I have been there (original poem) BY SJones

The bottom of a bottle
I have been there

The bottom of a hole
I have been there

Feeling worthless
I have been there

Pushing everyone away
I have been there

Laying on the cold floor
I have been there

Stared down the bottom of a barrel
I have been there

Stuck in a hurricane of negative thoughts
I have been there

Crippled unable to move
I have been there

Depression, I know it's name
Because I have been there.....

Iron Levels

This is a short and simple post to try and raise awareness on ourselves and our intake of iron. So a year and a half ago I was quite poorly and like tired, pale, had some odd tastes with food and I had heart palpitations and my G.P. ran some tests and eventually 2 blood tests and when they came back they told me I was dangerously close to becoming anaemic, basically I had low levels of iron in my system.

Iron is a mineral which the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen around the body and needs some for some hormones. You can become anaemic if you don't get enough into your body. Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by lack of iron, often because of blood loss or pregnancy. I am a blood donor and because of the issues and low iron levels I was not allowed to donate blood until my issue was fixed. I was prescribed Iron tablets for 3 months and told to just up my iron intake with certain foods and after 6 months, I had new tests done and my levels were fine again.

The amount of iron you need is different depending on your age and gender. The recommended levels are: 8.7mg a day for men over 18, 14.8mg a day for women aged 19 to 50 & 8.7mg a day for women over 50.

How can you tell if your iron levels are low?

There are lots of symptoms for iron deficiency and the following are the four most common signs: tiredness and lack of energy, pale skin, noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations) & shortness of breath. Other symptoms include: headaches, hearing ringing, buzzing or hissing noises inside your head, food tasting strange, feeling itchy, a sore tongue, hair loss, wanting to eat non-food items, such as paper or ice, finding it hard to swallow, painful open sores in the corners of your mouth, spoon-shaped nails & restless legs syndrome.

The NHS recommends that you eat more greens or meat or cereal high in iron and drink more orange juice and of course if you are struggling your GP may refer you to a specialist dietitian and prescribe you iron tablets.

That's all we got time for this week Basil, stay shiny and keep an eye on your Iron :)

Thanks for reading. Share to make others aware. 

The Sophie Lancaster Story & The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was murdered for being different. She and her boyfriend Rob were creative, artistic people who dressed in their own unique way which was more accustomed to the alternative music scene. They were sadly attacked by a gang of five boys in a park in Lancashire on 11 August 2007. The gang attacked Sophie’s boyfriend first and then turned on her, carrying out a brutal and sustained attack. Sophie remained in hospital for 13 days, before her family following medical advice agreed to life support being switched off.

Sophie died on 24 August 2007; she was just 20 years old. There was a heart breaking program made by the BBC titled "Murdered for being different" back in 2017 and it followed Sophie's story and was made to honour Sophie and raise awareness.

I first discovered the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and about Sophie and her story through this BBC program and I was shocked, devastated and filled with anger, because it's a story that hits close to home with myself and I can resonate with, as I'm very much apart of the alternative music scene and have been bullied and beaten up in school for the music tastes I have and for the way I have looked. I felt so angry because these five boys could have just left things be and walked away done nothing and everyone would have walked away just fine but they went too far and no one especially Sophie deserved that attack and it makes my blood boil to this day that this would happen and has happened to Sophie and to others too.

Sophie’s mother, Sylvia had decided during the long hours at hospital when Sophie was better, they would go into schools and talk to young people about difference, and how it is ok to be who you are and express yourself in your own way. Sadly, Sylvia never got a chance to do this with Sophie. Sylvia was determined that she would carry on this work and The Sophie Lancaster Foundation was established as a lasting legacy to a beautiful life cut short by violence.

THE SOPHIE LANCASTER FOUNDATION

STAMP OUT PREJUDICE, HATRED AND INTOLERANCE EVERYWHERE.

The Sophie Lancaster charity works to promote tolerance and acceptance for others however different. The Foundation’s mission is to stamp out prejudice hatred and intolerance everywhere. When news of the attack broke donations was sent to Sophie's home and many events, concerts got set up and raised money for the foundation and to also raise awareness. The foundation also notably worked with Coronation Street for a recent storyline on the tv program. 

The Foundation was registered as a charity in 2009, their goals are as follows; To create a lasting legacy to Sophie. To provide educational group-works that will challenge the prejudice and intolerance towards people from alternative subcultures. To campaign to have the UK Hate Crime legislation extended to include people from alternative subcultures.

In 2013, Greater Manchester Police became the first police force in the country to monitor hate crimes and incidents against alternative people. It is a huge achievement for the charity that a total of 18 police forces in England and Wales now do so. The charity regularly participates in conferences, events and schools and even prisons to spread Sophie's word and legacy to teach others the devastating impact of their negative words and violence towards others and to share Sophie's story. In hopes to educate others to do better and to be kind.

R. I. P Sophie Lancaster

R. I. P. Sylvia Lancaster 

(Sylvia recently passed away as I was writing this blog post. She will be very much missed. She was a truly remarkable woman. She made a difference in this world. Rest in Peace Sylvia.)

Please share and raise awareness

Please be kind and gentle to everyone out there.

Thanks for reading,

Stay Shiny!

Charity Awareness Post 2020!

Hi there, 

I would like to raise some awareness and post links to charities which I have donated to and I love their work so here it goes. 

Miscarriage Association

There's a word besides Lockdown and Covid 19, I have heard more of this year than any other and that is Miscarriage and there are so many stories of so many going through it and I can tell you now, it's not nice, and it's not easy, and it's got no full recovery from just like any loss you have to go through in life. - https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/about-us/the-charity/

Beluga Sanctuary

I LOVED watching John Bishop help save and relocate the two Beluga Whales on ITV earlier this year, Little Grey and Little White are so beautiful and cute and amazing, and I just want the best for them, and I am still following their story and if you want to help or know more go to the link - https://belugasanctuary.sealifetrust.org/en/

Dementia UK

Dementia is a horrible disease, I donated to them earlier this year when I lost my nan as I felt such a strong urge to donate to many charities actually, it's horrible to lose anyone and to know we have organizations and people out there looking for cures is amazing, but they need our help and donations to continue, so I mention them and link them here for this reason - https://www.dementiauk.org/

Marie Curie

Is a charity whom's services have helped my family a lot in the care and attention of my Dementia stricken Nana and the care of her in her last years of life so of course a massive shoutout and thanks to them and please give them anything you can or just learn more about their amazing work! - https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

RNLI Lifeboats

Without the RNLI so many lives would be lost at sea every year, these brave volunteers are always on hand to help and save others and I support the Quay West crew and the service as a whole - https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeboats-and-stations/our-lifeboat-fleet

Sea Shephard

Are protectors of our oceans from illegal activities and they have done some amazing work - https://www.seashepherd.org.uk/

Raf Museum

I respect and love the RAF and their museum is amazing I shopped at their online shop to support them and I wanted to do this in memory of my late Grandfather who worked for RAF so go support and grab something lovely here - https://www.rafmuseumshop.com/

There are indeed so many great and amazing charities out there but I only chose to list and name those who have meant a lot to me this year so please do check them out, tell them you got referred to from me and let's just be excellent to each other and hope 2021 is a great year. 

Mental Health Awareness poem

You don't want to know how i feel,

You don't want to know the truth of my mental health,

It's not a good thing for either of us,

In this mad world, no one cares unless you are pretty or dying,

Society is cruel to those too smart for their own heads,

I've been pushed, shoved, beaten, broken, scarred, left for dead,

I've considered ending my life and how easier it would be if i was stateside,

I've lied for years telling everyone "i'm ok" when i'm dying on the inside,

It's easier to say i'm ok rather than say i'm not,

Pretending for so long was something i thought was impossible,

How to actually feel i kinda forgot,

Ever been terrified that trying your hardest would not be enough?, 

I'm so fucking tired, I've thought too much, help me,

If this life does not kill you, the emptiness and loneliness will,

I put on a happy face every day i wake up and embrace the sun,

As my heart beats irregularly depressingly, 

My addiction is escaping reality, to see all of life's possibilities,

Life is strange and i'm lost with no direction in sight, 

The world for myself is right now in such blight,

I've lost who i am or supposed to be,

I've thought about the medical pills but never had the courage to act,

Demons on my mind, demons in my mind,

They feed me lies and insecurities,

They get me to listen and to obey them so much easier than the self love in my brain,

Those same monsters in my head are scarier than the monsters who hide under the bed,

I'm not good with feelings despite people proclaiming me to be a wordsmith,

I care too much and i wish i did not,

When i'm low there's no where to go,

Do you care that i hurt, Do you know how much i cry,

Do you wanna know a secret?, Know why? Neither do i,

I've torn my hair out of my scalp,

I've stressed so much and had palpitations,

I've suffered a panic attack in public space,

Forever I've felt alone sitting at home inside my own head,

I've always said and felt even through my darkest days that i have a fire burning,

I want to preserve that fire and keep it burning for always,

I need help sometimes to get back up and on my feet again,

It's hard to go to others when you don't even know how you are feeling,

I've felt awkward and uncomfortable with hugs and praises and shown love,

When really there's a part in my brain that gets unblocked and feels warm after a hug,

I've had no choice but continue going on down this road,

Hope is almost always on the horizon, 

I've often been the hope walking down the road,

My strength is unparalleled, that still does not mean i can break easily,

It's a challenge trying to stay strong all the time, 

I'll always blame myself for all the wrongs,

This is how i am, who i have been.

Random Ramblin's 39 - The Great Rant

IT'S SUMMER TIME! 

MUSIC
CHECK OUT SABATON - THE GREAT WAR. This album is a modern masterpiece an instant classic. One of the best albums i have ever heard and that i have in my collection. 10/10

Taylors new album lover is coming August 23, 2019 so me and Mrs cant wait to hear it. So far Me is my fave it just clicked instantly. You need to calm down was too pop political for me to get into. Archer is dark and I dont quite know what to make of it after one listen. We see what the rest is like when its out.

FILMS
Lion King Remake is a cash grab that's mediocre and fails to capture the magic or essence of the original. No emotion in animals, does not flow as smoothly as original i felt. The realism is nice but there's more that should have been done for it. 3/10

Yesterday has a lot of questions or sets them out but does not in anyway answer them and its got too much Ed Sheeran for my liking 5/10

Rocketman was decent and entertaining and the music sequences and transitions was great 7/10

Spiderman Far From Home was crap its just another iron man movie not a spiderman, fuck up Marvel 3/10

Toy Story 4 is the weakest toy story film but still made me cry like a baby 7/10

Batman Hush is a great new addition to the DCAU and it was great to see Hush brought to the big screen even if it is animated. and we get a great twist and finale in this. 8/10

Games
Not played much i got 2 new games but not played them aswell as others from a while ago i bought but there we go in it. I play Fortnite a lot is all. 

RANT
I'm getting tired of people buying cats or dogs then making a social media account up. I get it you want attention or you want people to know and follow the thing you love most but jesus christ when does it even evolve from being your own pet to being loads others own pet instead. It feels like they are not their pets but sharing it with all their followers and im not for that. A pet isnt for boosting you on social media and a pet shouldn't be forced that and also if you are getting a pet take care of it yourself and not show it off and hope people will take care of it or whatever reason people do this shit for. Get a pet for yourself not to promote and pass off to others to make yourself matter.

Also dear petty people of the world. Dont be that person to make others feel down or bad and dont break your relationship status over anything small or trivial only to the next week or day go back to happy families. Either stick to your guns and dont bitch and moan or just stick together. If its true love you wouldn't separate go off in a huff create drama because you want attention and then go back to your partner and act like nothing happened. You do more harm than good and one day the other person will realise the terrible harm you are causing and will walk out of your life and not return so be careful.

Family life: I hate being the last to know of things and I hate coming home to get it in the neck for no reason other than the people mad at me are just angry at their own problems. I'm always nice, polite, well mannered and honest and yet you know I'll come home from a 8 hour shift to "did you break the printer?", "chew quieter why are you so loud" to an empty house without my dog and for me to worry and panic looking for him when family haven't said they were off away on holiday with him. Courtesy please give me some as I need to know this information but apparently seems to not be of importance to let me know of anything. Some family members I dont see anymore or much of and I try to contact them but get nothing of when I can come see them, there's no communication on their part and that upsets me. Family is family we are supposed to all support and love eachother but just seems like voids are just the normal as we all age and have our own homes and families of our own and that sucks and its sad. So yeah apologies to rant so much but I need to get all this out and once I start I dont want to stop because I cant stop.

******************This might come across as controversial so beware! I in no way, am saying anything negative with mental health or those who suffer it, I am merely asking a question. I don't wish to offend anyone with this and please if you are suffering or battling with your mental health do seek help and talk to friends and family you trust and write your problems out and focus on taking care of yourself. 😊👍********************

Do you think people take too much advantage with the state of mental health these days?

Example; Are some generally doing it and feeling, experiencing it or are some crying Wolf and abusing the mental health system to benefit sick pay and days off? Curious to know thoughts on this because its an interesting topic.

I've heard a lot of stories of some people glorifying the whole "i'm anxious/depressed I need a week off, paid sick leave" I'm not in anyway saying that people are not dealing with any actual mental battles are faking it in anyway, I'm only saying there's some out there that will say things and take advantage of people and you'll end up seeing them going abroad, smiling, getting a tan or out partying drunk constantly.

Everyone has a natural anxiety level within them. Everyone can/will get depressed at some point in their lives of course and I'm not saying different or that some can get an extreme case of these and still go on and do amazing things while battling it. Just saying or asking; How many of these cases are actual real cases and how many are not? I'm interested in finding out.

Also how unfair is it to have these troubles and wait and wait and panic or feel afraid to seek medical help and for the doctors to not listen to you and to tell you to "go home get plenty fluids down you" or "nah you're all fine".

Thing is the system and this topic is tricky and it's not always straight forward. We all need more and better care and awareness. Start teaching it in schools. There's loads to be taught in schools I know and I'll probably do another post on this at some point.

Also; It's strange how when you're down and lonely some people will not care but when you are happy that some people will start to hate and thrive off trying to put you down and not support you or like seeing you happy.

To those kinds of people I say good day, because no one has time for that and no one has any room in their life to be that sad and jealous of others happiness.

I have no room anymore in my life for put downs or negative, snide, snark remarks I just block and remove or unfollow on social media because I am done with all that shit.

Simply put if you aren't happy for someone else being happy, don't be a dick and try to ruin their days or their lives by saying negative comments or by direct/private messaging them shit. And don't be that guy to say in person "I'm fed up of your lovey dovey crap" well kindly fuck off out of life because you are not needed in it and it wont be tolerated at all.

People wont support you at your lowest but will at your highest. I find that bullshit too. You could be all like "woe is me" and some decent people will be like "oh its gonna be OK" or there will be those that will laugh at you and say "grow up!" and scroll on. People need to start being decent beings instead of shitty ones. The fakery I've always said needs to stop too, I cant tolerate it, I'll remove and unfollow that crap. You can be there for others but its also funny how the same people won't be for you. Life is strange.

Forget politics forget work. Look after yourself, always be kinder. You are never a burden to talk to others about your problems. If you think you are and that they won't get you or understand well you are wrong. They will. Self love is not taught because no one has mastered it yet. Be kind and gentle and don't put the weight of the world on your shoulders. Everyone needs to be kinder to themselves. 

Feeling uncomfortable in your skin? Maybe it's not yours maybe it's someone else's and your an alien who took that skin and decided to wear it to start a secret invasion. Maybe or maybe not 😉.

Tossing the coin to you guys here seeing and reading this. What do you think of all this? What's your experiences and what do you think needs to be done?

Let me know, thanks for reading 😊👍 Stay Shiny!

Push ups for PTSD charities? WHY DON'T YOU JUST DONATE INSTEAD!?

What the fuck people are doing push ups for Charity? 

Why do a challenge to donate when you can give money to help and speak about it? That's a good raising awareness campaign not 22 pushups or sit ups or what ever ups you want to do. 

People these days.