Jazz Club

Genial, Gimlet'd Gallants,

All Cosmopolitan Confidence,

Wishing Daiquiri Dalliances

And Moonlit Manhattens

Call Sidecars for

Socialite Scandal

Boycott Burns Night

Oh dear, that's not a Haggis! It's the highly secretive Haggis Hound. It's a bit of a misnomer as it's actually part of the rodent family and not a hound at all though. They spend their days roaming the heather uplands of Scotland, looking for food and wisps of wool with which to line their dens. 

This species exhibit an unusual adaptation to their environment. The limbs on one side of their body are longer than on the other. This makes ascending and, indeed, descending the rocky crags in a spiral path easier. It is also thought to be implicated in their declining numbers as mating is only successful if the pair comprises one clockwise hound and one anticlockwise one. It is for this reason, the Highlanders have instigated a breeding program. It's location is a highly guarded secret as some in the Whisky trade consider the Haggis Hound to be a pest due to their competing for the more exotic botanicals used to flavour the best single malts. 

Most Scots would be deeply saddened to see the loss of these wee beasties however, and enjoy the sound of its voice echoing around the glens. It's territorial calls are said to sound like the hissing of the peat fires in traditional stone crofting cottages.

Moist Toilet Paper

I've just noticed that Andrex Washlets have detailed instructions on how to clean your arse printed on them. I can't help feel this marks a new low for society.

Farewell my Lovely Girl.

Nutmeg (Jenanca Shu Lan) was assisted to die about 1am on 04/12/1017, aged 19 after a short few months of renal failure. 

She went peacefully after being in a lot of pain for a day. The out of hours lady vet was so kind and soft with us both. 

RIP and run with with Maximus my darling. You were so difficult to read but also a loving companion. I miss you so much, my Pink Minx.

Young

Old

Talkative Cats

I have Korat and Thai cats ruling my life. These natural felines from Thailand are noted for being talkers. Some quiet, some scream, some sing the songs of their ancestors. And then there are some who are really skilled at dialogue. My Thai Bluepoint boy, Sam is one such.

Sam doesn't talk a lot but when he does, it's clearly in distinct sentences. Even my home hair dresser commented on it. I just knew he was asking about what she was doing to me. I explained human hair grows a lot longer than Korats' does so we have it cut to stop it getting a tangled mess and to make it easier to look after. He gave me his acknowledgement short meow and took himself off, curiosity satisfied.

Normally Sam has a wee chat then shuts up. After his stay at the vet's last year, he didn't stop talking for three days after he got back the second time, I got chapter, verse, and Cliff notes! The vet did say as we were leaving "He's quite talkative. I suppose it's the breed?". I'd answered, "They do talk a little". In hindsight, the vet must've thought I was a lunatic if Sam had been chatting like he did those three days! He was certainly a hit; he stank of numerous perfumes and aftershaves.

He finally shut up when I picked up the crate to put it away. He ran round in circles talking at ninety miles an hour. I stood there, crate in one hand, the other on my hip. When he finally took a breath, I said "I know you're really, properly well now and don't need to go back to the vet a third time. I was just going to put it away.". He plonked his butt down and replied "Oh!".

Reactions to Terror

I was examining my reaction to the recent terror attacks today. I've listened to those who, like me, weren't there or otherwise directly affected say they were shocked, horrified, and upset. I've felt none of these. I've found myself feeling that these events are boringly predictable and faintly irritating.

This isn't about a lack of empathy, I do sympathise with all those affected. I do get annoyed at those spouting ill informed nonsense after the event. Nor is it hubris nor a lack of comprehension. I was born in the '60s and grew up against a background of terrorism. At times it seemed that every week brought news of bombings, hijackings, and abductions by groups such as the Red Brigade, Baader-Meinhof, and various Palestinian groups.

I worked in London during the era of the IRA's car and truck bombs. I narrowly missed being involved in one thanks to a British Rail delay to my usual train (oh, the irony). I felt my office rock on it's foundations when the two park bombs went off. It was a bit unsettling given my desk was on the 16th floor. Decades later, It gave me a minuscule insight into why people chose to fling themselves off the Twin Towers in New York rather than burn. At the time, my reaction was a forerunner of what I've heard on the news recently. An intense irritation, a mental "Well, f**k you too" followed by a silent oath to continue my life as it was before, albeit a more vigilant one.

I've been led to wonder whether I've been hardened against such events by the time into which I was born. Did listening to my parents and grandparents talk of their experience of the World Wars have an effect on my views today? Did living though the birth of modern terrorism shape my emotional and intellectual responses today? I guess the answer would have to be "Yes". Does the lack of such history make recent events that more shocking, more frightening for younger people? Does the all pervasive media now make it more difficult to put aside the scariness, make nightmares more likely for the young? Again, I would assume so. In which case, how can my generation make it easier for our youth, particularly those who are sitting at home or primary school in tears through a lack of comprehension despite family and teachers explaining the rarity of such events. It's hardly reassuring to be told being run down or dying falling out of bed is more likely statistically!

More questions than answers in my blog today, I know. Thoughts, readers?

Blue Leadership

Strong and Stable
My Name's May-ble
Strong and Stable
Am I Able?
Strong and Stable
I'll Take your Gable
Strong and Stable
I'll Further Disable
Strong and Stable
Brexit Card Table
Strong and Stable
Economic Fable
Strong and Stable
Strong and Stable
Strong and Stable

F.A. Wilson 26/05/17