Category Archives: Opinion

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Another Bite Of The Apple…

As Apple unveils its much anticipated iPhone 5 to hordes of eager fans and techno geeks, all longing to see which of the previously leaked rumours are in fact true (uh, that’ll be most of them it seems), I can’t seem to help myself from being distracted by the company’s iconic logo. Its simplistic and eye-catching design – a perfectly formed bite out of an impossibly perfect apple. An instantly recognisable symbol across the globe. A symbol synonymous with cutting edge electronics, hi-tech designs and superior, portable gadgetry for ever hungry technological consumers.

In many ways Apple has defined a generation of young people. A generation unwilling to make do with basic or cheaper products. From the first iPod to the latest iPhone, many of the young, the hip and the wealthy have lapped up everything the company has served – such that a significant majority remain furiously loyal to the company – verging on the fanatical at times – unwilling to give even slight consideration to its competitors’ offerings.

It’s not my intention to stir up debate over Apple versus Android here. Let it be known that I use and admire both systems, and can see the pros and cons of each. I love what I can do with the technology in my hands and the way it allows me to organise my life as well as achieve my writing goals as I travel. I’m not going to demonise Apple (though I do deplore the way some of its workers are treated).

The company is to be applauded for its ability to create sleek products which have transformed the way we communicate, work and socialise. If the iPhone 5 were a watch, it would be a Rolex. Yet the latter, pricey accessory which most cannot afford remains largely in the hands of the rich and famous. Apple, on the other hand, has invented much sought after items that are seen in the hands and pockets of movie stars, and made them available to the average Joe on the street (albeit for a reasonably high monthly sum for most folks). Even ten year olds can be seen walking around with 3GS models clasped to their ears.

And yet the hunger for ever better, snazzier, faster technology remains. In five years time the iPhone 5 will be classed as naff and useless, unfit for purpose. Clever advertising continually alerts us to what we’re missing – FaceTime, state of the art maps, voice control, panoramic photography… another bite of the apple.

Much like the lure of forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden, manufacturers persuade us that if we could just get our hands on that latest product, we’ll be really satisfied. Truth is, fulfilment from eye catching possessions is fleeting. The wealthy could tell you that. Being rich doesn’t necessarily equate to a life of happiness. Often quite the opposite. As the über rich acquire ever more stuff and status symbols, it often leads them to question why they are not satisfied.

As actress Kristen Stewart was reported as saying in a recent interview… “I feel boring. I feel like, Why is everything so easy for me? I can’t wait for something crazy to f–ing happen to me.” A star who has attained everything, and can have anything she could possibly want, feels boring!

And that about sums it up for most of us. After we get our hands on the latest technological gadget, the thrill eventually wears off – especially as things get worn out, become less enticing or are superceded by something more impressive. That’s not to say we shouldn’t have such items – rather that we shouldn’t treasure or place too much value on them. We need to consider how much our hunger for possessions is eating away at us. “For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

(For those who are curious, I’ve never possessed an iPhone but we do have an iPad2 in the house which enables us to do all sorts of creative things with music, writing and photography. I try to live by the following maxim: I will use my gadgets for good. And boy am I thankful for the sat nav feature on my phone!) 

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Word Feast – Allowing The Written Word To Have Its Way With Me

I am a creator. I’ve never said that before – it sounds a bit pretentious or boastful. Yet when I weave abstract words together with other less dramatic phrases and humble language, it’s possible to create a piece of written art.

Words that mean little individually, assume power or splendour once blended together in thoughtful arrangement. A message is communicated to willing readers. The style and theme of the piece makes each one unique.

Like the ingredients of a recipe, on their own words may not be very palatable. Brought together by the skillful hands of a chef, they transform into something irresistible.  Words may not be tasty but it’s possible to eagerly consume a finished piece of poetry or prose and feel satisfied afterwards.*

Sometimes I question why creativity strikes in the middle of the night. Its 2.16 am. I can’t help when words start to take flight. I can either resist their power or I can soar. Words are transported from the recesses of my mind to the forefront of my keyboard. At best – flowing together in literary harmony; at worst – still capable of elliciting a response or an emotion.

Some may call this psychobabble. I call it a reflection of my Creator working through both my mind and my fingertips. The compelling urge to write has free reign as I choose to ride the wings of creativity and allow the written word to have its way with me. Hoping that the outcome may produce something of worth. Certain that I’ve used far too many metaphors in this piece!

*One such work of art that thoroughly moved me and filled my soul is the novel by Brandon Clements – Every Bush Is Burning

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Candyfloss Culture

ImageToday you’ll find me over at Jennie Pollock’s great site  

I met Jennie on the online world via a writing challenge we were both completing. I was unable to complete all the challenges in a timely manner but I’m hoping to knock another two off my list with the above article…Challenge #9 Great Writers Connect with other Writers and Challenge #12 Great Writers Provoke Us.

Jeff Goins’ 15 Habits of Great Writers series certainly alerted me to the fact that I need to be proactive and get going with projects whilst also being ready to stick my neck out and take a few risks. Amazingly, after interacting with Jennie about this article that I’d had brewing in my mind for quite some time, she encouraged me to not only write it but suggested that it feature as a guest post on her blog. Rather than find a million excuses as to why I shouldn’t, I decided to seize the opportunity and go for it.

It turns out that Jennie is also a spectacular editor who worked her refining magic on the post, including dividing it up into two separate articles. I am most thankful for her willingness to offer me this opportunity as a guest blogger and hope that you will enjoy looking around her site. Jennie is also a twitterer well worth following. She can be found at @MissJenniep.

(NB – Candyfloss is our British term for  ‘cotton candy’ as it’s known in the States. Photo: stockfreeimages.com)

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My NHS Story (That’s our free National Health Service for any overseas visitors to this blog)

IImage awaited check in at the Cambridge hospital for scheduled surgery with not a little trepidation. Would I be greeted with kindness and care or would I be met with harsh faces and uncaring nurses? I have to admit that I expected the worst. My last stay in hospital, after the birth of my third child, was  a rather unpleasant experience to say the least, and I checked myself out as soon as possible.

The NHS has had to take a lot of flack and criticism over the last few years, particularly in the area of nursing care. I was most fortunate to discover that this time I was to be placed on a very quiet ward. This meant that the nurses tending to my care were not rushed off their feet; they were very pleasant. The majority of them were not British – and it really didn’t matter. One was Romanian, one a Pilipino, one half German. They welcomed me as if I were their own flesh and blood. They smiled at me.

I wanted to hug one of the nurses when in the middle of the night I was feeling nauseous and hot, and she rushed over to me with a portable fan and pointed it in my direction. I was full of genuine thanks when another nurse earlier cleaned up my sick that splashed all over the floor. I kept apologising – that’s really not a nice job to do – and would have offered to help clean it up myself, were I not so weak.

They kept saying “It’s ok, don’t worry about it”- but I was thankful, I was so grateful for this act of kindness. You can’t legislate for kindness. You can train nurses to write essays, to be fluent in medical mumbo-jumbo speak, to follow procedure and tick every bureaucratic checklist, but you can’t really train for a natural, inherent kindness; it is for this that I am truly grateful.

They didn’t treat me as if I were a nuisance or begrudge me care for being ill. They were tender and sweet and understanding; this is priceless.

My twenty-four hours of care could have been twenty-four hours of hell – we’ve all heard the horrific stories, including the recent one of the young man who was dying of thirst on a ward and called in emergency services to alert them of his plight. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18814487)

Instead my faith was restored in the humanity of professional nurses who gave their best. They smiled, they were friendly, they asked if I was alright, they asked if I needed anything.  There were no complaints when I spilt a near full cup of tea all over me and the bed whilst in a state of drug induced delirium; they just got on with their job with a good attitude. Admittedly this was because the ward was quiet; had the five beds been full, I’m sure the situation would have been quite different.

But it renewed my hope, and made me see that, given the time and space and opportunity to care, some nurses will willingly run to fulfil their duty. I hope this may be said of other hospitals up and down the country.

I can only have good things to say about my time at Addenbrooke’s hospital, despite the gruelling nature of the actual keyhole surgery and the horrific painful after effects. The nurses I met did their utmost to ensure that my stay was as comfortable as possible. Thank you. And to the government: please let nurses return to their job of caring and being kind. Free them up of endless paperwork and bureaucracy. Allow them to fulfil their natural mandate to look after people, to show compassion, to be kind. For this is ultimately all that we really want from the NHS. (Along with a clean bed and bathroom)

I am thankful that my foreign nurses all spoke good English. I do believe that if we employ those from other countries that they should be fluent in English to minimize confusion and avoid anguish of the patient. I experienced no such anguish. They attended to my needs magnificently.

When you’re in great pain and distress, it’s wonderful to be surrounded by those who will look to your needs and try to help you as best they can when you are in such a weak and vulnerable situation. Let’s not write off the NHS just yet, nor take for granted the wonder of free healthcare.