Two weeks

Since I last wrote, Americans have elected a new president. I feel like Americans vote more like people in developing countries than citizens of developed countries. If all you care about is getting a better job, food or a roof over your head, you will overlook any number of incriminating acts, felonies, corruption, etc if you think the Strong Man making promises up on the stage will help you. It's the vote of the desperate. I think Americans suffer a much higher degree of financial anxiety than people in other countries. Partly due to the lack of a safety net (and public health care and transportation). And partly because American media is saturated with the lives of the rich and famous. Maybe Americans seethe with jealousy and feel generally hard done by.

Really it is beyond me to understand. Decades of Fox News have certainly contributed to the dense fog in people's brains.

In other news... two more Arts Festival events. One was a fake wake called Granny Jackson's Dead. It was really funny. Immersive theatre – we were all in on the act. Also a reading by two very gifted writers. I bought both of their books.

The last two weekends I've caught up with a lot of friends. I got a bit out of touch when I wasn't driving. I had a dinner party for two friends – that was good craic. I went back to the Royal for a check up six weeks after the accident. They said it was still too soon for physical therapy, which I found disappointing. My arms are definitely better but I'm still restricted in a variety of ways.

Here is a classic springer photo. Paddy picked this 'stick' up at Redburn Park and carried it for a while hoping I would throw it. No can do, pupster

Very early tomorrow morning I leave for Madiera. A very spur of the moment trip to use up vacation time and get a break from work and from keyboards. Photos to follow upon return.

14 Nov