Monday 15 August 2011

Sky Space & Other Things Overhead

I couldn't believe that I had found myself standing outside [in vain] waiting for the Space Station to go around. It seems [apparently] that each circuit takes 1.5hrs and goes around the Earth 16 times every 24hrs. But only every 4 times does it cover the same ground. This means that if you are lucky enough to see it, then it won't be visible again for another 6hrs. If it happens to be broad daylight then keep adding 6hrs until it is dark again for another chance to see it. It should appear in the sky, south west [ish] and travel towards north east [ish]. So... what was I doing outside last night at 10:30pm? I was wondering the same thing. Staring up towards the heavens, in the hope of seeing it again. Anyway... I've seen most films only once... most TV shows only once... most groups ie Stereophonics or Coldplay or even Diana Ross and Rod Stewart, I've only ever seen once. Almost anything normally found at ground level, picturesque views, and the odd astounding sight gets away with the term 'Yes Ive seen one of those' or 'Yes Ive seen that'...
But what is it that makes us rush outside at the merest suggestion that something is about to fly overhead. Be it, a noisy Helicopter, heard above the TV, Military air craft and yes indeed the mere mention that the Space Station is going overhead for the umpteen thousandth time sends us into a frenzy and a desperate desire to get outside and stare up at the sky again, for the umpteenth thousandth time!!

Rain & Other Stories


Well after all this time, I would have thought I might get used to it at some point. In spite of being rained on most times when I go out, it doesn't seem to stop me, or anyone else for that matter, from venturing outside. So why does it matter? I don't know. Maybe it's human nature to moan about something that one has to put up with. Like pensioners in Tesco's on a Saturday, when they have all the week to do their shopping.

Or people who approach a roundabout in the left hand lane and then attempt to drive all the way around on the outside. Now, let's not forget the hoards of farmers who venture onto our roads on tractors and other forms of agricultural bollocks, amid the morning or evening rush hour. They don't seem to be on the roads at any other time of the day; or the weekend for that matter. Maybe because they don't want to get stuck behind a family on bikes! Virtually everything that is done by humans, will at some point be the embuggerance of another. So will the weather, at some point do the same thing? Well yes it does, but it isn't often that I comment about the excessive amount of sunshine in the UK; or the garden could do with a drop of rain, since it hasn't rained for three months! Well, one day maybe they will become common UK phrases. In light of the Global Warming threat, I would have thought, what with all the fuss it has created, maybe the aforementioned phrases would now be common place. Why hasn't it then? Well basically it's all a load of bollocks, created by greenies, beigies and the odd veggie in a vain attempt to make themselves feel better about driving around (or knowing somebody who does) in a post war 2CV6 and trying to offset their 'carbon footprint', by subscribing to something that won't even save themselves; let alone the Planet.

Ooops... back to the point. No matter who we are, or what we are doing; while we are still human, there will always be opinions... Me, moaning about many things, as well as tractors. In turn farmers moaning about being stuck behind families on bikes; who in turn are moaning about the mud on the roads, caused by farmers... so there we have it. The likelihood of things ever changing are remote, so before I get everyone banging on my door, perhaps this will make things clearer. We all have opinions and the capability of voicing them... but who is really listening, because things are still being done the way they have always been done. So whilst the minority are trying to save the Planet; the majority aren't. So the Planet will probably end up having save itself quietly and peacefully, whilst we are too busy moaning, arguing and voicing opinions to notice.