July 2011
5 posts
Been thinking today about the situations in Greece and America.
Greece is in real peril of sovereign default. Italy have also joined the ill-fated European group at risk with their recent budget announcement. The EU has rallied around and put together bailouts for Ireland and Greece so far and will no doubt be sinking more money in to the failing economies to ensure nobody has to deal with the fallout from a government default.
Why then has the worlds largest economy had their credit ratings put under review by two of the ratings agencies? Politics. The House of Representatives have been blocking an increase in the borrowing limits of the government. This is absolutely nonsensical. The Europeans are fighting tooth and nail to ensure they don’t have sovereign default, even where the economic management deserves a default and the Americans are playing petty party politics to engineer a default that should never have even been on the horizon.
It’s all a little like the food mountains in Europe while Africa starves.
The walk between offices takes me through an underpass where a homeless person sleeps. I’m not sure how long he’s been there but it’s more than the 6 months I’ve been walking this route on a regular basis. There are a few homeless people living in the area.
I’ve noticed a few things about their routine and tried to figure out why they do certain things. They’re usually asleep in the morning, after the commuters have got to work they sleep. Even in our wonderful English summer the night can get very cold (I recently spent the night outdoors). The morning sun lifts the temperature enough to be able to sleep comfortably. They’re usually awake again by lunchtime as people are passing by and may be more likely to give them money if they ask. Occasionally, they disappear from their spots. It’s probably to wash or brush teeth in the public toilet opposite although I’ve never seen this.
I don’t like giving money to the homeless. I’ve noticed the one at the underpass doesn’t drink and will only use the money for food and the toilet. He’s never seemed drunk or to be feeling the effects of alcohol but I’m still reluctant to give him money. Maybe this is something I need to address. I do often buy an extra sandwich or chocolate bar at lunch and give it to one of them as I walk by. We also have many (over) catered lunch meeting and occasionally have takeaway delivered to the office. I rarely have any but will always take something for the homeless people I pass.
Yesterday I did my walk again for the first time in a fortnight. When I got to the underpass the man wasn’t there and all of his belongings had also gone. I hope he has found a shelter and not just been moved on by the police.
I decided a little while ago that the constant nagging about not taking enough risks is worth acting on. I often feel as though I’m being too conservative in my efforts, decisions and relationships. I’m not bold enough. This stems from many sources but is due, in the main, to looking at the down side of the decision in consideration.
Today, I took such a risk. It was trivial enough and didn’t go the way I would have liked but the more important thing is I tried. I’ll also be consulting my dice every now and then.
Let the good times roll.
