A Guest Post from Lora Fountain - JE SUIS CHARLIE

The following was not written as a post but as an email to friends and colleagues, including myself, but is reproduced here by kind permission of Lora:

Dear All,

It’s hard to write to everyone about the last week’s horrific events, and so far  I’ve just been replying to the e-mails as they have come in. Now I think the best thing is to send a group mail so you can try to understand what it has been like here.

“The sign reads ‘I am Charlie, I am a Cop, I am Jewish, I am French, I am Liberty, I am Humanity, I am, I exist!’ ”

The events of Wednesday and Friday affected our neighborhood because they took place within an a couple of kilometers of each other and less than that from my office, the XI Arrondisement it is a traditionally Socialist arrondisement, as well as being an historically Jewish part of town. It affected me and my husband in particular because, as some of you know, he is a cartoonist,  [from Everdayfolk - Lora's husband is the wonderful cartoonist Gilbert Shelton]

Gilbert Shelton's Bastille

 and as the community of cartoonists in France is pretty small, both he and I knew several of those who were murdered in the Charlie Hebdo attack.

Whether or not you agreed with the editorial content of Charlie, the magazine was in keeping with the long French tradition of taking the mickey out of everyone who took themselves too seriously. The editors and artists took pleasure in taking on every holy cow that crossed their path and had been doing so since 1969. Many of the cartoons were in questionable taste, but they could make you think about the subject, whether it was the Pope, a politician or whatever, and the artists and writers were not racists or islamophobes. 

Lora Fountain 

Like most of my friends, I was on the street yesterday afternoon. Appropriately enough, the demonstration went down Boulevard Voltaire, which is named after the writer who said “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.”

 In the part that I saw of the nearly two million people on the streets yesterday, the sense of fraternity and tolerance was very clear. We rubbed shoulders (literally) with people from all over Paris and beyond who felt the need to show their solidarity; there were spontaneous outbreaks of the Marseillaise and applause several times for the police (first time THAT has ever happened in living memory), especially for a group marching behind a banner reading “Police in Mourning”. It was very moving, and I am glad to have been part of it, even though some of the heads of state who attended were not particularly to my liking. But they were just a few and were totally overwhelmed by the numbers of people who really represented France. 

"Charlotte, at five months, was the youngest participant that I saw"

Attached are a few photos.

“Alex, wearing signs ‘Je suis Charlie’ and ‘Je suis Juif”, celebrated his 17^th birthday on Sunday in the streets with two million other Frenchmen and-women.”

 



The past week was terrible, but all the kind messages of support from friends from all over the world made it a little easier to bear.

I wanted to reprint this email here that in all this, Lora wanted to reach out and say thank you - so from Everdayfolk a big thank you and thumbs up to Lora, everyone on the march and cartoonists all over the world who help give us perspective and make us laugh at the same time.

Lora Fountain is Managing Director of

AGENCE LITTERAIRE LORA FOUNTAIN & ASSOCIATES

You can read their blog at http://lorafountainagency.com/

or reach them on twitter @AgenceFountain @Lora Fountain

or Facebook: facebook/Agence-littéraire-Lora-Fountain-Associates 

A Second Guest Post from Kevin Bampton - BABY……

Like the baby this post is later than planned.

My partner Sally gave birth to our fourth child, Elsa, at 4.33 on 6^th May this year.

As ever the Midwives of Portsmouth excelled themselves with their level of care and understanding. They dealt with Sally and me with care, understanding and respect for our wishes. Sally had very specific ideas for the birth and had birth plans for pretty much any eventuality, from the preferred home birth all the way through to an emergency caesarean section.

As with the previous births we have not been straightforward or ordinary in our approach, but after some initial eyebrow raising, and a bit of pushing and talking to the right people on our part, our ideas were honoured and respected.

99% of the people we dealt with were behind us 100%. Thumbs up for that!

Labour was all over the place during the weekend, with contractions coming and going at random intervals and intensities and, with three other children around, ridiculously exhausting. The decision was made by Sally that she couldn’t continue. She was physically and mentally drained and felt she needed a caesarean section.

We contacted the midwives who immediately agreed for her to go in to Queen Alexandra Hospital.

We dropped our other children off at their grandmother’s house and went on to the hospital.

We found she was in a queue for surgery and had several hours to wait before the doctors could get to her. During this time she was in the care of Lisa and (I think) Merida.  They respectfully did their job, not getting in the way or bothering us unnecessarily.

Finally the anaesthetist arrived to discuss the operation with Sally. Our daughter decided this was the moment she would begin to put in some serious effort into being born naturally.

The next hour was the most amazing feat of human endurance I have ever witnessed.  With gentle but firm coaching to my exhausted partner from Lisa and Merida Sally delivered Elsa safely and naturally, to much joy in the room.

A big thumbs up to Lisa and Merida for their amazing care and incredible professionalism.

Elsa was welcomed home by her brother Seth and her sisters Freya and Astrid.

With the cutbacks on staff and resources within the NHS this is a valuable reminder of the kindness, compassion and humanity of the staff who have contact everyday with the people they signed up to help.

These people are why we should resist any attempt to privatise our NHS. 

~~~~

Also, Everdayfolk would like to make an apology; this post is even later than Kevin intended due to a "hiccup" our end.  

Kevin Bampton - Portsmouth 

 http://kevinbampton.wordpress.com/

@Hoodedman_art

no power or heat but the team were on hand to help

You know what they say, it never rains but.....

Sometime during the night, (it turns out at 2:00 am), our power went out so we woke Sunday morning to no heat or power.  Not the best timing for personal reasons since we are a bit bed/house bound at the moment but we called a company called UK Power Networks (think they used to be known as Eastern Power) about getting back on line.

Tina

We'd done all the fuse checks and things like that so Tina, who took our first call was really helpful and nice on the 'phone and said she would check the local status and call us back in ten minutes.  She did just that and said that they hadn't got any sign of outages in the area so does look like just us and would get someone out to us straight away.  So a big thank you and thumbs up to Tina  .

Lee - DST

Within about forty minutes of her call, Lee, the first DST (engineer to you and me) turned up and did some tests. 

He confirmed there was no power at our house so went away to check at the local sub-station.  No, he came back the problem wasn't there so they were going to have to get a team with a digger to dig the street up.

This was only moment where communication went a tiny bit awry.  We were told half an hour but two hours later we called Mark {picture of Mark maybe to follow - fingers crossed} who said he would look into it.  We got cut off and while we were waiting for him to call back I then got in touch with UK Power Networks via twitter.

Well everything took off at the same moment!

The team started turning up in the street; first to arrive were Lewis (on the right - who was in bed with the flu the night before) and Clayton (on the left) from Morrison Utility Services with a digger.  I was a bit worried when they arrived when they started marking up the garden on where to dig but they couldn't have been more considerate of my plants and worked around the "death trap" of a plum tree.   So a big thumbs up and thank you to both and, Clayton, hope your back gets better and Lewis, look after that cold and, don't forget, any time you want to help out at the allotment you're more than welcome!

Lee - twitter

Meanwhile, Mark called back with a very helpful update on what we could expect and when.  Simultaneously to this, Lee on twitter started sending me DMs with really helpful, up to the moment updates.  Thank you both Mark and Lee and

Jack and Mick

At one point there were seven vehicles outside (including the digger).  From UK Power Networks were Mick, (the guv'n - standing), Jack (Sitting down on the job - that's for his kids!) - who has two cats with some problems I recommended Liquid Garlic for - 





and Dave - who I've promised this isn't a dating site.   We also had a very nice man, (who I failed to get his name or picture - shame on me), who must have been a civil engineer or something as he had the local up to date plans showing the other utilities in case they needed to dig outside our property.  Thanks and thumbs up to you all

Dave

Luckily around three o'clock in the afternoon, just as the temperature was really dropping and it was getting too dark for anything, Lee (DST) came back with some gear and they managed to give us temporary power via a "loop" off our lovely neighbour's outside supply.  So a thank you and thumbs up to Lee .

Clayton

Lewis

They all worked on until just after six p.m. when we got back our power.  Great job.  (Big holes left in the path etc but promises for a follow up team to come the next day to fill them all in.).

Have to say, first dealings with UK Power Networks but am very impressed with the level of service and smiles from all. 

Thank you. 

******

   

ps - unfortunately the follow up team to fill the holes who came two days later, (from W**** - you know who you were) weren't in the same class and indeed scarpered without even knocking on the door to check all was okay or doing what they said they would do.

we went quiet

Apologies and a quick update; sorry we've been silent for so long, not least an apology to those who have sent in guest posts but haven't been published yet.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to look for the positive in life while dealing with some "crap" coming my way.  Well the crap kinda won the last few months and although I did come across some lovely people that deserved promoting, I just couldn't find the time to either write about them or edit other people's posts to get them up here.

I'm hoping over the next couple of months I can get back to everdayfolk and hope I haven't lost all the good will in our readers that was building up.  If you're still with us, thanks and stay tuned.....

A mixed bag at a one year review

Well, I've now been writing and hosting this blog for a year.

It's been a fascinating learning curve but before I get in to the review and analysis, a quick thank you and thumbs up (belatedly) to a couple of people.

First off, Mark.

Cast your minds back to that really hot (lovely!) spell we had in mid June.  Now I love the heat but not everyone does and even I find it difficult commuting at rush hour in the heat.  

It was Friday, 13th which added to the "mix".  The bus was really over crowded and hot.  Our driver, Mark, was wonderful as instead of growling at everyone, he kept everyone cool and laughing with his smiles, jokes and assuring people the air conditioning was on.   He really was trying to help everyone in a not easy situation.   

Even though the bus was very crowded, very busy and very hot inside, when I got up to ring the bell I asked if I could take his shot for the blog as a way of saying thank you.  He somehow, without delaying other, made time for a thirty second banter about the date and the fact of the full moon - a rarity to have a full moon on a Friday, 13th - about the fact that there were other funny dates in 2014 including this coming August having five weekends whereupon I found that Mark was having his holiday in August.  

Hope you have a great time.

And thank you and thumbs up from all your passengers  

Another thank you, this time to all the staff at the BP garage, Dunchurch Service Station and especially to Liz.

So, it's another hot, sunny day and this time we're in my car, the man and me, driving back from Bilton in Warwickshire to London.  We're in my car but the bloke is driving.

Time to fill up before we get on the motorway so we pop in to Dunchurch to the BP garage there.  My car takes diesel.  My man filled up with petrol.

The good news; he didn't start the engine, it's hot and sunny and we're on a garage forecourt.  The bad news; it's a Sunday afternoon and none of the emergency road services have a fuel guy available until Monday midday.  Nor can we find anyone local who is open on a Sunday.

Liz, behind the till in BP could not have been more helpful.  She said we could push our car to the side and if necessary it would be fine until the next day there.  She also had given my man a card for a company called Dr. Fuel (unbeknownst to me).

Time is moving on, we've spoken to the AA, to Volvo Assist and I lose track now who else but it's about three hours since we put the fuel in and we're about to go with the AA guys who will come at 11:00 the next day for a rather large sum of money when the bloke pulls this card out of his pocket that Liz had given him and I see what it is.  I suggest giving them a call to see what their prices are and when they could come.

All good; one and a half hours to two hours and less than the other quotes we've had.  Meanwhile Liz is doing a terrific job keeping my spirits up with her smiles and jokes.

While all this has been going on, incredibly, another car has done the exact same thing, well actually slightly worse; diesel in to a petrol car.  Also pushed to the side.  Liz was worried it was something she was giving off.  Absolutely not.

By the time Dr Fuel came Liz had left for the day and we were helped equally nicely by the rest of the staff who allowed me to run up a tab (well I wasn't about to drive off in a hurry!) with the coffees etc before we filled up, again.

Thank you all and a big thumbs up .

As to analysis of the blog on the anniversary?  Well, you'll have to wait for another post as both Mark and Liz deserves their belated thank yous and if I delay any more while I try to get philosophical, it'll be way too late.  Let's just say for now it's been great and I'll be carrying it on and hope for many, MANY, more guest posts from you.   Thank you.
 

A Beautiful Summer's Day Behind The Scenes at the Houses of Parliament

London was sparkling in the sun and everyone was smiling because of it.

I was in the fortunate position of going to the House of Commons for a reception related to my work.  I say fortunate because a) it is a magnificent building and b) because it wasn't my first time so I wasn't over excited and therefore really able to enjoy it.

Approaching along Mill Bank I came to the first security guard, looking after the exit for vehicles.  I'd been walking in the sunshine from Tate Britain, (where I was also lucky enough to have lunched with a client),  and stopped at the barrier to change my flats in to heels. 

Tony, immediately made a joke and within seconds we were having a lovely little banter.  He asked me to have a "glass of vino" for him and I promised to oblige.  (Tony I did!).  Thanks, Tony and  

Once inside the House of Commons, the quiet dignity of the building, (despite all the MPs, aides, lobbyists, tourists and school children etc talking and rushing about), imposes itself upon you.  It really is quite majestic.

With the sun shining I was very pleased that today's reception was on the Terrace.  The views of the Thames from here are wonderful.  

The House of Commons has a permanent waiting staff, (as do the House of Lords), and because I have been to receptions there before the always polite staff are starting to recognise me and seem to give me that extra little smile.

One such person was the waitress Susan, ()
who didn't want her picture taken for here but another is the Head Waiter, Patrick.

Now Patrick told me he's from Glasgow but you would never guess it from his "refined" accent.  Thank you Patrick and a thumbs up for always ensuring we're all being well served, for your wonderful memory and for getting each reception in and out on time.  

Now about a year ago I was in the House of Commons for a lunch with an MP.  I then needed to get to a reception at the House of Lords.  Being "just" an MP and not a Lord, he is not "allowed" down the corridor linking the two houses but he asked Carlos who is on reception, (also known as a Door Keeper), to kindly escort me.
 
Carlos did more than that; since I was a bit early for my reception he very kindly gave me a mini tour of the House of Lords.   I wasn't running the blog then so last night, taking the opportunity of being in the House, I nabbed him for a photo at the end of his work, (hence being out of uniform).  Thank you Carlos for my tour, the smiles and for making me feel so welcome

By the time we left Parliament, it was mid evening but being mid June the sun was still out even though the sky was starting to darken.  I took this shot of the Elizabeth Tower, the correct name for the Clock Tower commonly called Big Ben, (which is actually the name of the Great Bell), with just my phone and there's no filter here.  Gosh it was a sparkling evening. 

So to London, here's a    



p.s. I hope I've got that all correct about Big Ben but if I haven't, happy to be corrected here.  Thanks.