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The fairly extortionate bus prices in my area increased recently, which was no great surprise.

I used to pay £6.50 for a 20-25 minute return journey from my village to my daughter's. It's now gone up to £7.10, but a Rhondda Rider ticket (as many rides in Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough as you want in a day) has bizarrely remained at the lower cost of £7.

In March of this year, for some unspecified reason, the buses were free for the whole month. It may have been something to do with introducing the new, efficient, electronic payment system. Instead of requesting a specific ticket and paying the driver with cash, or card, we now have a tap on/tap off system for card users - you scan your debit card/phone when embarking and alighting and within three days the cost of your journey(s) are calculated and debited from your account. The trouble is, if you forget to tap off, an amount that could cancel a developing country's deficit is whipped from your coffers without so much as humanitarian award, or a polite round of applause.

Having been forgetful struggling off the bus with groceries, or small children, I have gone back to asking for a specific ticket and paying with cash, two things the public transport company was clearly trying to move beyond.

However, the free buses during the month-long hiatus were well used, despite the inconvenience of long bumpy journeys and buses simply not turning up. Traversing our Valleys terrain by bus is like a cross between a roller coaster and Brands Hatch and if they're running late they take a short cut missing out stops. Also, if the vacancies advertised are anything to go by, they're sometimes too short staffed since Brexit to run the full timetable.

As a consequence of the freebie enthusiasm, the bus company has trialled a £1 per bus ride cost over the school summer break. Very often when I'm paying £7, I have the bus to myself for at least a part of my journey and there are always way more seats that people. Over the summer, the buses have been so packed, passengers fill the aisle as well as the seats. So, one person paying £7 versus 40+ people paying £1.

I don't understand why public transport has priced itself to the point of making a loss. We are under threat of losing our unprofitable buses which could be profitable if they were only affordable for the demographics most likely to use them off peak, or were a cheaper option than driving in the rush hours.

On a less whiny note, I embarked on a bus yesterday morning with a £10 note in my hot, sticky palm, having used up all the pound coins I had on previous journeys. The driver commented that I was going to wipe out all the change he had left, at which point a passenger jumped up, paid for my journey and said, "Pass it on!" with a big smile. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to do just that, in whatever shape, or form that it presents itself. We are endemically community minded here in Wales, but it's nice to have the luxury of being able to act on that will without having to hesitate due to foolishly excessive costs.

Last night was my first real encounter with a person in an Alzheimer meltdown - strictly speaking in the form of LBD, Lewy body dementia, but I'd never heard of that before. A local friend brought her husband over (we live walking distance apart) for me to persuade him she really was his wife and not a dangerous intruder in their house. He's at the stage where he fluctuates between seemingly normal, if a little disconnected, all the way through to angry aggression, and back again. It took 20 minutes or more to convince him to give her back her phone and house keys.

Thing was, and why the blog, she's convinced his worst episodes are shortly after she's given him his sedation meds, twice a day, which are supposed to stop him stressing and fretting constantly. Does anyone here know much about the disease, have you any input? She is on groups and getting support and a few others on her groups have also noticed similar reactions but doctors insist it is not the medication but the nature of the illness. I wondered if anyone here was clued up on the topic.

They've been good friends to me but I had no idea how bad things occasionally are as up to now I've only seen him during his vague-but-friendly stages. Last night tipped once or twice towards scary. So weird that he knew me, and eventually trusted me to be telling the truth, but didn't know his wife of many years. So, another question, and yes we're not supposed to ask questions on blogs but this is more of a conversation - any advice on the best way to react, if (when?) it happens again -

Can't ask on any other social media as this is my only anonymous outlet.

There is a growing body of legal opinion that between his involvement and non-actiions, in the January 6 attempted coup and his statements about throwing out the US Constitution if elected President again (which is itself a tacit admission he recognizes he was not elected President in 2020) that Trump violated the provisions of Amendment 14, Section 3 of the US Constitution. Although it has been over 199 years since this clause was used to remove an elected Federal official from office or prevent their seeking one, it is still a very real part of the highest law in the United States.

The wording is:
"Section 3 Disqualification from Holding Office

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability."

Several Federal judges and State election officials are maintaining this precludes Donald Trump from ever again being placed on a ballot for office.

This realistic, facts-based simulation is divided into 3 stages: Nuclear War, Nuclear Fallout and Nuclear Winter. Watch this video to find out what will happen to the world during each of those stages.


Whats more is,
South African internet speeds have suddenly dipped following a WACS (West African Cable System) and SAT-3 (South Atlantic 3) cable breakage.

The damage was first reported on Sunday evening when users started complaining about slow and sluggish internet speeds. Network status reports confirmed that on Sunday morning, the SAT-3 cable lost connectivity and the WACS followed soon after.

Further investigation on the breakage confirmed that the damage was caused by a rock fall in the Congo Canyon – a massive submarine canyon found off the coast of Congo. It is the largest undersea canyon in the world.

As a result of the breakage, a cable repair ship known as the Léon Thévenin was sent out to begin repairs. According to Marine Vessel Traffic, the ship is currently docked at Mombasa, Kenya and is currently listed as “restricted maneuverability”. (< no clue what that means)

In response to Russia's threat to destroy civilian vessels carrying grain from Odessa and other parts of Ukraine, Ukraine has issued it's own Black Sea warning.
Any vessel entering the Black Sea intending trade with Russia may find itself at risk of being sunk, either by Russian mines or Ukrainian drones.

Yesterday, a Russian owed oil tanker attempting to pass under the Kerch Bridge received a (filmed) drone strike in the engine compartment area. The tanker was empty and en route to pick up a shipment of oil which will now not be sold. Further strikes on other shipping is probable.

Watch the Russian oil tanker take a hit.

The rumor is Ukraine has crossed the Dniepre River in force, and pierced the first Russian line in the vicinity of Kozachi Laheri and is already about 800 meters past that. A public satellite fly by of the area is still several hours away. There is concern Ukraine may also have gotten some vehicles across the river (somehow). The location of the incursion will provide opportunity for Ukraine to sever the E58 route. Previously Russian VDV (airborne (what remains of them) troops) had manned the line, but they were pulled out earlier this week and sent to fighting to the North and were supposedly replaced by regular infantry. As stated, this is still a not confirmed rumor on Russian Social Media not yet publicly confirmed by Ukraine.

As of this morning the Russian ruble has fallen in value to it's lowest point in the past 25 years (exclusive of the dip immediately after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine). As of 10 minutes ago the exchange rate of the Ruble on the world market is 1 penny US per Ruble. Further depreciation in value is probable as the war continues.

People have a lot of different opinions about the events of January 6th, 2021 at The Capitol in Washington DC. But who better to give an insider perspective than the person who was the Chief of Capitol Police at the time? I highly recommend watching this interview. We still have not got the full truth from January 6th and what happened around it. The January 6th Committee commissioned by Democrats deemed various questions and people off limits. Watch, share, and never stop being curious.

You can watch the interview on Twitter or on Rumble

Nature Moods
***
- Vol. I
( - )
Foreword.
"We are too dull
to understand
the Nature's feelings..."


[ … ]


2023+ © Th3Mirr0r
Nature Moods - Vol. I

Mike is running for office. His new campaign ad talks about an energy plan to lower costs and by 2040 will make America the leading energy producer in the world. I like it and I'm with Mike on this plan.
Just like Mike, I want to be able to pull up to a pump, without paying, remove the nozzle and be able to put gas in my car and not have to squeeze the handle!

Awesome plan Mike...

Story link:


X (Twitter) link:


Energy plan: