There is a character in the comedy series Derry Girls called Uncle Colm who, as they might say in Derry, is wild fond of the sound of his own voice. You see, Uncle Colm maunders on. He rattles away, talking in that aimless, vague, drifting manner that begets a maunderer. Not that Uncle Colm is … Continue reading Maundering On
Paradox: a logical statement that seems to contradict itself; something that is not what it seems. My dad taught me what it was by having me learn this one: ‘The code of the road is a paradox quite, if you keep to the left you are sure to be right.’ It doesn’t work in America. … Continue reading Paradox
I stood on the edge of a carpet of decaying roses in the middle of July of this year, which was, I think, around six weeks after they had been laid down. What amazed me was how long the flowers were lasting; that is to say, how they were still offering something to be enjoyed … Continue reading Decay
Who would you burn as an effigy and why? The question was posed at a writing workshop I attended the other day and we were supposed to use it as a prompt. I suppose it was meant in a light-hearted way, after all, that evening was bonfire night. I told them wouldn’t burn any effigy. … Continue reading Burning Effigies
There are those who support the idea that over use of social media piles more pressure on the already high expectations that young people have for themselves. All those insta-snap-tweet-shares they do; the pouts, the poses and plates of perfect food, all awaiting validation via a thumbs-up, a wink, an emoji-heart. Surely it’s not good … Continue reading Expectation
Once upon a time, when I lived in Dublin, I dreamed of owning a Donegal Tweed overcoat: tailored, to the knee, single breasted, with a 100-year guarantee (isn't that how long they last?). Specifically, the coat of my dreams was to come from Kevin and Howlin, a traditional outfitters on Nassau Street, down the side … Continue reading Jacket
It looked beautiful outside, lulled me into forgetting we are balanced on the edge of winter and so I ventured into the pale blue day, ill clad. Needles - the air was full of them - pricked me all over, scrubbed my cheeks red and made my eyes to stream. One glove off, I dabbed … Continue reading Winter Blues
Ambition is one of those words that can be wrapped in a subtle film of criticism, thin as Japanese mulberry paper. It’s not always so, but sometimes, if you listen carefully, there might be a certain tone of voice used when saying, ‘he’s ambitious, that one.’ At times, it comes with an implication of the … Continue reading Ambition
It’s a great phrase, ‘I’ve got the measure of you’. And it’s a marvellous idea too; being able to stand back and assess someone - head to toe - with the professional eye of a Savile Row tailor, and come up with the formula as to what makes them tick. Instead of inside leg, waist, … Continue reading I’ve Got The Measure of You
Driving south from Inverness on Saturday I passed a turn for Carrbridge. I drove straight on, unaware that Carrbridge, on the banks of the River Dulnain, was, that very afternoon, hosting an event of global significance. In fact, I remained ignorant of the gathering until this morning when I woke to the life-affirming headline that … Continue reading Back to Porridge
