My attempted prologue pre-presentation at the BWC in Bath
I wanted to let the citizens of the UK in on my love for your land and country. Keep it. Protect it. Your Sovereign Nation.
Clare Craig reminded me today to tell y’all about being filled with inspiration and hope walking the streets of Bath, England, and among the people of this part of the UK. It was actually the prologue to my presentation at the conference but I struggled find the words at the conference. I needed to tell everyone because I literally was stopped in my tracks - a few times - on my many walks through and around the city. I am very sensitive to history - although I hated studying it in school with a passion - I love nothing more than studying it in real life. Architecture is one of my loves, and the Gothic style is my most favorite style of building (my second favorite is Art Deco). The flying buttresses, the pointed arches, the ribbed vaults and the elegant detailed spires… sigh. Just, awesome. The Abbey in Bath built of Bath stone was founded in the 7th Century and built as it stands today between the 12th and 16th Centuries. Here is one of many photos.
I mentioned Art Deco so I must throw in this store front I captured on the bridge that will soon be a new restaurant. I talked to the owners and applauded them for their excellent restoration of the original brass and design.
The first place I felt something really strong (not sure what the ‘strong’ is - but I had to stop and study) was the facade of an old Bookbinding shop. It was made of what I believe is oak, and it was just beautiful. These historic facades and buildings have the ability to zap me back in time and to imagine all the people who used to enter and exit that shop and what they might have been thinking at the time. I wonder what coins looked like that they would use to pay for their books to be rebound? I wonder if they had children? How many? What book did they need bound?
It was this feeling of being transported in time by these buildings that sparked me to wonder what effect being lucky enough to be surrounded by them all day, every day, has on the human psyche and even daily mindset and immune state. Because, I gotta tell ya, it made me feel really relaxed being surrounded by the buildings and the lovely people of Bath. And I was only there a few days. And then I began to wonder if in fact, this might not be the key to saving ourselves from the pending hostile and quiet coup-du-monde by entities whom shall not be named (in honor of Harry Potter - there was Harry Potter shop in Heathrow and it was super cool). Roots. They matter. We matter.
I tried really hard to bring forth what I meant or felt by this during my presentation. It was difficult however, due to a few technical difficulties and I did struggle for the right words. It’s hard to put abstract feelings into words for conveyance of meaning, but, after talking to many people at the conference afterwords, I found out that I had managed, to my delight.
I feel because of the deep rooted ties to the past to the amazing builders, masons, artisans, shopkeepers, bookbinders, maestros, etc. that came before us, that it would be impossible for any hostile entity to sever these ties. Regardless of how powerful they might have convinced many of us that they are. Those who came before are us in many ways are pretty much exactly like us - just from a different time. Sure, they can mount those disgusting towers with small cell units on them on the new and gross concrete monolithic buildings, but they are not allowed to desecrate the cathedrals and walls and facades and all of the other beautiful and thankfully, protected, buildings and spaces. It might actually be why I felt so wonderful physically and mentally walking this city: not much electrosmog. There was actually a panel on the potential harms of electrosmog so make sure watch the conference playback found on the WCH website.
Another place (which for some reason was less likely to induce such a strong feeling of reliving the past in my mind) was rich with more monolithic buildings near the train station. I don’t know anything about this ‘neighborhood’ but it seemed like the ultra-ritzy part of town. There were lots of shops and converted telephone booths. I found it very… I’m not even sure. It caused me to pause several times and to look up and to pay attention. That’s all I know for now.
I would love it if someone out there knows the history of this neighborhood so I could try to figure out why it was screaming at me. The buildings were all crafted with Bath stone.
The roams I made around green spaces were incredible but again, it was the city streets that made me stop often. Here’s another example on the other side of town of the sheer magnitude of skill and craftsmanship that made me believe that we must fight against the destruction of who we have always been as humans.
By the way, I really did start my walks at 5ish in the morning so that’s why the streets are so barren. I love this time of day. The middle bottom photo above is a glimpse into the world of the underground world that must run through the entirety of the old city. I adore the underground and anything subterranean for some reason. As long as I am able to surface into sunlight, that is.
I leave you with my slides that was my attempt to remind everyone how important each and every one of us is. This is not kumbaya flake-speak: I mean this literally. Every single being has a uniqueness, and might be the reason our species survives what’s coming when the fusion of the digital vaccine passports and CBDCs hits. The former, is built on the back of the EU, as I understand it. And as I have seen many a citizen proclaim: thanks for asking but NO THANKS.
I hope that all people in the UK know that there’s a special place in my heart for you all and how much I love your country and how much I loved Bath in particular. Please feel free to share any and all of my words and photos. I am not a withholder but I do appreciate credit for art works though. :) I could recognize my photos anywhere!
“Sync cannot happen in the context of mass formation, but only in the context of synergistic organically-manifested convergence.” Jessica Rose
Much love my Brit, Scot, Welsh and Irish buddies.
Thank you, Jess. I connect with everything you wrote and a few things you didn’t.
It was such fun chatting with you a couple of weeks back. I apologize for gabbling, but then again, you knew I did that before you asked 🤗
You’re such an exceptional human being, Jess. I’m proud to know you a little.
Best wishes
Mike
Several huge positives from the last few years, for me.
1. The awesome privilege to put on our “subject matter armour” and walk out to do battle, booed by so many, yet feeling calm while doing it. Nothing I’ve ever done comes close to the absolute conviction that opposing these evil perpetrators is more important than life itself. Humanity is ultimately going to survive and re-emerge in this endless battle of good v evil.
We don’t need to “win”. I view it as I used to regard an extended hill climb during a long distance road race. Set your cadence and stride length such that you won’t be forced to stop. You can’t “beat the mountain”, but you can prevent it beating you.
2. Finding faith.
3. Deepening yet further my relationship with my wife and partner for life, Joanna (aka Bunny). I can’t thank her enough for her unconditional support and love. How many partners, hearing from me one morning that “I’ve had something like a dream except I wasn’t asleep, and I’ve got to go to the Southern USA”, would say: “When do we leave?”
4. Meeting a series of, how to describe them, just special people. This era recruits people who will choose to die rather than to quit trying.
Bath is a beautiful city and shows what imagination and Craftsmanship can do. I would recommend York, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin and many others too as well as parts of London off the beaten track with so much history.
Unfortunately many new buildings are steel, concrete and glass monstrosities. Cheap build costs and can pre fabricated panels can be put together by low skilled workforce. I remember doing English at school in a cold temporary building called a terrapin. I left in 84 and it’s still there being used! It doesn’t detract from it being a great school and a reason house prices are high in the area. Such a shame UK has abandoned the system of apprenticeships working under a skilled tradesman with Mastercrafstsman overseeing projects.