Delve into the full archive of blog posts… Everything I’ve written will appear on this page, organised chronologically, giving you a (hopefully interesting) mixture of short stories, travel blogs, or contemporary commentaries.
Feel free to browse, if you’re simply hoping to find something new. Excuse the chaos of some of my earlier posts, as this site represents my first attempt at blogging. I’m always open to comments, and will endeavour to reply quickly if you have any thoughts.
Enjoy!
The ultimate victor is ‘sportswashing’
The 2022 men’s Football World Cup has finally drawn to a close, after several weeks of inane and underwhelming sport, where the greatest moments of excitement and controversy came off the pitch. Yes, Argentina won the tournament, but it would be difficult to crown any true champion other than the phenomenon of ‘sportswashing’. Spoken…
Me Time – a spectacularly weak entry into the buddy comedy genre
That pretty much summarises it all. Were it not for Kevin Hart repeatedly shouting the film’s title, you might forget which mediocre Netflix original was filling the space on your screen. Me Time unites Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg as the two leads, though neither develop their characters beyond their existing personas. The plot, if…
Our relationship with the environment must fundamentally change
I’ve been outside of the UK, but that hasn’t left me ignorant to the oppressive heatwave searing the country just weeks ago. Or perhaps a month ago. I actually have been distracted and have lost touch with domestic events. Anyway, historically, the heatwave was incredibly unusual. It should have been perceived as an alarming, panic-inducing,…
Is Britain experiencing a (slow-moving) power grab?
Occasionally, the stars align into suspicions constellations. Several factors have united over the past couple of years, suggesting nothing alone, but unravelling a problematic trend when combined. The UK is witnessing a gradual yet inexorable swing further right, in rhetoric and crisis management, underlined by increasing government powers as the expense of civil liberties. Furthermore, influences…
Revealed: South Australia is a place
Sydney certainly exists. Most can confidently name Melbourne. A smug minority will inform you that, in fact, Canberra is the capital. But, from my experience, thus ends the familiarity with Australia for anyone living outside its borders. Before arriving, the vast island was a blank desert to my imagination, with Sydney and Melbourne posted somewhere…
A Grand Farewell to Boris Johnson
At long last, the seemingly inevitable yet always impossibly elusive has finally occurred. Boris Johnson has tendered his resignation as Prime Minister. Sort of. How long he hopes to cling on (and precisely why, at this stage) is a mystery known only to him, but his last departure is surely imminent. All that remains…
Information
Apologies again to my many, many readers for whom my posting infrequency must be torturous. I’ve been largely preoccupied by various other writing projects, leaving little time for additional wordage. By way of another brief update, gainful employment has also extinguished much of my other free time, which has been for the purpose of funding…
Microsoft Office integrates ‘Woke’ features into its spell check
I recently discovered, entirely by accident, that the latest Microsoft Office update has added an ‘inclusivity’ check to its editor. The result is a new host of words receiving the dreaded underline, with alternatives suggested once you hover over them. This includes words like ‘mankind’, ‘manpower’, ‘postman’, or ‘blackmail’. Apparently. Only the latter was actually…
A voyage to Australia
The eagle-eyed of you might have spotted an extended and (slightly) uncharacteristic absence on this site. Well, exciting news for anyone interested: I’ve relocated to Australia. From the UK, that is. It’s probably important you knew where I started. After partially re-opening their borders, Australia is beginning to welcome tourists back into the country, witnessing…
Why can’t we have nice things?
Admittedly, that phrase might be successfully applied to a plethora of significant concerns. I’m sure we could discuss the intricacies of human psychology and community interactions, but that would be boring. And depressing. Instead, I’d like to talk about something fun: Wordle. If you haven’t encountered it yet, Wordle has a fairly simple premise. It’s…
This might be a good time to define “Western values”.
Tensions have existed between Russia and the Western world for over seventy years. It’s hardly surprising, given that Cold War thinking defined multiple generations of foreign policy, that attitudes of suspicion linger. The latest episode in the ongoing saga are disputes over Ukraine, with Russia insisting the region is vital for security reasons, the West…
Shark – a magical underwater adventure with Steve Backshall
I do want to lavish praise upon the magnificent Shark with Steve Backshall, but you’ll first have to be patient, I’m afraid. It’s a challenging time to be a fan of the natural world. There’s so much majesty in the world unseen by my eyes, which would be exhilarating, did I not fear much of…
Abolishing the BBC’s licence fee fits a worryingly authoritarian narrative
It won’t be immediate, but it certainly appears definite at this stage. The BBC’s licence fee will be abolished in 2027, protected by Royal Charter until then, and funding will be frozen for the next two years. In her announcement, Nadine Dorries boldly declared: “This licence fee announcement will be the last. The days of…
Statues continue to upset Conservative MPs
Several prominent Conservative MPs voiced their disapproval of the ‘Colton Four’ acquittal by jury verdict, some even claiming this outcome undermined the rule of law. Needless to say, the ongoing debates swirling around statues continue to upset Conservative MPs. I think it’s important to note multiple lawyers, which is to say professionals actually versed in…
Boycotting the Winter Olympics
Imagine you’re invited to a dinner party. You might not be especially close to the hosts, but a mutual friend, also invited, informs you that a fabulous banquet is in store. In fact, this glorious meal occurs but once every four years. As such, it’s a true spectacle. Guests congregate on the expansive front lawn,…
Matt Hancock did more than ‘breach Covid guidelines’
Matt Hancock has been gracious enough to apologise once again for ‘breaching Covid guidelines’. That’s his euphemism for having an affair. But whilst it’s in the news again, however irrelevantly at this stage, let’s remember his actions consisted of more than simply flouting social distancing guidelines. It was embarrassing, of course, and his position did…
Is tennis teetering on the brink of controversy?
As 2021 draws to a close, we have plenty to be thankful for. Simultaneously, much is alarming. Far from escaping the clutches of COVID-19, that particular virus seems poised to strike viciously against an apathetic population. Migrant crises are exploding on the Polish border and across the English channel. Climate breakdown is unrepentant, as are…
Thanks for coming, everyone.
If anyone missed it, the diplomatic pantomime of Cop26 has unfolded over this past fortnight. Well, I’ve been somewhat distracted, so a few weeks ago now. Proceedings were ushered in under the shadow of the UN’s latest IPCC report declaring a “code red for humanity. And, well, “We showed up” said Joe Biden, criticising China…
Are there any climate optimists?
This is not a climate change blog. It’s a website dedicated to discussing any issue that catches my attention, whilst also providing an outlet to share travel and short stories. For all my complaining, it’s fun. But I have noticed these past few updates rather obsessing over the climate change topic. Part of that has…
The esteemed charlatan.
Tension lashed across the courtyard, whipping and cracking against the walls. Nervous onlookers peered through the trembling glass at the mass of protestors below. In turn, the jostling crowd spat frenzied ire at the building, slurring vague demands into their disgusted tirade. Gazing at the assembly from afar, one man beamed outwardly. Alfie Darkson. He…
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Tom's Tales of Woe 