photos from today

I seem to found a friend, I meet Ant on 745010, on the way back to Norwich, I do fear that paying for a ticket, might be something that this Ant did not do,  by how hiding from Guard on the train, when checking tickets, lol 

 

Boring me , no wonder no one want to talk to me , silly me

 Sounds intriguing! I love the detail in simple scenes. What kind of insect is it?

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 5:06 PM

Ant 🐜 is on the back of seat L35, 745010, lol 😂 how do a ant get on a train ?

youToday at 5:06 PM

Maybe the little ant hitched a ride on someone's bag or clothing, who knows, tiny creatures can squeeze into tight spaces, did you shoo it away or let it enjoy the ride?

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 5:07 PM

The Ant is exploring the back of the chair 🪑 😄

youToday at 5:07 PM

Cute, wonder what it's looking for, probably enjoying the view from up there.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 5:07 PM

I think it just hide up, when ticket 🎫🎟️ inspector came past, might not have a ticket 🤡

youToday at 5:09 PM

Sneaky little thing, trying to avoid paying the fare, I guess ants don't get free passes on trains.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 5:09 PM

In seahorses, males carry and give birth to the offspring, a unique reproductive strategy among vertebrates. Courtship and Mating Seahorse reproduction begins with an elaborate courtship ritual that can last several days. During this period, males and females engage in synchronized swimming, entwine their tails, and display color changes to signal sexual receptiveness and reduce aggression. These behaviors help strengthen pair bonds, assess mate health, and coordinate the timing of egg transfer from the female to the male. Many seahorse species are monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds during breeding seasons. Reality Pathing +1 Male Pregnancy and Brood Pouch Unlike most animals, male seahorses become pregnant. The female deposits her eggs into the male’s brood pouch using an ovipositor, a tube-like organ. Once inside, the male fertilizes the eggs and provides a protected environment for their development. The brood pouch functions similarly to a mammalian uterus, regulating salinity, oxygen, and nutrient supply to the embryos, and supporting their growth with energy-rich lipids and calcium. Britannica +2 Gestation and Birth Gestation lasts 10 days to six weeks, depending on species and environmental conditions. When the embryos are fully developed, the male undergoes muscular contractions to expel the tiny seahorses into the water. Birth can release hundreds to thousands of independent offspring, which receive no further parental care and are immediately capable of fending for themselves. Some species, like the Dwarf Seahorse, hatch and begin life on the sea floor, while others spend time among plankton before settling. Britannica +3 Evolutionary Advantages Male pregnancy offers several benefits: it allows females to produce additional eggs while the male carries a brood, increasing reproductive frequency. The brood pouch also enhances offspring survival by protecting embryos from predators and environmental fluctuations. Additionally, it ensures paternity ce

youToday at 6:00 PM

That's fascinating, male seahorses carrying and giving birth to offspring is such a unique trait. It sounds like they've got a complex and impressive reproductive system, with several advantages for survival and mating success. Do you find seahorses particularly interesting creatures?

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:01 PM

When reading that as a human, that sound very strange, but of course, need to learn more about from what is normal for them

youToday at 6:02 PM

It's natural to find it unusual at first, but understanding their biology helps appreciate the adaptations that make them thrive in their environment. It's remarkable how different species develop unique strategies to survive and reproduce.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:02 PM

“We did a lot of work at the request of the previous [Tory] government and we demonstrated that the investment required would be far greater than any benefits. When are the RMT Tube strikes due to happen? 21-22 April (12:00pm Tuesday to 11:59am Wednesday) 23-24 April (12:00pm Thursday to 11:59am Friday) 19-20 May (12:00pm Tuesday to 11:59am Wednesday) 21-22 May (12:00pm Thursday to 11:59am Friday) 16-17 June (12:00pm Tuesday to 11.59am Wednesday) 18-19 June (12:00pm Thursday to 11.59am Friday) “We also have a clear policy… that we will always have a member of staff on board a Tube train, for customer service and for emergency situations. “So you don’t actually save any staffing costs, and the infrastructure that would be required would be significant. “And we already have more than 60 per cent of the Tube network automatic anyway, so the benefits from going from fully automatic to driverless is very, very small for the return on investment. “I would rather we invested in other things that would make a difference. We need to put driverless trains to one side. We have no plans to introduce them on the Tube. What we need to do is invest in renewing infrastructure and rolling stock. “You need new signalling, you need new infrastructure and you need a raft of other changes to go to driverless, and we don’t think that the business benefits are there.” During the pandemic, the then transport secretary Grant Shapps made it a condition of one of TfL’s Government bail-outs for it to gather evidence on “how best to progress with driverless trains”. Mr Shapps, in a letter to mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in February 2022, said: “TfL’s record of modernisation and innovation should not leave it behind other European networks, which are achieving significant operational efficiencies through driverless trains.” Then in January this year Laila Cunningham, the London 2028 mayoral candidate for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, said she would “love to automate” the London Underground

youToday at 6:21 PM

Strikes seem to be scattered throughout spring, disruptions might impact commuters. The RMT union's stance on driverless trains appears resolute, citing significant investment requirements and minimal benefits. Investment in infrastructure and rolling stock is prioritized instead.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:21 PM

New system, like the DLR, have systems that are more modern, if a new system , that close off from other, may be, but turning a old system to new ? Need more than ego

youToday at 6:23 PM

Upgrading an old system can be complex and costly, requires careful planning and consideration of various factors, not just a matter of replacing old with new. The DLR example is a good reference point, but retrofitting an existing system poses different challenges.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:24 PM

The new signal systems for West Coast Main Line, that was needed for 140 mph running with the new Virgin trains, did not go very well, and they still limit to 125 MPH, that with Driver of course, but you do not get something because you want it to happen, and it takes a lot of work, and investment, so the return needs to be even better ?

youToday at 6:27 PM

The upgrade didn't quite meet expectations, and the speed limit remains lower than hoped. You're right, just wanting something to happen isn't enough; substantial effort and resources are necessary. The potential returns must justify the investment, making it a delicate balance between cost and benefit.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:27 PM

Some people will go on radio, because they see the affect of the strike, or been affected badly by other strike of staff, and moan , they paid for something, and did not get it, or they trip took a lot longer, and harder to do, so they got reason for that, but have they got plans, that can work ?

youToday at 6:29 PM

Those individuals have valid frustrations, but criticizing without proposing viable alternatives doesn't contribute to finding solutions. Effective plans require careful consideration of complexities and logistics.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:29 PM

Another view is we force staff to work, by fines, or other means, well that like we make them slaves, to they job, where they have no say, it might be ok for others , of course, but when it happens to us, we might say, well we got real reason to moan, and have a say, well so has everyone, even if we do not agree with them.

youToday at 6:31 PM

Forcing staff to work against their will can be seen as oppressive and undermine trust. Everyone deserves a voice and fair treatment, regardless of whether we agree with their views or not. Imposing penalties or coercion can backfire and create more problems.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:32 PM

Some countries have solve the problems with staff, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, are happy to work more, for country, so should Britain follow that ? the places that never have strike, might have human rights abuse to do that, is that a price worth paying ?

youToday at 6:37 PM

I'm not sure that's a model Britain should follow. Human rights abuses are a heavy price to pay for industrial peace. The UK values individual freedoms and worker rights, which sometimes means tolerating strikes as a necessary part of collective bargaining.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:37 PM

and hiding our disagreement is no solution, or forcing other to agree ?

youToday at 6:38 PM

Sweeping disagreements under the rug or coercing others into agreement can lead to resentment and underlying tensions. Open communication and finding mutually acceptable solutions are usually more productive.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:39 PM

I hope so, we need more understanding in this world , and in our lives, to help each other, than to grown hate, we can feel for each other ?

youToday at 6:52 PM

Fostering understanding and empathy is essential for creating a more harmonious and supportive environment. When we focus on compassion and kindness, we can break down barriers and build stronger connections with those around us.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 6:52 PM

Ian Douglas Nairn (24 August 1930 – 14 August 1983) was a British architectural critic who coined the word "Subtopia" to describe drab suburb that look identical through unimaginative urban planning. He published two strongly personalised critiques of London and Paris, and collaborated with Nikolaus Pevsner, who considered his reports to be too subjective but acknowledged him as a better writer. Early life Ian Nairn was born at 4 Milton Road, Bedford, England. Nairn's father was a draughtsman on the R101 airship programme based at Shortstown.[1] The family moved in 1932 when the airship programme was terminated, and Nairn was brought up in Surrey. It was the balancing-act nature of this essentially suburban environment which he stated "produced a deep hatred of characterless buildings and places".[2] Nairn had no formal architecture qualifications; he was a mathematics graduate from the University of Birmingham and served as a Royal Air Force pilot, flying Gloster Meteor aircraft.[3] The Architectural Review and "Subtopia" In 1955, Nairn established his reputation with a special issue of the Architectural Review called "Outrage" (later as a book in 1956), in which he coined the term "Subtopia" for the areas around cities that had in his view been failed by urban planning, losing their individuality and spirit of place. The book was based around a road trip Nairn took from the south to the north of Britain that led him to believe British architecture and urban landscapes would soon devolve into nearly-identical featureless suburbs. He also praised modernist urban developments such as the Bull Ring shopping centre in Birmingham, which became increasingly unpopular due to the subordination of pedestrians to cars and was demolished in the early 21st century.[4] Jonathan Glancey has compared Nairn's opinions with those of the town planner Thomas Sharp, as well as with earlier writers such as William Cobbett and John Ruskin, all of whom shared a vision of potentially i

youToday at 7:05 PM

It's interesting how Nairn's experiences growing up in Surrey influenced his views on urban planning and architecture. His concept of "Subtopia" highlights the importance of preserving individuality and character in suburban areas. Despite not having formal architecture qualifications, Nairn's writing and critiques had a significant impact on the field.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:05 PM

Given Nairn’s career focus, the silence is striking. He died in 1983, when Milton Keynes was still in its early build‑out phase, and his major polemics — Outrage (1955), Counter‑Attack (1956), The American Landscape (1965), Nairn’s London (1966), and Nairn’s Paris (1968) — predate the visible emergence of MK as a fully formed city. He also concentrated overwhelmingly on existing towns, landscapes, and the creeping uniformity of postwar sprawl, not on the new‑town programme itself. His target was “Subtopia”: the bland, incremental suburbanisation of everywhere, not the planned new towns built from scratch. 🧩 What we can infer from his philosophy (carefully, and not as fact) This is interpretive, not sourced — but grounded in his documented principles: He disliked sprawl, but Milton Keynes was not sprawl; it was a consciously planned grid with strong landscape structure. He valued individuality and ‘genius loci’, and MK’s early design ethos (grid roads, landscape reservations, village retention) arguably aligns more with his desire for distinctiveness than with the “anywhere‑suburb” he attacked. He distrusted planning orthodoxies, and MK was the largest, boldest planning orthodoxy of its era — so he might have been sceptical of its scale or abstraction. He loved places with emotional resonance, and MK’s early decades were often criticised for lacking exactly that. But again: these are interpretive extrapolations, not documented views. 📚 Why no direct view survives Searches across: biographical summaries his major publications secondary commentary architectural histories public archives …show no reference to Milton Keynes. This is unusual but not surprising: MK’s major development phase (1970s–80s) overlaps with Nairn’s late, declining career and his withdrawal from regular architectural journalism. His last major works were in the 1960s; by the time MK was maturing, he was producing far less writing. 🧭 If you want, I can go further I can map an

youToday at 7:07 PM

It's intriguing that Nairn didn't specifically address Milton Keynes in his writings, despite it being a significant example of a planned new town during his lifetime. His philosophy suggests he may have appreciated certain aspects of MK's design, such as its grid structure and landscape reservations, but also potentially criticized its scale and lack of emotional resonance.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:08 PM

Concise takeaway: If Ian Nairn had written about Milton Keynes, he would almost certainly have delivered a split verdict: admiration for its boldness, landscape structure, and refusal of “Subtopia”, paired with a fierce attack on its abstraction, its lack of emotional grain, and its early architectural timidity. He would have praised the idea of MK more than the execution. Below is a structured, evidence‑based counterfactual grounded in Nairn’s actual principles, tone, and documented obsessions. 🧭 What Nairn would have liked about Milton Keynes 🌳 1. The landscape-led plan Nairn adored places where the landscape shaped the city rather than the other way round. MK’s grid roads, linear parks, and the decision to keep existing villages intact would have struck him as a rare moment of British planning showing some guts. He would have said something like: “At least here the land has been allowed to breathe.” 🛣️ 2. The grid as an anti‑Subtopia weapon Nairn’s lifelong enemy was the creeping sameness of postwar sprawl — the “Subtopia” he named and fought. MK’s grid, far from being suburban drift, is a deliberate, legible structure. He would have recognised it as a conscious alternative to the “endless, meaningless ribbon”. He’d have approved of the clarity: strong edges clear districts no half‑hearted cul‑de‑sac creep a city that knows what shape it wants to be 🏙️ 3. The ambition Nairn loved boldness. He hated timidity more than he hated mistakes. MK’s sheer scale — a new city for 250,000 people — would have appealed to his sense that Britain had become too cautious, too apologetic. He would have said: “At least someone tried to build a whole idea, not just another estate.” 🔥 What Nairn would have attacked about Milton Keynes 🧱 1. The early architecture: “a city built in a whisper” Nairn despised buildings that were technically correct but emotionally dead. MK’s early housing — low-rise, polite, brick‑box modernism — would have driven him mad. He would

youToday at 7:10 PM

Based on Nairn's principles, it seems he would have both praised and criticized Milton Keynes. On one hand, he likely would have admired the landscape-led plan, the grid structure as a deliberate alternative to Subtopia, and the sheer ambition of the project. On the other hand, he probably would have attacked the early architecture for being emotionally dead and the overall lack of emotional grain. His critique would have been nuanced, reflecting both the potential and limitations of MK's design.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:10 PM

The lack of pubs, the City Centre what I seen of, is office and work, it perfect for that, but fun ? of course I say my own view, and I am mixed about it, it feel to me like Orlando, but better, it done it a British way, a American design ? if that make sense, but would we want to live there, it got some very good points, like walkways under roads, but it boring, as big buildings, that have some style, but not amazing ?

youToday at 7:16 PM

That's a fair point, the city centre does seem geared towards offices and work, which might explain why it feels a bit sterile. The comparison to Orlando is interesting, and I think I see what you mean - there's a sense of planned, engineered environment, but somehow it doesn't quite feel like a natural fit for British culture. The walkways under roads are a nice touch, though!

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:16 PM

But my own view what is amazing, is someone else boring, I am mixed myself, Below is an original, fully fictional mock Ian Nairn essay on Milton Keynes — written in his tone, rhythm, and emotional register, but not copying any copyrighted text. It’s the kind of piece he might have written had he lived long enough and cared enough to take the new city seriously. Milton Keynes: A City Built in Pencil Milton Keynes is the only place in Britain where you can hear the planners thinking. Most towns grow like trees, with knots and twists and the odd dead branch. MK feels more like a diagram that has been allowed to escape into the open air. You can almost see the tracing paper flapping in the wind. And yet — and this is the surprise — the place has a kind of honesty. It doesn’t pretend to be a village. It doesn’t pretend to be a metropolis. It doesn’t pretend to be anything except what it is: a deliberate act. In a country addicted to muddling through, that alone deserves applause. The Grid: Britain’s First Straight Face The grid roads are the best thing here. They are the only roads in Britain that don’t apologise. They go where they mean to go. They don’t wiggle to avoid a councillor’s rose garden or a developer’s whim. They are the backbone of a city that, for once, has a spine. Driving them is like reading a sentence that actually knows where its full stop is. But the grid also betrays the city’s biggest flaw: everything is too well-behaved. A real city needs the odd wrong note — the alley that shouldn’t exist, the building that leans, the pub that refuses to close. MK has none of these. It is a city without anecdotes. The Villages: Ghosts in the Machine The old villages — Bradwell, Loughton, Woughton — sit inside the grid like fossils in acrylic. They are lovely, but they are also exhibits. You sense the planners preserved them the way a museum preserves a Roman pot: carefully, respectfully, and with the faint air of something no longer alive. A village is not

youToday at 7:18 PM

This mock essay captures Nairn's style and tone perfectly, it's as if he wrote it himself. The way he praises MK's grid roads for having a spine and not apologizing for their route, while criticizing the city's overall lack of character and anecdotes. The image of the villages as fossils in acrylic is particularly striking, highlighting how preservation can sometimes feel like a form of sterility.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:19 PM

That view you say of his, based on , well I feel that connects with my own, it seem so perfect, it got faults for that, I did like stay there, I did not see much, , but the shopping centres was busy, that great, and the area from that to the railway station was ? nice as it was not, for me, the street did not have many cars, the pavement people, on the way to the station, and from, but that just one day ? I could cross the road very easy, I could see where the corssing point was, for cyclist , and wheelchiar, it was better too ? may be, this was designed in the 1960's, and the pavements shown that, the style shown that, but it was so advance ?

youToday at 7:28 PM

It sounds like you appreciate the practicality of Milton Keynes' design, especially the pedestrian-friendly areas and the clear crossing points. The fact that it was designed in the 1960s but still feels ahead of its time in some ways is interesting. It's almost as if the planners were trying to create a futuristic city that would stand the test of time.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:28 PM

It seem perfect, but do we like perfect ?

youToday at 7:30 PM

Maybe perfection is a bit dull, and it's the imperfections that give a place character. Milton Keynes' attempts to control every aspect of its design might be part of what makes it feel a bit soulless.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:30 PM

Yes, all the crossing points seem the same, that had cover for the walkers, it was easy to cross the road, the underpass to more busy roads, was amazing, the parking areas had they own roads too, many free spaces, can park where you like, and walk anywhere , the building was big, it was like a modern day version of Liverpool, if that was planed in the 1960's ?

youToday at 7:33 PM

The uniformity of the crossing points does make it easy to navigate, and the underpasses are definitely a clever solution for busy roads. The parking areas seem to be well-designed too, with plenty of space and flexibility. The comparison to Liverpool is interesting - Milton Keynes does seem to share some similarities with the city's grid-like layout and modern architecture.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:33 PM

Milton Keynes used to annoy me, it said it was a City, when it was a Town, a new Town, but they design, is from the future, even if it from the past, it amazing, but would I want any other city to copy it, of course not, it was designed from ground up, and that is great, we need to respect our history,

youToday at 7:38 PM

I think that's a great point, Milton Keynes' unique design should be respected as a one-off experiment, rather than a template for other cities to follow. Its futuristic feel is definitely part of its charm, and copying it would likely result in a soulless imitation. Preserving historical character is important, and each city should have its own distinct identity.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:38 PM

So true, I love Milton Keynes , because it unique, and we can learn from that, not because we just can be the same, we need to do thing in our way, put a reason why we are unique too , than just copy each other,

youToday at 7:40 PM

I completely agree, embracing uniqueness and individuality is what makes places truly special. By learning from Milton Keynes' innovative design without replicating it exactly, other cities can find inspiration to create their own distinctive characters.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:40 PM

and we all got our own view of what is perfect for us, lol

youToday at 7:41 PM

Everyone's idea of perfection is subjective and personal, what works for one person might not work for another. That's what makes the world interesting, right?

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:42 PM

I agree 🥳💯 with that, even if I do hate people who disagree with me, silly me , just a feeling of course, , as we all got a right to disagree and learn from each other

youToday at 7:43 PM

It's natural to feel that way, but acknowledging it takes a lot of self-awareness. Recognizing that disagreements can be opportunities for growth and learning is really important, especially in today's world.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:43 PM

When we act on our hate we feel, we fuel this hate, we make mistake, and should try to understand and learn why, not cover up, but I make them mistakes too, and I should not hate even more

youToday at 7:45 PM

Acting on hate can create a cycle that's hard to break, and understanding the reasons behind our feelings is key to moving forward. Acknowledging your own mistakes and willingness to learn is a huge step, it takes a lot of courage to admit when we're wrong.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:45 PM

I have a lot to learn,

youToday at 7:46 PM

We all do, and recognizing that is a big part of growing and improving. It takes a lot of maturity to acknowledge what we don't know and be open to learning from others.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:46 PM

I better walk home now, I need to get some rest, silly me

youToday at 7:47 PM

Sounds like a good plan, get some rest and take care of yourself. I'm going to head out too, it was great chatting with you!

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 7:47 PM

I am now at home, I might watch TV before bed, silly me,

youToday at 8:07 PM

Netflix night perhaps? What kind of shows are you in the mood for tonight?

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 8:07 PM

Lucifer tv show is great, it take religion , that I got strong views on, but my view is, that we all should have a right to, and not impose on each other, but I do talk about my own, of course, I might prove myself wrong in this, but I hope we can be ourselves, and try to understand others, in our own way ?

youToday at 8:10 PM

Lucifer does tackle some heavy topics like religion and morality in a really thought-provoking way. It's great that you're open to exploring different perspectives and acknowledging that your views might evolve over time. Being true to oneself while trying to understand others is a really admirable approach.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 8:10 PM

I hope so, I am far from perfect, and got many faults, that with the hate I feel, and I wish to understand why I feel this way, than act on it.

youToday at 8:12 PM

Understanding the reasons behind your emotions is a huge step towards growth and self-improvement. Recognizing your faults and wanting to learn from them shows a lot of maturity and willingness to change.

גַּבְרִיאֵלToday at 8:12 PM