He was an amazing person and astronaut. He was happy to play his role. He wrote a beautiful autobiography.

May our memories of him and his life’s accomplishments inspire generations to follow.

Looks like it broke its neck. It was quite a thud.

So I wrapped it up in newspaper, popped it into a ziplock, and placed it in the freezer.

Called the local taxidermy guy just out of town. £130 to mount it up.

At least the bird will have an after-life.

Need to find a nice glass dome.

Considering we counted 95 blue tit landings in an hour during the RSPB Birdwatch last season, I can suppose there is still a healthy population.

Presented here (and with a bit of cringe)...

|

Time for a celebratory drink! Opening the Bollinger now...

[link:|

Trump2024.eu
trump2024.org.uk
trump2024.uk

on the web domain registry.

cost me $24 for the next 12 months

I consider this guerrilla warfare.

Any thoughts?

We've got our tracking spreadsheet ready, a fresh bottle of Botanist Gin, a cracking fire on in the stove, and all our Michigan based friends connected via WhatsApp, BBC, ITV and on-line sources queued up...

We can only hope for a good evening and a good result.

Best of luck to us ALL!

It took 6 days to arrive here in the U.K. mailed from Birmingham, MI.

Curious if there are other Michigan ExPats voting from overseas and what postal lead-time they have seen so far.

Filling out my ballot tonight and then off to the Royal Mail tomorrow!

From Kim G. Speech.

What the hell does that mean or imply?

Did anyone else pick up on this?

... The Postal Inspection System seem to be working rather well.

(Apologies if this should be in the editorial section - but I am encouraging discussion so I guess it go to either. I'll let the moderators correct me if I've posted this incorrectly)

I don’t post very much – mostly responding and supporting others - but these last few days I’ve been thinking about these unmarked, masked federal agents/gestapo who are wandering around Portland…

Trying to view them as fellow human beings, I can’t help but consider the common humanity we share with them:

1) They have families and loved ones
2) They keep their job because they most likely need the income and security
3) They likely have a spiritual or intellectual way of rationalizing the wider world
4) They have hobbies and personal pursuits
5) They have favourite foods, music, movies, etc.
6) They feel pain when hurt (either emotional or physical)

But I’m also drawn to the differences and other observations concerning these agents/gestapo (can we just say Secret Police?)

1) They subscribe to the current right-wing zeitgeist - and most likely have had military training
2) They support the current government and its policies (assumption: They are white)
3) Their masks and lack of proper identification allow them full expression of their inner motivation (and aggression against something they distain)
4) They have consciously agreed to actually be Secret Police
5) They behave as if they are psychopaths (Which they likely are)
6) They lack the ability to consider others as human beings – rather “Objects” instead - they de-humanise us when they attack
7) They are acting as if they really are the gestapo – and so one could assume that they either lack a reasonable understanding of history, or they fully subscribe to the ideals of the history they are repeating
8) They probably do not appreciate that they represent a vast source of sarcasm and humour for our beloved late-night show hosts

So, my personal summary (and don’t waste time asking how I got here) is:

1) We have allowed a “Authoritarian Psychopathic Police State” (APPS) to birth itself over the past 40 years)
2) We must start planning and implementing any social actions with full understanding of how such authoritarian entity will behave (consult with social psychologists to ascertain appropriate and effective responses)
3) We should likely refrain from being “Shocked” about the most recent abusive behaviour emanating from our APPS and instead channel our rage into viable action via #2 above)
4) Admit and understand that our late-night comedy (Whilst entertaining) actually desensitises us (Sorry that should be Me!) in a slow and effective manner
5) Vote like you, your family, your friends, and our planet depend on it!
6) Don’t let the “Miniature Orange Foreskin” get you down!!!

Anyway, Thanks for reading and considering – my perceptions may be incorrect, and I also may be assuming things I should not. Please have a think and add any constructive thoughts/observations.

Kindest regards to all… (especially everyone standing up on the streets of Portland!)