tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328377882024-02-19T02:17:06.420+00:00The Agrophobic JourneymanSimon writes stories and pontificates on topics as the antidote to real life. He doesn’t claim allegiance to any particular belief, genre or style. Nothing is too important to be trivialised.Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-71278541835058880612021-03-03T12:26:00.000+00:002021-03-03T12:26:01.319+00:00Politics is now a religion. Are you a believer or a heretic?Fun Facts: Fake News actually dates from the late 19th
century, when it was used by newspapers and magazines to boast about their own
journalistic standards and attack those of their rivals. The term ‘post-truth politics’
was first coined in 1992.
To add some context, George H. W. Bush was US President.
John Major was UK Prime Minister. Twitter was still 14 years away from
Foundation. Mark Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-32798543427299314002020-10-20T10:39:00.000+01:002020-10-20T10:39:12.557+01:00Following up on Democracy with my MP
Three weeks ago, I wrote to my MP to ask
for his commitment
to democracy.
As yet, he has not replied. There could be
no end of reasons for this in these unusual, Covid times. I need to stay calm
and remember that stuff happens. That when things go wrong, it is far more
likely to be a cockup rather than a conspiracy.
So, rather than go off down some rabbit
hole of conspiracy invention, I will Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-59101017137160699522020-09-29T10:04:00.007+01:002020-10-19T09:47:20.939+01:00Big Brother is Watching me and Beaming Subliminal Messages into my BrainThat title, eh? Makes it look like
retirement (or economic inactivity) has turned me into a conspiracy theorist
convinced that I am being manipulated by dark forces to their bidding.What was it Kurt Cobain said? Something
like “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.”I know, all this talk of grand conspiracy
theories to grab power and hold the populace is all total Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-33233268899487288572020-09-28T14:24:00.001+01:002020-10-19T09:45:00.667+01:00Asking my MP to act for UK DemocracyI am writing to my MP again.
This is not big news; I quite often fire
off letters to my MP. To be fair to him,
he always replies, but as yet not in a conclusive and fully supportive manner.
Being an MP, I’m sure that he gets a lot of
correspondence and there will be letters from other constituents that take an
opposing view to mine.
However, this letter is different. This
letter is aboutSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-11565083089508791472020-06-01T11:37:00.001+01:002020-06-01T11:37:42.935+01:00Primeval Swamp of politics again
If Twitter was the
primeval rain forest and I were the time traveler doing the tourist thing to
gawp at dinosaurs, my footprint would pose no threat to the delicate butterfly.
I know that I cannot exert influence on the great and good on Twitter any more
than I can travel in time.
Yet occasionally I
find myself on the periphery of a debate that I feel is so important, the 140
character limit Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-87805679986014692682020-04-23T10:22:00.000+01:002020-04-23T10:22:24.580+01:00UK Citizens Bonus
I believe that once the COVID19 lockdown is
over, UK society will need to embrace a new social reality. The ‘old’ social
contract between government and the people has been rather turned on its head
by the necessary responses to the pandemic and there is recognition that the
economic impact will require huge government intervention.
During the crisis, key workers have been the
ones that Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-65289367618450860782020-04-21T11:42:00.000+01:002020-04-21T11:59:35.048+01:00Wouldn't it be nice if...
I have overdone the dried frog pills.
It is not my fault, I rather lost track of the doseage while watching on-line Taskmaster videos.
As a result, I started to have fantasy COVID19 leaders press briefing hallucinations. This, dear reader, isn't as horrific as you might fear. In fact, it is a synaptic tangent that you may wish to travel at some point.
Imagine the scene. Boris enters theSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-64416203018788520732011-09-10T09:51:00.000+01:002011-09-10T09:52:26.752+01:00Getting the hang of it againRight then, let's see if I remember.
I take my right forefinger and dip it in that special green gloop distilled from various exotic herbs and leaves gathered by Mattress Madge....
... Ooo that rather tingles, I wonder what would happen if I ....
No! Concentrate Simon.
Right, take the forefinger and let it wander over this keyboard thingy. That's it, this feels like what I used to do.
Look! Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-72587488642437228152010-10-31T08:44:00.000+00:002010-10-31T08:44:13.457+00:00I am not dead.I should point out to everyone that I am not dead. OK, so some parts of me don’t function as quickly as they did when I was younger, but all my bits are still in place and in working order (See Note 1).
However, I do realise that I haven’t posted much for a while. Poor Inspector Jones is still being perplexed by the odd and Archie McRamie is still missing. In fact, there has been very little Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-17197509535127670832010-09-04T13:56:00.000+01:002010-09-04T13:56:15.846+01:00If You Ever Plan To Motor WestHere is Part 66 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />I have mentioned this before, but from here on in reading the recap then jumping into the middle of the story will rather ruin it. The recap will now start to include some major spoilers on the plot which, up until now have just been hints and clues.Also, I have to Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-44846890970412066762010-08-31T10:18:00.000+01:002010-08-31T10:18:00.898+01:00Well Sweet Little Sista's High In HellHere is Part 65 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. We are now at a point where two things happen.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Firstly, I need to point out that from here on in, reading the recap then jumping into the middle of the story will rather ruin it. The recap will now start to include some major spoilers on the plot which, up until now haveSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-72207982284215030072010-08-27T16:35:00.000+01:002010-08-27T16:35:20.208+01:00When I Get Older, Losing My Hair.Here is Part 64 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />I’m not really into the news today; I have other things on my mind. Instead I give you the oddest video. It is one of those videos that really needs the sound on and to be watched through to the end. Never being one to ignore the obvious, this is probably the Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-11142781376400733452010-08-25T11:18:00.000+01:002010-08-25T11:18:36.589+01:00Oh, What a NightTime to lob Part 63 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”out there for the world to see. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Strange news is a little thin on the ground today, this seems to be the oddest I could find. Back on track today with the quiz question. A really easy one related to the number 63. For people of my vintage it should be a doddle, but as Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-2378787877330259832010-08-24T12:03:00.000+01:002010-08-24T12:03:41.939+01:00From a Feint Into a Slip and Kicking From the HipI am eternally grateful to the loyal band of readers who are sticking with my serial, “A Couple of Tenors Short”. I must admit is was concerned that people would lose interest or become so totally baffled they would drift away, but looking at the statistics of my site yesterday, I realise that despite the difficulties posed by the way I have chosen to publish it, people are sticking with it.<?xmlSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-7647323078094889622010-08-19T15:30:00.000+01:002010-08-19T15:30:29.517+01:00Oh God Said to Abraham 'Kill Me a Son'Hot on the heels of Part 60 comes Part 61 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. I had considered introducing some kind of random numbering system or perhaps start giving the various parts names like they do with hurricanes, but I resisted – for the moment at least.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />You remember that writing stint yesterday? When I rattled off Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-14756652163294343552010-08-18T14:48:00.000+01:002010-08-18T14:48:56.646+01:00I'm Not Here To Entertain YouHere is the mini-milestone that is Part 60 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />I’m just recovering from a writing stint that has taken my breath away. I’ve just sat down and rattled 1500 words in no time at all. Convinced that it would be full of drivel, typos and waffle, I just reviewed and haven’t had to change as much of anSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-48177562945846991742010-08-16T15:48:00.000+01:002010-08-16T15:48:03.555+01:00Well, I wonder which song they're gonna play when we go. Time to share with the world part 59 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. Looking at my outline, it seems that there is still a lot to write, but I have so far completed over 50 000 words (Although I have posted a bit less than that). I spent some time at the weekend reading back what I have written and decided that the beginning is a little flabby and needs a ferocious edit – yet there are a Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-443724633065598702010-08-13T16:28:00.002+01:002010-08-13T16:28:52.873+01:00The Way You Talk, The Things You've DonePart 58 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. I keep rattling away at this. Amazing really, I suppose at some stage I should consider what I should do with it once it is complete. I have already started to cast the TV mini-series in my head, but I am rather stuck over who should play Smithy.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />You will be pleased to know that life Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-58145898638431477862010-08-12T17:06:00.000+01:002010-08-12T17:06:06.216+01:00The Sun Shone In, The Glint In Your Eye.Part 57 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. Nothing much to add today, I just wanted to post the next episode.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> I’m not sure about today’s quiz question. The answer seems somehow familiar, but I don’t know if that makes it any easier. Mind you, I think the name is ace.OK, the quiz question out of the way, here is my Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-68478180567133521132010-08-11T13:20:00.000+01:002010-08-11T13:20:00.774+01:00Don't Treat Me Like A Lab Rat, Dom Joly.That picture above is of Dominic John Romulus Joly, popularly known as “Dom” Joly. On his Wikipedia page, Dom Joly is described as a comedian, columnist and broadcaster. It must be true; it is on Wikipedia (See Note 1).My regular voracious yeomen, may have been expecting me to share with you the next thrilling instalment of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. Sadly, thanks to Mr Joly there, I have found Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-66058943499454367572010-08-10T14:47:00.000+01:002010-08-10T14:47:11.298+01:00Politicians Scheming Try to Bring a New TaxPart 56 of “A Couple of Tenors Short”. Just when you think that you have been spared, along comes another instalment and you find yourself with large serving of mayonnaise into your jacket pocket and two tickets to a recitation from the Argos catalogue.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Following on from the unfortunate tale of the World Sauna Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-49422439381732204602010-08-08T15:12:00.002+01:002010-08-08T15:12:49.461+01:00Well, My Time Went So QuicklyPart 55 of “A Couple of Tenors Short” unlike a certain brand of lager, reaches parts that other blog serials fail to reach. My advice would be to use calamine lotion twice a day and not to scratch.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />After scientific study of the temperature of the precipitation, I believe we now have consensus that it is indeed Summer. So, Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-38669376535602642982010-08-07T09:35:00.000+01:002010-08-07T09:35:36.214+01:00Magic for Me, Magic Make No SoundPart 54 of “A Couple of Tenors Short” hangs in the air then drifts in on a scented breeze to cause you olfactory curiosity.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />It is also Saturday. You see you can’t slip those little details past me once I’ve had a cup of coffee. Now that Summer is truly here (you can tell by the rain being warmer), you might be Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-15555648298743645312010-08-06T10:16:00.000+01:002010-08-06T10:16:17.445+01:00Destined to Become Zero, Staring Up This Long PathPart 53 of “A Couple of Tenors Short” is deposited upon you like lucky pigeon poo during a summer’s day stroll in a city park. I just hope that you are not wearing your best bib and tucker and don’t have anywhere important to go. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />Ahhh, yes, I hear the usual whisperings and mutterings casting doubt upon my sobriety. I Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32837788.post-24885223397548438732010-08-04T11:44:00.000+01:002010-08-04T11:44:09.882+01:00Effie, Madge and Mabel, BiddiePlease note, during the next trick, my hands never leave my arms and that the small rodents remain in full view of my audience.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />.... drum roll....Voila! By means of magic (or maybe cunning smoke and mirrors) Part 52 of “A Couple of Tenors Short” is unleashed into my quiet corner of the interweb. I keep amazing myselfSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14939615996918019620noreply@blogger.com0