Archive for August, 2013
What happens on the Internet each and every second …
August 12th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
There’s a terrific infographic that explains what is happening on the Net which you can check out here. Be sure to scroll down to the very bottom.
Posted in Internet | Comments (0)
What’s the origin of those strange words and phrases in the English language?
August 12th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Sometimes the answer is quite gruesome. For instance, ever wondered where these terms came from? Rule of thumb Paying through the nose Gone to pot Bury the hatchet Pull someone’s leg Deadline Saved by the bell Pressed for an answer Holding a wake Running amok Diehard Bless you! Bite the bullet Basket case Hoist by […]
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
A review of the 2010 movie “Kick-Ass”
August 11th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
When “Kick-Ass” was released in 2010, I didn’t think it was for me and did not see it. However, the sequel is out in the UK this week and a young friend told me that he was looking forward to it because he enjoyed the original so much. So this weekend I gave “Kiss-Ass” a […]
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (1)
When was England last invaded? 1066 or 1688?
August 9th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
I always tell foreigners that England was last invaded in 1066 when the Normans beat the English at the Battle of Hastings. I always argue that this lack of invasion or occupation or liberation in almost a millennium explains our strange but effective political system which has evolved slowly and pragmatically over many centuries. However, […]
Posted in History | Comments (0)
Making poetry public or how Sue Hubbard came to my attention
August 7th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
I used to enjoy poetry at school, but I find much modern poetry very inaccessible. These days, I rarely read poetry in a book, so I am rather pleased when I see it in public. About once a week, I collect my granddaughter Catrin from her nursery in central London and the walk from the […]
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
Which country and which city are the world’s favourite destinations?
August 6th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
A recent study by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation reveals that the country visited by the most tourists is France. My own country of the UK comes in at eighth. Of the top 20 nations listed, I have visited 16. The same study states that the the city visited by the most tourists is […]
Posted in Miscellaneous, My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
Want a smile or even a laugh? Try these jokes
August 5th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Since I’ve had a web site, I’ve put jokes on it that came to my attention and caused me to grin. You might like to check them out – but, be warned, there’s a lot and you might not want to leave. You’ll find the jokes here and here.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (2)
The Battles of Verdun and the Somme
August 4th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
As I explained in this posting, for my recent birthday some friends gave me the box set of the groundbreaking 1964 BBC series on “The Great War”. There are 26 episodes and I have now viewed 15. The most recent episodes that I have watched cover two battles that involved casualties that were so huge as […]
Posted in History | Comments (0)
Three very different films in the course of just one week
August 3rd, 2013 by Roger Darlington
As regular readers of NightHawk will be well aware, I am a big movie fan and have eclectic tastes. I try to see a film a week, but this week I have viewed three which could hardly be more different from one another: “RED 2” – my review here. “Only God Forgives” – my review […]
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
The charm of Czech wedding traditions
August 2nd, 2013 by Roger Darlington
As I explained in this posting, last weekend Vee and I were in Prague for the wedding of a dear friend. It was interesting to compare and contrast the traditions associated with such an event in the Czech Republic and Britain. Some of the traditions are the same. For instance, we both have the Flower Bouquet […]
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (1)