No – it was sh*t televesion….
Welcome to the March offering of stuff that’s currently in my head. It’ll touch on work, music and life in general – but like almost every other civilised sentient being it would be impossible to pretend that global politics is also not dominating much of my brainpower. Other people have written at great length about that press conference and how not to do diplomacy, leadership or grace. I was appalled – obviously – but the comment that stuck with me was ‘that’ll make great television’. Which of course it didn’t – it made terrible television. If I wanted to see good television about playground bullies I can look at the BBC archives of Grange Hill. Zammo would have given JD Vance a right slap.
There’s a bit of the 80’s student lefty in me that is quite grateful that the US is exiting its self appointed role as ‘policeman’ of the world – and its probably right that Europe starts to act with more unity again. 2.5-3% of GDP spent in defence doesn’t feel like huge sums – and indeed was much less that ‘we’ used to spend before becoming over-reliant on the US for security. But I can’t get my head round the governments intellectual contortions of reasserting ‘our’ claim to some kind of global leadership at a time of consequential crises whilst also holding on to entirely fictitious ‘fiscal rules’.
Rebuild defence capability for sure – but not off the backs of the worlds poorers and most vulnerable. If ever there was a time to actually do something quite radical like a one-off wealth tax – paid by those who have fleeced us the most over the last 20 years or so this is it. Step up lads – there’s a war brewing. . Only the really unpatriotic would up sticks and leave surely. And while they’re not looking – fix the social care crisis, pay the victims of the infected blood and post office scandals. Make some redress for Grenfell. Sort out the WASPI women.
So it was sh*t television but also entirely predictable. The current occupants of the White House have accused the Poles of being fascists – whilst literally tweeting their support of the AfD in Germany and pound shop nazi Yaxley-Lennon in this country. These are appalling men with odious attitudes to people of colour, to women, to trans people, to migrants and even public servants.
There’s an interesting movement encouraging individual economic boycotts of their backers – there are always alternatives to shopping on Amazon, to driving a Tesla etc
February was an interesting month in the world of work – projects finished and time to re-group and to re-engage with old colleagues over coffee, lunch and walks. Its the company of good people literally trying to change the world for the better that keeps me grounded and naievely optimistic about the future. So Bec, Nic, Ellie, Henry, Karen, Jon, Kevin, Rondine – thanks it all helps.
Starting with a couple of new projects this month with old and existing clients whilst also engaging about some work in less familiar operating areas. Which is good for me as it helps me learn, think and work out what I don’t know (which is lots). More of this assuming they come to fruition.
Just finished reading Upbeat – the story of the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq. Uplifting anmd insightful about attempts to build and nurture culture and creativity in the aftermath of war, occupation and life under a despot. Could be a blueprint for all of us. So I’ve started reading Minority Report – Adventures in the culture war as well as a couple of novels to lighten the load.
Gig-wise – The Murder Capital put on a great show launching their new album, WH Lung consummate performers and Squid last night were all great evenings out. All will pale into insignificance this weekend though when we see The Selecter tour celebrating 45 years of Too Much Pressure. Doc Martins polished, Sta Prest trousers ironed, Ben Sherman shirt to hand.
Dog is continuing to flourish and adapt to our lives. Has to spend more time with me than he’s used to since J has got a new job. He hated this for a few days – although to be fair they did coincide with him getting neutered. Something that earned him a lot more sympathy than I remember following a vasectomy many years ago…. maybe that’s oversharing though.
Anyway – let’s try and stay positive for the next few weeks – on 22 months and 2 weeks until the US mid-terms. Surely they’ll wake up by then.
