Specifically to; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2019/05/eurovision-2019-asie-app-pt2.html
There I discussed Finland's entry. It provided something of a talking point about the changing role of women within the TV industry. By referencing the US TV Show; "Blindspot."
The premise of the show is that a woman is discovered suffering from
amnesia. She then joins forces with the FBI team investigating her case
to solve other crimes.
In many ways Blindspot is very different from other US police
procedurals. Such as; "NCIS: Los Angeles." Featuring 2018 Song Contest
host Daniela Ruah.
However it is very much centred around good guys with guns chasing bad
guys with guns. In a series of gun fights, explosions, fight scenes and
other action sequences.
Most TV shows, particularly in that genre, tend to be made from a slightly male perspective. What is interesting about Blindspot is that it seems to be made from a slightly female perspective.
For example the premise is that the woman with amnesia is actually found fully nude. Covered head-to-toe
with elaborate, full body tattoos. These tattoos are clues to the crimes
the woman and the FBI team go on to solve.
So there are numerous scenes where the team are gathered in their command centre. Looking at pictures of these tattoo clues on a big screen surrounding with dozens of FBI staff sitting at their computers.
It often conveys what a strange and embarrassing experience this is for the lead character. Having all her work mates gathered together to stare, in detail at her naked body.
This seems to be a deliberate attempt to discuss the impact that nude and sex scenes have on, particularly, actresses.
Although these scenes may appear on screen as just two people in the privacy of their bedroom they're often shot on sets with 15 to 20 people standing around. They're then sent off through the editing process which can involve another 100 or so people.
I can imagine it being quite strange and embarrassing to go into work the next day and being faced with 100 or so people who've seen you fully nude and pretending to have sex.
I remember saying that the slight female perspective of Blindspot didn't spoil my, as a man's enjoyment of the show. In fact I think it slightly improved it. With the female characters seeming more rounded and believable as a result.
In any discussion about shows in this genre being made for women or from a female perspective there is another important, if not widely known example. A Canadian TV Show called; "Rookie Blue."
When this was shown in the UK it was billed as a typical police procedural. Albeit one that was focused on uniformed officers rather than detectives.
In reality though it's a show about the increasingly complex personal life of Andy McNally. Who occasionally goes into work at the Toronto Police department.
In much the same way the US show; "Greys Anatomy" may be set in a hospital. But it's not really a medical drama.
Both Rookie Blue and Greys Anatomy have such a strong female perspective I, as a man, couldn't enjoy them. That's not me questioning their validity. It's just they weren't aimed at me, I didn't enjoy them. So I didn't watch them.
I didn't mention Rookie Blue at the time because I didn't think anyone in the Song Contest community would have heard of a Canadian show which ended in 2015. Meaning that if I mentioned it I'd have to start by explaining it.
I've since learnt though that the actress who played Andy McNally in Rookie Blue, Missy Peregrym, has got one of the leads in the US TV show; "FBI." Which is very much a police procedural centred around the FBI.
It's produced by that giant of US network TV, Dick Wolf. The man behind "Law & Order" in all its various guises.
The show FBI makes lots of frequent, quite jokey references to Missy Peregrym's past in Rookie Blue.
For example her character comes from Indiana. Explaining why her American accent isn't quite the same as all the other American accents.
The show also features a suspiciously high number of suspects who are attempting to enter the US from Canada. Or attempting to escape the US into Canada. Giving other cast members opportunity to shoot knowing looks at Missy Peregrym's character Maggie.
One episode centres around one of the senior agents revealing that he's in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. This prompts the Maggie character to ask him lots and lots of questions about Alcoholics Anonymous.
That's a deliberate reference to the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Held in Vancouver, Canada.
It included a sequence of famous people you thought were American but are actually Canadian. William Shatner for example.
They would come out and declare; "Hello. My name is .... And I'm a Canadian."
This closely resembled the famous introduction from Alcoholics Anonymous. So closely that you expected them to then start listing all the ways in which being Canadian had ruined their lives.
As was the intended joke.
It's rare Olympic hosts use the opportunity to mock themselves.
Even the wardrobe department get in on the act.
Missy Peregrym is somewhat large breasted. This isn't something you really notice in Rookie Blue. Where much of her costume is body armour. In FBI though they really seem to be making a point of it.
The Maggie character frequently wears a pantsuit. The jackets of which seem rather tight around her chest but loose around her waist. This is something that often happens when the actress is pregnant but the character isn't.
So you do find your eyes being drawn to both her chest and waist. To see whether either have grown between episodes or even scenes.
In short you're being tricked into focusing on McNally's Anatomy.
I have to say that if that is Dick Wolf's contribution to the discussion over the changing role of women within the TV industry it seems pretty lazy. Simply referencing a TV show some other people did years ago.
Although in his defence I get the impression that Mariska Hargitay has been running "Law & Order: SVU" since about 2014.
20:20 on 20/11/19 (UK date).
Wednesday 20 November 2019
Taking Without Owner's Consent.
Back in June 2019 I was blocked by Twitter.
Officially this is because I urged @SkyNews, as an automated, inanimate account, to commit suicide. As part of a discussion about the ethics of extending Assisted Suicide to people with the type of severe mental health problems that render them suicidal.
Obviously I appealed that curious decision. I've been periodically checking in with Twitter to see if sanity has returned to their operations.
Lately I've been a bit remiss in doing this. Not checking in for more than a month. I've just checked in and there is no progress to report.
I probably should contact them directly. To remind them that they have still not corrected, let alone apologised for their clear error.
Although after five months of obstinace or their part things have now escalated far beyond a mere apology.
On the subject of things that have escalated far beyond anyone's plan: The Hong Kong Protests.
Starting in June 2019 these protests have been directed by the British Foreign service. For a number of reasons.
The primary one being that the US has been engaged in a trade war with China. As the World's two largest economies this is a massive deal for everyone. Particularly members of the British Commonwealth Realm such as Australia and New Zealand.
For example being rather enamoured with China's Authoritarian Capitalism former US President Obama attempted to unite the American and Chinese economies. Under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Current US President Trump dropped these plans. Other Pacific nations such as Japan and Australia went ahead with it anyone. On worryingly Chinese terms. However without US economic might TPP never really got off the ground.
So China tried to launch an alternative to TPP. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Using the economic might of India to replace that of America.
Although nations such as Australia and New Zealand did join RCEP the UK Commonwealth nation recently refused. Raising the possibility that RCEP will go the same way as TPP.
I'm sure you could see then why it would be useful for Britain to have a back channel with China. While China is engaged in a trade war with Britain's longstanding ally America.
The Hong Kong protests have also provided Britain with a way to provide a biting social commentary on its own, domestic politics. Which have been torn apart by Parliament's attempts to block Britain's exit from the EU. Brexit.
For example in an effort to force a delay to Brexit the British Parliament rushed through the so-called Cooper-Letwin Amendment. On a single day in April 2019. In another attempt to force a delay the British Parliament rushed through the so-called Benn Bill. In just two days in October 2019.
The Hong Kong Protests ignited in response to the second reading of an extradition bill. Several months after the first reading of the bill.
The point being that not even Communist China would show the same level of contempt for democracy as British MP's who voted for either the Cooper-Letwin or Benn Bills.
The Hong Kong protesters have almost a clearly identified uniform. Made up of a yellow construction worker's helmet alongside dust googles and a dust mask. Often accompanied by a black hoodie, construction worker's cargo pants and work boots.
I don't think anyone can claim a monopoly on wearing those items of clothing together. As a protest uniform though it is a look I myself perfected.
Back in 2003 the US, Britain and Georgia invaded Iraq. Looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction.
One of the largest UK protests against this was themed; "Weapons of Mass Construction."
So I attended. Wearing a costume made up of a yellow construction worker's helmet alongside dust googles and a dust mask. Accompanied by a black hoodie, construction worker's cargo pants and work boots.
This costume so encapsulated the theme of the protest the police's Forward Intelligence Teams assumed I must be one of the organisers. So spent the day following me around. Taking lots and lots of video and still photographs.
I've still got some of the bits and pieces of that costume. Or things that could stand in for the originals. Rather like that pile of police riot helmets Banksy recently tried inflicting on the world.
So in response to the Hong Kong Protests you would almost expect me to post a picture of parts of the costume. As something from my signature collection.
Banned from Twitter that would have to be posted on Instagram. Wouldn't it.
Funnily enough I've recently been receiving a lot of targeted online ads suggesting I become a social worker. For a company called Frontline.
When clearly the mongs have a much more urgent need for a driving instructor.
17:30 on 20/11/19 (UK date).
Officially this is because I urged @SkyNews, as an automated, inanimate account, to commit suicide. As part of a discussion about the ethics of extending Assisted Suicide to people with the type of severe mental health problems that render them suicidal.
Obviously I appealed that curious decision. I've been periodically checking in with Twitter to see if sanity has returned to their operations.
Lately I've been a bit remiss in doing this. Not checking in for more than a month. I've just checked in and there is no progress to report.
I probably should contact them directly. To remind them that they have still not corrected, let alone apologised for their clear error.
Although after five months of obstinace or their part things have now escalated far beyond a mere apology.
On the subject of things that have escalated far beyond anyone's plan: The Hong Kong Protests.
Starting in June 2019 these protests have been directed by the British Foreign service. For a number of reasons.
The primary one being that the US has been engaged in a trade war with China. As the World's two largest economies this is a massive deal for everyone. Particularly members of the British Commonwealth Realm such as Australia and New Zealand.
For example being rather enamoured with China's Authoritarian Capitalism former US President Obama attempted to unite the American and Chinese economies. Under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Current US President Trump dropped these plans. Other Pacific nations such as Japan and Australia went ahead with it anyone. On worryingly Chinese terms. However without US economic might TPP never really got off the ground.
So China tried to launch an alternative to TPP. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Using the economic might of India to replace that of America.
Although nations such as Australia and New Zealand did join RCEP the UK Commonwealth nation recently refused. Raising the possibility that RCEP will go the same way as TPP.
I'm sure you could see then why it would be useful for Britain to have a back channel with China. While China is engaged in a trade war with Britain's longstanding ally America.
The Hong Kong protests have also provided Britain with a way to provide a biting social commentary on its own, domestic politics. Which have been torn apart by Parliament's attempts to block Britain's exit from the EU. Brexit.
For example in an effort to force a delay to Brexit the British Parliament rushed through the so-called Cooper-Letwin Amendment. On a single day in April 2019. In another attempt to force a delay the British Parliament rushed through the so-called Benn Bill. In just two days in October 2019.
The Hong Kong Protests ignited in response to the second reading of an extradition bill. Several months after the first reading of the bill.
The point being that not even Communist China would show the same level of contempt for democracy as British MP's who voted for either the Cooper-Letwin or Benn Bills.
The Hong Kong protesters have almost a clearly identified uniform. Made up of a yellow construction worker's helmet alongside dust googles and a dust mask. Often accompanied by a black hoodie, construction worker's cargo pants and work boots.
I don't think anyone can claim a monopoly on wearing those items of clothing together. As a protest uniform though it is a look I myself perfected.
Back in 2003 the US, Britain and Georgia invaded Iraq. Looking for Weapons of Mass Destruction.
One of the largest UK protests against this was themed; "Weapons of Mass Construction."
So I attended. Wearing a costume made up of a yellow construction worker's helmet alongside dust googles and a dust mask. Accompanied by a black hoodie, construction worker's cargo pants and work boots.
This costume so encapsulated the theme of the protest the police's Forward Intelligence Teams assumed I must be one of the organisers. So spent the day following me around. Taking lots and lots of video and still photographs.
I've still got some of the bits and pieces of that costume. Or things that could stand in for the originals. Rather like that pile of police riot helmets Banksy recently tried inflicting on the world.
So in response to the Hong Kong Protests you would almost expect me to post a picture of parts of the costume. As something from my signature collection.
Banned from Twitter that would have to be posted on Instagram. Wouldn't it.
Funnily enough I've recently been receiving a lot of targeted online ads suggesting I become a social worker. For a company called Frontline.
When clearly the mongs have a much more urgent need for a driving instructor.
17:30 on 20/11/19 (UK date).
Monday 18 November 2019
Long May Purdah Continue.
Britain is holding a General Election on December 12th (12/12/19).
Once a General Election campaign has begun the British state enters a legal period known as; "Purdah." A Persian and Urdu word meaning; "Veil" or; "Seclusion."
Essentially it means that no public body can engage in any activity that might influence the outcome of the election.
Candidates and Parties can promise all the things they're going to do if elected. However the state itself can do almost nothing at all.
I took advantage of this Purdah period to visit my mothers. Who live in Salisbury, UK.
One of my mothers wanted to visited me in the week leading up to the October 31st (31/10/19) Brexit deadline. A request which recieved a firm no.
Honestly about 90% of the time I spend visiting my mothers is dominated by animals of various shapes and sizes. Despite this those trips seem to attract a lot of international interest. Forcing me to account for them.
This most recent visit began on Tuesday (12/11/19). My mother's had to wait in for an engineer to service their boiler so I didn't arrive until late afternoon. One mother met me at the station while the other was doing something in town.
We met up at a coffee shop in town and obviously had coffee. Before returning to their home. From there is was just a matter of unpacking, having dinner and going to bed.
We did watch the first episode of the BBC/HBO adaptation of; "His Dark Materials." And struggled to imagine a world where you have a small animal following you around at all times. As if even a moment of separation would cause the animal immense pain.
On Wednesday (13/11/19) I went out to by new shoes. I prefer what are known as trail shoes. These are sort of midway between training shoes and hiking boots.
They're the sort of thing that can be quite difficult to find in London. But with its focus on outdoor pursuits Salisbury has like a dozen shops dedicated to exactly that sort of thing. All within walking distance of each other.
After visiting those dozen or so shops I ended up buying a pair exactly the same as the ones I was wearing at the time. Merrell Intercepts in black. Although these ones are about 75mm taller. On account of the tread still being intact.
I also picked up a pair of Karrimor hiking boots at a ridiculous discount. These are something I've always sort of needed when I'm down there. On account of all the walking my mothers and their dog do.
I've just not been able to justify spending upwards of 120 quid on something I'll only use three or four times a year. At 75% off suddenly I could justify it.
After another stop at the coffee shop all three of us returned home. Then one of my mothers and I took the dog for a long walk around Old Serum. Where the boots instantly proved themselves to be a good investment.
Late in the evening all three of us went out for dinner at an Indian restaurant close to the station.
This was the first time I'd visited a restaurant in Salisbury since December 2017. On that occasion one of my mothers and I went to a restaurant called Zizzis. Central to the infamous Skripal, Novichok poisoning.
As I think the entire World discovered in March 2018 Zizzis is located on the edge of the town centre. Right by that little bridge which leads to the main car park.
We were in town at around lunchtime and trying to decide where to eat in the evening. So we stuck our heads in the door of Zizzis and asked if we would need to book a table for around seven. The manager told us there was no need and actually refused to take the booking because we could just turn up.
When we just turned up at around seven the same manager told us there was no room and we should have booked.
I was perfectly happy to go to Pizza Express across the town square which is pretty much the same thing. My mother though dug in and amid much attitude eventually we did get a table. The wobbly one by the toilets.
So I have always been tempted to dispel the rumour that I ordered a Chemical Weapons attack as punishment for poor restaurant service. Even if that can sometimes be a useful rumour to leave hanging in the air.
Not that poor service was even remotely an issue in that Indian restaurant. Late evening on a wet Wednesday in November you've pretty much got yourself a private restaurant. As we left the only other customer was a woman who was dining alone.
I pretty much spent Thursday (14/11/19) morning playing with the dog in the garden. Well, the dog played in the garden. I sat there putting waterproofing wax on my new boots. The mere fact I was present though gave the dog permission to hurtle around like a maniac.
In retirement my lawyer mother has started to volunteer at a residential course for international students studying English as a second language. This is being hosted at the local college/polytechnic which is in the process of promoting itself to a University.
It was perhaps appropriate then all three of us decided to meet for lunch at a bar/cafe on the former site of Salisbury's Literary and Scientific Institute. In keeping with the buildings past this is decorated with lots of wall art showing early scientific discoveries and portraits of former fellows of the institute.
A lot of this wall art is adorned with Star of Davids symbols. Prompting lots of small talk over whether it's Jewish or Masonic in origin. Closer inspection revealed one with Illuminati iconography.
That is to say the actual 18th Century Illuminati. Dedicated to spreading enlightenment in the fields of science, art and literature. Not the Internet conspiracy theory.
The lunch was actually revealing of what Salisbury is actually like.
Talking to the assistant manager who served us it turned out he was a Sandhurst graduate and former British Army officer. He was working there to gain experience there before opening his own restaurant in Weymouth with his girlfriend and small child.
Unlike London Salisbury is one of those places where people will just tell you their life story, pretty much unprompted. It's also the sort of place where you can't swing your arms without hitting someone who is either serving military or ex-military.
My mothers actually live close to a local primary school. There is something adorable about watching big men in combat fatigues picking up tiny children dressed as fairies.
Unfortunately my mother's session at the college had been interrupted by the fire alarm repeatedly going off for no real reason. Constantly forcing them out of the warm and into the cold. I'd spent the morning sitting outside with the dog.
So none of us were particularly conversational with this assistant manager. The honest answer to when he asked what were our plans for the rest of the day would have been to go home and lie down. The cold had given us all splitting headaches.
Late in the afternoon my sister came over from Surrey. So one of my mothers and I met her for coffee by the station before she came back to the house.
The only real thing of note about that is she has a friend who owns a horse. That horse has suffered an abscess on their hoof. While the bandages were being changed the horse stamped on its owners foot, breaking it.
So my sister has been rushing around caring for both the horse and its owner. Apparently they did insist on a cast the same colour as the veterinary wrap. So horse and owner match in their injured feet.
After dinner I watched the football on my own. Then when to bed.
Friday (15/11/19) morning was really spent packing and messing about with the dog. Before catching a train at lunchtime to return home by mid-afternoon.
When I travel like this there is a bit of a security issue. Although I don't think it's something specific to me.
If you put on social media where you live. Then put on social media when you'll be away from home. There's a fair chance your house is going to get robbed. Particularly for celebrities Instagram does seem to be a to-do list for burglars.
The last time I travelled to visit my mothers was in early August. The main purpose was to visit the Hampshire Agricultural and Country Show.
On that occasion my plans were telegraphed by the shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California, US. On July 27th (27/7/19). In terms of their physical layout and general atmosphere the Garlic Festival and Hamsphire show seem very similar.
Immediately upon my return there was the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas on August 3rd (3/8/19). That was followed a day later by another mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio on August 4th (4/8/19). The month was rounded off with the mass shooting in Odessa, Texas on August 31st (31/8/19).
So it should probably come as little surprise that this trip was interrupted by another mass shooting. This time at the Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, US. On November 14th 2019 (14/11/19).
For security reasons I try not to have a pattern for these little trips. However it tends to be the case that I only stay for two nights. On this occasion I stayed for three nights.
"Saugus" is a Native American (Algonquin) word meaning; "Great" or; "Extended." Probably the most famous Saugus is a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. An area of New England I seem particularly linked to. Not least because of a dog with a very Irish first and last name.
It's the same link which allows me to know the Saint Clare of Assisi, from which Santa Clarita takes its name, is famous for the Order of Poor Ladies. Like Franciscan Monks they're famous for their poverty. Often walking about barefoot or in worn out shoes.
The BBC is currently airing the German-Italian miniseries; "The Name of the Rose." Which deals extensively with disputes between the Franciscans and the wider Catholic Church during the 14th Century. Although it doesn't feature anywhere near enough books for one of my mothers.
The November 14th (14/11/19) shooting put pressure on me to react while flagging up that I was an extended trip away. Giving any potential threats another night of opportunity. Although it's unlikely that any of the threats I'm concerned about would be able to translate from Algonquin.
This hostility seems to stem from Saugus High School's role in the; "March For Our Lives" protests. Which followed the the February 14th 2018 (14/2/18) mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, US.
That shooting and the protests that followed served to distract Americans from the 2018 Winter Olympics being held in that other Parkland, the Republic of Korea (RoK).
The main theme of those Olympics was the topic of fake news.
The Olympic Cauldron itself was designed to resemble the Tripod Aliens from H.G Wells' "War of the Worlds." The 1938 radio production of War of the Worlds was considered the greatest media hoax perpetrated against the American people.
Or at least it was. Until the 2016 Presidential campaign.
Curiously this was not the first time Native American languages had been in the news that week. On November 13th (13/11/19) NASA renamed a dwarf planet in the Keppler Belt; "Arrokoth." It's previous name; "Ultima Thule" was too closely linked to Nazis.
Incidentally the BBC has started airing a new adaptation of War of the Worlds. It's been criticised for its efforts to be more "Woke" and "Progressive."
H.G Wells famously despised women.
He also believed the disabled and the inferior races should be exterminated. Through a eugenics program of euthanasia and abortion.
His ultimate dream was that all national borders be abolished and the World be run by a single Socialist regime.
I'm not sure how you can make the master of Fake News more Woke and Progressive.
18:00 on 18/11/19 (UK date).
Once a General Election campaign has begun the British state enters a legal period known as; "Purdah." A Persian and Urdu word meaning; "Veil" or; "Seclusion."
Essentially it means that no public body can engage in any activity that might influence the outcome of the election.
Candidates and Parties can promise all the things they're going to do if elected. However the state itself can do almost nothing at all.
I took advantage of this Purdah period to visit my mothers. Who live in Salisbury, UK.
One of my mothers wanted to visited me in the week leading up to the October 31st (31/10/19) Brexit deadline. A request which recieved a firm no.
Honestly about 90% of the time I spend visiting my mothers is dominated by animals of various shapes and sizes. Despite this those trips seem to attract a lot of international interest. Forcing me to account for them.
This most recent visit began on Tuesday (12/11/19). My mother's had to wait in for an engineer to service their boiler so I didn't arrive until late afternoon. One mother met me at the station while the other was doing something in town.
We met up at a coffee shop in town and obviously had coffee. Before returning to their home. From there is was just a matter of unpacking, having dinner and going to bed.
We did watch the first episode of the BBC/HBO adaptation of; "His Dark Materials." And struggled to imagine a world where you have a small animal following you around at all times. As if even a moment of separation would cause the animal immense pain.
On Wednesday (13/11/19) I went out to by new shoes. I prefer what are known as trail shoes. These are sort of midway between training shoes and hiking boots.
They're the sort of thing that can be quite difficult to find in London. But with its focus on outdoor pursuits Salisbury has like a dozen shops dedicated to exactly that sort of thing. All within walking distance of each other.
After visiting those dozen or so shops I ended up buying a pair exactly the same as the ones I was wearing at the time. Merrell Intercepts in black. Although these ones are about 75mm taller. On account of the tread still being intact.
I also picked up a pair of Karrimor hiking boots at a ridiculous discount. These are something I've always sort of needed when I'm down there. On account of all the walking my mothers and their dog do.
I've just not been able to justify spending upwards of 120 quid on something I'll only use three or four times a year. At 75% off suddenly I could justify it.
After another stop at the coffee shop all three of us returned home. Then one of my mothers and I took the dog for a long walk around Old Serum. Where the boots instantly proved themselves to be a good investment.
Late in the evening all three of us went out for dinner at an Indian restaurant close to the station.
This was the first time I'd visited a restaurant in Salisbury since December 2017. On that occasion one of my mothers and I went to a restaurant called Zizzis. Central to the infamous Skripal, Novichok poisoning.
As I think the entire World discovered in March 2018 Zizzis is located on the edge of the town centre. Right by that little bridge which leads to the main car park.
We were in town at around lunchtime and trying to decide where to eat in the evening. So we stuck our heads in the door of Zizzis and asked if we would need to book a table for around seven. The manager told us there was no need and actually refused to take the booking because we could just turn up.
When we just turned up at around seven the same manager told us there was no room and we should have booked.
I was perfectly happy to go to Pizza Express across the town square which is pretty much the same thing. My mother though dug in and amid much attitude eventually we did get a table. The wobbly one by the toilets.
So I have always been tempted to dispel the rumour that I ordered a Chemical Weapons attack as punishment for poor restaurant service. Even if that can sometimes be a useful rumour to leave hanging in the air.
Not that poor service was even remotely an issue in that Indian restaurant. Late evening on a wet Wednesday in November you've pretty much got yourself a private restaurant. As we left the only other customer was a woman who was dining alone.
I pretty much spent Thursday (14/11/19) morning playing with the dog in the garden. Well, the dog played in the garden. I sat there putting waterproofing wax on my new boots. The mere fact I was present though gave the dog permission to hurtle around like a maniac.
In retirement my lawyer mother has started to volunteer at a residential course for international students studying English as a second language. This is being hosted at the local college/polytechnic which is in the process of promoting itself to a University.
It was perhaps appropriate then all three of us decided to meet for lunch at a bar/cafe on the former site of Salisbury's Literary and Scientific Institute. In keeping with the buildings past this is decorated with lots of wall art showing early scientific discoveries and portraits of former fellows of the institute.
A lot of this wall art is adorned with Star of Davids symbols. Prompting lots of small talk over whether it's Jewish or Masonic in origin. Closer inspection revealed one with Illuminati iconography.
That is to say the actual 18th Century Illuminati. Dedicated to spreading enlightenment in the fields of science, art and literature. Not the Internet conspiracy theory.
The lunch was actually revealing of what Salisbury is actually like.
Talking to the assistant manager who served us it turned out he was a Sandhurst graduate and former British Army officer. He was working there to gain experience there before opening his own restaurant in Weymouth with his girlfriend and small child.
Unlike London Salisbury is one of those places where people will just tell you their life story, pretty much unprompted. It's also the sort of place where you can't swing your arms without hitting someone who is either serving military or ex-military.
My mothers actually live close to a local primary school. There is something adorable about watching big men in combat fatigues picking up tiny children dressed as fairies.
Unfortunately my mother's session at the college had been interrupted by the fire alarm repeatedly going off for no real reason. Constantly forcing them out of the warm and into the cold. I'd spent the morning sitting outside with the dog.
So none of us were particularly conversational with this assistant manager. The honest answer to when he asked what were our plans for the rest of the day would have been to go home and lie down. The cold had given us all splitting headaches.
Late in the afternoon my sister came over from Surrey. So one of my mothers and I met her for coffee by the station before she came back to the house.
The only real thing of note about that is she has a friend who owns a horse. That horse has suffered an abscess on their hoof. While the bandages were being changed the horse stamped on its owners foot, breaking it.
So my sister has been rushing around caring for both the horse and its owner. Apparently they did insist on a cast the same colour as the veterinary wrap. So horse and owner match in their injured feet.
After dinner I watched the football on my own. Then when to bed.
Friday (15/11/19) morning was really spent packing and messing about with the dog. Before catching a train at lunchtime to return home by mid-afternoon.
When I travel like this there is a bit of a security issue. Although I don't think it's something specific to me.
If you put on social media where you live. Then put on social media when you'll be away from home. There's a fair chance your house is going to get robbed. Particularly for celebrities Instagram does seem to be a to-do list for burglars.
The last time I travelled to visit my mothers was in early August. The main purpose was to visit the Hampshire Agricultural and Country Show.
On that occasion my plans were telegraphed by the shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California, US. On July 27th (27/7/19). In terms of their physical layout and general atmosphere the Garlic Festival and Hamsphire show seem very similar.
Immediately upon my return there was the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas on August 3rd (3/8/19). That was followed a day later by another mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio on August 4th (4/8/19). The month was rounded off with the mass shooting in Odessa, Texas on August 31st (31/8/19).
So it should probably come as little surprise that this trip was interrupted by another mass shooting. This time at the Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, US. On November 14th 2019 (14/11/19).
For security reasons I try not to have a pattern for these little trips. However it tends to be the case that I only stay for two nights. On this occasion I stayed for three nights.
"Saugus" is a Native American (Algonquin) word meaning; "Great" or; "Extended." Probably the most famous Saugus is a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. An area of New England I seem particularly linked to. Not least because of a dog with a very Irish first and last name.
It's the same link which allows me to know the Saint Clare of Assisi, from which Santa Clarita takes its name, is famous for the Order of Poor Ladies. Like Franciscan Monks they're famous for their poverty. Often walking about barefoot or in worn out shoes.
The BBC is currently airing the German-Italian miniseries; "The Name of the Rose." Which deals extensively with disputes between the Franciscans and the wider Catholic Church during the 14th Century. Although it doesn't feature anywhere near enough books for one of my mothers.
The November 14th (14/11/19) shooting put pressure on me to react while flagging up that I was an extended trip away. Giving any potential threats another night of opportunity. Although it's unlikely that any of the threats I'm concerned about would be able to translate from Algonquin.
This hostility seems to stem from Saugus High School's role in the; "March For Our Lives" protests. Which followed the the February 14th 2018 (14/2/18) mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, US.
That shooting and the protests that followed served to distract Americans from the 2018 Winter Olympics being held in that other Parkland, the Republic of Korea (RoK).
The main theme of those Olympics was the topic of fake news.
The Olympic Cauldron itself was designed to resemble the Tripod Aliens from H.G Wells' "War of the Worlds." The 1938 radio production of War of the Worlds was considered the greatest media hoax perpetrated against the American people.
Or at least it was. Until the 2016 Presidential campaign.
Curiously this was not the first time Native American languages had been in the news that week. On November 13th (13/11/19) NASA renamed a dwarf planet in the Keppler Belt; "Arrokoth." It's previous name; "Ultima Thule" was too closely linked to Nazis.
Incidentally the BBC has started airing a new adaptation of War of the Worlds. It's been criticised for its efforts to be more "Woke" and "Progressive."
H.G Wells famously despised women.
He also believed the disabled and the inferior races should be exterminated. Through a eugenics program of euthanasia and abortion.
His ultimate dream was that all national borders be abolished and the World be run by a single Socialist regime.
I'm not sure how you can make the master of Fake News more Woke and Progressive.
18:00 on 18/11/19 (UK date).
Sunday 10 November 2019
War's Still Not Ended.
Today in Britain marks Remembrance Sunday.
A tradition which began at the end of the First World War. Supposedly The War to End All Wars this came to an end at the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month. November 11th 1918 (11/11/18).
Declaring themselves the winner of this Great War the Britain and its Empire held a victory parade through central London. On July 19th 1919 (19/7/19).
Part of that parade's route featured a Cenotaph or "Empty Tomb." A wood and plaster sculpture to honour the unknown dead. Those of the some 10 million combatants killed who died without ever being identified.
By design the Cenotaph is free from all religious symbols. To reflect that it is not just the final resting place of European Christians. But also of countless Jews, Muslims, Hindus and members of all other religions and none.
In December 1919 this monument to the unknown dead was taken down and placed in a museum. As the leaders who had ordered the war tried to return to business as usual and forget.
A British public which had seen an entire generation of young men lost were not prepared to let them off so easily. They insisted that the Cenotaph be rebuilt in its original location. From 120 tonnes of stone.
They also demanded that every year Britain's leaders return to that spot. To stand in silence and think. About what they had done. Of all the people they had sent out knowing that many of them would never return.
Over the course of the five year war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) I have come to feel an affinity for those forced to gather at the Cenotaph. Something which is particularly true of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF/QSD) and their small International Brigade.
From the comfort and safety of my home I have cheered countless times as the SDF have been sent off to battle ISIL. Knowing full well that many of those being sent out would never return.
My only consolation is the surety that they too knew that they would not return. That they were being sent out to die.
Yet they went out anyway.
America and its leaders have declared that the war has been won. Twitter has ruled that I can play no further part in it.
Yet, despite these efforts to forget and return to business as usual, the list of those who will never return continues to grow.
In this past year these are the members of the SDF's International Brigade who will not return.
Lorenzo Orsetti; Aged 33, from Italy. Killed by ISIL fire during the Battle of the Hajin Pocket. March 18th 2019 (18/3/19).
Konstantin Gedig; Aged 24, from Germany. Killed by Turkish fire while resisting the invasion of Gire Spi/Tel Abyad. October 16th 2019 (16/10/19).
Zau Seng; Age Unknown, from Myanmar/Burma. Killed by Turkish fire on the town of Tel Tamr. November 3rd 2019 (3/11/19).
A Member of the Free Burma Rangers medical corp.
In this past year these are the members of Combined Joint Task Force: Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOR) that did not return.
Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Farmer; US Army. Aged 37, from Florida. Killed in an ISIL suicide attack in Manbij. January 16th 2019 (16/1/19).
Snr Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent; US Navy. Aged 35, from New York State. Killed in an ISIL suicide attack in Manbij. January 16th 2019 (16/1/19).
Private First Class Michael Thomason; US Army. Aged 28, from Michigan. Killed by suspected Turkish fire in Kobane. April 28th 2019 (28/4/19).
Among with many other Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians and Russians.
10:15 on 10/11/19 (UK date).
A tradition which began at the end of the First World War. Supposedly The War to End All Wars this came to an end at the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month. November 11th 1918 (11/11/18).
Declaring themselves the winner of this Great War the Britain and its Empire held a victory parade through central London. On July 19th 1919 (19/7/19).
Part of that parade's route featured a Cenotaph or "Empty Tomb." A wood and plaster sculpture to honour the unknown dead. Those of the some 10 million combatants killed who died without ever being identified.
By design the Cenotaph is free from all religious symbols. To reflect that it is not just the final resting place of European Christians. But also of countless Jews, Muslims, Hindus and members of all other religions and none.
In December 1919 this monument to the unknown dead was taken down and placed in a museum. As the leaders who had ordered the war tried to return to business as usual and forget.
A British public which had seen an entire generation of young men lost were not prepared to let them off so easily. They insisted that the Cenotaph be rebuilt in its original location. From 120 tonnes of stone.
They also demanded that every year Britain's leaders return to that spot. To stand in silence and think. About what they had done. Of all the people they had sent out knowing that many of them would never return.
Over the course of the five year war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) I have come to feel an affinity for those forced to gather at the Cenotaph. Something which is particularly true of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF/QSD) and their small International Brigade.
From the comfort and safety of my home I have cheered countless times as the SDF have been sent off to battle ISIL. Knowing full well that many of those being sent out would never return.
My only consolation is the surety that they too knew that they would not return. That they were being sent out to die.
Yet they went out anyway.
America and its leaders have declared that the war has been won. Twitter has ruled that I can play no further part in it.
Yet, despite these efforts to forget and return to business as usual, the list of those who will never return continues to grow.
In this past year these are the members of the SDF's International Brigade who will not return.
Lorenzo Orsetti; Aged 33, from Italy. Killed by ISIL fire during the Battle of the Hajin Pocket. March 18th 2019 (18/3/19).
Konstantin Gedig; Aged 24, from Germany. Killed by Turkish fire while resisting the invasion of Gire Spi/Tel Abyad. October 16th 2019 (16/10/19).
Zau Seng; Age Unknown, from Myanmar/Burma. Killed by Turkish fire on the town of Tel Tamr. November 3rd 2019 (3/11/19).
A Member of the Free Burma Rangers medical corp.
In this past year these are the members of Combined Joint Task Force: Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTFOR) that did not return.
Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Farmer; US Army. Aged 37, from Florida. Killed in an ISIL suicide attack in Manbij. January 16th 2019 (16/1/19).
Snr Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent; US Navy. Aged 35, from New York State. Killed in an ISIL suicide attack in Manbij. January 16th 2019 (16/1/19).
Private First Class Michael Thomason; US Army. Aged 28, from Michigan. Killed by suspected Turkish fire in Kobane. April 28th 2019 (28/4/19).
Among with many other Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians and Russians.
10:15 on 10/11/19 (UK date).
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