Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
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 →
I’m now on the penultimate day of ‘Dry January’. I've found the experience of the last few weeks sobering in more ways than just from the abstinence of alcohol. At times I’ve felt an inner calmness that has long been missing in my life, so much so that on 23rd January at 11.43 I nearly... Continue Reading →
I’m sure she won’t mind me disclosing this, but my wife is 50 later this year. It is a landmark birthday that five years ago, when she was diagnosed with incurable illness, we thought she wouldn’t see. With this in mind, the family are eager to ensure this materialises into a memorable few months for Karen Strachan.... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I wrote of all things philosophy. Well not all things, I mainly conveyed the fictional philosophical words of wisdom by an equally fictional Frenchman named Aidan Le Torche. Today I want to touch upon the lower end of philosophy market. I'm referring to old wives tales which, depending on your inclination, are advocated as... Continue Reading →
This Saturday morning sees a frosty, unwelcoming and miserable start to the day. That's not a weather report, I'm referring to the atmosphere in Chez Strachan after my daughter Rachel woke early on her day off! I told Karen that playing a bugle reveille at the crack of dawn wasn't a good idea..... Dawn wasn't... Continue Reading →
For reasons unbeknown to anyone but God and perhaps astrologer Russell Grant, I can’t get the 1968 song ‘Lily The Pink’ out of my head this morning. The tongue in cheek song by comedy music group The Scaffold, a former UK chart topper, is currently playing on a constant loop in the capricious corridors of my mind.... 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'm sitting feeling bloated courtesy of the mammoth Sunday dinner I recently consumed at my parent's West Yorkshire abode. The roast beef dinner I’ve just troughed could have fed an army. Unfortunately for the 3rd Battalion the Lard Arse Regiment, I ate it all before they turned up so it won’t be feeding them...... They'll have to... Continue Reading →