Everybody Out!

When I first started writing this blog, I made the decision that it wasn't going to be purely a Charlton Athletic blog.

Of course, anybody who has followed my posts would notice that for the most part, when Charlton are playing I burst into life and in the close season, I tend to be a little more, well, Casual.

This blog is about me and what I do and find interesting.
It's never been overly political.
People who know me well will know my politics.
People who I don't know will be unlikely to care how I feel on issues.

As I sometimes blog about days out, shopping trips or nice meals I've eaten I'm not going to lose any sleep about suddenly changing my non political stance and reporting my part in today's strike.

This is me.
Like it or lump it.

I feel so very strongly about the pension issue that today I went without pay, to go on strike and demonstrate.

I joined up with the biggest demonstration in central London, starting at Lincoln's Inn Fields, walking towards Westminster.

There were thousands and thousands of people.
Not the rent a mob crowd who are always up for a bit of a ruck, this was old, young, black, white and all shades in between.
Everybody was there to show their disgust and to stand up for what they feel is right.

I marched near the Lewisham NUT flag.
I can honestly say I was proud to be there and part of such a good natured, considerate group of people.

The police showed respect and were quite happy to indulge in chats. With the sun high in the sky, I even gave a spare can of cola to a rather thankful, over heating constable.
I've never really had anything like that happen while being herded near football grounds.

I've been very lucky to have had some wonderful experiences in my life but nothing has given me more pleasure, pride and emotion than marching today with the like minded folk who had given up a day to protest.

(When writing this post, I decided not to go into the issues as I'd find it very hard to explain them without calling Michael Gove and his friends 'bell ends', which I don't want to do.
If you are interested in why I went without pay today click here.)

Things I've learned today.

Today I had two events on my agenda, both of which I thought might be a bit of a chore to sit through.

Early this morning I was out of my comfy Saturday morning bed to leave home at 7 am.
This seemed appallingly early for a weekend.

I was in a really bad mood as I headed out into the coutryside, towards Maidstone.

I was a bit of a naughty boy a few months ago and was caught speeding in my car. Not by much, just 4 miles per hour but enough to trigger a speed camera. Today was my chance to avoid the penalty points by going on a Speed Awareness course.

As I sat waiting for the course to start, I tweeted that it all seemed a complete waste of money.

I learned to drive about 25 years ago.
I have gained lots of useful driving experience in the intervening years but it became clear today, I've also forgotten plenty too.

Despite my earlier reservations, I left the course this afternoon actually thanking the ladies who lead it and saying how much I had enjoyed it.

Who'd have expected it?
Not me, that's for sure.

This evening we went to see the Glee live show at the O2 arena.
When it boils down to it, I'm not really the target audience for Glee.
I like to think of myself as a little more left field.

Guess what?
For the second time today, I surprised myself by really enjoying what was on offer.

So, in summary, today I have learned that despite my well cultivated rebel stance, when push comes to shove I'm just a careful driving, easy listening pop culture junkie.

My cover is blown.