Archive for May, 2015
My 11th short story: “A Life In A Box”
May 22nd, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Another Friday; another from my collection of short stories. Many of my stories are inspired in some way by my own experiences or contacts and “A Life In A Box” is loosely inspired by – and dedicated to – my late mother who was Italian. You can read it here.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
The problem of card clash and how modern life can be so complicated
May 20th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
When I checked my credit card statement today, I found that last month I was charged for 12 journeys on London Transport even though I have a Freedom Pass. A quick check on the Transport For London website and I realised that I had fallen victim to the dreaded card clash – London Transport’s machines […]
Posted in Consumer matters, My life & thoughts | Comments (2)
What’s the fastest-growing language in the UK?
May 20th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
According to this piece in today “Mirror” newspaper, it is the emoji. Indeed a survey has suggested that eight out of 10 people in the UK have used the symbols and icons to communicate, with 72% of 18 to 25-year-olds adding that they found it easier to put their feelings across using emoji than with […]
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (1)
10 shocking truths about gun violence
May 19th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
In a special feature in today’s “Guardian” newspaper, it is suggested that there are almost one billions guns around the world and that over a million around the globe are injured by guns each year. The most shocking situation is that in the United States: “The US has more guns per person than any other […]
Posted in American current affairs, World current affairs | Comments (0)
Why the Battle of Waterloo is wrongly named
May 18th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
In about a month’s time, on 18 June 2015, we shall be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo when the Duke of of Wellington, leading a mixed force of British, Prussian and other nationalities, defeated the French army of Napoleon. I am currently reading a biography of Wellington written by Richard Holmes […]
Posted in History | Comments (2)
My Thought For The Week reaches No 800 – would you like to join the circulation list?
May 17th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Around 16 years ago, I sent out an e-mail to the 12 members of the Research Department of the Communications Workers Union which I then headed. It was a quote from a newspaper article which I found interesting and I jokingly titled the e-mail Thought For The Week. Over a decade and a half later, […]
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Remembering Syria’s suffering people and threatened heritage
May 17th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
In the spring of 2011, Vee and I had a holiday in Syria and Lebanon [for account of our visit, see here]. We crossed the border from one country to the other on 9 March 2011. Mass protests erupted on 15 March in Damascus and Aleppo, and spread in the following days to more cities, […]
Posted in History, My life & thoughts, World current affairs | Comments (2)
A review of the new blockbuster movie “Mad Max: Fury Road”
May 16th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
If you like action movies, then George Miller’s fourth “Mad Max” movie is a must-see. You can read my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
Should the North of England become part of Scotland?
May 16th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Of course, it’s a crazy idea – but tens of thousands apparently support the bizarre notion as you can see here. I have relatives in Scotland, I was brought up in Manchester, and I live in London. I want to see a United Kingdom. Around the world, people think that redrawing boundaries solves political and […]
Posted in British current affairs, World current affairs | Comments (5)
My 10th short story: “A Face At The Window”
May 15th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
It’s Friday; it’s almost the weekend; time to sit down and relax and read a short story. My piece this week is called “A Face At The Window” and you can read it here.
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