Strange day today, BAE Systems lays off 3000 workers predominantly in it's military aerospace division blaming defence cuts even though worldwide defence spending was in excess of $1.63 trillion dollars in 2010, approximately double what was spent in 2000. I guess we become even more dependant on overseas manufacturers (mainly US) and lose our technical lead again. People of a certain age or with an interest in UK military technology will remember what happened to the TSR2.
Either that or BAE Systems needs a better salesforce.
Strange day today, birthday of my first child Thomas, consequently also the day he died. I know that is pretty bleak, but it happens to be a fact. His death was mainly attributed to negligence on behalf of the NHS during my then wife's pregnancy. No hereditary factors or recognised disease, just a million to one shot that meant he could not sustain life due to massive disabilities that should have been detected much earlier.
He did live for a short time and I have shed all the tears and buried most of the scars but even after 13 years I wonder about the effect and what I 'should' feel and also the effect on my daughters. I have not hidden the facts from them when they have asked questions, but I also have not really made a big thing of visiting the cemetery with them or making a big issue of his birthday. I didn't know him so how could they? I think their mother has made a bigger issue of it to them and consequently my eldest is upset today and garnering sympathy from friends at school. This makes me feel angry, and then immediately guilty.
It's almost a perverse form of jealousy I guess, how come she get's all the platitudes and kind words when she wasn't even born then? My parents can't even remember the date so I guess that's the 2 extremes.
I am very lucky to have my two wonderful daughters and even though I have no religion I am thankful every day for their health, love and undisputed talents. If you've got kids, take a moment today to just give them a hug, for no other reason than you love them.
