Liverpool 25 -ish years on (and back home)

And back..

The weather was kind to us.

So a good trip to see a City that has reinvented itself on several occasions, I'm not sure how much of the current  reincarnation is attributable (in part at least)  to Lord Heseltine.

Beatles

Among the drivers for Tourism in Liverpool the Beatles are undoubtedly among the top 5 - there's still a magic associated with the group and its roots in the city nearly 50 years since they ceased to be a group.

The Beatles were more than just John and Paul so I felt sad to hear of Quincy Jones bad mouthing  many but Ringo in particular and where's his house on this postcard!

There's something about a civic statue to a bunch of young men who (with George Martin & Brian Epstein)  helped culturally shape the world we now inhabit - it's not what statues and memorials commemorated  for hundreds of years - 

Their spirit permeates the city

Could be better (who is who?)

Eating out

I enjoyed the variety of eateries our last evening meal was a Spanish  restaurant where we enjoyed Tapas - and even there a Liverpool twist was on the menus with a 'Scouse' Tapas.

Lunya- Eating here caused some discomfit 

The meal though was influenced by the sight of people living in the Street opposite - The  Homeless I discovered are not only a problem in London and I recognise the issue is not just about money - many of the rough sleepers are battling demons of earlier issues they've confronted. 

Upside

But Liverpool is lively  there's the Graffiti of 

Dotmaster in Parr Street, exciting street art in new housing developments and shopping malls.

Parr St - One of the works by Dotmaster

In one of areas with expensive shops 

Colourful Sculpture - Part of a new development at the back of our hotel

There's free soup here, Photo Manipulation and 'A real Stoic'

If the Economist can do it - why not others for those who need it

The news that a homeless man had died near the UK centre of government is surely a wake-up call for us all (politicians especially).

Austerity is a busted flush (I think is now the accepted wisdom) - last years we've seen homeless numbers shooting up, it doesn't help anyone that those with Drink, Drugs and medical health issues are left to struggle alone without accommodation.


Big questions at present about institutionalised charities - and the increasingly self serving third sector - but come on help those who are in plain sight on our streets.

Photoshop 

It's a neat application but I'm still only on the nursery slopes - most of yesterday afternoon, trying bu  bumping into things (as an analogy).

We should give these (Photo-shopped) Stoics a chance to become Epicureans 

Philosophy

I do like to think about stuff- it can be academic but reminded that Philosophy does tell us something (just the action of creating some time and space for it).

Having thought about the Epicureans versus Stoics , perhaps as a purely academic matter it was humbling to spend some time with someone who was able to show me a real embodiment  of Stoicism made 'real' - wishing him well today.