Yesterday was the first time that I had been filmed on a video camera. Not the first time ever, I have been filmed many times on holiday and at weddings and that sort of thing but the first time that I had been asked to sit down and make a presentation in front of a … Continue reading Being on video
The art of the pedant
According to my dictionary, a pedant is a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning, a person who over emphasises rules or minor details. The word comes from the French pédant apparently or the even earlier Italian pedante, both referring to a teacher or schoolmaster (am I allowed to say master now … Continue reading The art of the pedant
Another business shutting down
There is another shop shutting down in the high street in my own home town. It is a book shop this time. Whilst our town seems to have weathered the financial storm better than most, some recent events have conspired to make business very difficult. Another small business is going and so some more people … Continue reading Another business shutting down
Three wishes
I’m sure we’ve all thought about this at some time or other, the fantasy that we are granted three wishes and what we would do with them. Each of us goes through the same process of trying to identify wishes that you could tell your mother about, that weren’t too selfish, that were somehow good … Continue reading Three wishes
Lunch time
I was once telling to a friend of mine how I had great difficult y in explaining to colleagues about some issues that I was having to deal with and how they could be affected. I was finding it hard to get my point across and speak to them in a way that meant something … Continue reading Lunch time
Traffic gods
There are two gods that look over my driving, one that likes me and another that doesn’t. I get on well with the parking god, always have done, we go way back. I’ve always been lucky when it comes to finding a parking space. On Grey Street in Newcastle I can pull up into a … Continue reading Traffic gods
Small words, old words
It’s not a rule but a general principle that the smaller the word the older it is. I’m referring to English in the main but I believe it to hold true for all European languages as well. I have no knowledge of any other. My premise is that the first words ever spoken were short, … Continue reading Small words, old words
Creation
What is the oldest story ever told, boy meets girl, good versus evil? How about creation, the first story ever to be told and the answer to the biggest questions that we ever have to answer? Why am I here? What is my purpose? What came before me and will life exist after I have … Continue reading Creation
Don’t phone while driving
On my way home, I drive up the A1 past the Washington Service Station. Just before you get there the road curves round to the left as it rises from crossing the Wear at Chester le Street. At the top of the hill and on the bend there is one of those illuminated motorway signs … Continue reading Don’t phone while driving
Small acts of engagement
It’s not the great things that make us human but rather the thousands of every day seemingly meaningless bits of conversation and gossip that does. They bind us together as the communal and social animal that we are, building a common experience and a shared sense of belonging. Our lives are filled with snatches of … Continue reading Small acts of engagement
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 