A Disorderly Retirement
I’ve just been listening to one of my favourite podcasts – Off Air with Jane & Fi – and they were talking about words they’d like to ban. Not the obvious terms that are blatantly offensive, racist, violent, misogynistic or scatological, but words that are overused or just plain annoying. Their list included hubby, pamper…
I’m always interested in how people spend their free time. I’m not talking about the people with young children or those with caring responsibilities – I think they probably just collapse in an exhausted heap whenever they get the chance – I’m wondering about everyone else. Even people who say they haven’t got a minute…
Yesterday I learned that ‘No’ is a complete sentence. Who knew? I think it’s one of those personal growth lesson thingies, the type you’re supposed to write on post-it notes and stick on walls around your house. Those life-affirming mantras like “I am worthy and loved”, “My boundaries matter”, “My children don’t hate me”, “Just…
This week another illusion was shattered. It’s surprising I have any left. I have long been a fan of Stephen Dubner’s Freakonomics podcast, but it has taken quite a grim turn in recent weeks with its in-depth reports on the opioid crisis and I’ve been giving it a miss. However, last week’s interview with Tom…
Now that I’ve learned what quiddling means, I can in all modesty reveal that it’s one of my special skills. I have spent years honing the art and I am, I think, justifiably proud of the result. I have the wonderful etymologist Susie Dent to thank for this insight. According to her, quiddling means frittering…
I promise to do better with my podcast recommendations this time and suggest more than three. I used to listen to current affairs podcasts such as The Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, and Newscast with Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel, but I can’t bear to think about politics any more. When…
I do love a podcast, although it never occurs to me to listen to spoken-word radio. The problem with live radio, like live TV, is lack of control. Committing to tuning in at a specific time and staying right until the end is unthinkable in our current Age of Convenience. Everything must be available when…