Tag Archives: money

Affected

Some people in your life make decisions that confuse or worry you. Their power. What can you do to counteract or deal with the power they exert, controlling your career, life path, manipulating your mind so that things which would seem outrageous or wrong in ever day living are passed, swept under the carpet, justified. Making decisions then putting you on the spot, you’re the one who has to explain what is going on, why money has been given to certain people. The PPE scandal where millions has been laundered, the truth wrapped in a veil. Who do you go to, who do you tell? Our world is dotted with conflict, sometimes all out war but often just a mass of elements that niggle, behaviour that hurts, disrespect. The gym teacher who asks the class for advice rather than understanding the wishes of the minority. Bullying, sneaking up to you, suggesting that you leave, that your work is underwhelming, snide comments. Words with extreme power. Passing by, leaving their mark but untroubling the perpetrator. People just getting away with it in multiple instances. Boris Johnson promoting his memoir, still insisting he did nothing wrong, those Brexit benefits. Saville, Weinstein, Al Fayed; sexual abuse, appearing out of the past as voice by voice the truth emerges when the abuser dies or locked away. People who can now talk the truth, power emerging through each ascending voice. Countries bombing neighbours indiscriminately, justifying actions through the weight of history, previous persecution, a life of being tortured, picked upon, maimed. The school bully never receiving justice, working away untouchable, poking here and there, making epee lunges. Fencing. Darting in and making a few incursions before retreating and waiting for blind eyes to be turned. Their own traumas affecting actions, digging deep into psyche, the past continually impacting on the present, a reset required.  

Money, Money, Money

Money, what is it good for. Absolutely buying anything you want, not worrying about your future. Safety. We live on that edge of calmness and concern. Working daily to make ends meet, not struggling but veering towards the precipice which could cause it all to fall down. Living a comfortable life but knowing that one misstep could mean it all comes tumbling down. But we are middle class, have the security of family and friends, our health and many back up plans. We are a long way from the streets but like most people, closer than everyone thinks. It only takes one Michael Douglas day, to wake up on the wrong side, to self destruct through sheer and sudden panic. I have a contract for a couple of years, the job is engaging and interesting but already I am slightly distracted, wondering what I can do in 2026. Where will my career go, how do I ensure the future. Generally though I believe in fate, and waiting for the right opportunities to arrive. I balance my money between credit cards, juggling everyday, checking apps and fine tuning, watching the numbers gradually get lower and lower. As a student it took me a while to get used to money. I was amazed that each time I went to a cashpoint the number seemed to increase, before realising that there was a minus sign before it. Some people have money tied up in properties. Those ‘lucky’ people who inherited something or came to the housing market at an opportune point. This has long gone for the youth of today. The ladder is gradually rising off the ground, way out of reach. Asset rich, cash poor the nouveau upper middle class sometimes struggle to work, used to having money fly to them, swirling around in the sky and gently dropping into their waiting arms. For most of us money has to be learnt. The hard slog of life to get some cash, to pay for a holiday as a break from the drudgery of life. To buy something that takes us away from normality, is special. Provides a focus. I would love to buy a new synthesis for my studio but everyday money passing means that it keeps getting pushed back, waiting for that magical moment when you gain something. A minor lottery win (although I only played it for the first few weeks). Tax rebate. Work bonus. Maybe one of my tracks or books or photographs will finally make me some dosh after all this time. Waiting. Working. Longing. I don’t want much, just that little extra. But money means nothing. It is worthless. Previously gold, silver, paper and now just numbers rolling around in the ether. Money makes the world go round but will also lead to its fatality. Money will be squirrelled away by the chosen few as the earth burns, floods, dies. They will be standing there with notes stuffed in their pockets as the world gradually tips off its axis and falls away into the ether, another lonely star wondering around in outer space without a cashpoint in sight.