All of ninety-three days, apparently – to Christmas, of course. Personally, it can’t come soon enough; that familiar blanket of nostalgia and the chance to block out what the world has become, if only for a few days. As 2024 – the blur that was – draws to a close, there is talk of the end of the summer. Sorry? What summer? Time to put away the summer wardrobe and bring out the woollies … No need. I’ve lived in my jumpers and scarves, day-in, day-out. Granted, I may have ditched the jacket, briefly, but it’s back with a vengeance – and, yes, braving the elements, the fingerless gloves are much more than a fashion accessory! Not in fashion? Always in my fashion – and that of Albert and Harold Steptoe, for that matter. Never mind …
Apologies. Once upon a time, I posted every Friday but that was back when my time was my own. Instead, I have been out and about travelling the world in my imagination as I meet people from all corners of the globe – or, more often than not, all corners of the US – whilst introducing them to St Andrews and its history. Tours seem to be the thing, these days, and there is a profusion in this already over-crowded town. Some of the participants are merely going through the motions, though, my words of wisdom translating as nothing more than blah, blah, blah as the eyes glaze over. I don’t take it personally but, put it this way, it has curbed any ambition to be a stand-up comedian anytime soon! In contrast, some are lovely, interested and engaged, complete with a sense of humour. Makes it so much more rewarding; fun, even. Such is life, I suppose. In the words of Forrest, ‘like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get’. The same with people. So it is that I pitch up, oblivious as to whether I will be faced with a nut or a soft centre! Mask, smile, action …
I spent yesterday afternoon with two lovely ladies from San Antonio, Texas. It didn’t take long to gauge they were characters with interesting lives – and I mean interesting! On mentioning Dodi Fayed, in relation to the making of the film Chariots of Fire, I was greeted with, ‘Oh, I met Dodi – and his father’. Talk about topical! Unaware of Al-Fayed’s prominence in the news over the last few days, they weren’t surprised to learn that the recent plethora of rape and sexual assault allegations – increasing daily – suggest a notoriety on the scale of Jeffrey Epstein. By all accounts, he was an absolute monster and yet nobody did anything about it. Money is power and the meek bow down. The likes of Jimmy Savile and Mohamed Al-Fayed, both nobodies whose wealth made them somebodies, were given free rein to indulge their evil, praying on the naive, ruining the lives of the innocent, unchallenged until death. Who knows what punishment lies therein, however? Those who remained silent, enabling the depraved, will surely know. I do believe in karma, whether in this life or the next. No need for voodoo dolls, one reaps what one sows!
Compensation? I’m not so sure. I question the number of women who have come forward, now, claiming varying degrees of sexual trauma at the hands of Al-Fayed, historically. Seems it only takes one and the floodgates open – in anticipation of a large cheque? The cynical in me mocks. If genuine, why did they remain silent for so long, buoyed only by the crowd? Rhetorical, of course. The world is full of followers who stand behind leaders, sadly. The prospect of pennies, however, an age-old incentive; elusive courage suddenly to hand …
Money for a life. The magical elixir capable of healing all ills, all pain, or, in truth, another means to sedate? I will never understand how the death of a loved one can, in effect, be reduced to a figure in a bank account! Who am I to judge – and God forbid I am ever in that position – but I’m not sure my conscience, never mind my heart, could reconcile accepting compensation for the loss; a void which could never be filled. Of course, there is an argument for remuneration in the case of medical negligence, particularly when care for the debilitated is required but what power money in healing the psychological scar borne of sexual abuse in the distant past? All these women now coming forward in the case of Al-Fayed … Really? The disconnect is glaring.
‘A wise man should have money in his head but not in his heart.’ Jonathan Swift
Moving on – or back – to my two entertaining ladies from Texas. One had grown up holidaying in Maui as a child; had seen Elvis live in concert, for goodness sake! Did I dare I mention the 4th November? Like minds. I had guessed as much. In the shadow of the aggressive Left, of course, daring anyone of opposing views to speak up. Who can forget IndyRef and the silent majority, sensibly reticent in declaring their allegiance for fear of a smashed window or a damaged car? Nothing changes. Certainly not the familiar traits of human nature. So it was that I enjoyed my afternoon with two intelligent ladies from Across the Pond. A welcome reminder of a big wide world, shared problems and glimpses of much-needed sanity.
A thousand words and no mention of Keir ‘Jong Un’ and his free Next wardrobe courtesy of Lord Alli; no mention of Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson’s indulgent 40th birthday party in London last year costing, reportedly, £14,000, also courtesy of Lord Alli; no mention of ‘the owner’ of the Labour Party’s security pass for 10, Downing Street … How long has it been since they slid into power, like a Boa Constrictor in a hen coop? Eleven weeks? Didn’t they do well! Strategy in place to kill off the remaining elderly – they don’t vote Labour – and then indulge with a capital ‘I’. What? We had a manifesto? We’re here to serve the country? How stupid is the country?! We are merely puppets in the greater plan. We, ourselves, have no idea; what’s more, we don’t care! We’re just here for the ride: a salary of £90,000 +, an unlimited expenses account and freebies galore. Come to Mama! Someone mention boats? Illegal immigrants? The likes of Huw Edwards, guilty of possessing 41 images of children – some as young as seven – escaping prison in favour of a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, while a woman from Chester is jailed for fifteen months for something she wrote on Facebook? So what? Ignore. We do.
Not a word … One-way ticket to anywhere, please!
‘Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to act effectively, in spite of fear.’
Donald Trump
This is Trish, signing off.
