Up Helly Aa again

It's Up Helly Aa today and I'm grateful that this year I've made no attempt whatsoever to be in Lerwick tonight to see the men marching through the town and the burning of the boat at the end of the march.

Normally, I wouldn't say that. Usually, I would want to go along and see the march and the burning of the boat followed up by a really good evening, sociable in the extreme, where everyone, the men that did the march and the people that went to see it, is happy and friendly but tonight, unfortunately, the weather is not perfect. It's pouring down with rain outside my house. I'm thirty-five miles away from town but suspect that it will do exactly the same in Lerwick.

Ah, well - that's life, I suppose. I bet that it will still be a great evening for all that are there.

A new article about Shetland

I've just picked up a new article about Shetland being the best place to live and I agree. It's socially problem-free  because everyone is pretty much equal around here. It is a healthy place to live with both the air and the sea being cleaner than they are down south.

Have a read of Shetland best place to live in Scotland claims survey, and find out how people feel about it. It might surprise you.

Am I missing something?

Lying in bed last night, thinking as I drifted off. Do I get it wrong - are there people, here in Shetland that have left wing - or, God forbid, right wing - views. If so, do they stay silent in fear of being mocked or castigated. Am I the only one around here that votes for the Scottish Socialist Party, or for that matter, any other party that does not "fit".

If I am right in the way that I have been thinking then I have to ask myself "Why". Is it because it is the way that everyone believes to be right or is it because everyone wants to fit in, does not want to be "different" from the rest, be it their family, friends, neighbours or employers, whatever.

There must be the odd person with views akin to myself. Why do they stay silent? Please, someone, let on. Is it socially unacceptable around these parts to think differently. Pretty awful if it is.