YoungWillz

Ok, overall thoughts on the opening ceremony. Loved Celine Dion. Actually, how is any of the sport going to top that? That horse going down the Seine. Incredible (say it in French). The Eiffel Tower light show. Fantastique! The flame! The balloon! Things that were less so. Parkour? Went on a bit really and obviously pre-recorded. Those dying handovers of the Torch - yikes, here's a grasp worth three seconds, now pass it to someone else. The overall presentation was as if a bedraggled Sunak, fresh from his election call in the rain, went into Number 10, called Macron and said "Now outdo that! But make it like a gay pride march. On the river. Disco the blazes out of it!". I know, I know - but I rather enjoyed it. I really did.

Not her first Olympic rodeo:

Absolutely addicted to being on wheels that one.

She made it! Hymn To Love. Special.

Just realised this the fifteenth Olympics in my lifetime. Bon anniversaire!

No tribute as yet for Jean Daniel Cadinot, I live in hope.

Il pleut, Rodney, il pleut.

A QO for Mildred Stahlman, who died on 29th June courtesy of the BBC's Last Word, to be broadcast later today: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0021bh5

"Aggedor, dor, dor, push pineapple shake the tree, Aggedor, dor, dor, push pineapple grind coffee..." (An oblique reference, I'll admit!). Ysanne Churchman died way back on 4 July, but we are only now being told the news. The Archers took aim and sent her on her way to Alpha Centauri. ladyfiona is on fire, gaining a fourth hit and we aren't even at the end of July. MariNisia gets hit number two and now has a decision as to whether to convert their Joker for their earlier hit or wait it out to see how the cards fall. At the moment, no bonuses. Biblio is awaiting a QO for Ray Lawler, but it's early in the day. Leaderboard updated.

Like many older people. She indicates here she'll have to stop working and pay carers in the style "to which she is accustomed": https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/miriam-margolyes-health-money-cameo-b2584222.html Take from that what you will. A long incapacitation with hefty care bills affects many. She obviously wants to be incredibly comfortable.

The curse of Peladon. And The Archers. RIP.

In case you can't watch the video, in its YT glory:

Cathy Rutherford has reportedly died: Good on you Cathy, Rest In Peace.

Former Labour MP for Manchester Blackley (1979-97) Ken Eastham reportedly died 21 July: https://www.politicshome.com/members/profile/association-of-former-members-of-parliament/remembrance-of-departed-colleagues DDP pick.

Sorry I see Sounds Incorporated has been updated. If only we could trace all the other damn ones.

You know how we were looking for a death date for Barrie Cameron of Sounds Incorporated? Now the GRO has been updated.... Obviously we had a few questions about acts, but you can't search this topic for GRO. This is the only one I can trace using the search for "index" outstanding, but I recall many more.

Bibi goes to Washington. Meantime, while he's away on his holidays, Israelis are pulling the dead bodies of Israeli hostages from Gaza. Still he has never owned the failure to protect on October 7th. On the list of things that I will not miss is Benjamin...

Sir Ken Jackson, AEEU/Amicus leader, a right winger and favourite of Tony Blair, reportedly dead:

I think Jenrick makes Boris Johnson look positively a saint. His career for a lawyer is littered with dodgy dealings and rule-breaking, really from the day he was elected by overspending on his by-election campaign. There's so much wrong with this guy, I'm amazed he decided to run again, never mind for the leadership. The scrutiny he will come under will be his undoing I think.

It was extremely sad to see his speech to the US. Bronzed up like Trump, stumbling profusely, but the message and hope for America still there. I wonder if he is still quite ill.

Leo Burke reportedly dead:

I just don't know. It's like we are being prepared, and she is generous in sharing that. She is a member of a group advocating for assisted dying. It may well get too much for her and you know... Anyway, I for one wish her better days and long years.

So do I. Beloved across generations. And swears like a docker.

Tugendhat - seen here thinking that one of the reporters reminds him of a dominatrix from Soho he once knew - and probably still does.

Don Cherry, he of Ice Hockey and broadcasting of the Canadian variety, lives. However, he has outlived his daughter Cindy Cherry, president of his pet rescue foundation - death notice: https://turnerporter.permavita.com/site/CynthiaMargaretCindyCherry.html?s=40 I understand she donated a kidney to her brother some time ago.