One law?

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

The scales of justice weigh heavy, there are so many laws or orders I would repeal, but I would need to be convinced that any of them improved the lives of millions or even billions.

My influences are stories like Robin Hood, mythologies and historical tales where support is given to all, for instance the tale of the good Samaritan and the healing by Jesus, and St Francis’ care for the animal kingdom.

I’ve been told by people I’m too naive, too forgiving, too caring. But I don’t care, for the world to continue as it is, is too cruel and damaging. Somewhere there must be a kernel of decency.

The world is tilting to a right wing view. People are the victims. The world is too chaotic, and somehow we need to find a balance between human needs and environmental issues. Maybe instead of letting the richest people take over let’s gently tax them and make them pay? A small contribution from their gleaming gold would help so many.

So my one law is “Tax the Richest”.

Up to 100% effective?

I chuckle when I see this on adverts, ‘up to’ means that the percentage efficiency could be anything from 0% to 100%! But we are fooled by the top percentage. It’s the same sort of trick where a price is £9.99 instead of £10.00, the brain is tricked into thinking it’s a more than the 1 pence you actually save!

So think before you buy and be aware of tricky marketing, please!

Expensive tech

What technology would you be better off without, why?

Expensive hair curlers that cost the Earth, but don’t do much better than cheaper ones. The cost and power they use must be excessive for people with low incomes. The fact that they often come in “exclusive” colours so they can charge more is ridiculous.

The amount of effort to make something use the Coanda effect to pull hair round onto a heated surface? Is it worth the effort? I wonder.

My bike

Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).

45 years ago I bought myself a ladies mixtie frame 10 speed bike.

It cost £120 which was a lot of money then and as a student I had to pay monthly to get it. I think it took me 6 months.

But it got me through college and into the first jobs I had. It was my method of visiting family and friends. I must have ridden thousands of miles on it.

Bikes are a means of transport for all sorts of people. Who needs ebikes. Keep cycling.

First change to pounds

If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

Dollars are not my currency so first I would have to exchange them for pounds sterling.

Who would I give my donation to?

As its not my actual money I would not feel obliged to give it to people I know. I think I might give it to three or four charities.

The selection would be :

A children’s support charity, possibly for children’s health.

A cancer research charity, I would have to think about which cancer needs the most help, some are less “popular” than others.

Support for a homeless charity. Either for housing issues or getting their benefits organised.

Finally, I would look for other people to support, perhaps a historical society, or a narrow gauge railway.

Money spent. I’d then need a good rest in a darkened room.

Bee painting

I was asked to paint some bees today for a craft fair at Growthpoint to raise money for the group. I painted one large bee on a flower and three small ones. I like going to the group. It’s helping me feel a bit less anxious. I can talk to the people there and get things off my chest I’ve had a lot of things to deal with over the last few months, I just want things to calm down.

Lost my purse

I’ve lost my favourite purse. Small and soft material, I’ve had it for years, it was getting scruffy but I loved it. I think I must have pulled it out of my pocket yesterday when I was out for a walk. I know I took money out to pay for something, but stuffed it back in because my friend paid. Then it’s a blur, perhaps as I took a tissue out it fell out. I’ve rung the place we visited but no one has handed it in. Someone has probably had the cash. I almost drove back today but thought better of it. Too late. I seem to be losing a lot of things at the moment. So upsetting.

A lot of people

If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

I’ve actually thought this through. I would give some to family and friends, it turns out you can gift someone £3000 without having to pay tax. But I would give more than that and gladly pay it. Then I would think of acquaintances to help. I would try and share a reasonable amount. Having done that I would buy a small house and garden, a bit bigger than mine now, but not huge. Enough to neatly fit paintings and books with a warm studio with plenty of light to paint and draw in. A natural garden with pond. It would not be too far away from family and friends. Obviously the cats come along too.

I would have to ensure I could pay all my bills each year.

Finally I would try and donate to charity… I would have to support local as well as national charities.

How do I know?

Something has come up. Google domains has been sold to squarespace. People can transfer them free of charge to WordPress?

But how do I know if I have a Google domain? I tried looking it up but didn’t go far, I need to write down the sequence of what to do or I might get lost? Plus how come Google is allowed to sell something you have already paid for? Is it like buying a car and then being told the maker has gone bankrupt so your car now belongs to someone else? I never understand this guff….