Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Sunday 6th May - In Friday's narrative The Last Ship I penned a parody review of Sting's theatre production of the same name. A thought-provoking drama infused with music manifesting from the creatively fertile mind of the ex-Police frontman. Within the monologue of this offering I omitted to mention that during a former life Sting taught... Continue Reading →
Saturday 14th April - Yesterday evening, with vocal chords smoother than a Casanova pick up line, sharp clothing smoother than the escalators on the Piccadilly Line and soul refrains smoother than a Hollywood bikini line, US jazz singer Gregory Porter hit first direct Arena, Leeds. Actually, hit is probably too strong a word - Gently... Continue Reading →
Friday 13th April (Part 2) - To be clear, the title of this prose reflects the narrative is my second literary offering of the day. It isn't to whet the appetite for an upcoming 'late to the party' review of the 1981 movie sequel portraying the deranged antics of Jason Voorhees. Voorhees, the man who... Continue Reading →
It’s Grand National day this coming Saturday. A day of equine drama, jubilation, despair and, for many in the UK, their only sporting bet of the year. The throng of once a year punters, a well subscribed club of who myself belong - Apart from the few days a year when I go racing at... Continue Reading →
In his seminal song 'American Pie' Don MacLean spoke of taking the Chevy to the levee, where he was disconsolate to find the levee was dry. Yesterday evening I took a Metro train to see a far from barren levee - One of whom would no doubt have received MacLean's approval more than the parched... Continue Reading →
After a week's respite from sub-zero temperatures, the scene through my living room window once again mimics that of a snow globe after a thorough shaking. Consequently afflicting West Yorkshire's long-suffering populous with yet more flurries of the white stuff. In the Collins English Dictionary*** under the word 'frustrating' it wouldn't be inaccurate to supplement... Continue Reading →
I've just returned from my six-monthly dental check-up. To call visits to orthodontists calming or serene would be over-egging the pudding, however they are significantly more bearable than those of my childhood. During those fledgling years, treatment on my teeth was administered by an elderly guy called Mr Gravestone. An ordinarily decent man, but whose... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I received my latest literary offering Flibbertigibbet through the post - A tome containing further excerpts from narratives. Self-published, it contains predominantly light-hearted observations from the depths of my capricious psyche. A 150+ page synergy of diary entries previously published on my website writesaidfred.org . An amalgam of fiction and fact, I think of... Continue Reading →
Tomorrow morning I'll be partaking in a voluntary collection for Marie Curie cancer care. My presence a small contribution towards the raising of funds during the organisation's March Daffodil Appeal campaign. I experience a great deal of satisfaction being a foot soldier in the battalions fundraising the fight on numerous fronts against cancer. An odious,... Continue Reading →