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"The art really is in isolating yourself and letting as few things into your head as possible. To only admit those things into your head that come from a direction where no one else ever looks. That is the difficult thing." W.G. Sebald This is a very profound thought - or maybe it just seems profound to me because of a particular state of mind at a particular time. Sebald speaks of "the art" but does not specify the art of what. We can assume that he means the art of living, but this can also be narrowed down to specifics - writing of course comes straight to my mind,or anything creative. But surely knowing the art of living must be one of the most amazing things to be able to get to grips with. Sebald admits it's difficult. I will do my best to try.

I came across the article I wrote two years ago about the BNP reposted on the net this week and thought would respond in a sort of update on what has happened - or not - since. Two years down the line and I can report that not a lot has changed here in Maltby (suprise, suprise).Many people appear to be tactically voting just to get Labour out (which has happened nationally but never locally here!) I think what concerns people about "Independents" is that it is almost impoossible to define what an Indpedent is. In fact here in Rotherham, despite many claims that it was not going to happen it has resulted in a "Rotherham Independents Group" - note "group" not party. Still VERY worrying I feel that in a town of around 17,000, the BNP got 810 votes. Granted these were no doubt by the people that "anonymous" speaks of that are basically ignorant thugs - not sure they are even really fascist - and hang around causing bother for bother's sake. I...

What to think about or comment on today ? A hung parliament? Think we have that up to our necks and more. The situation in Greece? That night work it’s way around to the Euro Parliament and the same sort of thing. So….. What about funerals ? Ok, so it’s not the most uplifting of topics – but it’s a fact of life. As I get older, my mind keeps changing on what I want to happen when I die. I know for a fact I don’t want to be buried. (Have threatened to haunt anyone who does that) I was brought up in a family with very strong Christian beliefs. I went through the stages of doing as I was told, then rebelling, just for the sake of it. As I had my own children my views changed again and I studied as many religions as I could manage (or maybe it was theological ideas more than religions) Some ideas seem very logical to me, others just plain unpalatable. And yet I can still not say I am 100% Atheist. It might be easy if I could. To believe (or not believe) 100% in a point of view. I don’t u...

Well, here we go. This blog that wasn't going to be particularly political has turned out to be political again ..even if just for this week up to the elction. I have posted on Politics in the Rother Valley about the latest round of leflets/non leaflets. I really think we must be being persuaded by the big 3 and the TV. Anyway - Maltby Town Council. What can one say. Thursday was the finance meeting where things like er,,finance were supposed to be discussed. It was difficult to work out who was who and who was campainging for what amidst the noise and rumpus coming from cllrs and public alike. A prospective Independant candidate was shouting across the table to tell councillors what to say whilst haveing converstion with 2 PCSO's regarding some councillors personal finance ! You seem very open and transparent Mr Independent not - dont think I will vote for you. As for the rest of the meting - the chair mumbles into a so called microphone that no one can understand what on...