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Dec 11 2008

Surviving the Horrors of Modern Life

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20 Responses to “Surviving the Horrors of Modern Life”

1. # Dalia E. Hettfieldon 11 Dec 2008 at 8:54 pm

   OMG!!! This is so scary and terrible my dearest Steve. I almost die from cold only for reading this. Poor people, but the country? What are they doing to solve this crisis?

2. # Betteon 11 Dec 2008 at 9:05 pm

   Love this Steve……..Even the poor raggerds who never bothered to open a book deserve a spa in the inner cities of wherever. The caveman had more sense…..We don’t!

   Plant trees for life……….

3. # Steve N. Leeon 11 Dec 2008 at 9:47 pm

   Rest assured, the Prime Minister is safe in a deep, deep bunker - so deep it’s warmed by the earth’s core - planning how to compensate these poor souls who suffered no fewer than 17 goosebumps between them. I’m sure the BBC World Service will keep us all up to speed on developments, Dalia.

   Cavemen had thick furs, though, Bette - provided by the state and guaranteed by the animal that sacrificed its life to warm them. Cavemen had it easy. They wouldn’t last two minutes in today’s world of horrors!

   MINUS ONE degree! Have you any idea just how cold that is?!

   Why, it’s positively nippy. Almost bitter. A smidge past ‘chilly’ but not quite ‘bloody cold’.

   But seriously, it is such a ridiculous story, isn’t it? Thanks for commenting,
   Steve

4. # Pamylleon 11 Dec 2008 at 9:50 pm

   Superb commentary the carnival mirror effect of the news. As important as the bias in reporting is the distorted framing and lack of global perspective in the main stream media.
   Goodness, how did our ancestors ever survive without central heating…?

5. # Terrie Won 11 Dec 2008 at 11:28 pm

   LMAO…and this is news because???? Thanks Steve for a good belly laugh. Poor things, I but they froze to death in front of those 60″ flat screens…for all of…what….2 to 4 hours???? Give me a friggin break.

   Hell froze over here last night….no kidding! We had SNOW!!!! It does NOT snow in deep east Texas!!! I swear…the last time we got anything remotely bone chilling was a freak ice storm in 1997! No fear though, the snow melted today by 10 am (damn!). So Hell is back to relative ‘normal’. Supposed to be mid 70’s (F) by Sunday. Go figure.

   Common sense….that’s a dying commodity, Steve, precious resource that it is. If it gets cold (as opposed to nippy–I mean, c’mon!!!) here we have a fireplace. We do not turn the furnace on. We also have all those warm, snugly afgans laying around to cover up with…not to mention warm, cozy, snugly DOGS to cuddle up with.

   Your BBC is just as bought as our media, Steve. They are not about to do any real hardcore in depth journalism on say….starving children in Africa or the effects of war on the Iraqi people, especially on their children or on glacial melt effecting all the wildlife in the arctic. No, that would mean actual TRUTH and Showing the INJUSTICE and RAPE of nations, people and the environment. Can’t have that, that might upset the sheeple and cost the corporations net shares…..disgusting.

6. # Betteon 12 Dec 2008 at 10:07 am

   Steven….You are right the caveman did have all that hairy covering. Possibly life was a bit saner in a way it is not today. Plant trees………

7. # Steve N. Leeon 12 Dec 2008 at 10:12 am

   You’ve made a great point with just one word there, Pamylle - Carnival. That’s just what the news is becoming. Like a hall of mirrors, it twists our view of the world, reflecting the important and the mundane with equal abandon, to the extent that it’s more of less worthless. Don’t need to say more, do we?

   Thanks for a thoughtful comment.

   I’d imagine life was much, much saner in a lot of ways because it was far more honest, Bette.

   Okay, someone might steal the deer you killed for dinner, but they wouldn’t steal your identity, wouldn’t lie to you about what your daily routine was doing to the climate, wouldn’t try to con you into working like a dog while they sat in a plush office, with a corporate jet, chauffeured car, holiday homes, yet barely lifted a finger.

   Yep, for all their lack of intellect and superstition, the caveman family/tribe worked as a real team or everyone died. Simple. And beautiful for that.

   Thanks for adding further to the conversation.

   Steve

8. # Steve N. Leeon 12 Dec 2008 at 10:28 am

   Yes, Ania laughed at this too, Terrie.

   In Poland the temperature can hit the mid thirties in summer and the MINUS mid thirties in winter. By comparison minus one is just a joke. It’s so pathetic you have to wonder whatever possessed professional journalists to think there was a story there. I mean, couldn’t they have invented some other news or regurgitated something older and put a new spin on it. If they keep providing us with crap like that… well, people might start getting suspicious that there’s more going on out there than we are being led to believe!

   Snow? Yeah, I bet that was cool. The North of England is much colder than Texas yet you’ve had more snow this year than I have! We got real snow, every single year, when I was a kid. Ooops, no, we’re not messing with the planet, with the environment - it’s my memory playing tricks. If we were messing with it, the media would tell us, and the government would do something about it… But that’s a whole other discussion for a whole other post!

   Common sense? I keep coming back to that. If only they’d let kids develop that in school instead of filling their heads with the crap they do.

   Thanks for another great comment, Terrie.

   Have a great weekend, everyone,
   Steve
   (Caftans and Afgans! In Texas? I saw ‘Dallas’ in the 70s - isn’t it law to wear Stetsons? That’s strange, when you mentioned your love of those as gifts recently, I never figured you for a Texan. I plumped for somewhere northern - maybe Washington, Oregon, Maine. Somewhere wild and close to nature, which Texas never really strikes me as.)

9. # Kim Ton 12 Dec 2008 at 2:34 pm

   Well Steve, I must say I’m a little concerned. I understand the ‘point’ of your article. But really, how many people in that ‘village’ do you really think own a flat screen tv? It could be a poor village. Do you know the statistics of how many people at least in this country (The USA) that die every winter because of not having heat? And believe me, they layer on whatever clothing and blankets they have.
   I live in Florida, the coldest it gets here in the winter is MAYBE 20 degrees. I guess I AM spoiled. I like the cold but I still have my heater come on if it reaches 68 degrees in the house. However, I have friends who do not have any resource of heat in their apartment although here in the States it is required by law that the owner/landlord provide a healthy environment and heat.
   I’ve lent them a small space heater that will heat one room so they are ok. I spent 7 days in Orlando when my father was in the hospital with pneumonia last winter and he uses heat. Older people do not have the stamina that younger people have and many are so poor that they just don’t have all the afgans, quilts or clothing to bundle up in.
   I know this issue isn’t the most DIRE of issues this World faces but I do believe it is one of importance and not one to make light of. And the cavemen? Yea they had animal pelts and hairy skin for warmth but that still doesn’t mean they didn’t have their clan members die from the freezing cold.
   Yes, feed the hungry. Yes, house the homeless and teach them job skills to help them be self sufficient. Yes, do what you can to save the environment and its wildlife. Yes, do what you can to solve global warming. Yes, help the World. http://www.care2.com, http://www.one.org. National Resource Defense Council, Defenders of Wildlife, Union of Concernced Scientists… and the list goes on for me, I am a member of almost all of them.

10. # Terrie Won 12 Dec 2008 at 3:51 pm

    LOL Steve, tell Ania I commiserate with her living in Poland. I lived there when I was a child and I remember the bone-chilling cold of Polish winters!

    Well, my friend, you pegged correctly! I am originally from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Let’s really talk about C O L D!!! LOL. I am a transplant and I am like a fish out of water! Even after 24 years of existing down here in ‘Hell’, I will always be a ‘transplant’.

    My body has never acclimated to this environment–I cannot take the heat. That’s why I literally live for the short span they call ‘winter’ here. This is the time of year that I can actually stay outside and manage to do things outdoors without collapsing from the heat! My body is still used to 30 below. People here come out all bundled up in friggin parkas, insulated boots and thick gloves at 50 degrees above zero!!!! LOL.

    I derive perverse pleasure in being outside without a coat on and usually without shoes either-for hours! 50 above is nothing to me, more like springtime than ‘winter’ and yes, I enjoy shocking the neighbors and watching their looks of horror as I sit on my front porch and enjoy a steaming cup of coffee dressed only in a caftan..and nothing on my feet!!! LOL.

    North Texas/Upper East Texas and the Panhandle get snow every year, Steve. For it to snow here in Deep East (which is actually in the sub-tropic zone) on the Gulf Coast it is unheard of. All we get here usually is heavy rains during the winter months. Like I said, a freak ice storm back in ‘97 and now this actual snow in ‘08. Before the ice storm in ‘97, the locals could not remember the last time they had ice or snow. The climate is definitely changing.

    Me….I wish I was back up in the ‘hills’ where there are still definite seasons and bone-chilling cold/snow is the norm in winter!!!

11. # Steve N. Leeon 12 Dec 2008 at 5:06 pm

    You know, Terrie, as much as the English moan - and we do! - about the grey, damp, English weather, and as much as I loved Utah and California, which were far from grey and damp, I couldn’t live there. I remember remarking to that effect to Ania while we were there this year. We were staying in Yosemite, arguably one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the US, if not the world, and I decided then and there that it wasn’t for me.

    Why?

    Grass!

    Even as green and lush as Yosemite is, it still isn’t as green and lush as England, and I missed it whilst there, so there’s no way I could move permanently. Of course there will be places in the world that are similar to what we have, in the States too, but our little country has such contrasting countryside in such a tiny space - within just a few miles of my house I can be walking on desolate moorland or deep in heavily wooded valleys. Plus, no matter where you are in the country, you’re never more than a couple of hours drive from the sea.

    So, you see, I know just what you mean, Terrie about the horrors of being a ‘transplant’, so you have my sympathies. And so does Ania, of course, being from Poland. She misses the blistering Polish summers but loves our mild winters (though, like me, she dearly misses snow). Oh, and she’ll be dead chuffed (there’s a great Yorkshire phrase if ever there was one) to here you lived in Poland.

    While it doesn’t sound like you had time to build a snowman, I hope you had time to throw a snowball or two - maybe at one of your neighbours who wouldn’t stop staring at the crazy person standing in snow in her bare feet!

    Parkas, insulated boots, gloves… yeah, we have people like that. It can get pretty nippy here in August when the sun goes behind a cloud! ;-)

    Have a wonderful weekend, Terrie,
    Steve

12. # Steve N. Leeon 12 Dec 2008 at 5:18 pm

    Kim, you’ve just proved what a valuable post I’ve written. Thank you.

    You see, the whole point is that there could have been a story concerning old people suffering in winter, or poor people going into debt to stay warm, or children being sick for want of adequate heating, but that wasn’t the story the BBC chose to run with.

    The entire point is that their news story was about a town losing its gas supply and people not being able to run their central heating systems. I didn’t make that up!

    Making light of people dying of cold is completely wrong, you’re right. But making light of morons who run with these stories, who believe these stories, or are ’suffering’ because they’ve been left with no central heating for a few hours is not only fun, it should be mandatory to force people to feel shame and to take note of the true issues - such as those you mention.

    People ‘deserve’ too much these days. Many don’t understand and don’t want to understand logic, so shaming them seems an appropriate alternative to try to get the message through.

    As for poor villages? We don’t have poor villages, poor towns, poor cities, just poor people.

    I know. I’ve been poor. Luckily I had enough common sense to be able to keep warm and survive. And that is what will make al the difference in the end - not charity, not low interest loans, not government handouts, but common sense. If we lose that we lose everything.

    Thanks for furthering the discussion, Kim. Enjoy your weekend,
    Steve

13. # Anneon 12 Dec 2008 at 7:39 pm

    That’s right Steve - there could have been one of those other stories - but then I’d have missed laughing more than I’ve laughed in days - thank you - your writing style is brilliant.
    I came to your site through ASC but I just couldn’t help read and carry on reading - and laughing - I will definitely have to get your book - is it as funny???
    Best blog I’ve found so far
    Thanks again
    Anne

14. # Steve N. Leeon 12 Dec 2008 at 9:17 pm

    Thank you, Anne. That’s very kind. I’m glad you appreciated the dry wit. Not to mention the simple common sense!

    While I used the same kind of voice, the same kind of writing style for my book, and while it has the same kind of philosophy blended into the story, it’s a serious suspense thriller, not a comedy. Hope you’re not too disappointed!

    Thanks for dropping in. I’m pleased you found it worth your while.
    Steve

15. # Elainnaon 13 Dec 2008 at 9:17 am

    I strongly suspect that the poor BBC had run out of trivia that day, as for actually giving their audience something “Real” to bite into…..Well we don’t want the average Joe or Jane to get over-stressed maybe they’ll panic! Hell, maybe they will demand something must be done and upset the status quo.
    Reality is simply too harsh for our modern sensibilities.

16. # Tim Ron 15 Dec 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Steve, I love you, mate! Your sarcasm and wit never fail to leave me on the floor!

    Those poor people in Scotland, however did they manage the exertion of having to bundle up a little? (Sarcasm is a second language for me.)
    The point you’re making here is so obvious, Ray Charles could have seen it. People are so effing spoiled by these wonders of modern technology…..like indoor heat. They weep if the lights go out, bitch like a bunch of toddlers if they can’t have what they feel they “deserve”.

    For the last two-and-a-half years, I have been chronically ill, penniless and indigent. If it weren’t for the love, grace and kindness of two VERY good people, I’d be homeless. I’m presently living in an old camper, 33 ft. long and 12 ft. wide. Don’t get me wrong, it’s got a full-size bed, full bathroom, kitchen with 2 refrigerators and a microwave, and a reasonably spacious front-room sitting area. Here’s the punchline, though: it has no heat. I don’t care. It’s a roof over my head with a very comfortable bed, a place to keep my food, and to cook that food. My cat and I love it in there. Believe me, it beats the hell out of living in the woods, which I’d be doing were it not for Maurice and Barbara, who, out of the goodness of their hearts, paid $2750.00 for this camper, for me, last February. My cat & I had been living in a bedroom in their house before that, and we were more than comfortable there.

    MY point here is that people have no idea how stripped-down their lives could be, IF they HAD to be…..and if the global economy continues on it’s present downward trend, millions will discover personally what I’m talking about here.

    In other words:
    Live simply that others may simply LIVE!

    Steve, you are a prince among men!
    Keep this blog going, and keep opening people’s eyes and minds!

17. # Yvonne Won 15 Dec 2008 at 9:45 pm

    “Kelso, a small town in Scotland, had lost its gas supply”.. How did they Lose it? I assume they found it again?

    We live in rural down-state IL., so we “lose” electricity a tad too often for Comfort - ice storms, tornadoes, etc.. and for way more than a few hours, up to 10 days is the record for us. It’s no fun, but I’m not a Pioneer type.. but we lit our home & heated it with 7 candles for 3 days last March & it was fine (well-insulated helped!).

    And it’s much better than being homeless & trying to live on the street!
    Or in a War Zone.. or in a FEMA camp!

18. # Steve N, Leeon 17 Dec 2008 at 12:57 pm

    A full-size bed? Microwave? TWO refrigerators? And 33 feet all to yourself??? Tim, shame on you for such decadence!

    Maurice and Barbara sound great. If only more people had such friends the world would be a much happier, and healthier, place. Despite the problems you describe, you’re a lucky guy, Tim. But then you don’t need me to tell you that.

    Yes, that word - ‘deserve’. I really hate it because it’s lost all meaning. People twist it around and turn it inside out until you’d swear that if they couldn’t afford a new Dolce and Gabana outfit they ‘deserved’ to be heard by the Court of Human Rights in Strasburg.

    You’re right - the present economic climate could prove to be a wake-up call to many people. Pampered as we demand to be, I dread to think how people will cope.

    Thanks for sharing, Tim.

    Yes, Elainna, reality is way too harsh for most people - probably why they only like to see it on TV!

    God forbid anyone should be well informed and demand things are done about the many problems we face. How could our leaders cope? You’re right, that would cause a lot of stress, not to mention inconvenience for those that actually had to address the problems!

    Thanks for contributing.

    Yes, Yvonne, candles might not be everyone’s first choice as a source of light and heat, but who wouldn’t choose that over the options you mention or hundreds of others.

    Personally, however, I’d moan my a*** off if I had to suffer 10 days without power! I’ve never experienced that so I’d hate every second. If it became a common occurrence, though, then the moaning when subside into acceptance and methods to cope with it, as is the case for you. It would do a lot of people an immense amount of good to go without what they call the ‘basics’ for a while. Give them some perspective on what actually is basic to life and what isn’t. Hey, what a shock that would be!

    Thanks for commenting, Yvonne.

    Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone,
    Steve

19. # Heidi M.on 28 Dec 2008 at 7:27 pm

    LOVE THIS!!!!! As you may or may not remember, I’m a case worker for a non-profit. One of the things we do is provide emergency housing for people. I can never believe the number of people who call to get a place to stay because their power has been cut off for non-payment. And it’s cold. Umm, huh? We’re talking an average of 50 degrees F. (I live in South Carolina US). Sorry if I have little sympathy. I grew up in Connecticut and can remember winters where a good portion of it was spent with no heat and no power, with temps below zero F. (Sorry, can’t remember the formula to translate that to C.) And no one paid for us to stay in a motel until we could get our lights/heat turned back on.

    Now, most of these people aren’t working - not because they are victims of the current economic crisis, but because they are professional, multi-generational charity cases. And they “DESERVE” government assistance. And most of the local charities, being staffed by the bored and idle wealthy, give them everything they ask for. Well, that’s getting away from the original subject.

    The world is run by the ME generation (yeah, I know I’ve said THAT a million times in my posts here) so a broken fingernail is a news story worthy of interrupting the regularly scheduled programming. Don’t forget, the news media is mainly comprised of members of the ME generation as well. For us “throwbacks”, well, this is a weird world indeed.

    Side note to Terrie: I sympathize. I’m from Connecticut, born and raised, and living in South Carolina is like being dropped on another planet. I hate the summer, it’s damp and muggy year round, so the cold is raw and the heat is like breathing liquid. The culture is totally alien. I’ve lived here 12 years now and I’m still a stranger in a strange land. All image, no substance.

20. # Steve N. Leeon 07 Jan 2009 at 3:39 pm

    From one ‘throwback’ to another, you’ve a good point there, Heidi!

    Yes, we have the kind of charity cases you mention in England, too. The only time the media home in on such stories is when a 12-year-old has her second child or a council has refused to build special housing for a mother and her 11 kids and she’s outraged… you get the idea. Well, I’m sure you see it for yourself. Apart from that, too many seem to whine until they get what they want simply because people get sick of the whining and give in to them. It’s a shame that they are allowed to get away with it instead of the resources going to those really in need.

    Me, me, me, me, me. Yep, that’s like a national anthem for many these days, isn’t it? They never stop for one moment to think that there are over six billion over MEs in the world! But of course that doesn’t matter because they themselves are special, whereas the others aren’t, so they actually really do deserve a luxurious life for doing absolutely squat.

    It really does drive me nuts, though, what people think of as necessities for survival. Hence this post. Glad you liked it. Thanks for sharing with us.

    Happy New Year, Heidi,
    Steve

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