Am having a slightly extended Easter break even though kids are back - was supposed to be working today, but then had to be off tomorrow - tiresome domestic / medical stuff - so decided to make a weekend of it.
Which means I am free to write a blog at 4:15 in the afternoon, even if it's just a quick one.
I was delighted that the Trussell Trust exceeded its normal take by a couple of orders of magnitude, due to the reaction of right-thinking individuals to the Mail on Sunday's tricks (see last blog). So at least something good came of it.
And maintaining an Easter theme (very loosely) I was astonished by the BBC's Rev show last night. Really beautifully done - emotional and spiritual almost, though with plenty of comedy. Check it out.
I suppose there are lots of good comedies that have a semi-tragic element behind them. I don't just mean the biopic- friendly stuff on Tony Hancock or Kenneth Williams. It's simply that for us to relate to a character there usually needs to be something appealing about them; something human. It's why The Office really works because of Tim and Dawn (the painting set etc) and not because of David Brent.
Elsewhere, I'm not writing about football, other than to lodge my indignation that the first nine minutes of the BBC news at lunchtime was about David Moyes. Orwell had something to say about the proles, football and the lottery - uncomfortably close to the bone these days.
So, that's it. Despite being a Gentleman of Leisure today I have other stuff to do. Not least I have to figure out some more French in advance of a Voxcetera rehearsal tonight.
P.S. Break a leg to all those involved with Sweeney Todd tonight. I am going on Friday, and may I suspect need some time off pies thereafter.
Showing posts with label Trussell Trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trussell Trust. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Sunday, 20 April 2014
Easter - it's more than just chocolate bunnies you know.
It's been nice to have a few days off. Not done a lot mind; went to see Sixfold playing in Forest Hill on Friday - which was really enjoyable. And since then have been to the gym a couple of times, done some paperwork and slept. All things that needed to be done, but lacking the wow factor.
But Easter is a time for reflection, so I guess that's OK. I am not a believer - far from it - but I'm not evangelical about it any more. There are bigoted idiot Christians; but there are bigoted atheists too. Most in either camp have their hearts in the right place and we should fight against dogma and bigotry regardless of source. I don't buy Christian morals and values or Christian generosity; I can quite easily refrain from killing sprees without feeling the hand of God on my shoulder. Most of us are good, most of the time.
So it was nice to see the Mail on Sunday today lay into food banks for being a soft touch. I am ashamed to think that we are in a country where kids go to school hungry. Where people have to choose between heating and food. Or ask at the foodbank for stuff that doesn't have to be cooked because they cannot afford the power. Could you find one person who has exaggerated a bit to get stuff from a charity? I'm guessing so. Just like people exaggerate their insurance claims or their CVs.
Many people must be hugely ashamed to have to go to strangers for food. It's not begging, but it's not far off. And foodbanks do have criteria, requiring a referral and limiting the number of visits.
Most of the foodbanks, at least in South London, are run by churches. This is an area where religions do score over atheists. Not generosity, but organisation. Churches have buildings and regular meetings - it makes that easier. It's just a shame that they have to.
So, as you unwrap your next Lindt chocolate bunny, say a word of thanks. To God, dumb luck, the invisible Pink Unicorn (Bless Her Holy Hooves), whatever you like, for the fact you are one of those who have enough to eat. And next time a foodbank is collecting outside your supermarket, but something extra and give it to them. Perhaps buy it instead of a newspaper.
Or give them some money direct - The Trussell Trust is running a drive on Just Giving for Easter. I did, and the good feeling lasted a lot longer than the one that the chocolate gives.
But Easter is a time for reflection, so I guess that's OK. I am not a believer - far from it - but I'm not evangelical about it any more. There are bigoted idiot Christians; but there are bigoted atheists too. Most in either camp have their hearts in the right place and we should fight against dogma and bigotry regardless of source. I don't buy Christian morals and values or Christian generosity; I can quite easily refrain from killing sprees without feeling the hand of God on my shoulder. Most of us are good, most of the time.
So it was nice to see the Mail on Sunday today lay into food banks for being a soft touch. I am ashamed to think that we are in a country where kids go to school hungry. Where people have to choose between heating and food. Or ask at the foodbank for stuff that doesn't have to be cooked because they cannot afford the power. Could you find one person who has exaggerated a bit to get stuff from a charity? I'm guessing so. Just like people exaggerate their insurance claims or their CVs.
Many people must be hugely ashamed to have to go to strangers for food. It's not begging, but it's not far off. And foodbanks do have criteria, requiring a referral and limiting the number of visits.
Most of the foodbanks, at least in South London, are run by churches. This is an area where religions do score over atheists. Not generosity, but organisation. Churches have buildings and regular meetings - it makes that easier. It's just a shame that they have to.
So, as you unwrap your next Lindt chocolate bunny, say a word of thanks. To God, dumb luck, the invisible Pink Unicorn (Bless Her Holy Hooves), whatever you like, for the fact you are one of those who have enough to eat. And next time a foodbank is collecting outside your supermarket, but something extra and give it to them. Perhaps buy it instead of a newspaper.
Or give them some money direct - The Trussell Trust is running a drive on Just Giving for Easter. I did, and the good feeling lasted a lot longer than the one that the chocolate gives.
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