Category: Life

Return Of The Jedi

So my last post was more about hope than solid progress though in the meantime I have received an email from https://secure.avaaz.org/page/en/ about how when people act locally there impact can be globally felt.

Another example is a Facebook page on the internet also hammering home to me the point from a web page called forgotten Ireland.

According to Wikipedia Indigenous peoples, also known in some regions as First peoples, First Nations, Aboriginal peoples or Native peoples, or autochthonous peoples, are ethnic groups who are the original or earliest known inhabitants of an area, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied or colonized the area more recently. Groups are usually described as indigenous when they maintain traditions or other aspects of an early culture that is associated with a given region.[1] Not all indigenous peoples share this characteristic, as many have adopted substantial elements of a colonizing culture, such as dress, religion or language. Indigenous peoples may be settled in a given region (sedentary) or exhibit a nomadic lifestyle across a large territory, but they are generally historically associated with a specific territory on which they depend. Indigenous societies are found in every inhabited climate zone and continent of the world except Antarctica.[2]

Since indigenous peoples are often faced with threats to their sovereignty, economic well-being and access to the resources on which their cultures depend, political rights have been set forth in international law by international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Labour Organization and the World Bank.[3] In 2007, the United Nations issued a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to guide member-state national policies to the collective rights of indigenous peoples, such as culture, identity, language and access to employment, health, education and natural resources. Estimates put the total population of indigenous peoples from 220 million to 350 million.[4]

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on 9 August each year.

According to the definition you would thing that right wing leaders would love them right none alien born and bred peoples but in fact Trumps administration is continuing to attack indigenous peoples. Which goes to show Trump care for no body but himself, if the truth be known.

But let’s leave trump out of this for a minute and discus other reasons to be optimistic.

The above episode has just been nominated for a WEBBY AWARDS in the Travel Category for 2020. We are up against big media like Nat Geo, BBC, and others. It would mean so much to the creator if you voted for it: https://bit.ly/2W4jOWa

So what makes these issues go viral well I think they light the imagination and people have passion for the courses which sparks a flame, people then blaze a trail resulting in global fire of righteousness bright enough for the like of you and I to see across the World Wide Web.

How cool

Cheers Huw

Revenge of the Sith

Not the happiest Star War’s title for May the 4th, but I do like to think outside the box.

So I started contacting my councillor and the police among others about a potential wildlife crime taking place along the railway track last week and the Wildlife Crimes officer phoned me today to say he had received mine and the councillor’s emails about the destruction of nest sites along the rail embankment.

He confirmed a fear of mine which was that to destroy a nesting site is indeed a crime, but only actually but witnessing the crime or having evidence of said crime could anything be done to legally tackle the crime. I did not bother to ask what the punishment would be as this seamed rather trivial.

So there we have a crime has taken place along rail embankments all across the UK during nesting season on a daily basis not just here but nationwide every nesting season and the only people with the evidence to report it are the very same people that are committing the crime in the first place.

This is madness it is like asking a fox hunt to police cruelty against foxes or a domestic abuser to be the only person that can report his or her crimes. A hunter reporting that he accidently caught a healthy fox or a domestic abuser phoning up to tell the police they have just attacked their partner and the police turning up to take the evidence from the aggressor who is then prosecuted due to his own testament! Bonkers or what a crazy piece of legislation. What then worries me is this ecocide legislation is accepted by the police and was designed and enacted by our politicians and then enforced by or judges and lawyers. They are all accomplices to the injustice of ecocide and by very implication guilty themselves to the law of the land. Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the law.

Martin Luther King Quote "When Evil Men Plot", MLK Promena… | Flickr

What is the meaning of a stitch time saves nine? Procrastination means to delay or put off doing something until a later time. People use “a stitch in time saves nine” to express that it’s better to spend a little time and effort to deal with a problem right now than to wait until later, when it may get worse and take longer to deal with.

Imagine if you will if Anakin had not turned to the darkside and the plot had been discovered how cool woudl that have been to be a Jedi then.

Hate speech

There is a global phenomenon of disinformation and hate speech, hate actions and hate sound sweeping across nations both now and for what feels like forever and I am trying to think of way’s my site can square the circle of misinformation and hate speech by dispensing its spread.

So I will attempt to apply the above principle now to my posts.
So stuff is still goner make you angry right?
Hear speak see no evil Toshogu

The Three Wise Monkeys carved on a stable housing sacred horses at Tōshōgū shrine, Nikkō, Japan “Hear, Speak, See no evil”

Photo taken by myself in August 2003 perspective distortion corrected numerically

Copyright © 2003 David Monniaux

So stuff is still going to drive me go wild but I think I should be mindful of what I promote, how I promote it and to whom. I am also trying to apply this principle to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Huwspace posts too.

So why bother, well it’s an attempt to combat lies, hate speech and for want of a better word the darkside.

For those folk going through dark times it won’t stop me watching news sites such as the BBC and Sky news or reading my papers such as The Guardian or New York Times. If your plight means you need money I also continue to fund my chosen charities but that does not mean to say I will give you a penny.

But I may not be able to blog or promote your plight publicly or even be aware of your plight, that is not to say I would or do not care for what you have or are going through.

A new hope

So Went out to pick up supplies first thing this morning one of the items purchased was a new 4 pack of Guinness which I was looking forward to starting on tonight as I had not had a drink since I last went to a pub some 6 weeks ago. On the way back from the shops I saw some more network rail engineers. Not cutting up the trees and shrubs on the other side of the railway line. My thoughts went wild.

I thought this time I had a lot of work to do for my employer plus meetings to go to today so I could not afford to deal with this matter on my own and had to hope that the Police and my councillor could sort it out between themselves. I managed to get a brief photo from a distance of the men at work.

The top of the workers are the little orange dots in the distance which is their hi res jackets.

So logged into work and did as much as I could up to 5pm and then logged out and checked my phone and personal emails after that.

II had received a message which the police were also copied into which had only arrived in my email at 16:12pm that day. It was by my locally elected green councillor. She had checked with other neighbours regarding my concerns and also emailed Network rail, copying me and the police into her email

Dear All
I have spoken to network rail and informed them that this matter has been referred to the Police for investigation. The reference number is 200501-000901
Network rail said they will be speaking to the duty manager to investigate. I have asked to be updated about the review. I explained that while the brambles may need to be cut back that it isn’t allowed during the nesting season and they should ensure that their work falls within the Act to permit them to do so.

I can confirm that there is wildlife that uses  the embankment as resident have told me about it and I used this information in response to a recent planning application adjacent to the railway line.

Please can you let me know the outcome of this investigation.

I was so relieved to have someone else on my side with more knowledge of the law and awareness of who to contact and what to say and some of the little birds came back out to play today too.

We might not have save The Alphington railway line track to Marsh Barton but we let them know we new what they had done and asking for an explanation as to why thsi had been done.

So that’s all I know now. I can’t magic the trees out of thin air or prey for the birds to have their homes back. But hopefully those that had built nests can fly away and find homes else ware as wildlife refugees to try again.

I will try and keep you updated on what happens next if anythink. After work tonigth I also sat back and had my first pint in over 6 weeks tonight I normally don’t drink at home but this is in no way normal so.

So Cheers

The digital phantom menace

Hello this post is part two of https://huwspace.com/2020/04/29/the-machine-struck-back/

Very little to report really. I have mostly been working from home and just heading to pharmacy to collect my medication prescription. Walked out with my coat on this morning to walk to boots where I picked up my prescription from the weather was lush. On the way back it stopped raining so I was able to put my hood down and see where I was going properly.

Still working on competing a list of parish council’s in Devon linked to parish centres and hubs. It’s really interesting and I hope to get out to some of those hubs once lock down is over and take some photos.

So I had no reply from the police and no reply from Natural England, both of who I contacted and left messages with yesterday. After getting some advice from my dad due to an incident he witnessed yesterday I decided to call the 101 number for the police and see if they had received my email. After a little time I got through to a lovely young woman who was able to advise me that the police emailing system has no record of reciting my email and that it was important that I had emailed the wildlife team as this might be a crime to investigate. She took my phone number and contact details and set up ticket ID for me there and then and asked me to re send the now lost email. How computer systems for the police lose emails I am not sure but hey, how. So I was busy preparing the information again to send to them when I got a phone call. It was a police officer that had just spoken to the women that I had been speaking to.

They still could find no evidence of the email or photos that I had sent to them or the photos that I had sent or a police log. So we both now had the log that the nice lady on the phone had just regenerated and I asked the officer if I could forward him the email I sent yesterday copying in the wildlife officer too. He agreed that that would be a good idea.

As he was speaking to me he also wanted to make a note of my address and name because as well as my email they were also not coming up on the police system. So I gave him my address and described to him where I lived and he said he would look further into finding me on the police records. It’s weird the last people you expect to have no record of you is the police. Amazon, Umber and Royal mail all know where I live so why don’t the police a little worrying.

Not long after I put the phone down on him a cop car drove past my front window so I am hoping they are looking into the culling of the trees and hedges email, but I am very surprised about how much effort it has taken to get through to the right people and still don’t know if my efforts are in vain.

So to be continued people Sorry nothing exciting no loss or victory on this matter yet.

Better photo of some of the greenery that survived

I will try and let you know if I have any news tomorrow

Cheers

P.S.

I am so thankful for my parents they both no how to both ground me and let me fly in equal measures.

Devon Bard when he was young, when there first single came out a friend of mine, who is the same chap that I pay to do the design of my website worked in a pub in Exeter called Chumleys, she was so proud of her big brother Chris Martin for having a chart topping hit and little did she or anyone else know then that he would go on to be such a global superstar.

Harry Potter gets the Horns

I am still not sure how You tube recommends videos to me but this little beauty just came up on my time line its a smooth dark twisted tail with a bitter sweet ending. I saw it late at night a few years ago and thought what the smeg Harry

Well I was scanning some photos of when I was little today for my mum we really love having photos to remember stuff and so after I emailed them to her she posted them onto Facebook.

So here is me on a beach in France preparing to do battle with the tide in my little dug out on the beach.

I actually got around to taking somer rare selfiies today too it’s what I wear when I go to the shop first thing in the morning and then when I am working on my computer through out the day.

Not too bad although need a shave in the morning or that stubble is goner rub. Smile please.

There that was not too difficult was it.

Slàinte Mhath

Why do you say Slàinte Mhath, and what does it mean?

Raising a glass is common practice in many pubs, bars and gatherings, whether it’s for celebration, commiseration or simply because it’s the end of a long week. There are so different ways to say “cheers” in many countries all over the world, however, in Scotland, it’s Slàinte Mhath!

Irish or Scots Gaelic?

The term Slàinte Mhath (Pronounced Slanj-a-va) is actually both Irish and Scots Gaelic. The way the phrase is pronounced is the same for both dialects, however the way it is spelt differs subtly. The Irish spell it Slàinte Mhaith. The phrase translates to “Good health” in both dialects, and if you want to respond to this using Scots Gaelic, you would say, “do dheagh shlainte” meaning “to your good health.”

Where did Gaelic originate?

Scots Gaelic is believed to have come from a northern region of Ireland and was carried over to Scotland, particularly to the west coast and Highland areas in around the 4th or 5th century. The people who spoke Gaelic were referred to as the Gaels. The spread of the language grew to the Lowland areas of Scotland in the 8th century.

Why do we say Cheers?

Alcohol has been around for many centuries and so has raising a glass and toasting to good health. It is not exactly clear when and where this tradition originated from, however there is a theory that the practise of raising a toast may have derived from the Romans, who would raise a glass during ceremonies or rituals to honour the gods. A sacred liquid such as blood or wine would be used as an offering or even as a prayer for good health.

The Gaelic language is still spoken throughout the west coast and in some parts of the Highlands, and is experiencing a revival across the country from old and new speakers alike. Slàinte Mhath may just be a simple phrase, but it highlights and educates visitors from across the world about Scotland’s native language, and that’s something we can all keep toasting to!

Cheers

Lest we forget

Meet the ICU nurse who silently stood in protest at a rally to reopen Arizona

By Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN
Video by Jeffrey Kopp, CNN

Updated 1751 GMT (0151 HKT) April 24, 2020

(CNN)On her day off from working at a Covid-19 unit in an Arizona hospital, ICU nurse Lauren Leander threw on a pair of clean scrubs and headed to an anti-lockdown protest at the state Capitol. She was determined to be a voice for her patients through silence.Leander, a Banner Health nurse of five years, joined an intimate group of healthcare workers on Monday to counter protest at the Capitol, where people gathered to urge the governor to reopen the state.Standing up straight, her arms crossed and face mask on, Leander stood on the Capitol steps, with a handful of healthcare workers lined up by her side. She said she only spoke if someone encroached on her personal space, despite people raising their voices at her.”It was heated, people were very fired up about what they had to say,” she said. “A lot of the top comments we got were about us being fake nurses, there was a huge majority of them that still believe this virus is fake, that it’s a hoax and not real at all. They were convinced that we’re fake nurses and that’s why we weren’t talking.” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has put a stay-at-home order in place until April 30. Because of this, several different groups of rallied at the Capitol to say the economy has suffered enough and the order needs to be lifted, according to CNN affiliate KNXV.ICU nurse Lauren Leander attended protest in support of fellow healthcare workers and coronavirus patients. Michael Chow/The Republic/ImagnICU nurse Lauren Leander attended protest in support of fellow healthcare workers and coronavirus patients. Michael Chow/The Republic/ImagnLeander told CNN she volunteered to work in the hospital’s Covid-19 unit full time and has been seeing patients from all over the state for the last month.https://9a3aa20e1aac5308b2246d0a938f6606.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html”I just hope people see that nurses are not the enemy and we’ll take care of them one way or the other,” Leander said. “I don’t care if you believe in this virus or not or truly what your opinion is of it, if these people show up in my ICU we will take care of them one way or another.”

The power of silence

After seeing photos and video Sunday of people at a rally in Denver, Colorado, demanding the state reopen and ease restrictions designed to slow the spread of coronavirus, Leander said she was inspired and wanted to stand up in support of her fellow healthcare workers. After seeing a Facebook post about Monday’s rally, Leander said she texted a few of her colleagues and headed there.

Preliminary antibody testing in New York suggests much wider spread of coronavirus

Preliminary antibody testing in New York suggests much wider spread of coronavirusLeander and the few other nurses, from other hospitals, stood in silence at the “Patriots’ Day Rally” at the Capitol where nearly 1,000 people gathered, according to KNXV. “This isn’t about politics, choosing sides, this virus does not discriminate at all,” she said. “It’s taking lives from one end of the spectrum to another. I know it’s wishful thinking but I just would love if we just had that common ground with fighting this virus.”Leander said right now the public needs to be listening to the experts who are studying this virus. Even as nurses, they’re relying on science to guide them. “Our main message was that we wanted healthcare workers’ voices to be heard louder than misinformation and fear,” Leander said. “There will be a calm and controlled manner to reopen our economy and our state…you don’t open the flood gates and release everyone at once.”

Experiencing heartbreaking moments at work

Photos from the rally in Denver caught the attention of many on social media, including former Arizona state Sen. Dr. Kelli Ward, who challenged Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary in 2016.https://9a3aa20e1aac5308b2246d0a938f6606.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.htmlWard tweeted Tuesday morning, questioning the authenticity of the healthcare workers who attended and calling the movement propaganda.”EVEN IF these ‘spontaneously’ appearing ppl at protests against govt overreach (sporting the same outfits, postures, & facial expressions) ARE involved in healthcare – when they appeared at rallies, they were actors playing parts #Propaganda #FakeOutrage,” Ward tweeted.

40 states and Washington, DC have ordered or recommended that schools don't reopen this academic year

40 states and Washington, DC have ordered or recommended that schools don’t reopen this academic yearCNN has reached out to Ward for comment.After hearing about Ward’s tweet, Leander said if given the opportunity she would walk her through the ICU at her hospital to the bedside of some of her coronavirus patients to see firsthand the impacts of the virus. “I wish she could be in my shoes for a day, I’d have her put on a pair of scrubs and walk with me,” Leander said. Leander has not seen any of her family members since she’s been working in the Covid-19 unit. And although that lost time has been tough, what she’s been experiencing in the hospital is tougher. “A human being having to pass away via FaceTime because their family is not allowed in the hospital during this crisis, it’s the most heartbreaking thing you will ever see,” she said.A few days ago, Leander said she had a patient grab her hand and say, “Please tell me I’m not going to die here.”While Leander knows better days are ahead, she said it doesn’t take away from the reality that there are people impacted and suffering right now.

Muslims mark Ramadan

Unprecedented virus lockdown as Muslims mark Ramadan

Holy daytime fasting month will be a sombre affair for many across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. 16 hours ago

https://players.brightcove.net/665003303001/4k5gFJHRe_default/index.html?videoId=6151744199001&usrPersonaAds=1

more on Ramadan 2020

Muslims around the world began marking Ramadan under coronavirus lockdown on Friday with unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers, while a pushback in some countries sparked fears of a surge in infections.

This year, the holy daytime fasting month will be a sombre affair for many across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Widespread rules have been imposed banning praying in mosques or meeting relatives and friends for large “iftar” meals at dusk – a centrepiece of the month-long fast.

More:

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said he was saddened that Muslims could not pray at mosques because of coronavirus restrictions.

“It pains me to welcome the glorious month of Ramadan under circumstances that forbid us of prayers in Mosques and of performing the Ramadan prayers of Tarawieh and Qiyam in House of Allah. All this is due to the protective measures taken to save lives and human wellbeing in light of the global threat of COVID-19,” he said in a statement cited by the state SPA news agency.

Saudi Arabia announced last week the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina would remain closed throughout Ramadan.

https://players.brightcove.net/665003303001/BkyLdqdhZ_default/index.html?videoId=6151500574001&usrPersonaAds=1
Turkey imposes COVID-19 movement curbs before Ramadan begins (02:42)

Ramadan is the holiest month for Muslims, in which they fast during daylight hours, congregate for prayers and share meals as a community.

But because of coronavirus, almost all Muslim-majority countries have closed mosques and asked people to pray at home in addition to imposing curfews to limit the spread of the deadly virus.

“I can’t remember anything like this happening before,” Mohd Faizal Musa, a research fellow at the National University of Malaysia’s Institute of the Malay World and Civilization, told Al Jazeera.

Coronavirus has left many in the blockaded Gaza Strip wondering how they will manage this year.

“The markets and mosques are closed. The good people who give us money or aid each Ramadan are facing a tough situation,” said 47-year-old Palestinian Salah Jibril, who is unemployed.

He and his wife live with their six children in a cramped two-bedroom flat on the outskirts of Gaza City.

Jibril said his family normally counted on using the assistance they received during Ramadan to help them throughout the rest of the year.

“This is the hardest Ramadan we have faced. We don’t know how we will cope,” he said.

Classic all American bard
My brother when he went to Asia God Bless Bro

Exeter Indy

Just got this flyer through the post this evening from some independent restarants in Exeter standing up for their own future. Again life finds a way when you have vision.

I think I’m going to have something from eat the bird on the weekend for a treat. It will support a local eatery and be something scrumtious for me too.

So gad it’s Friday tomorrow.

I went shopping in St Thomas today and was looking around for something to photograph and saw what could have been a heroin needle dumped in the corner where local homeless people sometimes sit. I know they do not all need to take such drugs but it’s a very sad sight to see and not worthy of me photographing it.

This is the side of the lovely old railway bridge for trains to Cornwall

Not quite infinity and beyond

I would recommend in thsi day and age you pay your way what ever your doing cause no one wants to be the one caught breaking rules.

My camera was fairly basic so I could not quite catch all the seeds on this little feller looks like he is ready for when the wind blows.

Finally picture is some more hot cross buns from the bakery.

Lush and Tidy!!

Welsh Dragon

So today is St Georges day and seeing as I am a Welsh erm person and I thought I would put that title up to attract some attention. So today is the anniversary of the death of St George. Well I thought I would post up some information I found about my birthday.

If you were born on July 12, 1976 that makes you a Dragon with the element of Fire and the stem of Positive. In other words you are a Positive Fire Dragon. Don’t know what that means? Don’t worry, keep reading and you’ll soon understand.

Your lucky number is 2

Your best match is a Rooster! Both are strong willed, ambitious and clever. The Rooster likes to nag and if the Dragon can learn to ignore this little short coming, there is plenty of flair and excitement for both. The years of the Rooster: 1957, 1969, 1987, 1993, 2005, 2017.

TWEET YOUR FRIENDS AND TELL THEM WHAT YOUR SIGN IS

  • Your gemstone is Ruby
  • Your flower is the Rose
  • Your fragrance is Eau Verte
  • Your tree is the Sequoia

The Dragon is the symbol of ancient China. The Dragon is revered with equal status as the Chinese Emperor as his throne is the Dragon and only he can wear the Dragon robe. The Dragon year is popular with every Chinese parent who hopes for a Dragon child. The Dragon is a karmic sign and those born in the year of the Dragon are said to wear the ”horns of destiny”.

roud, aristocratic, eccentric, egotistical and extremely forthright and direct, Dragons will establish their goals and ideals quite early in life. They set high standards for themselves and have the potential to accomplish great things. They possess little to no self-doubt and are courageous, individualistic and pioneering. Inspired by their own grandiose and colorful visions, whatever they attempt will be either stupendous, trail-blazing successes or dramatic failures. Whatever their chosen path, they must follow it, regardless of the consequences. They were born with a mission in life and it is their destiny to fulfill it.

Dragons are admired but have few close friends. In love relationships, they are dutiful but they have a problem being diplomatic and refuse to accept defeat when in a fight.

Downright electrifying, Fire Dragons breathe vigor and power. These natural leaders smile at adversity, turn complainers into optimists, and lead lives as inspired as a Beethoven Sonata. They are square shooters in dealing with individuals and are often called upon to mediate disputes. Because they care so much about people, Fire Dragons like to support charitable causes and bring friends together for elegant evening soirees. These Dragons are fired with ambition, unflagging enthusiasm, and intelligence and enjoy most impressive careers as a result. Despite all the money they make, Finance is a big question mark. Money is easy come easy go. Until they control their spending habits, money will just go flying in the wind. Romantics at heart, Fire Dragons can”t help playing Matchmaker. They”re pretty lucky, too! As for themselves, they ooze charisma and never need anyone to fix them up. Successful in love, often placed on pedestals, Fire Dragons are attractive and have fire in the belly. The opposite sex feels very secure.

According to the Western Zodiac, you were born under the sign of Cancer.

According to the ancient Egyptians, you were born under the influence of Anubis. This means you are sensitive, persitent and out-spoken. According to the ancient Egyptian zodiac your sacred animal is the jackal.

Cancer

The God of Death rules over this zodiac sign, and it leads people to be passionate and creative. Not only that, but they are extremely sensitive to others and about their own feelings, which causes them to have unpredictable emotions. They are introverts but confident ones who aren’t afraid to take charge when need be. They don’t restrain themselves when speaking their mind, but they’ve always made sure they’ve observed all options before coming to a decision. They hold onto goals for long periods of time, even if it takes them years to complete, they refuse to let it go until it’s done. They do suffer from caring too much about those around them, and can be taken advantage of because they just want to help. Because they are happy to speak their mind, they often find themselves saying things at inappropriate times.

Not forgetting a tune too.

The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize