Given 2020 to date… …with all my work cancelling, being confined to the house for extended periods and with little to do (no gigs) – plus three of our boys have flown our nest, leaving just three people in-residence plus our beloved and ever popular (and no trouble) Tessa. You might think that…
This is not an easy post to write. I feel a need to write with some haste but with great care also because the tone needs to be correct: arresting yet affirming but not mawkish. An important post; I make no apology that it is longer than my usual fare. You will understand why soon…
A post this week inspired by an email I received from someone I have never met… I am a nostalgic type and becoming ever more so, which I suspect is quite normal and just a factor of age. I have great affection for my childhood, particularly my school days and despite only faring averagely…
I begin with an exchange I had this morning walking my dog, to demonstrate the importance of language and to frame the subject of this blog. Tess (my dog) and I are in the park. It is baking hot and neither of us are very comfortable. A lady approaches me in a very flustered state…
All those years ago when I first presented my young boys with a half a grapefruit each for breakfast, I had no idea where it might lead. They were rejected of course, the grapefruits, I mean. Tom, Sam and Harry basically downed spoons. Too bitter. Too unappetising and on my part, too ambitious. “We want…
March 5th is a date I hanker back to – a time when life was more normal. I was flying to Dubai for a quick set of club gigs and I had a very busy remaining March to return to with a series of dinners and events to speak at. But who knew what lay…
This is an odd featured image but there is a good reason for it and which I will get to shortly. Because it has happened again. I received another email from Google explaining in google-speak that I have infringed their rules and that my Google AdSense account is suspended. This is irksome but it is…
Just to say that this week’s post has taken more effort than any other of its hundreds of predecessors 1000’s of blogs I have written, the reason for which will become clear. Because it drew such a large reaction last week, I thought to continue with my bird theme. Still with me? In the many…
That feeling when you’ve lost your complete set of keys! The shear frustration. Not to mention the dread and the creeping paranoia because our keys are access all areas and obviously, they aren’t just mislaid – someone has them. And not someone like you and I. You know, decent and honest types. No, some miscreant…
During an unproductive trip to a supermarket this morning and chatting with a young person who recognised me, I told her that ‘these are unprecedented times.’ She dwelled on my words and looked concerned as she stared at me and then asked whether I had ever experienced anything like this before? Er… My turn to…
