Paid by the cone

One cone, two cone, three cone, four
how are they multiplying? There's more than before!
I now believe the ''workers'' get paid by the cone
they're like the tooth fairies who sneak into your home
except these ''workers'' take your patience and leave behind a cone
the cones vary in shapes and sizes; hundreds at a time to one standing alone
rows upon rows; directing traffic into a single file
and they can go on forever, mile upon mile
I have to admire the creativity
It often reminds me of the scene from Toy Story
random cones displayed to one side
forcing traffic to give way and DENIED
somebody then decided they'd throw in some temporary traffic lights, as a social experiment
it's enough to test anybody's temperament
and let's not get distracted by the signs: Men At Work - still to be seen!
I still don't understand what these mythical creatures could be
'There's a greater chance of seeing a unicorn'
I mutter to myself as I divert around yet another cone
and then I see them; five men standing around one little hole, that's not even in the road!!
why in the hell have I been sat in traffic since I left home!?
I now understand; there is no work or men at it, just more delays by perfectly placed cones
sprinkled like fairy dust on every meaningful, magical road

© L. Blair 

Parents’ Guide to parenting

Let’s consult the rule book and see exactly what it says

Because I don’t quite understand your rules of play

Sometimes it feels more like a war and I am ready to engage

Telling me how to be a mother is a bit late at this stage

I love our kids and I make sure they have all that they need

I play, I interact, I wash, clothe, cook and feed

I tidy up after them as they play along

I read them a bedtime story, help with homework and sing their favourite songs

I make their beds and put their clothes away neat

I nurse them when their ill and I have patience when they’re at my feet

I listen to their stories both long and short

I also hear the dreams they had from the night before

I don’t mind cooking individual meals if they don’t like the same

I reassure them with fallout's and tell them ‘it’s such a shame’

I play Santa when Christmas comes and I check their list twice

I play tooth fairy when I quietly creep into their room at night

I play doctor with cuts and scrapes and check out places I never thought I would

But I never complain as I know its for the greater good

I’ll sit with them and have that pretend cup of tea

I’ll tuck them in tightly as I lay them down to sleep

I’ll go to the park and kick around the footy or even play basketball

I’ll stand by proudly and admire them as they grow ever so tall

I’ll attend all school functions, assemblies, dinners and plays

I never miss a parents evening, listening intently to what the teacher says

I send them on every school trip and purchase every school pic

I discuss how they feel about things if they ever want to talk

I make myself available if they want to go for a walk

I fight their battles with no fear, sword and shield in hand

I take on the world for them; woman, child or man

And then I look at you; what exactly do you do?

You tell off my kids and tell them what not to do

I protect my kids from all that will hurt them so I protect them from you

I give my kids my all and I will until my very last breath

And you say to me … “When you do all of that, what is there left?” ....

When you fight, listen, cook, clean and ponder to their every need

What can I possibly do, who can I possibly be, what could they possibly need from me?

You want them to have a father but you won’t let me play my role

All I can do is support you and make sure they do what they are told

I love our kids just as much as you do

But there are experiences and lessons that they must go through

If you protect them from the world then how will they learn?

When do they learn every action has a consequence?

When do I get to play my role? When do I get to teach them?

I know you don’t understand my actions and the things that I do

But my greatest accomplishment is not arguing with you

I don’t always agree with all that you do

And its difficult to sit back and not express my point of view

I could never question your devotion and the care that you give

I could never have picked a better mother for our kids

But you have to take a step back and let me to teach them at times

Allowing me to be a father would not be such a crime

Teaching them about the big wide world

The games that people play, both boys and girls

Teaching them to be responsible and how to stay safe

If you could only allow me to have a place

Just so that the kids don’t see me as you do

Somebody who just sits there and does nothing is your often-expressed view

No actions, no voice, no participation, a man with no role

I’m also here for the kids, the same as you, and I want them to know ....

I only know how to be a mum, I’m not trying to extinguish your position

I understand you want to play a part and I am willing to listen

I grew up in a household whereby my mom was mom & dad

So, I never understood the role of a man and this is the disadvantage that I had

Of course, I want you here playing an active part in our lives

And the changes which need to be implemented will not happen overnight

But I understand the things you are trying to explain

And if things are going to work between us, they can’t carry on the same

The kids deserve to see the dad that you want to be

And I would hate to think that they missed out on that opportunity because of me

I also know that they do need roles of their own

Without any responsibilities now what will they do when they’re grown?

Teaching them how to do things for themselves will set them up for independence

Allowing them to feel secure and grow in their confidence

It doesn’t mean that they won’t need me or love me any less

They know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I’ve done my very best

But please understand that its hard for me to let go

It’s painful to teach them to be independent and watch them grow

Because I’m their mum and I thought that they would be my babies forever

Not once did I think they would grow and leave the nest, not ever

But as they are now getting older, I realise that this is what must be

And teaching them how to be independent in life is a reflection of you and me

I’m still learning, as are they and so are you

But we are a family and we will get through by making up our own rules

© L. Blair

Remember me

Why do we know so much about the killers in the world?
why are we not told the life story of the victims and the families hurt?
the investigations that are made to discover all that made this person a killer
delving into what could have happened in their childhood to make them a murderer
child abuse, neglect, overpowering parents, no friends and possibly bullied along the way
the findings are not reasons but excuses and the world glorifies them in fame
the killers are the manipulators, the predators and the narcissists on this earth
there are so many people abused, beaten, neglected, unloved and hurt
but they recover from their trauma and go on to live a full life
without continuing the abuse, becoming better parents, finding a husband or wife
why do we not know the names of the victims? each and every one?
bombarded with programmes, documentaries, news reports, facts, figures, opinions, all switched on
yet so little information offered regarding the ones who were on the receiving end
there aren't many stories taken from their parents, family and childhood friends
tell us what the victims' were like when they were young
what were their personality traits, star sign, favourite food or song?
their middle name, their siblings, the house in which they grew
because there are two sides to every story, yet we only hear it from one point of view
beyond skimming over the victim and who they were, a small story of what they went through
we move ever so quickly onto the killer to find out all that could be untrue
the perpetrator becomes the victim and here are some justifications as to why ...
there is no justification for playing god and taking somebody else's life
an idea or a suggestion would be to delete the killer from the pages of time
extinguish their existence from conception up until the crime
how many would follow this killer path if this was to be their fate
copy cats, serial killers, crimes of passion all erased, no history books and no fame
In its place let's have a book of life
let's celebrate the people lost to these crimes
the lives which were cut short, their ambitions and goals, the people they aspired to be
the photos, the home movies, the smiles, the heartbreaks, the roots of their family tree
let us stop glorifying the killer and offering them eternal fame
let us delete the perpetrators existence and remember the victims' names

© L. Blair

huMAN rights

A rally in nine cities around Japan this week
urging reform of the anti rape law which requires women to prove they are not weak!
prosecutors must prove violence or intimidation was used
regardless of who is raped, molested and abused
the law requires proof the victim was incapable of resistance
where is the justice in that law for the victims
while across the water they make no exceptions at all
that is with the 'heartbeat bills' being enforced
absolutely no exceptions for rape or incest
this reflects the control and power of the people at it's best
because the victim clearly never has a say
not about her body, not about the pregnancy or the rape
around the world from country, state, town and street
the victims are standing forth and trying to speak
however, with the governments in such denial
so many more victims are just added to an ever growing pile
the most common form of human trafficking being sexual exploitation
with so many trafficking victims being children
to save them from modern day slavery and rescue them from abuse
to later inform them a request for an abortion or justice will be refused
parental consent can be given for a girl to marry as young as 15 years old
but then a child will always do what they are told
whilst consent can be given from the age of 12 years old in parts of the world
they still require permission for contraception, abortions are illegal and little knowledge or protection is offered to these girls
girls as young as 9 pregnant, facing severe health risks
whilst knowledge is power it appears that ignorance is bliss
around the world; how can we not protect these vulnerable people
and it doesn't stop with women and girls, boys and men are victims too
control through culture, traditions and societies ideals
with so many rules, laws, regulations, bills and acts its hard to know what to feel
with a purpose of protecting the unborn child
where is the protection for the living child; girl or woman against crimes so vile
so who are the people who have all of the power?
sitting prim and proper in their ivory tower
casting down judgements and life sentences onto the weaker population of the world
giving them no hope, no support, no care, consideration or place to turn
it would have to be somebody the law doesn't directly effect
an individual who could get away with the crime if they were the suspect
the stronger and wiser of the sexes who clearly think they know better
discrimination of the sexes as women are treated as the lesser
we live in a world whereby the victim also serves the sentence
whilst the perpetrator commits the crimes knowing the have placed and supported laws to protect them

 © L. Blair

          
                                                           

Doctor, Doctor

So my doctor's changed its name, but when there are 61 different names for sugar you can call it what you want; sugar is still sugar therefore my doctors can change its name as many times as it wants shit is still shit!!

I called at 8:00am to make a 'same day appointment' with my full battle gear on, fully prepared with every argument as to why I deserved to see a doctor today.  Whilst there have been many occasions when I have managed to get through (after 20 steaming minutes on hold) to be told there are no more appointments available today, or we only have one doctor on this morning as we have 'doctor training' and my favourite ironic excuse 'there are no appointments as the doctor phoned in sick!!

Today I managed to get through at 8:15am, so although the name has changed it appears nothing else has.  I asked the receptionist if there were any appointments left for today to which she replied 'there are' I'm sure she heard the sarcasm in my voice as I responded 'There's a surprise' ... how did she get revenge? ... 'Can I put you on hold for one moment please', if I wasn't already steaming at the 15 minute wait listening to lift jingles I then found myself on hold until she decided to pick up again.  Whilst I was totally fuming I was also relieved to just get an appointment, so I accepted being on hold, begrudgingly.

The appointment was for my son so I was grateful for the appointment and the after school time slot.  The time slot would be the usual 10 minutes. When I visit the doctors I usually save everything up and offload in one go, which is how I found out that I only have 10 minutes. Having to choose between a smear and my contraceptive pill was definitely one of my more difficult life choices; possible cervical cancer or unwanted pregnancy, thanks Doc!

                                               

We arrived 5 minutes early, checked in and waited, and waited, and waited.  We sat and watched everybody else being called and leaving while we continued to sit and wait, after 30 minutes past the appointment time I went to the reception to remind them 'my sons appointment was half an hour ago' she checked the system and let me know 'your doctors running behind' Well no shit Sherlock was translated to her as 'I guessed that much!' but she felt the need to reassure me that we would be next.  It was 45 minutes past our appointment time before we were finally called for our appointment, how is this even acceptable? And do not tell me that you are sorry for the wait because its transparently not sincere.  If I had shown up 5 minutes past my appointment time I would have lost my 10 minute appointment slot and made to reschedule yet sitting there for 45 minutes was supposed to be acceptable, I think not.  Yet here we are putting it all down to 'teething problems' which translates to shit is still shit!

In hindsight I rant about this with full knowledge that many people from many countries will be thinking 'HA, you think you have it bad'.  I read a story about a young man who attempted suicide in the USA following the failed attempt he spent a week in hospital and was charged for his efforts to the sum of £70,000! They certainly take their 'after care' seriously! who says that you can't put a price on life, not USA!