docto...

This week the mini is on eBay hopefully getting me a figure slightly more than the scrap price, what a mistake this was even though in so many ways it's a lovely car, the darned thing don't work! I drove it back from Luton earlier, got as far as Newport Pagnell before I admitted defeat and called out the rescue truck!   Next to go will be the one I will sorry to see go, the Chrysler Grand Voyager which is so 'me' but, it's no good for work, too expensive to run (25 mpg). It's been a good workhorse and has had some nice upgrades but, needs must. I really would have loved to have done one family trip to Disneyland in her though ... maybe I'll get another one some day!    

Still trying to, at the last minute, decide what is the best way to resolve the mini issue. I have blown £650 on a car which doesn't work. I have been offered £125 for it scrap value. It's currently in Luton (40 miles) and I am unable to drive it that far, it will likely not go more than 5 miles and driving with a damaged engine really isn't overly sensible. If I get it back to Northampton I can possibly put it on eBay and make more than £125 if I get lucky.  My plan at the moment is to drive it to the M1 and stop either ASAP or maybe at Toddington Services. I am quite convinced that if I turn it off it won't start again. There I could potentially blag the breakdown service into bringing it home on the back of a truck. It might not make it to the M1 though, even though it's only a couple of miles to where there is a hard shoulder and 4.5 miles to Toddington. If that is the case, we won't be classed as an urgent call and the mechanic might just get it going and s...