Winter fuel support cuts and the wealthy

I have to disagree with the government on their plans to make winter fuel support cuts.  In my job, I come across too many elderly people who are vulnerable. While there is some support available for those facing cuts, I do not know if many will claim the additional support, or apply for winter fuel support.  Too many of the elderly that I see in my job have issues with being able to fill in forms, or are not aware that they can.  Many have undiagnosed dementia, too many are isolated and some are not aware that they will be affected by changes.  Having a universal payment will mean that some who are rich will get it when they do not deserve it, but the changes will mean that too many who need it, will go without.

On my way into work today, I was listening to someone who talked about funding it by taxing the 1% more. The problem is that she called, like many do, a wealth tax. Such a term smacks of punishing aspiration. I would prefer a higher bar, maybe the top 0.5% and calling it a tax on the super rich.  

It will be interesting to see how Labour MP’s vote on this. The rebellion over benefits for people with more than two children was punished.  If I was a Labour MP, I am not sure that an abstention would be enough and I would be tempted to rebel over this.  I know hard choices have to be made thanks to the legacy of the Tories. I am sure that this is a choice that should not have been made, 

Munich – The Edge of War

This film was about the journey rather than the destination. After all, we know what happened. I would rate this as an average film. It was well directed and acted, there were no plot holes that I can recall. But the story did not really engage me. What I did learn from it was the desire for peace in a time where people remembered the appalling cost in human life from The Great War.  I doubt I would watch it again, and if it was on TV when channel hopping, I doubt I would leave it on. But it is a decent film. Just not for me. 

Minions: The Rise of Gru

Of the Despicable Me films that I have watched, this was the most disappointing. It is not terrible, I did enjoy it. But I am glad that I watched it on streaming rather than watching it in the cinema.  It is still petty and funny, but ultimately it serves as a children’s film. The original was a film adults would love as well, even so with the others. This is not as good for adults as the others have been.  

Saying that, the first film would always be hard to follow, and it is rare to find a sequel better than the first film.

As for how we are as a family, we have spent the day relaxing, mainly because my wife and I feel awful.  I suspect we picked up a big yesterday. We had visited my mother first of all, then went to my wife’s parents as one of her cousins is staying there. We genuinely love him, he had been studying in the UK many years ago, left to work in Australia and now lives in Sri Lanka. He came with his wife and two children and we spent time with them catching up.  It was truly great to see them again. 

Blink Twice

Blink Twice is an awesome film.  Before I talk about it, the family. My son is still COVID free. My daughter, wife and I are getting better. And I am now testing negative. We are not back to normal, but I was able to go for a decent walk this morning.

Now to the film.  If you are to watch it, don’t read on and don’t watch the trailer. It has been compared to Get Out. This is as good as, or is better than it. It comes with a trigger warning at the beginning of the film. It needs it and people buying tickets to it should be warned that it has some disturbing content.  The beginning starts well, the film intends to become dull and boring, and then it becomes interesting. This will appeal to many and overall is one of the better films I have watched in the cinema this year.

30 Days of Night

An average film, well, just below average. It actually had a decent plot, the acting suited the film and it was directed well.  I only have a few issues, this being that before thirty days of night, I would not expect as much daylight as there was. Also, I am not sure how the survivors lasted as long as they did, this involving having access to food, water and disposal of human waste.  Overall I would rate it two out of five, possibly a three though. 

When it comes to family, my son is still free of the plague.  We are all recovering, though I think that our dog is taking the longest to do so.  I took her for a socially distanced walk today, which she found frustrating as she could not interact with other dogs or walkers.

Hopefully we will be back to normal tomorrow.

Draw like a young girl

My daughter said I “draw like a young girl” which offended me. Not because I am terrible at drawing, but because she could have said I draw like a young child.  I thought I had taught both my children that the use of gender in insults is wrong. It appears that she needs a reminder. 

When it comes to all of us, we are getting better. Fatigue is still an issue and I have yet to test negative. Due to this, I have done the dog walk at night when I do not meet others to risk infecting them. My son is still free of the plague and I may have to pay up on the bet I made with him about catching COVID! 

The Kill Room

My wife picked this film for us to watch at home while we are recovering from COVID. I loved it. Compared to the other films I have watched, this was like a breath of fresh air for my brain.  

This will not be for everyone, in fact, I doubt that most will like it.  If you liked American Fiction, you will probably like this.  Both have a twisted sense of humour, though here the laughs are a lot more bleak at times.  I will admit that I do not understand modern art. I like what I consider beauty, but there is a lot of art that I have no hope of appreciating. This film both pokes fun at and also explains art. The Guardian did not like it, but I suspect that the person reviewing it is able to see beyond what I can visualise when looking at contemporary art. 

When it comes to family, my son is still plague free and the rest of us are improving. I am not sure I will be able to work tomorrow, but if I can, even if it is from home, I will.