Category Uncategorized
Words Matter
The first presidential debate in the United States of America’s electoral season took place last night. I watched it online this morning. I have done my best to build you a picture of the event in Lego. Clicking sensible and pleasing things together being a good form of therapy after watching 90+ minutes of the […]
Muslim Socks, Sikh Socks
There are some words we only know from their shadows. These shadows lurk in common phrases. In fact, habitual expressions are the liquid amber that hardens around the shadow of words fallen or falling out of use. We talk of ‘unrequited’ love, the word ‘unrequited’ preserved in poetic animation. We do not tend to talk […]
Raise it, erase it, or raze it?
Show me someone who doesn’t have anxiety and I’ll give them something to worry about… Is anyone without fear? I don’t think so. Even really brave people. The most convincing descriptions of bravery I have heard are from ordinary people who have done amazing things despite being terrified. We are not brave instead of being […]
Mental Health is Always a Factor
Last night a fatal stabbing took place in London, near the British Museum. At the time of writing one woman has died and five other people are injured. Facts are currently unclear as Europe wakes up to another morning of contemplating violence and tragedy. Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley has said, “Early indications suggest mental health […]
The Pier Falls – Mark Haddon
Sunlight can be many things. It can be dazzling, cheerful, burning, triumphant, glorious. In Mark Haddon’s hands sunlight becomes… sour. Reading The Pier Falls, Haddon’s collection of short stories, a line about sour sunlight coming through the window knocked me sideways. Surely sunlight is anything but sour? But sunlight is the ultimate life giving energy […]
When you realise you’re a hipster about numbers…
In the shower this morning I was trying to remember a song lyric that featured a number of things the protagonist hadn’t done. I couldn’t remember how long his to do list was. I think it was a million things he hadn’t yet got round to. Perhaps, in your hectic schedule, you are nodding with […]
DIY #euroref Your handy guide to the EU Vote
1: Make sure you are registered. Today is the deadline. It only takes a minute girl. 2: Take a deep breath. People keep telling you to get the ‘facts’. Forget facts for a minute and take a deep breath. 3: You are a smart person. How do you feel about the issues? Not think but feel. Humans […]
How does one tackle privilege: Say it with flowers
Privilege and entitlement are great things. So much of value has been created, cultivated and preserved through privilege and entitlement. Our culture, our heritage our environment owes much to privilege and entitlement. The problem, alas, with privilege and entitlement is that it has been the preserve of the privileged and the entitled. We must reclaim […]
Let's All Hold Hands And Talk About 
Commentary on commentary
Like many of you, I have spent much of the last fortnight assailing Mount Olympus, snatching fortifying glimpses of greatness, excellence, of history unfolding before me. Like several of you, I am not an avid sports watcher day in, day out. Part of the magic of the experience is sojourning in a world of rich […]