A love story

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was in love with a boy.  They broke up. He met someone else.  She made an amazing album.  I was told about the latest addition to this story on the weekend. Enjoy.  

Where the Crawdads Sing

First of all, family.  My son was in a mood with me for most of yesterday.  This did appear to lift when the rest of us got back from the film, but I was going to bed.  Still, I much prefer him being in a good mood than not.  This did mean that we did not watch Grey's Anatomy, but we did watch Ms. Marvel.  She appears to be his favourite superhero at present.  Not mine, but I did love the final episode and I do think that she is a great character.  If pressed, I would probably say I enjoyed it more than Thor: Love and Thunder.  I think.  

My daughter has started to read about biology in preparation for her A-levels.  My wife is still hoping that she will attend Colchester County High School for Girls for her sixth-form education, but I have accepted that this is very very unlikely and that she will be going to the sixth form college.  My wife and I agree, that the standard of teaching and the support that she will get is not going to be as good at the sixth form college, but I do think that this will be an experience closer to university than remaining at her current school and this may aid her when (or if) she goes to university.

My son did not join us in watching the football, though again my wife and daughter watched it (along with Leia at times).  It was frustrating at times, notably once Germany scored as we were hoping to watch the end of the game before we left to watch the film.  It is not often my daughter watches football with me, though my wife will watch the major matches and we do have fond, but sad memories of them.  We had to leave once extra time started, but were very happy to get the alert by text that the Lionesses had won.  At least, a trophy for English football since 1966!

Right, the film.  I have not experienced such depression and despair watching a film in a while.  I loved it and I cannot understand why it has not been appreciated.  True, I did wonder why the body of Chase had not been eaten by alligators after his fall, but I felt that the film conveyed how Kya felt really well.  It may be that the film does not match up to the book, or it could be that the trailer ruins too much of it.  Like with most films that I want to watch, I did not watch the trailer before the film and this may have meant that I was able to appreciate it more than the critics.  I am very glad that I watched it and I will be watching this again when it is on the small screen. 

The Tavistock gender identity clinic and trying to make the right decision

Sadly the Tavistock gender identity clinic is to close. NHS England have promised to replace it, but working in the NHS I have repeatedly seen big differences in the aspirations of what NHS England have, and the reality that results.

The wait for treatment at the clinic is ever increasing, and by increasing, I mean in a manner faster than the way NHS waiting lists have increased under the Conservatives. 

I do feel sorry for those working at the clinic. There is a huge and increasing demand for assessment, and all those who want to be seen, at the time, are convinced that they need to transition.  But, Keira Bell has stated that the gender clinic 'should have challenged me more' over transition. Patients should not have to wait as long as they are having to, for these assessments, and the service should be given the capability to assess patients as well as is reasonable so that there are less people like Keira Bell, but also less people who should transition on the waiting list.  

I am also concerned that the new Conservative leader is going to put more barriers in the way for people to get these assessments, an example of why I have these concerns being the refusal to ban conversion therapy.

I have posted my views on gender identity before and recently have taken part in a discussion on Twitter about it. Sadly, when challenged, this person decided to withdraw from the discussion, but now appears to have their account suspended. They had asked me to look at a video about what JK Rowling had said, and my views on this can be seen here.

None who are in favour of all men being allowed to enter safe spaces for women so long as they are, or claim to be Trans have answered if this should apply in a local school which has been challenged about rape culture and misogyny. To put it simply, what I and JK Rowling are concerned about is the threat posed by a minority of men, not a threat posed by TransWomen.      

The Matrix Resurrections

First of all, the family update.  Leia is back to normal, the kids have started to bicker (though only at times), my daughter misses her friend in France and most of us went out for breakfast today.  My son opted to stay at home, which was his loss as we returned to The Red Dog, though this time with my daughter.

Yesterday at work was a challenge, though not as bad as I thought it was going to end up.  I needed a rest today so took things easy with a late walk to Highwoods park with Leia and the walk was shorter than normal.

As a family, we did get to play a game together and while my son and I lost, it was a close thing.

Now, Matrix Resurrections.  I thought that it was going to be terrible.  The Matrix was an awesome film, but it’s sequels did not match up.  This did.  I will have to watch all four films again to appreciate this properly and when I do, I may not like this as much as I do now, but I did enjoy it and would recommend other Sci-fi nerds to watch it. 

You belong with me

That was the end of a full day.  Yesterday our garden had a lot of work done on it and our patio was treated with weed killer which meant that our dog was not allowed our in the back garden for the day.  She had loads of energy when I got back last night.  Due to that, I took her for a long walk this morning.  After that it was breakfast and then working from home.  My wife was doing the same which was quite nice.

We went to collect my daughter and two of her friends who had gone to France.  Fortunately my wife came, as we were not able to find a parking space. We were quite pleased that she was worn her face-mask on the plane, she being aware that my brother had caught COVID when travelling to the US on one of the few occasions that he did not wear a face-mask! 

After that it was a return to work and then a meal out at the Three Horseshoes in Fordham.  We have been there before and the food was great.  Leia loved meeting the dog that lives there, but got very jealous when we paid attention to it, and then decided to blank it! To be fair, it was a lovely dog and it was the first time that she saw all of us with another dog, and the first time every that she saw me with another one.  She became quite needy afterwards and needed reassurance that we loved her.  On the weekend I had met a man who said that as much as he likes dogs, if he touches one and returns home with the scent of another, he gets in trouble as his dog will just ignore him!  Leia was not that bad, but none of us expected her to be the jealous type! 

Critical Race Theory

I think that Trevor Noah is a great communicator.  I do not agree with everything he says, but he is able to get his views across in a simple manner which I can only envy.  One of the many things that he has been able to explain well is with how actions to disenfranchise those who are not white in the USA resulted in generational wealth being a perk mainly for (some) white people.  

There are those who do not agree with teaching this, which is fine, but I would love them to watch this and let me know if they think what he has said is wrong, and if so, explain why.  

Knackered

Yesterday I cycled to work.  I took a long route as I wanted to cycle to the offices of my second job which I do on Wednesday's.  When I went, it was sunny and a bit windy.  The cycle to my second job was a stretch for me and I had to walk on bits and took flatter options where possible including the trip to my nail job. On the way back it was a more breezy and was a lot hotter.  I am not able to cycle as I could before the pandemic hit, but I am not as bad as I thought I would be.  I was exhausted for the rest of the day and have yet to recover today.  Here is hoping that my energy levels return soon!  

My son took Leia out yesterday for a walk to see one of his friends who has a Chihuahua which, according to him, she stood on.  She does love other dogs, most of the time, but can be wary of large hairy ones.  Following that, he retired to his room but did come down to a Gousto meal that my wife helped me prepare.  He did not mind the fake chicken that was the meal.  My wife hates it, but I am hoping to start to enjoy cooking by using this.  After all this, it was a dog walk before Love Island which I watched with my wife.  While it is not the most moral of TV shows, it is great being with her while we watch it together.