I don’t think that it would be an exaggeration to say that millions of people across the country have been left shocked and saddened by the news of Caroline Flack’s suicide.
Of course, the fact that someone so young, felt it necessary to take their own life, is one of the most upsetting parts of the tragedy.
However, I would challenge anyone with a heart, not to be moved by the realisation that the media – both social and tabloids – may have played a part in the poor woman’s decision to take her own life.
While the entire situation has been awful, if one good thing can come from the tragedy, it is that we can all be a bit kinder to each other.
Social media can be a horrible place for bullying. I’m not just on about the obvious trolls, who subject their victims to abhorrent cruelty. I am referring to what is posted by the general day-to-day tweeter, like you or I.
Is it ok to criticise an actor, football player, musician or anyone else online? Is there a line of acceptance, on what can and cannot be said?
If a footballer has a poor game and his team lose, or a singer appears on television and performs a poor rendition of their latest chart hit, is it justified to tweet them direct to tell them so? What if a soap character returns after a lengthy absence, during which time the actress portraying them has gained some weight. Is it OK to let her know over social media? What if you don’t directly tweet the person in question, but simply mention them by name?
In all of those examples, do you know for sure if the individual will read your message? If you have tweeted or messaged them directly, it is likely that they will. Even if you don’t, and just name them in your tweet, can you be sure that they won’t read it? Is some level of criticism – e.g. in sport – acceptable?
Do you know the mental state of the individual you are targeting – celebrity or otherwise? What will they think of your critical words? How will they react? Chances are, you don’t know.
I am certainly not taking the moral high ground. You will shortly read how I am far from perfect. I am also not blogging to dictate what is right and wrong – hence the above questions, as opposed to statements.
While I can say with confidence, that I have never trolled an individual, or sent anyone what would traditionally be called abuse, I know that I have posted some things in the past which haven’t been very nice.
Over the years, I have tweeted and blogged some critical, even unpleasant, things about footballers, celebrities and politicians – probably even your typical non-famous ‘Joe Public’. Many of the remarks I made, I now find regrettable.
I don’t believe that it is just tabloid newspapers, social media and blogs which are capable of having a preventable negative effect on mental health. Emails, text messages and general chit-chat amongst friends, family and colleagues can be potentially damaging, if discussing someone in a negative light – regardless of whether or not they are aware of the conversation.
If being totally honest with themselves, I am sure that many of those reading this blog post, like me, have also been guilty of writing or saying things which could be considered nasty, regardless of the context in which they were used.
I am not naive enough to dream of a perfect world, with an end to war, famine and poverty. However, if we could all be just a little bit nicer to each other, I believe that we would find ourselves living in a happier place. You never know, we may even save a few lives.
Next time you are about to tweet, post a Facebook status, send that email or join in the latest piece of office kitchen gossip, stop and think of the potential consequences – especially for the individual bearing the brunt of the comments.
Be kind.
All good runs must come to an end. They had a surprisingly good innings, but Newcastle United relinquished the Roman Chalice yesterday.
The Magpies took the honour from Rochdale in an FA Cup tie, before managing to keep a tight grip on the trophy for 33 days. In this time, they successfully defended the Chalice against five teams.
This was until Sunday, when they travelled to London and faced Arsenal. While in the Capital, Newcastle surrendered the only trophy won by the club in 65 years.
You would like to think that the Georgies had put up a fight and bravely defended the Chalice right until the end.
For the first 45 minutes of the football match, they did. The scoreline was 0-0 at halftime. Sadly for the Toon Army, the valiant display didn’t last and they lost 4-0!
Arsenal are now the current holders of the Chalice. They are the first winners of the trophy to also compete in a European competition. On Thursday, Arsenal will take on Olympiacos in the Europa League.
Should Arsenal lose, the Chalice will leave English soil and be up for grabs by Greek football teams! Nigel Farage and Katie Hopkins will be outraged!
Look at this cutie.
Like butter wouldn’t melt…
Roman may have the face of an angel, but has behaved like a little demon!
He’s determined to destroy our front room table leg…
I have had a fantastic day! After over three months of turmoil, pain and being confined to my bed, I finally feel like I am on the path to recovery and can see an end to my personal hell.
This week, I have been trying to aid my recovery, by attempting to get out of bed and independently stand. This has often been a struggle. Spending three months in a bed would be enough to leave anyone deconditioned.
With help from Claire, I have been able to get out of bed, and for a brief period, maintain a standing position most days. I feel like each time I repeat this exercise, I have been able to progress a bit further than on previous attempts.
Today was my best effort to date. For the first time since my accident in November, I was able to get myself out of bed and comfortably stand for half a minute. This may not sound like much, but for somebody who has spent a quarter of a year primarily on his back, this was a massive step forward.
My biggest accomplishment of the day was yet to come. I have been able to sit downstairs on the sofa for a few weeks now. I generally try to do this a few times a week, and spend two or three hours at a time, in the front room.
Today I spent the afternoon on the sofa. This was no two hour visit, though. I was downstairs for six hours. I ate lunch, spent time with Roman and Claire, watched Soccer Saturday, and even found the time to rub my wife’s leg with the back-scratcher. It was just like old times.
I felt incredible. Claire also remarked how I looked like my old-self. This was intended as a compliment! I was so chilled, relaxed and pain free. The only stress I felt was following the Leeds game, but even they won. I was left feeling very happy indeed.
While I am very pleased and proud of myself, I also feel indebted to Claire. Without her love, support and patience, I would not have been able to achieve any of this today. Who knows where I would be. Best not to think about it.
Anyway, I wanted to remain downstairs for tea. Claire had bought one of those Mark’s and Spencer ‘Dine In’ meals, to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Granted, we are one day late, but whatever – my wife and I love each other very much. We certainly don’t need an anniversary of some Saint, in order to enjoy a romantic dinner… although we will still buy cards and food promotions in his name.
Sadly, eating downstairs was not possible. As mentioned in a previous blog post, this weekend has seen the country ‘gripped’ by Storm Dennis. Personally, I think it is something about nothing. I am sure that naming a storm is a new thing. While unpleasant, the weather is just wet and windy.
Despite Storm Dennis being as entertaining as Les Dennis, Claire and I were concerned when the ceiling lights started to flicker. My Dad recently fitted some long life bulbs for us. You know the kind – the ones that claim to last for so long, that they will outlive anyone who makes use of them.
The fact that they had started to flicker was therefore a tad concerning. I was worried that despite being as impotent as a 100-year-old monk, following a lifetime of celibacy, Storm Dennis was about to cause a powercut.
A powercut is bad news in our household. Not only would it prevent Claire from watching the Liverpool game on television, worse still, I would be trapped downstairs as my stair lift runs on electricity, and sadly not magic spells and wishes.
We whizzed upstairs as fast as the stair lift could take me. 43 seconds. Incidentally, it takes 50 seconds to go down, which I find strange. For some reason, I just assumed it would be faster going down, what with gravity. In case you were wondering, yes, I have used the stopwatch on my mobile phone, to time how long it takes. Saddo.
There was no powercut, which meant that Claire was able to watch Liverpool win. Blessed with electricity, she was also able to cook our Valentine’s Day meal.
I ate mine upstairs in bed. Claire stayed downstairs, eating hers while watching The Masked Singer. Based on the choice of television on offer, I was more than happy to remain in the bedroom.
Now that I know what I am capable of, I am planning on spending a large part of Sunday on the sofa. That is unless Storm “Les” Dennis has a say in the matter…
With the puddles of Storm Ciaira barely evaporated from our streets, another is on the way.
Thankfully for me – a blogger of pointless waffle – Mother Nature’s latest hissy fit has been named Storm Dennis.
The good thing about that is unlike ‘Ciaira’, there are many famous people named Dennis…
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DENNIS Wise
- One is a little rodent with sharp teeth. The other was my pet hamster. Boom!
Les DENNIS
- Presented Family Fortunes in ye olde days, before Vernon Kay.
- Gail Platt’s bit on the side. I haven’t watched Coronation Street for years, so for all I know, his character could be dead.
DENNIS (The Menace)
- The chubby blonde with the pig nose had his own TV show. I watched it as a child. Weekend mornings on Channel 4.
- After years of mental torment, drove his neighbour, Mr Wilson, to an early grave.
- The black haired Dennis with a dog, was a lead character in The Beano – a popular comic in the 20th century. A bit like The Sun, but for more advanced readers.
- ‘Beano Dennis’ was known as “The Menace”, although should have been “The ASBO”, as some of his menacing was borderline GBH.
- His dog, Gnasher, would have been euthanised under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
- Nowadays, both Blondy and ASBO would be ‘on the spectrum’.
Time will tell if Storm Dennis will be as weak and disappointing as Les, or as violent and wild as ‘Beano Dennis’.
Based upon the way these storms are named, the next one will be a girl’s name, beginning with ‘E’.
To help me do another blog of celebrity namesakes, I’ll be hoping for Storm Emma – although it will probably be something like Storm Eglantine.
About Me
So you stumbled across my blog. No doubt after searching for something bizarre on Google. Before you hit that 'Back Button', why not stay and have a read for a few minutes?
If you are after a website which gives advice on how to hack an iPhone X, download the latest Steven Seagal movie, or view nudy ladies, you've come to the wrong place and may now press 'Back'.
However, if you would like a lifestyle blog, written by a 30-something chap, living in Bath (England), feast your eyes on this.
You won't discover how to copy PlayStation 4 games. What you will find is a blog, covering life in the West Country, the highs and lows of supporting two unsuccessful football teams, while sharing a house with a wife and rabbit.
All written by a man, somewhere on the sanity-scale between normal and eccentric.
