Strikes!

The pension levy was signed into legislation yesterday, and today the civil servants are out on strike.
I'm guessing we'll be out in the coming weeks, workers unite and all of that!

Dublin Protest

I was in the middle of the 100,000 people protesting in Dublin today, I don't think I've ever seen so many people in the one place... amazing atmosphere.

That said, it remains to be seen what will be achieved. I fear that there will be strikes to follow.

Poem

Do you remember Ireland in the 80s,
Before we confused reality with nostalgic wishes of what was.
You can pretend that things were better once upon a time
But even in the nicest families children went to bed with empty bellies
And meat was for men on Sundays.

The eldest in our family remember my mum as angry
With sharp slaps and few hugs, to make us tough
While the babies have been cosseted and loved
Like so many Celtic cubs.

Times are harder now again, the bubble had to burst,
And the parents who pawned wedding rings then
Find themselves woken in the night by bills again.
The divide between those who have and those who need
Has widened once more to a gulf, and the bridges are burning,
And it is harder now that we have forgotten how to have nothing.

New study on LGBT Mental Health and Well Being

Study is certainly worth a look, can be downloaded here

http://www.tcd.ie/childrensresearchcentre/pubpdfs/LGBT_Lives_web.pdf

Clarkson's comments cause more offence

The United Kingdom’s Association of idiots have reacted angrily to recent comments made by Jeremy Clarkson. Clarkson reportedly called Gordon Brown a ‘one-eyed Scottish idiot’ while speaking at a press conference in Australia.
Idiot spokesperson, John Smith, spoke to press today about the Top Gear presenters comments.

“The Idiot association is shocked and angered by Mr. Clarkson’s comments. It is difficult for Idiots to be taken seriously in our society and we vehemently oppose any comparison to Gordon Brown. While several members of our association are well known politicians Gordon Brown is not, nor never has been a member. We feel that the standards by which membership is permitted have been brought into disrepute by Mr. Clarkson.
The Idiots Association (IA) would be happy to meet with Mr. Clarkson to demonstrate the very real contribution that Idiots can make to society, and perhaps help him to garner a fuller understanding of the distress his comments have caused.’

Being Human

If you are not doing so already start watching being human on BBC3 - so good!

Snow

Snowing agin... I give out about it but have to say that the park across the road look beautiful, still roll on the Summer months... I'm sick of being cold and can't afford the gas bills to keep the house warm! :)

Recession (again)

A little while ago I gave out about how my salary didn't seem to even cover the basic bills anymore, it gets worse.

As a (sort of) public servant - (I work in a University) it seems I will now also be subject to the newly introduced pension levy, which will mean 6% will be taken from my gross salary monthly.

Fan-bloody-tastic.