the rat race is for rats…
A brief return to on-the-road (or more accurately, tracks) blogging, since I am currently well on my way to That London for the remainder of the week, and am trying a spot of composing via BlackBerry (having managed somehow to download WordPress and a result feeling very pleased with myself). There is little to add regarding availability; there is one short appointment remaining on Friday afternoon but the rest is nicely organised. I have spent the last couple of days resting, packing, stuffing the fishes with food, availing myself of the delightful sauna and steam facilities round the corner and will be arriving shortly refreshed and ready to, well, roll. This week has seen some charming new visitors and an impromptu trip to Nottingham for a long-planned liaison, as well as at least some success in my ever-continuing battle against the content thieves; there is as far as I’m aware now only one lady using my website text to advertise herself and this I hope to do something about immediately that I have the time (not this week then, obviously).
There is almost an element of flattery in having a repeatedly copied website, but in the end I cannot find any excuse to pass off someone else’s hard work as your own, and not for the first time I was amazed at such blatant disregard for the efforts and reputation of others – this industry is often described as cut-throat and the way the ignorant, unscrupulous and selfish few are prepared to treat those in the same boat has never failed to shock and sadden me. Having known ladies variously sent off on wild goose chases by competitors, threatened with (or worse still, actually subjected to) ‘outing’ to their families and local communities, even physically attacked purely because some vindictive, jealous, two-bit prossie perceives them to be busier, more popular or more successful than herself I can only imagine what karma has in store for the perpetrators.
However, there is much evidence to the contrary also, and the wonderful ladies (and gents) I have met over the years do a great deal to provide redress. The small and mostly online community I am proud to be part of not only does an extremely good job of looking after its own, but also of welcoming the new and nervous with support, guidance and no end of advice on where best to obtain cheap hosiery, all imaginable sizes of condom and those stringless sponge tampons which look inexplicably to me like mini pottys. We share warnings, information, sympathy and tips for the best way to cross a hotel reception without looking like a hooker (and not forgetting the ubiquitous Bone Dry Bath test upon arrival – yes, we are indeed ascertaining whether you have had a shower, although most of us will be washing our hands and discreetly checking for any uninvited guests as well).
I was led to ponder all this afresh having been saddened to hear of the death last week of Jimmy Reid, the Clydeside trade unionist whose inaugural speech as Rector to the students of Glasgow University in 1972 still stands as one of the finest moments in modern oratory and means a great deal to me. If it is not entirely inappropriate to do so (and I very much doubt Jimmy would mind even if it is), I would like to quote from my favourite part (and do read more here):
‘The other illustration is the widespread, implicit acceptance of the concept and term “the rat race”. The picture it conjures up is one where we are scurrying around scrambling for position, trampling on others, back-stabbing, all in pursuit of personal success. Even genuinely intended, friendly advice can sometimes take the form of someone saying to you, “Listen, you look after number one.” Or as they say in London, “Bang the bell, Jack, I’m on the bus.”
To the students [of Glasgow University] I address this appeal. Reject these attitudes. Reject the values and false morality that underlie these attitudes. A rat race is for rats. We’re not rats. We’re human beings. Reject the insidious pressures in society that would blunt your critical faculties to all that is happening around you, that would caution silence in the face of injustice lest you jeopardise your chances of promotion and self-advancement. This is how it starts, and before you know where you are, you’re a fully paid-up member of the rat-pack.
The price is too high. It entails the loss of your dignity and human spirit. Or as Christ put it, “What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul? “‘
Wonderful words, and may he rest in peace.
Back in Scarborough from Sunday.
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