The Shed 2

a reply to: ccbears

Umm, Ya know the beach water in Chicago is prob pretty cold!!! LOL!!!

Gotta Go Guys! Have a Good One, One and ALL!!! Later, Syx.

a reply to: SyxPak

its only cold if you go in to...

a reply to: TDawgRex

To: Doug, Mike and Peter.

I am a Scot, and I have kept fairly quiet regarding the upcoming referendum on Scottish Independence so far.
I very much appreciate the implications that a YES vote would have for Scotland, the rest of the UK and beyond.

For me, (from my own personal perspective) the following post explains the current desire for an Independence referendum for Scotland. Perhaps it might give you all a wee insight into why this has come about?

Scotland is currently a part of the United Kingdom, with just less than 10% of the total UK population living here.
We have our own devolved parliament with some powers over Scottish affairs, but it's powers are severely limited by the financial constraints imposed on it by successive UK governments.
All of the taxes which are raised in Scotland (Including those from Scotch Whisky and North Sea Oil/Gas) go straight to the UK government, and they then "allocate" some of those revenues back to Scotland, for the Scottish Government to spend.

We have a very different vision of what we want our society to be like, than those in the rest of the UK, and as a result, many here are unhappy at not being able to spend ALL of the Scottish Tax revenues on issues that effect Scotland and the Scots.
e.g. we have used our allocation of tax revenues to protect our National Health Service and Education in Scotland (Prescription meds, and college/university education is free at point of delivery for Scots in Scotland but not in rest of the UK.)
It is important to us Scots that our education and Health services are accessible to all, but the UK government is actively privatising many aspects of the English/Welsh NHS services, and already allows Universities to charge "tuition" fees making University education beyond the reach of many poorer families there.
We feel that is morally wrong, but our NHS budgets are linked in to the NHS spending in England. So, when the English NHS saves money by "privatising" some services, the Scottish budget is cut by the same proportion (even though we do not want a private health-care model here). So we are forced to make a choice between making up the shortfall in funding by making savings/cuts elsewhere, or following the UK model of privatisation that we don't want!

Many people in England resent the fact that we in Scotland have our own parliament, "FREE" health care, prescriptions and University Education, and they feel that THEY are paying for it. They are not.
The Scottish people paid for and set up the Scottish government, and that body has had to re-organise and re-prioritise many aspects of it's spending in order for us to be able to afford the "free" education and healthcare.
It is We Scots who are paying for it out of our own budgets, but we often get labelled as "subsidy junkies" etc by the London based media who continually imply that it is the UK who pays for all of this. They do not.

The UK government actually insists that Scotland gets a good deal from the UK, because Scots receive more "benefits" per head of population than the rest of the UK, but they totally ignore the fact that Scots PAY MORE per head in taxes than the rest of the UK.
AND crucially, (and often overlooked) the official figures calculated as being "spent" on Scotland, very often include monies spent on "UK" projects which will benefit the "whole of the UK".
Projects like HS2 (Hi-Speed Railway upgrade) costing at least £4.3 Billion!!, which links 8 of the 10 largest cities in the UK (ALL in England).
Guess which 2 of the top 10 cities are NOT included in the upgrade???
Glasgow and Edinburgh (Both in Scotland).
But, the average Scottish taxpayer is still having to pay £1000 each to fund this ONE SINGLE wonderful "UK" project.
Is this in any way justifiable? (there are MANY more too btw)

The UK government is based at westminster, London, and it's decision making and policies consistently favour London and the South East of England to the detriment of the outlying regions like Scotland.

The current UK Government is a coalition of Conservative and Liberal parties.
We, in Scotland did not want, or vote for a Conservative or Liberal Government, but we have less than 10% of the UK votes so we have little impact on the outcome of UK elections.
in fact - In each of the last 8 UK general elections, if you removed the Scottish Vote in its entirety, the outcome of the election would have been exactly the same.

In other words, NO MATTER WHO SCOTLAND VOTES FOR IN UK ELECTIONS - IT DOES NOT EFFECT THE FINAL OUTCOME.

We keep getting a UK government that we did not want and did not vote for, controlling the budgets of the devolved parliament that we did vote for.

It's ALL WRONG.

Most Scots do not want to leave the UK, but the feeling is growing that we MUST leave, in order to take charge of our own future before it is too late.

It is not about anything, other than wanting to be in control of our own destiny, and wanting to be in charge of our own tax-raising and spending powers.

It is that simple.

Oh, and by the way...

We WILL still be British if we gain Independence. (We form the northernmost part of the British Isles after all!)

We will be leaving the United Kingdom; the unjust, unbalanced political union which no longer meets our needs, hopes or aspirations as a nation.

I hope this clarifies at least some of the reasons why we are having a calm, reasoned and peaceful referendum on Independence.

kindest regards,
G

originally posted by: TrueBrit
a reply to: cody599

Heh... the Roadrunner?

Sounds about right! I hope your day is progressing adequately, my dear chap! I on the other hand, am feeling a little low at the moment. Mother has to have a little procedure later at hospital (nothing major, but you know how it is), we still have this legal nonsense hanging over us, the local council are after us over a non-issue... Oh, and tomorrow my nation might have its head cut off. No one seems to give a crap, and those that do are all for it, and everyone is paying attention to the wrong issues surrounding it, to the politics but not the emotional rift this will cause between the people of Scotland itself, and between Scots and everyone else in Britain, to the financial benefits, thinking with their heads and not their hearts.

I cannot concentrate on anything, I feel sick to my guts, and I feel so ANGRY right now I could spit.

Hi Guys
Yes indeed tomorrow is a big day for us Brits, I can't imagine what it would be like to have an independent Scotland, or indeed the ramifications of such a thing. Gordi of course gets to vote to vote in it all. I wish him and all the Scots the very best for their future regardless of the outcome.

I hope your mum is well and doesn't suffer with the procedure bro, yes I very much know how it is as my sis is back in Salisbury hospital with the 2 same infections, but they've brought along a buddy to play as well this time.

I had one of those days you wish you'd stayed in bed, the wing mirror fell off the wife's car, I sliced open my finger and was working to incorrect plans, but you've got to laugh at all when you get home.

How's the driving going ?

Cody

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

So you voting no then Gbro LMAO.

I remember the conversation we about it well, and how eloquently you spoke. Regardless of the out come I wish you all the very best, you personally and to your fellow Scots . Now FREE CORNWALL LOL.

Cody

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

As you know, I'm American, though have Scottish/Germanic roots and being a history buff, I find this all fascinating, especially considering how other nations are faring with their runs at independence/Government change.

I already knew the basic issues but I'm diving into the weeds now, such as currency, will Scotland apply to the EU and NATO?, How will the Armed forces be split?, will Scotland lease the sub base to the English? (Remember Crimea on that one), Infrastructure? Even flags, though I know Scotland already has one, but I'm curious as to how the English flag will change.

It's the little things, the nit picking details that actually matter sometimes that I'm looking at.

I do hope that everything goes accordingly and civil. Best of luck to you all, and regardless of how the next few days turn out, I am very pleased to have met y'all and am sure that we will continue to correspond.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Gordi, it is a very difficult decision you and your fellow Scots are making. Yours is the BEST explanation I have come across. Thank you for finally explaining it to me in a way that makes sense.

Like Cody I wish you all the best in this momentous decision and that the future brings happiness, success, tolerance and understanding regardless of which way it goes tomorrow.

originally posted by: cody599
a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

So you voting no then Gbro LMAO.

I remember the conversation we about it well, and how eloquently you spoke. Regardless of the out come I wish you all the very best, you personally and to your fellow Scots . Now FREE CORNWALL LOL.

Cody

I had just started to read your post when the phone rang. As usual, the brain was faster than the eyes. As I was talking to my friend, I kept wondering why you were saying or advertising FREE CORNBEEF? After the conversation...I got it. LOL

I guess it's the American in me, but I never understood Monarchy's and why people continue to put up with them in todays world. The past I can understand, but not these days.

But I have to ask...can we free Piers Morgan back to y'all? Come to think of it, I haven't heard of him lately, so maybe he's already there.

a reply to: TDawgRex

will Scotland apply to the EU and NATO?

My understanding is that Scotland is ALREADY a member of both the EU and NATO (as part of the UK).

If the vote tomorrow is a YES to Independence, then Scotland will begin negotiations with those bodies to REMAIN within them, PRIOR to the actual Declaration of Independence, which will not take place for 18 months following the voting.

The UK Better Together campaign spread massive and misleading dis-information, when it announced that an Independent Scotland would have to apply for membership to rejoin the EU.
That assertion was based on the answer to a loaded question which they put to the Eu general secretary - "If Scotland declared Independence, would they have to re-apply for membership of the EU?"
The answer to which was "YES, if they DECLARED Independence they would have to re-apply"

Scotland is NOT declaring Independence tomorrow.

It is VOTING to decide on it's "Intention" to declare Independence.
IF it DECIDES to go for Independence, it will inform the EU of that INTENTION to do so, 18 months BEFORE declaring it officially. That gives us 18 months to negotiate our CONTINUED membership of such bodies BEFORE the declaration of Independence takes place.

How will the Armed forces be split?, will Scotland lease the sub base to the English? (Remember Crimea on that one), Infrastructure? Even flags, though I know Scotland already has one, but I'm curious as to how the English flag will change.

Scotland will have it's own Army. (There is a Scottish regiment within the UK army already)
Not sure yet how the Air Force / Navy will be split - Technically just under 10% of it would belong to Scotland, but I'm not entirely sure how they would split it up - or (more likely) we would come to some sort of "shared defense" force in the future.

An Independent Scotland would NOT want Nuclear Submarines.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said recently that the Subs could NOT be located in the Thames Estuary or South Coast of England as it is too near the population centre of London. That same man and his political allies are perfectly happy for the nuclear weapons to have been based less than 30 miles from GLASGOW, the largest population centre in SCOTLAND.
There is already very good Infrastructure in Scotland. Great Transport links, Energy, Finance Centres, Industry, Education & Sciences, Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism etc etc.

We would keep the Saltire as our national flag.
The rest of the UK would have a decision to make on the "Union Jack" as it does contain the Saltire as it's background.
We'd be happy for the rest of the UK to continue using it, or to change it with the Saltire removed. Perfectly understandable either way, and entirely up to them.

The whole referendum debate has been going on for two years now.
It directly affects 5.3 million Scots and indirectly just under 60 million in the rest of UK.
No one has been killed.
No one injured.
Lots and Lots of passion on both sides, and lots of vigorous and heated debate, as it should be.

It has been a MODEL of democracy in action, and regardless of tomorrows result - should be held up as a example to the rest of the world on how to debate and decide on serious political issues.
I am VERY proud to be a Scot right now, no matter how it goes.

As for the nit picking details... I believe that they will all work out in the end. (They always do!!)
The main thing for me, and most of us, is the core principle / question...

Who should be in control of Scotland's resources, finances, revenues and taxes?
The Scottish Government or The UK Government?

I believe it should be Scotland.

a reply to: cody599

I was in a properly bad mood when I started my lesson as it happens, so my gear changes were messier than usual, and the clutch in the instructors car was replaced over the last couple of days, so it was MUCH sharper in terms of responsiveness than it was the week before, or in fact, since I started to learn to drive! Everything conspired to throw me off my game today.

Still, got out, saw a mate, and had a random encounter with a Labor politician who came to her door while we were standing about smoking cigs and drinking a cup of tea.

That made my day, I have to tell you. He spent a while talking to my mate Kerry, and then he turned to me and asked me about what my concerns were about the state of our country at the moment. I reeled off a few choice concerns, the current situation in the North being one of them, but then I asked him a question. I asked him, "have you ever actually held a job which could be considered a genuine labour, hand hardening, physical work". He told me that he had only ever held office jobs, that he had worked all his adult life, and that he had just come from work to do a bit of canvassing before going home.

I explained to him, that I found it difficult to take the Labour Party seriously as a party of the people, precisely because there has not been a person capable of a solid days physical graft in the party for well nigh thirty years, and of those who have been, only a tiny percentage have ever had to do so. I told him that calling it the Labour Party therefore, when it was lead by Etonians and millionaires was utterly absurd, since the millionaires running the thing have no idea what poverty feels like, or therefore, what the needs of people who do, really are, let alone how to provide for them in a fair and moral manner.

I told him that it is my belief that unless an alternative to both the Conservative party, and the Labour Party, were to exist, which ACTUALLY represents hard working people, who get paid little, live in a costly society, and very often work HARDER than those who earn more, just in case there was any question remaining on that point, that I do not see anything improving in this country.

I countered his every tentative refuting of my position calmly and by making salient points about the effects of certain behaviours of both the recent Tory/Liberal coalition government, and the last Labour government on regular folk, on access to democracy, on the standard and cost of living... And then another friend of mine and Kerry's arrived, and he shuffled off to the next house.

Though I get lost in our own politics, I appreciate all the info you gave Gordi. I wasn't sure what was going on with you guys. I hope things work out well for all involved.

Oh dummy me, Mom's party is tomorrow. LOL I was so out of it all day and kept falling asleep. Still feel sleepy and I shouldn't. Maybe it's depression.

Poor Mark is like five thousand dollars in debt with medical bills and he HAS medical coverage! Sadly he is thousands more in debt because of his stupidity. He can't even afford to file bankruptcy. I contacted one place and I can't get free medical because we make too much. We are both on limited incomes. I am supposed to get medicare because I am disabled but they make you wait a little over TWO years before they give it to you. You then have to purchase extra coverage because it doesn't cover everything and yet...you still have high deductables and office visit payments and specialists cost more blah blah blah...

Three times they send Mark home from the hospital where they knew he was still dizzy and throwing up! He fears even leaving the house for a Doctor's appointment. The hospital sends him home with a prescription for nausea and NOT the dizziness that is causing it. They said he has to see his regular Doc for that. GRRRR In the meantime he barely makes it from one room to the next without getting dizzy. It all began with what they thought was a mini stroke then some diabetic neuropathy.....he hasn't been the same since. He has to see a diabetic specialist too but has to feel better to get there. He has an appointment Friday with his regular Doctor. PRAYERS PLEASE!

Prayers for Mark and Me and Mom please. I am overwhelmed right now. Even grocery shopping is a huge deal. I have to get stuff for me, Mark and do Mom's groceries. I have to get my friend or niece or nephew to help carry things for me, plus I carry some myself and it kills me. I'm on the third floor with back problems! Even at the store, reaching to the back of the cart to retrieve something to put on the belt...OW!!!!! Mark used to help and can't. We used to take turns with garbage now it's just me. Neither of us feel great and don't want to cook. LOL Mark used to take us both to any doctors appointments or tests we needed, now I have to rely on others. Sigh.

a reply to: Night Star

Night, I hate to say it, but this is what happens in life. (True & TSU...look away for now, you're young still, because life will continue to pile up on you too)

It happens to us all. You have the fortunate/unfortunate situation of being able to still take care of others within your family and I am sure it's a very heavy load. But you are not alone. Many of us share the same burdens.

I believe that the journey between life and death is what matters. That's the adventure. My Dad told me that and we don't even get along. LOL But it is the truth.

The things that the populace of Scotland and England are going through are on a epic scale history wise and are on a macro scale. You? Me? The rest of the Shedders? We are on a micro scale...but we still have each other. Just as they do.

I wish you best on your journey, we all have our burdens to bear, But in the long run, life is not fair, never has been and never will be. It is up to us, as individuals to get through it.

You take care and remember to breathe deep in times of stress.

Doug

Awww Dawg, thanks Honey! I know that's how life is and that is my problem...that my life sucks so bad just because chit happens. LOL I was always the one to help others and now I am in the position of being needy and I guess I resent that. I feel bad that others have to help me.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer


Gordy, Thanx for the detailed info of all that is going on with you all over the pond. I has helped me, at least, to see things clearly!!!

I wish You and Scotland the best of outcomes on all this!
I do hope, however, that if the vote swings in your favor now, and has been done with non-physical intervention so far, like you mentioned in a later post that this has been a model of democracy in action, that in the 18 months it takes to actually Declare Your Independence that Physical means, (Military) to stop or deter the decision not become a reality! With Today's decision makers, I don't find that an unreal Concern.
But I do NOT know the full extent (any behind the scenes thoughts, etc.) of either side of those in power in reference to all that is going down, so just label that last remark, unqualified, and paranoid I suppose!LOL!!! Was just a concern that floated through my addled brain......

I honestly wish for the best of outcomes for You, Your Family, and the entire Scottish Population!
Your Friend, Mike.

a reply to: Night Star

Night, You have our hearts desire that something positive may come your way! And Soon!!!
I know you may resent the fact that at this time of your life you need help, instead of being the one giving it, just accept the help that you can get from wherever and whoever it may come from! No Guilt in that!!! It's only fair after so many years of it being the other way around, right? Fair is Fair, I usually say.

This here from the Late great Bill Hicks.

a reply to: SyxPak

Thanks Honey! I guess I have to learn to be more accepting of being in the situation where I just can't do the things I used to anymore and be grateful for whatever help comes my way.

I feel better right now because my niece just went out and picked up Mark's insulin. He didn't need it right away, but it makes me very nervous waiting to get it at the last minute when your life literally depends on it.

I feel better that Linda took me to the bank Tuesday and I was able to close out my CD and add that money to my checking account which was getting rather low.

Oh another biggie cuz chit happens...we have a flat tire and it looks like we have another one. It is past inspection and will never pass because there are way too many things the car needs. We can't even afford our car anymore. We always let my niece or nephew use our car when we needed them to run an errand for us. They have even needed it for themselves a few times while theirs was being repaired.

Doing laundry at this hour. LOL At least it will be done. Made a good soup yesterday and some sloppy joes with red peppers. Hope I have the energy tomorrow to make my shepards pie. Then we'll have a few good things to eat. I used ground turkey for the sloppy joes and it's just as good as using hamburger but healthier. The broth for the soup was low sodium no fat but tasty enough. It had white beans and chopped carrots and string beans and ham. The smokey ham gave all the flavor.

a reply to: Night Star

I know the not wanting to really accept that bad crap always keeps happening. It is a curse in my family, No Chit There!!
Like EVERY time we want to do something, something will happen that won't let us do it. Or I get something new, and it breaks. Or the flat tire thing I know all too well. Only being able to afford used, so it's inevitable. Time after time little, and major stuff falls from the sky in a Sh t Storm of B.S. I can't even take the time to write about it all. LOL It's that bad, and keeps on comin'. Every time we turn around, there's another 'surprise' waiting for us! LOL. It get's so pitiful, it get's laughable. Our life would probably make one block buster of a dark comedy. Ya know? LOL!!!

Sorry it took a while for a response Night. I am writing a new poem style story of a true life incident. One that played out for over 12 years! Yah, No Chit there either!! I am trying to convey something that I hope comes out right. It is a detailed situation, but trying to get it into a poetic verse, had been taxing. But I am about done on the rough draft. Will post of it's completion after I enter in into Short Stories. It should probably go into it's own category of Long Poems! LOL!!!


EDIT: Dang Night, That last post made me Hungry!!! LOL!!!

New Poem Up!
The Evil One