Shinto

The word 'Shinto' was an answer in my crossword this morning, and it got me thinking.

We've all probably heard of the Japanese national religion of 'Shinto', but do we know anything about it? I went to Wiki to find out more.

Shinto focuses on ritual behaviour rather than doctrine. The philosophers James W. Boyd and Ron G. Williams stated that Shinto is "first and foremost a ritual tradition", while Picken observed that "Shinto is interested not in credenda but in agenda, not in things that should be believed but in things that should be done." The scholar of religion Clark B. Offner stated that Shinto's focus was on "maintaining communal, ceremonial traditions for the purpose of human (communal) well-being". It is often difficult to distinguish Shinto practices from Japanese customs more broadly, with Picken observing that the "worldview of Shinto" provided the "principal source of self-understanding within the Japanese way of life". Nelson stated that "Shinto-based orientations and values lie at the core of Japanese culture, society, and character".

It does sound a much more sensible 'religion' than most. Without a single deity, they see gods (Kami) in all of nature, more as a spirit that should be revered than something to be 'worshipped'.

I think we could all learn from Shinto; then maybe much of the world would stop fighting over 'My god is better than your god', etc.

There is no 'Holy Book' in Shinto, no doctrines, no silly miracle stories. The Japanese live their religion. They are 'practitioners' rather than 'believers'.

I must say; I do like that.

Interior Design Masters

 

Yes, it's back on our screens again, and I HAVE watched it simply because my ex-neighbour, Michelle, is the Interior Design professional. Here she is (below, sitting with Alan Carr) with all the hopeful contestants behind them.

I'm not really interested in Interior Design (I'm too keen on clutter), but it is interesting (to a degree) to see what a bunch of amateurs can do with the interior of an old Beach Hut, or a homeless people's refuge.

The answer, sadly, is 'not much'. As with so many amateurs, they seem to think that garish colours mixed with miss-matched loud wallpapers, and odd shapes, is 'modern'. Well, it's not. Interior design is much more complicated than that. I have yet to see one of their rooms that I would be happy to live in. Often they would have been wiser to have left their rooms entirely untouched, rather than end-up with the disasters they created. 

I do understand that it's not in the interest of the programme to be too critical, but just occasionally I think Michelle should be less flattering towards the ghastly 'makeovers' produced by the contestants. 

Just another day.

There are IDIOTS, bigger IDIOTS, and gargantuan IDIOTS.

We obviously have at least one of the latter here in Brighton; an idiot who turns over Dustbins.

I can think of a thousand ways of spending my day, but never would it cross my mind to turn-over Dustbins.

However, some bright spark thinks this was fun. I happen to think it would be even more fun to lock him inside it for a week.

 

Pure Poetry

I don't write a lot of poetry, but when I do I really enjoy myself.

I recently came across this one from 2014. It is entitled.....

POEM IN AN UNKNOWN LANGUAGE

Trendla trendla yarna hoo

Somtery aurabel larding too

Permanbello ansenfellow ing

Mantargo lullingberry tinage fing

Manso manso tuttlemust fardo

Wizzing trizzing didledum lardo

Armay frindig otoom atch

Sandog Trattle-ditch snatch.

© Cro Magnon 2014

I might even take-up my pen again. 

Narcissus and the Camera.

We have to admit that photoshopping 'selfies' is mostly a female obsession. 

We've all seen those pouting, over prettified, portraits of phone-holding young ladies, that they post on 'social media' web pages, inviting admiring comments from followers and friends.

                                                   

Having said that, this photo above is what I actually look like (in case you didn't know), no-frills, with all the obvious signs of ageing on view. No titivating was made in order to make me look any younger or more 'attractive'. I am what I am, and I am OK with that. I am old, wrinkly, balding, scruffy, and grumpy looking; with a vacant expression.

The photo was taken by a friend, who said he could loose me a few years/kilos by some non-invasive photographic cosmetic surgery.  I refused, saying that 'narcissism' wasn't really my thing. 

Instead he told me to take my jumper off, and took the following photo instead. 

Lady M suggested that I use the picture as my Passport Photo.

Maybe I will.

Terror on the streets

 

This must be the most serious, saddest, and upsetting, aspect of today's UK.

Members of several UK Jewish communities are now afraid to walk the streets. Crazed Muslim attacks, on both people and buildings, have become so regular that one can understand their fear. 

With all the dreadful antisemitism about, I think it would be timely to show the FULL FILM of the October 7th massacre on mainstream TV (with warnings). This might, hopefully, put an end to their puerile lies, and propaganda, once and for all.

I haven't seen it myself, and I don't wish to, but I've heard that the filmed images taken by the Hamas Terrorists themselves are so graphic that people cannot face watching it. The killing of babies, the raping and eviscerating of young women, and film of the 1,400 people being murdered, are beyond horrific, and it might make a few of the pro-Hamas Woke-folk realise what the people they support are actually like, and why the Israeli forces were obliged to retaliate.

Some of the most offensive online antisemitism has been been posted, or reposted, by Green Party election candidates. Above by Ifhat Shaheen (Smith). Three of their female candidates have been arrested. I do hope that people who vote Green on the 7th, know what they're voting for.

Their charming leader, Zack Polanski, is openly antisemitic (even though he himself is of Jewish origin), and is fawning towards the Muslim vote; as are Labour.

I have yet to hear of Jewish 'grooming gangs', of Jewish knife attacks, or Jewish drug gangs, or even of Jewish E-Bike phone snatchers. I fail to understand why people prefer to support the 'bad people' rather than support those who, pre-Oct 7th, supplied Gaza with just about everything they desperately needed; needs that were created by Hamas spending all the aid money and donations on arms (and their own pockets), and not on the citizens where it was needed.

It would be nice if certain communities could live peacefully with others, and not spread hatred all the time. Many of the Muslim demonstrators hold banners demanding 'FREE PALESTINE'. I think what they really should be saying is 'NO MORE HAMAS'. It is Hamas who are ruining the lives of the Gaza residents.

We now hear that the antisemitism in the UK is being sponsored, and encouraged by, a 'Foreign Power'. I think we all know who that is !!!

We live in an upside-down, inside-out, crazy world.

Sunday Roast

The previous time I bought Aldi 'Lamb Shanks', I made the mistake of buying the ones that had a Mint flavoured sauce. It slightly spoilt an otherwise very pleasant meal.

This time I bought the same thing, but with a Red Wine sauce; far, far, better.

Again I put a few spuds in to roast, then 15 minutes later the still-frozen Lamb Shanks. After an hour the dish was complete. No cooking to speak of, and just two small roasting dishes to wash-up.

As you might see, I added my own pukka home-made Mint sauce this time, and it was totally delicious. I probably put too much of the red-wine sauce on my plate, but.....

If you are like me and occasionally you don't feel like cooking, but want something delicious at a very reasonable price; go to Aldi, buy a few of these packs for your freezer, and you are ready for whatever life throws at  you. There are two separate vacuum-packs of Lamb in each £7 packet, so also perfect for one-person households.

Verdict: 10/10 Totally delicious, at a bargain price (£3.50 each). 5 Star Yums.