Twins, wheels, ballroom dancer: a response
Adz, I’m afraid that pretending to be my own identical twin brother is a rather tired joke. I have no twin! But I shall go on pretending, if I think my assailant will laugh.
Meg, I agree. Indeed I believe my own late-onset wheezing is a product of particle pollution ingested on my biking about London.
Adrian Clarke, I like your pessimistic humour, but I prefer an optimistic reality.
Duncan Jones, you are right about the spelling. Truth to tell I think if dyslexia had been a fashionable finding when I was a kid, I’d have met the standard.
Saltair Sam’s idea of compulsory one hour weekly bouts of Ministerial Ballroom dancing: an excellent idea!
Colin, a first class observation which I haven’t seen anywhere else. And thanks for the Wiki ref Tom Wright, although I always like a second one where Wiki’s concerned – incredibly useful but not always 100 per cent.
Thanks Stu for your local York input.
Geoffrey Burns, you are too sensitive – I often referred to Brown as Brown, for Brown he is and was. Are you in any doubt that David Cameron IS the Prime Minister? Or do you want me to waste yours and my blogging effort by reminding you every time? Wilson, Heath, Thatcher, Blair – we surely know of whom we spake?
Thanks for Nelspruit pronunciation John Smith, appreciated.
Ruth Solomon, thanks. There is no question that seeing the world from the handlebars of a bike opens up all sorts of possibilities in life, not least getting to places soon enough to spend a bit more time talking to, and listening to strangers.
Phil Dicks, I didn’t choose the Snowblog image – but I like it – serious and yet, um, not entirely!
Jim Flavin, I don’t know whether blogging has any effect on anyone. I see it as an interactive communication about “life”, which is why I’m keen to respond to those who made this one an interesting conversation. It’s only one conversation of many, but I particularly like it.
And Margaretbj there is no conspiracy to deny the intellectuals of the great North West!
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There are 8 comments on this post
Like you , cure the modesty, we can’t afford it. No one is going to sweep all my life under the carpet and then walk on it, then take the credit after a few years of privileged nothing, so thankyou for replying ..I am most grateful for someone who is held in high esteem to be answering, so one as lowly as me ( that is ingratiating bolderdash, but I mean it) Conspiracy theories whether they are true or not; I personally don’t subscribe to them , just feel it is arrogance of closeted academia.
Hi John
I dont see a mention in your blog of the brilliant debate on Nigeria’s role in the world which you chaired at the British Museum last week. A lively and engaged audience debated with an intellectual and passionate panel, very ably and knowledgeably steered by yourself. All who were there must have been informed and inspired. More please. Thank you.
Sorry to hear about the wheezing, Jon. Now wonder whether my recent cough might not also be similarly linked.
Worth noting, however, that pollution is worse inside vehicles as they suck in the exhaust-laden air through their cooling-vents from the traffic immediately ahead than it is outside.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/03/uk-warning-london-air-quality by John Vidal is a useful link to last week’s update on the state of the capital’s air. Unless we get our act together, UK government is facing a fine of £500m, and many more of us bronchial problems. Where once it was lead that was the threat to our children, it’s now particulates that are a particular hazard, yet we continue to push our babies unknowingly at exhaust-pipe height.
It’s an urban problem, of course, not just a London one, but fuelling London’s bus-fleet with diesel was last year described as a serious mistake by an Imperial College witness to the GLA’s environment committee report, ‘Every breath you take’. And yet the cost-cutting government is junking tram-schemes. Madness!
Figure above should be (up to) £300m. Apologies.
Let me make you cringe..you really had to answer Adz because fundamentally you are a decent chap and don’t like to hurt, therefore you thought you would personally reply , but didn’t want to show preference in your response, so included everyone attempting to shield yourself again from the probable slight to Adz’s mum, cloaking all reponses in lightness.
Then again if you read this you will say to yourself.. rubbish ..it is just a moment on the PC with a few comments quickly put together with little real thought attached to it.
P.S .I have seen your identical twins , there are two or three sets. Alas no! just many older tall men with white hair.
Dear Jon ,
I’m cut to the quick.”Pessimistic humour”,???
From your most optimistic blogger ,who always believes he can change the others viewpoints,and will never give up trying.
Perhaps it is the humour that is weak.
Nontheless, it is delightful to know that you take an interest,not only in writing the blogs ,but reading what us humble bloggers reply.Keep them up , for i would be lost now that i have found my niche in life
Jon you did make my mother laugh as i’m sure you have with many other die hard fans of yours and believe me, my mother & I will die HARD Jon!
Keep up your excelent work because in my mind, you are the best out there.
adzmundo The Venus Project,ZM,CND
flattery will get us everywhere ADZ