Loyalty

How many times have I flown with BA over the last decade plus?  Countless times.  But clearly not enough so that they want me to keep me as a loyal customer.  I found out today that my British Airways Club membership has dropped to Blue.  Which is the level you get when you first join.  So instead of gaining benefits like lounge access - which I think I've earned - instead I've lost benefits that include free seat selection 7 days before my flight (I can now only select my seat for free when I check in 24 hours before by flight - when I doubt I will have any choice), I can't check in at the business-class desk (which sadly means queuing up with the rest of the muggles), I don't get priority boarding (not really a big deal, so long as there is enough space in the overhead lockers for my hand luggage when I do eventually board), and I don't get priority baggage tagging (which means waiting even longer for my suitcases at the carousel).  But ultimately what this really means is that I'm going to look at other airlines a lot more closely when I book my next flight - so well done BA, you've screwed up by screwing me over and you've potentially lost a regular flyer.   

Disc Golf

I took a lunchtime walk today through a park that also had an 18 hole disc golf course.  If "hole" is the right word for the metal nets that catch the discs.  It was a sunny day, so even on a weekday lunchtime I saw plenty of people out on the course.  I wish this was a thing when I was younger, because this is something I could see myself doing - after all, who doesn't like throwing around a frisbee.  But I think it's a young man's game - all the people I saw carrying backpacks full of discs were under 20.  And how many discs do you need?  Is it a bit like golf where you have different discs for different distances?  I could understand having a few spare discs, because I saw plenty of people chucking their discs deep into undergrowth.

SNL

I've seen a few clips of SNL: UK online, and was kind of curious how it was doing.  After all, SNL is an American institution.  Admittedly it's not one that I really care for - I don't think I've ever seen an episode in its entirety, just some of the better known sketches.  That's always been the problem for me - SNL is very hit or miss.  And I suspect that is probably the same problem with SNL: UK.  Which is why this kind of show is always going to do much better with online views - where you can be selective in what you watch - compared to actual viewership ratings.  What I've seen is funny enough, but not particularly memorable.  I was never quite sure whether this kind of show would work in the UK - so it will be interesting to see whether it lasts beyond its inaugural season.  

Random Song

Why did I suddenly start singing this song this morning?  I was doing absolutely nothing to jog some long lost memory.  I probably haven't heard the song for 30+ years, and I didn't even know it was a Rod Stewart song until I found it on YouTube.  I simply don't understand how my mind works.

Endorsement

I think there is a very simple way that we can get Nigel Farage and Reform UK out of British politics.  And that is to get J D Vance to publicly endorse them.  He might be one of the most reviled politicians ever.  I think even Trump doesn't like him.  To get an idea of just how unpopular Vance is, just look at what happened to Orban in the Hungarian election.  I think he could do the same to Nigel Farage in the next general election.  What a joy that would be.  I don't think even the current Republican party could consider Vance as a presidential candidate in 2028.  But frankly nothing in American politics would surprise me any more.   

Anzac Day

I'm a day late, but Happy Anzac Day!  A day that I wouldn't know existed apart from seeing it honored when I was watching some recordings of Aussie-rules football games over the weekend.   I know that it occurs on the date of the first Gallipoli landings in the First World War.  Yet another tragic campaign in that war that resulted in heavy casualties, despite the heroism and sacrifice of so many.  And obviously not being from Australia or New Zealand and never having been there (though I hope to go one day), I do not commemorate it nor do I really appreciate it as much as I probably should do.  But if Anzac Day is not well known in the UK, then it is practically unknown in the US - especially since the US didn't enter WW1 until well after the Gallipoli campaign.  But apparently a special dawn service was held yesterday at the Museum of History & Industry in Seattle, close to where my office used to be.  I don't know how many years they've been holding such an event, but I've never heard of it in all my time here.  But then again, why would I...     

Conspiracy

It wouldn't surprise me if this most recent shooting incident involving Trump is staged.  It feels like it.  Just like his "assassination" attempts.  The timing just seems too suspicious.  And even if it was "real", I don't believe anything Trump says and I certainly have no sympathy for him.  He only has himself to blame - he is the boy who cried wolf.