Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
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 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 →
This morning the unforgiving precipitation and foreboding grey overhead nimbus clouds returned to East Leeds. The few days of respite from rain have departed and my mind turns once again to the conundrum of whether I should build an ark! In my back garden, a solitary robin shelters forlornly under pyracantha leaves, whilst feasting on... Continue Reading →
Parental Guidance – This blog contains the unavoidable use of colourful language, in particular a word that rhymes with duck. Enter at your own risk! I’m 20 days into my ‘Dry January’ now. All has been well so far and I haven’t displayed any overt signs of withdrawal!......... Well, unless me sitting with the fridge... Continue Reading →
In the movie Calamity Jane, Doris Day sang:- I just blew in from the windy city The windy city is mighty pretty Well, I’ve just blew in from the Minster city, which is similarly mighty pretty! ..... Although, the guy I chatted to outside of Betty's, who got his dentures from a car boot sale,... Continue Reading →
Yesterday a good friend, who has been hugely supportive of my writing, offered constructive feedback about the David Bowie ‘tribute’ monologue I penned on Monday. They informed me that, although it made them laugh, there were “too many blags (silly fictional references) for one hell of a guy” They are probably right and I appreciated... Continue Reading →
This morning I was saddened to hear of the death of David Bowie. In a era where new music predominantly comes in the way of insipid unoriginal offerings by boy/girl bands, reality TV contestants and boy/girl bands who were reality TV contestants, it's dispiriting to lose a true musical legend. Bowie was an original. His creative journey avoiding... Continue Reading →
I’ve just been watching a local news report about Barnsley’s Brian Dawson beating Bradford’s John Walton in the ongoing British Darts Organisations World Championships. Despite being a fan of the sport in my teens and early 20’s, I’ve not watched darts for years. Watching the report, I struck me how the 'go to' liquid refreshment of contemporary chucker's has evolved.... Continue Reading →