At last

People getting out to show their disgust with the (unelected) government's policies of cutting everything of any value. At the very good natured demo organised by the TUC yesterday there were all sorts - some organised groups like the choir above, and others making their own, individual statements.

Pussy Riot found guilty

The pompous judge is still reading out a long diatribe against freedom of speech as I write this, so I don't know the sentence yet. I feel disgust and outrage at the guilty verdict and hope that the sentence will take into account the time already spent in custody so that these three women can walk free today. I feel that's a slim chance. Meanwhile I'm trying to think of any Russian goods I can boycott, but it's hard. I guess I definitely won't be driving a Lada any time soon.

This is the band that should close the olympics!

Thanks to microdot at the brain police. I agree with him that the three band members should be freed now. Then fly them in to play the closing ceremony. Who needs the Spice Girls?

In the UK you can use a text message to add your name to a 'Free Pussy Riot' petition. Details on the Amnesty International site. For other countries check your local Amnesty.

UPDATE
There are also a number of petitions to free the band members on change.org. This one seems to be the biggest with 97,930 signatures when I signed it.

Whipsnade zoo

and a chance to try out my new camera

Although I'm not yet fully familiar with it, I like some of the results, more of which can be found here. A lot the shots I took using the 'dumb photographer- intelligent camera' auto setting, but I also experimented with taking control of the shutter speed and aperture, and I look forward to becoming more familiar with the possibilities and using them in a more adventurous and creative way.

I almost forgot

I just saw a feature on water voles on tv and that's when I remembered . . .

. . . having a drink on a boat at Spica when I was in Ljubljana, and seeing a coypu. I took a few photos with my phone, and the bar tender obligingly threw some bread into the water to prolong the photo-op.

I'd forgotten all about the pictures when I downloaded those from my camera, but having been reminded, here are a couple.

Day One

of mindfulness meditation following this book.

It promises to help you "find peace in a frantic world", and I could do with some of that.
So, having read all the preliminary chapters, I'm going to start on the first exercise today and aim to keep going till I've done the full eight week programme. 

Better late than never

Although I'm posting this days after the event, I was recently in Ljubljana, and those who know the city might recognise the outside of Bikofe in the photo above. If you don't know it but are going to pay a visit sometime, I recommend this place for morning coffee or an evening beer.

Also present at the meeting, in addition to the photographer and the two above was a character who preferred to stay under the table.