America in 2024

 'An old, blind, mad, despised and dying king.'

In the lead up to the US election I was resigned to a Trump win. He'd been leading for an age and despite Harris's late dead cat bounce, seemed to be on track to become prez. 

And yet... The mood music of the last few days hinted at a different outcome and like many, I allowed myself to be seduced. It's the hope that kills you.

Never underestimate the US's love of cheap gas and a carnival barker preying on their worst instincts. Not all of Trump's voters are racists and misogynists but all of the racists and misogynists voted for him.

Harris was an uninspiring candidate dealt a completely shit hand with 100 days to go. So, it could be argued that you can't blame people for picking the populist they know. But you can blame them for believing anything he says. He was a flailing president last time with an anti-Midas touch who lowered America in the eyes of the world.

In a decent society, Trump wouldn't be within a million miles of the candidacy given what we know of him. Is he really the best the US can offer?

Watching this angry and exhausted old man giving yet another rambling speech yesterday, it still beggars belief that the country has fallen for a conman who will piss on them and tell them it's raining.

As for the UK's 'special relationship', well it wasn't that special last time (nor under Obama TBH). Trump got to meet the Queen, so what else can we offer? Maybe Starmer's planning reforms will allow him to lay out a few more golf courses but he doesn't need us. Europe seems to have realised this and will cling together for strength while we shiver on the sidelines.

So four more years of this. Scarily, this time he's come packing a toolbox of ideological wingnuts like Vance and Musk so his capacity to wreak havoc will be even greater.

Frightening times. When America shits the bed, we all get a whiff of the stink. 

Better than me

When I was in my teens, me and a mate, Paul used to go through periods when we would try and get 'superfit'. This typically involved getting up before school and going for runs round the quiet streets of our market town. Maybe we'd throw in some sits ups along the way. Anyway, it usually lasted a few days maybe a week at most - before tailing off, until the next time we started the cycle again.

In the past couple of months my youngest has taken to going running in the evening with one of his schoolmates. They do a couple of miles round a local park but unlike me and Paul, they've been doing it continuously with only the odd night off if one is ill or there's something else in the calendar. 

They just started doing it - I'm not entirely sure why. They've now joined a local running club and have started training a couple of days a week on top of their own runs.

He's already proved himself to be an accomplished young actor with roles in school productions and local drama groups. And he's book smart too.

As is his brother, who in recent years has also flourished as a musician. Performing with the school and county orchestra, and writing his own compositions. He's even being invited to conduct the orchestra at an upcoming school concert. I can't wait to see that.

Obviously I'm very proud of them both. It's amazing to see how they have developed as young men and to ponder how much, or possibly how little, it has to do with me (I won't speak for my wife as she has definitely done more to shape them - positively - than I have).

It never ceases to amaze and delight me how they have emerged. When they were young, it's hard to imagine that you will ever be less than indispensable to them. But as they get older, the times you are called on get fewer and fewer - dad's cab and cash mainly.

I sort of missed the points at which they outstripped me at so many things. You can just about pin the time when they're suddenly taller than you - not much of a challenge that one - but when did they become stronger, faster, actors, musicians, more creative, more empathetic...?

There's not much left for me. I can still cook better - that's a crown neither seems interested in. I think I'm funnier, but that is probably a matter of taste.

And you know what? I don't care. They're great young people that I'm blessed to have in my life - pardon the mushiness. My competitive dad days are over. It's time to bask in their light.