Began a new bit of work today, and of course immediately got multiple emails about other work opportunities, bah. So it seems to go, feast or famine.
Animal shelter
Learned that someone in Pakistan has set up a shelter for retired police dogs who, the police in their enlighted way, would just shoot when their noses became less acute. Same for the horses. I was asked if I knew anyone who wanted to adopt a police dog, with the dogs available fetchingly named Cruiser, […]
Best UN day
The best UN day is undoubtedly World Steelpan Day, even though it refers to the music rather than the cooking implement. I particularly like the creativity with which it is linked to the achievement of the SDGs.
Money
The book that made the the greatest impression on me in the last few months was Amis’s Money. A remarkable piece of work, though I hated reading it and took several breaks, and I plan to reread it quite soon. Will I ever read any of his other books? I doubt it, but this was […]
Business style
Now this is what I call a dunning letter from an accountant, received by someone of my acquaintance and passed on to me for my delectation. My UK accountant could learn a lesson or two. Dear Sisters, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to assist with your 2023 tax filings. It […]
Movie night
A rare movie night last night – rare for me, as the GF watche something almost every night, while I find it hard to do so. We watched Into the spiderverse, probably the Marvel film I’ve liked best though admittedly that is not the highest bar ever as they just don’t resonate with me. It […]
Murder on the floor of the senate
A good piece by Uzair Younus. Today’s food for despair.
Under the weather
Feeling a little under the weather today, though this might be the power of persuasion, as my hostess is currently languishing on a sofa with a terrible cold or perhaps incipient flu. Hoping I don’t catch it, with my return to Istanbul imminent, but what can one do? The only positive to come out of […]
Pachinko
Read The Pachinko Parlour, which had been lingering for a couple of days despite being short enough to read in an hour. Quite good, though I preferred the other book recently recommended to me, about the laundries. This one had a pair of very good grandparents, Korean-Japanese, and some of the least appetising food I’ve […]