2015 — 7 May: Thursday
I gather there's some sort of so-called democratic election1 today. Won't that be fun? I've yet to hear anything from some of the candidates, and have an overabundance of waste paper from the chap with the deep pockets. (And the imaginary friend.)
Tea before...
... making any major decision, methinks. Christa never took UK citizenship, thus barring herself from UK elections. Of course, that didn't stop Brenda being happy to take tax off her each year. I respected her choice (Christa's, not Brenda's). But then I only respected one of those two ladies.
It's many years...
... since I spent rather longer than three minutes reading Weinberg's first book. Here's a snippet from his latest:
"Observational Selection"? I need to think about that for three minutes.
Cynical realism, perhaps?
I still like it:
In the days ahead, I suggest we all lie back and think of Belgium — a country that did not have a government for more than a year and carried on anyway. As we wait, I hope we question our position as bystanders, as passive observers of what we are told is the best way to do politics: lots of middle-aged men ganging up behind closed doors.
Democratic Duty Done
It must, therefore, now be time for breakfast. For the first time ever (because he asked so politely) I also told the chap outside the door my poll card "number". I am obviously mellowing as I approach the foothills of Young Adulthood.
Naturally...
... yesterday's email to the Probate Court "crossed in the post" (virtually) with the package of snailmail today containing the Certified Grant of Probate. I was out when it was shovelled through my letterbox.
Side-tracked by reading about this very clever side-channel attack. Note: close all unused web browser tabs!
My gentle stroll...
... around Soton this morning yielded a couple of items for future viewing...
... and the next issue of "Linux Voice" magazine. Which is, by the way, moving from Adobe's InDesign to the open source Scribus program as its DTP production tool. Interesting. In fact, fascinating. I shall be watching their progress closely.
Tomorrow's tasks...
... now include the sending of four little "recorded delivery" packages to set the cat (as it were) among the will's pigeons. Total elapsed time from dear Mama's death (15 March) to Grant of Probate (5 May) isn't too shabby, I guess. The funeral bill is already settled, and I've "switched off" her incoming private pension payments.
In a further illustration of the abiding certainties of death and taxation, the Probate Court politely says "representatives are asked not to distribute the estate until DWP has confirmed any claim". There's also a 35-day clock that started ticking on 5 May. After 35 days, I have automatic clearance from Inheritance Tax. And since there's no IHT to be paid, there's also no interest accumulating on unpaid IHT. I must say, dear Mama did a very good job of keeping her affairs in order. In my next life, I shall think about hiring her.