“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
Albert Einstein
Happy new year to you all; here we go again.
You may or may not agree with my alternative approach to the news media in the run-up to the festive season just gone. I made a decision to avoid as much news – and noise as it is referred to trendily – from all forms of media.
This was not based on any scientific approach merely testing out a long-held belief that some of the happiest people I know live by the maxim that ignorance is bliss. Many others are just born with the condition but that’s another story.
By and large, I have to say it worked and I cannot recall seeing or hearing Boris for what seemed an eternity. However, there is only so much a man can take of subtitles and Sky Sports News.
Tentatively flicking across to Sky News the other day I landed on the adverts. The first was for famine relief, reminding me as I tucked into a full plate, of the good fortune most of us enjoy.
The next was a bunch of cheery folk purporting to be around my age, enthusing about a cremation plan as if they had just won the pools. I didn’t hang around long enough to see if you got a free Parker pen on signing.
Sky Sports News would have to get me through to the new year, come what may.
Coincidence?
Rumours abound locally that HMRC are conducting an enquiry into how a local employee – pictured many moons ago above – appears to have combined self-isolation with the recent shutdown of The Scruffy.
There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that he cut the ribbon at the official re-opening this week.
Those of you who know Webbo from the picture will doubtless be pleased to know he is getting married again next year. I’ve tried my best to talk him out of it but am sure you will want to send your best wishes to the old slogger.
Hope Springs – 1
My entertaining next-door neighbour declared the other day that this was the year of change.
“I’m off the wine, going vegan and starting meditating!” she declared.
I give it till mid-month.
Thank You
I’d just like to say a personal thank you for the lovely comments attached, via Facebook, to my blog Pantoland. They were very heart-warming; so pleased was I with the old dear’s walking I’ve got her some new Nikes.
Hope Springs – 2
The first shoots of summer popped up the other day and how good to see. Desperate to ward off the psychopathic local cat from flavouring my flourishing garlic patch, out came the defences, upcycling at its best.
It won’t be long before the new season begins in earnest and I can spend my weekends looking like a tramp; happy growing to you all. Dibbers at the ready!
Modern Leadership
The spectacularly useless West Yorkshire Mayor, once of Coronation Street fame, wants more money to police us. But rather than pin her colours to the mast and state this as policy, she’s conducting a survey – see this article.
If I thought that the extra money would translate into more police I would have no problem. But I don’t want more backroom staff filling in spreadsheets nor do I want to see any more teletubby plastic coppers plodding around the streets without hope of catching my Mum in her new Nikes.
Elected as she was, surely she should have the conviction of her beliefs? Rest assured the money will flow; rest assured it will make sod all difference.
Idle’s Falling Down
There was a bizarre article led by Historic England.
It referred to at-risk heritage sites: Goitside, Great Horton, Idle and The Green, North Park Road, St Paul, and Thornton Conservation areas are all said to be in “very bad” condition, while the rest are in “poor” condition.
To lump Idle village in with some of the above suggests they might be better visiting a village that has improved markedly in recent years, thanks, in the main, to local business people.
I await a response from Historic England.
Lord Frazer Irwin says
Bliss here! All the best to the Idle crew for the coming year.
I returned the radio to another room, stopped buying papers, don’t have a Propaganda Box (TV), and watched the Net as little as possible and yes it was a relaxing festive season. As shepherds are in season this time of year decided to break from the bird and had Shepherd’s Pie for a change.
The article on Panto-land brought back memories of treading the boards. That’s right! The Goose in Mother Goose, back end of a donkey in Ali Baba, fourth pair of legs in a Chinese Dragon, that Director had some weird ideas for Aladdin and a few ore besides.
2022 is a Tiger Year (Chinese calendar) unfortunately it is also a Ben Ming Nian year for those born under the sign. Look it up.
That said I prepare for a trip to Aldi to stock up the larder. 🙂