Degree in Me

Well hello again
Yes, it had been a while
I have missed you
And your font style

Two years already
My, has that gone quick?
Not a question of motivation
Carrot or stick

What have I been up to?
May well you ask?
Life and living
Sometimes a thankless task

I am back in the room now
With much to write
I guess a light bulb moment
Dim it
Too bright

How about you?
Did I miss much of note?
Well done for cracking on
Know you won’t gloat

So much has happened
In the world we try to love
Can we kick start compassion?
Someone give it a shove

Why do you wonder?
Still not got a Degree
Want to prove intelligence exists on earth?
Well don’t ask me

Mark Scotchford © 19/08/2023

The Good Intent

When do we have
Good intent
Or are all motives
Hell bent

Do we ever see
The wood for the trees
Or do we say
Now instead of please

When did we last put
Someone else’s needs above our own
Or are all seeds selfish
And home grown

Some of us try
It has to be said
Not everyone is
As easily lead

Difficult to assess
At least some mind at all
Others only obsessed
With their latest investment shortfall

Could the definition be
A gesture with no gain
Some advice or generosity
With no refrain or distain

Let’s raise a glass
To all those who still care
Mine is a Hogstar
I’ll see you there

Mark Scotchford © 11/09/2021

Moisturiser Man

Tell me how to be
A modern man
Is it OK?
To take your hand

Do I open the door?
Or let it close in your face
I’m asking please
Where is my place?

Shall I shout or whisper?
Speak out or act dumb?
Do I or don’t I?
Left feeling numb

Boys will be boys
But girls will be women
Should we play games?
When there’s no way of winning

Can I say you look good?
Out on a date
Comment on your energy or perfume
Or would that tempt fate?

Moisturise and eat better
Three days a week at the gym
Keep it all hidden
Won’t go out on a limb

Will look fantastic
There could be little left inside
All about image now
Media there to misguide

Call you a woman
Refer to yourself as a girl
I’ll pick up those dumbbells
Stretch my arms and twirl

Has it gone full circle?
Or totally pulled apart
Always ready to perform
And be all heart

Share cause for concern
Agree there has to be change
But being a man
Somehow feels strange

Women can have it so tough
Right to take a stand
Consider the tide and currents
Before making line in the sand

Mark Scotchford © 12/08/2021 “Boys will be boys but girls will be women” taken as influence from the brilliant song “Boys Will Be Boys” by Dua Lipa on the excellent Album Future Nostalgia – The Moonlight Edition

Some Cats & Dogs

Some women relish detail in words, sentences, and emotions.
Some men relish detail in things.
They enjoy finding out about something.
Some women enjoy finding out about someone.
Some men will find out how it goes together, how it comes apart, when it was made, why, and what for.
Some women will want to know the colour, if it looks nice, whether it goes with whatever else she owns, and who else has it.
Some men will use words to make a sentence.
Some women will use a sentence to single out a word.
Some men will most likely want to be individualistic and stand out.
Some women will most likely compromise and conform

Mark Scotchford © 10/08/2021

Please note this piece is primarily intended for those who identify as male and female.

Four Seasons

Love the smell
Of the Sun
On my skin

Revel conversation
With the devil
Within

Convenience of heat
No need to plan
Believe it or not
I’m a complex man

When Winter comes
Can find comfort
In cold

All wrapped up
Watching the fire
Smould

Something so sensual
Seeing breath exhale
Inner strength
No place
For the frail

England’s four seasons
Could be our life to live
When our Winter arrives
Should there be
Nothing to give?

Mark Scotchford © 3/08/2021

Time BBC Drama Review

Drama can be a succulent dish. All great culinary delights start with great ingredients and so many things are the same. Drama is no exception. Right through from the writing to the acting, from the directing to set design or location manager to the sound engineer, if it’s not all right then the taste is off, and sometimes bitter. Just like any great names, those who can make it in their field can then use their reputation to produce rubbish and get away with it. (Jed I’m thinking of you.) Just hearing some chef’s name will normally be enough to think the diner will be in good hands and with drama this name may well be Jimmy McGovern. More often than not, we know what we are going to get even after decades. There is good reason why this man is still on the books. Anyone familiar with his work will have difficulty mentioning his name without using words such as gritty or hard hitting in the same sentence. As you can read I can’t either. If he was an animal, he’d be a Great White Shark. He just sinks his teeth into his subject and doesn’t let go.

For those of us of a more mature age I can still remember the absolutely superlative mix of Jimmy McGovern’s writing and Robbie Coltrane and Robert Carlisle acting amongst the unforgettable series Cracker, “To Be A Somebody”. In it Robert Carlisle goes on a disgusting and devastating rampage, in the shadows of the Hillsborough tragedy. I can still recall him shouting “L-I-V E-R-P Double O-L LIVERPOOL FC.” Chilling and fantastic drama all at the same time. Watch it if you can. I can’t believe that Cracker was screened all the way back between 1993 and 1995. I have only ever seen it once yet I still remember it, although hazily. Hillsborough was a tragedy Jimmy returned to again with a title of the same name. This is what he does. He gets his point or point’s home, again and again. Always intrinsically linked with human survival and depth or despair. Discipline or devastation. Sometimes this is overbearing and he is by no means perfect. His work can be overly political as well. In a weird world there is something reassuring to see he is still working after decades and has not wavered in relentlessness. Most of the time, watching his work requires at least one sharp intake of breath and Time is no exception, but it is brilliant.

The acting. Well it is just flawless. Every single word uttered by everyone is utterly believable. Sean Bean plays a newly incarcerated prisoner and Stephen Graham is one of the prison officers watching over him. These two are the kingpin, no doubt, but everyone puts in a brilliant performance. It’s almost as if they are going to have to personally answer to Jimmy McGovern if they don’t. I wouldn’t want to either. There is Sue Johnston, Siobhan Finneran and other names you will know or faces you might recognise but as I say, everyone in this drama should be household names in the future, if they are not already. Jack McMullen in particular stands out too.

Filmed in the hometown of the writer in Liverpool with funding from the Liverpool Film Offices LCR production fund this is a stunning piece of work by everyone involved. I love Liverpool even though I’ve only been there once. There is such honesty in the city and its people like a lot of towns in the UK, and unlike others. This grit, strength and determination comes across in bounds. Nothing is hidden. It is probably OK to say the Liverpool tourist board won’t promote this series but in a way they could. I’m also happy that Jimmy keeps writing about his hometown. Why not? Good for you. We need more of this.

The plot is super too. No lazy writing here. (Yes I’m looking at you Jed) Jimmy McGovern is great at getting the viewer to ask themselves what they would do. How would you react? Time is no exception. There are three episodes in total and the first is a tough watch. It is harrowing at times, but still balanced. This is prison after all. It isn’t a holiday camp. I particularly like the portrayal of the prison officers for reasons I’ll let you see for yourself.

This drama should be used as part of a deterrent programme for young offenders. I’m sure it would stop a few re-offending.

I could go into the characters more, I could write more about the plot but really all I want to say is watch it and I might even watch it again. Take a deep breath, maybe several, and immerse yourself in a world I hope you don’t, haven’t, or will ever know. The irony is for a piece of work that is about criminality and the penal system in the UK, it is one of the most honest pieces of work I have seen in recent times. Perhaps the BBC could get Jimmy to do the news too? It seems to me it might be more real.

Time may pass but talent is timeless.

Mark Scotchford © 7/6/2021

The Beautiful Blame

There is no point in sugar coating it, things do look bleak in so many ways. Yes we have the vaccine being rolled out with its fair to say mixed reviews about its potency and resilience but we must cling on to the hope it gives us.

In an uncertain and disrupted world, it has been good to seek respite in other escapes and passions. Online streaming services and the wide range of TV channels offering numerous box sets have given us all a welcome break from our fractured reality.
In these times it is strange what we miss. Yes of course, there are obvious things, like physical contact with others and the interaction with many on a daily basis, be it at work, with friends, or family but there are other things we can miss too. Things we never thought we would.

For me, one of these has been football. I don’t support a team, don’t have Sky or BT Sport or anything so I can only watch what the terrestrial channels get hold of. Lock down has given some of us the opportunity to see games we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to watch, and that has been great, even without crowds, but it has left me feeling incensed at premier league and player behaviour.

I’m not talking about the dives, or the falling over when someone else breathes on them, but the entire premier league managers and players for their blatant disregard to take responsibility and show the viewer they respect the rules we all have to live by. Except it would seem to be abundantly clear, they don’t.

The whole premier league, players and managers seem to be making a mockery of the fact the rest of the country is in lockdown. I’m not talking about how they seem to be able to travel with impunity for transfers or holiday, or to take a new managerial position during a global pandemic. I’m specifically talking about them not showing any sign of respecting the social distancing rules, in any way, shape or form, at all.

Managers have said players are trying but when they score they become overwhelmed with emotion and want to share. Oh OK, emotion is it? Oh right. How about the emotion of not being able to see or say goodbye to a loved one who is dying or has died of Covid? How about that for emotion? What about the nurses who work twelve hour shifts to see at least six patients die on the shift and knowing when they come back for the next one, more of their patients would have passed. How’s that for emotion? Or not being able to see family or friends for months?

I don’t care if the players have two tests a week or more, or that they play outside. I don’t care if they all get on the same team bus or not, I’m concerned about what we see, how they are seen, and the message they give out and the responsibility as role models they have.
I know earning between one hundred and three hundred and fifty thousand pounds a week, if not more, means you are in a surreal position but who is in reality? Me or them? Perhaps it is them or their privileged position that allows them to think they can do what they like, because it seems they can, and they do.

Some of us haven’t touched another human being for weeks, in some cases months. Some touch elbows. I haven’t seen anyone shaking hands with anyone for months. Yet if I watch any game of football it is rife. Manager’s whimsical attempts with each other still at the most shows a meeting of fists which in case no one has told them, is still their hand. I have not seen any manager greet another with an elbow. Sam Allardyce summed up the whole approach with a sly, wry grin shouting “No hugging or kissing lads” after a game. Am I missing something? Is Covid some sick joke? Have not over a hundred thousand people died from it in the UK alone?
As for the players. Well it should just be a ridiculous ridicule for anyone else following the rules outside their gold gilded arena. James Maddison gave the socially distanced goal celebration a go, once. But alas, it didn’t catch on. Maybe Covid will, amongst the premier league.

Marcus Rashford can go get every child a school dinner but what message is he giving out about Covid eh? I can hear the questions at home from children. “Why are players hugging when we are not allowed?” “Why is everyone so close to one another?” You can’t pick and choose Marcus. Either you have a global influence and responsibility or you don’t and you are ‘just’ a football player. Make a choice. The premier league ‘takes a knee’ for five seconds a game because black lives matter. Now can we ask that they don’t hug and get close at any given opportunity to show that all lives do?

What’s it going to take? Fines by the FA? Would they? Well they haven’t so far and if they did they would have to be pretty hefty to make any sort of dent in the player’s salary. What about the clubs themselves? Why don’t they do something? I guess for the same reason and I guess because they just don’t care or think it will affect them. So what will it take? Probably the death of a premier league footballer, in his mid-twenties from Covid. That’s what it will probably take because nothing else seems to make a difference.

Many may question why sport of any kind has been allowed to continue at all, given the circumstances. I think as with many things. It comes down to money, not the risk to more lives lost.

I’m so surprised there hasn’t been more of a public outcry. Maybe the public has run out of puff, or they are just glad to see their team playing. Or perhaps they are just pleased to be reminded of a time when the most natural thing in the world, wasn’t the most unthinkable thing now. Not just being within two metres of someone but actually shaking hands or hugging another human being.

Mark Scotchford © 27/01/2021

Trumpeting His Own Horn To The End

So….. America has a new president. Someone who has been in public office for more years than most in politics have been alive.  He literally has decades of political experience and has seen his fair share of tragedy. Why do I care?

Well, to be quite honest, it is just nice to see a nice man back at the White House. It really is as simple as that. I also quite like the idea of a nice man being in charge of an arsenal of weaponry, nuclear and otherwise, let alone his own Twitter account.

Trump can talk about how he will be back, can rant on about what he did and achieved. The wall. That darn wall. But there has been some other achievements too.

Not since Ronald Reagan has a president missed the annual correspondent’s dinner, and he only missed it because he had been shot a few weeks before. I think he had a pretty good excuse. Trump didn’t attend any whilst in office.

Trump is the only passing on president not to attend the inauguration in one hundred and fifty years.

Some records should not be broken and here is another one that nearly was and this one is particularly tragic. It is estimated that in the Civil War approximately six hundred and twenty thousand American’s lost their lives. Currently the world wide death toll of Coronavirus stands at approximately two million. A quarter of those deaths have been in the United States. That’s more American deaths than in the whole of the Second World War.

I know what you may be thinking. “What’s it got to do with you? Get your own house in order. Look what’s been happening in the UK. You haven’t even been to America.” All of this is true. But as a citizen of a country which was financially bailed out by the American’s in a world war, and as a citizen of a country which news broadcasters constantly deemed it necessary to feature every Trump Tweet I do have an interest, and an opinion on America, and it’s current serving president, whomever that may be. Can I have that please?

To those of you who say that the UK is far from perfect, I agree. I can say whole heartedly that the UK seems to carry its own secret mantra. “If you do everything right, if you play by the rules, if you are law abiding, then you are doomed. If you pretend to have nothing, if you are dishonest, and delve into deceit then this is the country for you. Be prosperous, but don’t declare it.”

This maybe how I feel about the UK and it is, but there are many things I love about it. I love the sense of humour. I do love the seasons. I do love the freedom, and the freedom of expression and speech, although the landscape for that has changed. I also respect our somewhat flawed democracy.

I tell you what I also like. With the exception of one, in my life time I have also liked, or at least respected all sitting Prime Ministers. Boris maybe many things, but he is not a power hungry fool. I thought he was but he isn’t. Every leader of every country has to have one thing in common. For them to be a good leader they have to all put their country first. Everything they think, write, sign, action, deliberate or decide has to be for the good of that country and its people. For if they don’t they are either a fascist, narcissist, a dictator, all three, and many more despicable things besides.

Trump is all of those things. He doesn’t care about the American people, he only cares about himself. He’s incited hatred and violence during his presidential campaign, during his presidency, and at the end of it, and all with one thing at the forefront of every agenda. Himself.  At least he has been consistent. I still can’t believe anyone voted for him and yet seventy million did. That is more than the entire population of the UK. Why did so many vote for him? I get that people liked the straight talking, to the point, no nonsense approach, and he tried to do what he said he was going to do. But just because he did it doesn’t mean what he said he was going to do was right and should be done, does it?

He bulldozed his way through his term like a deranged game show host, treating the whole thing like a reality TV show, and with the integrity of an internet scammer and with the charisma of a biscuit.

You don’t make America great again and again by ridiculing the democracy that got you elected in the first place and that the country has fought for and is founded upon. You don’t make America great again and again by asking your supporters to storm Capitol Hill because you think the vote has been ‘stolen.’ You don’t do this if you care for them and their well-being. You only do it if you don’t and you care about yourself.

You admit defeat, you show humility and humbleness and you concede with grace. You give your supporters thanks and ask them to do the same as you have done and look for common ground in the future.

Joe Biden is not perfect. I accept that. He didn’t stand against the ‘blacks on buses’ desegregation campaign of the 1970’s.  Yet he still asked Kamala Harris to be the Vice President, and she still accepted even though she was caught up in the chaos, controversy, and travesty it caused. Fair play to her if she revives this debacle as a debate. Joe I’m sure has learnt from his life in public office and his mistakes, and I’m sure whatever decision he makes on whatever subject will be for the good of the country and its people. I’m also sure he will do it with integrity and good grace.

There are some people in life we’d like to meet and if we did we would shake their hand. If I met President Biden in a non Covid climate I’d shake his hand. If I met Barack Obama I couldn’t help myself, I’d have to give him a hug. And if I was in front of Donald Trump I’d walk right past, which is handy because he’d never notice me.

Mark Scotchford © 22/01/2021

Dear Boris

Dear Boris,

I know you are a very busy man at the moment so I will try and keep this as brief as I can. I’m perceptive so I can sense you have much more important things to do. After all your hair isn’t going to style itself is it? Also, you’ve got to probably plan to find another way of getting to the destination of your choosing for your summer break this year haven’t you? What with all the planes being grounded and the airlines going out of business.

I know my problems, seem rather trivial in comparison to yours but as Pete on Gogglebox said you are “our hero” so I thought I’d mention my predicament as you always seem to know what to do.

For example, the Corona virus broke out three months ago and I for one feel so assured and protected by the incredibly well planned and processed measures you systematically got in place to prepare for every eventuality.

For a man obsessed with Winston Churchill Boris, rest assured he would be so proud of you.

You and your government have thought everything through.

There have been announcements after announcements. All carefully considered before release, and all agreeable and adhered to by the British public.

You tell idiots to stop panic buying so they do stop. Immediately.
You suddenly advise us all to not meet socially or go to pubs or restaurants. It was a good job all businesses knew of this beforehand wasn’t it?

You advise people over 70 to self-isolate. Which is fine because it means younger family members can now go out to supermarkets for them and get all we need from the empty shelves because we don’t have a job anymore. You really do think of everything.

Meanwhile schools are open so little children who show most resilience to the disease can mingle with other children who have got it and then take it back home as a little present and pass it onto their parents. Tell you what, I’d give it another week or so before you close the schools, because by then, all the parents will have Corona virus and they can then pass it onto their relatives when they finally get to look after the children. That’s just in case mummy and daddy still have a job to cling on to.

You said you will “do the right thing at the right time.” Oh you certainly are, well done.

Yes, there was thermal passenger checking at every airport, central station, and port, to minimise the risk of it getting in. Test kits then and now for people to prove to their employer they have the virus for SSP. Good job testing will not now only happen at hospitals. That would be silly wouldn’t it?

Where are my manners? I have spent so long talking about your fantastic recent achievements I forgot to mention my little gripes. Oh right well, just quickly then. I recently started a new job. Now, I don’t know whether you know but most jobs now have a probation period. I know, it is strange isn’t it? It’s almost as though we’ve already done something wrong. Anyway, first three months were fine. I was even told not to take too much pressure on. Then after a further 3 months I was sacked for poor performance. Imagine that eh?

Now like I say, I know you are busy. I know the government’s likes to provide for people that have babies every 5 years so they don’t have to find a job. Or make the system so complicated no one can follow it. So it is made easier for asylum seekers, while others who need it have to jump through hoops and struggle.

Now for me. For someone that has paid taxes and national insurance for the last 30 years, what help will I get now? What help will I get while all job leads are on hold? Where my rent is astronomical? Where the bank won’t lend me money at the rates you say you have made available? What can you offer me? Where is help for a single person who identifies as male with no dependants?

It’s a good job none of our nurses have left the profession isn’t it?
It’s a good job no hospitals have been closed isn’t it?
It’s a good job we have enough Police if things get nasty?

I’m sure, because you are so well respected, and the British public are so at ease, we will never see the need for armed guards at supermarkets to stop stockpiling, but it’s nice to know you can do that if need be isn’t it? And nice to know too, that should anyone step out of line, no courts have closed so those offenders can be quickly processed and put in a bright shiny well-staffed prison for a couple of days to cool off.

Well done Boris. I thank you for your wisdom, insight, and power to lead from the front. Just think if you were on a six month probation. You would have passed it with flying colours wouldn’t you? Just look at how well you’ve dealt with things so far? The NHS was apparently in crisis. What crisis? And then there are those floods that you went to see once they had gone. It’s nice to know all of the countries defences against anything will work as well as those flood defences did for thousands of homes in England isn’t it?

Best regards and all my praise. Keep up the great work. You are an inspiration.

Mark

Human Education… (The start of something… possibly a book.)

I’ve always been confused, bewildered, and fascinated by human evolution from a very early age, but more so now.

Principally my questions relate around how the human species developed. For example, the body and the brain. Which came first? Now, it seems a silly question I know but bear with me and tell me when either it or I doesn’t make sense. Knowing the minuscule amount that I do about the human body, nature, and the existence of anything doesn’t really hold me in good stead to make any assumptions I know but let’s go with it. Because in a way, it does.

We can call learning education or sometimes we could, if we were morose call learning conditioning. Why? Because with some things and some instances, we are telling children how to think. We are saying this is the way it is, this is the way things are rather than asking them what they think. I realise there are limits in how far we should go with the freedom of education and I agree and applaud that sometimes we can substantiate this with science. The problem can be though that in some cases the science is guess work or arrived at by assumptions and speculation. Allow me to give an example of where my idea of freedom of education and the assumption of science can be good and bad.

If we have asked a child through the centuries to answer the question what shape do they think the earth is and some say square we could ask them why they think it is square? They may give a perfectly plausible explanation as to why they think what they do. Then in response, over the centuries the retort from an adult could have changed over time. From the Pythagoras theory of the earth being spherical to the flat earth theory sometime after, scientific evidence has evolved and changed our view of the answer. Until, we can, without any shadow of doubt show a child a satellite image of earth and say, see it is round.

My points are just because we think something is so doesn’t mean it is until the answer is unequivocal. Assumptions are very dangerous indeed. Whether it is assuming that your partner understands what you meant by a nod or a noise to assuming we know exactly how the mind works or how we have evolved.

Conversely I concede it is dangerous to have too much freedom. For a child to say I think the earth is square and this to remain unchallenged or the contrary unexplained is also dangerous. I guess, in the end science plays a massive part in the explanation of something or even the evidence for the thing itself. However unless that science is exact, then it is unhelpful. Do you agree? Furthermore, even when there is scientific evidence, we must be careful not to rely on it unless it is conclusive and also to always not omit the credence of common sense.

Why have I gone off on a tangent? Good question. I will try and explain myself. I use the example of teaching children because this is where learning starts and has more influence. It is great that a human being can learn pretty much anything at any time although I appreciate it is more difficult when we get older.

I’m using the teaching example at all because if we look at the teaching of a child and the teaching of an adult the process is different. A child generally absorbs knowledge like a sponge. They may agree with what they are being taught, but if not and if they chose to say something they won’t care of the consequence. They may just speak out. As we get older, as a child becomes an adult and may choose to follow an academic path their response to being taught evolves. May I suggest that once an adult we as humans have more focus on learning what we are being taught, and less focus on challenging it, even though we have more experience to possibly do so. Our ability to challenge is balanced against ridicule or redress. We take less risk and I don’t think this is right.

So, back in the room. Well I am yes, for now. Where does that leave me and my questions on how humans developed and how we use our brains? Well, it is a fantastic contradiction in our belief of the educational system and knowledge in general that we are only taken seriously by our piers if indeed we are in a circle of piers to begin with.

I actually find it hilarious, if not at all ever so slightly worrying that everyone will stop and listen to a child from Sweden who flies around the world telling everyone that anyone over thirty has ruined her life, but no one without letters after their name can challenge human evolution or the way the brain works.

So, when it comes to myself, because I have had a basic education, I am not ‘conditioned’ into thinking certain things. I actually like this because it means I can think what I like, however absurd, and do it unchallenged. I’d like to be challenged and put right in my thinking but no one would listen in the first place.

Also, even with that basic education, because it was moons ago, most of the things that were taught to me in the subjects that now really interest me, have turned out to be wrong anyway. Who would have thought it? Science fact has become science fiction. By the way, I’d like to point out that I was taught the world was round when at school. I’m not quite that old.

I know, I could go online and read about the development of the neocortex and pallium but hey, where is the fun in that when I can bug you all instead?

Mark Scotchford © 13/03/2020