(Xaffodd says I should apologise now to those that prefer cat videos instead of heartfelt and passionate words. So err, yes I apologise. Incidentally we do have a very good cat video and if enough people ask then we will share it for giggles and possibly donations towards the new Shielbridge Hall). Anyway as I was going to say…
In the immortal words of the great Martin Luther King, I have a dream. A dream to help our community, a dream to transform its future prosperity and wellbeing for generations to come. A dream to right wrongs of times past and present…
I owe more to my better half than I can put into words. I owe more to my better half than I will probably ever admit, but thanks to her I am here now, I am also here in the Highlands of Scotland amongst a great community.
My better half and I want to help that community. A community which for generations has struggled against the challenges of oppression in its various forms, be that invaders from far flung parts such as the Vikings, or oppression in the form of living in what is a beautiful, yet remote part of Scotland. A place which despite its beauty claims the lives of many of its people through poor mental health.
To help our community more meaningfully, I must accept losing the comfort of anonymity. A comfort I sought for many reasons including those that help me sleep better at night. I sought anonymity as we have supported the oppressed of Ukraine in various ways, such as through United24. I sought anonymity as we helped the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia in its fight against organised crime and government corruption, after she was murdered for investigating and reporting on their activities. I sought anonymity as we support Alexei Navalny, in spirit and by donating money to causes promoting human rights and tackling corruption.
Those of Ukraine who are no longer with us due to oppression, Daphne, Alexei, those of my community who died before their time, you will not be forgotten as what you did through your brave efforts and tragic circumstances, inspires us to do what we do. 🫶
So, the time also comes when my desire for anonymity is no longer practicable or even something I continue to choose. Today I make that first step and willingly…
Since making Lochaber our home, we have discreetly supported our community in various ways. Such as through private donations to Ewen’s Room, Glenuig Community Inn, the local Coastguard team, and funding the Dè Tha Dol Local Hero Award, as well as volunteering my time locally at a cost to my finances (and wellbeing at times!). We intend to double down, and as my fellow Bubblers know, I like doubling!
Today my better half and I commit through our Shieldwolf Foundation at least £50,000 (hopefully more if my vision for EnSilica and Double Bubbler generally is achieved in the coming years), towards the cost of rebuilding the local village hall, Shielbridge Hall, which is in an extremely poor state and needs to be rebuilt. See the example photos below, after which follow a few (actually many!) post script messages.
I can’t talk further about our dream just yet, as we will hopefully be meeting with the local community company (a charity) and want to ensure they share and support our dream before expanding further on Reddit and my blog.
May fortune favour the brave!
Double Bubbler
‘We’re Going on an Adventure’
P.S. A fair few personal messages follow…
– I hope you like my new adventurous tag line. One inspired by my now favourite Science Fiction author Adrian Tchaikovksky. I say now, as for a very long time it was Iain M Banks, with his Culture series, yet sadly he is no longer with us. You will not be forgotten Iain. 🫶
– While racing around in preparation for helping load a skip at Shielbridge Hall, and trying to deal with the aftermath of Storm Amy (I write this without mains power) I am reminded of the many reasons I love my community. Thanks to the Cameron boys from Loch Shiel Garage for clearing the main road of fallen trees in the dark on Friday night till 3am. You both work tirelessly to help others. Thanks also to John MacDonald (the Olympian and son of the legendary Fergie MacDonald) of Mingarry Park Hotel who helped me clear the road further yesterday so the Calor gas lorry driver, Gordon, could get home after being stuck overnight Friday due to Storm Amy. John you wielded that chainsaw like a claymore! 🫶
– I am currently excited. And anyone that knows me closely, knows that when I am excited good things often happen! 🫶
– Alexei… you were a brave man returning to Russia knowing the likely outcome. Your bravery has inspired me and many people I suspect. Like you, sometimes (often in fact!) I get emotional. In your posthumous biography you wrote about how you managed emotion once by focusing on a dog. I now focus on a kitten when feeling emotional, a small kitten meowing quietly in a world full of dogs. But this kitten may become a wild cat one day and if so, we all know dogs are scared of crazy wild cats! 🫶
– Thank you Nigel for kindly lending me your mobile generator so we can cool our previously warming fridge freezer after storm Amy! 🫶
– Thank you Storm Amy (or whoever or whatever you are called) for giving me the peace of this weekend without mains power. I was energised while leaning into the ≈100mph winds on Friday evening while you raged at humanity for what it is doing to this once beautiful planet. It will be beautiful again one day. I hope to be there with my better half to see it, a long, long time from now. I also meant what I shouted into the wind by the way, while looking like some crazed banshee in the driving wind and rain! 🫶
– Thank you to my better half for just a moment ago reminding me that I don’t need to sit next to the noisy smelly generator while writing post script comments with my tablet plugged directly into the generator. I can plug into the extension lead unit that I ran into the house only five minutes ago. Doh! 🫶
– Sorry Eve (Nigel’s other half) for knocking on your window earlier like an excited small boy. Double Bubbler had a busy day lined up helping others. Both your and Nigel’s help will not be forgotten. Double Bubbler does not forget those that help others. 🫶
– Thank you Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks and Highland Council and all their combined staff for their assistance and continued efforts to restore power locally. And also for laying on the food van, with yummy food from Highland Hog Roasts! 🫶
– Vanessa. Sorry for pestering you recently about my investment ideas recently in the hope you and your brother would join my dream. You are very kind lending me your ear, most haven’t in life. Your kindness won’t be forgotten. 🫶
– Cameron Mackintosh… I meant what I said in my email to you last week, especially the film. I know in hindsight how it probably looked to you. Yes, I would have laughed too if I were in your shoes. I never personally wanted to benefit from your assistance (hopefully that much was clear), and all I now ask is for you to consider a way to help Double Bubbler help my community, and it will not be forgotten. 🫶
– Young John M, thank you for kindly moving your car earlier so I could take a photo of Shielbridge Hall for this post. As I said later, my waving of arms requesting you move would have been met in some parts of the world with animosity. In my community my waving is met with kindness and that is why I love it here. 🫶
– Thank you to the little girl locally who crafts items from recycled materials. While I have never bought one, my other half and I are the ones who put money in your honesty box from time to time. We hope it encourages you greatly, as you give us both hope for the future generations of humanity. 🫶
– Apologies to anyone who has helped me recently and I have not mentioned today. While I may not have mentioned you (this post is too long already!) you will not be forgotten. 🫶
– Thanks to my fellow Bubblers. I was talking to myself for a while last year, but you changed that as you had faith in someone you did not know. 🫶
– Lastly, and thank you Xaffodd. You have kept me in this world, a world I hope to change for the better. You know who you are. 🫶
The end. Or is this the beginning…
