The return of the optimist and right-wing considerations

I'm glad I shook off that mini bleak spell - strange indeed as I am most definitely one of lifes optimists but sometimes.......

Not much to report apart from a weekend in Liguria and Piemonte eating and drinking far too much. Came back over the Swiss border this evening quite content to be returning to the office and normal eating habits tomorrow. These long weekends throw me out but I'll not turn down a 4 day week.

So, away back home in my dear Blighty I see the Big 3's shock and horror at possibly 25% of the nation thinking of voting BNP - Are they really that stupid to be surprised by this?? You may feel inclined to tell me that as an expat I should spare comment but it's not JUST an immigration issue, it goes deeper than that. It's about putting an emphasis on 'old-fashioned' values; instilling discipline in an ever less law-abiding society; a reaction to New Labours plans to concrete the green belt, especially in the south and maybe also the hope that we can recover a national identity now lost.

Regarding that last point, it concerns me that our education system chooses to ignore the Shakespeares, Drakes or Shackletons of our historic and heroic past in favour of politically correct themes. National pride is not something to be ashamed or indeed afraid of but, obviously, national pride is impossible if the populace is unaware of its past achievements. Without this knowledge, what will inspire the next Bill Tilman or another Robin Knox-Johnston ?

All Things Washed in Black

and I don't know why.

I'm finding myself under a dark cloud recently, and I can't shake it off. I'm most definitely not feeling my usual self, I'm losing interest even in things that I normally find interesting / exciting etc. This rarely happens and never before have I felt compelled to write about it but it's affecting my daily life, my daily routine and my relationships with people in my immediate vicinity - it's not good. I'm hoping a weekend away this weekend will do the trick.

Tune currently in my head

'I fought the law' by the Bobby Fuller Four.

Thought for the day

There's a lesson in it, if you look for it hard enough.

No Pain No Gain

Lugano, 8.00am. I walk into the dentist believing I had an appointment with the hygienist. Instead during the last x-ray taken they found a small crack which needed to be filled (shades of Frankie Howerd), which meant injections (painful), drilling (worse, on the nerve son) then the filling itself. So pain yes, whaty about gain? I've gained a nice white tooth which no longer lets in cold air.

A gripe of the grape

There has been a relocation of my brain to the hangover department this morning - bloody grappa. I have resolved that following a meal with friends I shall order another bottle of wine instead of involving myself with these heavy-duty gutbusters. Mind you, great meal. I had a leg of pork which was LUVVERLY, the wine superb and the company excellent; exactly what is needed after 3 hours in the gym.

Would Stephen mind I wonder?

the fact that I've lifted the title of this blog from his book "Dreamcatcher" - probably not, I could say he lifted 'same shit different day' from me........ swings and roundabouts my son, swings and roundabouts.

Until the next time.