Right … I’ve officially had my eye test: and — through a mix of NHS vouchers and pricing — picked my new frames and lenses.
Those … ?
Should be at my opticians by this coming Saturday.
Hopefully?
They’ll be worth waiting for …
~≈🤓≈~
Did I mention my nephew was over, last night?
My nephew, Jude, was over last night.
You can tell what’s coming, can’t you?
Yes: Jude’s latest video!
Feel free to hit the ‘Like’ button!
~≈📹≈~
Do you mind a contentious view? One’s that going to be thought os as bad taste, right now?
I’m a Terry Pratchett fan: one genuinely left devastated by the man’s diagnosis with a form of Alzheimer’s called Post Cortical Atrophy … and by his resulting support for assisted dying.
Why mention that now?
Because of the recent death of the late Sir Patrick Stewart.
Because?
Because his spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, said that he’d died after “following a brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.”
A brief and poignant journey.
Brief.
I know, having seen a grandmother’s death from Alzheimer’s, that her death took time.
As did Sir Terry’s death.
So an Alzheimer’s-related death that’s described as brief?
Bothered me.
And, having found he supported assisted death, and had spoken in favour of it?
I could only conclude one thing.
Sir Patrick was helped to die: something allowed by the law in California, where he lived.
~≈§≈~
Am I right?
I don’t know.
Would I be raising it with his family, right now?
Good lord, no!
But … ?
But couldn’t not say what I felt: that he made the brave, and wise, decision to die at a time he chose, rather than face a humiliating condition that would kill his mind slowly.
Well played, Sir Patrick: well played.
“We must be free from torture and suffering, we must have the freedom to choose for ourselves. We have no choice about how and when we come into this word, but it seems that we should be able to have a choice in how we leave it if our death is fast approaching.”
And, hopefully — given my optician’s prices — I have enough money, and discounts, to be able to afford the required new spectacles!
Here’s hoping!
~≈🤓≈~
There’s a small estate in Brentwood: called Sawyer’s Grove, near to where my sister, Ruth, lives, with her son, Jude.
It’s a nice place, from what I know: and a mixture of social housing, and private properties.
And … ?
It had a bomb scare, yesterday: apparently, a man and a woman were arrested after three “small homemade explosive devices” were found in their property.
Sir Patrick Stewart has died: after what’s described as a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s, and with Lewy body dementia.
A brief journey …
I best remember him as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation: and can also remember him in I, Claudius, as the villainous Lucius Sejanus.
I am — here’s the word, again — saddened to hear about this.
After all: the man was a seriously good actor.
And … ?
Took one hell of a punt with his career, taking the lead role with a strange little SF show that wasn’t guaranteed to work.
Despite the fact he didn’t unpack his suitcase for some time?
The show was successful.
And influential: I’m convinced the US TV companies behind franchises like Law and Order, CSI and NCIS saw Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it’s host of spin-offs, and thought “Hang on … they’re on to something, there.”
I think the same applies to the revived version of Dr Who.
I don’t know if Russell T Davies and company would have mentioned it to sceptical BBC executives, back in 2005, would’ve mentioned the fact TNG showed how successful a revival could be: but would’ve been stupid not to make a point of it!
TNG’s success? And its influence?
Would not have been possible, would not have been the same, without him.
I also think the show’s success in the UK wouldn’t have possible, without he and the producers decision to cast an English lead.
For that?
I’m grateful to the man: and sad to hear of his loss.
~≈🖖≈~
Just as an extra thought?
I note that the BBC articles have said the Sir Patrick died after a a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s, and with Lewy body dementia.
I have mixed feelings, there.
Yes: I am saddened about both his death, and to hear about the diagnosis.
But also mildly grateful to hear his death seems to have come only a short time after diagnosis.
Having seen what the condition can do, I’m grateful the journey was brief: death can be a mercy in these circumstances.
I’d doubt that makes the death easier for his family, friends and cast mates.
