Phil version 2.0

The happy couple And the less cheerful pair... As is commonly the case; this current episode is inspired by recent and significant events.    First, and of much greater importance, was my daughter’s marriage.   Secondly, a few weeks ago, I broke my finger and heavily bruised, its next-door neighbour (not to mention much of the rest of my hand)!    Let’s start (quite correctly) with the wedding:   It was a lovely day, that went without a hitch (save that I guess, they got “hitched”!)   I am convinced that she has picked the  right  fella and I am really pleased for them....   My father of the bride’s speech consisted largely of my expounding upon her talents and other virtues. As I then said: “I hear a collective sigh of relief that it will be a very short speech, indeed!”   More seriously, she has very many of them and time only permitted for an utterly non-comprehensive summary.   An important one that I did stress though, wa...

  Phil v2.0 – what’s in a name?   Bemused as you might be, there is a (very!) loose connection between the picture and the question. Read on...   I have talked a lot about having become a changed individual, after the accident, and about now being Phil v2.0.   Despite light-hearted reference to that name, I should say  that I am often downcast,  over this re-designation.   Some further reflection in this area, seemed like a good idea, and I would like to share a little of it...   In essence,  I can grieve a little, over a loss Phil v1.0.   There have of course, been significant changes (that are, or can be perceived as, negative) – physical, mental, and circumstantial.   Regarding  some  of the mental changes:   I have talked a lot in previous posts, about my depression and overall negativity etc. I’m not going there again, for now.   All I am thinking about now, is (real or otherwise) alteration to some positive...

  “This is what the Fringe is all about...”   Time for a  “proud father” post!   Of course, I am deeply proud of all my children, but my pride  is currently  focussed on my youngest son.   At just 17, he and a few acting friends (from around the country), formed themselves into a group of players, called Kitsch Theatre.   The above play is a production of theirs, that has recently enjoyed a run at the Edinburgh Fringe.   My son wrote, directed, and acted in it.    One of its other “stars” was a puppet of Ghandi, and according to a reviewer, “...this Ghandi isn’t content to be a bland holy man and adds in his own banter”. The puppet has also been described as, “sardonic”.    I dread to think!   The show was  a major succes s as evidenced (in part!) by the quotation from a review, at the outset of this post.   Other fantastic reviews have also been published, including the following words:   “Do you want ...

  Not a lot about brain injury in this one!   More a case of things that have kept my mind occupied, of late   And without further ado...   Here’s a question for you...     What is the connection?   And the answer is...   Believe it or not, these things are  related!     ·        On most Wednesdays, I attend a South Manchester and Stockport Headway session.   ·        We meet in a place called the Bridge Hall Community Centre.   ·        That building is next door to the primary school.   ·        Former pupils, include both Phil Foden and Angela Rayner – indeed, she launched her bid for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party, from the Bridge Hall Community Centre!   ·        The site of the pictured, and former “Bridge Hall” is now the primary school’s...