I Intend To Escape ......................And Come Back

In Defence Of Griping

I have been asked why I have a section of this blog devoted to griping.

Quite simply, I believe griping is a perfectly healthy activity. Indeed there should be more of it, not less. Griping is a natural reaction to a society in which people are alienated, disillusioned and ignored. Which most of us are. Did you agree with the war in Iraq? Did you ask for the introduction of Oyster Cards in London? Do you think its right that you have to pay a months rent in advance, yet you get your salary a month in arrears? I suspect the answer to each of those questions, and indeed thousands of others just like them, is no.

What is unnatural are some of the cliches that try to prevent us from griping. "What's the use of complaining" or "Don't worry be happy" we are told. Whilst the latter is an example of creeping Americanisation (and is nearly as offensive as "Have A Nice Day") that complaining is useless is an not an argument against complaining in any way, shape or form. If life is not what it should be, we should and indeed must say so.

One of my favourite historical gripers was the Yorkshire writer J B Priestley. Indeed his griping once got him into trouble:

"Once, years ago, at a large party, when I was grumbling as usual, a young woman who was a stranger to me turned on me fiercely and told me I had better go home instead of trying to spoil other people's pleasure. I was taken aback, and may be said to have stayed aback ever since."

Priestley justified his griping as not just in his nature, but his duty as a writer. Put simply, he wanted to grumble and gripe on behalf of those who could not, or would not easily do so. And there is nothing wrong with that.

J B Priestley

Destroying, In Order To Protect

The picture below is of a CCTV camera attached to one of Ireland's most historic buildings - Blarney Castle in County Cork.

I can only assume it is there to protect the historic property, or for the security of those visiting.

It has to be said that the chances of you being robbed and murdered in Blarney are pretty slim, so we can presume the cameras (there were several others) are there to protect the castle.

Think about this. In order to protect the castle, the authorities drill bloody great holes into it, and attach an electronic CCTV system to its walls. Walls that had otherwise stood unmolested for hundreds of years. Is it me, or is that absolute fucking madness?

Mugged Again

I get mugged at least once a month.

Telewest Broadband in action

No I am not attacked in the streets, or yanked off my bike.

Each month my internet/phone and TV supplier mugs me, by adding £4 to my bill, as I decline to pay by direct debit. Paying by direct debit is simply not convenient for me, as more than one person pays the bill that is sent to me each month. I have no desire to pay in full myself, then hassle friends for money as if I was their landlord. Also I consider such policies as discriminating against those who either do not have, or do not want to have a bank account - some 20% of the population. Why is such discrimination legal?

It is hard to think of another service that treats its customers in this way. My corner shop, pub, supermarket, insurance company, take away - even Hackney Council do not pull this stunt.

My response? The bill is always in arrears, and is always paid just before they are about to suspend the service. Fuck 'em!

Intercoms - Why?

Like many estates, access to where I live is controlled by an intercom system.

I cannot recall Hackney Council asking me if I wanted an intercom system installed, and since it has been installed I have never been asked if I want it to stay - I just came home from work one day and there it was. Installed.

Presumeably some well meaning person, somewhere on Mare Street, took the view that such a system would improve my quality of life. It does not - in fact it does the exact opposite. Firstly every crackhead and junkie who wants to get into the block, still can. They merely have to wait 30 seconds for someone to come out of the block, and in they go. Same same for those looking to distribute pizza flyers or invitations to spend your Sundays surrounded by religious maniacs.

Delivery drivers and tradesmen however, are not made of the sort of stern stuff that makes up the average Hackney junkie. To the staff of Parcelforce, Parcelnet and similar companies, my block is protected by a ring of steel. As the intercom is mounted on the right hand door rather than the left, some simply approach the left hand door, see it is locked and piss off. A minority try the Intercom, and if you are not in, piss off. An even smaller minority still, will leave a card - pinned to the front door of the block. There it is either nicked by junkies, blows away in the wind, or if you are very lucky, is spotted by the person it is intended for. Me.

The humiliation of being defeated by an Intercom system is however too much for some delivery men. "I put a card through your door, but you never rang me" is one refrain. Others insist there is no Intercom system at all - or in one case - invent the lie that I rejected the goods that they tried to deliver.

I have now given up ordering books via Amazon, because I am fed up with things I have paid for not reaching me. I wonder how many people in supposedly "secure" estates are in similar positions?