flash mournings

While I was in Warwick for the 50th anniversary of the department, Elizabeth II passed away. The item of news permeated quite slowly, as it was not even mentioned during the conference dinner. While institutions (like the University, above, with a picture of her visiting the campus in 1970, prior to the department creation) and companies (like this Birmingham airport shop, below) started posting announcements, and the media went full blast, both in Britain and in France, I did not notice much of a reaction on the following day while I traveled back to Paris (with huge delays due to the meteorology, rather than to the monarchy). Which makes the offer of support we got from the University

For many, this will be an emotional time so please do talk to others if you need any support. Our Wellbeing Support Services, the team at the Employee Assistance Programme, and our multi-faith Chaplaincy are available to help you during this period.

the more puzzling.

Warwick stats turns 50

early morn in Powys [jatp]

merry Xmas

total bullXit

“Of course there will be an attempt to try to obfuscate the effect of this Act, but it does – the capitulation act, or the surrender act or whatever you want to call it – it does, I’m sorry, but it greatly enfeebles, it greatly enfeebles this government’s ability to negotiate.”

“But what I will say is that the best way to honour the memory of Jo Cox and indeed the best way to bring this country together would be, I think, to get Brexit done.”

“There’s a terrible kind of collaboration as it were, going on between people who think they can block Brexit in Parliament and our European friends.”

“What will synthetic biology stand for – restoring our livers and our eyes with miracle regeneration of the tissues, like some fantastic hangover cure? Or will it bring terrifying limbless chickens to our tables?”

“I can hardly condemn Ukip as a bunch of boss-eyed, foam-flecked euro hysterics, when I have been sometimes not far short of boss-eyed, foam-flecked hysteria myself.”

“We will leave the EU on 31 October, deal or no deal. The way to get a good deal is to prepare for a no deal.”