How did you all enjoy the glorious first day of Spring?......I know, I'm done with the cold too!
Unless you've been under a rock for the last few days, you'd have already heard of or experienced the wrath of 'The Beast from the East'.
Blizzards, snow, ice and bitter cold temperatures have gripped the UK this week and the chaos is showing no signs of stopping any time soon.
Now I know that naming something is a way to put things in their place, or to familiarise ourselves with something or someone. Take pets for example. But sometimes- well a lot of the time especially in the media- a name can cause more worry than it appeases. Namely 'The Beast from the East'. Ok, it is pretty bad out there, especially if you live in rural areas, but to call it a beast? A bit too much.
All this beastly talk has involved various news broadcasters telling us all not to go out unless necessary.....well, that is unless you're one of the weather crew that is. The ultimate act of hypocrisy involves watching a weather man standing like a pillock freezing his bollocks off in the cold, fighting to stand up whilst uttering the words "Don't go out unless absolutely necessary." To say that advice is gone with the wind is an understatement! We understand it's cold, snowy and windy thanks, we don't need you nearly slipping arse-over-tit to prove it (however much it might well make great TV)
While I understand there is an element of public interest involved with this- it's the weather forecast after all- what I disagree with is the media making a mountain out of a molehill and potentially leading people to panic buy food, panic drive to and from work and just panic non-stop instead of actually thinking about what they're facing. In times like this, you see all sorts of 'tips and tricks' advice features on the news, some more patronising than others but all assuming the same- that everyone is stupid and people are completely dumbfounded by the white stuff.
And as if the news wasn't bad enough, social media has also had a part to play in the scare-mongering. Click bait, click bait, click bait. The scarier the headline, the better as far as these click bait pushers are concerned and the gullible are left to share it and before you know everyone is acting irrationally over something that is ludicrous to begin with! Arrrgh!
Fuck the fake news and the scare-mongering. Here are a few basic tips for surviving this wintery spring snap:
- Don't be a moron; consider others when doing your day to day activities. Stop by to your elderly neighbours perhaps? Help someone clear their driveway? Be more forgiving on the road?
- Maybe put the heating on; it might get a little chilly.
-No, this is not an apocalypse, stop being so over dramatic.
- Don't panic; this won't last forever (despite what Facebook click bait articles will tell you)
So, with that in mind, stay safe and don't be too ambitious with your plans. If you can't guarantee your route back home or to your destination will be clear or at least passable, don't risk it. While the media's choice of words is farcical, the pictures and footage aren't. Don't be the one slipping and sliding in a queue of traffic going nowhere, or struggling to walk in the terrible winds.
This weekend appears to be uneventful for me unfortunately if the weather persists- there's no point me or Matthew risking it. Whatever you do, do it safely. I'll see you back here again next week guys!
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