An Unlikely Start to a Love of Film

An Unlikely Start to a Love of Film

by | Mar 28, 2021 | zeitgeist

I grew up in a small and unremarkable council flat in Edinburgh. I was lucky enough to go to University so, when I was 17, I headed to Glasgow and a new rainy life. As soon as I did, I didn’t have a bedroom at home any more. Not going to go all Four...
Independence Is A Stupid Idea

Independence Is A Stupid Idea

by | Mar 27, 2021 | zeitgeist

Independence is a stupid idea. Firstly, we are all delightfully mongrel. Sure, I cried when we lost to Peru in 1978, I identify as Scottish but also realise that that has no absolute meaning. In fact, my DNA suggests I’m at least 1% Finnish and that I am conclusively...
We Used To Drive To The Castle

We Used To Drive To The Castle

by | Dec 31, 2020 | zeitgeist

2020 will doubtless spawn any number of opinion pieces and spraff, would be remiss of me not to join in in some fashion. That said, I’m not really trying to make a point. This is simply to record 2020 through more recent eyes rather than let it drift off into a...
I am a student again

I am a student again

by | Sep 7, 2020 | zeitgeist

My last day as a student was 11th July 1991. Almost 30 years later, I am a student again, this time with the Open University. A few years ago my friend from University, Gordon McNeilly, suddenly and sadly died. Gordon was, in my life, unique. An incredible brain...
Favourite New Music of 2017

Favourite New Music of 2017

by | Dec 29, 2017 | zeitgeist

There is a realisation. It doesn’t come on right away, it approaches slowly – like a ferry. The wonders of blogging, there’s no one around to complain about my similes. The realisation is most evident if you use something like last.fm. You notice...
X

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by | Aug 26, 2016 | Writing, zeitgeist

To my surprise, this blog is now 10 years old. We shouldn’t be surprised by the passing of time but we always are. It’ll be 11 years old next year, can you imagine? The surprise comes in a number of forms. It sounds a little odd that something as new and...