Overall View of Module

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed some of the lectures in this module I do not believe the overall subject has helped me on the way to my English degree. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I chose this but have been surprised and shocked by some of the things we have learnt about.

A Little Flutter

I do participate in a little flutter here and there such as bingo, and maybe a bet on the Grand National but I think the national lottery is a waste of money considering the odds of winning. If you save a £1 a week you will end up richer. I do think though that some of the causes the lottery contributes to are worthwhile.

Gambling

I used to work at a betting shop and noticed that there were two types of gambler – the one smelling of drink betting a few quid and then the serious (particularly Chinese as discussed in the lecture) betting thousands of pounds. Most gambling is ok in moderation however I cannot bear to think of animal fights still going on – it is grotesque that people can enjoy watching a dog or a chicken fight to its death.

For a little light relief see http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~0480829/gambling.bmp

For anyone with a gambling problem see http://www.ncpgambling.org/

Favourite Comedians

The type of comedian I enjoy most is someone like Peter Kay (see http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~0480829/2002-november-peter-kay.bmp ) who reminisces about childhood and the funny scenarios that take place like dancing at weddings and ringing your mom from holiday and asking what the weather is like at home. When I think back over the years all the people that have made me laugh the most do not use obscenities such as Les Dawson and Tommy Cooper.

Bad Comedians

Although I am not personally offended by reactionary comedians language and their sexist or racist jokes I do not agree that their humour does not contain opinion. They must be either sexist or racist in the first place to joke about it. The one thing I do object to is taking the mickey out of someone’s disabilities and I did not enjoy the comedian clip we heard about cancer and voice boxes – it was just not funny!! I found the following website about bad comedians http://onlineseats.com/bad-boys-of-comedy-tickets/index.asp

Anti Social Behaviour

I have just finished my assignment about anti social behaviour that includes the subject of ‘dogging’, which, however liberal I try to be, I cannot approve of. The thought of young teenagers, especially my own, arranging to meet up with strangers to have sex in a car, watched by others, is disgusting. I was horrified when I did an web search for 'dogging' to find the following web site http://www.dogging.uk18.ws/

Kids

Teenage and under age sex is now accepted as the norm. In today’s society I don’t think the scenes shown in the film ‘Kids’ would particularly shock anyone. As a mom I will make sure that my kids are adequately protected when I feel they are getting ready for sex regardless of their age.

For a review of the film see http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/k/kids.html

Is Lying Bad

This is a difficult argument – is it bad to lie? I think that the consequence of the lie is relevant. If you tell a small white lie that hurts no one and has no detrimental effect on anything, but may in fact save someone’s feeling, this is not bad. If you tell a great big whopper, like being unfaithful for example, the effect of this if ever discovered would be devastating and is therefore bad.

I try to never lie to my kids but they do it to me all the time. I don't feel that children need to be taught how to lie, it just seems to come naturally. I found a website that agrees with me http://webhome.idirect.com/~readon/lies.html

On another childish note have a look at this image
http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~0480829/lying.bmp

Would you like to meet me?

I am tall, slim, have long blonde hair, blue eyes and am a raving nymphomaniac. I enjoy watching football and drinking beer. I love washing, ironing and all other domestic chores. I believe a woman should stay at home and look after her man in every way. Are you picking up your pen right now to make a note of my e mail address – well don’t bother all this is untrue.

Lying is good fun isn’t it!!

New Tattoo

I was in trouble for being bad today. I decided to have the tattoo on my right shoulder changed as I was basically fed up of the old one. I just went into the shop and had it done without telling anyone. My husband was not impressed when I showed him as the new one is a bit bigger than the old one. He felt he should have been consulted first. He told me off like he was my dad!

Unjust World

Sometimes I feel the world is unfair. People smoke 40 a day all their lives and live to be a ripe old age of 80 plus. I have a friend who is 42 who has never smoked in her life. She has a great husband and two kids aged four and seven. She eats organic food and prepares all her meals fresh every day. She is dying of cancer. Is there really a God up there who can let things like this happen?

I have looked at some web sites to see if there is anything that might help her and found the following: sci.med.diseases.cancer

My Experience of Smoking

For me smoking was mainly a social pastime that I mainly carried out in pubs, especially if I was waiting for a friend to come back from the bar as it gave me something to do. I also used to have a huge weight problem and therefore used to substitute chocolate with a coffee and a cigarette. Obviously for others it is a substitute for other pleasures. See image http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~0480829/SMOKINg.bmp

When I met my husband, who is totally intolerant of any weakness, addiction etc, he nagged me that much I decided to give up. I was glad I did as shortly after marrying I fell pregnant and I strongly disagree with putting an unborn child at risk. I am also glad I gave up because of the money I have saved over the years; I cannot believe how expensive cigarettes are now.

An interesting web site which tied in with our lecture is http://smokingsides.com/
as this shows both sides of the argument.

Lets be Awkward

When we discussed in our group whether we had ever smoked, we found that smokers seemed to come from non-smoking parents and vice versa. Teenagers of parents who smoked were sick to death of inhaling smoke and vowed never to smoke themselves. We felt this was actually being bad as we set out to do exactly the opposite to our parents.

Smoking Health Risks

I believe as the health risks of smoking have become more apparent over the years the sexy image of lighting up has disappearing. In old films cigarette smoking was seen as romantic, seductive and sexy with many a cigarette smoke either before or after making love. As a woman I do not find other women smoking attractive but there is a certain macho appeal to a man with a cigarette portrayed with film stars such as Bruce Willis and the Marlboro Cowboy. When I try to think of images of famous people smoking I always think of Winston Churchill with a huge cigar. Cigars seem to symbolize power, leaders, and distinguished characters.

Easter is Over

Well my rest and relaxation is over! Although I have done some work over Easter I do think my brain has switched off slightly whilst stuffing myself with easter eggs. I am not sure what the lecture is about tomorrow - probably smoking. As an ex smoker I am the worst! I hate going to really smoky pubs and cannot wait for it to be banned in public.

Comments on Other Blogs

http://badgirl3213.blogspot.com/2005/03/tattoos.html

Part of the reason I had my tattoo was to rebel against my mom, but like you she just shrugged it off and said it was fine. It was not the reaction I had expected.

http://laurajewkes.blogspot.com/2005/03/curse-of-indecisiveness.html
I think you are wise to not have a tattoo if you cannot make up your mind on what you would like. I have one on my shoulder that I have had for years and am thinking of paying out to get it changed as I have gone off the design. Like you I did not return to witness the more graphic body modification pictures, the first ones were bad enough.

Being too religious

Although I unfortunately missed the lecture ‘Being too religious’, due to problems with my childminder, my friend filled me in on the discussions that took place. I feel everyone is entitled to their own beliefs as long as they don’t try to preach to me how I should live my life. Many perceive religion as bad as it can cause war that inevitably leads to loss of life and members of extreme religious groups are prepared to go to any lengths for their cause. I believe in everything in moderation.

Body Modification

I have a small tattoo on my shoulder which I had years ago just because a friend of mine was having one. I did not give it much thought and just chose a picture that I liked.
I was absolutely amazed and horrified by the images of body modification shown in the lecture. I had no idea that people went to such lengths for fashion, religion, culture and control.

In particular I do not agree with the changes that are made without the consent of a person, such as head shaping, I believe that any alterations to your body should be your choice. I am also against people being controlled by things like genital mutilation, the thought of this just makes me sick. Intrigued by the whole subject, I had a further look on some of the suggested web sites including the following :

http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/prison_tattoos.asp (I have a thing about prisons)

I don't think I will ever have anything done again!

Comments on Other Blogs

I have made comments as follows:

http://whatagoodidea.blogspot.com/2005/03/masturbation.html

‘I agree with you, the book was I hope an extreme example of masturbation. I find it hard to believe that someone participates that much but I suppose anything is possible.’

And http://imgoingtoendupblind.blogspot.com/2005/03/i-just-cant-get-enough-of-myself.html

‘I agree with James that maybe you have not found the right sexual partner yet as I think you would find that more satisfying than pleasuring yourself.’

And http://localbrew.blogspot.com/2005/03/masturbation-session.html

‘I enjoyed your posting and feel that you are right that women are not as embarrassed as they used to be talking about masturbation. Perhaps the growth of Ann Summers and similar shops have helped this.’

Masturbation

It tickles me ( no not masturbation - the subject of it ) why everyone finds this so amusing. I would imagine everyone sat in the lecture theatre yesterday has indulged at least once just to see what it is all about.

I did find the excerpt from the book rather amusing however as well as a little distateful. I think it had turned into an obsession.

If any girls out there would like some tips see http://www.very-koi.net/tutor/mastf/mastf.htm

and if you want to stop someone from excessive w***ing see

http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~0480829/masturbation.bmp

Early Age Masturbation

My two little boys - one aged five and one aged two - take great delight in sitting watching the telly with their hands down their pyjamas fiddling with themselves. This just goes to prove masturbation does start at a very early age! I hasten to add they get the example from their father not me.

Comments on Other Blogs

I have commented on the following blogs:

http://historyvspink.blogspot.com/2005/02/is-infidelity-problem.html

'I believe that infidelity is not right whatever the relationship is based on and I also feel most people mean their marriage vows and are not just getting married to have a good day. '

and www.buttonmoongoodliness.blogspot.com/2005/02/infidelity-is-it-just-part-of-todays_28.html

'If my partner cheated on me by having an affair I would view it as a sin.'

and www.heaven37.blogspot.com/2005/02/infidelity.html

'I would love to answer your questions but that would reveal far too much about me. I will leave it to your imagination what sort of girl I am!!'

Forgiveness

If it was done to me would I forgive? I would probably forgive my husband if he had a one-night stand as these often happen because of a few moments of weakness usually caused by too much alcohol. I could not forgive an affair though as this is a pre-mediated, calculated arrangement with someone that would involve planning and lying effectively over a period of time.

I found an interesting web page http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3783031.stm where a scientist blames infidelity on a person's genes - oh well it can't be helped then can it! What a load of rubbish!! People will use any excuse to cover up their own weaknesses.

To end on a humorous note please go to http://home.wlv.ac.uk/~0480829/infidelity.bmp

Infidelity

When I was considerably younger than I am now I had an affair with a married man. At the time I felt I was not doing anything wrong as I was young, free and single. He seemed to enjoy spending his money on me and his wife was none the wiser. The attraction for him was the forbidden naughty sex he was having with someone a lot younger than his wife. I ended up predictably heart broken, which some might say was my punishment.

I still believe, however, that it is the person who is married that should take the blame for the wrong doing, rather than the person who they have the affair with, unless of course they are married too! I do not think the term “marriage wrecker" is very accurate.

I am now happily married, with two children and would never consider having an affair. I feel that if you get to the point where you need someone other than your husband or wife, there is a problem with the marriage that should be discussed to try to resolve it. Sleeping with someone else will only make things worse in the long run.

Module Field Trip

This is probably the most boring suggestion you will have but I would love to visit a prison to observe criminals banged up!