Notes on a Film - Courageous - the Art of being a Father

Today I watched the film, Courageous.

"When a tragedy strikes close to home, four police officers struggle with their faith and their roles as husbands and fathers; together they make a decision that will change all of their lives." - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1630036/

Many people would be put off by this film because of its proactive preaching on Christianity. However as an atheist I wanted to watch it and continued to finish it.

This film from an atheists point of views remind me of the Power we each have to heal everything on this world. That power is Love.

There are many forms in my view;

• Mutual - for friends and family
• Private - for your parents, husbands/wives and your children
• General - for everything around.

The General Love is what is missed by most people everyday, and there are those people you hear of you have this ability to love everything. These are the most modest and admired people in the country they live in due to their work for charities, hospices and other similar activities. However these aren't the only ones. Some find time in their busy work to have the ability to achieve something within their own household which defines the family and creates the happy atmosphere that many people will envy.

This Christmas I want to spread some love to you by saying -

Merry Christmas

Blog Comments

I have had this blog for around 2 weeks now and the number of views I have has just gone over 1000 in the last few days. This number has made me fairly pleased that even a few people are taking a small chunk of their day to read what I have had to say.



So to those people - Thank you.



Now of course nobody is perfect and nobody never gets tired or has lazy days. Yes, I have written a few of my blogs when in a lazy mood or just about to go to bed for some sleep.

However this does not give people, where ever you are from, the right to slander the writer.

The only complaint I have against blogging is the Anonymous profile that lets you attack anyone you like at will and my only problem lies with those who dare not show their faces by showing a name other than Anonymous, as everybody in my belief has the right to face their accuser.

For instance - A professor of economics had a right go at me for my EU blog post. He decided to go on a rant about how I was illogical and ill informed. It’s fine for him to sit on his chair in a university somewhere and rave and rant. I defined my opinion and I also stated that is was most probably a narrow minded view.

However if this professor had been not under the guise of Mr Anonymous he would have had to think about his attitude towards other on their blogs.



Why is it that whoever runs this site doesn't just scrap the Anonymous profile and has a guest profile which requires them to enter a name so it can be distinguished from other comments posted. After all I’d be nice to know who you are talking to don’t you think??



Comments??

Nights out and the consequences.

There are millions of people who go out for a night on the town.
Bright lights, loud music and cheap drinks.

A night usual consists of 3 stages.

1. Pre-drink
2. the Night Out
3. Pre-hangover.

Stage 1 - This is usually in a friends house after a good meal.

• Drinking games.
• plenty of beer, spirits and mixers.

Stage 2 - After a short walk if your lucky, or a small bus/taxi ride you enter town. This town could be small or it could be a city like Liverpool.

• go to a club, get in and get the 'first drinks' of the night.
• depending on the night go to different clubs
• change drinks - beer, shots, cocktails, alcopops.

Stage 3 - The night is coming to and end around 2/3 am you go looking for a place to get something to eat. ( Burgers, Chips, Kebabs are most enjoyed). Get home and sleep.

But in the course of the night you could be drinking in excess of 30 or even 40 units. More if your sick and continue drinking like serveral idiots i have seen on a night out.

An average 18-25 year old goes on a night out this bad twice per month. Many people go out on night outs drinking less in between these big night outs.  The recommended is 2.5 units per day for a woman and 3.5 for a man. (average from http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/) These push a person's monthly alcoholic unit consumptions to around 100 units a month.

Is this sensible?? Short Answer - NO!

If you want to continue with this, its fine by me, but I am going to letting you know the conditions you'll be facing on your life.

1.  Most Common - Liver Cirrhosis
2.  Heart disease
3. Also has links to dementia and cancer.

So if you have children you need to think, will you be around to see them have children if you continue drinking like this??

Young people when you get to 30, do you want to be kept alive by 30 types of tablets everyday???

Make your choice now!

Comments?

Deja Vu

Everybody experiences the sensation of being, seeing, doing something that they have already done before.

But what is it really??

Is it a dream of doing something? or a repeat viewing of somewhere you forgot when u were a young baby/child.

Sometime for instances these deja vu occurrences happen with your loved ones and friends. But no one knows why and there are many theories, from the mind tricking itself to the many divine interventions that people believe in.

Personally I think, that the occurrences we have are glimpses, of our destiny, of the path we walk down in our life.

I have had several of these occurrences in the last few months with some places and happenings. I wouldn't go back and too try and change them at all. Its been the choices I made which led me to them and the choices I will make will take me along a path that I think has been written with many paths leading to the objective of my life, whatever that maybe.

I would take the time to say that I am atheist and have no religious views at all.

So deja vu.......... what do you think???

Blues and Greens.

The Earth we live on is blue and green,
and its atmosphoere has silver sheen.
To many of us we hold it dear,
but to most we hold it in subconscious fear.

Its caps are full of the whitest ice and snow,
And both sides of the middle are covered in sand so yellow.
With thick bands of green covering
the land thats inbetween.

There are big blue oceans and seas,
with white fluffy clouds wizzing around like bees.
Where mountains so high,
it appears they reach out to the sky.

And the best part,
isnt the glitter or grit,
but thats its a world, full of life.

Christmas

Christmas Time is here again,

So let’s open the cards and bring out a pen.

When all the cards are completely sealed,

Remember to keep the presents concealed.



Then Christmas Eve arrives,

And the radio plays the winter jives.

People all hoping for a white Christmas day,

And all the little kids have their last day of play.



It’s early to bed in anticipation,

To wake up for the celebration.

All the kids are surrounded by presents,

And some of those bought by their parents.



Then the mid-day chime sounds,

And family grins from all around.

Turkey, sausages and Brussels sprouts,

And at the sight of those everyone pouts.



The at the end it’s Christmas pudding,

And several people toast with a gentle ching.

Then the crackers are pulled apart,

And party hats are on from the start.



For this is the Christmas cheer.

It only happens once each year.

The Mustang.

With a thunder of hooves, the majestic breed start

Running through the Wild West’s heart.

All grouped together side by side.

Occasionally touching each other hides.



These are the horses of the west

And many say that they are the best

So they are chased by the vehicles of men,

Across plains and round river bends.



Although they fear these growling machines,

They still outwit men through the changing scenes.

A few are lost from the herd,

After being captured and lured.


But the rest remain free,

However none of them could foresee.

That in the years to come they be upheld,

And the men who chased withheld.


And instead of coming to capture,

They stop and followed with rapture

As the beast majestically ran,

Through the grass and sand.

Being Polite.

The number of people you pass in the street who aren't polite is ever growing.

For instance today I held a door open for 5 girls whilst at university - only 1 said thank you.

It’s not very nice, and to be frank people are going to think your being rude. So a little thank you goes a long way.

I have focused in of holding doors open, but the fact remains that it’s not the only type of thing where people have no manners. Trying to get on a train is more like being in a rugby scrum and walking through town is definitely a collision course filled ride.

So here is a list of manners I think should be considered Public Enforced Law.

1) Please and Thank, should be said when they are meant to be more.

2) At train stations, no pushing. Moving trains are dangerous.

3) Walking through town try and be aware of your surrounding and not hit anyone.

4) Saying excuse me, when u needs to get through or need to ask something to a shop worker.

Another thing which is a main factor of the weather at the minute is people's mood, I walked round Liverpool today for 1 hour, I saw maybe 5% of people smiling and having a good time browsing shops and the Christmas market stalls another 5% of people were down right angry looking. This meant 80% had no expression at all, the final 10% being people with other expressions e.g. thinking or curious.

Jack Frost

There was a young spirit called Jack.
He never went anywhere without his hat.
One day the wind decided to be bold,
Taking Jack's hat and leaving him cold.

So Jack chased after the wind in rage,
Like they were on a drama stage.
Jack never caught up to the wind,
But he was very determined.

So Jack followed the wind wherever they went,
And made many people's backs bent.
Jack followed to the ends of the earth,
and along with his anger and mirth.

A chilling sensation was born around,
Little tiny ice crystals were on the ground.
And Jack became know as the bringer of Winter,
Because he made the earth cold and bitter.

Facebook S,P+G

We all have those friends on Facebook who comment on everything you do. Even when there isn't anything to comment on, they decide to post onto your wall, just annoy you.


Sometimes they don't even write in English; instead it’s a horrid text language.


For example - yo alryt m8, cn u figr ot wt I say wen I tlk lik is
The translation - Hello, alright mate? Can you figure out what I am saying when I talk like this.

Most of the time, they are someone we have known throughout school and who we leave behind when we go our separate ways.

This is a call by all of us that don't want the stupid incoherent messages from all of those people, so can you please type in correct Oxford dictionary English!! So we know what you are talking about.

However these are the worst cases, most people use a form of text language because it easier, but this is causing incorrect uses of the English Language in the modern day. This can cause severe problems with jobs when you come to apply for them after university or college.

My English I know for a fact is bad, but I try my best to keep my grammar and punctuation as much as possible and spellings I get some help from Microsoft Word Spell Checker.

I believe that proper English should be upheld.

What do you, my readers, think?

Seasonal weather

In the winter we hardly get any snow,
And the temperatures are way down low.
Several gales come across our shore,
And due to this we drink hot drinks more and more.

In spring everything becomes naturally green,
It’s like nature has got back its colourful sheen.
Warmth returns to our land,
And we smile knowing summer is close at hand.

So summer is finally here,
And everybody lets loose several cheers.
With hot weather, and concerts for bands,
Everyone gets their celebrity tans.

At end of summer all the cheers are left,
And everyone is feeling sad and bereft.
Nature decides to hide its head,
And hibernate in its warm winter's bed.

CO2 - Planes, Trains and Cars.

Global warming, is it the inconvenient truth as told by Al Gore?

Can we do something about it?

What should we do about it?

Well in the perspective of planes, trains and cars I want to answer as much as I can.

So we have

1) Aircraft.

· Highest output of CO2 every year comes from flying.

· More flights are in used every day due to customer demand.

· More flights by lost cost airlines.

"The two commercial aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus believe that the industry can sustain itself against the increasing number of travellers each year. Airbus is forecasting a doubling of passenger numbers within the next 20 years. Also it believes that that between now and 2030, airlines will need to order more than 29,000 new aircraft to cater for increasing demand and to replace ageing and obsolete models. Boeing takes a similar view. Although it predicts that airlines will need more than 33,000 new aircraft over the same period." - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15571107

This is worrying except for 1 key fact.

Both airbus and Boeing are working alongside engine manufacturers to manufacture aircraft which reduce CO2 emissions per km and increase fuel efficiency. The smallest thing that has helped aircraft with emissions has been the introduction of 'sharkeys' or wing tip fins. These allow the plane to use 95+% of it wing to create lift therefore making the engine more efficient, without changing the engine.

The most recent example of this is the Boeing 787 recently released after 3 years of delays. Airbus also has a similar plan in a new airline family - A350 XWB.

"Boeing made the 787 Dreamliner to be most sophisticated plane built so far. It’s the first airliner whose fuselage made out of a composite material rather than the normal aluminium sheets riveted together. Its therefore lighter and faster due to better weight to thrust ratio, the engine makers who provide the engines (Rolls-Royce and General Electric) say that it will emit 20% less carbon dioxide than similarly-sized planes do today." - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10435529

So with these facts, airline manufacturers are making much headway into reducing their products effect on the environment. However this appears like any gains will be countered by increasing the number of planes in the sky. I believe this is okay so long as more efficient technology is being researched too.

2) Trains.

· The least amount of CO2 emitting form of transport when you look at electric railways.

· Still half and half, plenty of diesel engines still in use alongside newer electric engines.

Trains the only problems consumers find with trains especially in the UK is prices. Even for a simple 10 minute journey you could be looking at £3 for a single journey, however on a bus it would be £1.80 approximately and for bigger distances, e.g. Liverpool to London - between £80/£150 return for a 2.5 hour journey. Buses again are a lot cheaper, looking a National Express Liverpool to London- £30, this however takes 3 times as long.

It just depends on where you want to go too.

Train services providers in the UK are actively encouraged to switch to electric trains, but the upgrading of the tracks to electric is expensive and therefore only new tracks are normally electric.

Diesel engines however are being made to have more power with better fuel economy and efficiency.

3) Cars.

3 types -

· Normal every day.

· Luxury every day.

· Supercars

Supercars - every young boy normally dreams of one day owning a Ferrari or Lamborghini but in a world that is so concerned now about CO2 emissions are they really worth it. The kilometres to the litre economies are above 30km/l.

Yes these cars are fast, and have engines that make most men quake with excitement, but too have one you need in excess of £150000/$225000. Not to mention if you use it as an everyday car a very deep pocket for any repairs and deeper still for fuel cost per year. They aren't practical.

Everyday cars - I drive a Nissan Almera, it has the power to go places and it’s willing to haul ass and also coast on a gentle cruise. Its 5 door, standard 1.5l hatchback and it’s all I need, with a tank of 60litres I can go 400-500 miles, normal miles to litre ratio is around 9/10 in summer and 7/8 in winter due to cold starts.

Then we have the Luxury cars, Range Rover Sports / Vogue and the Porsche Turbo / Carrera 4s are these 2-4 litre cars necessary to drop kids of at school ( ~5miles) and then go to work/ shopping (~20-40 miles) every day. Short answer is no.

There is 1 exception to this rule in my belief; those who require a bigger car with more space are allowed them, i.e. disabled people and workmen.

The worst part of these taller cars, like Range Rovers, is the people who drive them. They have no concept of the rules of the road. Normally are pushy, and are normally women who don't know how to drive them properly. In my opinions there should be a separate driving test for these vehicles.

Again, manufacturing companies are looking at many different ways of producing cars and many (mainly the Japanese companies) have decided to invest in electric car solutions. This is a reduction of approximately 80% in CO2 emissions, per mile or kilometre.

So what do you think??

Should there be more planes in the sky??

Should we have total electric train services??

Should supercars and luxury cars not needed under certain exemptions be illegal??

Should we as consumers be urging companies to bring more efficient technology into our cars, train and planes??

Endangered Species

We have all seen the adverts in newspapers and on televisions that ask for money each month to help conservation projects around the world, but are these projects worth it or is it too much of an economical struggle??

These are many endangered species in the world at the minute;

· Bengal tigers

· giant pandas

· snow leopards

Just to name 3.

Personally I believe that these creatures should be saved but I know that some people think that it’s a waste of time.

China has poured effort and manpower into saving the Giant Pandas and their efforts have begun to pay off in captivity but there are issues in the wild that humans cannot solve. Pandas apparently don’t want to mate in the wild, is this because those released are to tame or is it something we cannot fix and therefore will confine the Panda to Zoos and Parks.

It is for this reason that many people think that some conservation projects are economical black holes.

When I was little I was all for learning about the world we live in and courtesy of likeminded parents I have been able to see a great many things. I have been to china, to Australia, to America and seen the different eco-systems that occur in various places around those countries. From the garden birds, to the swamps and rainforests of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef and the harsh climates of the American deserts. I still want to see more and someday I will return to my exploration of this world with my girlfriend and certain will provide a similar experience for any children I will have one day.

I grew up watching David Attenbourgh, who at the age he is, still takes a few days trip to the coldest, wettest, hottest, driest places on Earth and narrate many BBC nature programmes. His latest being the narration of Frozen Planet. It is programmes such as these which intend to shows us the whole earth not just the 50 square mile areas that some of us live in our entire lives. They are intending to make us go and seek the wonders of our world for ourselves.

But some of those wonders won’t be there if we don't help the conservation projects of today. Don't you think that everything that we know and are finding out on this planet everyday should be saved so that many furture geneerations can see them too?

So the next time you see an advert to save a tiger or panda. Stop and think, do I want to be able to go to India or China and see them in their own natural environment or shall we just go to the Zoo??

Its your choice, but your children's future.

Poem of Love

One day I meet a young lady,

It was just after my payday.

We managed to talk,

I couldn’t help but balk,

At how beautiful she was.

We decided to meet,

Later on in the week,

Which is when I too her for a meal,

We shared a starter as that was our deal,

And I saw her smile.

Another week past,

In which we met up twice,

And both times I remember,

There was a way I reacted to her,

Because we shared a kiss.

So beyond the time of a couple of weeks.

Yes, this poem skips time in leaps,

I decide to ask her to stay the night,

And when she did she allowed me to hold her tight,

All thought the night.

So in the time,

She moved to mine,

And 6 months had past,

When we realised at last,

We had fallen in love.

So the love we share,

Couldn’t be compared,

And all could see,
That we were meant to be,
Together.

The time became right,

To take our love to a new height
So on 1 knee I did propose,
And turning white from head to toes,
She said yes.

So through the waves of time,

From rhyme to rhyme,
Our love didn’t break,
And bonds of family didn’t shake,
From our duty.

The children we had,

Will always need their mum and dad,
Even when we pass,
Our love shall last,
Forever.


For those people who have found love, and continue to hold true to it.

Should the UK remain in the EU???

With all the current problems with the Euro and the recent Euro crisis meeting lead by the German Chancellor, a question may reappear in many people's minds. It has in mine and more in mine.

Should we, the UK, remain in the European Union??

We have many good reasons to be part of the European Union. A few of these are;

· Trade agreements.

· Military Alliances

· Economic stability (not recently however)

· Europeans law, keeping all European countries with a set of Common Laws.

Disadvantages,

· Recently countries in the Eurozone have requested being bailed out of their economic deficits and the UK has provided most of the money.

· As the Euro goes down the economic drain, bankrupt. This is a problem, and I am not being harsh to those countries, but even though we are the 2due to links by banks etc. UK sterling depreciates.

These are only a few examples for both advantages and disadvantages, there are many more for each.

Personally, though this could be a narrow minded view, I believe that the UK is being used currently by the EU as a fall-back guy. We're being asked for money to keep countries who haven't been keeping sufficient financial policies from being 3rd highest GDP in Europe (behind France - 2nd and Germany -1st). What many people don't relise is we must sort out our country's finances before the rest of the world because we cannot help without finance. Therefore I believe we should cut our losses and let Euro countries sort themselves out.

So where do other people stand in this debate and what are their reasons??

Summary of 2011 and Whats planned for 2012???

Earth - 2011

Well from a narrow view of whats has gone on this year, we have had all the elements/natural disasters appear  in the headlines. Heavy Snow - Northeastern USA, Drought - Eastern Africa, Earthquakes - New Zealand, Tsunami - Japan, Flooding - Australia to name a few. These have caused many people to loose their lives and cost more people to be homeless.

We have seen a number of conflicts arise during the Arab spring, ending the political reigns of several dictators most notable ending with the War in Lybia and the death of Gaddafi. Yet there is still unrest in Bahrain and Syria, with implications on many sides believing Syria to be the focus of another (possible) future NATO backed rebellion against its dictator.

Economically, the world is a dump. USA's credit rating downgraded, More EU countries facing bankruptcy, and more strike in many countries causing chaos, confusion and a lot of tension. Take the UK, we have any people complaining about pensions, i am not saying they shouldn't but they need to think of the country before themselves. If the country is doing well everyone is happy, if its not you have to make do with what you'll get and have to take some cuts for the wellbeing of the country.

Entertainment. Many new films and music tracks have been released. And this year has seen the passing of several famous names and faces. Marvel has crept further from the pages of comics into the mordern world of cinema and with it bringing more film for the next couple of years. The end to Harry Potter brought sadness to actors and fans a like.

As for the UK well we had a fun summer. The Royal Wedding creating a most appreciated day off for the country and giving us some practice in cheer for 2012.


2012 - is this the year the world ends??


Maybe. If it is can you say it isn't a year for the UK to bow out.

We have plenty of cause to celebrate in the UK before the supposed date in December 2012.

• Queens Diamond Jubilee
• London Olympics

After all who wouldn't say no to the opening speech at the Olympics by Boris Johnson.

This is the year of Games and celebration and if it does all goes out with a bang, we Brits will be fairly happy with the year we've had to go out on. Can many other countries say the same??

Economically, well lets wait and see but hope for the best however slow the growth may be.

Film - Many great titles burst onto cinema screens again this coming year.

• The latest addition to the Underworld series.
• A number of Girl Hero movies.
• and the most ancticipated in some circles - The Avengers.

So what are you most looking forward to in 2012???

And Happy belated New Year to you all.