W.A.S.T.E

That day again, 20 years on. Not much drama left in it, thankfully: just happy that my Mum and my sister and I are still here and still getting on. I'm so very proud of the two of them (and of myself, too, though perhaps I say it as shouldn't).

I might not keep up this annual-post tradition any more after this. I think two decades may be enough.

Love to all of my friends who've helped me keep going this far.

Almost two decades now; it all feels oddly distant compared with current worries.

Sadly, not really a Sgt. Pepper's reference.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/?ASIN=B004RQVVGA

I'm sure that this is a sign of the End Times. Or something.  :-)

It was 17 years ago today, now, and increasingly feels like something that happened to someone else. That's probably a good thing, and I'm certainly glad that the pain has diminished; I just wish my other memories hadn't diminished in the same proportion. He doesn't seem as vivid to me now, and I regret it, but... maybe there's no way to win this one.

Today's Times:

"George W. Bush faces the prospect of a retirement confined to the United States after the cancellation of a trip to Switzerland amid fear of being prosecuted for torture.

The former president’s first trip to Europe since leaving office was called off after human rights groups lodged a complaint with the Swiss courts urging that he be prosecuted under international laws forbidding torture."

Couldn't happen to a nicer person. Except maybe Dick Cheney.

Neologism of the day:

*shrugh* - a combined sigh of resignation and moan of annoyance.

Gang of Four's upcoming album Content will apparently be released in a limited edition which includes, among other things, vials of the band members' blood.

Not entirely certain about the appeal of this, uh, feature. I am looking forward to the album, but...

Transcript of the Christopher Hitchens/Tony Blair debate on religion:
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2010/11/christopher-hitchens-tony-blair

...Religion forces nice people to do unkind things, and also makes intelligent people say stupid things. Handed a small baby for the first time, is it your first reaction to think, "Beautiful, almost perfect; now please hand me the sharp stone for its genitalia that I may do the work of the Lord"?

—Hitchens

The Russian Duma has officially condemned Joseph Stalin for ordering the Katyn massacre of 1940. Not that there had been any real doubt about the truth for the last two decades or so, but it's good to see the lie dispelled in official print.