We’ve just passed the time of year when people find themselves contemplating christian thoughts, even if they have no interest in christianity whatsoever. A few weeks ago, an acquaintance was getting very misty-eyed about Martin and Rachel Ridall, who declared that they had forgiven the woman, Hannah Saaf, who killed their 11-year-old son Sam in… [Read more…]
December 18, 2009
I just got back from the Barbican, where I saw Spiritualized do the whole of Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space. This is the second time the time funnel’s got me this week. The night before last I was in a supermarket, searching the shelves of spirits and sticky drinks for something to… [Read more…]
December 10, 2009
Yes, I said the C-word, finally. Tis the season to be sober. It’s full of insightful political commentary and apercus. (I can’t find the cedilla function so that looks like ‘aperkus’ to me.) I’m almost sad that there isn’t a slew of vitriolic, embittered bile in the comments section, accusing me of being ‘middle class’.… [Read more…]
November 26, 2009
In fantasy land, which is a place that most writers go to fairly often, how would your ideal publishing industry look? How would it work? After reading Robert McCrum’s piece in the Observer a few weeks ago, Stop The Bean-Counters Ruling The Fiction Roost, you might be forgiven for thinking that we had now witnessed… [Read more…]
October 18, 2009
It’s started. Oh god. It’s started. Nooooooooooo. My head being crushed by a cold, I was innocently surfing the Guardian website on Friday when I came across this, an introduction to a review of the noughties. Aside from causing me to hate the word ‘noughties’ even more, it made me swear very loudly and write… [Read more…]
October 9, 2009
An occasional series, as usual. I’ve been meaning to park this one for ages. The Cut Price Hero is a man or woman who tells you, in proud and slightly hushed tones: ‘Last year, I bought my mother’s council house for her.’ Let’s stop there for a moment. How wonderful, you are meant to think,… [Read more…]
October 7, 2009
Well, it’s always the networking season, really, although this time of year always has that back-to-school feeling – back to roaring crowds in wine bars and Let Me Give You My Card. I figure it’s a numbers game for now, getting as much face time as possible with as many people as you can bear,… [Read more…]
September 24, 2009
I may have forgotten to mention it, but I’ve been on Blog Strike for the last two months. I got tired of the relentless unpaid self-promotion that we’re all supposed to be getting on with, every minute that we’re not working for, you know, actual money. Besides, most of the things I really want to… [Read more…]
July 28, 2009
OK OK, I’ve heard enough people tell me that the first thing they’re asked in job interviews nowadays is ‘Do you blog?’ So just for completeness, I’ll join in. Roy Greenslade made this comment about the middle class taking over the media a whole week ago, but there has been much to ruminate on, and… [Read more…]
June 12, 2009
As soon as I decide to have a news blackout, because I’m sick of it all, a very sad booze story pops up in the media, and they called me in this morning, to talk about alcohol and the workplace. Here’s the audio.
January 6, 2010
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