Is Russia actually losing this war, or is it just media propaganda?

No-one really wins a war. People lose their lives over a conflict of resources. It’s just a faster way of destroying everything. But in another way, Russia is actually winning it. For a country that’s been dominated by a dictator, they’re certainly getting closer to taking back their own country than they have been in a long time. People are leaving the country in droves to avoid being called up to the front line as labour depletes. There’s plenty of decent people there who are protesting the war and are standing up to their ‘government’ while there’s very few people who can enforce it since they’re serving on the front line. At some point, people will say no to this action and will stand up against their authorities. They may attempt to control their little sector of the world. There might even be a weak border that will allow others to infiltrate. I just wish they’d hurry up.

Goldielocks

He sits like a gummy bear on his pedestal while meditating. At first glance, he looks like he’s got a bling chain spelling out the word ‘LIFE’ beneath his jacket, but on closer inspection it’s actually a swastika. It’s no wonder that the Nazi Party decided to rotate this symbol forty-five degrees to disrupt this intended symbol of peace. He also wears a red armband to show that he’s a paid-up resident to get into the all-you-can-eat buffet, and there’s also discs behind his hand that he could be getting ready to throw at you. There must be a fair bit of gold in it, though that shouldn’t bother the Buddhists. It’s mounted up high to stop people from getting up there easily and it could be a wooden statue painted gold for all we know. I like the hair. I wonder if it’s made out of brushes so that it’s easier to maintain. Those candles look a bit more like light bulbs than a proper wick and flame though. Considering it’s a Jade Temple, there’s not that much of it on display.

Wombats

What is a wombat? How does it differ from a normal bat? Is it able to travel about more freely because it’s not nocturnal? Does it have a womb which makes it a female bat? Perhaps it’s cuter and cuddlier than a normal bat. Is it a type of bat that’s confined to one continent? Perhaps it doesn’t fly at all and burrows its way around rather than use wings. Does it emit a different noise to that of other bats? Is it a rounder more traditional purple bat that you tend to see in cartoons rather than the blue/grey bat with cat-like ears that you might spot in the woods late at night? Does it shake up and down in flight to try and balance its body as opposed to a regular bat which flies like a dart? Is it extinct or endangered which explains why so few people know about them? Perhaps there was a mistake in a pet shop and the customer meant to say ‘wrong bat’ or got given Ron the bat instead.

Monkie Business

Our last site of the day was to a Buddhist temple. The outside courtyard looked like a Chinese hobbit hole with its circular doors leading into the buildings, while the bonsai tree outside looked very worn. The buildings were very decorative though, and hygiene must be important to them since they were jet washing parts of the floor during our visit. It’s a shame that it was dwarfed by towering city apartment blocks outside. Within the building were some very beautiful deities on display. There were lovely ornate purple statues on a gold background that were surrounded by floral displays to match. There were huge masked being entrapped behind framed windows as if they were looking into us from another dimension. Some were happy, some were sad, and some just jeered at you in jest when you had to make a choice as if they knew the right solution but they weren’t going to give away anything. 

Word of the Day

It’s nondescript. There’s no real definition to it. Just like its voice really, apart from the introduction being read out like a zany show host with a pause for an annoying theme tune that’s yet to be inserted, then it flicks back to its regular voice.  The pause between the two voices isn’t long enough so you get confused as to who’s speaking and what’s being said. I like the fact that it spells it out for you in case you’ve misheard it, but this would be more useful before hearing the definition. It’s also a shame that there’s not an opportunity to hear it in a sentence like a traditional spelling bee. I wonder how the words are picked. Is it a random selection from the dictionary each day? Would my Word of the Day be the same as someone else’s? And how does it work in another country with a different time zone? At least it’s not in alphabetical order. 

Musing Around

After lunch we were whisked off to a museum. This was an unexpected stop on our tour, but it was a substitute for some gardens that were closed. There were three floors to explore, and we picked out a few of the exhibits that we wanted to see and we’d put the rest aside to view if there was time. The first exhibition we saw was how trade was established with the use of tools and the creation of the earliest coins which were simply circular discs with squares punched through them. There were also some very colourful costumes, although you do begin to question them when a man had a unicorn horn sticking out of his turban. We also saw some very beautifully decorated longboats and some musical instruments. I loved the pottery including a very strange water jug that might have functioned as a bedpan, and a huge chest with handles that could have been used as a gigantic teapot.

Mysterious Angel

He’s a mystery man that I don’t think that I’ve ever met. I’ve only spoken to him, but it conjures up an image of a bearded man with wings sprouting out of a grey fleece gently descending with a firkin in his hands. The conversation was something to do with beer. Perhaps he was asking for directions as to where to bring it. He might have even won an award during the event. According to the good book he’s still brewing, but I haven’t heard of him or seen any of his beers on anyone’s bar since. Have we done something to offend him? Maybe the novelty has worn from trying a new brewery and that his beers weren’t that good later down the line. There’s certainly nothing on display outside the address but it might not be something that you want to advertise anyway if you can’t afford to make the site secure. I’ll have to ask the locals. 

Scatterbox

Lunch was served in a strange restaurant. It felt as if it used to serve colonial diners who were waiting for a train, but it’s since been converted. A large public dining room was available downstairs through a hotel lobby, but we were directed upstairs into private rooms on the first floor. We travelled down narrow corridors and were eventually split up into different rooms. They weren’t particularly interesting other than having ornate chandeliers, but every room was boarded with decorative wallpaper and a tiny window that existed just to feed light into the room rather than offer any view. Nevertheless, we were served the same Chinese menu that we’d gotten used to throughout our stay, which was to rotate giant serving plates around a giant lazy susan. I did find a sign that offered free Wi-Fi on the way to discover the bathroom, which was much appreciated by all.

Tales of the Bottom #vampress 9

There wasn’t even a beach or any sign of debris floating in the cove which appeared overnight. Some of the braver children stuck their head underwater expecting to see a huge house at the bottom of the sea, but all that was there was a gaping underwater chasm. Where had their fathers and elder brothers gone? It was the Transylvanian way not to show the children the corpse because there was seldom one anyway, leaving the knowledge of death to be a mystery. And it was this tale that one of the children wrote to her penfriend in England as part of a school project to learn of other cultures. It could sometimes take up to a month for the latest news to filter through or at least receive a reply owing to the slow postal service and the enthusiasm of each child. But one child did decide to correspond over their summer once she’d read of this extraordinary news.

Perusing Pagodas

I loved the wavy roofs that stretched to the skies and some of them even looked like that they were made of dragon scales. There were dragon statues outside every door and beautiful displays of umbrellas which made a change from the ones that you see on café tables. Outside the tearooms was a beautiful fountain with lilies floating in full bloom. There were fishermen in boats tending to the koi carp and we even saw a terrapin turtle or two paddle by. Was this a breeding farm? The cafes were fully stocked of crab and there was even a robot making milkshakes. The one thing that I did want to get hold of was a nice t-shirt. We found a nice grey shirt with a graphic picture of the bung, but the material was a bit too thin and it looked overpriced. Nevertheless, there wasn’t much else in the area so I bought it.

The Servant must clear my desk for me. I cannot be expected to do such things.

So Liz has died and Charlie finally has a turn at being in charge. Now that Mumsie’s gone, he can do what he wants, like having sliced swan for breakfast instead of quail’s eggs. He might even have Camilla over for tea. Will he be too pernickety in his reign as he’s waited so long? Will the power go to his head? He’s already been spotted waiting for the quill to be removed from his desk. What else will that royal wave indicate? The removal of jam sandwiches as snacks? The removal of democracy? Perhaps the removal of the people? Whatever it means, it’s bound to be pompous. He’s not going to stand for anything that gets in his way. But until he starts to associate himself with the people first-hand, no-one’s going to want to play with him unless they’re ordered to. And will his consort support his decisions or will he order her to override them?

Night on the Bung

The circular domed buildings looked amazing. One was even constructed of futuristic baubles. At night we climbed some steps to a bar overlooking the river. We ordered cocktails, I was hoping I’d end up with a nice Talisman glass but I got a girlie one and my mother received the reverse. All of the buildings were lit up, and even the night boats on the river had some form of neon glow on them. The top deck was a dining room. On our return to our room, we passed the butterflies again and they were also lit up. Back at the hotel we stopped for one last drink in the bar, but no-one else was around. The next morning was a stop for souvenir shopping. We entered a mall with a slight difference; every rooftop had a pagoda on it. Some made straight for the Pandora store to get discounts, but we wanted to grab a coffee and soak in the outside atmosphere first.

Event Horizon

This is a homicidal horror flick mixed with a mild ‘B’ blend of gore. It’s an exciting opening which is lost when it’s discovered that the protagonist is a twisted mind of humanity. Fishburne keeps his cool while the crew around him slowly drives themselves insane, not helped by the isolation of space and the compartmentalisation of their team. The captain’s chair is quite cool and I love the way that it hangs from the ceiling making it nice and level while all the other stations get shaken apart around him. The characters lacked individuality, perhaps with the exception of Cooper who was the sassy black guy. A bit more background knowledge of each character would have also helped us to understand their fears. There seems to be some obsession with gouging out people’s eyes instead of torturing them through different methods. And every door does seem to have its own bizarre pattern on the frame for some reason, though I suppose that this could help with navigation. 

A Graveyard for Lunatics by Ray Bradbury

A Graveyard for Lunatics: Another Tale of Two Cities by Ray Bradbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

At first I thought I was reading a Dickens parody until it became clear where the book was set and what the hero’s’ occupation was. This tale can be confusing to follow at times, just as the protagonist feels in his quest to complete his project. There’s references that are slightly outdated, however the book was conceived over fifty years ago. Die-hard fans of film may be able to relate to some of the referred actors. There’s some very eccentric directors out there that wields too much power over the rest of the studio, and there’s very few characters that gives little to trust. You’ve got to wonder how anything gets done at all with all these antics. The conclusion gets quite emotional towards the end, and I wonder if this idea was stolen for a later film franchise. However, it’s just another day of life on a set in a film studio.

View all my reviews

Attack of the Drone #dreamdiary 139

It’s a beautiful sunny warm day and there’s a drone in the air. It’s a circular black device that’s about four feet in diameter and there’s two high-powered black triangular points attached to its frame. I guess the propellers are underneath. It’s flying towards me through a semi-detached housing estate. There’s a fairly small road which has pavements on both sides and at the top of the hill is a green space with a few trees on top. But this drone is giving chase and it really wants to spray gas in my face. I’ve got no idea who’s controlling it or what the gas does. All I know is that I’ve had a few beers and I’m just trying to get home. I’m a little bit wobbly and the drone gets quite close but as soon as it gets near and starts spraying I’m able to duck out from it and carry on running. Am I an undesirable that’s wandered into the wrong neighbourhood?    

Coach of the Damned

Our trip was cut somewhat short owing to logistics which was a shame as I’d have liked to have seen the Three Gorges Dam close up. As it was, we had to view it from the window of our coach as we drove passed it. What was even more annoying was the guide who had been appointed to entertain us during our journey. He went on a bit of a rant about free speech and lucky we are to have such freedom in our country. Not surprisingly, I didn’t purchase the ‘postcards’ that was offered. It wasn’t long before we were back where we started in Shanghai at the same hotel. We got given some more free time to explore but we were invited to join a group balcony party at a nightspot in the evening. We decided to go for walk alongside ‘The Bung’ and saw an amazing display of artificial butterflies captured in bubbles popping out of artificial hedgerows.

Instabarber

Upon hearing the name, you’d think that you’d instantly be able to walk through the door and get a haircut by a barber. Sadly, this wasn’t the case on my first visit. I waited patiently for an hour to be told that I hadn’t made an appointment but they’d try to fit me in. The staff were very friendly though and it was very comfortable to wait in their surroundings. My barber did a fantastic job despite fencing off walk-ins and advising other bookings that they would be delayed. Maybe they should re-name it I-barber, although there could be copyright issues. I returned three months later armed with an appointment but was allocated a different barber who was also very friendly but was a bit more heavy-handed. He gave me a nice trim but I didn’t admire it as much as my first one. I may go back there for my Christmas trim, though there is another site that I’d like to revisit. It all depends on the timing.

Chinese Butlins

As the cliffs grew taller and more impressive, it became clear that a vessel of our size couldn’t accommodate all of it and we were transferred to a smaller vessel complete with a pagoda roof to experience the best bits. Unfortunately we were accommodated by a guide that only spoke a limited amount of English and wanted to sell us something different at every turn. The water turned from a deep blue to a very sparkling green. Eventually we disembarked into the middle of a man made harbour complete with circular seating and a stage made out of buoys. Our guides thought that they would band together with all the other bots and perform a song right in the heart of the gorge. They tried to get us to join in but it wasn’t clear what was expected of the audience and what they were doing. I would have been quite happy staying on our own vessel.

"What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead."

 -Nelson Mandela.

Where am I going? Do I feel fulfilled? Are my actions worth it? How do I know? I can only compare my actions to others, and whether contemporary or historical only society can decide. Am I only doing these things because no-one else wants to? Sometimes it really is a simple task that needs to be performed and other people could probably do it themselves if given the time. Is that the only reason why they appreciate it? In an age when we want more people to be self-sustainable, am I making it easier for other people? Maybe I should stand at the front and let everyone know what the procedure is rather than let them figure it out for themselves. It’s great when people appreciate the work that you do. But if you don’t feel fulfilled in return, there’s no way that your actions will feel significant. So how can you help others without being taken advantaged of in return?

Sideshow Gorge

The next day was spent cruising through gorges surrounded by beautiful hillsides with the occasional cloud poking out. We did get up early in the morning before breakfast to join a Tai-chi class, but apart from following a host who arrived late and encouraged us to wave our arms ridiculously, we felt more tired and stressed out from having to get up early to join in the class. Luckily we didn’t have to do too much other than relax on the top deck on chairs with beverages while we enjoyed the scenery. At one time we passed a power plant that could have been the background for a video game scenario. There were huge cliffs either side of us, occasionally with caves and grooves that looked like patterns carved in them if we stared at them long enough. Sometimes there’d be little jetties and balconies where the fishermen had made little rest points for them to take shelter.

Is Having a High IQ Bad?

Something that ignorance is bliss but that’s just an excuse so that they don’t have to think up a way to solve a problem. They might not even see it. But with a high IQ, you’re more likely to solve the problem. The trouble is that people will come to you all the time expecting a solution. The key thing is not to publicise your high IQ so that others don’t expect you to know the solutions all of the time. You can just use it to your advantage and choose not to solve a problem if you think that by solving it there might be further consequences down the line, and that it would be advantageous to let it remain unsolved. But on the other hand, there’s the guilt factor. Will someone wake up the next day knowing that you’ve taken advantage of them? Or will you feel guilty for pointing out the obvious without letting them learn a life’s lesson the hard way?

In the footsteps of the Gods

On the approach to the pyramid, we saw photogenic stone animals. There was a statue of each zodiac animal before we crossed. As we got closer, every corner of the pagoda had some beautifully preserved painted animal on its corner. As we ascended, we saw huge blocks of flats over the riverside, but these were overwhelmed by the green mountains in the background. Inside the pyramid, the higher we climbed, the steeper the journey became until it developed from staircases to ladders. In the final hall just before the summit, the statues were very freshly painted. There was even a wooden bridge for the final ascension for the truly devoted. On our return, we decided to sample some ice cream from the local vendors, however my mother made the mistake of ordering a frozen yoghurt from one of them which made her feel bad the following day. Either that or it was something to do with the cocktails that we had in the evening.

Things worth Praying for

I want something to believe in. Will praying actually work? Is there someone on the other end that will decide? Is it the collective will of people that make things happen? Is it worth investing the time? As a collective, it can be a nice social gathering in a building once a month. Someone may even have a solution to help you solve your problem. But you may find it easier to talk to people about your problems. Thinking about them will achieve nothing unless you follow through and act on them. There are of course somethings that you can't change by willing it yourself will stop. You need to get others to act, especially people who are able to influence others. It would be very difficult if one person alone managed to solve a problem and there will be plenty of materials that they need to achieve this, let alone the resources and labour to get things done. 

Stair Climb

It was a small gym fitted out for two or three people at a time. There were a couple of treadmills, an exercise bike, and a crosswalk machine, armed with a weights bench and a rowing machine, all in front of mirrored walls. You’d have thought that they’d put a TV or a window in so you wouldn’t have to worry about missing out on any of the views. I had an opportunity to use some of the machines that I’d normally use in my routine, but it did get distracting when people just stuck their noses in to see what was inside and what we were up to. But I got a second workout today when the ship moored up to visit a traditional prayer tower. Our guide led us through a small village lined with shops and arched gateways until we reached a bridge lined with flags. On the opposite side was a huge tower. 

Magic Door

It’s an adventure game using the power of imagination, very similar to the old text computer games where you use your mind to keep track of everything. The system often misinterprets what you’re saying unless you state your phrase in full, and also has a habit of exiting if you don’t give the correct answer. It’s very easy to get into repetitive circles which I’m only reminded about after I’ve chosen the option, and sometimes gives too much information. The character voices don’t have original names and are a little too high-pitched and nasal to understand at times, and I hope that I don’t encounter too many of them or that I’m not given too many quests to try and remember. At least no harm will come to me. I could only find three of the rabbit’ s magic eggs and I couldn’t see any more options to explore. And when the clumsy princess told me that she’d lost her crown again, I decided that I’d had enough and shut the magic door. 

Onboard Education

Any building that overlooked the river just had to get in on the landscape and put neon lighting up to make it stand out. From a distance, some of the skyscrapers looked as if they were wearing tuxedos. Unexplainably, there was also a tiger mascot on bard. This was a bit strange as it was the Year of the Pig but perhaps they got a deal on the costume. Once we’d settled into the routine of what was downtime time and what was included, I decided to attend a lecture by the Leisure captain of what we would see. This included a slideshow presentation to help us get the best out of our cruise and to learn a bit of history about it as well. Our first morning was spent sailing and I decided to get an early session in at the gym before going off to enjoy the sights on deck.

The Wright Way

He’s a middle-aged man about town and definitely someone that you’d bump into if you’re out and about. A typically English divorcee of medium build with below-average height, with a balding head surrounded by hair that was brown but is slowly turning white. Then there’s the beer belly with no attempt to hide it which is an instant turn-off for the ladies. He’s one of those people with good confidence which oozes out of a flashy suit and shoes complete with jacket but overexerts himself which sometimes has a nasal effect, and would often be confined to a background role rather than having the lead in anything. When he does take the lead, he’s not afraid to offer his opinion or seek out what others think of the topic. You’ve got to wonder how he acts as a teacher since you certainly can’t see him in any serious role during his downtime. 

Launch Party

On our first night, we were invited up onto the deck to meet the captain and crew. There was a short presentation as they each introduced themselves while cocktails and canapes were handed around. Some were enjoying themselves a little too much, and when they put the music on, they really flung themselves against tables which caused free drinks to be sent flying. A stewardess came over, but because of her accent I wasn’t sure whether she was censuring me or asking me if I’d like another drink. In any case, I pointed in the direction of the offender and both him and the stewardess disappeared. I never saw either of them for the rest of the cruise. But what we did see as we moved off was a beautiful neon light show. If it wasn’t the buildings lining the banks of the river, there’d be passing boats with neon strips topped with pagoda roofs.

Force of Nature

This a laughable film. There’s not much reference to the storm in the film other than a lot of rain. It’s probably what the producers spent their money on. There’s little logic too until you get to know the characters. If you were accused of something and you were in the right, wouldn’t you appeal to the person nearest you who witnessed the event for a bit of help? That’s exactly what the accused doesn’t do as he buys an insane amount of meat for an animal that’s made of plastic and is clearly thrown across the room in a one second shot that’s also made out to be a lot bigger than it is. Don’t expect much drama other than losing a character, and you’ll actually be surprised by who it is. And even though it’s a tragedy, it seems as if everyone’s OK with the events at the end of it. 

The Good Beer Guide 2022

The Good Beer Guide 2022 by CAMRA, Campaign for Real Ale
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The foreword is humorous enough, but you’d think that there would be a better spokesman for pubs than a former pop star on his latest purchase (which isn’t even in the guide, not a great start!). The layout is a bit confusing and sometimes uses completely fonts to other listings that are similar. Information seems to be a bit jumbled and spread out. You could be flicking through three different sections before you find what you’re looking for. There’s quotes from different nations in the wrong sections of the book, and explanations to keys seem to be put randomly at each section rather than all in one handy place. They’re clearly page fillers. I never realised that so many pubs offered camping facilities. It makes me wonder what they’re like and just how well equipped are they. But it does point out that there’s a lot more beer to drink and interesting places to drink it in than I think. The big question is whether I’ve got time to experience it all.

View all my reviews