Occupy Me

Occupy Yourself

If the news is anything to go by it's becoming popular to "occupy" somewhere.  It seems some people do this by putting up a tent, some people hold court on microphones in public whilst others democratically repeat everything Mic Man is saying - someone should go and occupy a bigger amp! 

In some parts of the world choosing to "occupy" somewhere attracts the attention of snipers, in others rubber bullets & tear gas.  In the good old US of A members of the republic can occupy themselves with Police brutality when they aren't occupied with choking on pepper spray delivered point blank by fat brainless uniformed bullies. Move now or occupy a taser tomorrow is the democratic answer implied by elected representatives concerned with dwindling bankers prospects in the west. 

It seems the world over that 99% of the people can occupy themselves with almost anything other than a living wage, education, prospects and straight answers to straight questions!

With that in mind I thought I might share something I started many years ago when I first broke ranks and disturbed the peace by asking a question only an open mind could ask and another open mind could answer. My father had no idea how to answer the question, but that impertinent set back was soon eclipsed by the double bind imposed by his loss of authority if he didn't answer.

I got the telltale "Quizzical Eye of Seething Anger" before the scorn I deserved for asking stupid questions was unleashed. But I learned something he didn't intend and what I consider to be most important - to answer my own questions.  I'm now calling this the Occupy Me movement, it's easy to do and its open to all!

• Do more, Plan less.
• Think more, Talk less.
• Move more, Eat less.
• Read more, Watch less.
• Test truths, Learn facts.
• Be sure, Don't act.
• Take less, Give more.
• Judge less, Love bores.

So there it is, in a nutshell  - Occupy Yourself.  Get in there, get comfortable and make yourself at home if you haven't been there for a while.  Accept, explore and acknowledge you as primary authority in your life.  Find your own answers, make your own decisions and allow others the privilege to do the same.  Yes you'll loose the TV, rediscover books, fresh air, interesting people and your intuition. But there's no guarantee it'll change the world, just YOUR world, so you can get on living. That is, actively engaging the world in a considered manner of YOUR choosing.

The "Occupy Me" Movement

Because you can't be moved from between your ears without consent!

Occupy Me is not compatible with bigoted opinion, civil inattention or easy answers.  Batteries not included - independent power supply essential.

Best Wishes - Mark

Lessons learned?

But it's heritage seed that fail me never!

I stay well clear of most of the news these days, especially the TV and newspapers - except for the UK Column. RSS feeds me with most of what I want, if I want it. But I have been keeping half an ear out for something in particular since austerity was announced by our Con-Dem coalition - the grumbling of teachers.

Well, according to statements, their unions continue to consider striking in protest against pay cuts, job losses and public sector pension purges; and they aren't the only ones. Now the leader of the civil servants union is warning of intensified action too, over coming months. These people care about their pay, their jobs and their pensions; and they will withhold their services until they get what they want..again!

Now it would be true to say that I don't condone the austerity being meted out on the British public at all, however "necessary" politicians suggest it is. But that said, I just can't empathize with this group on this matter at this time.

I like to think I'm halfway through my life and so far have lost count of times that teachers have gone on strike in this country, yet fail to recall any major losses on their behalf. No Policemen breaking up their picket lines, no harsh losses by the unions in the courts leading to widespread redundancies and I can't remember them being forced into any u-turns by any of the governments of the day. They have not been forced to steadily accept lower wages for the past 20 years, they have not faced shrinking career prospects nor have they seen their particular sector of expertise re-located to the east for profit - though I'm sure someone's working on it. No, they have maintained the strength of their unions, remained single minded in their demands and have managed to dodge the slow decay of prospects and prosperity that many other sections of British society have had to face, until now it seems.

I'm not sure how this fight will "pan out" between the government and the nations teachers, but I don't see another walk over for the teachers. It's not that I relish the austerity being aimed at them, but I do think they have had more than enough go their way over the years. Not a strong union in support of others, but they fight hard for themselves. I had a few bonus days off school in my time when they felt their wallets didn't reflect their true value as professionals. Or was it training days impacting on their holidays, or working to rule at break times or marking papers; I can't recall, so many years, so many skirmishes, so few reasons.

Still, at least the education system that we invest so heavily in is turning out lots of future potential; eager minds that are bright eyed about their prospects and encouraged as individuals. Oh no! I must have passed another recruitment hoarding on the way home, "Those that use their heads, teach!". Clever, on so many levels! Maybe if comprehensive school heads concentrated less on their school becoming a "Football Academy" and more on becoming an "English Exemplar" we'd have less young adults filling out benefit applications in TXT SPK - OMG LOL X!

Still, it looks like the fight is on and not just the teachers, they've got allies now as the civil service union warn the government of coming action. Of course I could mention that teachers might struggle to find support, generally in the UK. Not due to popularity you understand, more a matter of rarity - working people, in a union that is. But it looks like these two groups have found a Common Purpose and are set to form an alliance against the government.. Hussar!

I can't wait to watch this showdown. Well paid public servants allying themselves with other well paid public servants to fight the will of the highest paid public servants of all! All we need now is the police called in on overtime to "direct" proceedings and then I reckon I am truly embracing the depths of austerity as a taxpayer.

" Here, why don't you just talk it out over my kitchen table, help yourself to something to eat, the wine's under there and here's all I earned last month - I'll go feed homeless people so I don't start asking, WHERE THE HELL ARE MY TAXES GOING.. again!".

As a side note, I know that Cameron has already committed 814 million austerity pounds (formerly sterling) for our support in vaccination funding to third world countries at the moment; but if the BBC could fit in a Great British Menu - "10 years in Afghanistan" special and we could have a days holiday for an "Iraqi Freedom" street party that could raise Brits morale during these difficult times for everyone - thanks.


"Those who can, do; those who can't teach; and those who can do neither, administer."
- Calvin Calverley.