If it is Flooded - Forget It

‘If it is flooded, forget it!’ - This very successful advertising campaign is conducted every summer with the onset of the wet season. This campaign tells us to never assume anything. Do not assume the depth of the water. Do not assume the height and power of your car. Do not assume the strength of current. Do not assume your level of intelligence.

This is certainly fair comment. We should not assume that conditions at any one time will be the same as the last time we visited.  It’s also a fair assumption that we should take care, that we should be mindful, even if we feel it is ok, that we could put others in danger. This campaign targets all drivers, both experienced and the not so experienced, as no one sector has the mortgage on stupidity. 

Other media campaigns have targeted many worthwhile causes and prove that these are very powerful tools to change the mindset of society.  We have seen campaigns targeting the use of mobile phones while driving; targeting drivers not leaving children and animals in the car while parked; targeting having each and every passenger, including animals, buckled up and safe. The iconic campaign - ‘Drink and drive, and you’re a bloody idiot’ has been a major success, with drink driving now being socially unacceptable, and truly changing the behavior of a nation.   

 

The government has targeted many areas over the years, from obesity, lifestyle, alcohol, drugs, etc etc.  Cigarette advertising has ceased.  In shops tobacco products are now stored behind closed doors so they are not visible or attractive to the young.  No-one under eighteen is able to buy tobacco or alcohol products. All of these campaigns are valid and, even though tobacco is still glorified along with alcohol in Hollywood movies, the use of tobacco products has certainly declined majorly in recent years. I am not so sure the alcohol consumption message is getting through yet! As people seem to think that someone else is responsible for our behavior these days, these government campaigns will become more intense and attempt to change the way we live our lives. The government will attempt to become our moral compass and change our behavior through media campaigns, rules and regulations, and fees and fines. Is this a good thing? I do not know and I will let you be the judge.

 

However, if you doubt the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, just drive your modest little sedan between the hours of 7 and 9 in the mornings and, again in the hours of 2 and 4 in the afternoon and you will find the media campaigns for 4WDriving has encouraged these drivers to believe that they can do anything. These drivers know all the conditions of the road, whether its flooding or fine weather.  One could say they are bullet proof, and their 4WD’s are designed for the rough conditions that we call school zones. The lady that whips off her belt and beats the snake to death is alive and well, with the 4x4’s, butt whipping those in smaller cars in the school zones. 

Quite often you see them mounting curbs, nosing their way in to lanes, parking wherever they want, intimidating the small cars, and why?  Because the advertising campaigns that the major car manufacturers run, show the captive audience, that these creatures of the off road can do anything. They are big and robus,t and appear to be able to go anywhere. Do we see those manufacturers tagged with the slogan ‘Drive moderately’ as you do with liquor shop advertising.  I don't think so! 

 

How many times do you have to hear your rear cameras going off  to tell you that this off road creature is up your tail and they mean business with that 10 tonne bull bar. I am sure the beeps of the camera are sounding out a warning that I am about to be violated in my derriere. Or, is it screaming, ‘Get over! This bull bar means business!’ After all it can climb mountains, drive through rivers, run along our sandy beaches, and my car is a mere pebble in its way.  

 

Yes, advertising is a great tool and it shows us to be aware, to take care, but it also works on the other side of the pendulum building up an image of self importance and invincibility. God knows how many of these drivers believe these campaigns that they can do anything and don't have to think. This vehicle climbs cliffs, crawls across boulders and flies across the outback so my anxiety level has increased. The tools I have taken from those campaigns shows me there are a few tools behind the giant wheels around me.  

 

I am not jealous of these creatures of the outback but, while in the cities, do they think that they own the roads as well.  Do you see people like me driving across the great outback in my sedan or driving along our pristine beaches?  The answer is, ‘No’. Because the manufacturer of my car did not advertise my car was bullet proof.  Even my parking assist tells me to proceed with care.  When I start it, an ‘accept ‘ sign makes me press, to say I am aware of the navigation system.  Maybe the 4WD’s should have an ‘accept’ that they share  the road with others that are smaller than they are and proceed with care. 

 

These two sides of the pendulum demonstrate just how effective advertising is! Maybe it is time the invincibility of the tool behind the wheel of the 4 wheel drive was tempered, and a few responsibilities of courteous and safe driving practices were highlighted for the owners of these vehicles. The present media representation is delivering the wrong message. I’m sure that if I owned a vehicle like this, treated it the way the advertisements say, my insurance company may have something to say or not pay out. If the manufacturers of these vehicles are not prepared to temper the invincibility of the owners, maybe the government should help to take these fuel guzzling monsters off off the road by taxing them out of existence. Exempt our farmers, mining, and true campers and off roaders but the suburban terrorists need to some incentive to change their behaviour. It has worked with smokers!!!!!!

 

These are my thoughts and I would sure like to have your views on the matter so drop me a line.  Another campaign that is dear to my heart is stopping bullying. However bullying takes on a whole new meaning in school time driving. 

Cheers.

Family #appearances #hurt #abuse #celebrations

As the religious calendar rolls around, family takes on a new significance with the exchange of well wishes and blessings, the sharing of good food and gifts, and the general connectedness that comes from such events. What was once an obligatory exchange of well wishes, has become a time of exchanging blessings and generally giving thanks with the ones that count.  

No longer am I tied to my past, where I wished everyone including the neighbours cat a happy blessing for the season.  I have finally believed enough in myself to bestow my blessings on a selected few. I have always believed that it is not only right to send such wishes on special occasions, but it gave a genuine connection to those with whom I shared my blessings. However, I have realised at last that the responses were mostly those of obligation to reply.  The indifference to my wishes and the obligation to reply are the same as the shop assistant saying, 'Have a nice day!' requires the appropriate response of,  'And to you also!' This is despite his indifference at his counter, despite how he queried the article in question and called for price check that must have had to be sourced from the country of origin! And, now I am late for an appointment. 

I have come to realise that my wishes and blessings of the season were replied to only by obligation. There was no meaning nor sensitivity to the replies, it was simply a matter of, lets reply and get this over with! The next season is just around the corner and I must do this before the next text rolls in. I know everyone is time poor with a busy lifestyle but, these holidays and celebrations, give us that little bit of time to take stock and remember those who have helped us, and are dear to us, on the pathway of life.

This year I have celebrated in a more low key fashion. I have actually shared it with people that are dear and near to me. My celebration was not tied to elder clansmen and women's desires for things to be done their way or not at all. My celebration was one of hope, that there is indeed that of life after death, new beginnings and a tangible happiness that comes from this.That there is hope for a better future, hope for a world of peace and hope that we will see equality for all by the time I finally close my eyes to begin that other journey.  This is the finally the celebration that I truly wanted and this year has seen the first of those dreams and aspirations to start in full.  This is on my bucket list and I want to achieve that.

I wished to spend my time with people who equally respected me and I celebrated this occasion (Easter) without fear without condemnation for simply being me.  It was relaxed, emotions were stable and all enjoyed each other's company and no remorse as to why we celebrated in the first place. There were no hidden agendas - only agendas of like minded people celebrating life after death. 

To those who fear these occasions, I beg for you to begin your next celebration as that - a celebration of renewal, a celebration of life.  A celebration of love, not one that you must peer over your shoulder to wonder what the actual agenda is and who may stab you. 

Think positively - the world is a much better place without the negativity of those who have no feeling but for themselves.  The world needs positivity that creates peace and harmony - not a world of derision.  Only then can these days of celebration be visionary to a world of peace for which we celebrate. 

Take care till next time

Bitchescoz!

EMail: luke65mcbride@gmail.com

Giving Thanks! #manners #respect #leadingbyexample

Firstly, thanks for all the correspondence I have had for my last couple of blog posts. I usually leave the more controversial robust posts for my partner but this time they are mine. Blame the rain! 

 
Whilst on the subject of rain, the other day - and I must point out this was not my local shopping centre, which is rather friendly, rather urbane, and rather pleasant - I was visiting a shopping centre and, in front of me at the check out was this lady and her child. As you are aware, I wait so patiently and observe the goings on he he!  Back on track! The lady was being served at the checkout and she pulled a biscuit out of her handbag and to give to the child.  While the service attendant was waiting to receive her credit card, and I waiting in line so patiently, the woman was teasing the child with the biscuit, like a dog obedience trainer is to a Labrador puppy teaching it to sit and heel. However, the mother and the child became less than playful with the training technique, with the child screaming for the biscuit and the mother screaming for a thank you. Eventually, after what seemed the lifespan of the Queen Mother, both achieved their reward. However, the child received a very sore bottom (which I do not agree with by the way) and the mother got the 'Thank you', she so desired.  The lady snatched her credit card and receipt from the service attendant, stuffed the child into the trolley with another smack and scream. Then my turn came to be served with the checkout girl and myself just staring at each other, like two lost souls on a ship going to nowhere.

Not wishing to follow the woman, nor stalk her, I had three other shops that I needed to go to and, sure enough, there she was in front of the queue in two of the shops.  For my third errand I decided to hop in the car and go back to Pleasantville to finish my last one.

The point that I am making here is - this "woman of the demanding thank you", not once thanked the servers who proffered their services to her.  Not once, did she teach by example to her child, the courtesies which she so rigorously required.  Is it so hard to simply say, 'Thank you' to people?  Is it easier to demand, 'Thanks' than give it yourself.  I think not!  Yes the lady may have been having a tough day but is it necessary to use force for thanks?  What is this teaching the child?  Does this behaviour show them bullying is ok or, does it show that they can be bullied.  Either way, its  not the way I want my world to be.  

Surely, all of us must agree, that a simple thanks does not take much energy from our tanks. But, that simple thanks may encourage others to return it in kind, as well.  God knows the checkout operator may be having a tough day one day, jump the counter, and smack us for our lack of manners.  How would we handle that one?  Not well, I am prepared to swear on.   
Ok, we all get absentminded at times and forget manners. But, don't you agree that the simplicities of life can be as rewarding as ticker tape parade down your Main Street. I know at home for instance, just a snatch and snarl may not comfort me sleeping on the couch. Each and everyone of us deserve the right of thanks when it is due. So let's just show it more often and not beat it into someone who forgets, or is learning life's complexities.

These are my thoughts!  I hope you will keep writing in with your's and until next time take care! Always love each other, share a smile, share a shoulder, and share a kind thought for others.

Cheers!

Bitchescoz

Contact: luke65mcbride@gmail.com

Let It Go! #abuse #caring #love #compassion

A little while back, I wrote of a friend of mine and his stressful relationship with his mother.  I asked if anyone could give advice of how to help him with his dilemma. I passed the advice and information from your emails on to him. Thank you! 

After discussions with his new found helpers, they established that he should distance his contact with her.  For the most part, all was going well apart from her abusive texts, and her usual undermining of him to family and friends, but he rose above it all and was going along quite well. 

Inevitably a family function had to be attended. He hummed and haa'd as to whether he should go, or not ,but decided he had nothing to hide so he would attend. This reunion was to be difficult for him, but I know sometimes you need to bite the bullet. I advised him to play it cool and just be nice.  Hopefully the evening would go without incident and he would stay his dignity, which he has always kept, intact! 

Sure enough the woman ,in her evil plot, had readied herself for the kill.  The minute he arrived she told everyone of the prodigal sons return! Of how she had been neglected, and shunned, after everything she had ever done for him.  The 'everything' that she had done, was that of any normal parent - clothe, educate and feed him as a child.  She failed to talk of her manipulation, her torment, her unending assassination of his character over the years.  She also failed to admit that even after all of this, he stood tall and accepted her abuse publicly and personally.  Never did he once denounce her and her evil, embarrassing her like she so often did to him.  

I am proud that my friend kept his cool throughout the evening.  I am proud that my friend did not dip into the gene pool and retaliate in the matriarchal way.  I am proud that my friend left in a dignified manner! Even after she had publicly stated that his love had been payed for in full through her expenditure on him from birth.  Sometimes I feel that no matter how often you turn the cheek and turn back with love, there is a time for you to walk away.  Don't look back.  Refuse to be someone who others can wipe their feet on.  Let it Go.  

My friend and many others have endured this humiliation, this abuse. This form of abuse, though not physical, is something from which you must escape, despite the costs.  No one should endure physical or emotional beatings.  No tie, family, friend or lover should have to succumb to this.  

We intend to stand beside my friend through the emotion, the mourning of his family loss. Any member of his family that allows this to happen to a fellow human being, is not worthy to be in his presence.  We will help him through his loss. Help him to rebuild a life that is compete without the abuse that he has become so used to.  

If anyone you know is suffering abuse in any shape or form please stand by them.  Please give them support, as even if they willingly choose to leave this abusive relationship and family situation, they will indeed feel loss, and they will feel a mourning.  Please don't stand back and, say it has nothing to do with you. Abuse is something that needs to be stopped. Every person deserves the dignity of respect.  Every person deserves someone to lean on in their times of trouble.  

Unless we reach out and offer help, care, and comfort to those suffering our lives will be shallow.  If we don't offer help we will be as guilty as my friend's evil mother.  

These are my thoughts. I hope and pray that you too may feel as I do and reach out and be a shoulder for those more needy than ourselves. Till next time.

Cheers!

Bitchescoz

Contact: luke65mcbride@gmail.com