Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
I displayed unusual restraint this morning when I forewent a McDonalds breakfast. I was proud of myself for not acting upon the terrible craving I had, when I woke, for a double sausage and egg McMuffin. I’m no sure why I didn’t act upon it! It could have been the aroma of bread toasting emanating... Continue Reading →
Yesterday’s date (29th August) held particular significance for actress Ingrid Bergman. Not only was it her birthday but it was also the date she passed away after a long fight with breast cancer, aged 67. She joined an exclusive club of people with this unwanted accolade. This includes English writer William Shakespeare, Italian artist Raphael,... Continue Reading →
Actor Robert Shaw died on this day in 1978. The Lancastrian born actor died in Ireland following a heart attack. He had felt unwell whilst driving so pulled over, before collapsing at the roadside. He was pronounced dead at Castlebar General Hospital not long afterwards. It was a dramatic final scene for the Englishman. However,... Continue Reading →
In today's blog, I want to share the story of a recently found cassette recording of my sister Helen at the age of three. In it she performs an iconic song from the musical Evita. Her vocal performance was of such quality that, upon hearing it, Grimsby impresario Greg Jameson remarked "Well, It's a better... Continue Reading →
The first James Bond, Scottish National Party (SNP) supporter and man who turned down a chance to play for Manchester United in his twenties, Sir Thomas Sean Connery is 85 today. Yesterday, I passed the very same details as the paragraph above to a group of friends. Their responses ranged from “Ah, I didn’t realise... Continue Reading →
Writer, broadcaster, actor, comedian and general know it all Stephen Fry is 58 today. Brought up in Norfolk, Fry is the first British man since some clever shite in Ludlow called George, to have his intellect viewable from space. The ‘know it all’ quip I made above was just a light hearted jibe by the... Continue Reading →
This week thousands of 16 year olds in the UK excitedly opened their GCSE results. It was uplifting to see the look of elation on their faces as they caught sight of the paper advising that two years of hard work has paid off! Watching the live TV coverage of the kids opening their results,... Continue Reading →
Motown’s first ever Number One was released on this day in 1961. The song in question was Please Mr Postman which was performed by the all-girl group The Marvelettes. The same song also reached the top of the charts when the Carpenters covered the song in 1975. Other acts such as The Beatles, not to... Continue Reading →
In the first three lines of their song No More Heroes the 1970’s punk band The Stranglers ask the rhetorical question:- Whatever happened to Leon Trotsky? He got an ice pick. That made his ears burn. The reason this song came to mind today was that on this day in 1940 Trotsky received the fatal... Continue Reading →