Christmas song #15

An interesting dinner conversation with one of the professors in the medical school. He says that tighter British immigration laws are having an unexpected effect. The number of health professionals ( mostly nurses ) applying for visas to work in the UK has fallen from a rate of 18k a month in mid-2023 to just 600 last month. Hospitals will soon be facing a shortage of qualified staff. He wonders how long it will be before the public wakes up to what is happening. 

Off to the supermarket to see if they have the latest copy of Vanity Fair with Susie Wiles's interview . It seems Vanity Fair is not a big seller in these parts. Online the magazine is offering a years access for $1 a month which seems an easier way to read what she's said. Whatever Ms. Wiles purpose in talking the way she did it seems clear ( against the backdrop of rumours that the two men plan to run on a joint ticket in 2028 ) that she likes Mr. Rubio and warns to send a warning that Mr. Vance is 'unusual'.

A few youngsters ready themselves for their morning exam with a quick game of frisbee on the library lawn.

The university shop is now selling its own tartan. This is presumably for foreign students wanting to immerse themselves in local tradition. 

Something exotic is on sale by the farm shops onion display. Another of those things I didn't know I needed .Botivo it turns out is a Scottish, non-alcoholic, drink :https://www.botivodrinks.com/  

Christmas song #15 from the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. Not all Christmas  services are the same. This one has dancing. The poor fellow third from the right has a serious hose malfunction mid-fling that seems to ruin his concentration:https://youtu.be/oNjZ-dN5M-I?t=1541

Random reads :

The place to be at Christmas if you're looking for peace and quiet?:https://wildland.scot/lundies-house

1/3rd of the House of Lords married Americans :https://x.com/mbateman/status/1992033766185828674

Festive fun. Post apocalypse America(s) :https://bigthinkmedia.substack.com/p/americas-post-apocalyptic-maps-reveal

Medieval teeth :https://www.discovermagazine.com/ancient-dental-plaque-is-changing-what-we-know-about-medieval-diets-48410

A tribute to Wilberforce :https://x.com/lefineder/status/1994442317348946074

This has to be satire:https://x.com/PenguinSix/status/2001349474158051709