It says so right there: Mars.

This version of Iron Maiden‘s  „Aces High“. :-)

... but (fortunately) we didn't jump into the cockpit of a Spitfire during a scramble, but that of a Tornado.

The joy on my eldest (broken) son's face when we picked up his new car from the depths of South Auckland (we are in the North of Auckland), which required a nice long drive home in the car he will not be able to drive for several more weeks (until his shoulder heals sufficiently)

He was also smiling when he was sitting in the driveway playing with (he said optimising) the stereo and making vroom vroom noises. 

Rikkitic:

 

It says so right there: Mars.

 

Not sure if you're cleverly calling my bluff (in which case I'm biting like a big shark) but it was meant to be a joke. 😀

eracode:

 

Rikkitic:

 

It says so right there: Mars.

 

 

Not sure if you're cleverly calling my bluff (in which case I'm biting like a big shark) but it was meant to be a joke. 😀

 

I was laughing.

This travelogue by the two Englishmen who visited our city. 🙂

More delights from the land of the free -

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/tipping-culture-in-the-us-is-out-of-control-were-even-asked-to-tip-self-checkouts

rb99:

More delights from the land of the free -

 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/16/tipping-culture-in-the-us-is-out-of-control-were-even-asked-to-tip-self-checkouts

I hate tipping. Of course when I'm in a country where its expected I always tip at least the recommended amount as it is considered as part of their wage. But I would much rather that the employee was paid an appropriate wage and that was built into the cost of goods or services.

Senecio:

 

I hate tipping. Of course when I'm in a country where its expected I always tip at least the recommended amount as it is considered as part of their wage. But I would much rather that the employee was paid an appropriate wage and that was built into the cost of goods or services.

 

They should pay their staff properly so that a tip can be an award for particularly good service or no tip if the service was only below average.

Tinkerisk:

They should pay their staff properly so that a tip can be an award for particularly good service or no tip if the service was only below average.

neb:

Tinkerisk:

 

They should pay their staff properly so that a tip can be an award for particularly good service or no tip if the service was only below average.

 

Next thing you'll be suggesting they should get paid sick leave, proper working conditions, the right to join a union, abolition of child labour, maternity leave, I mean that's, that's... socialism!

Don't start, Commie! 

neb:

Tinkerisk:

 

They should pay their staff properly so that a tip can be an award for particularly good service or no tip if the service was only below average.

 

Next thing you'll be suggesting they should get paid sick leave, proper working conditions, the right to join a union, abolition of child labour, maternity leave, I mean that's, that's... socialism!

I am waiting for the day when the first head of state also calls that terrorism, as some countries already do for political opposition alone. This tendency towards retro-absolitism does not bode well and I wonder how dumbed down humanity is going to become and how the intelligence in these countries is going to eremite. We had this delusion in Germany exactly 90 years ago, but it seems to be a recurring problem.

But even the Romans knew the effect on the masses back then: "Bread and games," that's all it takes to keep the people quiet. Today it would be "chicken-mc-nuggets and video streaming". Freedom must be defended day in and day out, wide awake, otherwise one day it will simply be gone - if only out of convenience.

Tinkerisk:

Freedom must be defended day in and day out, wide awake,