I am a long-time New Year’s Eve denier, but this year I really need to grab a hold of it. There are things I need to change, resolutions I need to make and keep.

I hope that the new year finds you in a good place. If it doesn’t then I hope that things will improve as we circle once more around the sun.

I might be here in 2016, but if things work out as planned then I won’t be. So… Goodbye.

https://vimeo.com/114829485

For some people Xmas is Mariah Carey (not you people, obviously…) For me it is Kate Rusby. Happy Xmas to you all, and a splendid 2016.

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Lisa Jardine has died.

Her book ‘Still Harping On Daughters’ loomed large in my university life when I was young, had fire in my belly and life and art were full of possibility. Her writing opened my eyes to new and different perspectives, and for that I salute her.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/25/renowned-historian-lisa-jardine-dies-aged-71

Just wanted to share this, in case anyone might be moved to contribute.

“The British Humanist Association and the Humanist Society Scotland want to send the new children’s book What is Humanism? How do you live a good life without a god? And Other Big Questions for Kids to every primary school in the UK. It’s a fantastic book from the Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young which we think every young person should have a chance to read. It’s important that young people, whatever their background, have a decent grasp of what Humanism is and how many people today live their lives – ethically and fulfillingly, without religion.

There are a lot of primary schools in the UK, but together we can make sure that every single one of them gets a copy. But that’s only if you can give generously today! Please, read on and give what you can to this important appeal.”

https://www.justgiving.com/whatishumanism

I just heard this new(ish) track by Port Sulphur on the Marc Riley 6Music programme. Love at first listen. I just bought it for a quid from their Bandcamp: https://creepingbent.bandcamp.com/album/port-sulphur-fast-boys-factory-girls I am 45 years old, surely this isn’t supposed to happen anymore! I feel like a giddy teenager. Yay! (They will be in session on Marc’s show tomorrow by the looks. Pop music!

It is that time of year again. The eve of six weeks of endless possibilies… How were your summers as a kid? What did you dream of? What did you achieve?

Your memories… Your school tunes?

Inspired by the Strengths and Weaknesses threads, I’ve been thinking. Dangerous, I know, but bear with me. We Homo sapiens are all massive bundles of irreconcilable contradictions. We are able to hold contrary views simutaneously because we have to – it’s a survival mechanism. E.g. Most ‘right thinking’ people believe in both freedom and equality, but in truth you have to have some of one at the expense of the other. So, my question to you is – what are you contradictions? They can be serious or trivial. Or both. I don’t mind. (Actually I do mind.)

Matt Smith is a better Doctor Who than David Tennant. David Tennant is the best Doctor Who of the modern reboot.

I’m an atheist and I truly believe humanity would be better off without religion, but I love churches, hymns, carols and religious art.

I’m a republican, and I despite hereditary privilege, but I’d rather have the queen as head of state than some dreadful, grasping politician.

Has anyone ever been so competent? So workmanlike? So very dull. The first two songs were the Lidl Small Faces. Current tune the Happy Shopper Jam.

“Here’s a song off the new album…” Uh oh! Drunk Bryan Ferry fronting New Order…

I’m off!

And don’t come out until you can say sorry.

This morning my opinion of my fellow citizens is at an all time low. Another 5 years of the boot being stuck into the NHS, another 5 years of screwing up the education system. The very real risk of the UK fracturing, and a rash ill-tempered exit from Europe.

A pox on the lot of you.

And pox on David Cameron, and a pox on the Labour party for their complancency.

I’m going to go and live in Sweden.