Magical Bun

The Bunster does not stop delighting us. Every parent we chat with says the same thing, that this time, between the ages of 4 and 6, is a lot of fun. They are right. What comes of the Bun’s mouth is often just so funny and sometimes pretty amazing. He is a learning machine. And he has a sense of humour, with a mischievous streak, and he enjoys magic.

This morning he did some kind of a magic trick, where he crossed his legs and his left and right shoes changed positions. He had has us smiling. This little man likes to entertain people and to make us all laugh.

I have enjoyed learning magic for over a decade now. Because of the war in Ukraine and all the trauma I didn’t spend much time learning any new magic during the past few years, but lately I have started again. The Bunster has a lot to do with this. He is starting to understand things more and he is keen to learn how to perform some magic too. And he loves storytelling.

I was reading something a magician wrote a few days ago: When it feels impossible, think like a magician.

Imagine someone asks two people, a magician and a non-magician, to make a lady float.

The non-magician says, “That’s impossible.”

The magician thinks, “What would that look like?” And then creates an illusion where it appears the woman is floating.

The non-magician responds, “But she’s not really floating.”

The magician says: “That was never the point.”

It’s a powerful reminder: while some people stop at “impossible,” creators, magicians, see possibilities. We ask different questions. We build what others don’t expect. We say, “yes, and…”

So if you’re facing a roadblock this week, think like a magician. Be bold. Be inventive. You have a set of skills that others don’t.

There is a lot of wisdom in this text. I am not a magician but I do enjoy the art of magic. It is a very cool hobby, and there are endless avenues to explore. And as the Bunster gets a bit older he is going to be easier to teach some cool magic tricks to. I can see he is very keen.

I hope the Bunster embraces the art of magic as he grows older. The world sure could do with more magic, especially in these darker times. And also, as this magician articulated above, this art form also inspires people to think outside of the box.

The Bunster is a very loved little boy. Marta and I pour everything into him, and we can see how confident and enthusiastic he always is. It makes our souls smile. The Bunster, child and all, has a lot of wisdom to offer us adults too. As this image below captures. This is what makes the Bun man happy. To spend time with mommy and daddy. The Bunster is a magical little man.

A life of luxury

I am getting closer to a life of luxury. By the end of this year I aim to be as offline as much can be. I have not had Facebook or Instagram for a few years now, and only use LinkedIn and Twitter to read news updates and perspectives about Ukraine. But it is not just social media, it is online in general. I want to only check WhatsApp and email once a week and eventually once a month – I am on a path to reach this destination. Heaven on earth. Quite ironic, as I was part of the ISP industry in some other lifetime.

The online world is not the dream we all thought it could be. Go to the comments section, for example, on a social media posting, and there is often so much negativity. It seems like people are constantly projecting their anger onto other people. Because they are hidden behind something and they feel a safety in that. All these armchair angry warriors. Toxic.

To be offline is to be happier. Maybe I am wrong, but this is where I am at.

The little scientist

We got such a cool email earlier this week from the kindergarten that the Bunster attends. It made us smile.

David approached the fizzy experiment with wide eyes and an inquisitive mind. What began as a simple reaction quickly turned into a hands-on scientific investigation, and David was ready to take on the challenge.

We began with a basic setup: baking soda, vinegar, and a few drops of food colouring. David observed the fizzing reaction closely, then hypothesised what might happen if we changed one ingredient. With growing confidence, he suggested using more vinegar to see if it would create a bigger reaction, a clear demonstration of his scientific reasoning and prediction skills.

But David didn’t stop there. We added extra layers to challenge his thinking.

Variable testing: David compared reactions using cold vs warm vinegar. He noticed the warm one fizzed faster and immediately began wondering why. He explored the effect of temperature on chemical reactions, an advanced concept for his age.

Timed reactions: With a stopwatch, David measured how long the fizz lasted in different mixtures. He recorded the results with help, learning how to collect and analyse data.

Fizz-powered rockets: David helped build a small container rocket using baking soda and vinegar sealed with a cap. He worked through multiple trials, adjusting amounts and learning about pressure build-up, force, and safety in a controlled environment. He reflected after each launch: “That one went higher, maybe I added too much vinegar last time!”

Through this engaging exploration, David practised: Mathematical thinking (measuring, comparing, estimating amounts).

Language development (using descriptive and scientific vocabulary like “reaction,” “explode,” “pressure,” “observe”).

Cognitive flexibility (adapting ideas, testing different approaches).  Persistence and resilience (when the rocket didn’t launch the first time, he calmly reassessed and tried again).

Most importantly, David took ownership of his learning. He asked questions like a true scientist and embraced the messiness of discovery. The activity was more than just fizzy fun; it was a gateway into active learning, problem-solving, and higher-level thinking.  Well done David.

And the memes keep coming …

As my one friend in Kyiv texted me yesterday : “russians suck cock today”.
“Nato now must now join Ukraine.”

Jokes aside, what the Ukrainian military achieved yesterday is simply incredible. Movies will be made about this one day.

“Ukraine’s SBU used advanced FPV drones to strike russian airbases thousands of kilometers deep.

The targets? Strategic bombers that fire cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities. Some were part of russia’s nuclear triad. Gone—without jets, without missiles, without satellites. Damage is estimated at $2 billion already and targets keep burning.

This is next-gen asymmetric warfare in action. Cheap, smart, unstoppable.

If you still think drones are just tactical tools, think again. Ukraine is rewriting military doctrine in real time.”

“This special operation with destruction of over 40 russian strategic bombers (including some capable of carrying nuclear warheads) overshadows the sinking of Moscow battleship. It was accomplished with remotely operated FPV drones launched from the hidden platforms under the roofs of trailer trucks on unsuspecting russian truck drivers.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) secretly delivered strike drones into Russia near the ‘Belaya’ airfield and other airfields where A-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3 aircraft were stationed.

In a single moment, on the command of the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk, the strike drones rose near the airfields and simultaneously hit more than 40 aircraft.

The Russians had no chance to sound the alarm, launch the aircraft into the sky, or protect them from the drones. It all happened in an instant.

This unique special operation has no equal. No one in the world has ever done anything like it.”

He has always been like that … !!!

“What happened to Putin … ?!

It’s not like he’s been a homicidal, psychopath for the last 25 years. It’s not like he killed dissidents with radioactive isotopes, murdered journalists, shot down civilian aircraft, sent political opponents to the gulag to die, stole assets from oligarchs and put them in jail, invaded peaceful neighboring countries, brutalized their civilian populations, tortured and executed prisoners of war. No one knows know what the hell happened to Putin. One of life’s great mysteries.

Trump has only ever talked about taking action against Putin. He’s slapping the EU with 50% tariffs but nothing on Russia.”