Boxing Day 2023

Even though I went to work for a few hours, today has been quite relaxing over the last few days, we have played a few games. One was about music from 2000-2010+, the kids were great sports, playing even though it was set a bit too early for them. Another one was a quiz but that resulted in my wife and son deciding that they did not want to be on the same team as my daughter.

Apparently, her competitive zeal has been noted at her sixth form. In a politics quiz she was very assertive with her teammate, but in her psychology class, she was quite vocal. 

My wife made a great Christmas meal and even included the dog in her cooking, making Leia a meal that the dog absolutely loved.  My present for my son had not arrived in time so he had to make do with a vinyl album. My daughter got one of my hoodies, this being the hoodie I wore when she was born. She had tried to steal it from me before, but I had managed to get it back, and for the last few months, hid it. She was very happy to have it as a gift. 

The Kings Speech

It was the first Kings Speech that we watched today. One which would be viewed by many as being political. I felt his speech referred to the cost of living crisis and also could be viewed as taking care of refugees. The last point is especially important considering how today is celebrated by many as the birth of the most famous refugee of all. 

The Westleton Crown

We traveled to see my mother yesterday morning and have taken a break for the day in Suffolk now. My brother and I had discussed who was to spend time with her this Christmas, we had her last year when she took offence with us, but my brother spent two lockdown Christmas’s with her in 2020 and 2021. However, she decided that she is going to spend Christmas alone this year. But, she loved seeing the children face to face.

After that, we drove to stay overnight, in a dog friendly place, where I explored with her for her dog walks. The food and service was fabulous and it was a much needed break after another hard year.

Transgender rules in schools

Again I agree and disagree with the government about its rules on transgender matters for schools. 

I think that single sex toilets based on biological sex should be present, but despite the risks, schools should have the right to also provide gender neutral toilets for pupils. I do agree with segregation of changing and showering areas based on biological sex, this also being the rule for sports in situations where segregation takes place. 

I do think that children should have the right to socially transition in schools, within these limits, without parents being involved. As happens with conditions like abortions for underage children, efforts should be made to involve parents, but if the child says no, I do think that wish should be respected. 

There are over 100 gender identities and we should allow people to learn about them if they think that they may be non-binary when it comes to this. I have seen too many people live unhappy lives living a lie.

Baroness Mone being fed to the sharks

It has been an interesting few days for Baroness Mone.  There has been a lot of pressure for her to face the consequences of supplying substandard PPE as part of the chumocracy.  To be fair to her, it was not just her, others linked to the Conservatives had supplied substandard PPE while our nation exported PPE supplies to Italy even though there was a shortage. 

What is different here is that she threatened legal action against those who wanted to publish facts, facts that she now admits were true.  And in addition to that, she has been thrown to the wolves by the Tories.  But one of them made public a WhatsApp message that they had told the COVID inquiry they had no access to.  I do hope the inquiry calls Lord Bethell back.

That’s not the way the Israel Defense Forces operates

The IDF have claimed that they do not kill civilians when it comes to the deaths of women in a church compound in Gaza. This is the same IDF that killed three Israeli hostages when they were trying to flee to safety with a white flag. After the attacks by Hamas on Israel, I was in favour of retaliatory action, but this went too far ages ago and I know agree with calls for a permanent ceasefire. 

I still pray for a just peace in the Holy Land.  I did not think it was possible in Northern Ireland.  It happened and I think that the Oslo Accords can be opened again.

Driving in my car

Yesterday was relaxing, until I let me daughter drive my car.  She is learning to drive, and while she has opted to learn how to drive a manual car, she is practicing in my electric one, which is in essence an automatic one.  We drove around Colchester.  She found it strange that I kept telling her to drive faster, but we were on a main road and it is important when on one, not to slow other traffic down, so long as they are sticking to the speed limit and driving in an appropriate manner for the conditions.  She is much better than I was when I was at that stage of learning, though it has cost a lot to add her to my insurance!  

I did get to relax with my son as well during the day and my wife and I took part in our local pub quiz, ending the year by coming second from last!  And our dog loved our morning walk!