Thursday, November 13, 2008

Obstreperous

I think I was feeling in a bit of a bolshy mood yesterday. This might in part have been influenced by taking part in a conference where we knew one of the speakers was going to absolutely slate what we were doing - which he did, but it was fine. Afterwards he said he was really grateful for how we had responded to his criticisms i.e. we let him say his piece and acknowledged his concerns and on a personal level didn’t give him the cold shoulder etc and treated him the same as we would have had he been really supportive. I guess it comes down to being able to identify the difference between the views someone represents and who they are as a person and you have to learn not to take things personally.

I watched Home and Away on Fiver last night and as the presenter introduced the programme she described one of the characters, who is suffering from serious mental health problems, as “going cuckoo”. I was so unimpressed and for the first time ever contacted a TV broadcaster to make a complaint about what had been said. I was really shocked that anyone would have thought that an appropriate comment, let alone on TV like that. I don’t suppose me getting in touch will make much difference, but I did say that I hoped this did not represent the channel’s view of mental health problems and that there wouldn’t be a repeat of such a comment. I just can’t believe that in this day and age someone would think that it was ok to make a comment like that.

Anyway, yesterday morning someone parked outside where I live (as in our private parking area) got out the car and walked off. I saw her come back last night and went out and spoke to her because I had seen her car parked there several times and had no idea who the woman was. Before I even uttered a word she started telling me that she was a friend of one of neighbours and she’d never have parked there without permission etc etc. I said it was fine and she still kept telling me that she was on a training course and again I said it was fine. Clearly she thought I was going to have a go at her. I’m not sure why. Perhaps I should have put down the bloodied axe before I went out to speak to her.

6 comments:

Kahless said...

One of my fave words is obstropolous

Random Reflections said...

kahless - there are some words that are just marvellous. Perhaps I should compile a list.

Kahless said...

Yes. I think a list would be good.

Random Reflections said...

kahless - well perhaps I'll give it a go at some point.

G and I did once have a conversation about what the world would be like if all the words between gullible and lanyard in the dictionary no longer existed.

You would probably have to have been there...

Kahless said...

Were you wearing a lanyard at the time? Cos otherwise why did you stop there.

Oh and were you stoned at the time???? lol.

Random Reflections said...

kahless - there was no lanyard wearing at the time. I think G didn't know the word and had been ordering some of those "string things you put your pass on". G has learned so much from me, including how to make a decent cup of tea.

I was not under the influence of any illicit substances at the time (and nor was G), but somehow I think that makes the conversation all the more worrying.