Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
“Wake up and smell the coffee!” is a comment we could all do with hearing every now and again. I always find being given that piece of advice useful to re-focus on the positive aspects of my life. That being said, I’m not as appreciative of receiving those words when asleep at 7am after my... Continue Reading →
“Like pebbles on a beach. Kicked around, displaced by feet….” The first two lines of the classic 1990’s song Broken Stones by ex-The Jam frontman Paul Weller. I heard the song yesterday for the first time in ages, which for some reason set me pondering about what message the Modfather was trying to impart within... Continue Reading →
Currently bereft of a topic for today’s narrative my eye (well both eyes really) is drawn to the behaviour of two of the neighbourhood cats. One of which is sat on my front lawn, while the other cavorts with abandon in my back garden. While Marmalade gorges on the spoils of a recent hunting expedition... Continue Reading →
Despite my best intentions, I didn't write a narrative yesterday. Unfortunately, I cannot express the full reasons behind this lack of Wednesday's blog in one paragraph. So if you're interested in the reason for yesterday's literary absence stick with today's narrative. If you're not interested I'd still recommend staying with this blog as at the... Continue Reading →
This morning, before she left for a few days sabbatical in County Durham at her parents, Karen and I had a thought provoking chat about song lyrics. It started over a disagreement about whether her dad includes the words Sainsburys in most songs that he sings. Karen was adament that her pater didn’t, but I... Continue Reading →
11:50 am on Sunday 7th August - Traffic congestion on the A64 meant I was rushing home to catch kick off of the first Leeds United game of the season. As I sat impatiently at numerous sets of Crossgates traffic lights with the radio trying its best to drown out my impatient cursing, Radio Leeds... Continue Reading →
As I write, the unforgiving heat propagates beads of perspiration on my troubled brow, on this scorching East Leeds morning. Unfortunately, I seek inspiration not perspiration whilst sitting unshaven in my trilby at our underused rattan patio table. I catch a sight of my reflection on the outside of my kitchen window. The face staring back... Continue Reading →
My son Jonny is attending a work related course this week, meaning he has a five night stay at a hotel on the outskirts of London. It is the start of a six month stint in ‘The Smoke’ for the eldest of my offspring. It sounds a ‘full on’ week for the lad and his... Continue Reading →
I watched the movie The Limitation Game yesterday evening. The 2014 espionage drama, based on a true story, earned Benedict Cumberbatch a best actor Academy Award nomination. His portrayal of the social awkward mathematical genius Alan Turing was certainly worthy of that recognition. Unfortunately for Cumberbatch, he lost out on the Oscar that year to... Continue Reading →