I saw the affable despot Jason this morning. He is off to the South of France soon and takes a pragmatic view on recent events. " Don't read the papers and don't watch 24 news on tv" he told me
" They whip up paranoia"
I agreed with him, for anecdotally, I have noticed at Samaritans, an increase in calls from the mentally ill recently.
Personally I put this down to unrest and change as reported by the media. Terrorism , political upheaval, civil unrest.....it all takes it's toll on the fragile of mind.
Around the corner from Jason and his floppy hair, I met the postman who was discussing the Nice and Turkey events with Mrs J, Mrs P and Vera ( I don't know her surname initial)
Stout hearted characters all, but all worn down just a little by the news blasting it's fear into their homes every lunchtime.
" We need some good news" one of them chirped up and I agreed when I remembered last night's flirty and vivacious Ann Atkinson who is the new Musical director of The Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir. Her bon viveur certainly has brought a spring in the step of the testosterone filled ranks of the choir, as she oozes her sexy cougar charm in every direction.
This may be a salient lesson for us all.
Doom and gloom feeds on itself, what we all need now is some flirty good humour.
So who is your Ann Atkinson? Who would you like to harmlessly flirt with over a grand piano?
Who ( apart from spouses of course) could lift your spirits in this glum world
Answers on a postcard please!
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/woman-makes-history-trelawnyd-male-8608915
Oh I agree with you 100% John. The media whip up so much doom and gloom that I think it can have a terrible effect on someone who is more fragile. Not that events like Nice and Turkey shouldn't be reported - of course they should - but take for instance a shoot-out somewhere in the US. Without the media we over here would be none the wiser and I suspect slightly less depressed. It's sad wherever it happens, but we can't take the weight of the world on our shoulders. I remember years ago, after some appalling event, commenting to my mom that I couldn't believe how evil the world had become. Her answer "so you don't think World War II was bad enough?" certainly put things into perspective. And as for my favourite chief cheerleader, it must be my - now sadly deceased - friend Joyce. She lived life to the full, was always up for some fun and was the kindest person I think I have ever known. Her own mom lived in central London in her own home and on her own until the age of 103 when she died. Joyce sadly died at age 69 in Chile (with her husband), and if anyone deserved to live to 103 - in my opinion - it was Joyce, as she would have got so much out of it and given so much back. When I have a dilemma about whether to do something positive or just not be arsed, it is always "what would Joyce do" - and I usually end up "being arsed" (if you forgive the expression)!And on that note CHEERS! Anna
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the thinking that goes, "Report the violence in Nice and Turkey but don't tell us about violence in the United States." Say what?
ReplyDeleteI obviously didn't word that too well. I mean major events of course, but I used to read CNN and read of every shooting in every small town and it got me down to the point that I stopped reading CNN. Something like the Dallas shootings or Orlando, of course, but when you read about every horrific event, or individual shooting, albeit in the US, the UK or here in France, it tends to make you think that that is the norm when it truly isn't, that if you go to these places you will be dodging bullets. A bit like Northern Ireland during the times. All you heard about was the violence when in fact it is a beautiful place to visit. Anna
DeleteTHIS is why I don't watch tv/have a bacefook account/read the papers. I glean the headlines off the internet and read the details if I so choose. we have so much damn violence over here, for starters...
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of youtube subscriptions I view when I need the light of laughter.
I really think most nut cases (the most recent included) are motivated by media. If the press/TV didn't report or give their names I wonder how much of this killing would happen. isis's greatest weapon is the media and fear. So sad to be afraid.
ReplyDeleteI really think most nut cases (the most recent included) are motivated by media. If the press/TV didn't report or give their names I wonder how much of this killing would happen. isis's greatest weapon is the media and fear. So sad to be afraid.
ReplyDeleteYou all are forgetting the flirt question!
DeleteThere is violence all the time everywhere and at every time in history. However, now we have 24 hr news blasting it in our ears and eyes constantly. I know of no one who is violent and I live around kind folks. I am inspired by the wonderful people who I work with at the Community Center and try to keep my spirits up by listening to music and watching HGTV. The media has become the enemy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a jovial group of men, and one may even be under sixty. Routine is good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteGoes without saying - you, of course!❤
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww shucks
DeleteCreep.
DeleteThe man is wonderful Tom. Cut him some slack
DeleteThe man is wonderful Tom. Cut him some slack
DeleteI am going to continue the weekend break from the news and actually try to answer your question. Dr Lucy Worsley. I don't think I am alone in this choice of flirt fantasy.
ReplyDeleteDbut she has a " favourite five " haircut!
DeleteDbut that's what I like about her.
DeleteActually, isn't a 'Famous Five' haircut?
DeleteOoh please can I have two flirtings? Andy Burnham M.P.(Just for his pretty eyes) and Prof Brian Cox (for his brain and his accent). I think now would be a good time to pour a large glass of plonk and to lounge in the garden, doing a little gentle daydreaming......
ReplyDeleteI had a chrush on Ed Balls
DeleteI always felt his surname counted against him *sniggering childishly*
DeleteSure that isn't Claude Balls?
DeleteI think I'd take my life in my hands and flirt with Bunty!
ReplyDeleteShe' d eat you for breakfast...literally
DeleteBreakfast of champions!
DeleteYou and Tom Stephenson of coursexx
ReplyDeleteAs long as im first
DeleteCount me out. I wouldn't want to go there after him.
DeleteI do try to ignore the constant barrage of horrible news. Life is calmer with one's head in the sand or in a book.
ReplyDeleteI would like to harmlessly flirt with that old geezer (and soon to be new father again at age 72) Mick Jagger. I'm only three years younger than he is, but I've always had a thing for older men. :)
ReplyDeleteDear John, you are my Ann Atkinson - I just have to read a post of yours and I feel better. We don't have a television, never have had; I don't read the online news; Grant does and only passes on anything good or cute - especially positive stories about animals; I do know what's going on though - can't avoid hearing others being all gloomy about it.
ReplyDeleteYou are on a roll tonight thomas!
DeleteI'm bored.
DeleteAlso, I thought you needed the comments.
DeleteYou of course John! I love flirting, it's harmless and great fun!
ReplyDeleteOne of my primary school teachers was named Anne Atkinson, but I don't think it's the same one, my teacher would be in her late seventies at least by now! X
There are a couple of gay chaps (retired) who often come into the cafe we frequent several mornings a week. They always have a bit of banter and lift my spirits, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteVicki Butler Henderson - what's not to like about a female petrolhead with a dirty sense of humour.
ReplyDeleteI h ad to google her......i can see the attraction
DeleteFlirt fantasy? Hmmmm....Aidan Turner and Jon Hamm are both high on my list!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy flirty favorite would be Bill Nighy.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and thehamish
I don't feel that anything has been reported so far in a way that "whips up" anyone here in the US anyway .. I don't need whipping up to sit here and weep, after reading Reuters stories about the children, dead, lost limbs, lost parents, small children killed on a night out with their mama and daddy.
ReplyDeleteFor what reason ? There is no reason on Earth for what happened and I for one, believe that only the most severe response would be right.
Sorry- I have no good news except that I am among the lucky millions who didn't lose a loved one in a terrorist attack this week.
Any Welsh bloke with a rich deep voice. I don't ever need to meet him as long as he can sing.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I've been suffering from a bit of melancholia lately and its all down to the news. I worry for my precious Grandaughters. What future will they have if things continue as they have been? I would choose my bestie who is now in NZ to cheer my up!
ReplyDelete'Me' up!!(I can now leave comments on this Kindle Fire because I've removed the filter for third party cookies. Dunno whether that's a good thing though??)
DeleteAnd I would flirt with Grissom, all day long!!!
ReplyDeleteJust ask yourself, what would Snoopy do?
ReplyDelete" Don't read the papers and don't watch 24 news on tv" he told me "They whip up paranoia"
ReplyDeleteCould not agree more. I try to stay away from the news as much as possible because it never fails to disappoint me and often triggers my depression. Don't let it get to you, John. Enjoy your life.
My Ann Atkinson is a girl I've only seen on social media. I've managed to avoid her for a while but she would definitely cheer me up if I dare visit again. I consider her my anti-depressant, sort of an "in case of emergency, break glass" that I'm trying to get by without.
The moon is in the 'waxing gibbous' phase presently and that may account for the increased phone call from the mentally ill recently, John.
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked at a hospital for mentally ill children, we would always know when a full moon was close at hand.......things would get very 'active' shall we say.
Flirty flirty......who could lift my spirits you ask?
My 'Ann Atkinson would be Ewan MacGregor!!
After trying, and failing, to think of someone to flirt with ... I think a bit of flirting with Winnie would cheer me up (and her, after being snubbed by window fitter).. I don't mind a bit of role play; I could dress up as a 'workman' :-)
ReplyDeleteBen cohen here!
ReplyDeleteSpent many a happy hour watching his thighs, sorry, sporting skills, at Franklins Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints RFC.
DeleteSir Patrick Stewart. He has all the gifts - intelligence, compassion, humour, looks. He can "make it so" with me, any day!
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ReplyDeleteDo you know what... your question made me sit and think... for a not inconsiderable time... I don't think I have flirted with anyone for years... how sad is that! The news around the world recently has made me very ho hum... there is just so much "bad stuff" going on I think I have gone into some kind of cotton wool protection layer, it is like it is all too much for me at the moment. My whole body seems to ache because of it.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland, NZ
I seem to flirt with random men on the phone: people who are trying to get me to buy insurance or give then a donation. sad but true
ReplyDeleteOOOO ERRRRRR Flippin eck..... look what i just found.... I am spoilt for choice.... and look where they are from?????? You never metioned a choir John.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XCQ1E-ISDA
ReplyDeleteThats the choir i am speaking about x
DeleteThere is a serving RAF gent stationed not far from my home, and we support a common charity. In full dress blues that man is *yummy*.... and a quite decent flirt!
ReplyDelete