A A Girl

My daughter is (rightfully) very pleased with herself. She has had two of her mock A-Level papers back and has got one A & one A* so far. She has one paper left to be marked if I am correct. I guess I will find out more when I get back home. 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Yesterday, after collecting Leia from the dog sitter, my wife, daughter and I went home, had breakfast and the entire family decided to watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. I had mentioned that we should have watched it on Saturday, as we were dog free at the time, but most were too tired for this. I did feel mean leaving Leia behind who watched us abandon her (again) as we all left for the cinema.   Things were made worse when we watched the film, not just because of Cosmo the space-dog, but also the eyes of Rocket.

The film itself was very enjoyable.  There were a few minor issues for me, notably a head growing back so quickly and also ALL the survivors of a badly damaged vessel being rescued with just one casualty.  It had a decent plot, a great soundtrack and as usual, I love the characters. Although Gamora was a bit irritating, she was meant to be.  I look forwards to the opportunity to watch it again.

My daughter took Leia out for a long walk and the dog herself was tired by the time my wife and I went to join Lyndsay and Nick.  My daughter joined us for the pub quiz and helped us take third place, which is a record for us. We are never going to win the quiz, but it is fun to take part in it, and it is well run as while the winning team win a prize, there is a bonus prize which all teams have a chance of winning as well.  

If you are interested in watching the film, it is best to avoid the trailer.  As with many trailers, while fun, the film is best watched without seeing the trailer first.  

Yesterday in London

I went to a course in London yesterday. It was good, I learned a bit and was reminded about a few issues that I had forgotten as well.

My wife took the children around central London and after my course I walked to meet them at Borough Market. It was lovely walking through London, I have not done a walk like that in our capital city in years, possibly decades. It was also strange to do such a walk without Leia, our dog, who is at the dog sitters.

As you can see from the previous post, I have played my daughter at Dobble. She is under the illusion that she beat me, and that in one game I pushed her over (she fell and I was trying to help her). Obviously all know that I beat her as she would never be able to beat me…

And on the topic of winning and losing, Arsenal lost yet another game, this time against a team facing relegation, or rather they were until they beat us, allowing Manchester City to win the title before they play their game later today.  It is annoying that we lost the title, but I cannot complain too much considering that we overcame a twelve point deficit to win the league in 1998 and we finished the 2010-11 season in 4th place having been a point behind the league leaders at one point. 

I was DESTORYED by my 17 year old daughter at dobble

 Maia de Silva is the smartest, most beautiful and lovely daughter I could ever have. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

The title and first line of this blog entry was by my daughter 

"Four legs good, two legs better" in relation to sewage and our water companies

Two days ago, I had a twitter discussion about utilities being privatised and if this is needed or not. The debate ended after I pointed out that none of us want water companies to pay out dividends while pumping sewage into our rivers. I also pointed out how I am happy for companies to pay dividends so long as they provide the service we would expect if they were nationalised.  

I did not realise that this was going to be in the news today as the same companies that have paid out huge dividends to shareholders now want to raised prices to stop dumping sewage into our rivers and on our beaches.  I had tweeted last year about how the law had been changed to allow sewage to be dumped by private companies.  Fortunately, this came to the public eye after our family had returned from Devon, but this was not the case for the manager where I work who went swimming in the sea in Devon at this time!

What I said still stands as I think that nationalisation for the sake of it will be too expensive to the tax-payer, at this time.  Nationalisation of a utility that is failing to provide the service we would expect of it if nationalised is a different matter, especially if that company is fined for not meeting its obligations and prevented from paying shareholders in that event.  I suspect that the water companies will have to be one of them at this rate.      

Should people be able to change their minds about what they are?

Transitioning at a young age with the use of medications is right for many people, it is also the wrong thing for many, an example being Keira Bell. We can either accept that this is an area to discuss or refuse to do so.

Sadly, it appears to be deemed transphobic to raise such issues, especially as the use of drugs and surgery at a young age can be irreversible.  I have come across many people, who in adult life come out as being gay, bisexual or non-binary.  There is nothing wrong with that, but it would be wrong to say to someone that the sexuality or gender identity that they have as a child or teenager is something that they will have to carry for the rest of their lives.  Most children who consider themselves to be gay or bisexual are going to be so, and when I say most, I have encountered a lesbian who has realised that she is bisexual after meeting and falling in love with the 'right' man later in her life, but that tends to be the exception rather than the rule.

It is also just as sad to state that children should be banned from such treatments as it is felt by many that they cannot consent to such treatment being under the age of 18.  

If we are to be able to work out what is the least worst path to follow with this matter (for harm will come to some no matter what choice is made), we need to be able to have a debate on this looking at facts and also to be able to listen to concerns from all about this matter.

The screaming by those against this discussion, who reside on the extremes of both sides of this debate, is pathetic. 

 

Refugees should not be considered to be migrants

I am proud that our nation took in refugees fleeing the invasion of Ukraine from safe third party nations such as Poland. I am tempted to ask if there is a reason that non-white Asylum Seekers in France are not offered the same (as offered by France in 2021) because that would Stop The Boats.  But I know the answer.  

We have a political party in power who acts like Alan B'stard when it comes to refugees.  The sad thing is that the episode of the New Statesman, Heil and Farewell, is sadly accurate and in many ways reflects the position of our government on refugees.

So when Gary Lineker comments about the language used to describe asylum seekers, or others make similar comparisons, I can understand this.

    

I have mixed feelings about gate-crashing the speeches being made as I do not think that freedom of speech should be infringed by protest, but while this protest did cause disruption, it did not stop those on the right from speaking, so overall, I accept this form of protest.

As we know, too many people do not have a safe and legal route to claim asylum here that is worthy.  We have seen it with those trying to flee Afghanistan where they are subjected to abuse when they flee to a neighbouring nation, as well as the many that we have left to suffer there.