Anyway, when they took the blind-fold off I found myself here in this empty cave surrounded by high-tech equipment and large flat screen TVs. It's been a strange one certainly, instead of the usual bats you would expect to find roosting in the cave's roof there was just a den of wolf cubs yawning and crying out for their mother. I had to calm myself by watching a few episodes of deal or no deal while I awaited today's guest.
Then at the circular entrance to the cave, back lit by a large full moon is the silhouette of a woman. Slowing sashaying into the cave wearing a full length shoulderless black dress with silver embroidery and matching silvery elbow length gloves is our guest. Hello Boff, I'm sorry I'm late, the Commissioner's parties do seem to go on forever, wait here and I'll go and change into something more comfortable, with that she disappears through a hidden door and returns a few minutes later in a white dress shirt, jeans, smart brown boots and a leather jacket clearly marking a Wolf patch on the shoulder
Ahhh, so here we are then, Today's guest is a crime fighting heroine, with a strong morale compass, voice to those that cant be heard in city hall, and leader of her biker clan, it's none other than Wolfie, please Boff, call me Jules replies Wolfie as she pours us both a drink well I suppose I should begin by asking how was the Commissioner's party? did anything interesting happen?
Hi Boff, Wombles, I have an extremely soft spot for wombles you know...particularly Orinoco...anyway that aside, you seem to have projected your perception of me into the imagery! I am more likely to be wearing a kaftan than evening dress, and even less likely to be at the Commissioner's dinner, although he would be wise to listen to my carefully formed opinions on how much we kowtow to the gvt regarding the force. If ever there was the opportunity to impart my views you can be sure that I'd take it, without any hesitation or moderation in the force with which I delivered those views!!!
I am impressed that you managed to break into the Ruskin it's been derilict for eons. It's claim to fame being Iron Maiden who were particularly crap when they played here! I used to put my cider bottles in my ears to try and make them sound better. Not particularly effectively, they may have become missiles 😉
I see, well there's no excuse for a crap live performance. Anyway, with that out of the way I have so much to ask you and a lot of (metaphorical) ground to cover, so perhaps we should crack on I guess the main thrust of the questions I wanted to ask was around human nature and the way we interact with one another as a society, but perhaps we should start smaller, tell me about your days as a biker? what was it like being part of that brotherhood / sisterhood?
I found the company very accepting of difference, more so than main stream society at that time, for sure, a different kind of total respect as long as you didn't use your own name. You could be whoever you wanted to be, like Twitter but in reality! There were some who didn't like lone wolves, you learn quickly how to avoid being sucked into a formal organised patched community, that brings it's own set of dangers.
I see, I can imagine that it is like a sort-of family, and what about any scrapes you got into? I know you've already mentioned your bro Foxy on your own blog, were there any dramatic moments you recall?
Ha! Not much I feel that I can say! One group I mixed with regularly had black business cards printed in silver, if we met vulnerable people broken down we'd help them, and give them a card. There are many dramatic moments but I'm not into kiss and tell, there's a strict code of silence around Biker culture: what happens on the road, stays on the road: Biker code, innit? Apologies to any road rats out there!
Indeed, it does sound enigmatic, I think Bungo was quite taken with your friends, do you have any sage advice for him becoming a biker?
Yeah, get a meaty bike, I'm afraid I'm a snob where bikes are concerned going for a classic British bike and a silent, but strong persona worked for me!
Knowing Bungo, I'd just be worried he'd wrap it around a tree or something, he's fearless you know, utterly fearless, well, except for spiders, but other than that. Perhaps moving on a few years now, you were also a union rep, what was it like working in that role? Did you ever find yourself at odds between 'The man' and the workers?
Always! I was a Union rep in the East London school where I taught, so much bullying by Heads who were inept except at kissing political ass and making both the staff and the pupils jaded, stressed out shadows of human beings just to tick a box or achieve an artificial ranking that means Fuck all!
It's certainly a difficult job to juggle I should image, and what was the strangest meeting you've ever been in? and how did you resolve it in the finish?
Hmmm, I was once propositioned by a Head verbally and physically during a meeting in his office, that was resolved internally by a well placed fist in the face, we never had any difficulties working together for the benefit of the school after that. It was never mentioned.
Blimey! but I also know you said that you were a bit of a shy mouse at school and learned to find a fierceness inside yourself to gain that voice? what was school like for you? and how did it shape you as a person?
I'm naturally an introvert, which is misunderstood by many. I tend to observe untill I find someone whom I feel it worthwhile interacting with, that can be mistaken for weakness...it's a strength. I refuse to stand by when I see injustice meted out to anyone. That silent person who is cowed by a bully exerting abuse, I am the one who will step beside to give strength or in front of to protect until they can find there own strength. Less is more ya know?
So coming back to the original thrust of my questions, I wanted to ask your feelings about social interaction and the general status quo? do you think the government could be doing more to help the people?
*deep throaty laugh* not just gvt! History teaches us that when deep divides between the rich and the poor occur society implodes: whether it be the Church, Corporations, Individuals or gvt: if you have more than enough to sustain your needs and some left over, then you ought to be sharing the surplus! I believe in Utopia my detailed thoughts on that and Freedom can be found on my blog. I'm not necessarily a representative of a socialist but I believe in social equality. That's what drives me, that's how I behave on a personal level.
and what about people in general do you feel like society is changing? and has social media helped provide new avenues of communication or changed things for the worse?
social media can be both good and bad. It's a magnifier, it artificially magnifies the worst traits of human behaviour and can also serve as a catalyst to magnify the best. It's given a platform to those who might not otherwise be able to be socially/politically active, for instance disabled and vulnerable people can now have their voices heard by many more people. Society is lurching towards a more and more apathetic and egocentric base, social media can be a vehicle to galvanise movement in reality to seek to redress these issues. I am not really a *group* type of person, although I am comfortable in the groups I choose to spend some time with, I prefer to work in the shadows, a lone wolf (Lobo) encouraging individuals to explore and find a way to find their own answers...for me social media gives open access to those whose ear I wish to speak with.
I see, I can imagine that it is like a sort-of family, and what about any scrapes you got into? I know you've already mentioned your bro Foxy on your own blog, were there any dramatic moments you recall?
Ha! Not much I feel that I can say! One group I mixed with regularly had black business cards printed in silver, if we met vulnerable people broken down we'd help them, and give them a card. There are many dramatic moments but I'm not into kiss and tell, there's a strict code of silence around Biker culture: what happens on the road, stays on the road: Biker code, innit? Apologies to any road rats out there!
We also didn't tolerate idiots on motorways it's fairly easy to box in and surround a car making it rue it's decision to cut up a rider, those chains round our waists only ever locked our bikes, honest. We also did blood and organ runs in the days before charitable organisations took the role on more formally.
Indeed, it does sound enigmatic, I think Bungo was quite taken with your friends, do you have any sage advice for him becoming a biker?
Yeah, get a meaty bike, I'm afraid I'm a snob where bikes are concerned going for a classic British bike and a silent, but strong persona worked for me!
Knowing Bungo, I'd just be worried he'd wrap it around a tree or something, he's fearless you know, utterly fearless, well, except for spiders, but other than that. Perhaps moving on a few years now, you were also a union rep, what was it like working in that role? Did you ever find yourself at odds between 'The man' and the workers?
Always! I was a Union rep in the East London school where I taught, so much bullying by Heads who were inept except at kissing political ass and making both the staff and the pupils jaded, stressed out shadows of human beings just to tick a box or achieve an artificial ranking that means Fuck all!
Hmmm, I was once propositioned by a Head verbally and physically during a meeting in his office, that was resolved internally by a well placed fist in the face, we never had any difficulties working together for the benefit of the school after that. It was never mentioned.
Blimey! but I also know you said that you were a bit of a shy mouse at school and learned to find a fierceness inside yourself to gain that voice? what was school like for you? and how did it shape you as a person?
I'm naturally an introvert, which is misunderstood by many. I tend to observe untill I find someone whom I feel it worthwhile interacting with, that can be mistaken for weakness...it's a strength. I refuse to stand by when I see injustice meted out to anyone. That silent person who is cowed by a bully exerting abuse, I am the one who will step beside to give strength or in front of to protect until they can find there own strength. Less is more ya know?
So coming back to the original thrust of my questions, I wanted to ask your feelings about social interaction and the general status quo? do you think the government could be doing more to help the people?
*deep throaty laugh* not just gvt! History teaches us that when deep divides between the rich and the poor occur society implodes: whether it be the Church, Corporations, Individuals or gvt: if you have more than enough to sustain your needs and some left over, then you ought to be sharing the surplus! I believe in Utopia my detailed thoughts on that and Freedom can be found on my blog. I'm not necessarily a representative of a socialist but I believe in social equality. That's what drives me, that's how I behave on a personal level.
and what about people in general do you feel like society is changing? and has social media helped provide new avenues of communication or changed things for the worse?
social media can be both good and bad. It's a magnifier, it artificially magnifies the worst traits of human behaviour and can also serve as a catalyst to magnify the best. It's given a platform to those who might not otherwise be able to be socially/politically active, for instance disabled and vulnerable people can now have their voices heard by many more people. Society is lurching towards a more and more apathetic and egocentric base, social media can be a vehicle to galvanise movement in reality to seek to redress these issues. I am not really a *group* type of person, although I am comfortable in the groups I choose to spend some time with, I prefer to work in the shadows, a lone wolf (Lobo) encouraging individuals to explore and find a way to find their own answers...for me social media gives open access to those whose ear I wish to speak with.
Indeed, I often like to Instagram what I've had for dinner *Jules just frowns at Boff*, That wasn't quite what I meant Boff, *Boff coughs* ahem, and you also work as a counsellor? what has that been like that? do you find it a rewarding experience?
being a counsellor is a privilege, people open their hearts, minds and deepest hurts to you to hold and protect whilst they rebuild their strength enough to take those pains / fears and face them with an ownership that they didn't believe could happen. It is unbelievably difficult to maintain caring neutrality amidst that. Being alongside and then gradually stepping further and further away as the individual you worked with unfolds and blossoms into who they have become. Totally exhausting, totally confidential, my Biker background equipped me to hold confidences, my teaching background equipped me to view each as a unique being, my parental background equipped me to love with unconditional positive regard, my religious / political views also equipped me to accept that I have no right to impose my own viewpoint onto the life of another in fact to do so would break every ethic I hold.
I think that's very nobel Jules, it certainly sounds very challenging and rewarding, but I can also totally understand what you mean by exhausting. I also wanted to ask you what has been your most proud moment to date, and what ambitions do you still hold on to for the future?
that is impossible to answer because the moment personal pride surfaces it negates the positives one has thought one has achieved. Pride is dangerous, except when looking at the achievements of another. In that context every child who overcame a difficulty to become a critical thinker, and every adult who gained control of their own destiny makes me proud of them. To see, to a certain extent is to *be*
Finally perhaps we can end with a bigger question then, why are we here? and what's our purpose on this planet?
that's the easiest question so far!!! We are here as caretakers to a planet that we have borrowed from the future. Our purpose is to love and treat each other with the respect we would like for ourselves, whether that is given or not. Our behaviour should reflect the temporary habitation of life on this planet. As with loos, we should leave it how we would like to find it, if it's not clean enough grab a mop and gloves!!!
I think that's very nobel Jules, it certainly sounds very challenging and rewarding, but I can also totally understand what you mean by exhausting. I also wanted to ask you what has been your most proud moment to date, and what ambitions do you still hold on to for the future?
that is impossible to answer because the moment personal pride surfaces it negates the positives one has thought one has achieved. Pride is dangerous, except when looking at the achievements of another. In that context every child who overcame a difficulty to become a critical thinker, and every adult who gained control of their own destiny makes me proud of them. To see, to a certain extent is to *be*
Finally perhaps we can end with a bigger question then, why are we here? and what's our purpose on this planet?
that's the easiest question so far!!! We are here as caretakers to a planet that we have borrowed from the future. Our purpose is to love and treat each other with the respect we would like for ourselves, whether that is given or not. Our behaviour should reflect the temporary habitation of life on this planet. As with loos, we should leave it how we would like to find it, if it's not clean enough grab a mop and gloves!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment