So, I have just learned that the local council in Crewe are taking me to court for none payment of Council Tax, since my 6 month ‘grattis’ has apparently expired? Now. “If” I was still in the country I would concede my responsibility and cough up. BUT I have lived in New Zealand for over half a year now, and here’s my big problem with all of this….I have an empty house yes, but I have it currently on the market with every intention to sell as I am pretty settled here in New Zealand now. I am not currently in the UK, nor do I have any intention of returning for any period of time - so I cannot in any way physically benefit from anything the council tax pays for, so why the W#$%@ should I be held liable?

I have of course voiced this concern to my (ex)local council, and await their response but failing this, I will perhaps explore contacting the government more directly, alas I fear this approach will fall on completely deaf ears…but you’ve got to admit - this is pretty ‘irregular’

I can see the council’s argument “if” I was keeping the house, and intending to return, but I am not! So, the fact they are throwing court summonses my way, gets my hackles up. I’ve got enough on my plate with family, without local government in the UK adding to things!

They’ll do anything to scrape any last pennies from us serfs and peasants - it would appear to me that feudal disparity is alive and well, and currently living in the UK!

You know what? I am FUMING!!!

Here I am, on the opposite side of the planet, I get through to the nurses station of the ward my mum is on, and they tell me I have to use ‘Patientline’ to speak to her….I politley explain to the nurse that I am calling from New Zealand and can I not have a quick chat on the phone at the nurses station?…”No, it would be too difficult to get mum to there….”, ok so mum is physically impaired and can’t move much, but it’s not impossible! I was given no option….this amounts to physical discrimination and institutionalisation on my mum’s part, since I am the calling party and incurring no cost on the hospital…..

Thanks for FUCKING NOTHING…..NHS…..

I apologise for swearing so clearly on my blog, but I had to illustrate how strongly this MADNESS incenses me. I will wait till the morning, and try once more when a new shift of nurses are on….but there’s is no force on earth that will make me phone through Patientline from New Zealand, it’s bloody extortionate in the UK never mind from abroad?! Load of Crooks!!

To quantify it, to speak to my mum for just 5 minutes on one of those devil-lines would incur a tariff of over $6 not to mention any surcharge my local carrier would levy since this is not your average UK landline.

There’s got to be a better system guys, it’s about time Labour pulled there socks up with their social responsibilities or got out, and lets face it, they aren’t far off the door now! I’m so glad I’m not in the UK any more. The system is sapping it’s people - in fact the whole system is broken in my opinion. Funny really? In a bygone age when governements got into such a mess the opposition would call for a vote of ‘NO CONFIDENCE’ and a new government would be built. The more I see, the more I believe democracy in the UK has become flawed and corrupt.

I was once proud to call myself a loyal subject of the British nation; but now, I am ashamed…

EDIT - OK, so whilst I have my consumer bee in my bonnet; and the soap-box is still warm, I have taken the liberty of getting in touch with ‘patientline’ to ask if they can explain to me, how they reached the tariff figure they currently charge so watch this space…..if I get a response I will post it here for all to see.

Apparently the Pope has decided to decree another seven sins to add onto the original seven deadly sins?!

NEW
Genetic modification
Carrying out experiments on humans
Polluting the environment
Causing social injustice
Causing poverty
Becoming obscenely wealthy
Taking drugs

ORIGINAL SEVEN
Sloth
Envy
Gluttony
Greed
Lust
Wrath
Pride

So, without even thinking about the old lets get all pedantic on the new ones eh..?

1) Genetic Modification > I guess you can kiss goodbye to any heart/limb transplants or bone marrow transplants, or blood transfusions to save lives, because you are putting someone elses genetic material inside a body, thus genetically modifying it…SINNER!!!!

2) Carrying out experiments on humans > No more GCSE’s, No more A Levels, No more Degree’s, No more Polls these are all forms of statistical experimentation on humans whether for informational purposes or to gauge intelligence…hmmm hang on this is a bad thing? SINNER!!!!

3) Polluting the environment > oh well I guess if you fart one more time, you’ll end up in the ninth circle of hell!! SINNER!!!!

4) Causing social injustice > Ok so this could be related to the last one, you fart in a public place, maybe a lift in a MALL? Boy?!!! That’s a Social Injustice alright! SINNER!!!!

5) Causing poverty > So by getting up everyday and going to work to earn a wage, you are putting someone else somewhere (probably more qualified too) out of a job thus causing poverty SINNER!!!!

6) Becoming obscenely wealthy > No wonder Bill Gates is standing down from Microsoft and given up the top spot as richest man in the world! SINNER!!!!

7) Taking drugs > “Drugs are bad m’k?” What?! you took a lemsip for you cold last night..? SINNER!!!!

But I’d argue that these new version are surplus to recquirement and simply a repetition of the older traditional sins in one form or another:

1) Genetic modification - could be tied into Envy - Does she go for the breast enlargement or the breast reduction?!

2) Carrying out experiments on humans - could be tied into Pride, Lust and Wrath depending on the mood of the torturer…(cough) I mean scientist….

3) Polluting the environment - Well simply put this is gluttony, wanting limitless energy at the cost of the ozone…

4) Causing social injustice - Again a happy mixture of Greed, Lust, and Wrath! Maybe Pride too if you took your injusticing seriously enough?

5) Causing poverty - Again Greed, Lust, Sloth, Gluttony take you pick any one of the original 7 can contribute to this

6) Becoming obscenely wealthy - Greed, Gluttony, Pride, Lust

7) Taking drugs - Sloth, Lust, Greed, Pride etc…. they all still fit!

As you can see I am taking a very dim view and have in the very posting of this commited no end of sins myself, oh well at least I am suitabley named (minus the sixes on forehead), there’s just one conundrum that has me quaking and nervous about all of this, since sinning is a very negative thing there is now a tip in the balance, 14 sins to 7 virtues….who on EARTH?! can come up with another 7 virtues to even the score????

Answers on a postcard too….

Yes…I know, it’s the thought that counts…..but….

I was told recently at work, that I was part of a “Formula One Team” for the role I played in bringing on board a new client.  I was also told to look out for a “special thankyou” in my inbox.

It arrived today, a printed certificate signed by the MD for the UK - not framed or laminated or anything (though it “was” colour to be fair), fresh off the printer and a Hotwheels Toy Car.

….pauses for effect…..

For the last year there’s been this BIG drive to improve employee engagement, so here I am; poorly paid in my current position, and they thank me for going above and beyond by sending me….a kid’s toy?  If I was happy in my current role, and paid a proportionate amount for the level of work I deliver, and if I wasn’t currently immigrating to another country perhaps I could have seen the funny side, to be fair I still can - but that doesn’t outway how insulted and belittled I feel.

Here I am, with years of experience and respect earned in my role, being thanked by the top dogs with a toy. 

What more can be said?