Wednesday, November 19, 2025 →
“Book collecting is an obsession, an occupation, a disease, an addiction, a fascination, an absurdity, a fate. It is not a hobby. Those who do it must do it.” — Jeanette Winterson, author of The Passion
Yep, pretty much spot on!
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 →
Why, yes, this did make it to my Christmas list. I eat a lot of noddles.
My sister in law called last night talking Christmas and, of course, presents. Not ten minutes later, I got a text from my nephew’s girlfriend (the sensible organised one in that pairing) also talking presents, asking what did I want this year?
So, of course, 8 year old Alex is now sat at the computer, a million windows open, surfing the entire world wide web looking for stuff to add to an ever growing list of things I would love (price no object) that I’m going to share with them all.
Here, you asked, and I responded.
What? I can’t have a dirt bike at my age? Driver’s licenses? I’ll break my neck?
Can I at least have the squishy bunny night light for my bedside table?
Pretty please?
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • 2 min read
Way back when, and I’m talking the mid-60s in Singapore, when my sister, who was ten years older than me, worked part time for an Army liaison officer. She was part of a team who organised rock bands tours, and, as a result, I got to meet with some of the biggest bands of the era.
This included, at the time, over a 3 year period I remember, bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds (inc. Jimmy Page), the Walker Brothers, and later, Jimmy Page’s brand new band, Led Zeppelin. Then there was the Kinks, along with Manfred Mann and later, Herman’s Hermits, with Peter Noone.
I can remember being in and around all these young up and coming rock stars of the day, dressed in my Sunday best, following my sister around as, star struck, she got autographs and propositioned to come on tour with them. I remember shaking hands and, at the very grown up age of 8, talking to various members of these bands like they were my older brother, asking about their mothers and family like we were all visiting together.
I often wonder what, if any, impression I left on any of them after our brief and sometimes, lengthy encounters. Especially as I had my photograph taken with any number of them. It would be fun to think that somewhere down the line, in a book, or museum, or on someone’s mantle piece, there’s me lurking in the background of a photo of a famous mega rock band who even now, are still rocking the world.
I also wonder if my sister still has her collection of photos and autographs, along with her memories? Probably or, maybe not. Who knows.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧