Phil version 2.0

  “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades ” (Pat McDonald 1986)   “Hmm ...” (Phil v 2.0 2020) Nothing like leaving things to the last moment ...   But, whether or not Boris is actually marching off to a “golden age”, is mercifully, beyond the scope of this blog!   Brexit was of course, a significant unknown throughout 2020, and a (perhaps ongoing) source of worry for many. You don’t need me to tell you that COVID and the so called, “new normal” constitute a great source of concern over what 2021 might bring ...   ... and no doubt, we all have our own things that are matters of concern, going forward.   Is it really, going to be a truly, “happy new year”?   As you might have noticed, Phil v2.0 has a tendency towards pessimism and indeed, frequently, looks to the future, with  much trepidation.  I am, therefore, particularly unconvinced for much of the time, that the “future’s so bright”. Add my own fears to those which face many others, a...

  Not!   You might have noticed that there is a pretty, big event on the horizon!   I must say that the word “not” isn’t indicative of any  Geddit? It is simply an expression of hope for a dry day!   Needless to say, Christmas will be rather different this year, but I am sure that people will enjoy it anyway.  I certainly hope so - we need, all the compensation that we can get after a pretty bad 2020. After all, ... No doubt, we have all had a pretty busy time in the run up to the festive period.    Christmas shopping trips have largely, been replaced by a couple of mouse clicks and the lining of Jeff Bezos’ pockets. There is still however, plenty to be getting on with!   It might be famous last words, but I think that I am nearly ready, myself - just presents to wrap and some food shopping ...   This isn’t though indicative of any particular, diligence on my own part. It is actually a good example of the fact that  different i...

  “It’s kind of hard to think about your own mortality” (Of Monsters and Men 2019)     Given the stimulus for this post, as a mark of respect there is no cartoon this time.   The “stimulus” to which I refer, is a recent family berevement and imminent funeral.   In the interests of privacy, I will say no more about that.   Instead, I’ll just share a few simple and brief, thoughts on the issue of mortality.   I have been told that I was pretty close to dying in the accident. I’d actually go a stage further, and say that Phil v1.0  did indeed, die . In an instant though, he was reborn as Phil v2.0. And that leads me on to the fact that ...   I must keep reminding myself that mourning over the demise of Phil v1.0 should be appropriately, balanced with a  celebration of his successor’s birth.   That said, even Phil v2.0 won’t go on forever. Our mortal existence is of course, finite.  All of us have only a certain lifespan, with...

  “ The purpose of writing is both to keep up with life and to run ahead of it ...”   William Saroyan (1939) The “words” that I am talking about here, include those which you are reading, right now - this blog...   A few months ago, I also, published a post on the authorship of the blog (“When is a blog not a blog?”) - and accordingly, I am in a sense, not covering too much new ground. There is though, a pretty straightforward, but important point which I didn’t address in that post and I would like now, to rectify the omission.   My inspiration for this, was actually, some negative thoughts and feelings which I experienced yesterday evening. Out of curiosity, I consulted an analytical tool and discovered that readership of this blog is now dramatically reduced, from what it once was. I appreciate that this is a typical state of affairs, but nevertheless...   In fact, I went to bed last night, with a sense that the whole exercise is pointless and a resolve to ca...