Snow problem? It could be worse.

A few weeks of cold weather and we complain that the country is grinding to a halt, that we're a mere nine meals away from anarchy.  To be honest I'm getting rather fed up with all the moaning now.  Of course the snow's been a problem.  Some people have, sadly, died, and others have found live very difficult.  Travel has been difficult for many, businesses have lost money, pensioners and those on low incomes will be struggling with higher heating bills.  But as this BBC website article shows, for those without homes, those who are already at the bottom of society and struggling to survive the snow has had a far more serious effect.

Charities are trying to cope, to provide temporary shelter, food and warmth.  This is hugely important, and saves lives, but in itself it doesn't solve the problem.  It's a bit like giving first aid at an accident site; there might have been ways that what happened could have been prevented, if help had been available and accessible at the right time; and further care will be needed for a recovery to be made. Spending public money on schemes to get people off the streets and into homes and work isn't glamorous, but is important.

I'm no expert, but I imagine that the recession will have meant there are higher than average numbers of people sleeping rough as a result of job losses and family stress (often exacerbated by financial difficulties).  The inadequacies of the benefit system will probably not have helped.  At the same time let's be thankful that in this country we do have a welfare system, or the situation could be so much worse!

I think there's also a problem that we as a society value independence very highly.  We don't like the idea of having to be dependent on other people, so perhaps we're less sympathetic to those who are in need of help.  Since a large proportion of the population have had to 'tighten their belts' (most only metaphorically) recently I think there's been a lot of people saying 'we don't want to pay more in taxes, or for the government to spend more, even to help other people.'  While that's understandable it's also a bit selfish.  I imagine it's generally said by those people fortunate enough never to have been jobless for long periods of time, or who've never been made homeless because family tensions mean they have to leave home, but can't afford to get their own place.  We're quick to blame someone in this situation.

Perhaps this problem of valuing independence is evidence that the old divisions in British politics between Left and Right are not quite dead after all.  The socialist idea of a welfare community sounds nice, but costs money.  Ahead of this year's election the Conservatives are starting to sound more like the Tory party of old, stating for example that children's success has nothing to do with wealth or poverty, but only parenting skills.  Given recent news stories complaining that opportunities to get into the top careers are mostly only available to the children of wealthy parents (the ability to undertake unpaid internships, for example) that sounds a bit hollow to me.  A lack of stability, bad parenting and material poverty are usually, or at least often, linked, surely.

Not that other parties, or anyone, has all the answers.  But like I think sometimes we can all forget the poverty on our own doorstep in favour of causes that are somehow 'cooler' like aid for famine struck African countries, or the victims of earthquakes and cyclones.  There is so much suffering in the world, so much that needs to be done.  Compared to all that perhaps needing to wear an extra jumper or the airport being closed isn't such a big deal.

2009

2009 hasn't been a bad year.  That's not to say there haven't been times when I've felt very down, times when I've been saddened, upset, angry, frustrated.  In fact, in many ways my life doesn't seem to have changed from where I was this time last year.  Much of what I wrote then is still true.  If anything, I think perhaps I feel a little further away from God just at the moment than I did then- and I'm not happy with that.  As every month, every year passes without any of the things I want- and feel God wants me to be like or do- coming closer it seems to get harder to trust, but I know I have to keep trying.

But 2009 was also a year with many 'ups.'  Time spent with friends, my first opportunities at principal parts in G&S (although that has caused a fair bit of stress, too- sorry directors!) holidays, passing my driving test, little things that make life worthwhile.  Knowing that some people care about me- even if I often forget and feel lonely.  And not least being grateful that even if my job isn't great, at least I have one.

In some ways the above is also a fair summary of the last ten years.  There were some times, some years when I felt really dreadful, as if everything was crashing around me, and I've frequently felt a failure.  And there were times when I began to discover true friendship and joy and freedom as I'd never know them before.  Times when I was scared even of things I knew how to do, and times when I was thrilled to try new experiences.  But although I've often felt lonely I've always known I'm not alone.  And that won't change.


And to round it off, here's some of my favourite posts from last year.  I got quite excited when I realised that I'd written exactly 100 posts in 2009!

Journeys
Equality of the sexes?  Not yet.
Rental Rant
Would women have caused the credit crunch?
Bannanas, Bibleman, and banging my head on a brick wall
The Dream of the Rood

Things Lois Likes

I was going to do one of those 'review of the year' type posts, but I haven't got round to it yet- and then the server crashed at work!  So in the meantime here's a light-hearted list of Things Lois Likes.

Waterproof walking boots.  Now I know I said a while back that I like snow, but it's now been on the ground for three weeks solid.  Snow, slush, frozen slush, snow that's melted and frozen again, plain and black ice.  There are many days I'd have struggled to get to work without sliding all the way and getting feet wetter than the North Sea if I didn't have my nice cosy, dry walking boots with good tread.

Laptop, wireless internet and iPlayer.  I might have gone mad over Christmas at my parents' if it wasn't for my laptop.  I downloaded stuff to take with me and watch, I could write stuff, read stuff, play games, listen to music.  And when now I'm back in York, wireless internet access means I can sit in my nice warm bed and watch videos, or on the comfy sofa downstairs and check emails without having to be tied to a wire and computer desk.  Lovely!

Hot chocolate.  Just the thing for this time of year.  Or indeed any kind of chocolate.  Oh, and I must make some soup.

YouTube.  BBC Worldwide made my New Year weekend when I discovered some classic Dr Who serials had been put online.

Our Christmas tree.  Although sadly we've just taken it down.  It's even better because it has a knitted Dalek on top.

Snowmen.  Especially the one on the fountain in York city centre that is wearing a high-vis jacket, safety helmet and black wig.  But despite all this snow I haven't made one yet, or thrown a snowball at anyone.  I want my mischievous housemate back!