What's pleasing me today

No 1 son got called for jury duty. I never have been. He's a gentle soul and quite insular. He got assigned a case yesterday that I think may have been gang related. He was terrified that they would follow him home. Jury got dismissed today for some reason or other. Though obvs someone else will have to do the jury duty I cant help but pleased that he stood up and was prepared to do the civic thing despite his fears but doesn't have to actually go through the week or so of fear he would have had to.

I've been called up once for jury service about 15 years ago. I remember being quite excited and then it being a damp squib because it was the last two weeks before Christmas and there were hardly any cases.

I finally got called from the jury holding room where we were mostly sat around drinking tea and doing suduko puzzles. They took 15 of us into the court room and drew 12 names out of a hat - I was one of the three not selected. Lucky I was being paid by my employer at the time really, given that it would have been an expensive fortnight with very little to show for it.

Landed in Jersey at lunch. Had a light cycle this afternoon now in the hotel having a rest before some food. My friend arrives tomorrow for a few days cycling here, then over to Guernsey. Mixed feelings about being away from the family. It's partly nice, partly sad. Though tbh I was on the verge of strangling Little Miss Shady last night, so it's perhaps good I have a few days to myself.

Got given a Villa away ticket today too. That's going to be a tough sell to Mrs Shady when I only get back on Monday night.

Don't stress yourself about being away. No matter how lovely your child seems, they will spend many years treating you like an utter cunt for looking after them. So chill when you can.

Was very concerned that the floaters in my eyes had suddenly become much worse, only to find a tiny spider suspended from my eyebrows.

Not worried that your eyebrows can accommodate an errant spider without you noticing?

My favourite sweater had a load of pill on it so I bought a battery operated clothing shaver from Amazon, and now I'm mildly obsessed with shaving all my knitwear.

Has to be a euphemism just not sure for what exactly.

Maybe he's got pet sheep.

Just voted in a federal election for the first time as a Canadian. My riding is >99% likely to go Liberal, but it felt good to do my bit to run up the score anyway.

WTF is a riding?

I don’t mid you using North Americanese, except when there is a perfectly decent English phrase, but when you use phrases like “riding” I think you owe us an explanation/translation.

I thought similar then thought we have East and West Riding in Yorkshire (I think) so it might be an Olde English term.

We use the Westminster System, our constituencies are called ridings.

English is the best* language.

*Most esoteric