Dear people,
It’s nearly time! The end of the year, which seemed to be so far away only last week (which, I am sure, was February) is now just a fortnight away! How did that happen?
The Christmas adverts have been unveiled along with the traditional, slightly inexplicable Jean-Paul Gaultier fragrance adverts and the advert for that thing that you won’t be able to watch because it’s on a pay TV channel that you don’t have. Then there’s the chocolate adverts and the random shop that you thought had gone bankrupt before the Moonpig advert that you will try to remember a couple of days before Christmas because you haven’t done someone’s card… (by the way, that 20% off code on their TV ad is XMAS20 - you’re welcome!).
Anyway, before we get there, it’s newsletter time! And in this festive edition…
A German word
Some audio fun
Some Croatian things
….and much, much more!
So, let’s get to it!
Take care, everyone!
James x
Warning Of The Week
A massive thank you to the hacks at The Times for this well-timed reminder that things could be much, much worse.
If you are struggling to know what to do with your hundred grand…
Recycling News of the Week
According to Durham County Council, the vapes sold in the UK last year contained enough copper to make 370,000 at-home electric vehicle chargers and enough lithium to produce more than 2,500 EV batteries - and they can be recycled. More details on their Facebook page.
German Word of the Week
Audio of the Week
Last week was spent teaching with the ever excellent Christian Payne – or Documentally as he is known to the kool kids. Due to the ridiculous amount of other things going on at the same time, we didn’t get as much time as we usually do to hang out and put the world to rights - or maybe we never do and it’s one of those ‘the summers used to be longer’ things…
Anyway, it was a great shame we didn’t get more time but, what time we did spent, was spent, as usual, laughing and being silly.
We did have a moment to record some silly audio – just a quick few minutes – which is great fun.
Christian has suggested that I record something – but I think I need a foil. Or maybe I’m coming up with excuses. Or both.
He also suggested that I did an intro and outro to that clip - but you’d have had the people sitting next to me on this train droning on in the background and, trust me, nobody needs that!
Anyway, before I forget, you MUST subscribe to Christian’s newsletter. It’s excellent. Possibly the best thing on the internet - and I have almost read every webpage, so I know what I am talking about.
Philosophy Corner
Secularism of the Week
As regular disciples of my works will know, my relationship with religions is… y’know… you do you and leave everyone else to do what they want to do.
One of the most vocally secular states in the world is France but, and far be it for me to point this out (but I’m going to), it’s a bit flexible on how it interprets secularism - or laïcité as they call it over here.
You can discover more about the official French approach on the government website.
Article 2 of the law of 1905 on the separation of church and state says:
La République ne reconnaît, ne salarie ni ne subventionne aucun culte.
The Republic does not recognize, pay salaries to, or subsidise any religion.
That’s something we should all think about during the Christmas public holiday. And then we can discuss it during the Eid al-Fitr or Diwali public holid… oh.
Christmas Music of the Week
To be honest, I listen to this all year around! And I wouldn’t be surprised if this wasn’t her first appearance in my newsletter! So, here’s Mia Dimšić - Cimet i čaj.
Powered by Coffee and Generosity
These emails are powered by coffee! If you feel so inclined, thank you! They are hugely appreciated! My buymeacoffee link is at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jamesmb and I’ll post a photo of each one you get me as a thank you!
A huge thank you to Michelle and Suzana for your coffees!
I have kept some back for something that may happen between Christmas and New Year - I may really need coffee! More on that soon…
Truth of the Week
Amnesia of the Week
I have no recollection AT ALL of speaking to The National about Jacob Rees Mogg but, once again, my name and his seem to be intertwined.
Maybe I should contact his nanny and find out more…
Intellectual Property of the Week
I think we all now, by now, how I will always come out batting for Croatia and Croatian causes and this week is no different.
The current massive abuse of power comes from an unjustified attack on Croatian football club NK Jadran-Galeb by English legal bullyboys, Brighton and Hove so-called Albion.
Fearful that they may have to face NK Jadran-Galeb (who currently sit atop the mighty third division of the Koprivnica-Križevci County league), Brighton and Hove Albion have called in the lawyers to distract our Croatian heroes from their on-pitch success.
This is exactly the sort of thing that is ruining football.
This and FIFA.
Anyway, Brighton and Hove Albion have absolutely outrageously accused NK Jadran Galeb of copying their logo. They have no foundation for this slur.
But don’t take my word for it.
Decide for yourself…
Yule Lad of the Day
This week sees the welcome reappearance of the Yule Lads. Long-time readers of this newsletter will remember the Yule Lads from before but, for the newbies, the Yule Lads are an Icelandic tradition, the modern day version of which involves the mischievous Yule Lads coming down from the mountain and leaving treats into the shoes of good children (or rotten potatoes in the shoes of bad children). Oh, one other thing, the Yule Lads are the children of Grýla and Leppalúði who have a cat called Jólakötturinn - and the cat will eat any children who don’t get new clothes…
Anyway, so far, we have seen Stekkjastaur, Giljagaur and, my personal favourite, Stúfur.
Today it’s the turn of Þvörusleikir or Spoon Licker. He is the fourth Yule Lad to make his way down the mountain and is known for being tall, thin, and for stealing þvörur (long wooden spoons) to lick them, hoping to taste something sweet.
In 2024, the Yule Lads are one of the few things that make any sense.
The cat, on the other hand…
Well, those pesky Yule Lads absolutely ruined my ‘of the Week’ theme - so that’s where I’m going to end it!
It feels like there’s more to arrange this year than ever - although I’m not sure why! Maybe just because Christmas and the New Year have crept up on me and so many things have happened over the last few weeks.
Under 10 days to go until the big day. Is is time to panic yet….?
Take care everyone!
James x
ENDPIECE
Poor Terry.
It was almost as big a pleasure reading this as it was getting to hang out with you over the last week. Cheers :-) and great work on the JRM punditry. 😂