This week, two wonderful things happened. Firstly, I got tickets to see my favourite comedian, Kevin Bridges, and secondly I received a hand-written letter. In a world increasingly dehumanised by technology, how wonderful to receive two ‘antidotes’ that celebrate the spirit of being human. To me, one of the greatest gifts is shared laughter –…
This Sunday evening, my wife and I soaked up the last of the Summer sun in our recently revamped garden, myself a man utterly content with his lot, a Cohiba Siglo VI in one hand, a glass of Blanton’s bourbon in the other. Contentedly blowing plumes of smoke over my new pride and joy, a…
Last Sunday evening I danced and punched the air in delight as Shaun Murphy won the ‘Masters’ snooker final. There is no other event I find more nostalgic. As a young boy in the 1980s I’d be tucked up in bed, lights off, then sneak on my little white plastic Panasonic telly and let the…
I have a customer called David who always bounds into my showroom with all the enthusiasm and bonhomie of a Labrador on MDMA. When asked, How’s life? He roars back, “Bloody Marvellous!” An hour in his presence and the world seems a better place. Surrounding ourselves with people who are positive, kind and generous of…
My sun-dappled dome of a forehead bears testament to what has been a wonderful Summer. Highlights for me were post-surfing pints of cider in Cornwall and bezzing around the coves of Corfu in a speedboat, with only lunch and lashings of assyrtiko white wine on the agenda. On the work front, I’ve made hay whilst…
There is something about the sound of a brass band that hits me straight in the heart. In an often cruel and selfish world, it’s a beacon of hope and kindness. Huddled together like Emperor Penguins in a tight circle on Briggate, their rousing tones soared through the clouds of skunk and vape-smoke, produced by…
Heading into the David Lloyd sauna after an exhilarating morning swim, I settled down to embrace the heat and enjoy a moment of peace and self reflection. Inhaling steamy notes of Bergamot and Eucalyptus, I closed my eyes, the gentle crackle of hot coals a nurturing beat in this oasis of tranquility. And then the…
As the sun slowly sets on 2022, I am delighted to say it has been a record year and I’ve never worked harder. Down to just two courses for lunch at Sous Le Nez, and only taking a week’s holiday every second month, it’s been brutal. But I’ve dug deep, pulled on my exquisitely tailored…
Microsoft and Netflix – sort your screensavers out! Like Jim Bowen in “Bullseye,” it’s “Look what you could have won,” as vistas of snow capped mountains, sparkling waterfalls and tropical beaches, tease and torment me, at a time when a trip to the butchers is an adventure. Believe you me, there is no Californian sunshine…
Another lockdown Monday morning rears it’s head, and to quote Morgan Freeman in ‘Shawshank Redemption,’ “time draws out like a blade.” The first two weeks of January have been productive, culminating in the launch of my new website, but with my ‘to do’ list now done, I’m in danger of being headhunted by my wife…