None of us are perfect.....

I used to be fascinted with Greek mythology, of all the stories, the one of Ixion used to fascinate me most. Here is an AI summary (the full story is even more interesting). 

The Murder of His Father-in-Law

The conflict: Ixion promised a rich bride price (dowry) to his father-in-law, Eioneus (or Deioneus), when he married Dia. When he failed to pay, Eioneus took some of Ixion’s horses as collateral 
The betrayal: Ixion hid his anger, invited Eioneus to a feast, and pushed him into a concealed pit filled with burning coals and wood.
The outcast: This act of kin-slaying and violation of xenia (guest-host hospitality) shocked the mortal world, and no one would perform the ritual purification required to cleanse his guilt.

Offense Against the Gods

Forgiveness on Olympus: Zeus took pity on Ixion, brought him up to Mount Olympus, and even offered him a place at the table of the gods. 
Hubris: Instead of showing gratitude, Ixion grew arrogant and lusted after Zeus’s wife, Hera.
The cloud trick: Zeus caught wind of his intent and formed a living cloud shaped like Hera—named Nephele—to trick him. Ixion coupled with the cloud, which later gave birth to the Centaurs (half-man, half-horse creatures).

Eternal Punishment

Tartarus: For his extreme ingratitude, arrogance, and betrayal, Zeus blasted Ixion with a thunderbolt and cast him out of Olympus.
The fiery wheel: Zeus ordered Hermes to bind Ixion to an eternally spinning, winged fiery wheel in Tartarus (the deep underworld), where he would whirl in agony forever.

I have always found the Greek mythology fascinating. It is filled with strange ideas, concepts and morality. The thing that intrigued me, as a child, brought up a Roman Catholic, to believe that there was one God, who was all powerful and all knowing, was just how human and petty the behaviour of the Greek Gods seemed to be. The story of Ixion is a  bit of an outlier, with Zeus showing fogiveness and giving Ixion a chance of repentenance. However Ixion, a vain and arrogant man, his response to his second chance is perhaps more interesting. He simply couldn't help himself. His personality reminds me of a certain promenant world leader. Sadly, I've met a few people who remind me of Ixion over the years, although thankfully, most don't hang around for too long. 

I think that such tales aare useful cautinary tales. Is there a bit of Ixiom in all of us? Are we truly grateful for our blessings. Do we recognise when we are being given a second chance? Do we show gratitude in such situations, or do we get caught up in our own hubris. 

We all make mistakes. I certainly do. When I do, I believe that the best thing to do is to apologise and move on. I there are amends to be made, make them. We don't have to win every argument. If you know you are right, isn't that enough? Sometimes, I do silly things, make silly comments, make bad decisions that affect people in a negative manner. I have learned that seeking to justify the unjustifiable is foolish. Far better to say "I screwed that up, how can i make amends and learn". Only fools never learn.

The punishments meted out by the Greek Gods are another thing that fascinate me. If Ixion lived, he would have lived around 1300-1200 BC. That means he's been stuck on the fiery wheel for over 3,200 years. I wonder if he's learned his lesson yet? Just remember Every turning wheel, every broken promise between kin, and every guest who forgets the laws of hospitality carries some echo of Ixion, the first mortal to dine with the gods and the first to be cast into their deepest prison.

The Sunday Reflection #104 - The end of a very bad week indeed

 I have had a horrible week. On Tuesday, we said our final goodbye to Bruno, our dog of 14 years. He was a very special dog, never easy, but always the most lovable companion. He was a rescue dog and he'd been extremely badly treated by his previous owners. He was extremely nervous and would completely lose his rag when spooked. He would get triggered by the strangest things. He once went mental in the pub when an old lady entered with a walking stick. She put the stick down then came up to us. She asked if he was a rescue dog, I said yes. She said "His previous owner must have beaten him with a stick". Bruno was now making a big fuss of her. He was a lazy dog, always loved a cuddle. When my daughter was upset, they'd sit cuddled up on the sofa. She has been hit particularly hard. 

We decided on Tuesday that the time had come. His legs had all but given up, he'd more or less lost his appetite, except for nice treats. He had developed an abcess on his back leg, which he was lying on. We asked the vet if there was any realistic prospect of improvement. She said "No, we could give anti biotics for the abcess, but it will come back when you stop as he's lying on it".

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So, surrounded by us all, we put his head on a pillow, a blanket over him, stroked him and the vet administered an injection. Very peacefully, his life just ebbed away. Within a minute, he was in peace and out of pain. Many tears were shed, but it was a beautiful ending for him. Now there is a massive Bruno shaped hole in our family. 

There are several thoughts I have had over the following days. The first is that if we allow dogs to have peaceful, pain free endings, how can we deny humans who want the same the choice? I am a Roman Catholic, but I cannot agree with the position of the Church when it comes to people who have a terminal illness and are faced with a life where the pain will get worse every day, with no way out. I don't really want to subject my family to watching me dying screaming in agony, if that is what it has to be. I see no moral or ethical grounds for preventing someone like Dame Esther Rantzen choosing the time and method of her own end. If someone has strong religious beliefs, then they should have the absolute right to refuse euthenasia. I may do so myself, but I do not believe I have the right to decide for other people. Watching Bruno just drift off clarified my views. I understand that there must be stringent controls. I understand that people may consent initialy and then change their mind. This must be respected and dealt with. But forcing people and their families to witness undignified endings is to me not kind, it is evil.

Another thing I've really come to realise is how great the effect of dog ownership is on our mental health. Most dogs are pretty empathic. They pick up when you are down and are there. They don't judge you. They don't want anything. They just want to be with you and help you. It has hit me is just how awful some members of the human race are. Bruno was an incredibly loving dog, who had been totally traumatised by cruel owners. I believe that people who abuse animals should be dealt with very harshly by the courts. I believe that anyone who hurts animals is a despicable bully and will most likely do the same to humans if they can.

We have another dog. The inevitable question of whether we should replace him has come up. If we do it will not be until next summer. I am proud that we gave Bruno 14 years that hopefull offset the first year, which was horrible. 

Camden Rocks Festival Returns next Sunday 8th November

Camden Rocks Returns

Camden Rocks Presents returns for another full-day takeover, bringing ten bands and ten hours of live, loud rock ’n’ roll to Chalk Farm Road.

Featuring Star Circus, Bugeye, Healthy Junkies, Glitter Kick, The False Dots, Catfight, Thegreenribbonclubband, Death by Bunny, Damned_ To Dirt and The Fourth Talisman .

Back in the heart of Camden Town, Barfly’s keeping that grassroots spirit alive with a new generation of hard-rock, punk and alternative artists.

Tickets are on sale NOW https://link.dice.fm/camdenrocks

Ten bands. One stage. All-day rock ’n’ roll in Camden Town.

STAR CIRCUS
https://youtu.be/WOTMbu6tVOk
Star Circus are a hard rock band based in London, with influences ranging from 70s hard rock to 90s alternative rock. Our sophomore album "From The Wreckage" was released in June 2025 via Renaissance Records US to much critical acclaim, with Classic Rock Magazine labelling the band "The missing link between ELO and Def Leppard" in response to the single "One Hit Wonder".

BUGEYE
https://youtu.be/hPIyZiWo7uU
Dirty guitars. Sharp lyrics. Big hooks. Zero apologies.Bugeye makes songs for dancing while the world burns. Expect biting social commentary, filthy riffs, massive choruses and a high-energy sweat fest guaranteed to leave a mark. Come for the tunes. Leave converted. Welcome to the Bugeye cult. Worship here.

HEALTHY JUNKIES
https://youtu.be/2rYvqmCW42g
Mixing Punk Rock with Grunge, Psychedelic Rock, New Wave, Garage Rock and Goth, add a soupçon of theatre: you have Healthy Junkies. Formed in 2010. Never stopped touring. Never stopped creating.

GLITTER KICK
https://youtu.be/40t8Lhi5Id8
Glitter Kick are a London based glamorous power rock band fronted by Roxi Gregory.Big drums come from the powerhaus of Ivan Panella accompanied on bass by Antony O’Neil with low slung guitars by Greg Paco Radcliffe.It’s all wrapped in smooth and rasping synths with haunting but distinctive vocals cutting through a barrage of sound. The vinyl of their debut album “ Make The Rainbow Sing” will hit the streets late October 2026.Until then you can have a sneak preview on Spotify

THE FALSE DOTS
https://youtu.be/UMAX23up0SI
The Falsedots - Barnet post punk legends, founded in 1979 showcasing their pithy blend of Ian Dury like London Town poetics and punky ska/ reggae party dynamics and we all love a party! as established by founder Roger Tichborne. This sees the punky ska, London Town inclined observational wits pondering issues such as Americanization of the UK, bully boy drug dealers and how it’s only certain species of corvids who avoid the slavery of everyday life- and all done with a smile, a lilt and a sizzling skank. That new album is called We Don’t Live In America, released Independence Day, 4th July…For fans of Madness, The Specials, The Piranhas, Alternative TV and other such street wise artniks

CATFIGHT
https://youtu.be/LNMPvaQ0vP8
Catfight are a London-based punk band self-proclaimed as “riot grrrl and anarcho’s cute baby sister”. They have drawn strong reviews off the back of their debut Rebellion Festival performance for their “sound that pulls hard from 80s rock, 90s grunge and modern punk frustration” (LOUD WOMEN). CATFIGHT’s songs include: the snarling ‘Gym Lads’ and how they’re killing the planet; ‘Security Fucking Love Me,’ the slogan on the back of the band’s t-shirts; and the grand finale ‘No Breakfast’ – a cutting and powerful criticism of the punk scene. Join the four piece (or five piece if you count their band mascot Siouxsie the Cat) for a fiercely feminist, sometimes funny, but always fun set!

THE GREEN RIBBON CLUB
https://youtu.be/091WaTs69aw
The Green Ribbon Club is Juan Solo on Bouzouki, Rob-o-rant on Vocals / Double Bass , Jane-Marie on Vocals / Ukulele, and Mad Vaz on Drums. The Green Ribbon Club play acoustic punk music, taking their inspiration from the rich heritage of non-conformism, equality, creativity and fun that infuses the darker recesses of history. The Green Ribbon Club is committed to playing great songs that hit you in the feels as well as the feet, four accomplished accomplices who know playing together makes them stronger and happier.

DEATH BY BUNNY
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2g2MisCAZGBJJCWK9XKjH5
Death by Bunny is a London‑based metal/industrial project blending cinematic tension, heavy riffs, and dark electronic textures. Formed in 2018, the band crafts a world of distortion, atmosphere, and visual storytelling, merging sound and image into a single immersive experience.

DAMNED TO DIRT
https://youtu.be/3WhUKWwLtvk
Alternative and metal powerhouse, Damned To Dirt offer a serious injection of raw intensity, groove and melodic depth, delivering a live show that is both heavy and immersive. Their self-titled debut EP established the band’s identity and sound, with a new album now on the way, pushing that sound even further. With a growing presence in London’s heavy music scene, Damned To Dirt are carving out their place as a rising force in modern alternative metal.

THE FOURTH TALISMAN
https://open.spotify.com/track/5kRjKPjQIyH2GadzGti2k4
Emerging from London, England 2022, The Fourth Talisman are a three-piece heavy metal band. They're known for their metalcore/groove-metal with prog and power metal elements. Their music is a combination of fiery guitar riffs, high-octane vocals alongside energetic drums and powerful bass guitar. With years of experience performing live, The Fourth Talisman have a dedicated following who recognise their expressive, other-worldly approach to music.

— at Barfly Camden.