The Day of the Gangs of London

Gangs of London Series 1 = Absolutely brilliant!

Series 2 = What a load of crap. I switched to Gardner's World after episode 2 - it had more of a plot.

It seems they ran out of ideas and thought wall-to-wall machinegun scenes would stimulate the audience.  Seems like a difficult 2nd album moment.

The Day of the Jackal - a good story, if somewhat predictable and relying and on hackneyed and improbable tropes, but if you're expecting a reworking of the original you're in for a disappointment - so why call it Day of the Jackal? The name sets up an expectation that's never met and hence colours your judgement. Hay never saw the original and so isn't as disappointed as me - it should simply have  been given a different name, like The Bourne Resurrection or The Sound of Machineguns. 

Identity Politics

The term Identity Politics has entered political discourse as a pejorative, especially within the right of the political spectrum.

The pejorative use of identity politics often frames it as divisive and exclusionary, accusing it of prioritising group differences over shared values, fostering a "victim mentality," and sidelining merit in favour of representation. Critics argue that it fractures society into competing factions, stifles debate through ideological rigidity, and marginalises those outside specific identity groups. It is also seen as a tool of political correctness or "woke culture," weaponised to challenge traditional values or silence dissenting voices. Detractors view it as overly focused on grievances, undermining collective problem-solving and broader societal cohesion.

However, identity has always been central to politics. From the earliest days of governance, politics has been shaped by the identities of those in power and those seeking representation. Historical examples abound: 

• Monarchies and aristocracies were often defined by lineage and heritage, identities tied to birthright. 
• Religious identity shaped politics for centuries, influencing wars, alliances, and policies. 
• Class identity has driven movements such as socialism and the labour movement, centred on economic and social hierarchies. 

The difference with what we now call identity politics lies in its explicit focus on historically marginalised or underrepresented groups seeking to redefine political priorities. Traditionally, politics catered to dominant identities - often wealthy, white, male, and heteronormative in many Western societies - without naming these identities as political forces. Modern identity politics highlights the ways that other identities (e.g., race, gender, or sexuality) have been systematically excluded or disadvantaged, demanding specific attention and remedies.

Anti-wokeism seeks to maintain and legitimise existing systems of power by framing challenges to the dominant identity as excessive, unnecessary, or harmful. By positioning itself as a defence of "common sense" or "traditional values," it effectively reasserts the privilege and centrality of the dominant group, often under the guise of opposing division or promoting equality. It is the mainstay of the populist right.

However, there's also something called Hyper-identity politics. Hyper-identity politics refers to an intensified form of identity politics where the focus on specific social, cultural, or personal identities becomes so dominant that it can overshadow broader discussions, commonalities, or pragmatic goals. This term often carries a critical connotation, suggesting an overemphasis on identity categories to the point where dialogue, compromise, or shared understanding becomes difficult.

Imperial Paradox

The irony of those who nostalgically hark back to the days of empire while opposing multiculturalism lies in the inseparable link between imperial history and the diverse societies it has created. Winston Churchill famously said he didn't want to preside over the end of the British Empire, but his actions toward India showed that he looked down on the people who lived there.

Empires, by their very nature, involved the conquest, colonisation, and governance of diverse peoples across vast swathes of the globe. These imperial connections facilitated the movement of goods, ideas, and, crucially, people. The migration that occurred during and after the imperial era was often a direct result of the opportunities and upheavals created by empire itself. Yet, many who romanticise the power and prestige of empire seem to overlook this historical reality and reject the multicultural legacy it left behind.

This tension is particularly evident in countries like the UK, where imperial nostalgia often coexists with hostility toward immigration. The idea of the British Empire as a pinnacle of civilisation and global influence is celebrated by some, yet they resist the consequences of that history - namely, the multicultural communities that were forged through colonial relationships. Immigrants from former colonies, such as India, Pakistan, and the Caribbean, were encouraged or enabled to move to the UK to rebuild the nation after World War II and to contribute to its economy. However, their presence is now frequently criticised by those who glorify the very empire that established these transnational connections.

The contradiction is even more striking when one considers the pride that empire advocates take in the spread of British culture, values, and institutions across the world. They celebrate the global influence of the English language, the parliamentary system, and British customs while rejecting the reciprocal influence of other cultures on Britain itself. This selective memory overlooks the mutual exchange that empire inevitably involved and denies the contributions of multiculturalism to modern society, from cuisine and art to scientific and economic achievements.

Ultimately, this paradox highlights a refusal to reckon honestly with the full legacy of empire. Celebrating empire without acknowledging its responsibilities and consequences is a simplistic and selective reading of history. Multiculturalism is not an accidental by-product of empire; it is one of its most enduring legacies. 

To embrace the past while rejecting its present consequences reveals a deep inconsistency and a reluctance to accept the interconnectedness of historical and contemporary realities. It is a hypocrisy wrapped in denial: yearning for a world-spanning empire while balking at the inevitable mingling of people and cultures it created. To demand the fruits of empire without the responsibilities is not just irony - it is historical amnesia laced with self-serving arrogance.

Westonbirt

Despite living only 20 minutes away from Westonbirt National Arboretum, I've never visited before. A couple of friends of ours are members and bought us a couple of tickets last weekend.

The photo below is of the Great Oak Hall.

And below is a bee hotel I found in the shop - easy enough to make from some old decking I have, which already has the necessary grooves.

We were a little too late in the year to catch the trees starting to turn into their autumnal hues, but impressive nonetheless. Reminded me of the opening of The Moody Blues song, The Dream.

When the white eagle of the North is flying overhead, 

The browns, reds and golds of autumn lie in the gutter, dead, 

Remember then, that summer birds with wings of fire flaying, 

Come to witness spring's new hope, born of leaves decaying, 

As new life will come from death, love will come at leisure, 

Love of love, love of life and giving without measure, 

Gives in return a wondrous yearn of a promise almost seen, 

Live hand-in-hand and together we'll stand on the threshold of a dream.

Irony

Am I the only one to have notices the irony?

Donald Trump, who has often dismissed climate change as a hoax, has appointed Elon Musk - a leading advocate for electric vehicles and sustainable energy - to his administration. It's akin to a fast-food mogul hiring a vegan chef to revamp the menu.

 

It's like appointing a teetotaler as the head of a brewery, having a cat oversee a dog show or Dracula having a garlic farmer manage his estate. Trump, who once suggested that rising sea levels would simply create "more oceanfront property," now collaborates with Musk, whose life's work focuses on reducing carbon emissions. 

Perhaps this is Trump's version of The Apprentice: Climate Edition. "Elon, your task is to promote electric cars while convincing everyone that climate change isn't real. Bonus points if you can make a coal-powered Tesla. You're hired!"

It's not as if Musk is the only example - Trump seems set on installing a kakistocracy as his cabinet. One thing you can guarantee is that they'll all turn on him, just like the previous lot.

Instructions

I had an opportunity to use a mini-router / trimmer I bought in the spring / summer on e-Bay (I think) and tried to put it together using the instructions.

Have a read yourself (click to enlarge).

Why refer to a screw as A or B, when it's not listed as such on the bloody diagram, but given a number? Why not simply use the numbers that are on the diagram?

The screw 2 isn't even given a letter or a number in the instructions and is referred to simply as 'the screw'. What the hell '(1mm/round)' means is a mystery.

Who writes these things?

It's all academic anyway, as the dressing roller flew off somewhere into the nether regions of my workshop on first usage, never to be seen again. Tried hunting for it with a magnet, but to no avail.

GT6 Chassis

I spotted a renovated Spitfire Mk IV chassis (same as GT6 Mk3) with mods made to the rear axle, as well as the front suspension having been fully rebuilt. The owner has too many projects on and needs to get rid of it.

The rear axle has been replaced, rather professionally, with one from a Mazda MX5. 

Using a Mazda MX-5 rear axle on a Triumph GT6 Mk3 can offer several potential benefits, or so I discovered, in terms of handling, reliability, and modernisation:

• The MX-5 rear axle has an Independent Rear Suspension setup compared to the original Triumph swing axle. The original GT6 swing axle can suffer from camber change during hard cornering, leading to tuck-in and potential oversteer. The MX-5’s IRS design provides more consistent camber and better stability in corners.
• Many Mazda MX-5 models come with a limited slip differential as standard or as an option, which can improve traction, especially in spirited driving or on uneven surfaces. This is particularly beneficial for performance builds. This one has an LSD.
• Parts for the MX-5 are more readily available and affordable compared to original GT6 parts, making maintenance easier and possibly cheaper in the long run.
• The MX-5 rear axle setup can accommodate modern, disc brake upgrades, offering better stopping power and safety compared to the original drum brakes often found on classic Triumphs.
• Swapping to a more modern axle can help with weight distribution, especially when combined with the lighter materials and design of the Mazda rear. This can improve the overall balance of the car, enhancing its agility.
• The MX-5 axle is built with more modern materials and engineering, making it potentially more robust and suited to high-torque applications, should I be increasing the GT6’s power output at any future stage.

It will save me a lot of time on my rebuild, as well as bringing the handling into the 21st century. I do like originality, but if a mod has definite advantages, then I'm all for it. Additionally this mod is hidden under the tub. There would be a little work in setting tub fixing studs, but nothing too major. Cost? £800, which is a steal, as a well renovated chassis on its own can cost that much, and I get both the rebuilt front suspension and the modded rear axle.

I made a commitment to it with a 10% deposit and just need to organise the recovery truck from work to collect it. Part of the cost could be recouped by selling my existing chassis which, if in good condition, should fetch at least half of the outlay for the one advertised. In any case, I'm not too keen on stitching the new front section on to my chassis, as the slightest error in positioning would result in endless problems aligning the bonnet. I am, after all, a measure once (if at all) and regret forever type of person, rather than a measure 3 times and cut once type of person.

I'm also thinking of getting a totally new loom made up. A new one would come with all the correct connectors and circuit breaks (or potential circuit breaks) would be eliminated. They're not prohibitively expensive at £382. 

Just as an aside, the company providing new looms also does looms for Mercedes R129s. There's not one listed for an 500SL and the nearest is for a 350SL - at over £900. I would imagine a 500SL would be over £1,000, meaning I got a good deal on the £650 one from Germany, despite the customs dues. I'm hoping the 500SL will be in the road before next spring. The problem then will be finding space for it - we have the Galaxy, the Peugeot Partner, the Hyundai i10, the motorhome and the GT6.

Match of the Mitre

This BBC headline confused me at first, but got me thinking.

It would be quite amusing to see the disgraced Justin Welby and Gary Lineker swap roles. Imagine the Archbishop stepping into the Match of the Day studio, while Lineker, tie-less and all smiles, takes to the pulpit in Canterbury Cathedral. It’s a pairing nobody asked for, but everyone would secretly love to watch. 

Transparent Purchase

 Done it again - made an impulse purchase on Facebook Marketplace.

37 glass blocks that a chap was selling because his wife no longer liked the partition wall. There were 38, but he broke one before I called to collect them.

Glass block walls are so '80s and rather retro. I can see them coming back into vogue in a nostalgic way.

They first became popular in the 1930s during the Art Deco period, prized for their ability to let light in while maintaining privacy. They were especially popular in commercial and industrial buildings, offering a blend of functionality and style. The blocks were often used in facades, stairwells, and even flooring, where the unique, patterned glass could provide structural stability while diffusing natural light. 

The popularity of glass block walls saw a resurgence in the mid-1980s, when they became a staple in modernist and minimalist interior designs. Many homes and offices began incorporating them as room dividers, bathroom walls, or accent features, using them as a statement piece to evoke a retro aesthetic. 

While they’re less commonly used today, glass blocks are still appreciated in niche designs for their light-diffusing quality and vintage charm. I had to smuggle them into my workshop and will 'fess-up to Hay imminently, although I think she'd like them as a feature in the garden, possibly around the pond. 

Not bad for £50; however, they're probably destined to remain in storage for at least a couple of years before Hay sells them again.

Quality Yuk

That time of year again - you get seduced into buying a box of Quality Street and end up with a load of choccies at the bottom that you don't like.

It's the chocolate and toffee ones that attract me, but I spit out the ones that turn out to be coconut or some hideous raspberry or orange concoction.

Why do I do it?