Empty Gesture . . .

Like most people that enjoy still a modicum of social and working life, I have noticed a few odd changes to a couple of the fixed assets in our milieu since we crossed the line beyond 40. These do not include the obvious, like Fashion, Music, and Popular Culture, as these phenomena exist only to flux and tantalise. One of these changes, absent in earlier incarnations of self, is the realisation that the very fabric of space-time warps as maturity sets in. I've looked for various formulas and theories beyond Euclid for explanations, but most published and regarded works, for example that of Einstein and also Lorenz on this matter, relate to the mutability of space-time at acceleration or in the vicinity of gravitational pull. Now, I am making the assumption that since the Bradford area is not accelerating any more than it was last week, and that the gravitational pull exerted on me, since the time that I reached adult size has remained constant, then my space-time should have & continue to remain, unchanging. Then why is my time itself moving so quickly? Not only are the days peeling by at an alarming rate, the pace of change is accelerating. This new observation is my theory of Priority Ageing: Put simply, the more things that I have still left to do, the faster time becomes as I engage with my environment and do them, thus acquiring further items still “to do”. Hmm. . .

On the subject of changes, I have been aware, particularly this year, of a certain group of person attracted to people like us (Gay? Jewish? Bearded? Obvious? Bespectacled?) Actually I mean, people more like me, inasmuch as I am perceived by some to be in a position where I can/ will do something for these chancers. This is all the more notable when the Grand Request benefits me little if at all. I am then expected to carry out the “favour” for no charge! I know reader; this is shocking, written as it is in a country where it is virtually impossible to leave the house without a wallet stuffed with cash and cards. Why would anyone, especially a supposed friend delude themselves into thinking that the friendship will survive repeated requests for "help" when nothing is being offered to sweeten the pill?? Moreover, and as a starting point, why, when I don’t know you, would I ever consider a "small favour" like promoting your band, introducing you to my publisher, or even show you how to  . . . . . . . . . . .

Anyway, the services asked of me range from the sublime such as the insertion of links for, say musical instrument repairs on one of my less commercial websites, right through to the out and out ridiculous. You know who you are, and I know what you want.  You are BUSTED!

The guidelines are simple: If this is a business proposal, then go, please, through my business portal online and contact me to discuss business. Anything else, right now, as a “friend” you should be aware of just how snowed under I am with a whole raft of issues, and that it is you that should be reciprocating with favours? What I do not want is the "Any time you need help, just come and see me!!!!” I believe, like most people, that I can read an empty gesture at fifty paces, blindfold. So, don't bring shame on yourself. If you can't say owt, then say nowt!