I HAD TOO MUCH TO DREAM LAST NIGHT (ROGUE FIREMAN EDITION)

I am working at a volunteer firehouse in some large city. The people working there are all a bit larger than life, full of wisecracks and catchphrases so that it feels like I’ve actually joined a reality TV show (though there’s no evidence of cameras or anything).

I have various sessions where I learn different aspects of the job – which includes scuba diving. At one point I’m putting on a wetsuit, and there’s a pool on the roof for training and exercise purposes.

As a trainee I’m not expected to go out on calls yet. But that changes when some guy goes on a rampage. He’s a former volunteer fireman who was fired for what he feels are unjustified charges. Now he is getting revenge by setting cars on fire nearby, and by rewiring other cars to cause accidents and explode. Soon the cars are actively attacking people.

I’m just trying to stay out of their way, but one of the guys says I’ve just been promoted from trainee to full-on fireman. “All hands on deck, sport,” he says.

And then I woke up.

Put out the fire,

This is dF

THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF HONG KONG

Tomorrow (July 1) marks the 18th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover back to China. As is tradition, activist groups will celebrate by taking to the streets and bitching about the HK govt.

Only this year it’s probably going to be uglier than usual, thanks to the Umbrella Kids, the failed political reform package and a growing number of people who want China and everyone in it to fuck off.

The latter bunch is particularly toxic. So-called “localist” groups have been organizing angry mob protests at mainland tourists, screaming at them to get the fuck out of Hong Kong and stay out. Lately, pro-Beijing groups have been fighting back. It’s pure horrid ugliness. Patriotism will do that.

Both sides justify their actions via free speech and righteousness, but really they're just pissed off and spoiling for a fight. I mean honestly, only an idiot would go verbally harass a group of people and insult them, and have the nerve to act surprised if he gets punched.

And it could get uglier. Earlier this month the police uncovered a bomb plot, allegedly involving a radical anti-Beijing group calling it the National Independent Party. Predictably, localist groups are denying any connection (which is probably true) and pro-Beijing groups are using it to paint the entire Umbrella Kids movement as the local equivalent of ISIS (which is of course demonstrably not true), while pro-democracy groups think the whole plot was invented by the police to frame them.

And so on.

So yeah, happy Reunification Day.

Un-reunited,

This is dF