What should we talk about today?
The world according to Kirkey
All you need to know about Vietnam, from the unique perspective of the British equivalent of Inspector Clouseau, who usually turns up at the airport and says, “Where are we going?” Collecting my travel money in advance of my Southeast Asian late October adventure to a place personally epitomised by the hauntingly vibrant Paul Hardcastle … Read more
The 4th of July general election heralded a true Monty Python tenet: and now for something completely different. But as a former Tory voter, member of the Conservative party, and borough councillor, I still had some unfinished business. I was exhausted – relieved, yet perplexed. Pinching an alleged descriptor from the former Home Secretary, James … Read more
My opening question is purposely direct and intended to rile you, since this topic can only be addressed with passion: how do you plead to the charge of endorsing intolerance? As you ponder your response, I will examine a facet of present day national shame. Convictions continue to be handed down by judges across the … Read more
Photographs and videos provide the most accurate journal of our lives: the place, the period, and the people. Verbatim vivid visuals that transport us back in time. They have the ability to recreate a momentary spasm in time, and collectively, a legacy lost forever in the erosion of our limited and precious stint within human … Read more
Seismic shifts in my thinking have a habit of originating from the most mundane circumstances. I guess that is the beauty of life – as opposed to the alternative – that makes being human so wonderfully confusing; from chaos a sense of clarity is often the victor. Adam’s milestone 30th birthday – my youngest child … Read more
I love a good natter: from idle chit-chat through to the philosophical riddles of life. At the lower end of the communication continuum, the topic of talk rarely bewilders or bamboozles me. Similarly, gratuitous gossip – although often exciting as long as I’m not the central character – comes without cerebral strain. I prefer to … Read more
Five years ago, I wore a blue rosette on my coat, knocked on doors and asked residents to vote for me. They did, and I was elected a councillor. In fact, I also won two subsequent local elections. A few weeks ago I stood down and have no intention to ever again cast a vote … Read more
Humanity is beautiful, bizarre, and barbaric. Since I am human, I am allowed to make such a delightful and damning statement and I intend to comprehensively prove my assertion ─ but let me first frame the formation of this eureka moment. During a recent engaging and often chaotic conversation with a friend, I grasped a … Read more
What has the epic conclusion to the 2022/23 Vanarama National League got to do with the legendary authors Dame Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle and Raymond Chandler? Stay with me for the full ninety minutes, plus added time, a wedge of extra time, and penalties, and I’ll reveal all. But first, I’d like to take … Read more
The Great Pyramid of Giza – the only remaining Great Wonder of the World – has captivated me ever since I can remember. At school I devoured every reference book chronicling the unique chapters of the exquisite and enchanting Egyptian civilisation. Spanning nearly thirty centuries, its history encompassed four dynasties: Early, the Old Kingdom, the … Read more