The JAMs
A new set of initials entered the language of British politics this week - JAM. They stand for 'Just About Managing' and refer to families or individuals who are just about getting by in the current …
Tagged: personal-stuff
The Why of Spam...
Not the delicious and non-nutritious tinned pork product, but the unsolicited email. Spam has a long history: "On May 3, 1978, the Internet witnessed a glorious and not particularly welcome birth: The…
Practicing thanksgiving
In a rare example of timeliness, I want to talk about thanksgiving. However, not just about the American holiday, but about the general idea of giving thanks for stuff. I know it sounds a bit Pollyan…
It's a dangerous world....
The Advertising Standards Authority managed to drag a wry smile out of me this morning as I read the news that they'd banned an advert for Heinz Baked Beans because it might encourage children to hurt…
The knees...a Friday afternoon design....
When I started coding, over 30 years ago, the backup and restore code in one version of Microsoft DOS was quite grim. In particular, it would allow you to backup your massive 10Mb hard disc (yes, 10 …
To sleep, perchance to...
...have weird people trying to eat you? I'm pretty sure that the Shakespeare quote involved the word 'dream' but my latest nocturnal meanderings by my subconscious were not of the peaceful type! I'm a…
"If I think back, I get depressed. If I think ahead, I get afraid."
I came across this quote on the 'Humans of New York' page. If you've not encountered it I'd recommend it. The picture and short quote - and that's all it was - can be found here. It sometimes feels …
Dandelion Breaks and how to avoid them
I have always been a great fan of Berke Breathed's cartoon strip 'Bloom County'. For those of you whose life is as yet incomplete, lacking reporting from the strange world of Bloom County, I refer you…
To Peace....
...and before everyone leaps up, glasses and coffee mugs in hands, and shouts 'To Peace' back to me, I'm not offering a toast here! I'm thinking that it's about time we made 'peace' a verb. Henri Nouw…
Due Diligence....
My reading habits - OK, I tend to read everything that's put in front of me, from books to the backs of toothpaste tubes - lead me in to all sorts of places. As part of my daily spiritual development…