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FOMO-phobia

What is FOMO?  Fear Of Missing Out https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Fomo It’s similar to not staying in your own lane. When I was younger, a certain relative would constantly ask me questions along: Who was that you were chatting up down Redcar High Street this morning? (Er, nobody.  It was a colleague of mine, with whom I exchanged […]

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Culture English German Germany Humour Islands Language and Languages Pads brats People Travel

Oh, the English are Best!

So sang Flanders and Swann in The Song of Patriotic Prejudice. I think Schatz agrees – at least when it comes to going on holidays abroad.  Back in September this year, Schatz and I spent a few days’ holiday in a wonderful hotel on Cyprus, nearly 40 years after I had last visited, to see […]

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Christianity Culture Diary German Germany Language and Languages Military People Religion

Be the Good Samaritan

Last Monday evening I went to, and interpreted at, a prayer service at church, where we prayed together with five Ukrainian refugees, living a stone’s throw away from church.  Since then, I have had occasionally damp eyes and lump in my throat while thinking of our new church brothers and sisters in Christ.  I’ve also […]

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Blogging Comedy Culture Diary Food and drink German Germany Humour Language and Languages People Religion Writing

When a person meets a stranger on a mode of transportation

The following is a little piece I wrote at my creative writing group session this evening. “What if God was one of us?” sang Joan Osborne, “Just a stranger on a bus, trying to find his way home…” Doubtless He, too, would come, sit down and rattle on to me about His life and times […]

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Blogging Culture Diary German History Humour Language and Languages Sütterlin Writing

3am Wikipedia Search

The wee small hours. Emphasis on “wee.” Loo break time. Then back into bed, with Radio 5 Live still playing in the background. I try to get back to sleep again. Where is he now? What happened to her after she was a pop star in the 1970’s? Where did strawberries come from? All the […]

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Comedy Culture Education German Germany Humour People The Media Travel

Does Bielefeld Exist?

Does Bielefeld exist?  Have you ever been there?  Have you seen road signs pointing to it?  Is it just a Potemkin village, a façade constructed by the Bundesregierung, the Matrix and the international neo-liberal capitalist running dogs movement? Watch this clip, and you decide… Long live the conspiracy theory!

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Christianity Food and drink German Germany Humour Military People Religion

“I’m not trying to be an RSM, but…”

RSM: Regimental Sergeant Major, also known as the Regimental Scary Monster, the senior soldier in a British Army regiment.  Don’t cross him.  He is a strict disciplinarian, because he has to be. As Church Warden, during the recent CV-19 situation, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve started a sentence when speaking to […]

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Blogging Culture Diary Education German Germany Handwriting History Humour People Writing

Dear Diary

I’m feeling quite chuffed with myself. I’ve just stashed my 2020 diary onto my bookshelf. 2020 was the first year since I stated diarying as an adult in 2013, where I have 100% complete diary with no missing days. Will someone forge my diaries one day? Long live focus and time management!

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Culture Diary German Germany People The office Writing

Chinese Whispers

Known as “Stille Post” in German. The classic example is: “Send reinforcements. We’re going to advance.” becomes “Send three and fourpence. We’re going to a dance.” This is why I hate hearsay with a passion. Yesterday I reported sick at work. Nothing major. Just a probable cracked rib. I will survive. I will hold my […]

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Culture German Germany Mail Philately Post

Cuteness on a Stamp

This month’s offering from Deutsche Post is rather cute, I think you’ll agree. Have a look at these two sets, issued this month. Long live nature!