Kabul ?

 

The first of the evacuees were running up the ramp when I heard the hiss of the Katyushas, followed a second later by an explosion as the first of the rockets detonated on a far runway.

It was clear to the evacuees that this would be the last plane out of the airport. What was left of the armed forces was evacuating itself with whatever aircraft was serviceable. I was running as fast as I could, my lungs in a knot. When I set foot onto the ramp, I paused to let Linh and Duc pass by. When they did not appear. I turned and saw they were no longer behind me. A mass of tormented humanity faded into the dusty distance. Even though I was escaping, I shared the torment.

No that’s not an account of Kabul in 2021. It’s Saigon in 1975. We’ve learned a lot in 46 years!

Get Vaccinated

 

Get Vaccinated! Well that’s what they tell us. Get vaccinated.

I’m a responsible and hopefully informed citizen So I used the Health Service on-line booking form. Way back in May, could have been even earlier.

Now, I have cardiovascular disease. I have had a vascular bypass. And am on medication for life, to prevent blood clots. Naturally, with the blood clotting issues with the AstraZeneca, I mention this on the form. With about 2 weeks to go, before the first appointment, I get a phone call. I doubt the guy had accessed any of my medical notes, from the questions he was asking. But, I’m not entitled to the Phizer. So he canceled my appointment.

At the time, there didn’t appear to be a great urgency, so I sat back and waited to discuss it with my GP. Then it all starts up again. So inevitably, you put your personal reservations to the back and decide to go ahead with whichever vaccine. It’s not just you, but those around you.

Back into the Health Service on-line booking form. Low and behold. I’m locked out. All my details are there, but I can’t access any of it. Make a phone call. The first time I was on hold for 40 minutes before a gave up. The second time, it actually warned the wait was over an hour! Back to the Health Service on-line booking form. Still locked out.

I’ve now made an appointment with my local GP. I made for just after I see the Cardiologist and the vascular surgeon. I’ve neither consider the AstraZeneca an issue, I’ll go ahead.

So here’s the bottom line. Get vaccinated! We don’t have enough vaccine, but get vaccinated anyway! Oh by the way.

What age group are you?

What state do you live in?

Do you live in a regional area?

Are you eligible?

So get Vaccinated!

Hanging

 

Hanging? What does it mean? In the wild west it was the hangman’s noose.

Or it could be to hang up your coat. Or to hang a picture. Hanging plants. The list goes on. But.

In Urban Slang however, it means: to wait or stay near a place, not doing very much.

Which is the very essence of this picture. The common seagull. Nothing exotic here. They’re universal. Any port, any beach, anywhere close to water. Try enjoying some fish and chips. In 30 seconds flat, you’ve got a reenactment of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. Port Talbot, South Wales, to Coffs Harbour New South Wales. They’re insects with feathers.

But take a look at this guy. He defines the urban slag of “Hanging”. He’s just grey and white, against a sky blue backdrop. Yet it’s magical. He is literally hanging in the sky. The wings are still. Not flapping. He is relying solely on the wind speed alone to keep him aloft. The elevation changes a little with the wind gusts, but he could almost be asleep. There is no motion. Just stillness in the air.

Majestic, relaxed, laid back. Just waiting for a chip. “So laid back, he’s almost comatose.” No mortgage, no social security. All he needs is your chip.