800 years old - this market place
No shares or union activities
but a snarl when asked to rinse cups
"We don't do that"
Leathermen, Flowermen, Foam..
Caramelised onions on a veggie burger
One pound and twenty five p.
The New Economics Foundation
Could do worse than look here
For an answer to the logistics
of Zero Economic Growth.
The disaster of continuity
rails on with cups of tea
it's just a real place
without a head office
full of names and short stories
But no gateway leads from the memorial
Maybe war heroes never ate
Or had their shoes mended
maybe they were just ungrateful
and would rather look at the City Hall
from which they need no piece of paper
to be remembered. there's no pizza.
my grandad would have been pleased
Spice, fish, cheeses, books and haberdashery
Arsenal are out of the race as are Galatassaray...
Two sos with duck and cup of frothee coffee
Thanks darlin. how's you little 'un?
i'll finish up with a nice currant bun.
And that's it. Job done.
February 28, 2010
February 27, 2010
put not to the test
i think i am writing important poetry
furnishing farmtown with feathers
im bleatingly - conceitedly,
reading my own obituary
with every word
the shares never came and now theyve gone
like a migrating bird or an unsung song
i am a rare thing
go me
i am just the best
furnishing farmtown with feathers
im bleatingly - conceitedly,
reading my own obituary
with every word
the shares never came and now theyve gone
like a migrating bird or an unsung song
i am a rare thing
go me
i am just the best
February 25, 2010
one wounded bird
i'm wondering about the time when me and my dad shot birds with a webley rifle up the sandy path
I'm wondering whether his urge to kill was justified - like his urge to kill me when i couldn't climb for toffee
and like a good father, im wondering if i should wonder - on a website - but there's only two fans
if ever there was a need to criticize poets (i haven't seen anything like) now would be a good time to take a look
at the subject, the sub text, metre rhym.. ahh you get the guist. But. Join me in wondering about fathers.
I believe that men cannot help but be heroes. I believe in looking hard enough into ourselves.
Even Hitler will take a call.
I do believe in good over good intentions and after all, we are all so, sometimes painfully, small.
I'm wondering whether his urge to kill was justified - like his urge to kill me when i couldn't climb for toffee
and like a good father, im wondering if i should wonder - on a website - but there's only two fans
if ever there was a need to criticize poets (i haven't seen anything like) now would be a good time to take a look
at the subject, the sub text, metre rhym.. ahh you get the guist. But. Join me in wondering about fathers.
I believe that men cannot help but be heroes. I believe in looking hard enough into ourselves.
Even Hitler will take a call.
I do believe in good over good intentions and after all, we are all so, sometimes painfully, small.
Poetic Forms: The Cinquain
Blue nuts
Common in France
Can only get broken
By a blue nut cracker on a
Cold day.
Common in France
Can only get broken
By a blue nut cracker on a
Cold day.
February 23, 2010
Shakespeare LOL too many lines lines lines
I though to write a Sonnet, only knowing the form has 14 lines.
Of rhyme schemes, emphasis or other conventions I am un-wawre
Machoism, Sexual Politics and Gender roles all occur as possibles
But the truth is I know that many women, however – however,
Will leave the unmanly subjects of their affections – which is fine.
But to feel the NEED of manliness – to want to be everything,
is pressing on my mind with such power that I have no coherence of
thought left
which seems too long a line given the sonnetical ambitions of the piece.
I invent words all the time but am noticing a lag in my daily speech
I wonder early but have notified no-one of my suspicions of on-coming
mental infirmity.
Too long again. DO I have anything important enough to say?
Something that might justify my writing – or the so seldom occurrence
where by something written communicates and motivates to action?
Maybe. Maybe not. Just trust me when I say: “I know things”.
And accept my apologies for the final two, un-necessarry lines.
Of rhyme schemes, emphasis or other conventions I am un-wawre
Machoism, Sexual Politics and Gender roles all occur as possibles
But the truth is I know that many women, however – however,
Will leave the unmanly subjects of their affections – which is fine.
But to feel the NEED of manliness – to want to be everything,
is pressing on my mind with such power that I have no coherence of
thought left
which seems too long a line given the sonnetical ambitions of the piece.
I invent words all the time but am noticing a lag in my daily speech
I wonder early but have notified no-one of my suspicions of on-coming
mental infirmity.
Too long again. DO I have anything important enough to say?
Something that might justify my writing – or the so seldom occurrence
where by something written communicates and motivates to action?
Maybe. Maybe not. Just trust me when I say: “I know things”.
And accept my apologies for the final two, un-necessarry lines.
Moveable feast thing
Ten minutes without pausing
I know there were things I wanted to say but I have forgotten them. I
have a list of things to do. It will not leave me alone. It is a bully.
It wants me to stay busy and have no time to think or to feel guilty
that all I have done is think when action could have said so much more.
I cannot get over the feeling that I should do something heroic. I feel
like a joke and a failure and there are those who would have and need me
amd my like to be both of those things. I am writing so small so no-one
in this library will look over my shoulder and be able to recognise the
shameful waste of effort that I am, in full and public view,
engaged in. Maybe this would be a good entry for Walter, whose character
is as yet, not well known to me. I could, perhaps, begin to
learn something from attending to my not un-common bouts of self
loathing, when it comes to this un-known character to whom I have still
attributed hundreds of similarly wasted hours.
Of course, in this frame of mind – everything is wasted, whilst my
friends and those who presume to know re-assure me that 'nothing is
wasted'. Sadly, not true.
A man in a green hat is enough to move the attention away from wherever
it was and off we go on a parrallel track. One more cup of coffee for
the road.
It would be something, if not a lot, to be better at pub quizzes. A man
in his forties should not spend as much time as I do watching daytime
entertainment programmes on his television set. This is, I think, a fact. At
least, it is for me, as I get so little from it – or do I?
What I get from watching shite telly:
I get pain relief, a bare miodicum of entertainment; a diversion from
being hit (self flagellation or otherwise) over the head with my own
failings and those failings which I would (were I not such a proud and
manly manlike man, like to and take some satisfaction in blaming on the
actions of an host of other people. - did I open a bracket? - yes).
No bullshit. That's my only creeed. It is difficult not to pause when
you make that promise to yourself. There also becomes less and less to
say and your mind turns to wondering about WHO you are talking/ writing
to. Anyone who will read/listen. Yourself? God. - Probably all of the
above.
The word 'God' however (HOWEVER – no-one ever says that - its pompous)
does remind me of a subject I previously – I, earlier today was
imagining as some kind of scene from some kind of drama: It goes like
this:
Exterior Church Entrance
am man is looking at the ancient buttresses of a Cathedral when aa
Vicar passes from behind.
Vicar: You just go through there – the entrance has moved, you have to
be PROCESSED before you ebnter now.
Man: Is that the original 11th century wall there?
Vicar: Yes, It follows the footsteps of the building.
Two words in this (real) exchange interested me: Processed (especially
interesting for a man of the cloth) and 'Foot-print' – an interesting
word when used about a building like this. That a Cathedral should have
a footprint.
I imagined a further dialogue where by the man and vicar are pitched
together in some kind of an environment for a debate about the
fundraising and funding of the many historic churches in the area and
the need for them to 'adapt' in order to survive: Our Man (!) is an
athesist. He says:
I am an atheist and you are a man of the cloth. This debate cannot be
had by worrying about up-setting sensibilities. When a vast majority of
the inhabitants of these isles do not go to church and probably still a
majority do not profess to believe in God, why is it necessarry to
discuss whether church buildings should 'adapt' – before discussing
whether the ones which are no longer in use for worship should even EXIST.?
This becomes an argument about Land Use – not religion. About Social
utility in stead of 'heritage'. I may be an atheist ( although I have
doubts) and you may be a man of the cloth (I bet you have your doubts
too) – But only you have the right to have your beliefs classified as
'religious'. And so you have a bigger voice and say in what happens
over social and geographical – political matters which, by all accounts,
we might both agree – SHOULD BE EQUAL.
Dammit. No bull shit.
end
I know there were things I wanted to say but I have forgotten them. I
have a list of things to do. It will not leave me alone. It is a bully.
It wants me to stay busy and have no time to think or to feel guilty
that all I have done is think when action could have said so much more.
I cannot get over the feeling that I should do something heroic. I feel
like a joke and a failure and there are those who would have and need me
amd my like to be both of those things. I am writing so small so no-one
in this library will look over my shoulder and be able to recognise the
shameful waste of effort that I am, in full and public view,
engaged in. Maybe this would be a good entry for Walter, whose character
is as yet, not well known to me. I could, perhaps, begin to
learn something from attending to my not un-common bouts of self
loathing, when it comes to this un-known character to whom I have still
attributed hundreds of similarly wasted hours.
Of course, in this frame of mind – everything is wasted, whilst my
friends and those who presume to know re-assure me that 'nothing is
wasted'. Sadly, not true.
A man in a green hat is enough to move the attention away from wherever
it was and off we go on a parrallel track. One more cup of coffee for
the road.
It would be something, if not a lot, to be better at pub quizzes. A man
in his forties should not spend as much time as I do watching daytime
entertainment programmes on his television set. This is, I think, a fact. At
least, it is for me, as I get so little from it – or do I?
What I get from watching shite telly:
I get pain relief, a bare miodicum of entertainment; a diversion from
being hit (self flagellation or otherwise) over the head with my own
failings and those failings which I would (were I not such a proud and
manly manlike man, like to and take some satisfaction in blaming on the
actions of an host of other people. - did I open a bracket? - yes).
No bullshit. That's my only creeed. It is difficult not to pause when
you make that promise to yourself. There also becomes less and less to
say and your mind turns to wondering about WHO you are talking/ writing
to. Anyone who will read/listen. Yourself? God. - Probably all of the
above.
The word 'God' however (HOWEVER – no-one ever says that - its pompous)
does remind me of a subject I previously – I, earlier today was
imagining as some kind of scene from some kind of drama: It goes like
this:
Exterior Church Entrance
am man is looking at the ancient buttresses of a Cathedral when aa
Vicar passes from behind.
Vicar: You just go through there – the entrance has moved, you have to
be PROCESSED before you ebnter now.
Man: Is that the original 11th century wall there?
Vicar: Yes, It follows the footsteps of the building.
Two words in this (real) exchange interested me: Processed (especially
interesting for a man of the cloth) and 'Foot-print' – an interesting
word when used about a building like this. That a Cathedral should have
a footprint.
I imagined a further dialogue where by the man and vicar are pitched
together in some kind of an environment for a debate about the
fundraising and funding of the many historic churches in the area and
the need for them to 'adapt' in order to survive: Our Man (!) is an
athesist. He says:
I am an atheist and you are a man of the cloth. This debate cannot be
had by worrying about up-setting sensibilities. When a vast majority of
the inhabitants of these isles do not go to church and probably still a
majority do not profess to believe in God, why is it necessarry to
discuss whether church buildings should 'adapt' – before discussing
whether the ones which are no longer in use for worship should even EXIST.?
This becomes an argument about Land Use – not religion. About Social
utility in stead of 'heritage'. I may be an atheist ( although I have
doubts) and you may be a man of the cloth (I bet you have your doubts
too) – But only you have the right to have your beliefs classified as
'religious'. And so you have a bigger voice and say in what happens
over social and geographical – political matters which, by all accounts,
we might both agree – SHOULD BE EQUAL.
Dammit. No bull shit.
end
February 20, 2010
i rench. o' morocue
some things rhyme and something withers in time with cajouliment
which is not a word
but if you want the truth here it is:
cajouliment
something between borrowing and play
with a hint of existence thrown away
something battered and torn
like a baby, maybe, being born
Something.
cajouliment.
which is not a word
but if you want the truth here it is:
cajouliment
something between borrowing and play
with a hint of existence thrown away
something battered and torn
like a baby, maybe, being born
Something.
cajouliment.
Cut Off on One Side
almost muted
like a stroke victim
the public information film
suggests haste
if i'd only learned
to relax
how would I not be here now
and how do I wish I wasn't?
ah so - the kings' foe
was always the politician
if you read history books
and care, when your brain is gone
again.
If you live, you will be rewarded
badly
Die now.
and get stuffed
like a stroke victim
the public information film
suggests haste
if i'd only learned
to relax
how would I not be here now
and how do I wish I wasn't?
ah so - the kings' foe
was always the politician
if you read history books
and care, when your brain is gone
again.
If you live, you will be rewarded
badly
Die now.
and get stuffed
unlikely, but some thing
what came out of every worst moment was another
'til death did part us from what?
nothing, but maybe the inability to laugh at our own ineptitude
heartily and in life
which is not to be sniffed at after
you're dead
and the post office is shut
before the off licence
and the cats still need food.
A dilemma for the dead
is a given for the liven.
(and spleen)
end this now
you cannot disregard your vital organs in such a way.
"here I am Here I am"
blunt instrument. defiled
long distant causes of unrectifiable
distress to a mistress
at sea
plea
he he
'til death did part us from what?
nothing, but maybe the inability to laugh at our own ineptitude
heartily and in life
which is not to be sniffed at after
you're dead
and the post office is shut
before the off licence
and the cats still need food.
A dilemma for the dead
is a given for the liven.
(and spleen)
end this now
you cannot disregard your vital organs in such a way.
"here I am Here I am"
blunt instrument. defiled
long distant causes of unrectifiable
distress to a mistress
at sea
plea
he he
sorry
we are ALL so very ordinary
some of us will experience a knock at the door
and will be questioned about our ordinariness...
some will be revered, others damned
some made public and some not
most of us will never be questioned
nor publicised
get used to it
build a fucking bridge
or a sewer
or a life
or an existence
or don't
matters not....
some of us will experience a knock at the door
and will be questioned about our ordinariness...
some will be revered, others damned
some made public and some not
most of us will never be questioned
nor publicised
get used to it
build a fucking bridge
or a sewer
or a life
or an existence
or don't
matters not....
note on respect and the public face
respect lest they should feel bad
respect lest you should feel bad
close,
but not the same.
(and then there's all the shit about manners)
respect lest you should feel bad
close,
but not the same.
(and then there's all the shit about manners)
chirpy chirpy cheek cheek
i'll be crying in the day and staring at an invisible front of oncoming horses, traffic, germans, italians and i'll be dying before you whom i love and you will never see why
the human condition
love should never be self serving
but should take it's pleasure and fill
when due
This is the mystery of respect
and the dishonour of being born a bastard
mitigation:
Injustice - a human word
irreconcilable and one from which there is no recovery.
The Damned. 1984. The moment when you thought the world would end.
The moment you found out, much later, that it had/did.
the human condition
love should never be self serving
but should take it's pleasure and fill
when due
This is the mystery of respect
and the dishonour of being born a bastard
mitigation:
Injustice - a human word
irreconcilable and one from which there is no recovery.
The Damned. 1984. The moment when you thought the world would end.
The moment you found out, much later, that it had/did.
February 18, 2010
But comma, be real
To end on these colours
keeps them guessing
the little things we do
go un masked
at the end
we have nothing
but a twist
of the hip
or little finger
and we might be gods
but, we are your daddies
remember.
keeps them guessing
the little things we do
go un masked
at the end
we have nothing
but a twist
of the hip
or little finger
and we might be gods
but, we are your daddies
remember.
February 10, 2010
GOOGLE YOUR NAME (TIME FOR BED)
Liam Murphy is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by singer Axle Whitehead from early 2009.
AN ODE TO WATER-BOARDING?
Eyes look into the well,
Tears run down from the eye;
The tower cracked and fell
From the quiet winter sky.
Under a midnight stone
Love was buried by thieves;
The robbed heart begs for a bone,
The damned rustle like leaves.
Face down in the flooded brook
With nothing more to say.
Lies One the soldiers took,
And spoiled and threw away.
WH AUDEN
Tears run down from the eye;
The tower cracked and fell
From the quiet winter sky.
Under a midnight stone
Love was buried by thieves;
The robbed heart begs for a bone,
The damned rustle like leaves.
Face down in the flooded brook
With nothing more to say.
Lies One the soldiers took,
And spoiled and threw away.
WH AUDEN
Well - it is legal....
U.S. soldier ‘waterboarded his own daughter, 4, because she couldn’t recite alphabet’
http://www.infowars.com/u-s-soldier-waterboarded-his-own-daughter-4-because-she-couldnt-recite-alphabet/
http://www.infowars.com/u-s-soldier-waterboarded-his-own-daughter-4-because-she-couldnt-recite-alphabet/
BLOGSPOT AND FILTERING IN THE LIBRARY
Re: Blogspot and filtering in the library
From:
"liam murphy"
To:
"Harrison, Paul" [Add]
Date:
Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:27 PM (< 1 min ago)
View as text - Show originalShow full header
Thankyou Paul,
You're very welcome to look at my blogs: I don't write material that is generally thought to be : " obscene, racist, defamatory or otherwise unlawful;
or causes harassment or gross offence to others;"
Since i have not broken the terms and conditions and since the actual 'quotas' are not made clear, I remain angry at the loss of my work.
How does the library justify such an intrusion? You can satisfy yourself about the nature of my writing by visiting:
http://consumeamonkey.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-02-04T11:54:00-08:00&max-results=7
(I would also like to reserve the right to cause offence when I feel the subject warrants it - but apparently I cannot when in the library!)
My point:
Article 8 ECHR:
Right to respect for private and family life
1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Two questions:
Can I ask whether the library interferes with private email correspondence and which of the above Article 8 caveats do you feel I have invoked?
Two further questions:
If you cannot say - how can the library mitigate against being responsible for potential losses/legal infringements? I assume the most likely justification is on grounds of protection of morals and the rights of others..? However, should the burden of proof be required - in this case for instance - how might the library justify it's contravention of Article 8?
----
Paul,
What would satisfy me to the point of being utterly placated would be to receive an accurate list of those words/phrases/combinations and frequencies thereof which the library uses to invoke Article 8's (arguably justifiable) contravention.
Many thanks for your time.
Liam Murphy.
On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:39 +0000, "Harrison, Paul" wrote:
Dear Mr Murphy
I understand that you have had a problem uploading a response to a website blog. I am afraid that I have only partial details as to the sequence of events but as I understand you spent a period of time composing a submission to this blog and after you had submitted it, you got some sort of error message. I do not have the details of the wordingof this error message, but I am assuming from t he nature of the conversation that you had with my colleague is that it was one of the messages displayed when the filtering software has kicked in.
The filtering software works in a number of ways, one of which is to monitor the usage of certain words. Each of these words is given a weighting, which is then multiplied by the frequency of occurrence of these words. If this figure exceeds the threshold score we have set, then the remainder of that web page will be blocked from display.
I have confirmed with my colleagues who administer our networks that the filter will be applied to text that is submitted to websites usign web-based forms such as those used on blogging sites. Furthermore, they have told me that the threshold on such outgoing text is set at a lower limit to that for incoming, on the grounds that the user has control over the text that is being submitted. According to the terms of conditions of use of our PCs the user agrees that they will not:
" create … material that
o is obscene, racist, defamatory or otherwise unlawful;
or
o causes harassment or gross offence to others;"
And one of the ways we try and ensure this is by setting such threshold scores for filtering.
As I understand it, you were asking for an explanation of how the filtering works, so I hope the above clarifies that to your satisfaction. However, if there are other aspects to your query, I will be happy to answer them as well.
Thank you for using Norfolk Library Services Online
Regards
Paul Harrison
Electronic Services Manager
Norfolk Library & Information Service
LG045, County Hall , Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2UA
01603 222580
0781 846 4985
paul.harrison@norfolk.gov.uk
******************************************************************
Everything Starts with Reading
At the moment I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
******************************************************************
The information contained in this email is intended only for the person or organization to which it is addressed. If you have received it by mistake, please disregard and notify the sender immediately. Unauthorized disclosure or use of such information may be a breach of legislation or confidentiality and may be legally privileged.
Emails sent from and received by Members and employees of Norfolk County Council may be monitored. They may also be disclosed to other people under legislation, particularly the Freedom Of Information Act 2000.
From:
"liam murphy"
To:
"Harrison, Paul"
Date:
Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:27 PM (< 1 min ago)
View as text - Show originalShow full header
Thankyou Paul,
You're very welcome to look at my blogs: I don't write material that is generally thought to be : " obscene, racist, defamatory or otherwise unlawful;
or causes harassment or gross offence to others;"
Since i have not broken the terms and conditions and since the actual 'quotas' are not made clear, I remain angry at the loss of my work.
How does the library justify such an intrusion? You can satisfy yourself about the nature of my writing by visiting:
http://consumeamonkey.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-02-04T11:54:00-08:00&max-results=7
(I would also like to reserve the right to cause offence when I feel the subject warrants it - but apparently I cannot when in the library!)
My point:
Article 8 ECHR:
Right to respect for private and family life
1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Two questions:
Can I ask whether the library interferes with private email correspondence and which of the above Article 8 caveats do you feel I have invoked?
Two further questions:
If you cannot say - how can the library mitigate against being responsible for potential losses/legal infringements? I assume the most likely justification is on grounds of protection of morals and the rights of others..? However, should the burden of proof be required - in this case for instance - how might the library justify it's contravention of Article 8?
----
Paul,
What would satisfy me to the point of being utterly placated would be to receive an accurate list of those words/phrases/combinations and frequencies thereof which the library uses to invoke Article 8's (arguably justifiable) contravention.
Many thanks for your time.
Liam Murphy.
On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:39 +0000, "Harrison, Paul"
Dear Mr Murphy
I understand that you have had a problem uploading a response to a website blog. I am afraid that I have only partial details as to the sequence of events but as I understand you spent a period of time composing a submission to this blog and after you had submitted it, you got some sort of error message. I do not have the details of the wordingof this error message, but I am assuming from t he nature of the conversation that you had with my colleague is that it was one of the messages displayed when the filtering software has kicked in.
The filtering software works in a number of ways, one of which is to monitor the usage of certain words. Each of these words is given a weighting, which is then multiplied by the frequency of occurrence of these words. If this figure exceeds the threshold score we have set, then the remainder of that web page will be blocked from display.
I have confirmed with my colleagues who administer our networks that the filter will be applied to text that is submitted to websites usign web-based forms such as those used on blogging sites. Furthermore, they have told me that the threshold on such outgoing text is set at a lower limit to that for incoming, on the grounds that the user has control over the text that is being submitted. According to the terms of conditions of use of our PCs the user agrees that they will not:
" create … material that
o is obscene, racist, defamatory or otherwise unlawful;
or
o causes harassment or gross offence to others;"
And one of the ways we try and ensure this is by setting such threshold scores for filtering.
As I understand it, you were asking for an explanation of how the filtering works, so I hope the above clarifies that to your satisfaction. However, if there are other aspects to your query, I will be happy to answer them as well.
Thank you for using Norfolk Library Services Online
Regards
Paul Harrison
Electronic Services Manager
Norfolk Library & Information Service
LG045, County Hall , Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2UA
01603 222580
0781 846 4985
paul.harrison@norfolk.gov.uk
******************************************************************
Everything Starts with Reading
At the moment I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
******************************************************************
The information contained in this email is intended only for the person or organization to which it is addressed. If you have received it by mistake, please disregard and notify the sender immediately. Unauthorized disclosure or use of such information may be a breach of legislation or confidentiality and may be legally privileged.
Emails sent from and received by Members and employees of Norfolk County Council may be monitored. They may also be disclosed to other people under legislation, particularly the Freedom Of Information Act 2000.
I Don't Know If This Is Relevant To You, Deer Reader But.....
Coda or Introduction: Something Like That.
Notes on 'Faithful Re-tellings':
My son asked me “How many are the Taliban?”
The D Notice, it came to my attention is more used in times of private wealth blackmails for newly entitled 'Euro Millions Winners', by way of protection of progeny from death threats and other terriblenesses.
I decided to research both of the above and below are the results (in 55 Minutes):
According to these people:
http://www.infowars.com/taliban-numbers-increase/
“A recent U.S. intelligence assessment has raised the estimated number of full-time Taliban-led insurgents fighting in Afghanistan to at least 25,000”
Note the unspecific language. 'A' source. 'Taliban led insurgents': If there's only 25,000 led then there cannot be anything like that number, by inference, of actual Taliban doing the leading.
The paucity of the answer beckons the question as an even better one than it first might have seemed, onwards: On further investigation:
Wikipedia:
“As of 2009, a strong insurgency,[157][158] in the form of a Taliban guerrilla war, continues. However, the Pashtun tribal group, with over 40 million members, has a long history of resistance to occupation forces in the region so the Taliban themselves may comprise only a part of the insurgency. Most of the post-invasion Taliban fighters are new recruits, drawn again from that region's madrassas. The more traditional village schools are the primary source of the new fighters.
In early December, the Taliban offered to give the U.S. "legal guarantees" that they will not allow Afghanistan to be used for attacks on other countries. There was no formal American response.[159]”
Which seems to answer the question.
Now, with 'Faithful Re-Telling' in mind as our Coda – I turn to the D Notice..
Found This:
“
It is also requested that where individuals are likely targets for attacks by terrorists, care should be taken not to publish details of their homes or addresses without first seeking advice. People who are assessed as being at particular risk are those with security and counter-terrorist duties or backgrounds. However, others because of their duties or backgrounds may also be at risk in certain circumstances. Specific advice on this will be given on a case-by-case basis.”
So – under DA Notice 04 – sensitive installations and Home Addresses – It seems that individuals can be D Notified on a 'case bt case basis'. Whether this includes, as put to me, an 80% majority of personal blackmail and threat actions against the predominantly 'nouveau riche' – I don't know.
End.
Notes on 'Faithful Re-tellings':
My son asked me “How many are the Taliban?”
The D Notice, it came to my attention is more used in times of private wealth blackmails for newly entitled 'Euro Millions Winners', by way of protection of progeny from death threats and other terriblenesses.
I decided to research both of the above and below are the results (in 55 Minutes):
According to these people:
http://www.infowars.com/taliban-numbers-increase/
“A recent U.S. intelligence assessment has raised the estimated number of full-time Taliban-led insurgents fighting in Afghanistan to at least 25,000”
Note the unspecific language. 'A' source. 'Taliban led insurgents': If there's only 25,000 led then there cannot be anything like that number, by inference, of actual Taliban doing the leading.
The paucity of the answer beckons the question as an even better one than it first might have seemed, onwards: On further investigation:
Wikipedia:
“As of 2009, a strong insurgency,[157][158] in the form of a Taliban guerrilla war, continues. However, the Pashtun tribal group, with over 40 million members, has a long history of resistance to occupation forces in the region so the Taliban themselves may comprise only a part of the insurgency. Most of the post-invasion Taliban fighters are new recruits, drawn again from that region's madrassas. The more traditional village schools are the primary source of the new fighters.
In early December, the Taliban offered to give the U.S. "legal guarantees" that they will not allow Afghanistan to be used for attacks on other countries. There was no formal American response.[159]”
Which seems to answer the question.
Now, with 'Faithful Re-Telling' in mind as our Coda – I turn to the D Notice..
Found This:
“
It is also requested that where individuals are likely targets for attacks by terrorists, care should be taken not to publish details of their homes or addresses without first seeking advice. People who are assessed as being at particular risk are those with security and counter-terrorist duties or backgrounds. However, others because of their duties or backgrounds may also be at risk in certain circumstances. Specific advice on this will be given on a case-by-case basis.”
So – under DA Notice 04 – sensitive installations and Home Addresses – It seems that individuals can be D Notified on a 'case bt case basis'. Whether this includes, as put to me, an 80% majority of personal blackmail and threat actions against the predominantly 'nouveau riche' – I don't know.
End.
February 04, 2010
The wonder of it all: landing a whopper without tackle, intent or place in time
and the wonder of it all is you just dont realise how many times ive farted tonight... but you look wonderful late in the evening. even though your long brown hair has little bits of egg in it.
were i not disembodied and technically dead, I'd see about seeing to you, my darling.
and if you ask me: "do i look alright?" i'd say my Eric, you really look like.......
Layla.
were i not disembodied and technically dead, I'd see about seeing to you, my darling.
and if you ask me: "do i look alright?" i'd say my Eric, you really look like.......
Layla.
Fishing
...an excuse to say things which will never ever be repeated and will never cost you - anything.
and...
smiling, should your soul remain intact, will be something you learn to do with your toes and only when you are fully shod....
and...
you will have learned, by the age of 42, to remain silent, because you will have also learned that any protest, intervention or reaction in any degree will lead to personal suffering of an intensity which you have previously endured and can endure no more. Silence will therefore become your modus operandi. During silences of this palliative kind, you will, during the halting second movement of your life, learn to think of things which will make you smile inwardly. This you will do outwardly at first before you learn this latter essential lesson and are made to suffer accordingly.
what i know
... is that some people photograph large building projects because they are dis satisfied with their present occupations. i know that unless they were dis satisfied with their occupations, there would be a more than 50% possibility that they would leave their occupation and find a new path. but dis satisfied is how they need to be and so long as they are dis satisfied they will remain in the condition to which they have become accustomed.
another thing I know is that when particular individuals tell you they had a dream in which there was a huge lion on your back, it is entirely reasonable and eminently sensible to presume that they are capable of searing premonitions and that, in fact, you will be soon made to suffer, endure, or enjoy ( if you are of a sinister and masochistic persuasion) some terrible injustice or great pain of life and should beware...
Of equal importance and significance and with even greater certainty: 13 year olds, when 'left alone' on their request to do the meagre tasks required of them, will not. Consequently, the kitchen will smell and there will be no dishes clean enough to handle, let alone employ in the production or presentation of food.
Engaging neighbours you have had a predilection to hate and look down upon in conversation will leave you feeling lonely and dirty.
Specific members of the legal profession who have previously cost you an abundance of time, money, soul and bodily fluids will sit next to you in a cafe and counsel current clients of the opposite sex who will have unruly children who will be the subjects of said legal professionals' current attention resulting in their total loss of a father regardless of his actual or expertly implied human deficiencies.
another thing I know is that when particular individuals tell you they had a dream in which there was a huge lion on your back, it is entirely reasonable and eminently sensible to presume that they are capable of searing premonitions and that, in fact, you will be soon made to suffer, endure, or enjoy ( if you are of a sinister and masochistic persuasion) some terrible injustice or great pain of life and should beware...
Of equal importance and significance and with even greater certainty: 13 year olds, when 'left alone' on their request to do the meagre tasks required of them, will not. Consequently, the kitchen will smell and there will be no dishes clean enough to handle, let alone employ in the production or presentation of food.
Engaging neighbours you have had a predilection to hate and look down upon in conversation will leave you feeling lonely and dirty.
Specific members of the legal profession who have previously cost you an abundance of time, money, soul and bodily fluids will sit next to you in a cafe and counsel current clients of the opposite sex who will have unruly children who will be the subjects of said legal professionals' current attention resulting in their total loss of a father regardless of his actual or expertly implied human deficiencies.
ugly flies
Tazering for trout
a forum coffee
with a disgruntled control roomer
and a Longford man – plastic paddy
cum – coffee server?
Whats the name for that? barrista?
We came to some conclusions
as middle aged men who put the world to rights in similar ways do...
That:
a. people don't like being dictated to
b. unless something goes wrong beyond their control when -
c. they want anyone and everyone to dictate benevolently...
..liking this son of a coalshift shop steward of the black country
and respecting his dislike of Scargill, of death threats and sun reporters:
“This man is responsible for all petrol shortages”
I make some vocational use of the conversation,
inspired – if that is the right word -
to research careers in off shore remote control (diving inspection) Operative training
now that British gas and oil might be viable once more...
Really and secretly, I know that all I am good for is this:
This writing here. This saying, in however an improbable way
of things which otherwise would not be said. This
TAZERING FOR TROUT.
end
a forum coffee
with a disgruntled control roomer
and a Longford man – plastic paddy
cum – coffee server?
Whats the name for that? barrista?
We came to some conclusions
as middle aged men who put the world to rights in similar ways do...
That:
a. people don't like being dictated to
b. unless something goes wrong beyond their control when -
c. they want anyone and everyone to dictate benevolently...
..liking this son of a coalshift shop steward of the black country
and respecting his dislike of Scargill, of death threats and sun reporters:
“This man is responsible for all petrol shortages”
I make some vocational use of the conversation,
inspired – if that is the right word -
to research careers in off shore remote control (diving inspection) Operative training
now that British gas and oil might be viable once more...
Really and secretly, I know that all I am good for is this:
This writing here. This saying, in however an improbable way
of things which otherwise would not be said. This
TAZERING FOR TROUT.
end
February 01, 2010
WALTER
Walter 1
Long Shot of the back of a factory
Look at everybody with suspicion.
That's what I do.
I think it's what everyone does to a point..
The boys in Customs and Immigration call it: 'Behavioural Assessment'.
Having access to personal information would make my job a damn sight easier. But I'm glad I don't. Makes the work more interesting. Leaves you something to DETECT...
So I look at everybody with suspicion....
walter 2
Ext. Shot of Modern Municipal Swimming Pool and Leisure facility..Day.
I've not done this before. I just fancied making a bit of film. It could be seen as un-professional using works' equipment – but I'm using my own tapes. The others are all sealed and audited . Quite right so. Rules of evidence. I dare say i'm breaking some other rule, but if I am, I don't know what it is. I've just decided to make a little memoir.. I reckon I've got a few things worth saying. (short pause) .. There he is. Bastard.
walter 3
shot cuts poorly to a slightly different framing of the pool and lesiure facility - slightly more symmetrical this time
Look at that big piece of wood. I wonder what it is. Bloody massive. How'd they get it to bend so much? A great big piece of wood like that... amazing.
I 've got him now. That'll be a benefit saving. Possible prosecution. I'll make an appointment to see the employer now... bam.. another job well done. Bastard.
Camera pans amateurishly back to wood beam of swimming pool
Teak I suppose....
walter 4
repeat of first shot of rear of factory
It's funny looking at places that no one ever really looks at. Like this one. The obvious thing to do is to think nothing of them at all. but then, you do, a bit.. start to think something. you probably shouldn't. But you do - when you spend so much time looking.....and waiting...
pause and remain on shot
walter 5
EXT. - garden ?- Night....
I had a bit of an altercation last year. Road Rage believe it or not. (laughs) Me! Of all people... with my training.. anyway.. shows it can happen to the best of us. I ended up racing this 17 year old. The judge was very understanding – a 200 pound fine - and a 'driver awareness course'.
I went on it last week.
They did this thing. I mean, you don't expect to be impressed by a 'driver awareness course' - but they showed this video...
There were five basket ball players dressed in white and five in black. Each team had a ball and the course leader told you to watch and count how many times one of the teams passed it. At the end he went around the room to see who got it right.
Well, thank God, i got it exactly right - 47 times - me and the two coppers were the only ones - but that's the training - i have to get those things right... so do they.. especially the CID boys..
But that's not the point. The teacher - course leader - then re-ran the video and told us to just watch without counting... just look, you know? WELL YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT! half way through the game, a giant pink rabbit walks into the middle of the pitch, stops, and waves at the camera for about 15 seconds - and then walks off. But get this – NOBODY - not one of us - even noticed. Obviously, I suspected it was a different film. But it was a video. The tape never came out of the TV and the TV got rewound after the first showing...
It made me think-
People often just see what they're looking for.
If I could miss a giant pink rabbit staring at me and waving for 15 seconds - what else could I miss - you know?....
It just made me think...
(long pause) .. I really ought to prune those roses.
pause and fade to black
walter 6
Exterior office block day.
This is where i work.
feels a bit weird taking pictures.. i'm in the queue for the car lift.. the weather's. .. oh christ, this is stupid.... It's not meant to be about ME
walter 7
Ext. shot of boat on river - day
This one's new. Selling boats on a website, but also owns a string of b and b's. It makes sense to diversify. None of them are in his name of course. He's probably far too sussed to get a prosecution.. if only they all knew that admitting nothing is 90% of the answer to getting away with everything... I reckon the 'leisure class' would be twice the size it already is. It was a man called Thorstein Veblen invented the idea of the Leisure Calsses. Not that this leisure class is quite like Mr Veblens'. His idea was that most societies produce a limited number of upper class, superior folk, who would spend most of their time engaged in doing things high in status and pay - but relatively low on use.
We didn't have a welfare state when Veblen was working...
Oop - movement - he's in...
Wild goose chase this one.
I've been researching a few things lately... along with looking at the world with a different eye - so to speak - after my pink rabbit incident.
Anyway - the leisure class - there he is.... Bastard.
walter 8
Ext. Rear of a house with garden and empty bottle of wine with glass on table
erm, this is my house.......
walter 9
ext. Front of a Victorian prison. camera pans slowly to reveal children playing in the snow..
I've figured out how to edit sound in...
This is a prison. I'm looking for a guy who is teaching and signing on..which is unusual.. teachers I mean... creative writing with the inmates. The leisure classes.
Anyway, I wrote something:
(clears throat and reads:)
There are 495 schools closed in Norfolk today. Mousehold Heath sits right opposite the prison. A sledging haven. It seems a cruel thing to put a prison on a flat county's most impressive viewing site. You can see the whole of the City from here. With it's banks, churches, estate agents - and pubs.
today, children are playing like they used to when I was a kid. un-supervised, in large groups and not a health and safety man in sight..
puts paper down
never mind that...
i'd like to say it reminds me of when my two were little. We didn't do very much of this kind of thing. It would have had to be sponaneous. We never did anything spontaneous. They're both at University now. I got them a house together with a re-mortgage to help finance them - not sure it was the best time to do it...
I don't think we ever had a sledge...
i've got him, by the way. i have to catch him enter and leave. with all the prison checks, I had to sit there all day...
So..
it's sort of beautiful.
it's everything I missed...
Creative Writing - dear oh dear...... mmmmm
End scene on freeze of city panorama (AS SEEN IN 'WALTER 18')
walter 10
(int. Walter's home.)
Graphic: 'later that night...'
empty wine bottle with second bottle opened...
love isnt meant to be measurable. cant buy it... cant quanitify it... but it is a bit moderated, a bit, erm, i mean, it does have a price... its got a lot of different faces. It, you, have it, then you don't.. but it's like a rental word for whatever you're doing at the time.. love is a big excuse.... its definitely not always enough.. its definitely not all you need... but it can be all you have.. it probably is all you have.. but you might be a bit ashamed to admit it.
Shaky (drunken) change of view pans to shot of Walter's garden..
I don't know how these film makers find the time.
Its very clever.
film making
jacob's creeking
daft bugger
cut...
walter 11
Shaky hand held shot of one of Walter's surveillance tapes shot from a monitor/screen
this guy's always smiling
he looks so happy
walter 12
Ext. Night: The Garden
it's funny since i started doing this
not that roses look like anything this time of year
but they will
look like something
they're old stock
proper sweet smelling roses
leisure class roses
Veblen's rose garden
(I beg your pardon)..
sings drunkenly
walter 13
Ext. Landscape. Day..
The Golden Ratio. Fi-Bo-Na Ki or is that Chi? 'C C I' - i think makes a 'ch'....
I've got this little dictaphone thing now. Fi-Bon-A-chi was a mathematician. I did a google search for 'the look of things' and found out about the golden ratio - which is when things look right. More or less.. It's about 63%. It's meant to be the ratio that things reproduce by and it's all over classical architecture and it pops up in nature everywhere.
You're belly button is 63% of the way from your toes to your head
I was just curious since I started looking back at my pictures - how some just looked right and others didn't - to me that is - and I wondered: was this to just me or other people? and why.? And - why - is because of Fibonachi and the golden ratio.
I don't know. Some things are just right. Right in time, right in proportion, right in every way.
This is right.
(IMAGE STILL)
And this is wrong.
(IMAGE STILL)
What do you think?
Walter 14
Another scene from one of Walter's many surveillance sites..
I've been on 12 training courses in the last two years; used up about three weeks of annual leave; Level 7 'Professionalism In Security'. Refresher courses in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act....Peace/PACE - either way. I did an updated 'Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation Certificate'
(pause)
I've done a lot of acronymns...
I've put a lot into the job.
Sometimes i think about what other people do - what motivates them - what matters to them. i look at their faces, the way they move, their expressions and I wonder: Are they like me? Are we all more like each other than not? How do we connect? Am I helping? How do I know if I'm helping? and if I was - would they help me back?
I've started writing some of this stuff now. I was in the library the other day. A man sat opposite me left his computer. I was relieved. He seemed to feel it necessary to restate, all beit under his breath, everything he was doing. Me and the three others around the table havd tolerated him and nobody did more than sigh a bit louder than usual. Just as he left, a woman dressed in black with a slight limp took over his seat and then shot up suddenly shouting "excuse me" and went after him with a watch he'd left behind....
Who do I help?
Everyday, millions of un-rewarded minor acts of honesty and help like this go un-noticed or recorded. But maybe if they could be, they would show how we are more connected than we know. Show that we want to help each other... That... we are more alike than not....
I did a quite un-usual thing yesterday...
Walter 15
Ext. Day: Surveillance Site (Riverboats): Actively reflective and 'on the job' again..
I'm here with the boatman again. But I'm thinking about Mr Smiley...
Better not say his name I suppose..
Mr Creative Writing with the inmates
I told you I'd got him. (You? Who are YOU? - why am I talking to YOU?)
well, then I went and told him I'd got him....
and he just kept smiling....
and asked me if I'd like to have lunch... and it was lunchtime... and i said 'yes. ok'.....
and we had lunch.. and we got on.. quite well....
It even turned out he'd done my job .. for a while.
..but he'd got the sack for not forwarding any referrals from 'nosey neighbours' -as he put it....
I liked him. I even told him about this stuff.. about Pink Rabbits....
He was encouraging. he made it seem worthwhile... I mean, it is worthwhile - or I wouldn't be doing it.
He completely understood that there was nothing I could do about his prosecution - or whether charges were brought - he didn't even seem to want to talk about it. And neither did I. But I didn't want him prosecuted.
I'm not sure what I'm doing...
Walter 16
1st View: Int. Day. Dictaphone/Editing suit/Computer...
2nd View: Ext. day; a succession of classically framed still landscapes..
I had a call from my daughter today - which is a bit out of the ordinary - unless she wants money. She's fallen out with her mother and has no-where to go.. and can she come and stay? I thought I'd better say yes.
I hope this business of filming people in the street isn't going to get me in trouble. It's just very fascinating to catch people on film unawares. And it's so much easier to do that when you have cameras hidden inside traffic cones.
I've read up on the legalities and I'm not doing anything wrong. I've decided. Okay, Steve has helped me to see - if I'm honest, that what i'm doing is important work. He sees it as important work. He has told me it's important work I do feel a bit of an arsehole... But he says i'm working in a long tradition of the 18th and 19th century Flaneurs - who were mostly French - right up to what they called 'Mass Observation' film makers like Flaherty and some other people in the 1930's when everyone lost their jobs and maybe didn't have better things to do with themselves...
I've thought a lot about what Steve says - we've met up a few more times..
He says what I'm doing is 'reportage'. He says quite a few things in French, which is a bit off putting sometimes...
She's coming next week, after she's told her husband. She sounded very certain. I felt quite proud of her. I wonder what she's going to do for a job? Is she expecting me to keep her? Wouldn't be un-reasonable if the CSA hadn't already accounted for all my would be disposable income.
How do I feel? I don't know. What are we going to talk about? I feel nervous. I haven't really had a conversation with her since - Well, i haven't, I just haven't..
History gets made so quickly......
Walter 17
Day. Int. Hand held shot of Yellow Pages, Boiler and DIY mags.
The boiler has broken down.
It will cost me two and a half grand to fix it.
Daughter - Mel - who changed her name - is not happy with anything I've given her - and that wasn't more than a name according to her.
*beep* Flaneurs....
I have my annual review tomorrow...
This will be the first time I haven't received a performance bonus in six years.
I'm meeting Steve in the pub afterwards. Steve!
If they know anything about him, I'll get the sack.
Oh look at that - it's gravity pumped. Jesus Christ, that's another grandndsworth...
And still I am fiming. Filming my own misfortunes instead of other people's... But I think people enjoy the misfortunes of others. Schadenfreude.
Steve's word. German word this time. Steve should be in prison. What am I doing?
What a Muppet....
I should have filed the report on him...
Bastard.
Walter 18
repeat ext. scene: panorama of city
You would have to say it is beautiful up here.
A picture postcard of a view. (pause)
This suddenly feels like frightening work. (pause)
What have I done?
and what the beep am I going to do next? (pause)
Suspended with full pay for up to three months, then half pay for another three. But the Rep doesn't think it will get that far - and neither do I.
I don't know what to say.
Here's some music...
short passage of appropriate music!
Walter 19
Ext. Day: A succession of still landscapes
graphic: '5 years on...'
I make my living now as a wedding photographer
I went to Art School - steve's suggestion - I spent three years there trying to make a film about God and The Devil meeting up in Starbucks to find out what had gone wrong with the human race. About why the difference between 'good' and 'evil' seemed to have narrowed so much... In the end they decided to amalgamate Heaven and Hell- issuing day passes at first and then giving people open passports to travel freely between - very much like the European Union - It was quite clever. It got a few laughs and has been shown at one or two obscure film festivals.... but, in the end, the need to earn a living re-surfaced as it always does.... but somehow, just looking back at some of these early pictures - especially some of these scenes I shot while still 'on the job' - well, I just think they are interesting - as they are. (pause)
maybe, because I was seeing things for the first time, seeing, as I said at the time - what I was missing - I don't know, it might just be me - but I thought it was worth putting something together. It's not much. Just a Re-presentation if you know what I mean...
I'll finish off with a bit more music.
..fade in of continuation of appropriate music from previous scene...
voice-over:
Don't forget to look at everyone with suspicion.
Continue music and fade to credits.
Long Shot of the back of a factory
Look at everybody with suspicion.
That's what I do.
I think it's what everyone does to a point..
The boys in Customs and Immigration call it: 'Behavioural Assessment'.
Having access to personal information would make my job a damn sight easier. But I'm glad I don't. Makes the work more interesting. Leaves you something to DETECT...
So I look at everybody with suspicion....
walter 2
Ext. Shot of Modern Municipal Swimming Pool and Leisure facility..Day.
I've not done this before. I just fancied making a bit of film. It could be seen as un-professional using works' equipment – but I'm using my own tapes. The others are all sealed and audited . Quite right so. Rules of evidence. I dare say i'm breaking some other rule, but if I am, I don't know what it is. I've just decided to make a little memoir.. I reckon I've got a few things worth saying. (short pause) .. There he is. Bastard.
walter 3
shot cuts poorly to a slightly different framing of the pool and lesiure facility - slightly more symmetrical this time
Look at that big piece of wood. I wonder what it is. Bloody massive. How'd they get it to bend so much? A great big piece of wood like that... amazing.
I 've got him now. That'll be a benefit saving. Possible prosecution. I'll make an appointment to see the employer now... bam.. another job well done. Bastard.
Camera pans amateurishly back to wood beam of swimming pool
Teak I suppose....
walter 4
repeat of first shot of rear of factory
It's funny looking at places that no one ever really looks at. Like this one. The obvious thing to do is to think nothing of them at all. but then, you do, a bit.. start to think something. you probably shouldn't. But you do - when you spend so much time looking.....and waiting...
pause and remain on shot
walter 5
EXT. - garden ?- Night....
I had a bit of an altercation last year. Road Rage believe it or not. (laughs) Me! Of all people... with my training.. anyway.. shows it can happen to the best of us. I ended up racing this 17 year old. The judge was very understanding – a 200 pound fine - and a 'driver awareness course'.
I went on it last week.
They did this thing. I mean, you don't expect to be impressed by a 'driver awareness course' - but they showed this video...
There were five basket ball players dressed in white and five in black. Each team had a ball and the course leader told you to watch and count how many times one of the teams passed it. At the end he went around the room to see who got it right.
Well, thank God, i got it exactly right - 47 times - me and the two coppers were the only ones - but that's the training - i have to get those things right... so do they.. especially the CID boys..
But that's not the point. The teacher - course leader - then re-ran the video and told us to just watch without counting... just look, you know? WELL YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT! half way through the game, a giant pink rabbit walks into the middle of the pitch, stops, and waves at the camera for about 15 seconds - and then walks off. But get this – NOBODY - not one of us - even noticed. Obviously, I suspected it was a different film. But it was a video. The tape never came out of the TV and the TV got rewound after the first showing...
It made me think-
People often just see what they're looking for.
If I could miss a giant pink rabbit staring at me and waving for 15 seconds - what else could I miss - you know?....
It just made me think...
(long pause) .. I really ought to prune those roses.
pause and fade to black
walter 6
Exterior office block day.
This is where i work.
feels a bit weird taking pictures.. i'm in the queue for the car lift.. the weather's. .. oh christ, this is stupid.... It's not meant to be about ME
walter 7
Ext. shot of boat on river - day
This one's new. Selling boats on a website, but also owns a string of b and b's. It makes sense to diversify. None of them are in his name of course. He's probably far too sussed to get a prosecution.. if only they all knew that admitting nothing is 90% of the answer to getting away with everything... I reckon the 'leisure class' would be twice the size it already is. It was a man called Thorstein Veblen invented the idea of the Leisure Calsses. Not that this leisure class is quite like Mr Veblens'. His idea was that most societies produce a limited number of upper class, superior folk, who would spend most of their time engaged in doing things high in status and pay - but relatively low on use.
We didn't have a welfare state when Veblen was working...
Oop - movement - he's in...
Wild goose chase this one.
I've been researching a few things lately... along with looking at the world with a different eye - so to speak - after my pink rabbit incident.
Anyway - the leisure class - there he is.... Bastard.
walter 8
Ext. Rear of a house with garden and empty bottle of wine with glass on table
erm, this is my house.......
walter 9
ext. Front of a Victorian prison. camera pans slowly to reveal children playing in the snow..
I've figured out how to edit sound in...
This is a prison. I'm looking for a guy who is teaching and signing on..which is unusual.. teachers I mean... creative writing with the inmates. The leisure classes.
Anyway, I wrote something:
(clears throat and reads:)
There are 495 schools closed in Norfolk today. Mousehold Heath sits right opposite the prison. A sledging haven. It seems a cruel thing to put a prison on a flat county's most impressive viewing site. You can see the whole of the City from here. With it's banks, churches, estate agents - and pubs.
today, children are playing like they used to when I was a kid. un-supervised, in large groups and not a health and safety man in sight..
puts paper down
never mind that...
i'd like to say it reminds me of when my two were little. We didn't do very much of this kind of thing. It would have had to be sponaneous. We never did anything spontaneous. They're both at University now. I got them a house together with a re-mortgage to help finance them - not sure it was the best time to do it...
I don't think we ever had a sledge...
i've got him, by the way. i have to catch him enter and leave. with all the prison checks, I had to sit there all day...
So..
it's sort of beautiful.
it's everything I missed...
Creative Writing - dear oh dear...... mmmmm
End scene on freeze of city panorama (AS SEEN IN 'WALTER 18')
walter 10
(int. Walter's home.)
Graphic: 'later that night...'
empty wine bottle with second bottle opened...
love isnt meant to be measurable. cant buy it... cant quanitify it... but it is a bit moderated, a bit, erm, i mean, it does have a price... its got a lot of different faces. It, you, have it, then you don't.. but it's like a rental word for whatever you're doing at the time.. love is a big excuse.... its definitely not always enough.. its definitely not all you need... but it can be all you have.. it probably is all you have.. but you might be a bit ashamed to admit it.
Shaky (drunken) change of view pans to shot of Walter's garden..
I don't know how these film makers find the time.
Its very clever.
film making
jacob's creeking
daft bugger
cut...
walter 11
Shaky hand held shot of one of Walter's surveillance tapes shot from a monitor/screen
this guy's always smiling
he looks so happy
walter 12
Ext. Night: The Garden
it's funny since i started doing this
not that roses look like anything this time of year
but they will
look like something
they're old stock
proper sweet smelling roses
leisure class roses
Veblen's rose garden
(I beg your pardon)..
sings drunkenly
walter 13
Ext. Landscape. Day..
The Golden Ratio. Fi-Bo-Na Ki or is that Chi? 'C C I' - i think makes a 'ch'....
I've got this little dictaphone thing now. Fi-Bon-A-chi was a mathematician. I did a google search for 'the look of things' and found out about the golden ratio - which is when things look right. More or less.. It's about 63%. It's meant to be the ratio that things reproduce by and it's all over classical architecture and it pops up in nature everywhere.
You're belly button is 63% of the way from your toes to your head
I was just curious since I started looking back at my pictures - how some just looked right and others didn't - to me that is - and I wondered: was this to just me or other people? and why.? And - why - is because of Fibonachi and the golden ratio.
I don't know. Some things are just right. Right in time, right in proportion, right in every way.
This is right.
(IMAGE STILL)
And this is wrong.
(IMAGE STILL)
What do you think?
Walter 14
Another scene from one of Walter's many surveillance sites..
I've been on 12 training courses in the last two years; used up about three weeks of annual leave; Level 7 'Professionalism In Security'. Refresher courses in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act....Peace/PACE - either way. I did an updated 'Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation Certificate'
(pause)
I've done a lot of acronymns...
I've put a lot into the job.
Sometimes i think about what other people do - what motivates them - what matters to them. i look at their faces, the way they move, their expressions and I wonder: Are they like me? Are we all more like each other than not? How do we connect? Am I helping? How do I know if I'm helping? and if I was - would they help me back?
I've started writing some of this stuff now. I was in the library the other day. A man sat opposite me left his computer. I was relieved. He seemed to feel it necessary to restate, all beit under his breath, everything he was doing. Me and the three others around the table havd tolerated him and nobody did more than sigh a bit louder than usual. Just as he left, a woman dressed in black with a slight limp took over his seat and then shot up suddenly shouting "excuse me" and went after him with a watch he'd left behind....
Who do I help?
Everyday, millions of un-rewarded minor acts of honesty and help like this go un-noticed or recorded. But maybe if they could be, they would show how we are more connected than we know. Show that we want to help each other... That... we are more alike than not....
I did a quite un-usual thing yesterday...
Walter 15
Ext. Day: Surveillance Site (Riverboats): Actively reflective and 'on the job' again..
I'm here with the boatman again. But I'm thinking about Mr Smiley...
Better not say his name I suppose..
Mr Creative Writing with the inmates
I told you I'd got him. (You? Who are YOU? - why am I talking to YOU?)
well, then I went and told him I'd got him....
and he just kept smiling....
and asked me if I'd like to have lunch... and it was lunchtime... and i said 'yes. ok'.....
and we had lunch.. and we got on.. quite well....
It even turned out he'd done my job .. for a while.
..but he'd got the sack for not forwarding any referrals from 'nosey neighbours' -as he put it....
I liked him. I even told him about this stuff.. about Pink Rabbits....
He was encouraging. he made it seem worthwhile... I mean, it is worthwhile - or I wouldn't be doing it.
He completely understood that there was nothing I could do about his prosecution - or whether charges were brought - he didn't even seem to want to talk about it. And neither did I. But I didn't want him prosecuted.
I'm not sure what I'm doing...
Walter 16
1st View: Int. Day. Dictaphone/Editing suit/Computer...
2nd View: Ext. day; a succession of classically framed still landscapes..
I had a call from my daughter today - which is a bit out of the ordinary - unless she wants money. She's fallen out with her mother and has no-where to go.. and can she come and stay? I thought I'd better say yes.
I hope this business of filming people in the street isn't going to get me in trouble. It's just very fascinating to catch people on film unawares. And it's so much easier to do that when you have cameras hidden inside traffic cones.
I've read up on the legalities and I'm not doing anything wrong. I've decided. Okay, Steve has helped me to see - if I'm honest, that what i'm doing is important work. He sees it as important work. He has told me it's important work I do feel a bit of an arsehole... But he says i'm working in a long tradition of the 18th and 19th century Flaneurs - who were mostly French - right up to what they called 'Mass Observation' film makers like Flaherty and some other people in the 1930's when everyone lost their jobs and maybe didn't have better things to do with themselves...
I've thought a lot about what Steve says - we've met up a few more times..
He says what I'm doing is 'reportage'. He says quite a few things in French, which is a bit off putting sometimes...
She's coming next week, after she's told her husband. She sounded very certain. I felt quite proud of her. I wonder what she's going to do for a job? Is she expecting me to keep her? Wouldn't be un-reasonable if the CSA hadn't already accounted for all my would be disposable income.
How do I feel? I don't know. What are we going to talk about? I feel nervous. I haven't really had a conversation with her since - Well, i haven't, I just haven't..
History gets made so quickly......
Walter 17
Day. Int. Hand held shot of Yellow Pages, Boiler and DIY mags.
The boiler has broken down.
It will cost me two and a half grand to fix it.
Daughter - Mel - who changed her name - is not happy with anything I've given her - and that wasn't more than a name according to her.
*beep* Flaneurs....
I have my annual review tomorrow...
This will be the first time I haven't received a performance bonus in six years.
I'm meeting Steve in the pub afterwards. Steve!
If they know anything about him, I'll get the sack.
Oh look at that - it's gravity pumped. Jesus Christ, that's another grandndsworth...
And still I am fiming. Filming my own misfortunes instead of other people's... But I think people enjoy the misfortunes of others. Schadenfreude.
Steve's word. German word this time. Steve should be in prison. What am I doing?
What a Muppet....
I should have filed the report on him...
Bastard.
Walter 18
repeat ext. scene: panorama of city
You would have to say it is beautiful up here.
A picture postcard of a view. (pause)
This suddenly feels like frightening work. (pause)
What have I done?
and what the beep am I going to do next? (pause)
Suspended with full pay for up to three months, then half pay for another three. But the Rep doesn't think it will get that far - and neither do I.
I don't know what to say.
Here's some music...
short passage of appropriate music!
Walter 19
Ext. Day: A succession of still landscapes
graphic: '5 years on...'
I make my living now as a wedding photographer
I went to Art School - steve's suggestion - I spent three years there trying to make a film about God and The Devil meeting up in Starbucks to find out what had gone wrong with the human race. About why the difference between 'good' and 'evil' seemed to have narrowed so much... In the end they decided to amalgamate Heaven and Hell- issuing day passes at first and then giving people open passports to travel freely between - very much like the European Union - It was quite clever. It got a few laughs and has been shown at one or two obscure film festivals.... but, in the end, the need to earn a living re-surfaced as it always does.... but somehow, just looking back at some of these early pictures - especially some of these scenes I shot while still 'on the job' - well, I just think they are interesting - as they are. (pause)
maybe, because I was seeing things for the first time, seeing, as I said at the time - what I was missing - I don't know, it might just be me - but I thought it was worth putting something together. It's not much. Just a Re-presentation if you know what I mean...
I'll finish off with a bit more music.
..fade in of continuation of appropriate music from previous scene...
voice-over:
Don't forget to look at everyone with suspicion.
Continue music and fade to credits.
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