That weekend was so restful, so relaxing, so peaceful and quiet that I need to get back to work for a rest. It started as usual, 8.15 tai chi class, stretching, bending, flexing, punching, kicking, throwing and other mindFUL violence. We don’t do the ‘mindless’ variety, though I could see how an onlooker might not – Read More-
I think we need to talk about Azeem. The whistle-blower at Yorkshire Cricket Club, the most racially abused man in cricketing history (not counting pre-1990 South Africa, obvs), the man who drew the line between what others considered ‘banter’ and what he considered ‘institutional racism’, because HE WAS A VICTIM!!!! All of which I’m in – Read More-
Tory government embroiled in sleaze row. Hardly an original headline. If its not David Mellor dressing his mistress up in football kit, or John Major being naughty with Edwina Curry (eeeeuuuwwww), then its claiming ‘repairs to my moat’ as parliamentary expenses, or indeed, providing ‘consultation’ to private companies at massive personal gain in strict contradiction – Read More-
It’s my daddy’s birthday today. He’s 97. I mean… ninety-seven! His mate Lou phoned him last week. Lou is 106. And can still hold a phone. There’s a woman in my dad’s care home who is 105. These people send telegrams to the Queen wishing HER a happy birthday. The secret of my father’s longevity? – Read More-
I had another scan on Saturday. My 17th this year. All things considered. I’ve had MRIs, I’ve had various CTs and now it was an ultrasound scan. On my Aorta. To check for aneurisms. Because when you reach 65 they send you an invitation. No reception with canapés or Bucks Fizz, just pitch up, pull – Read More-
As this wonderful little ‘story’ shows us, we have become a people, all of us, the entire population of the world, who, when given any small, pointed object, without questioning, just ram it into our nostrils til it hurts. We’ve become preconditioned to nasal swabbing at every opportunity. But now we learn that some rather… – Read More-
The first time I set foot in an Indian restaurant my life changed. Forever!!!! It was 1973, the Star of India, in Gants Hill. And it was mind-blowing. Ok, and stomach blowing too, but isn’t that now a considerable benefit? When I returned from California and got myself a flat, it was a 3-minute – Read More-
Another person has been ‘cancelled’, this time an art historian who upset the Cambridge University Union. That hotbed of wokiness, right-on-ism, complete humour withdrawal and (if they weren’t so fucking clever to have arrived there in the first place), rank stupidity. Andrew Graham Dixon chose to illustrate his side of the debate ‘this house believes – Read More-
“Why can’t you take your car into the garage, have the petrol engine ripped out and stick an electric motor in there instead?” Makes sense. Logical. Instant fix to the emissions problem. How hard can it be? I’d do it myself. Here’s what you do: Open the bonnet. Always a good start. Remove the engine – Read More-
If someone offers to give you money, no strings, nothing illegal, and, say, you’re an overstretched educational body or an impoverished college desperate for funds, do you just accept it with outstretched arms with a big ‘thank you very much’ and an even bigger smile? Or do you check the provenance of the cash first – Read More-