Little observations,

I had one of my busiest weeks in years last week, Hertford, Mooji, London, Oxford, London, but no  evidence to go with it now as my phone or should I really say camera has been lost.    According to the bill my last text was at 10.15pm July 12th, which is correct and yet moments later when trying to work out how I had spent so long on a train from Paddington to Didcot, and how to get to Oxford,  my phone was gone.   The station staff had confidence however that it would be found but sadly no... When I look at the bill I envisage it somewhere lost and pining, waiting for me.  But when it comes to loss the missing photos e.g. of Ireland, France etc,  only partially uploaded to Facebook are the main loss

Action Carnival by RBG

Things happening in the press are of interest.  In parliament sexual harassment and how to prevent and report it are of concern.     It makes sense that these issues should be raised,  but what about victims of bullying and abuse at work.  My old college for example has Investors in People but for colleagues who have suddenly found themselves suspended out of work and ill with worry that title has been meaningless.  In some instances a settlement has been negotiated to buy their silence, but in reality what they would like is a decent employer who is supportive and follows correct and legal practices or failing that an easy way of taking their company to tribunal. When I was suspended I was too ill with shock and sorrow and trauma to take it further and it seems that complaints under the DDA are very difficult to establish and at that time tribunals were potentially very costly. .  When I complained that my 18 hour contract reached 36 hours a week and that this was damaging my health an independent arbiter who had been a college head just told me you are  a teacher you should expect to work overtime.    Of course it is now years since all this happened to me, but other people's struggles and recent questions to me as to how colleges can be such negligent employers has made me realise sometimes I still feel very angry about it.    The only good thing is that thank goodness I did not leave my job and go and work for a Mr B as that would have left me even  more badly off after meeting him.     However, I am still mystified as to why he could have been charged with theft if he had taken my purse , but come to my home woo me, offer me work support me when my Dad dies but tell lie after lie after lie and then change the name of your bank account so that it looks like a legitimate business account and then take my money and it seems that the Police will not touch you.      It has taken years but I think some of the trauma is passing. I recently was in touch with another potential partner, but the minute he suggested a financial transaction I was like no, I do not do that, I will not even talk money or deals with anyone so I am out of here.  I did not feel sad or anxious about it, it was just no, don't care who you are and what you say I am to you, I am history.    Meanwhile though when Ashley Banjo or Jordan Banjo appear on TV it is still a trigger moment.  I have asked the Police over and over - well at least twice  in the two years the police have "updated" me for them to talk to Mr Banjo's family as based on what they told me,  I may not be the only one who lost money to him.  However, the police say that would be a breach of I think either his privacy or his human rights if they do that.  Needless to say I disagree with them and find their attitude as distressing as his manipulation.  Until they do talk to the family I will not feel that they have done all they can to resolve the case.      I intend to take up the matter with my MP, however, trying to get my MP to look at how the UK treats people claiming asylum is of greater immediate concern.    Post my visit to Refugee Tales, that seems the least I can do.

Events at the National Gallery have also reminded me of things that have happened to me.  Freelance staff, some of who have worked for the NG for twenty years, have suddenly been told that they are to be employed staff and will have to pass their probationary period.     My freelance contract was terminated out of the blue and we were luckily in our case mostly all re-employed unlike the NG staff but we too had to go through probation as if we were new staff.   Financially our costs may not be accommodated, but we do get holiday pay now.  What would happen if we were sick I do not know yet, but it is a sort of mixed scenario we have to do a basic minimum of work but can also chop and change our hours to suit ourselves provided we do not go off too long.  However, I can understand why NG staff who wanted a more concrete contract feel that suddenly they have no control over their employment or employment rights.

Meanwhile if anyone finds a lonely LG phone near Didcot, please let me know.