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First off, thanks to Stef for picking up his posting quotient here on arbitrary constant; do remember, though, that I did say his language is appalling...

Now to the quotation of the week, which seems entirely apt given the monumental waste of £1m of (probably) public money on fireworks that "Red" Ken Livingstone has just spent on London's New Year "Spectacle":

Thronging the bridge and the quays along both banks of the river, a crowd of many thousands accompanied the spectacle with aahs and oohs and bravos, even some 'long lives' – although the King had ascended his throne more than thirty-eight years before and the high point of his popularity was long since behind him. Fireworks can do that.

— Patrick Süskind (in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer).

I think I'd prefer the French way of doing things, or perhaps just something that costs less than £6.33 for each person that actually saw it. I'll be sending in a foi request to find out just how much these damned fireworks have cost and will update you as soon as I have any details.

Tags — Quotation of the week