Well, what are we going to talk about now, the sun's been shining all week but Covid 19 has put pay to all play. The government advice is pretty clear cut, no playing out until further notice, so I'm going to have to find something else to occupy my time and fill these pages. Your in luck though, I've always got something to rant about, so for a starters lets have a little chat about not being an idiot. For some strange reason (mainly because the HSE have said so) I'm still working and this week I've been doing some dull and boring stuff for one of the major supermarkets. Now they've done a superb job of enacting the government's restrictions, the floors are all marked out to show the 2m social distancing thing, they've got staff on the doors stopping too many people entering and ensuring people are on their own, they've got hand sanitiser at the door and their staff are taking a big personal risk to stay open and keep the county on it's feet. So what's this got to do with anything? Well, madame, I don't think 2 pairs of shoes and nothing else in your basket represents an essential shopping trip do you? And Sir, I don't think a 6 pack of beer and a tub of ice cream represents an essential excursion to the shops do you? I've got nothing against you buying shoes or beer as part of your weekly shop, but stop being an Idiot, it couldn't be more clear, essential trips only! Whilst I'm on a rant. Once you've spent a bit of time running and cycling you get a pretty good idea of who's a runner and who's not, body positioning, foot fall, how their dressed etc all give the game away. So, all you people in your new high viz jackets, 1970's sweat bands, old school plimsolls, brand new mountain bikes and other assorted kit that's never seen the light of day before. Just because the governments said you can go out and exercise doesn't mean you have to. I'm all for encouraging people to get out and about and enjoy the fresh air, but there's a time and a place for everything and this isn't it. If your normal exercise regime consists of going to Tesco for a 6 pack and stopping for a Costa and McDonald's on the way home, then for pity's sake, don't think you suddenly need to go running now. It's not compulsory, and all your likely to do is injure yourself and cause more problems for the NHS! If you do want to make some changes to your life, get more active and start running, then wait until this is over, join a running club where you can get some expert advice, download the Couch to 5K app and do it properly and safely. I'm not saying don't go out, but think about what your doing, put your walking shoes on instead, it's easier on the knees, ankles and your heart! luckily, the chances are the weather will soon put a stop to the new exercise craze, it's not so much fun in the cold and rain and we can soon return to normal. Until then, please just think about what your doing and don't be an idiot! While we're on the subject of Coronovirus, the NHS and other front line services are going to be in for a pretty torrid time over the next few months. Back in my previous life, we went through some pretty tough times out in Afghanistan and I can vouch for the fact that the biggest morale booster going was knowing that your efforts were being appreciated by those back home.
The 8 O'Clock clap on Thursday and the Rainbow in your window thing all show we care and remind those putting themselves into harms way for us, that we do appreciate their efforts. It's easy to take people for granted, but it only takes 2 seconds to say thank you or give that ambulance or police car going the other way when your out for your daily exercise a thumbs up, a little clap or a wave and a smile. But, I'll tell you now, everyone of those waves, smiles or words of gratitude will mean a great deal to those individuals and give them that little boost they need to keep going when it's all getting too much. But we don't need to stop there, it costs nothing to be civil, polite and gracious. I'm sure that the person serving you in Tesco's would rather be hiding away at home too, but they're not, they're doing a repetitive, probably dull job, keeping the country running. Would a smile and a thank you be too hard? You can only go shopping if the guy collecting the trolleys turns up for work, not only do they have to spend their days dodging idiots in unnecessary 4x4's, but now they have to touch hundreds of possibly coronovirus infected trolley's every day too. Is it too much to ask to just acknowledge their existence with an smile and a thank you? Train drivers, bus drivers, bin men (and ladies), electricity and gas workers, plumbers, delivery drivers, cooks, cleaners, the list of people who are keeping the country running, whilst we all hide safely away is endless, and if nothing else comes of all this malarkey, I truly hope that a new found gratitude and respect for those around us rises from the ashes of what has become a rather self centered, me first, world.
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Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
March 2024
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