Miscellany
Dec. 25th, 2007 07:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ewtI have slippers, and a cinnamon bark heart-shaped thing to hang in my closet or wherever, and a lovely glass bottle for perfume (it's small but still heavy, will have to be very careful packing), and a lovely plum-coloured chenille scarf, some fair trade tea from Nepal, a wallet, and some very nice intensive conditioner for my hair. Also I have made most of a cashmere pinafore dress from charity-shop sweaters, but I'm out of black thread now so will have to wait to continue (the navy blue is okay for zigzagging the edges on the inside but not really any good for what I want to do to the top part). There is shortbread, there will be turkey, and people here liked their gifts.
Listened to the Queen's Speech on the radio. Nice sentiments, all this looking after the downtrodden, the outsiders, and so on... but isn't this part of what we pay our government to do? I can't help feeling a bit like there's an element of, "Hey, look after those less fortunate than yourselves, because things are getting tough and we're certainly not going to do it," which may not be what was meant...
Of course, just because I think we're paying the government to look after people who have misfortune doesn't mean I think we shouldn't use other methods too. There is a strong argument for never depending on the government for anything if you can help it, and forging strong communities where people give what they can, take what they need, and are accepted for that at face value. I just think we need to question why this message is being sent right now, and make sure funding is being spent on research and practical measures to help people live better, rather than some of the hare-brained make-everything-criminal-and-suspect-everyone policies that are being thrown around.
Of course, it's difficult to know the Queen's position on the political stuff.
Tomorrow: Fabricland for coat lining and more black thread. Mum and I are fixing my purple coat this week, yay! I know on the 27th more family are coming to visit for the day, and I know some of my brother's friends are coming for a day at some point, but I don't really know the schedule for the rest of the time I'm here. I should talk to Mum and figure it out so I can get on with that academic work; at this point I'm officially behind, although at least I have a PLN of what to do.
Everyone else is out for a walk; I elected to stay home and rest a bit. I'd better do that, and get some real clothes on and so on as well (been in my nightie all morning so far).
Listened to the Queen's Speech on the radio. Nice sentiments, all this looking after the downtrodden, the outsiders, and so on... but isn't this part of what we pay our government to do? I can't help feeling a bit like there's an element of, "Hey, look after those less fortunate than yourselves, because things are getting tough and we're certainly not going to do it," which may not be what was meant...
Of course, just because I think we're paying the government to look after people who have misfortune doesn't mean I think we shouldn't use other methods too. There is a strong argument for never depending on the government for anything if you can help it, and forging strong communities where people give what they can, take what they need, and are accepted for that at face value. I just think we need to question why this message is being sent right now, and make sure funding is being spent on research and practical measures to help people live better, rather than some of the hare-brained make-everything-criminal-and-suspect-everyone policies that are being thrown around.
Of course, it's difficult to know the Queen's position on the political stuff.
Tomorrow: Fabricland for coat lining and more black thread. Mum and I are fixing my purple coat this week, yay! I know on the 27th more family are coming to visit for the day, and I know some of my brother's friends are coming for a day at some point, but I don't really know the schedule for the rest of the time I'm here. I should talk to Mum and figure it out so I can get on with that academic work; at this point I'm officially behind, although at least I have a PLN of what to do.
Everyone else is out for a walk; I elected to stay home and rest a bit. I'd better do that, and get some real clothes on and so on as well (been in my nightie all morning so far).
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luggage
Date: 2007-12-25 10:56 pm (UTC)I think it is time to get creative with your luggage. Could a small bag be bungee corded to the larger one for transport on the London Tube? That may solve the problem of overweight--and the problem of not having enough arms. I know it's not ideal--but neither is paying an extra $50.00 bucks for overweight luggage.
Love you and miss you,
Dad
no subject
Date: 2007-12-25 11:30 pm (UTC)Hugs.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-26 01:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-26 10:43 am (UTC)Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas.
no subject
Date: 2007-12-26 01:17 pm (UTC)Are they listening, though?