More newspeak

[blamebrampton]

I am sick, and failed to phone my friend because I was asleep, and I am now also cranky with large parts of the world.

Apparently, Russia is engaged in Peacekeeping Operations in Georgia.

Clearly Vlad is a Farscape fan.

Sometimes I wonder if people read books, or, indeed, the papers. This makes me a little sad when it is people on the train, but when it is the leaders of nuclear capable nations, I despair. Vietnam redux has been horrible enough, we don't need the Soviet-Afghan war played out again. Or, you know, World War I.

When did the superpowers go completely mad? Was there a memo sent out that I missed? I have this vague idea that things were shiny for a few years around 1990, was I drunk? It's quite possible I was.

I had this vague idea  (which I admit was formed from reading books and newspapers, so is clearly not the sort of idea that we hold with in These Uncertain Times) that if you wished to regain power in former regions of influence the only certain way to do so was through economic influence. Surely that was the one part of the Reagan legacy everyone agreed on? Maybe I was drunk for that bit, too.

Back in Australia, the channel that is broadcasting the Olympics accidentally failed to screen a pro-Tibet ad that had been booked for a slot before the opening ceremony. But there was no interference from the IOC, honest. Also, I am quite tall and very blonde. And Californian. And a man.

In some happy news, a 111-year-old lizard is about to become a father,  and the Times has the best headline EVER: Dog-cloner denies Mormon sex kidnapping

Comments

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Sick? WTF? Woman, are you trying to outdo my illnesses of doom? :(

When did the superpowers go completely mad? - you mean there was a time they weren't?

There was a brief break in the clouds around the early 90s, but then it got a blow job and everything went pear shaped.

Cherry and I were discussing the world etc, the other night, and I explained my 'new' theory that society has had a history of progressing much like a slinky someone has driven over - it's a series of flat spirals, where each loop is only marginally further forward than the previous. In each cycle there's this long period of clawing for improvement socially (as opposed to technologically or financially), a brief shining moment when we genuinely move ahead a tiny fraction, and then we spiral back down again for various reasons before trying to claw our way ahead once more.

Each cycle is fairly long, and I suspect that the early 90s were one of the rare 'pinnacle' moments and we will unfortunately now have to live our lives out on the downslope.

btw? Also, I am quite tall and very blonde. And Californian. And a man - I think you used to be my best friend on the internet. *sigh*

I am boycotting the Olympics. Does that make me an old grouch?

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

No ;-) Just virus. Fighting it off well, but it gave me earache and toothache. Oh the daftness!

BTW, I am traipsing through your itinerary and trying to think of cool, cheap suggestions, seemed more useful than general squeeage ;-)

I think it could have been 1990 that was the good year. Berlin was reunified, Solidarity won the Polish elections, the Singing Revolution happened in the Baltics and was not shot down, Nelson Mandela was freed, the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of diseases, Tim Berners-Lee came out with the World Wide Web, Mary Robinson became the first president of Ireland, Margaret Thatcher resigned and the Chunnel opened.

Admittedly there were still the odd poll tax riots, the fucking IRA, John Major, a few political assasinations in north and west Africa and Iraq did invade Kuwait, but that was dealt with by the UN at the time and only went postal at the US's behest in early '91, but still, not a bad year on the whole.

I think your old best friend on the internet might be Shiv's perfect man. And you and I can grouch together!

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Poor darling - have a scotch. Have two. ;)

Traipsing through my itinerary is almost a trip in itself. Cal is currently consulting maps and driving distances - I am vaguely hopeful, and flattered that she'd look. Cool, cheap suggestions would be awesome! I found the Llanthony Priory Hotel today, which is near where we need to stay one night - we're hoping they might waive their two night requirement, because a night in a four poster bed in a medieval tower in a ruined abbey sounds like fun, even if I do have to womble down ancient spiral staircases to find the loo (which may be a hole in a wall over a pit). We're going to be phoning them in a sec.

Ooh, Grand Designs is about to start on 2 - I LOVE that show.

And, Russia is ceasing its peacekeeping in Georgia, or so the news snippets tell me.

We shall cling to our brief shining moment. I was still slim in 1990, it was a good year.

*pulls up grouching chair and settles in*

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

I'm watching Grand Designs right now!

Yes, cease fire ... I wonder exactly where the borders are now. And I can't help doubting Putin's claims that there was a Georgian-led genocide over the last two days when the Georgian troops seem to have spent them Running Away. It's like Poland! Argh!

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Even when I hate what's being done, like last week (and I thought they were a right pair of pillocks) I love that he doesn't really pull punches, and as a mad obsessive designer, I adore watching what people do and what they achieve.

This place tonight? What amazing spaces! Incredible expense and extravagance, but also some truly fascinating concepts exquisitely executed.

Obviously the Georgians were following a well set example, and are now standing outside the gates discussing the cunning plan with the large timber rabbit and nightfall. Then they will do some more Running Away.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

The roof! The water spouts! I liked it a lot, though I agreed that some of the room shapes were a bit weird and that the decagons were the best part of the building. Them and the copper bathtub.

The whole Georgian adventure is ... well, why is the South Caucasus pipeline being bombed as part of a bid to protect South Ossetia?

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

The bathtub was OMG! I was rather fond of that kitchen too. I love kitchens - and that central bench was just unusual enough to really appeal to me. That main decagon was a beautiful space. I think he needed to open the furniture up more, but it had a beautiful feel. And I even liked the viking bowl with the flame in it in the courtyard. I didn't like the tacky ensuite, though. It didn't flow well from the bedroom with that lovely stone wall. Would have liked to see the basement finished - that's two in a row with leaky basements. I think there's a lesson in this for all of us. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for it when in Oxford. :D

The whole Georgian thing is just getting me confused now - did they start action against the southern Ossetians? Has Putin pulled out? According to Channel 10 news they've upped their activity. According to other channels they've stopped. *headdesk* Look, it doesn't matter what spin anyone puts on anything, it's never for the reasons stated. My despair factor is just about worn out.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Channel 10 buys their news in from other sources and so is usually a little behind the news. I am writing up some notes for another commenter on the timeline, will link you when done.

And yes, the ensuite was just nasty, but the Viking flame was kind of ... weirdly cool.

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

Sleep now ...

I will be enlightened in the morning. I will crawl between C warmed sheets, cough a few times, and hopefully drift off to sleep dreaming of pretty pointy blond boys. More likely I'll end up dreaming about stupid work stuff.

*hugs*

Talk tomorrow, Brammers dear. Have a great night. :D

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

Sweet dreams, Ms Mere!