Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
A couple of days back a mate in Gateshead announced on social media he'd become a grandad. Witnessing this posting led me to post a tribute YouTube video on my buddy's timeline showing a recording of Dad's Army actor Clive Dunn's 1970's novelty single 'Grandad'. A misguided action on my part which've meant for the... Continue Reading →
Yesterday evening we held a slightly previous family get together to celebrate Mrs Strachan senior's 79th birthday. Although technically not her anniversary of birth until today, already pressing engagements resulted in the clan marking the dawning of mater's 80th year a day early. The brood's celebration of the event taking place in an East Leeds Italian... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, despite commencing a literary piece, I didn't publish a narrative on my website writesaidfred.org. Eventually giving up on the offering in the early evening after penning around 300 words of prose. This rare loss of interest in completing an essay not through a lack of notions on my part; moreover the consequence of finding... Continue Reading →
This morning I spent a period of time creating a document containing eight of my narratives, which I've been asked to deliver to a Bedfordshire women's group at the end of October. The monologues selected by a family friend, also formerly of Gateshead parish, who co-ordinates society events for the aforementioned ladies organisation. The chosen essays... Continue Reading →
My brief time home alone ends at around midday today when my mother returns from a brief break with family friends. Mater's stay elongated an extra day, allowing her and buddies to visit yesterday's Ripon race meeting. An occasion when, no doubt, Mrs S would've likely 'entertained' her group with insightful jockey related observations like... Continue Reading →
During a recent attempt to broaden my intellectual horizons, I was intrigued to read a statement by the late author, social critic and public intellectual Christopher Hitchens, claiming “Once you assume a creator and a plan, it makes us objects in a cruel experiment, whereby we are created sick, and commanded to be well.” An... Continue Reading →
As I commence this second narrative of the day, I'm sitting in an eatery on the food/drink mezzanine area at the White Rose Shopping Centre. Around twenty minutes ago, I became the recipient of a sharp new haircut; consequently, I'm now bereft of the bizarre kiss curl that'd become my recent unwelcome fringe trademark. This... Continue Reading →
On Saturday afternoon, as one of the acts performing at Garforth's G-Fest music event, I was part of an ensemble singing choral versions of popular contemporary refrains Headlining the community stage, we (Garforth Community Choir) played a 15 minute set incorporating the songs You Gotta Be, Happy, Shackles, Is This Love, Lovely Day. Our audience... Continue Reading →
"They don't know what to charge!!" - A go to expression used by my mother when paying for, or witnessing, what she deems to be extortionately priced goods or services. I'm unsure if this is a Yorkshire colloquialism used by the Tyke lass, or a saying utilised throughout the UK; however it's use to describe overpriced... Continue Reading →