Farewell Terry Hall
I remember a few years back when George Michael died, I found it a bit odd how morose some people were. The main demographic was women of a certain age who felt connected to him. It was not until later I appreciated what a decent, yet vulnerable bloke he was. It was a sad demise for someone who was generous, funny and always prepared to send himself up (see Ricky Gervais’s Extras). Yet, I still didn’t understand the connected sadness. ...
Unions, Strikes and Travel Disruption
I run my own little business, so I don’t have a union. However, if I worked for a large corporation or the public sector, I would join one straight away. If you work without representation, you are affectively a slave, hoping things go your way. Not being in a union means I am not an expert in how they operate. However, as I understand it, members vote for a leader and that leader represents them. When there is discontent over working ...
A View From the Chaise Longue – It’s Tears Again!
I met a couple of my son George’s friends in Winchester yesterday. On a busy and buoyant Christmas afternoon the temptation was there to hang about and watch the game. However, the chaise longue had served England well and to desert it now would surely mean defeat. That’s right, England's fate rested on me staying loyal to a piece of furniture. Uneasy Confidence During the drive home, I felt an almost uneasy sense of confidence. ...
A View From the Chaise Longue -What a Night in Qatar!
Many are calling it the World Cup that just keeps giving, and isn’t it just? The two quarter-final matches were evidence of no matter how much we can hate football sometimes, its beauty still shines through. No other sport can provide such drama. Nervous Neutrals Across the world last night, neutral observers were pacing the floor and hiding behind cushions and sofas as the drama of the quarter-finals unfolded. What it must have been ...
A View From the Chaise Longue – The Quarter-Finals
So, the 2nd round of the World Cup is done and dusted. Spain were the latest big name to be shocked and deservedly so. After laying down an early marker in the group stages, Spain changed tact. They decided to employ the tactic of boring their opponents to death by passing the ball to each other for what seemed like years. From the chaise longue view, it felt inevitable that Spain would crash out at some point. I’m no Pep Guardiola, but the ...