At all costs we want to stir up some sort of feeling in others. Our soul abhors a vacuum. At all costs it longs for contact - Hjalmar Soderberg, from Doctor Glass. It was good to meet up with Mike again. I have known him from my days at North Tyneside and we make the … Continue reading Coffee at Pink Lane
The loneliness of a long distance worker
All of us like a bit of solitude, some time away from everyone else to get your thoughts together. Being alone can also mean that you can get some work done, you know, that long report that you can’t get finished because of so many interruptions. Working from home (WFH) then has been a blessing … Continue reading The loneliness of a long distance worker
Make way for social interaction
These days I am having loads of conversations with people without actually seeing anyone. Yes, I see their image on the screen and I can hear their voice but it is not the same. I want to be next to them because that is what being human is all about, the social interaction. But we … Continue reading Make way for social interaction
A new world emerges
Covid-19 is the pandemic that the world has been waiting for. Ten years ago I remember attending events about the possible threat of bird flu. Everyone was talking about how it would sweep across the world and that we needed to start planning right away. Fortunately the virus didn’t make the leap from birds to … Continue reading A new world emerges
The human touch
Like many of us, I have been stuck at home for thirteen days now. In reality this is no great hardship as I am still well fed, have company and have things to keep me going. There are people far worse off than me and so I am not complaining. I do miss the human … Continue reading The human touch
Are food banks good?
I have been pondering over the question ‘Are food banks a sign of a successful society or rather and demonstration of a failing society?’ I am of two minds. Food banks are an increasing phenomenon. In 2017 there were nearly 1.2 million three-day food packs issued by the Trussell Trust, one of many such organisations … Continue reading Are food banks good?
A year of work in progress – day 31
Day 31 – 14 February 2014 Valentine’s Day is the day when love hangs heavy in the air. What better way to spend the morning than with BT? We have a meaty contract with them to deliver the broadband infrastructure for the Digital Durham programme and so it’s important that we maintain excellent relations throughout … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 31