Coalition of protest

So the march for the alternative to the cuts was a massive, peaceful, good-natured affair in my experience.  Inspiring to see so many people together, from all walks of life.   There were some excellent banners & talented musicians & artists as well as lots of families.
But what will happen next?  I hope there will continue to be protests against the wholesale dismantlement of our NHS, support & education services.  The government doesn't have a mandate for what it's doing.

Everybody out!

Today & Tuesday I've been on strike.  We're in dispute over changes to the pension scheme. Not opposed to changes,  but to the reduced benefits that are proposed.  Also asking for a national agreement on job security.  Going on strike really is a last resort.  Basically, you lose a day's pay, and all those people who don't strike benefit from any concessions that are obtained.  I've been on the picket line both days, which I was a bit nervous about beforehand.  Thought there might be just two of us, and that lots of people would just ignore us, or be hostile.  In fact, there were always around 4-5 of us at the different gates, and we had people coming and going all the time.  The weather was beautiful, and most people coming in were receptive, and supportive.

I suspect further action will be required, and it's going to get a lot harder each time.  However, today was good for meeting sound people who care about things.

Saturday I go on the march for the alternative  I'm looking forward to it, and hope it will go well & get lots of media coverage.  And will show the coalition that there is a lot of feeling against their programme of cuts.

Little things

It's strange what sometimes reminds me of the changes of the last 6 months.  Almost 6 months to the day.  Today I went to Great Yarmouth.  This used to be a kind of guilty pleasure for me & Leon.  We'd go during the off season, have a bit of a walk on the beach, and get all sorts of household stuff from Wilkinson's. Today was the first time in about 20 years that I've paid much attention to the cleaning products' aisles.  Leon has a zeal for cleaning, with the result that he would select the products to use on the floor, cooker, shower etc.  And as an atypically (I bet it's not that atypical) unhouseproud woman, I'd leave him to it.  Both the purchasing, and much of the cleaning.

So today felt quite poignant.  And I'm still not that good at being on my own.  I like company.  But I haven't let the sadness get me down.  Fortunately it's been a nice day, so I was able to plant some of the 100 summer bulbs that I got from Wilko when I got home.  And that's the sort of thing that makes me glad to be alive.

Belly dancing & burlesque

I've always had a strong antipathy towards 'exotic' dancing, seeing it as an extension of the objectification of women's bodies.  And as someone not always comfortable with her body, I've been very aware of the fact that this objectification often distorts women's body shape or their sense of what's acceptable.

But in recent years, women have reclaimed some forms of dance, and it's become an area of discussion for feminists.

I'm stll not quite sure what I think about pole dancing, and burlesque, but on Friday night I belly danced, and also enjoyed watching a belly dancer in a Lebanese restaurant in Cardiff.  And I realised that she was enjoying dancing, that there can be female enjoyment in these activities for their own sake.

Not going to start bellydancing regularly mind you, far too energetic for me.  But glad that I've mellowed a bit in my old age.

Quality time

Been off work this week, but feel like I need a holiday now to recover, as it's been busy, all in a positive way though.

Went to 2 gigs at the Waterfront love that venue.  British Sea Power were superb.  Definitely worth hearing live.  And then the Go Team were very different but equally enjoyable.  Their show is so energetic & fun, I loved dancing to it, haven't danced properly for years.  Might try and do that more often, could aim for once every 2 months, that should be achievable.

Then I spent time with my nephew, niece & cousin's daughter.  They came to stay at mine  & we had great fun.
The end of the week I drove to Derbyshire to see Babs & Kate.  Kate brought her 3 up from Hagley, and we adults caught up over Babs' delicious cooking.  We realised that we've known each other now for 20 years this year!  Seems incredible,  I still think of them as recent friends. 


Now it's a glorious day, although the wind is cold, and I'm thinking about doing a little bit in the garden, and thinking about holidays & enjoying life.

Keep up the habit

Spent a few days in the Lake District at a repository conference.  Repository managers are often keen social networkers - so the tweet backchannel was lively.  When I started using Twitter,  I found it quite tiring to keep focused on speakers, making my own notes, and adding comments to Twitter that might be of use to others.  I now find it second nature.  I must admit I am sometimes rather flippant in my comments, the backchannel can get a bit bitchy, but it also cements together participants both attending an event, and those watching the twitter feed, so I think it's a welcome addition.

Things are feeling good in my world.  Looking forward to longer days, spring activity from the birds, insects & flowers.  And spending time with special people.

The wider world is not so good.  The government seems determined to wreck some of the things that make this country great - free health care, (relatively) accessible countryside,  public libraries that promote culture and learning, a postal service that does so much more than deliver letters.

Anyone who cares about these things, please do something, stand up and be counted eg on  March 26th in London.

Only connect

It's been really interesting the last few weeks how there are overlaps between areas of my life, and how I've discovered them mainly via Twitter.  I work in a university library.  It wasn't a choice I made actively,  I was 'restructured' into it, but as it's increasingly digital, and i'm interested in that I've developed that side of my role.

I've always been interested in communication, did a language degree, then speech therapy.  Now with the internet there is a whole movement looking at science communication:  sharing data, collaborating online, engaging with the public.  So that's where some of my interests start to collide.

Then I follow the band British Sea Power, and Robin Ince the comedian, both of whom are promoting campaigns to save public libraries.  Another collision.

Is it because Twitter makes it easier to find people with similar interests?  Whatever the reason, I find it very satisfying, and productive.