Today at the local church thrift shop (I can’t help myself…50 cent books!) a complete stranger walked up to me and introduced himself as Chris and asked me what my name was and how I was doing, where I was born, the nationality of my parents as well as a couple of other questions.  He then told me he was 28, had autism and loved space.  He then moved on to the woman behind me asking her all the same questions, she however stated that she herself had two autistic sons.  I could tell by the womans questions that she was interested in finding out how Chris was coping with life but at the same time I could sense the unease in her voice as Chris asked to see her feet.  He then asked if he could give her a foot massage and if he could have her phone number to call her every week.  It was very obvious that Chris had no social boundaries and the woman made an excuse to leave and hightailed it out of there.  Chris then turned his attention to me so thinking quickly and not wanting to be rude I picked up a science fiction book with a planet and moons on the cover. I handed it to Chris and said “Here Chris I found a space book for you” to which he squealed with delight and thanked me.  He then surprised the hell out of me saying “this is Jupiter, it’s made up of hydrogen and helium with bits of methane, carbon dioxide and water.”  I had to come home and google Jupiter in order to know that he was indeed correct, I had no idea what Jupiter was made up of.  He took the book and went on his way saying hello to other people in the store.  He seemed so happy and I was glad I didn’t brush him off when he first walked up to me.  I wonder though if the other woman felt a little guilty making a hasty retreat? After all she came face to face with a future possibity of her sons and I could see it frightened her. It must be a difficult situation to be in for both the autistic person and the carers.

I have discovered that in life it’s not who you know, it’s who you blow! People do get ahead by who they know but “jumping” ahead comes down to favours. Ok, not all of them sexual (though it does happen) but favours make this world spin. You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours! How many times has there been a job advertised and a bunch of hopeful applicants interviewed simply as a matter of routine because all along there has been “John Smith” lined up for the job. It just so happens that “John Smith” has a cousin who knows some guy who did a favour for some other guy who now gives him a job in return for that favour….following me? What happens if you don’t like playing this favours game? Not much…..you work to live and fight to survive like the rest of us. Then one day you start to notice these people “jumping” ahead for no apparent reason. Qualifications and experience will only get you so far, how did they end up with such a great opportunity? Then it clicks…it’s who you blow!

I hate the saying “110% effort”….or even just “110%”, unless it is preceded by the words “our income increased”.  It is simply NOT possible.  100% is the greatest possible amount of energy/effort you can put in!!!  There is no way to give more than 100% so why say 110%?  Ok, I’m not stupid, I know it’s to express that a person wants to go above and beyond, give it their all etc etc but it’s still ONLY ever going to be 100%.  Any thing less than your best is under the 100% mark and you will NEVER exceed it!!!!  Oh, it drives me crazy just typing this….it’s my all time pet hate!!!

I enjoy Nick Cave’s ballads, can’t listen to most of his songs around the kids but I do enjoy his style.  One of his songs states “people just ain’t no good, I think that’s well understood.”  I would have to agree with that statement, it’s easy to look around in life and find people who would stab you in the back for a promotion.  Perhaps lie to discredit someone for their own gain, rob, steal, cheat and murder.  You would like to think that it’s only a small number of society who fall into this bracket but how many of us really know our neighbours?  Look out for them? How many of us would step into a situation to save someone else?  It seems easier to say “it’s not MY problem” or “someone else will help.”  How many of us extend a helping hand to the struggling?  Those who are down on their luck?  We all live in our own little bubbles and try to ignore the mess around us.  On the positive side there are community groups who offer shelters and church groups (like the one I pack food parcels for) who feed the less fortunate of us.  So there is still some good out there but on the whole…people just ain’t no good!