At war with others, at peace with myself

 Street art, Southampton

 

I saw... its thoughts. I saw what they're planning to do. They're like locusts. They're moving from planet to planet... their whole civilization. After they've consumed every natural resource they move on... and we're next. Nuke 'em. Let's nuke the bastards. 

 Liver Bird, thenewcornpoppy, 2013

 

Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!

Subway under the Avenue, Southampton

Must go faster. Must go faster! Must go faster! Go, go, go, go!

Subway under the Avenue, Southampton

If I had known I was gonna meet the president, I would've worn a tie. I mean, look at me. I look like a schliemiel.

Subway under the Avenue, Southampton

 

Ma, listen, pack your stuff and head for Aunt Esther's. Don't argue with me; just go.

QE2

Haven't you ever wanted to be part of something special?  I was part of something special

QE2

 

 

Captain Steve Hiller:                        Oh! Elvis has left the building!

David Levinson [in Elvis voice]:     Oh, thank you very much.

                           [in his own voice]  Oh, I love you man!

evening, Constable

Most people of my generation who grew up in the sixties and seventies assumed that The War and its aftermath, the Fifties, happened in black and white. 

Ye Olden Days and Tymes Gone By were in full technicolor, as recorded here by Constable. 

Table Mats, John Constable, 1776 - 1837

By the time of the Industrial Revolution and then Victoria's reign the rot was setting in.  There was a fog descending over the country as can be seen below in Grimshaw's painting.  Flann O'Brien spoke about this in The Third Policeman (if you haven't read it you really should, go on, you can borrow my copy).

View of Heath St by Night, Atkinson Grimshaw, 1836 - 1893

By the 20s and certainly the 30s colour had gone from the UK. Northern towns in particular just happened in black and white. Or greyscale.

 Liverpool skyline, old postcard

The early 60s (as far as I recall) were still in black and white.

Ferry 'Cross the Mersey, Gerry & the Pacemakers, 1963

Colour reappeared with a bang in the mid 60s. 

Cavern old and new

 

Arthur Dooley sculpture, Mathew Street

 It could well be that MerseyBeat had the same effect as the tornado did in the Wizard of Oz. Britain was transformed almost overnight from a grim industrial workshop into the Oz-like centre of the Swinging sixties.

Wallasey skyline from the Pier Head

Liverpool skyline from Mersey Ferry