robzlog aims to amuse, interest, entertain and encourage reflection
You may have seen news reports of the second poisoning by a nerve agent in Salisbury, England. Most importantly, I hope the two people recover fast as, however it happened, this type of incident is horrific. I’m not going to discuss the incident itself as I feel I can know little of what really goes … Read more
I’m impatient, but I’m also patient. The older I get, the more I seem to become both. I can’t figure it out. As a child, I remember wanting things: a new bike, my first cassette tape recorder, a camera, hifi equipment and more. In those days, we saved up, putting aside some pocket money each … Read more
I paddled in the sea at Woolacombe again this morning, throwing a tennis ball for our dog, before starting work. What a blessed life. But it’s not always sunny. On wintry days, we’re struggling along the beach in wellies with our faces sandblasted by the wind. But still it’s a blessed life. We moved from … Read more
For my History MA, I recently wrote an essay on the topic of how 19th century imperial powers relied on collaboration with indigenous populations in order to administer their colonies. I am interested in collaboration – in the sense of ‘working together’ – because, however much we do or don’t like it, we are all … Read more
In 2016 I chose three words to focus on, following a suggestion by Chris Brogan, and I repeated this in 2017, when I chose: face, laugh and breathe. So how did I do? Face – Concerned at the growing polarisation of views on many issues, with so more people hiding behind flags, icons and groups, … Read more
It’s the time of year when plants are dying or bedding down for the winter. It’s all part of the cycle of death and life, and it touches us all. It makes me think of when I was first confronted with thinking about death. When I was 13, Crohn’s disease, with which I had been … Read more
My baby teeth must have been stubborn and I remember my Mum taking me to the health clinic on the Bath Road, Hounslow for one to be extracted under anaesthetic. The strong memory of that day, some 50 years ago, is the weird dream I had after the mask was placed over my face to knock me out … Read more
At Junior School, I used to write the date at the top of the page in my diary before writing about what I’d done over the weekend just passed. Being the 1960s, I liked writing 196- and was quite concerned at the end of 1969 when I realised that the 6 would change to 7, … Read more
Today is the 13th anniversary of moving to Ilfracombe in North Devon. After locking the door of our house in Windsor, we posted the keys through the letterbox and set off in our two cars, with our cocker spaniel, Felix, wondering how our adventure would unfold. Not much went to plan, as we forgot that life … Read more
I chose three words to focus on in 2016: irreverent, kind, treasure. How did I do? I was still far too serious, have more work to do on being kind, but certainly do treasure everything in my life more than I ever have. How and why have I chosen my three words for 2017? Face … Read more
It’s probably because of the seasonal bombardment by adverts for things which I don’t need that I’ve been thinking a lot about what I do need. While I post a series on ‘my life’s essentials’, many of these are tongue-in-cheek as I’ve come to realise that I need very little to be content. Recently, I’ve … Read more
Recently, a pyrex half-pint jug that once belonged to my Grandmother broke. We had used it almost every day for decades and perhaps it was just worn out. I liked it because it had imperial measurements, which I work in for cooking and baking. Nothing lasts forever and I was fond of it because it was a connection … Read more
I used to drive a 4×4 leased through my business: great fun. But then I thought about the cost – not just to my pocket, as I got 23-25 mpg performance on the motorway, but to the environment. For tax reasons I leased cars through my business, but gradually felt it was unjustifiable environmentally to … Read more
I remember walking to primary school on winter mornings . . . in short trousers. How did my knees not lock up in the cold? I think of all the times I waited for a bus, tube or train on a cold, dark, miserable evening when commuting home from various jobs in London. Oh, to get … Read more
I had already thought of one word – irreverent – I wanted to focus on in 2016 when Chris Brogan’s email popped on to my iPad in which he suggests identifying three words to help navigate choices in the year ahead. I don’t set resolutions, but I do like to focus and My Three Words seems a … Read more
We’re having a very quiet, reflective Christmas this year, a contrast to the big, family get-togethers we used to enjoy. Last Christmas was spent hospital visiting and this one feels like a transition. I’m sure next year we will be in more of a sociable mood. This year I have seen some pretty deep lows and, … Read more
It’s a big place: the internet. Especially when you’re not the noisiest of people. And there is a lot of noise on the internet. Many internet users lurk, staying in the background reading and viewing content, but never actually saying anything themselves or commenting. I suppose it’s because, as in real life, loud people can … Read more
Out in the rain this morning, we played ball. I threw it and our dog brought it back. He went to drop it in my outstretched hand, but I almost dropped it so he quickly grabbed it again with his teeth and then dropped it securely into my hand. It made me think of how we work … Read more
I’ve followed the recent media debate about sugar and obesity and health and tax with interest. In recent years, I have reduced my sugar intake considerably by limiting consumption of or cutting out sweets, biscuits and most manufactured food. Then this year my eating regime went haywire as I started to comfort eat when I lost my … Read more
Spring is always full of promise as plants shoot and flowers come into bud. Then plants bloom and mature before dying away again. Summer has passed, the clocks go back and the days shorten. I’m always sorry to see spring and summer pass, but then reminded that autumn is just as wonderful. The views on the clear … Read more
