Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
It was a warm Bedfordshire night on 4th July 1990. My first born child had just turned a month old and was being fed upstairs by my diminutive Mrs. I wasn't convinced pizza was suitable for a one month old, but he's got to the age of 25, so I'll begrudgingly give kudos to... Continue Reading →
It’s February 13th today. Not a notable day as such, unless it’s your birthday or you win tonight’s lottery, or perhaps are a scientist who during the day discovers the chemical element plumium. If today had been a Friday it would have assumed an altogether high profile in the psyche of the superstitious. Individuals who subscribe... Continue Reading →
Yesterday afternoon I drove a friend (who for the purposes of anonymity I shall call Dr X) to a day care clinic. I volunteered my chauffeuring services as he was scheduled to undergo a minor medical procedure which would render him unable to drive. The clinic is a relatively new building providing a clean, light,... Continue Reading →
The late American actor/musician Jack Lemmon was born on this day in 1925. Born John Uhler Lemmon III in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, he was the only child of John Uhler Lemmon Jr and his wife Mildred. His father was president of a doughnut company and his mother wasn’t. The number 8 figured highly... Continue Reading →
I wanted to start this monologue with a simile that aptly describes this seemingly endless precipitation currently blighting Blighty. Within that prose, I wanted the colloquy to paint a picture of such clarity and descriptive quality that would render readers awestruck, before saying “Oh bollocks, I forgot to record that James Nesbitt drama last night!”... Continue Reading →
Today would have been Red Buttons 97th birthday. Just to clarify, I’m referring to the late actor/comedian, not the remote control button you press to acquire BBC iPlayer! Born Aaron Chwatt, he changed his name to Red Buttons as his agent pronounced ‘ch’ as ‘t’ . He feared casting directors may be reticent to employ... Continue Reading →
In the 1985 movie Desperately Seeking Susan, Madonna plays the free spirited Susan, who is desperately being sought by Rosanna Arquette's character, who sees her as a potential catalyst to brighten up her hum drum life. In the 2016 blog Desperately Seeking Inspiration, the elusive inspiration is desperately being sought by a northern English bloke,... Continue Reading →
Today is Groundhog Day. In places like Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, people wait with baited breath, while observing how groundhogs react to today's meteorological conditions, as they emerge from their burrows........ The Pennsylvanians will also wait with baited breath to see if I spell Punxsutawney correctly! Folklore decrees that the following applies when the groundhog first emerges... Continue Reading →
Well it's reached the last day of a month where several legends from the entertainment business have been taken from us. Unfortunately January 2016, as part of his pact with the grim reaper, didn't want to go with a whimper. Consequently, this morning we were hit with the sad news of the passing of broadcaster/presenter... Continue Reading →