Every now and then when not wandering around my residence pondering why I don’t cast a reflection in mirrors, yours truly revisits narratives penned during COVID lockdown. Scores of my diarised vignettes, published on my website, providing retrospective insights into my thoughts and deeds under the pandemics grip. A time when I assume the mantle... Continue Reading →
Open Mic – Part Four
Yesterday evening I attended an Open Mic evening at a chic Harrogate eatery. To clarify, an Open Mic night isn't attending a event to be entertained by a candid fellow called Michael... Unless, of course, the amateur turn is a forthright chap called Michael... In which case, you are attending an Open Mic evening presented... Continue Reading →
The Picnic
Looking down, it felt like this working-class northern lad had arrived. His eyes drawn to a multicoloured hippy picnic blanket in front of him; the rug laden with a wonderful smorgasbord procured from a Fortnum & Mason festival stall. His partner belying her usual similar lack of culture by swooning at the champagne feast. Her... Continue Reading →
A Parody
Perched in a south Leeds café, it has been a productive morning writing wise; culminating in me completing a 1,000-word submission for a writing group while. The topic prompt of ‘colour’ stirring my creative juices, subsequently, spawning an endearing yarn about my partner’s colourful language. I may share this pastiche of old potty mouth’s scattergun... Continue Reading →
Look of Love
Saturday saw me journey north from West Yorkshire to my boyhood town of Gateshead, where I left to seek my fortune in 1987. This odyssey to attend a gig at Glasshouse International Music Centre (GIMC), formerly known as the Sage. Footnote – I never earned much of a fortune, but spending the last 37 years... Continue Reading →
“Well, my Aunt Edith saw me do it!”
If you do not follow my regular self-indulgent (although sometimes insightful) postings on social media, you will not know I recently had my first sale from my Etsy store 'GaryCatures'. An online retail outlet peddling copies of original caricatures I started drawing in COVID lockdown. These cartoon depictions an amalgam of stars from the movies,... Continue Reading →
Gunpowder, Treason & Plot
This morning, as I am off work this week, yours truly made a cameo appearance at the Next Chapter writing group meeting which I’ve been unable to attend since cutting short my retirement. My submission for the workshop, where the topic hook was ‘fireworks’, is below. A spoof ‘horrible history’ biographical vignette relating to Guy... Continue Reading →
‘League One Leeds – A Journey Through The Abyss’
‘League One Leeds – A Journey Through The Abyss’ by author Rocco Dean; Reviewed by Gary Strachan I first visited Leeds United’s Elland Road home on 19th September 1970. A rite of passage allowing me to witness the most successful Leeds side to grace the LS11 turf. An overcast autumn Saturday seeing a John Giles penalty... Continue Reading →
Hazy Head Day
This morning my usually fertile mind is utterly bereft of blog topic ideas. A fuzzy head from overdoing celebration birthday drinks for girlfriend Sarah’s aunt a contributing factor towards this epiphany impotence. Yesterday’s shindig taking place within the boundaries of West Yorkshire’s borough of Horbury. Horbury, or ‘Orbury as Sarah refers to it in her... Continue Reading →