Year of the Gable...

Perhaps I'm a tad bland, or predictable. Because for the past few years, my Xmas gifts to my other half have all followed a very similar pattern... Ibiza, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome , and now Athens. When it comes to presents, I just can't think of anything comparable to buying someone a trip abroad. Material items perish after time, and in 2022, there's nothing materialistic that any of us 'NEED' as such. Most of us (in the U.K) have food in our bellies (just about. Thanks Tories), and a roof over our head (though that's debatable, as energy prices continue to soar), so the need for anything else is a luxury, but not a necessity.  But a memory? A memory stays with you forever. Or at least until you get dementia. Culture, sophistication, new landmarks to feast the eyes upon, new authentic foods and traditions to sample. That right there, is the very basis of our entire civilisation. That's our reason for being human. We have an entire globe to see, not just th...

I've spent much of this year musing a range of important and philosophical ideas and thoughts. Real deep analysis on human behaviour and psychology. And then sometimes I've just blogged about Kebabs. But there are a few really important takeaways which I can pass on from this year. The first is that when we talk about eating healthy, or 'being healthy', we alway focus on weight. Fat burning, weight loss, muscle gain etc etc. But one thing very few people talk about is that exercise, or eating nutritious foods, is first and foremost the biggest self-care for the mind. That is definitely something I discovered this year when comparing my moods on days when I stayed in like a slob, or days when I partook in my hourly walks. By clearing the mind and allowing yourself that period of isolation in fresh air, you are delivering a type of therapy to yourself more powerful than any self-help podcast, or life-coaching course. The second thing I've learned, thanks to both Jorda...

She doesn't know it yet, but the by the time you're reading this, she will. For Christmas, my partner and I decided to perform a 69 (no, no that kind) when it came to gift giving. She would purchase a present for my Mother, and I would purchase the exact same for her Mother. Therefore, all 4 of us would be able to partaken in a brand-new quartet activity together, and make memories as a double-duo. So far, we've managed to keep it a secret from them and told them we'd pick them both up at 5pm today, but they had no idea where they were/are going.  Starting off with cocktails and food in Turtle Bay, we're then off to see the musical production of ' Mamma Mia!' in the theatre. I've never seen the movie itself, but I'm a big fan of ABBA (who isn't?) , and so I'm looking forward to the soundtracking and showmanship of this live showing. There are only 3 posts left in 'Year of the Gable' so I'm not yet entirely sure on if I'll ...

When browsing through my Timehop this morning, I noticed that 2 years ago, and even 1 year ago, I took to Twitter to announce that all gifts I'd received for Christmas followed a certain pattern... Body-wash sets and alcohol. It was reassuring to know that my friends and family thought of me as a smelly alcoholic. Maybe I'm still a stinker, because my table currently consists of a hoard of Xmas presents from the likes of Lynx, Nivea , and L'Oreal gift-sets, to Calvin Klein aftershave. But for the first year in as many as I can remember... Not one bottle of alcohol in sight. No Jack Daniels. Not a drop of Mount Gay, or even a thimble full of Buffalo Trace. Maker's Mark in a small tumbler? No chance. Camden Pale in the cupboard, or Sierra Nevada in the fridge? Not on your nelly. Perhaps the World is now waking up to my new-found state as a non-boozer. Truth be told, I don't even enjoy alcohol anymore. It makes me feel sluggish, non-productive, and the hangovers d...

I was driving my partner and her friend home from a bottomless brunch a few days ago, and her friend remarked to me that she often reads this site, and was unsure on how to fill the gap in 2023 when this diary will become defunct. After all, 2023 can't be ' The Year of the Gable' , too. That would defeat the purpose. With more free time in my hands next year on account of the spare 200-odd hours (or 30 full working days) it has taken to construct these blog posts over the course of the past year (I did the maths), I will look to find alternative ways to spend my time.  I've already contacted a local piano teacher, to begin my lessons with her in 2023 and learn the craft of my Grandfather. Something I didn't tap into nearly enough when he was alive. In fact, I don't even know what happened to the giant piano he kept in his living room, or where it went following his death. But I wish I'd learned to play more than just ' No Matter What ' by Boyzone...

The blandest blog of the year is here because quite frankly, who is even gonna bother reading it? I can't compete with a 20 year old repeat of ' Shaun The Sheep' on BBC One, or ' The Cheat's Speech' , can I? Enjoy this Christmas. We never know which one is our last. For that reason, soak in every second of it and enjoy the time with friends, family, or even just by yourself. Sadly now, a vast percentage of folk shouldn't even be celebrating now. All too quick to declare their atheism, except on the day when pigs in blankets are offered up. But we cannot control the hypocrites, and we certainly cannot control those who are all too fast to denounce almighty  God as fictional during the other 364 days of our year. We can only recognise, and appreciate, that today is a day of peace and love. In this darkened World, we certainly can't boast such a thing on a daily basis. So be grateful for it, and make your Christmas as merry/happy as your circumstances will...