Pontevedra Pensées: 29.12.16

If there's anything worse than a US president-elect who gets up every morning and shoots off an incomprehensible or stupid tweet, it's the partner of a pop star who – having found him dead in bed – immediately gets on twitter to say something inane. The internet comes at a price.

Talking about causes for early morning depression . . . I saw just now that the most-read article on today's Telegraph related to George Michael and his possible cocaine addiction. I have to say The Guardian's list was far more edifying.

On the lighter side . . . This morning's Business Over Tapas bulletin from Lenox Napier gave me a laugh with this quote from The Olive Press: [Post Brexit] Measures have been unveiled to make it easier for businesses to move from England [They mean Britain, of course] to Spain. The government’s plans include an ability to submit paperwork in English, gain fast-track authorisation for financial companies looking to relocate, and not imposing any more rules than already exist within the EU. No bloody use submitting stuff in English if no one can understand it or talk to you about it. As for 'No more rules' . . .  If you swallow that, you'll deserve everything you get.

I got another laugh from the report that this project had won the 2016 Carbuncle Cup, for being the worst new construction of the year:-

It's the Lincoln Plaza on the Isle of Dogs in London and you can see more appalling fotos of it here. Its promoters described it as a prestigious and sophisticated landmark. As someone retorted: Were anyone in any doubt as to the delusion and gall that has gripped London’s luxury housing market, then this asinine quotation should settle the matter once and for all. Adding that: Lincoln Plaza is a putrid, pugilistic horror show that should never have been built. In its bilious cladding, chaotic form, adhesive balconies and frenzied facades, it exhibits the absolute worst in shambolic architectural design and cheap visual gimmickry. Seems fair to me, if a tad understated. The response of the promoters was that it had been sold out, indicating that some people appreciated it. Not really, mate; it just means they believe they can sell their place to someone even more philistine and greedier than them. We saw a lot of this during Spain's phony economic bum.

I'd like to say the favoured new buildings of the year are a great deal more pleasing, but that would be an untruth of the first order. It's a question of degree.

Finally . .  These are Things I Have Not Become Familiar With in 2016, not in order of unimportance:-

• Star Wars generally. Carrie Fisher in particular.
• George Michael
• Sombre Scandinavian crimes series
• Depressing French crime series
• Game of Thrones
• Any other TV series, from whatever country
• Frozen (from 2015?)
• Any film issued during the year
• The Alt-Right generally. Breitbart in particular.
• Twitter
• Any new fashion for men
• The Kardashians
• Kanye West
• Percebes

There are certainly more of these, including not just those overlooked but also those I don't even know exist. The known and unknown unknowns. I shall expand the list in due course, in the light of immense reader interest. Other lists very welcome.

Today's cartoon:-