My God, I've just been nationalised! Mind you, I didn't feel a thing - yet! Well, perhaps it was always a bit of hoax, the idea that we were free, independent agents in a liberal, open society. Now, however, there is no doubt that we live under close, exceedingly close, governmental supervision. I am not happy but, on the other hand, I'm not dead, either! So, should I be grateful? Weeeeell, yes, a bit but I need to know as soon as possible how long this state tyranny is going to last. I suspect that like other examples, during WWII say, the heavy hand of the State is incredibly quick to grip but agonisingly slow to lift!
So far, 'down 'ere in zunny Zummerzet', nothing much has changed as far as I personally am concerned. Yes, The Tippling Philosopher has been closed so I will miss my weekly pint next Wednesday. The nearest Sainsburys Supermarket has a few empty shelves but the essentials remain. I have been 'ordered' by Boris to stay in doors but as I rarely go out much these days, I can only shrug and mutter, "Am I bovvered?"
It's all utterly boring except, of course, if you catch the 'dreaded lurgi' at which point it can become exceedingly exciting, so I am informed! Anyway, being British I will simply remember to keep a stiff upper lip, there being no other part of body, these days, which can even gain stiffness, let alone maintain it!
Where 'er ye be', look after yourselves, my friends!
The Tippling Philosopher is closed? Now by God that is one step too far! From time to time I check that link just to take a look see.
Posted by: Whitewall | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 15:23
Now there's the David we all know and love, with his English stoic and mad sense of humor. Well done. I'd suggest that if you can get SoD to stop accusing people of being Nazis for a few hours, you have him go to the store for you. He is still youngish. Failing that, you might look into home delivery.
Posted by: Bob | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 15:36
I'll David, in the spirit of bruvverhood of course, hoist my first pints of the day with you to mind - currently I've probably got about eight gallons (in pint bottles) shelved and the next ten on the bubble so I reckon we're good for maybe the next two months. Unless I ration myself which I will not promise.
Posted by: JK | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 16:52
Today's my birfday incidentally, so y'alls will ave me to mind with y'alls first of this fine day?
Posted by: JK | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 16:55
Bob, Loz is a strange character, he attacks Nazis and supports the EU! In these difficult times the owner of a pub and venue sent a message to his usual users last night. They all left drunk free of charge. You will not be surprised that this being in Scotland is very unusual. Unfortunately I am locked up and could not attend.
Posted by: Glesga | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 18:43
JK, Happy birthday! I take it you are aging gracefully? Or disgracefully?
Posted by: Whitewall | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 19:02
Many happy returns JK. And many more to come.
Posted by: Timbo | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 19:21
Aaah, JK, take care and enjoy this day and all the rest of the days.
Posted by: Andra | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 20:23
Glesga,
SoD was right this is like H G Wells' The War of the Worlds, though. The common enemy can even make Scots give away booze. I'm stocked up on rye myself, and will also raise a glass to JK even though he's determined to be a pain in my ass.
Posted by: Bob | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 20:46
Many happy returns, JK!
Here's the best all-round analysis I've seen do far. Clinical ...
https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-the-hammer-and-the-dance-be9337092b56
The West is about to have its Dunkirk moment. China and South East Asia have had their El Alamein / Stalingrad moments.
Long term we all need an app on our phones that tracks our whereabouts and matches it to the whereabouts of known infected people going back 2 weeks. Any day you might get a message "You were in the news agents last Saturday morning and Mrs Smith was in there to, she has C19, so you need to self-isolate for 2 weeks." Like jury service, it's a duty that will crop up during your life from time to time.
The privacy issue, Big Brother and all that, is massive of course. But it's that or 2 million dead and more with on-going with mutations.
SoD
Posted by: Loz | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 21:41
G'day JK.
A happy birthday to you. That deserves finding a main brace to splice so I'll face 068 [True] and raise a glass or several to your continued good health.
For the uninitiated 68 deg [True] is East North East and the approximate Great Circle bearing from where I am in Oz to Arkansas.
Duffers the pubs here are also closing but as SWMBO and I are confined to barracks that is of little consequence to me. The fridge and wine cupboard are well stocked.
Stay well Duffers your followers need you.
Posted by: AussieD | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 21:52
JK, many, many Happy Returns on this auspicious occasion! I'm amazed that your forgetful President failed to mark the occasion with a ceremonial cannonade at the White House or better still, a truly 'yuuuuuuuuuge' piss up! Too late for me tonight but tomorrow a glass will be raised in, more or less, the direction of Arkansas.
Posted by: David Duff | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 21:57
JK
A happy day and many more!
Hank
Posted by: Hank | Saturday, 21 March 2020 at 22:05
Mail order home-made hooch is the answer to all this!
We've got about ten gallons of white, nine of red and five of 18% in 'the office', which should last us a short while...
If anyone wants to know where we buy it from, email David as he has my address! They deliver it to your front door (shut now of course)...
The best one surprisingly, is Liebfraumilch, which is nothing like the original, just a whole load better, and it takes about 14 days to the first scoop...
Posted by: Scrobs | Sunday, 22 March 2020 at 06:37
T'anks All & Everyone of Us.
I do appreciate.
(As for 'your pain' Bob I'd preferred you used 'figuratively' some'eres but now I'm passed I'll accept your referring to me as your kidney stone).
Lord knows I enjoy the hell out of D&N.
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 22 March 2020 at 06:52
Uhmm ... David?
"I'm amazed that your forgetful President failed to mark the occasion with a ceremonial cannonade at the White House or better still, a truly 'yuuuuuuuuuge' piss up!"
I'm supposing I forgot to ask President Trump to include you on the 'celebratory stuff' (at least) he sends me - Special Delivery?
https://itaintholywater.blogspot.com/2020/03/melania-trump-is-simply-irresistable.html
Sorry about that David. Trump's been occupied with some other mostly piddling stuff but as he put in this, his video addressed to me as I'd been on Melania's calendar (her personal 'to do' not her 'wish to') it got put in the mail early.
Which was fine by me as I was expecting the Postal Service to be overwhelmed by all the "Best Wishes" addressed to me anyway.
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 22 March 2020 at 07:17
Great link SoD thanks.
Stay well people.
We're in full lock down as of today.
Posted by: Jack the dog. | Sunday, 22 March 2020 at 08:57