The Hypochondriac 2

Its not just my state of mind but also the fact that I have nothing meaningful to occupy myself with.

The last 2 months all I've been doing is either watching TV or staring out of the window. University doesn't start before the 9th of October, but I don't really have any interests in that anymore. All I'm doing is waiting to see the specialist doctor which I have been referred to. Originally I was given an appointment for the 30th of October, but this has been moved forward to the 10th.

I've all but convinced myself that I am sick, with only slight doubt stalking me.

"I am a worm and not a man" (Psalm 22:6, NIV).

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of deaths, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side.

Surrounded by Lies.

Advertisement is, in my opinion, nothing but lies. Advertisement is ultimately concerned with changing perception, creating images and advancing narratives that further the interest of the advertisers. This kind of deliberate attempt at changing the way individuals and public think and act is anathema to truth.

Advertisement pervades every aspect of our lives and societies. It's the main economic incentive for modern mass media and penetrates into every public space. Even in sports, politics, charity and churches is advertisement used in the form of endorsements and sponsorship. This state of affairs is the natural consequence of capitalism.

I do question, however, what surrounding ourselves with lies does to us as individuals and society at large? Is the good life really brought to you by the servants and messengers of capital?

Ditch the Black.

The first post I ever made on this blog was a rant about how the New York Mets had ruined their uniform by adding black to it.

I am not alone. Uniwatch has started a petition entitled Ditch the Black. Its always good to know that there are others out there who care just as much about unimportant things as I do.

Hang Them High!

I'm always amazed at the harshness of English criminal punishment, especially when it comes to driving offenses. For example:

- The man sentenced to 5 years for falling asleep while driving and causing a rail accident. See this BBC article where the victims families complain that he only served 2 1/2 years.
- A 26 year old man jailed for 2 years for killing a young woman. This Times article finds it extremely important that the woman was a bright Oxford graduate.
- The young man who crashed his car outside my parents house a couple of years ago and killed his fellow passenger. He was sent to a maximum security prison for 3 years. Last year a flower appeared by the post where the accident happened, with the message "I'm sorry".

I personally can think of no good years in jail will do for these young men, the victims or their families. Do English politicians, judges and public have no understanding for the horror it must be to be responsible for killing someone and that prison is just an expensive way of giving into feelings of vengeance?

The Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald, QC actually thinks sentences are to lenient. To The Observer on Sunday he argued that many sentences to drivers responsable for deadly accidents are "absolutely dire" and undermine the publics confidence in the entire criminal justice system. Mr Macdonald is incensed that such drivers often only get a fine (see here.)

I do not believe dangerous driving should have no criminal sanction. However, imposing long jail sentences for this offence, just to satisfy a vengeful public, is in my opinion wrong.

The Hypochondriac

I'm a hypochondriac. Every few years I get myself into a panic after convincing myself that I'm suffering from a fatal decease.

I won't bother you with what horrible decease that I'm anxious about, but I'm sharing it because this type of anxiety is completely debilitating. When I feel like this I can't concentrate on anything, all I do is fret.

One thing hypochondria does do, however, is to focus your attention much more on God. All that I desire right now is to experience Gods presence and goodness in life. I pray that I will come to live a life of trust in God and not to be fearful of life.

p.s. Did I use 'debilitating' correctly, or does it not mean what I think it means?