Category: General

A man and a woman were seated next to each other in the first class section of an airplane. Continue reading “The Sneeze”

In recent weeks I have increasingly been using the ‘Like’ button on the posts of other Charioteers.  Personally, I do so in order to indicate to the author that whereas I may not have anything constructive or informative to add to the particular subject matter, which is usual, I have at least read and appreciated their contribution.

Is this right, or is it otherwise viewed as cocking a metaphorical hind leg against the post indicating that the ‘Liker’ can’t be bothered to compose a proper comment in response?

OZ

Declensions. The word will bring many of the poor sods who thought that it would be a good idea to study the German language to the verge of tears as nightmares rush back to the front of conciousness. That adjectives have declensions is seemingly a moot point because it is a moot point. There are two languages, however, that bring this to a new level — Japanese and Korean. Both languages are fascinating, both languages are incredibly rewarding. In both languages adjectives not only have declensions, but are conjugated as well. Yes, the Koreans and Japanese both conjugate adjectives. This detail would shock a classmate of mine, a Swiss man who thought that my reference to studying the conjugation of these adjectives was quite risible and might prove that I was slightly defective intellectually. Despite having his ego spared a few seconds of bruising by my having initially referenced a list of verb conjugations, I would quickly crush his chocolate-munching, clock-making pride by quickly finding a list of ways to conjugate Japanese adjectives. This is one of the many unique, at times frustrating, aspects of studying the Japanese language. It is really not clear why it is not, it is only known that it is done. As with many things Japanese, and by extension Korean, it is best to leave it as unknown and not question it too much as it will cause one to lose any remaining shred of sanity. It is what it is, the language requires what it requires.

Continue reading “RAF Cuts – Matt’s take on it – priceless!”

With apologies to Sir Henry Newbolt…..

Continue reading “Fido’s Dream (Poetry Comp)”

BBC Radio Four link
Driving past Loch Laggan and through Lochaber, and by Loch Linnhe through Glencoe this morning on a personal photoshoot, I had the car radio tuned to BBC Four. Woman’s Hour was on. My attention was drawn to an item about mantlepieces, and what human beings choose to put on them. Continue reading “Mantlepieces: What does your mantlepiece tell us about you?”

Janus wrote this on the 4th February.

I’ve tried to contact him on the e-mail address that he’s registered under, but I don’t think he looks at that very often. Bearsy has tried an older e-mail address, with no success.

If anyone has any idea where he can be contacted can you let me know.

Janus, if you are looking in – your audience awaits!

Possibly not. I’ve been busy busy busy. It’s not easy to change countries and lives, especially at my age. But this is not to say that I haven’t missed your madcap blogs, recipes, stories and bad poetry. Occasionally I step on the chariot only to leap off again back to the torture that is uni life. I’ve been watching your competitions multiply and morph though. Who’d a thunk it.

So what I’m worried about is: Where is Janus?

I’m living currently in the lovely and very green southwest. Freezing my Californian toes off and trying to invoke the sun. Watching the river Exe meander past my window.

“This life is what you make it. Not matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you’re going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends – they’ll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything – they’re your true best friends. Don’t let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they’ll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them – actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can’t give up because if you give up, you’ll never find your soul mate. You’ll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.”

Marilyn Monroe

This really, really, really matters.

We’ve got four friends coming round for Sunday lunch. Not a problem, because I’m doing the main courses and they are all under control. Possibly.

In truth, there may still a reasonable chance that those courses will be coming close to being under control by the time that said lunch is running an hour late. I’m doing an Indian banquet and I’m just having this slight worry that I may have slightly overstretched myself with only about 75 hours to go. Continue reading “An Urgent Appeal to Pseu”