Jack Scott's Blog, page 80
May 28, 2013
Pillow Talk
I’m struggling just a little to give up the dreaded weed (okay, I’m struggling a lot). Most of the time I bear my cross with the help of nicotine patches as my tobacco crutches. But, an evening on the Devil’s brew at the local ale house invariably sees me falling off the wagon: a relapse … Continue reading »
May 26, 2013
Let’s Hear it for the Brides
The sun shone, the bride and bride kissed, the pansexual crowd whooped, the fizz popped and the waters trickled by in approval. After the nuptials in Islington, the wedding party was delivered via double decker to Blackfriars Pier where we joined them, all suited and booted (well, I’ve got to get some wear out of … Continue reading »
May 24, 2013
A Number on a List
What does this bog blue box on wheels look like to you? There’s a small clue stamped on the side. Yep, looks like a recycling wheelie bin to me too. So why is that the butch bin men of Norwich City Council (or refuse disposal executives or whatever fancy names they give themselves these days) … Continue reading »
May 23, 2013
To Boldly Go…
The strapline for Star Trek must be the most famous split infinitive in popular culture. Off we boldly went to Cinema City to watch the latest instalment of the franchise, ‘Star Trek, Into Darkness.’ I’m not what you might call a trekkie. Nor am I particularly keen on slash and burn all-American action movies but … Continue reading »
May 20, 2013
A Novel Idea
To continue my amateurish witterings on writing a memoir, Displaced Nation asked me: Is it easier to turn expat stories or travel adventures into a memoir or a novel, and how does one decide? Here’s the trick. Just because a memoir can’t be a novel, it doesn’t mean it can’t be written as if it … Continue reading »
May 18, 2013
Song for Eurovision
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile. Forget the worst recession since the South Sea Bubble, dust off that cracked glitter ball and drag out those tarnished bacofoil hot pants. It’s time to get crushed by the sequined juggernaut that is the Eurovision Song Contest, the rightful heir to … Continue reading »
May 17, 2013
IDAHO Day
Today is IDAHO Day. For the uninitiated, this stands for International Day Against Homophobia (not to be confused with a holiday in the 43rd State of the Union). On this day in 1990, the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases. No longer were gay people officially categorised as sick and … Continue reading »
May 14, 2013
Turkish Eye
A few days ago, I was contacted by the fabulous people at Turkayfe, an online site dedicated to presenting a positive image of Turkey to the wider world. They very kindly publish my own ramblings from time to time and recently invited me to pop over to Istanbul and join a creative writing workshop to … Continue reading »
May 11, 2013
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
The traditional high street is under seige from a flat-lining economy, increased rents (no, I don’t understand that either during a recession) and the relentless pressure from the big boys with their charmless out-of-town retail parks sucking up all the trade. Norwich seems to have bucked the trend by preserving its novelty. Of course, the … Continue reading »
May 8, 2013
Spamalot
Generally, I enjoy this blogging malarkey. I’m little troubled by the cyber-trolls and infobahn ne’er do wells. But, one tedious aspect of blogging is the endless stream of spam attacks – over 34,000 so far. If only I got that amount of genuine interest. Most get picked up by WordPress’ spam filter but a few still … Continue reading »
