Friday, May 16, 2014

The Bearded Wonder.



I suppose the society in which I was raised back in post war days in England was not so gentle and accepting as our modern western world. But what we may have lacked in tolerance we made up for in a moral certainty that gave us clear co-ordinates on our inward compass.

We knew who our enemies were; we had just fought them in W.W.2. We knew who our friends were; they had been the people who had helped us in the task. We also knew that men married women, lived in houses and raised children. Also, it was clear to our juvenile minds that a bearded lady was a freak of nature. We had paid to see them in the travelling fair.

So yesterday, when I heard that a bearded transvestite won the Euro Vision song contest you will excuse me for gagging on my biscuit. Enough is enough.
 When the Russian minister of the interior said this morning that Europe is a society that has lost its way, is morally bankrupt, rotting from the very core and that Russia would no longer participate in this ungodly charade, I  found myself in total agreement with our old enemy.
Surprising how the passage of a few short years can change the whole landscape ..........in every way!

Jubilate.

Ian

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

May 6th A Great Anniversary.



Sixty years ago last week was a day that will be remembered in athletic history. On the 6th May, 1954 Roger Bannister broke the four minute mile barrier on a breezy running  track in Oxford, England.
No special dyna-court surface, no new-fangled running shoes, no multi-million sponsors and only a small crowd to witness the event.
Yet the goal was met and is recorded for all time.

What is not so well known are the names of the two men who ran in the same race as pace-makers for Bannister. They were Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway. They did not run the four minute mile but they helped the man who did. 
Noteworthy also is the fact that, after the first four minute mile in 1954, there have been thousands of other sub-four minute milers.
The point I'm making is this. In life you will never achieve your goals without the help of others.Recognize them and honor them.
Secondly, people who make break-throughs in any sphere always inspire others to do the same. Be an inspiration to your children, grand-children and everyone around you. They will be your true legacy in life.
Let me finish with a poem I once heard.

"The best poem is yet to be writ, the best home-run yet to be hit, the best song is yet to be sung, the best race is yet to be run. Cheer up the world is still young."
Go for it!

Ian