The world is not a nice place sometimes, isn’t it?
- Martyn Foster
- Mar 6
- 3 min read
What to do…
Hello everyone! A lot has happened since my article – or one really big thing – and I feel damned for saying something and damned for not saying something. Nothing felt good to write about this week without at least acknowledging the fact that America and Israel have commenced war against Iran. In a rather ironic twist, I rewatched “Team America: World Police” the night before it all kicked off and I can’t help but think this current administration would totally play the theme song whilst flying into battle.
It’s difficult for me to write with any real enthusiasm this week when it feels like nothing else really matters. Trust me, the world goes on, and there’s plenty to do, be grateful for and general goodness around the place. I just feel sad. Years back this Tears for Fears fan wrote a piece titled, “Everybody wants to rule the world”, concerning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and associated themes, namely our innate instinct for violence and conflict. I will not be focusing on those topics in this article, but I still recommend you read what I’ve written previously.
It would be easier if I didn’t care so much, but that isn’t the answer. I’m dribbling a bit and I apologise. Sorting ones thoughts and emotions while one writes is an interesting proposition and certainly one that lacks my usual razor-sharp clarity and cogency, but I’m trying some new things this year, so I’ll persist.
At least I can go for a morning walk without being bombed or shot at – current events have a way of reshaping one’s perspective. It’s a pretty nice part of the world I inhabit here in the southwest of Western Australia, all things considered. Much can be said about my country’s geographical isolation – usually negative – but it does make us harder to invade and further from conflict zones!
“At least I’m not getting drafted into the army to fight a war in another country for another country.”
The indirect effects will be felt for a while to come and some have yet to hit us, I’m sure. The supply of oil and hence price of petrol is the obvious one, so I’m asking this nation of 4WD and SUV lovers to go easy on the throttle over the next month or so. Travel and other logistical concerns are another with everyone avoiding that area like the plague – flight radar screens looking reminiscent of COVID times. However, I’m not missing a limb nor a family member, so I consider myself getting off lightly.
Should I be more angry than I am? Am I out of touch? Sometimes I can’t help but feel that it pays to be out of touch, especially in recent years, which is something this educated and intelligent man grapples with on a regular basis. I don’t like the idea of people attacking me and me not being prepared for it. So, I feel, if I know a lot I can negate this to some extent. An untenable position to hold, I know, but it’s how I feel.
I normally wouldn’t encourage turning away from things, but occasionally it is the right thing to do – like looking at the sun. Not so much in ignorance or denial, but to turn inwards and reconnect with who you are, what is important and what brings peace to you at an individual level.
The Formula 1 season kicks off today with the opening round being held (as usual) in Melbourne, Australia. Hopefully it’ll be nice and interesting with the new rule changes. My beloved Newcastle take on Manchester City in the 5th round of the FA Cup. We should be amped up after our late winner against Manchester United where we were down to 10 men for the entire second half. You see, sport is a lot like civilised war…now wait, don’t start that again!
Oh look, a new episode of the peaceful podcast I mentioned last week, Get Birding with Sean Bean, has dropped – or “Birding with Boromir” as I call it. Toodle-oo!
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