Intolerant of Tolerance

Whenever there is a clash of values, this seems to be our standard response. Tolerate the differences. Just because they are different doesn't mean they're any better or worse than yours.

So what if that guy disagrees with climate change? Everyone's entitled to their opinion! Who are you to say your beliefs are any more valid than someone else's? If a Muslim woman wants to wear a hijab, then that is her right.

Or as the big man once said: Thou shalt not judge.

And to this collectively recognised and long respected bastion of our society, I have only one response:

Wrong.

The Spliff of Mystery

A mystery wrapped in an enigma, wrapped in cigarette papers and stuffed with weed. And thrown at my head.

Now let’s get this out of the way up front: I’m not into drugs. Not a fan. This is a well though-out position based on rational consideration of the evidence. The fact that I vomit significantly whenever I’m around the gear and wake up under trees (or on the 14^th floor of a docklands apartment building on one occasion) has nothing to do with it at all. But that's a topic for another post.

But some people are. And frankly, if we’re going to compare weed to alcohol, it’s kinda hard to get all self-righteous. Besides, I’ve got bigger, more important things to complain pointlessly about.

Child of the 70s

I remember skyping with my parents in the final days of my Euro trip last year, discussing what I was going to do when I got home (uncertain), whether I would try and get the same sort of job again (unlikely),and more importantly, where I was going to live.

This last was a question I was not keen to grapple with. I am blessed with parents who not only managed to bring me up compassionately and firmly, but possess the asbestos ears necessary to put up with my ranting whenever the television is on. 

But after 12 months of total freedom gallivanting around the continent, careless, fancy-free and, all too often inebriated, my Mum saying “We expect you will move back in with us for at least six months” was not exactly enthusing.