Chairman Ted

Mr Ted's perspective on rushing and the "Media".

Ted the Terrier: Question, do Big People rush about more now than in the past? Are their lives more hectic? Is this something that I do?

Sniffing out good news and advice in a time of Media bombardment

Woof woof and good morning humans, Ted here. Nice and warm at “Hotel Macclesfield” with Pete’s Mum. Fed, walked, pampered whilst he’s up in Scotland with The Boss.

I hope he is relaxing in Hamilton. Big people; they always seem to rush about, read up and be concerned with what’s happening in the Big People’s world, and worry. But he does seem to take life easy, read books, and I enjoy walks as he is not always on his iPhone unless he’s got us lost again in the hills…

I think Big People seem so concerned with events in the world and sadly they are bombarded with and by the Media, and with technology access all this information which causes consternation, anger, worry, concern, and occasionally happiness. It seems to be more negative than good and I notice this in the way they seem so self absorbed. Also news does not have to be official; it can be local news, what he or she said, what they saw on a Facebook Group or in a Twitter thread and so it goes on.

So to my question? Do these humans rush about compared to old days?

People seem to have this idea that life has speeded up, that history has moved rapidly, and they live crowded and faster lives than those of their ancestors. I think this though is a result or product of media and artificial. Life is the same as those who came before but if humans engage with Media they lose control of our lives and yes they speed up, accelerate out of their own control. By Media I think it is commercial and non-commercial, especially Social Media. Media tells them about other people’s experiences, and they know more sooner, about more people, and so the seeds are sown for them moving from “themselves” to “ourselves” which can be an unnoticed and insidious shift, as life speeds up with their concern as to others and what they do and have.

They now know when royal babies are born, when distant wars are fought, when disasters happen. These “things” have always occurred, have always happened, and have swallowed and engrossed those who are immediately concerned.

Humans are also subject to the views, thoughts, behaviour of “outsiders” and so can be distracted by this and rush headlong into what they think they need or aspire for.

Hence the sensation of falling at speed into a way of life with no control, routine without purpose, a sense of stasis.

Me? Well I am dog, and I don’t have an iPhone, laptop, or read the news, or see what people are up to on Social Media. And you know what, that is a good place to be. I live for simplicity, do my own thing, don’t keep up with other dogs, and happily keep it simple. News? Well it is what happens to me in real time and thus I am grounded and happy. I say hello to my mates when I see them, but let them get on with their lives and don’t religiously follow them, to become subsumed in what they do, did, or could do. So for me life is calm, not rushed, in control, and contemplative. A nice place to be… Maybe the big people ought to try. Live their own lives, which does not mean being unconnected.

A thought for the day:

Obscurity can be a good thing. In not being known or engaging with other’s lives I won’t twist my values of life, and enter the rush we see. I move back to the past, connect with my ancestors and their own lives. I live my life as part of the world, not other’s lives.




Furloughed, but grateful for what we have. (Especially myself.)

It has been a tough old time for people, all walks of life since March. And I have not posted since our half term trip to the Cleveland Hills in February - so that’s roughly three months.

3rd Year Wedding Anniversary

So, where are we - the Cobley’s?

To be honest, happy and grateful, and that is the nature of this post. We are lucky to have our health, a roof over our heads, and loved ones. Claire has been teaching remotely, working hard to keep her youngsters motivated, and also the God awful task of predicting grades; affecting people’s lives. Me? Well, the advertising business, like a lot, has ground to a halt as Covid 19 bites hard into industry with the global lockdown and uncertainty. So I decided to furlough myself at the start of April.

We count ourselves lucky. Many people are not. And to compound some people’s lives is the sad loss of loved ones. I’ve certainly learnt about humility.

I hope all the people who we know personally, in teaching, and via Found Us are all good in the circumstances. Please do let us KNOW! We are thinking of you.

“Chairman Ted” also says hello and wishes YOU all the best!

Looking down the Chew Valley