Self-published my book Portrait of a Gentleman: Pipe Smokers from Around the World!
February 1st has been designated as #NoHijabDay and is supported by author and activist Yasmine Mohammed as well as other ex-Muslims fighting for women’s rights around the world.
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Remember a year ago, when we were all wishing each other a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year for 2020?
Now that we have 2020 hindsight, as it were, that all seems rather comical, doesn’t it?
A lot has already been said about 2020, and more will be; a global pandemic the likes of which had not been experienced since the Spanish Flu of 1918. It gave us a chance to make some important observations.
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SPOILER ALERT: if you haven’t seen the series and plan to, then this blog is NOT for you – it’s full of spoilers!
So, my wife and I just finished binging on the Game of Thrones series; we did not partake of all the excitement while it was originally airing, but this past spring we decided to give it a try and, well….we got addicted.
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I’m only in my mid-fifties, but I suspect I may already be turning into the proverbial grumpy old man.
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Agrippinus was a Roman statesman and Stoic philosopher who lived during the reign of Nero. One morning, a messenger brought him some terrible news: he was being exiled, effective immediately.
He responded, in true Stoic fashion, “Very well, then, we shall take our lunch in Aricia.”
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Some days just don’t meet your expectations.
Damned expectations.
And then there are those days that can show you how weak your expectations can be, how uncreative and shallow. Those are the wonderful days.
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There are those blustery days, when the wind blows and covers the land with its breath. Along the way, rocks stay put, anchored to the land, unmoving; trees will sway, but barring hurricane-force winds, will remain rooted to the soil; a feather, however, like the opening scene of “Forrest Gump”, will let the wind happily take it where it may – no resistance, no definite plan in mind.
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I recently announced on my social media feeds that my wife Claire and I will shortly be moving to Ireland. As many have pointed out, it’s a Big Move, exciting and scary all at the same time. Here’s the story of how this happened…
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At this time last year, I wrote about expectations, and how they often seem to be the source of so much of our unhappiness. I know too many people for whom 2019 was less than great, and I count myself among those.
2019 cannot be done with fast enough.
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2141.
The Earth is quiet. There are only 2 humans left. All activity has ceased; the hum of the cities, the roar of aircraft in the sky, the power stations. All silenced.
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A String of Days 