Sunday 6 January 2013

That was an amazing book. Genius author...
Until the other day, I hadn't read a single book from start to finish in over a year - despite my very job title. I know, it's appalling, but some warped part of me finds humour in that, because turns out it's true what they say: like the body, if the mind isn't given enough exercise, it turns to slush. My laziness over the past few months has reaped the consequences for both mind and body. Both have long been demoted to a jelly like substance with but an empty void inside. It's my own fault. I'm trying to change my ways, though: I'll read more than a book a year and I'm going to ride my bike a lot more. I've tried eating less but... I just... can't do that. I think I'm actually physically addicted to food. I need to be careful about who I say that to, 'cause it doesn't sound good, does it.

Anyway, the reason I'm making a blog post after so long is just to cite this book, really. It's called 'Before I Go to Sleep' by S.J. Watson. I'll be honest: I think the main reason it's had such an impact on me is because it's the first book I've read in nigh on two years, and I'd just forgotten what it was like to read a good bit of fiction. It's an easy read, so I don't need to put the damn book down at the end of every sentence in search of a dictionary. But the plot is just... it's so harrowing. I don't know if either of you (I'm assuming it's only Carts and Aidan reading this) has seen '50 First Dates' with Drew Barrymore, but it's like that, only without any comedy. I haven't finished the book yet but I've devised some theories over how it's going to end. If either of you decides to read it, let me know - I wantcho thoughts! It really gets you thinking, this book. Great book...

There's not really anything else I can think to talk about here, because I tell you both anything of note via MSN/FB anyway. I hope things are going well for you, Aidan. We should indeed meet up for coffee sometime (I won't be drinking any coffee, though).

Tuesday 22 May 2012

As per He-Whose-Name-Shall-Not-Be-Disclosed's nagging, here is my Business Ethics timed essay typed up. I really wouldn't use this essay as a definitive guide though - it did get a (low) C, but like, I did next to no revision beforehand, and I was just writing whatever came to my mind in the short time we had to write, so I have no idea which points are valid and which are just a load of crap. The teacher didn't give much comment. Nonedaless, enjoy!



'Religious Ethics is not the best approach to business.' Discuss.


Some see Christian ethics as the best approach to business, and some do not. Both sides have plenty of material to bolster their arguments.


The Bible is the foundation of Christian ethics - both the Old and New Testaments. Leviticus is one book that provides ethical direction to businesses. It promotes justice, honesty and fairness in business - valuable virtues for business owners to have, which if maintained should help build healthy relationships between business and consumer, and the greatest happiness for all involved. Many prophets in the Old Testament give ethical teachings on business - like Amos, who spoke out about the unfair treatment of the poor by the rich. The New Testament says to treat others as you want to be treated. All these teachings applied to the business world do work in principle, but they may not be ideal in today's world, where much has changed since biblical times.


It is important to cite Jesus, who said, "Give to Caeser what is Caeser's", but in moderation. That is, do your duty for the business, but maintain an ethical stance and do not feed the business more than it needs - especially not at the expense of slaves, for example. This seems a fair teaching, and a beneficial one too, but in reality, the typical business has only its own interest at heart, and if the mistreatment of persons overseas will be advantageous, it will very likely be done.


One of the main missions of Christianity is to build the Kingdom of God, and it is a Christian's duty to contribute to this mission. It is believed that everyone is equal in the Kingdom of God, and since businesses are built on a hierarchy (the producers, the laborers, the consumers, the managers), it does not seem at all possible for the two to co-exist. Hierarchy plays a huge and irreplaceable role in the business world, and although without it there may be more equality, a business does not function without a hierarchy.


Christian ethics support whistle blowing sometimes. If it is done in the interest of morality, and it is done honestly, under Christianity it is good. Christianity holds the sanctity of life doctrine in very high esteem, and if whistle blowing is done to preserve and enhance life, then it is good.


One blaring weakness of Christian ethics is that it relies on an existence of God. Even if it is the best approach to business, it will never have the ears of every single person in charge of a business, because not every single person is a theist.


Of course, if perhaps Christian ethics were to be disguised, the maxim of the New Testament "Treat others as you want to be treated" could be an attractive one to many business owners.

[Incomplete. Didn't know what else to write, toloco.]

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Friday 27 April 2012

Still can't believe I can finally vote! But who do I vote for? I took that quiz on whoshouldyouvotefor.com, and this is what happened:


...



...Well the picture won't upload. So it said:

Green: 35
Liberal Democrat: 29
Labour: 28
Independent: 5
UKIP: 4
Conservative: -28









Ziggy's mum is Pikachu.

Sunday 22 April 2012

Whaiiiii is the application process for an apprenticeship so time consuming! I've only managed to send off two so far, because it just takes so dogdamn long.

My YouTube channel btw, if anyone's interested: http://www.youtube.com/user/thenameaintjim?feature=mhee

I don't have any proper videos on there, but like, recommend me stuff to watch or summin' or nuffin'?

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Just been jerked from a nice dream and having to sit here now until f*ck knows what time because my arsehole of a neighbour either still hasn't heard of headphones, or he just doesn't care because he has zero consideration whatsoever for the person cursed with a bedroom just a few feet from his. He really is the bane of my life, and there's nothing I want more than to pack up and leave and never have to see his face again for as long as I live. I mean, don't get me wrong, the house itself is great - couldn't be better! - but I have enough trouble sleeping without some misogynist on loudspeaker at stupid o'clock on a school night rapping about his haul of bitches and what they all like to get up to after hours.

I'll never get my head round this deification of sleep. It's just a chore to me, and if I could make the decision to go without it for the rest of my life, I would in a heartbeat.

So... er... yeah. That's about it really. I know my latest posts have been a bit grim - sorry about that, guiz. My life really isn't half as bad as I sometimes make it out to be. I'm in no place to complain, tbh, should be grateful for what I've got. I just find the bad news to be more noteworthy than the good, y'knaw?

I love all these Pokémemes - so-ah-funny!