Arsenal finish second. Again.

Arsenal started the final really well, pressing The Team That Rhymes With City really well, but the game changed and the pressure our players applied stopped. And then we were beaten, and sadly, I would have to say deservedly so. The season can progress in one of two ways. Arsenal can use this experience to continue to focus and go on to win something this season, or our main rival can be reinvigorated, stop dropping points and catch us. Again. 

The Out-Laws

First of all, family. We drove to Bristol to collect my daughter. So the family are all back together. We met up at a restaurant where I was able to charge my car. The change in the weather has made a difference to its range, something I knew before, but this has been a big difference.

Once at home, we wound down to relax, watching The Out-Laws. For those who have yet to watch it, don’t. The Guardian rated it one out of five. I would have to agree. It did have some genuinely funny lines but this is not a film for me. 

As for today, I went to the Gaza protest in town at lunch. As before, I did not take part in all the chants, but while the world is watching Iran, the world is not taking notice of the continued ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Bethlehem was mentioned at the protest, but many forget that the way to get the world to take more notice is to focus on the plight of Christians in Palestine. Sadly, the world seems not to care about the plight of Muslims.  Also, the protest showed the effectiveness of The Epstein War, as the attacks on Iran were mentioned, but no one mentioned how Epstein files containing allegations against Donald Trump which had been made by a thirteen year old girl. For those who are interested, I have posted a timeline before. 

Anyway, it is time for the cup final. I am going to be very nervous until it is over. Fingers crossed that I am in a good mood at the end of it. 

Trump, the cowards of NATO and Iran

Trump is not pleased.  He considers NATO members to be cowards for not joining in his special military operation.  

While Iran would have us quake in our boots, the reason for not joining has nothing to do with the nightmare that "liberating" the The Strait of Hormuz would be.  Or even that this is a very illegal war, or not war. 

The reason for not joining this, is because Trump started this war to distract from allegations involving him and a thirteen year old girl.  It has met its objectives in that few are talking about Trump and an underage girl.  It is a shame to many have had to die for this.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

I rewatched this again.  For those who know me, and have read my earlier post on a similar issue, some may be aware I like fantasy Role Playing.  I run an online campaign on a play-by post basis on Discord.  Well, I run three.  One of them has a nautical part to it, hence me watching it.  

I still love the film.  I will be watching the sequels, but from what I remember, none match the original, though some will have ideas that I will copy.

I love the characters, some better than others.  It is a great kids film that adults love. And I am glad I watched it again. In the unlikely event that you have not seen this film, it is well worth watching it. 

Trump may outflank the left with NATO

There are many on the left who are against the UK being part of NATO. It may be a redundant argument soon. Having started the war (or special military operation) against Iran (in my view because of allegations about a thirteen year old girl), Trump has realised that things are not as simple as he thought. The UK is not alone in being reluctant to aid Trump and Israel in this illegal war. 

But Trump holds grudges.  I have posted about my concerns with Trump and NATO before. I had doubts that the USA, under Trump, would aid Europe if Russia attacks it. Those doubts are even stronger now.

The winners so far in this war are:

Israel as no other US president would allow them to attack Iran in this way. They will not get another chance again.

Russia, as oil sanctions have been suspended, and if the war continues, will remain so.

Trump, as no one is asking him about the allegations involving a (then) thirteen year old girl.

Mother’s Day 2026

Yesterday we took my wife to Suffolk. One of the places she wanted to go to was The Westleton Crown. We have been here a few times before and loved it. But it appears to have changed hands. The food there is good, but the reason we returned was because the food used to be exceptional.  It was a lovely day out for her, my son the dog and me, but it is one I doubt we will repeat. 

The Last Voyage of the Demeter

For my research into role playing, I watched this film.  I run three campaigns and this offered me the chance to learn for two of them, one being The Curse Of Strahd, featuring one of the most famous vampires in roleplaying, the other being a journey to the Isle of Dread.

Was it an enjoyable film?  Yes.  Would I watch it again?  No.  While the Guardian rated it below average, I would disagree, it is an average film.  It could have been better, but it could have been worse and it was not.