we are all responsible

Far too often these days, I hear the comment "not my responsibility" when someone is trying to evade the issue. Whether it be a pedestrian walking on the cycle track where I am riding, the cyclist in front of me going through a red light, or the project manager looking for explanations of poor performance, people seem to want their 'rights' but not take the responsibilities.

I believe the world would be better if we all took a look at how we handle our responsibilities - attendance at school or work and doing the best we can, helping others less fortunate than ourselves, helping in the family. In short, setting a good example to others.

so much time and so little to do

Actually, I find it is quite the reverse. so much to do and so little time to do it.
Apart from my full-time employment, which now seems to be taking over more and more of my time, I am also spending time helping others with their computing needs - training in web management, or simply how to use a computer for those who as yet have still never used a computer before. Then there is to support of the local village Gala, and the meetings to arrange all the details, and my meetings with the local inter-faith group, and of course my work in teaching the Baha'i Faith, giving presentations and running classes for children.

I find that turning to God in prayer, especially at sunrise, is the source of great inner strength.

This is my favourite time of the year, with all the plants putting out their flowers, the tree blossoms and new leaves everywhere. Perhaps I like it because it is also the time when, many years ago, I declared my acceptance of the teachings of the Baha'i Faith.

"A new life is, in this Age stirring within all the peoples of the earth"

thought you were dead

Sent an email out the other week, and one of the recipients replied "thought you were dead".
Their reasoning was that because I had not been active online for some months, then I must have died, because everyone is online all the time.

How strange. I know many people who never use a computer, but who are most definitely alive. They go shopping in real shops, meet people face to face or use that old fashioned thing called a "phone".

I have myself spent several months (apart from my full time employment) attending committee meetings of various charities that I am a trustee of, sitting talking to friends, visiting relatives, helping a reading scheme in a local school and going for walks in the countryside with my dog. And all of them without a computer in sight! What a relief for me not to be staring at a small screen for hours on end.

So I make this comment, partly to reassure all my friends across the world, and acquaintances, that I am still very much here.

Customer support

I have just spent a few very frustrating days trying to get hold of customer support for an internet based company. There is no address or phone number that I can find on their web site - just the email address for their help desk.
Well, I have posted a series of questions relating to a payment and a supposed upgrade of my service, but I have not had any reply in the last three days.

How does any company expect to retain its customers if those customers cannot get any help for the products they have purchased? The most visible aspect of any company is its customer support department.

ill? - see the vet!

Coming home by bus from town yesterday, I saw an interesting notice on the side of a Veterinary clinic. "Special Senior Citizens Clinic, come for your vaccinations here".

Well, I know older people need special treatments, but I did not realise that they had to go to the vet to get treated!!

paperless society - who me?

At work, we are (like all other companies, I hope) trying to cut down on waste and one measure is to stop needlessly printing out emails. However, it is still true that most staff have notebooks that are taken to meetings.
I remember reading an article years ago that heralded the advent of the paperless office. But paper is still so much easier to handle in many situations.
And at home? Well, I have just bought a new bookcase, to hold my overflowing collection of books - crime novels, books on science, geography and travel, religion, cookery and education. I find nothing more relaxing than curling up with a good book. Especially after a day spent staring at a computer screen!

early wake up

getting up early during the fast is a bit of a problem to many people. However, yesterday I had help from an unexpected direction. I live on a bus route and the nearest stop is just a hundred yards away. Anyway, workmen have been repairing a cable by the stop, so it was temporarily moved.
At 5am yesterday morning I was awoken by the sound of a bus waiting at the bus stop -right outside my house!