The things that keep me awake at night!

24/6/2017

A bit of a hotchpotch blog today. Just a few things to say on a variety of different subjects. I will cover these in more detail later. Due to our friend Justin, staying with us in Spain, I haven't had a chance to write in detail, on subjects close to my heart, but will attempt to briefly cover a few this evening; topics that can't wait, stuff I need to get off my mind today, before I go to bed, while it is fresh!

Justin

Justin left Spain this morning, after spending a week with us in Gran Alacant. It was fantastic seeing him after such a long time; nearly three years. It remains important for me to keep in contact with friends, I left behind in Britain; the good people, whose friendship I value. I suppose in reality, I never valued Justin's friendship enough in the past, after all, he can be a handful at times. However we spent quality time with one enough, something we should do more often!

We had a few farewell drinks, with Chloe and friends down La Piedra, on Friday night before he left, leaving Justin in Chloe's capable hands, at the 'Festival of San Juan,' while Darrell and I popped home, for a well earned rest. I look forward to see Justin again soon!

Oxfam

'It looks like Oxfam are going to sh*t, all over the country!'

I received an email from an old colleague in Southampton, updating me on the state of play at my favourite charity and ex employer, Oxfam. It seems that recently six other managers have left the region, I used to work in. I worked out, that would mean every manager, I used to work with, have left, probably due to our sociopathic boss, Miss Raymond, That is a shocking indictment on this once respected charity, who are still unable to stop this woman from causing mayhem across the south coast.

Oxfam, you really do need to start listening to those who know what is happening and remove this person. Too many lives have been destroyed by her. I have been offered money, countless times, by various publications to publish details of what happened to me; so I ask you again, remove her, before I sell my story; that is the last thing I want to do!

Grenfell Tower Fire - Camden evacuation

I was watching the news last night, when I got home from La Piedra, as residents from five tower blocks were being evacuated from their homes in Camden, London.

Tests have been carried out on the cladding, covering these buildings, attached to the facade, as part of recent renovations; they have been labeled an immediate fire risk and the local authority are unable to protect the residents, while they live in these blocks. At 8.30pm yesterday, they were all ordered to leave their homes.

I was struck by the residents anger at being told to leave, Granted, it is an inconvenience, but what else can the council do? After the fire at Grenfell, they have to do everything they can, to protect this lives of people living in these flats.

Clearly the organisation, notice given to tenants and alternative arrangements were horrendous and ill thought out. There were not enough rooms for those evacuated and people had to sleep on makeshift beds, in sports halls; not ideal.

Rather than local councils taking action independently, maybe, just maybe, the Government should take control of the situation, centrally and co-ordinate a plan to solve these deadly issues, easing the pressure on councils like Camden.

My Cousin, Joe also contacted me, to say Portsmouth City Council has discovered, the block he used to live in, also has dangerous cladding; the tip of a very large iceberg!

This is all very shocking to me. Peoples lives have been put at risk for profit and shareholders dividends, that is appalling! The cladding used on these blocks should only have been used, on accommodation, no more than four stories high; so who the hell authorised, the use of such substandard, combustible material? It is clear, a scandal is brewing; with the Government being called to account, over its austerity measures and cost cutting; handing over less and less money to local authorities; heads will roll. If any of those currently in positions of power are found guilty, the fall force of the law, should be used against them!

Brexit

Theresa May has announced a plan to protect EU citizens living in the UK, with an expectation that the EU will also, offer British Expats living in Europe, the same conditions, allowing them and us to stay in our chosen country.

I have briefly read these terms and feel uneasy. Those Europeans currently living in the UK, would only be granted the same rights, as British citizens and therefore the same rights they have now, after five years residency. This really isn't good enough! As an Expat, I should be entitled to remain without hindrance, as I am now, that shouldn't change. These conditions will throw lives into turmoil. Everyone, either in the UK or Europe, should be permitted to stay without hindrance, her proposal is not good enough. Apart from anything else, there are many people living in Spain, who do not even have residency, legally required after six months; does that mean, the time they have already spent in Spain is null and void?

Pseudonym

'Watch out, watch out, there's a sociopath about!'

A few days ago, I received a message from someone, using a fake social networking profile, who immediately deleted themselves, after receiving my reply.

In no uncertain terms, they demanded to know why I don't use my real name, while writing this blog. Luckily I know who this person is. It is just another sociopath, trying to cause trouble, this time, living and working here, in Spain, not too far away.

If you bothered to read my blog, you would understand the basis for using a pseudonym. The 'Oxfam and Sociopathy' section will describe in great detail, the reason for using Luke Martin-Jones. As a writer, I write under a different name to stop my work else where, being compared to recent articles and blogs. This allows writing to stand on its own merit, which is important when writing different genres.

When you bother to read this blog, you will also understand, a name change was also necessary, in order to protect myself and my partner from people like yourself, sociopaths and bullies. to continue to write about my experiences, without the threat of action, I chose to use a different name. My partner is not able to use his name, in connection with this blog, also for legal reasons, after signing a compromise agreement. I signed no such agreement and continue to write about my experiences with Oxfam.

There will always be bullies, liars and sociopaths in this World. I am no saint, but choose not to lie, bully or cause harm to others; ever! Due to my trials and tribulations with Oxfam, I am well aware of what a sociopath does and how their mind works. If I come across anyone, I consider to be unacceptable, I will remove them from my life; if necessary those they associate with, also, without hesitation. Protecting myself and my partner is my only priority! Today, I continue to remove those I consider to be a threat. Others may disagree with me, but then they haven't seen what I have. If anyone confronts me about my reasoning, I will tell them to their face. However, I am of the opinion, you should just let sleeping dogs lie in this case, because there are some answers you just don't want to hear.

I hope to cover these subjects, in more detail at a later date, for now I can sleep soundly in my bed tonight, knowing I have written about them! Have a great weekend y'all!