the non-stop fireworks

Tis the season for fireworks.

In the lead up to Guy Fawkes day, Guy Fawkes day itself and now the aftermath of Guy Fawkes day, there have been non-stop fireworks going around London. Being conveniently located on the banks of the Thames, we have prime views of fireworks that people are lighting up across the Thames. On Saturday night we could see literally the entire north side of the Thames light up with about 4 lots of fireworks going on. At one point we couldn't decide where to look - east? west? east? - it was ridiculous the abundance of fireworks going on.

I think I have now been way overexposed to fireworks. I can hear enormous ka-booms happening all around, and I sit here at my table with the curtains drawn, ignoring the festivities outside. Yes, I have been incredibly spoilt. I guess you need to be here to understand why I find fireworks rather boring now.

With London getting colder and a growing inclination to hibernate indoors with a glass of red and a good book, it has been an achievement every time I force myself out of the house to do the grocery run or gasp! go and check out what London has to offer. Frances and I went to see Ratatouille on Saturday afternoon which was great fun. Highly recommended - it was very cute and very witty, and being the sap I am, I love a happy ending. Only in movies mind you - I'm way too bitter and twisted to enjoy such sacharine nonsense outside of reality.

Of course, there were plenty of good morals for children in the movie - don't steal, be loyal to your friends, have a good attitude to life, keep your mind open, etc etc etc. Worthy sentiments. What was not so worthy were the little shits that were running up and down the aisles during the films. Disgraceful. As I complained to my boss today, I didn't yell at them, lest I get stabbed in the back. It's quite bad nowadays where people are fearful of standing up to disrespectful youngsters behaving antisocially - everyone is afraid of being attacked with a knife.

Anyhow. Back to frivolity (hang on, this dried up old prune is going to check out the ENORMOUS fireworks that are happening outside my window). What made me almost cry with laughter however was the short Pixar animation before Ratatouille started. It was about a little green alien sitting a test for spiriting away a human to their UFO. The expression of the examiner and the sweaty desperation of the alien candidate had me in hysterics. Another Pixar great (along with the "For the Birds" short which is also worthy of your viewing).

To prevent my brain becoming pickled I went to the Imperial War Museum on Sunday to check out a new exhibition they have - "Weapons of Mass Communications: War Posters". It was a fascinating collection of posters used to spur people to join the army in World War 1 and 2 - displaying not just British posters, but German and French and Austrian posters as well. The collection interestingly also contained anti-war posters of today to provide a balanced viewpoint.

The Ministry of Justice also keeps on sending me out into the field to continue my education of the justice system. I was sent to meet the Chief Inspector and Duty Prosecutor of the Newham Borough police station today which was another eye-opening experience. Unfortunately most of the time was spent in meetings, but I do intend to go back to tour the station and to meet with some of the officers to hear their views. I am quite privileged to be able to gather different viewpoints on what makes the justice system tick. Are defendant witnesses being looked after adequately? How does the relationship between the Crown Prosecutor and the Crown Court assist to get the case to trial? What can the department do to better equip information sharing between different justice agencies?

These are all questions that deserve time and effort and I finally feel like I can help to make a difference. And it's a good feeling.

Just like watching a brilliant display of fireworks, really.