I am immersing myself in things Malaysian at the moment, in preparation for the forthcoming Burgess conference in Kuala Lumpur. That’s one of the reasons I’ve changed my banner to a picture taken last year in Kuala Kangsar. So I was intrigued by this book: it must be the only English language detective story set… Continue reading Inspector Singh Investigates
This post is completely self-indulgent, though Petal will be interested. Boris is the head of our household. He had some kind of accident last year – exactly what we still don’t know – and for a while there, things looked grim. But he was soon back to his old self, bossing us about and demanding… Continue reading Boris the Bold
Partly posting this so I can get another picture of my second favourite animal species on the blog two days in succession, and partly to record my admiration for Dr Crippen, whose blog is well worth a look. Key quote:There have been deaths in Mexico. There has been one in the US. Our Indian partner… Continue reading Swine flu in proportion
The trickle of stories about the way MPs abuse the expenses system is now a flood. What’s noticeable is the entirely predictable excuse that all of them offer- we didn’t break any rules. They are so removed from the ordinary lives of their constituents that they can’t see that’s not the point. The rules (made… Continue reading They just don’t get it
If only…Still, the Onion is on top form with this story.Thanks to Charles for the tip.
Who’d have thought it? Er… isn’t he supposed to be infallible? You can’t get the staff these days, can you?
If you wake up to Radio 4, then you will enjoy this. If you don’t, you’ll have no idea what is so amusing about this film…
I bought some supplies in a nationally known store the other day. I won’t identify the store, but the words “Marks” and “Spencer” appear prominently in their name. The cashier waved the goods across the barcode reader, and then asked me for £24.13. Unusually for me, I had actual cash money on my person, so… Continue reading £5 worse off
Chez Topsyturvydom, we are very pleased to see Charles Lambert occupying the guest slot over at the mighty Normblog. Charles has chosen Christopher Isherwood’s little known book The Memorial, which I must admit I don’t know. I would be curious to read it though, as Charles has whetted my appetite with this description: “It’s an… Continue reading Woolfpole: Charles Lambert on Normblog
My car is being repaired. The insurance company phoned to say it should be ready on Friday. You might predict that such an exchange would go: Company person: Mr Spence? Just phoning to say your car should be ready on Friday.Me: OK, thanks.In fact, it goes like this:Emily (for it is she): Hello, this is… Continue reading Is that all right for yourself?