Dear friends, I hope that you all had a fabulous Christmas and even if we are now at an age where we are no longer surprised by magical gifts that were our true heart’s desire; I nonetheless sincerely hope that over the Yuletide period, you at least received those most precious gifts of happiness, peace and repose.
Add comment January 1st, 2008
I’ve often noted that once you start to actively watch out for synchronicity in your life, it tends to make itself felt more and more often. That has certainly been the case today…but let me back track a few days. For the past week I have been laid low with some sort of virus which at times has rendered me unable to even leave my bed…(come on now)…Aaaaahhhhhh (it’s Panto Season after all).
Add comment December 20th, 2007
One can scarcely pick up a paper these days without coming across a story of some impending financial crisis or other. Of the many scenarios the most often mentioned are; falling house prices and a declining housing market, increasing personal debts and bankruptcies, unstable banks, rising inflation and dangerously unstable stock markets…that’s right, it seems like hard times could be around the corner.
Add comment December 18th, 2007
I read with some interest, of a new bill that is due for debate today in the German Parliament; The Reichstag. Having been a keen historian, specialising in German history for some three decades now, I cannot but be amazed at the proposal. The Bill proposes nothing less than to make public shows of affection between under 18’s illegal. Worse that that; in view of some of the stereotypes that their history has engendered, it threatens to make Germany a laughing stock.
Add comment December 13th, 2007
I must admit to not being knowledgeable about any number of things and one of those things happens to be the Baptist Church. I know that the Church must have something to do with baptism and by extension, immersion in water; so I was interested to hear about the death of Baptist Minister David Brash, who seemingly received somewhat more water than was beneficial, when his body was found in a swamp in the Philippines. Apparently he was done away with by his young Pilipino bride, who hired two assassins to perform the task.
Add comment December 11th, 2007
Its funny how two diverse and seemingly unrelated pieces of news can have a common thread running through them and today, this phenomenon has re-occurred. Panama has been in the forefront of the news recently due to its location as a bolt hole for John Darwin, the resurrected canoeist and his wife Anne; but now it has featured again for an entirely different reason…language teaching in schools. The other piece of news is the horrendous prospect of Britain being ringed by over 7,000 wind farms.
Add comment December 10th, 2007
A couple of stories caught my eye today; the first, was the announcement by the Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities, Hazel Blears, that councils should reduce the provision of translation services to immigrants and asylum seekers, as blanket provision of such services was proving a serious disincentive to actually learning English, and thus integrating into British society (the shameless Hazel Blears stole my idea!). The second story was the ongoing prediction of a downturn in the economy and the associated, redundancies, repossessions and austere times that go with such happenings.
Add comment December 7th, 2007
I have been following the story of John and Anne Darwin with growing interest as it has gradually unfolded during the past few days. Although the full story has yet to emerge, it is increasingly looking as if the resurrected canoeing amnesiac and his wife, have been party to a large insurance scam and all I can say is lock them up and throw away the key…but perhaps for a different reason than you may think.
Let us look more closely at what the couple might have done and what they deserve.
Add comment December 6th, 2007
As you all know, I never cease to be amazed at the stupidity, ineptitude and sheer profligacy demonstrated by councils nationwide…most of you probably feel the same. Speaking personally, it has almost become a vocational duty to heap huge amounts of disrespect upon those councils and politicians that are seriously deserving of it. Thus, today we are specially privileged, in that we have two truly deserving contenders for the crown of ‘stupidest council in the land’.
Add comment December 4th, 2007
Remember the ‘good old days’ when going abroad meant that to all intents and purposes, armed with your trusty blue British passport, most countries would recognise your nation as one that would brook no interference with their citizens and they would, therefore, respect this nation, respect you and let you go on unhindered? Imagine also, that if that kind of safety was assured abroad, then once back in good old blighty, a British citizen must be neigh on invincible…well sadly, times have changed!
Add comment December 3rd, 2007
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