Monthly Archives: April 2020

More Pascal, for writers:I would have written a shorter letter but I did not have the time.

International Dance DayDance as if no one is concerned about what you may or may not upload to social media. Or do in the privacy of your own lockdown.

Pascal (1623-1662) : “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” and“Nothing is so intolerable to man as being fully at rest, without a passion, without business, without entertainment, without care.”This sums up … Continue reading →

Lukewarm political sentimentsPartial result from survey carried out by anti-fascist group Hope not Hate.More people believe in an internationalist approach to deal with the virus – rejecting nationalist and protectionist politics – and whilst they are split over austerity, they … Continue reading →

Now, more than ever, we need top quality, responsible, science reporting. The Sun: Shark attacks lead to soaring ice cream sales!! Only in your soaring, soaraway Sun! (Did we mention ‘soar’ yet? – Ed.) Makitup Philpot reports:Boffins at the Institute … Continue reading →

The night before last was, apparently, world book night. Not only did I miss it but I inadvertently desecrated, or at least disrespected it, by packing all my books into crates to be given to Oxfam post-lockdown and reading old … Continue reading →

Covid 19 pandemic insight There are 2 classes of things: VegThings that are Not Veg: other foodstuffs, material objects, all other matter and energy, emotions, wishes, ideas … It would be wrong to claim perennial equivalence of category, since, for … Continue reading →

Random thought of the day: A favourite word of mine is nuance, which I associate with prose writing because I tend to use it, and view it, in that context, but it also appeals to me as a poetic term.It’s … Continue reading →

I was hoping, after Twenty third day of Spring, the government would have learned its lesson. Naive or what!? Me: I’m really, really working to pay my tax bill for 2016/17.HMRC: Really?Me: Absolutely!HMRC: How much ‘really’?Me: I’m totally focused on … Continue reading →

Time warp fantasy: famous deceased author visits city in the North West and spots someone who appears to be socially isolating in his garden but who is in fact being ostracised for his tabloid reading material. He sits in the … Continue reading →