Colours / Colours / Colours

Colours I: For me, it was SV Hamburg's home shirt, as they beat Aston Villa in the UEFA Cup.
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When was the last time you saw red?
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Colours II: For me, it's black and red.
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Which colour combination warms your heart?
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Colours III: For me, they're quietly red, occasionally yellow, rarely blue, not green enough, too late for white, and can be black when I'm inclined to amuse.
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What are your true colours?
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This will be the last post for 2008.
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Wishing you well, for all times.
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Retail / Words / Honours

Retail: Despite the fact that not enough people have been buying from Woolworths, I hear that it is - was - one of Britain's favourite high street fixtures. As grim as the unfolding collapse of that business has been for its staff and their families, this has made me wonder about whether I hold any affinity for any high street brands. I think I'd feel sad at the disappearance of Marks and Spencers, as it reminds me of my grandfather.
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Are there any high street names that you feel attached to, in a loosely emotional sort of way?
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Words: A novice writer is stuck. She needs help to complete the following sentence: 'As Clive opened the front door, the last thing he expected to be greeted by was...'
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What comes next? What surprised Clive?
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Honours: The very BBCish Sports Personality of the Year award for 2008 will soon be determined (best of a particular version of British and all that). My guess is that it'll go to the swimmer Rebecca Adlington. Talented as the whole short-list undoubtedly is, I wonder whether there are any prizes that would be equally - but differently - worth winning.
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Name a really worthwhile prize - British or otherwise - that has yet to be inaugurated? (The kind of prize that would be really worth winning and that would capture imaginations.)
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Food / Sport / Television

FOOD: Until last Saturday, it had been about 15 years since I'd eaten fried bread. With enough salt to preserve the biggest bloodiest bovine through the harshest of mid-winters, it was great.

Have you revisited any old foody flames? What was it? And, how was it for you?

SPORT: The airwaves, news print and online media are full of reaction to UK Sport's funding allocations, as British sports organizations gear up for the London Olympics of 2012. The discussions are made most interesting by the implicit question of, 'Does that sport matter?', which underpins the post mortems (post morta?) of why some sports have received funding, whilst others have not. Rarely do we get the opportunity to hear from leaders in Shooting, Table Tennis and Fencing, in one hit (or smash, or lunge).

Do you hold any affection, whimsy, or flaming passion for any minor sport?

TELEVISION: I listened to debate this past week which has, at times, suggested that the great tradition of British and European TV cop drama may be at risk of being lost to American multi-writer ensemble pieces. This, on the back of an impressive first - and perhaps unlikely - outing of Kenneth Branagh, as Wallander - the Swedish detective. Here, the casting of Branagh was most interesting to me.

Could you envisage any good - but unlikely - castings in the 'TV cop' role? Name names. (On the theme of odd castings, I recall once hearing the suggestion of Germaine Greer as Dr Who)

Good whelk to you.

Literature / Money / Information

Literature: It's amazing how much reading can be got through with unflinchingly regular bed-time story-time.
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Recommend a book, or books, that would stand a chance of enrapturing a bright seven year old boy.
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Money: 'I wouldn't count on it', 'Don't bet on it', 'How much are you willing to put on that?', and so on.
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Horses, dogs, the dollar, the weather, politics, where bears choose to excrete... Literally or metaphorically, what would you bet on?

Information: Given the circumstances, I suppose the phrase 'Too much information' would seem a bit harsh.
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What are you grateful for?
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Good week to you.
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Travel / Politics / Sport (or otherwise)

Travel: It is likely that, soon, it would seem like the right thing to do to visit a good friend and his wife and the person that currently resides in the wife's tummy bump, in Cornwall. The idea of driving is not appealing. Recalling the same journey, by rail, got me thinking.
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Do you have a favourite rail journey? If so, which is it?
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Politics: You are presented with the opportunity to ask any question to any contemporary mainstream political figure, with the promise that you will get an open and honest response to that question.
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To whom do you pose your question, and what is it?
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Sport (or otherwise): In England this week, one of the most over-used phrases has been 'There's no such thing as friendly, when these two teams meet'. The point being that we are assumed to loathe all things German, rather than dare to admire such qualities as good organisation and marshalling - as is so often evident in their football team. This got me thinking.
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Is there, in any context - sporting or otherwise, a team or individual that or who you are often keen to see defeated? The notion strikes me as, well, just not British. Then again, if one tries hard enough, and does a bit of lateral thinking...
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Good week to you.

Entertainment / Film & Current Affairs / Titles

Entertainment: I read that the rock music ensemble, Guns N' Roses, are about to release an album that was 17 years in the making. Thinking laterally, I fell upon the thought that I'm looking forward to this year's new episode of the David Renwick comedy-drama, the fantastically formulaic, Jonathan Creek.

In entertainment, what are you looking forward to?

Film and Currrent Affairs: Last night, on Newsnight Review, some people had a chat about creating fictional movies that are based on ongoing war-related real-life situations. I think the underlying questions - which weren't asked - were:

How do you feel about the Hollywoodisation of matters related to ongoing military operations in places like Afghanistan and Iraq? And, what ambitions - other than to entertain and to create wealth - is it reasonable to have for such productions?

Titles: Also last night, I got to see the latest 'no brain required' contribution to the James Bond catalogue, Quantum of Solace - a film that was popcorny, not as bad as some reviews did suggest, but ultimately - a film that completely lacked any credible reference to its own title. This got me thinking: Which were the Bond titles that got away? For example, that one where Bond goes undercover at Newcastle United Football Club: 'Three Points Are Not Enough'.

Generate your own alternative James Bond title.

Entertainment / Ideas / Words

Entertainment: Just last night I was reminded of the occasion when, as a youngter, a rocket firework shot up into the air, did its explosive thing, and then limply fell upon a burger van amidst a big crowd at the Spennymoor Fireworks Display.

Briefly recount a memory, from childhood, that featured either a bonfire or fireworks.

Ideas: I'm guessing there's something a bit creative about you. As I dropped my young friend (step-son / spiritual advisor / fellow magician) off at school earlier, an idea occured to me for a short story that would be based around two adult characters who meet at the edge of their children's playground.

Have you had any energising ideas recently - for writing, for home decoration, for things to do, for recipes, for anything?

Words: I recently listened to a gorgeous, simple interview with Guy Garvey, of the band Elbow. Amongst other things, the naming of the band was discussed. The name 'Elbow' came from a line in Dennis Potter's 'The Singing Detective', in which a character suggests that elbow is the most sensuous word - to speak - in the English language.

Do any other contenders spring to mind for this title of 'Most Sensuous Word to Speak, in the English Language'?

Words / Sport / Animals

Words: A couple of people from the BBC Talent list have, this week, faced waves of criticism over a radio discussion that maybe went a bit too far. Noises of contrition have emanated from the BBC, though as I write this, at least one of the offenders has remained rather moot. This got me thinking about the things that people say, that they come to regret.

Have you ever said anything that you've come to regret? [Essays must come in at no more than 1500 words]

Sport: There are comebacks that seemed doomed to fail, and there are comebacks that raise people's spirits - 'One last chance', 'Can't afford to fail', 'Those days are behind me', and so on. This week, in football, there have been a couple of notable comebacks. I want to feel good about them both.

Do you recall any comebacks - in Sport or elsewhere - that have particularly pleased you?

Animals: As I post this, I'm in London. More than the great shopping opportunities, the plethora of arts and cultural opportunities that present themselves, and the kicking back with lovely people that avails itself, I'm most pleased about being able to visit Richmond Park, to see the stags and does.

Are there any animals that - the sight of which - fill up your senses?



Wishing you the best of weeks.

Time / Television / Tonic

Time: Yesterday, just as I began to imagine what today's tasks would be, a friend and colleague mentioned that she was taking a day out from her usual routine. She would travel to Manchester, in search of good food and relaxation.

Let us imagine that today was to have been different from your usual routine (such that there might be one). How would you have used the day differently?

Television: Just this week, publicist Max Clifford mentioned that had he been advising the minor British celebrity, Kerry Katona, that her television appearance - with slurred speech and questions over her well-being - would never have happened.

Do you recall any television moments (any genre) that - had you been advising - would never have happened?

Tonic: I'm on earl grey. I might have a bottle of Cobra, later.

What can I get you?

Art / Economics / Names

Art: In the north west of Trafalgar Square is the Fourth Plinth (since 1999, a space for contemporary art).

Suggest one or two things that would be worthy additions to the Fourth Plinth.

Economics: Credit crunch, inflation, soaring fuel prices, multilateral cuts in interest rates, banking crises, secure savings, overseas investments, financial reserves...

Have you learned anything (big or small) or been surprised by anything during the recent and ongoing higgledy-piggledy in the markets?

Names: I can't get the name Barbara Broccoli out of my head - it's just too good a name.

What would be your food name?

Places / Damage / Entertainment

PLACES: There's a Slippery Lane not far from here.

Do you have any favourite street or road names? If so, what are they?

DAMAGE: I just scraped the passenger-side car door along a concrete pillar.

What was the last thing that you broke or damaged?

ENTERTAINMENT: And now, a question from Vegas Velma.

For one night only, you are to be a star burlesque performer. What's your stage name?

Consumerism / TV / Ideas

CONSUMERISM: Domestic, exotic or just plain baffling…

Is there anything that you have to buy or acquire in the next few days?

TV: You’re bang to rights on this one…

Do you have a favourite TV detective or ‘cop show’? If so, name names.

IDEAS: I usually wash the pots with radio discussions burbling behind me.

What was the subject matter of a really interesting, recent discussion that you heard, but that you did not take part in?

Bidding you a week of waltz, with minimal schmaltz (I didn't know that).

Travel / Words / Arts

TRAVEL: Literally or metaphorically,

'Think of a journey that felt rather long. What was that journey?'

WORDS: Complete the line,

‘You’re only as good as your…’

ARTS: This morning, I awoke to a news reference to ‘sporting hero Sebastian Coe’. By way of opening the Cultural Olympiad, he’s to take part in Martin Creed’s ‘Work No 850’ at Tate Britain. This got me thinking:

‘What would be an interesting and inspiring way to launch a four-year arts and cultural programme?’

Politics / Music / Internet

This week’s preponderances:-

POLITICS: This question comes from my hearing commentators speak of the Liberal Democrat leader - Nick Clegg’s - efforts to avoid sounding like a Conservative during his main party conference speech.

What, if anything, do you feel there to be missing from the mainstream political landscape (as you perceive that)?

MUSIC: Next, a question borne of the Last of the Summer Wine theme tune:

Is there a musical instrument that sings for you, in ways that other instruments (played well) just don’t quite manage?

INTERNET: The next question emerges from my Facebooking the fact that for practical reasons I’m going to have to join one of those social networking sites.

Have you landed on any websites recently that have really drawn you in – more so than do most newly landed-upon websites?

More frippery next week.

Environment / Film / Language

Environment: Recently, I've been scrutinising the city where I live.

In the village, town or city where you live, which single feature of the natural environment most appeals to you? And which single feature of the built environment has most appeal for you?

For me, in Stoke-on-Trent, I most like the woodland at Trentham and Hanchurch. Also, the big hills that are dotted about afford really good views of the city. Of the built environment, it would have to be some of the big industrial buildings along the railway sidings, just to the north of the station. It's also visually pleasing when a bottle kiln seems to appear out of nowhere.

Film: This comes from my thinking about industrial landscapes (above).

Have you ever twice seen a film at the cinema? If so, what did you see?

I've done this only twice. The first occasion was when the Stoke Film Theatre were showing the original Get Carter - it was good for recalling home. More recently, I returned to the cinema to see The Dark Knight - I wanted to properly focus on the make-up, sound and physical tics of Heath Ledger's Joker.

Language: This one comes from hearing that a local secondary school have dropped the teaching of all modern foreign languages.

At the click of a finger, you will be afforded the ability to fluently speak an additional language. Which language do you choose?

Having had virtually no direct experience or interest in the country for just over 30 years, I've recently gathered an appetite for Spanish.

Literature / Film and Sport

The latest incarnation of A Post Box follows, thus: I aim to post only once per week, with between 2 and 5 questions offered up for response, dissection or rejection. Play along, pass it on, stick it in your pipe, and so on. It's A Post Box, it's a public Post Box, and so all links and flaggings up are appreciated. So, we begin. Again:

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LITERATURE / FILM: I note some discussion of novels or ‘literature’ that are adapted for television and film. On a similar theme,

Are there any novels, novellas, or other pieces of writing, that you would like to see adapted for stage or screen?

Stephen Fry’s ‘The Hippopotamus’ always struck me as a particularly filmic novel, in a great British ensemble cast sort of way.

SPORT: I've recently been pondering the values that are implicit to introducing young children (the young hound, Jack, 7, in particular) to football (specifically) at the corporate end of the spectrum over the lower (local) level teams - Newcastle United over Newcastle Town, Manchester United over Macclesfield Town, kind of thing. Only very loosely related:

Is there a sports event or venue that you’ve not ever been to, but that you would like to experience in person, one day?

Counter to my above pondering, I've never been to Wembley, but would certainly like to - a football play-off final or a competitive international would be ideal.

Objection

An email has been received. See below. And so a review of the review is borne.

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To the Chief Post Master.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to complain about the closure of my local Post Box on July 8th.

Being a gentleman of creative disposition, and indeed having been described by more than one acquaintance as "a man of letters", I am wont to unburden myself of my authorial juices from time to time in a generally epistolary vein. In this electronic age my emissions occur more rarely but I dare to say are of ever more refined and distilled wit and wisdom. When the Muse so moves me, I have found my local Post Box to be a singularly convenient receptacle for my observations on life, the universe et cetera.

Imagine then my chagrin this evening on repairing to the said Post Box, aflame with ideas and opinions, to find that it has been closed, without so much as a wherewithal or mock "stakeholder consultation", purely on the grounds of some soi-disant "review of commitment".

Was this the spirit that saw us through the Blitz, the Cold War and eleven years of Thatcher?

I beg to move a review of your review.

Your pessimistic but watchful tax-payer,

**** * * ****** (GLTA and bar, particularly the bar)

A Post Box - Closed

We agreed to run this blog for six months and to then review our commitment to it. Six months have passed since we got the ball rolling with a discussion regarding values, content and format. Now, reflecting, we feel that we have done as much with A Post Box as we can. It is a side project that served its purpose. We wanted to try something new, and so we did.

To those who have dropped by and commented, regularly or otherwise, thank you. Your responses were well worth reading. To those who return regularly but don't comment, well, er, hello. Speaking for myself, the experience of generating so many unique morsel-like posts has been enjoyable. But sometimes, that's not enough.

A Post Box is closed.

Much wellness to you.

Tell: Squirm

Tell us about an occasion in the past month that has made you squirm.

Debate: Politicians

Politicians need to spend as much time on their public image as on their public service.

Or do they?

What do you think?

Right Now: Stretched

Outline one way in which you are being stretched.

Experience: Let's Party Like It's...

Was 1999 a party year for you? Or a work year? Or something else? What was your overriding experience of 1999?

Picture Response #20

There's something a little bit different for this week's picture response post (and not just that I remembered to make the post early).

The image above is from a new novel. As yet, the novel is without a title, a storyline, plot or any characters. So, bearing in mind that it's a 20 chapter book, what's the last line of Chapter 19?

Tell: Sticky

Tell us about something that stuck to you. What was it? How come it stuck to you? How long did it stay stuck for?

Debate: Pseudonym

Pseudonyms are great. Their widespread use within the blogging community makes for lighter, brighter reading and viewing.

Your view?

Right Now: Custard Pie

Your friendly Post Box Custard Pie Operatives are standing by with big, fat, juicy custard pies, ready to splat them onto someone's head, anyone's, on your behalf, as soon as you tell us who and why.

Experience: Encore

If you could relive your experience of any live event that you attended - music concert, theatre visit, football match, protest march, festival - anything, which event would you relive... and why?

For me, it would be an Alabama 3 gig at London's Brixton Academy in December 2001. The gig was great, but 'socially speaking' (you know when you introduce people to one another and hope that they'll get on, but it doesn't quite happen?), I messed up big time with that that night and so couldn't take in the fullness of the band's performance.

Picture Response #19

Wot's that, then?

Tell: Geo-wow

Please forgive the title.

Recently, I experienced a geo-wow. In my '50 Walks in Staffordshire' book, I read of the Hanbury Crater - the result of the biggest, non-nuclear explosion of World War Two. The crater is 1/4 mile (400 metres) across, 100 yards (91 metres) deep and 24 miles from my front door. It was a bit of geography that produced a bit of a wow (with a nod to a bit of history).

Share with us a geo-wow of your own - anywhere that has struck you as pleasing and surprising - a hidden gem of a place.

Debate: Holiday

It's that time of year... so here's this weekend's subject for debate.

The essence of a good holiday is having to do absolutely nothing at all.

Or is it?

Right Now: Sentenced

To adorn the room/space/area where you're currently sitting, you are invited to write a one-sentence brief for an artist/maker who will create whatever you like - painting, sculpture, installation - or something less obvious. What is your one-sentence brief?

Experience: Birthday

A topical post: today is the birthday of both your hosts, albeit in different years. (Does that make us non-identical astrological twins?) So, after you go "whoop-de-doo happy birthday you two", please share a most wonderful birthday experience of your own from any age, any year.

Tell: Talk To The Animals

If you could talk to an animal - just one type of real-world animal - please tell us which animal you would talk to, and what you would discuss.

Debate: Roses

You are admired and loved. Whether it be from your most loved one, or two, or ten, you are to be gifted.

The fact of the matter is that there's nothing that says 'I love you' quite like a dozen red roses.

Agree? Disagree? Preferred alternatives? Do share.

Right Now: Quality Of Life

If you could take one action - only one - right now, to improve the quality of your life in the present moment, and it could be anything at all: what would you do?

Experience: Exposed

Self-effacingness aside, describe the most recent photograph of yourself at which you've thought 'I like that more than I like most other photographs of myself'. And say why you particularly liked it.

Could be from years ago, was hopefully from yesterday.

Picture Response #18

Where does the road go? Who - or what - travels on it, and why?

Tell: Teacher

Not so long ago, there was a television advert that proclaimed 'Everyone remembers a good teacher'. We hope this is true. Tell us of a good teacher or someone from whose guidance you benefited enormously.

I will recall Mr Maxwell - a much-blinking, Irish, French teacher who I suspect gave a lot more to my secondary school and its pupils than many would ever have fully acknowledged... putting on the French trips alone must rank the man amongst saints... at least.

Any good teachers?

Debate: Borders

This blog has been accused of trivia, even froth. The phrase 'shallow as a puddle' has been used. We refute this. Utterly. And to prove our point, we are offering a serious subject for this weekend's debate.

Should national borders be abolished? Please give reasons for your answer.

Shallow as a puddle, indeed. Bah.

Right Now: Interviewee

I was surprised this morning to whizz by the TV and notice that Tony Blair was sitting on the breakfast-time sofa of a popular show and was being quizzed by a most gentle interviewer. 'What's he doing there?' I thought. I didn't have time to find out, though he looked relaxed.

This makes me wonder: Who would I - and who would you - most like to interview or see interviewed?... Could be anyone from any field and from any era.

Right now, for me, it's a toss-up between the real Guido Fawkes and Monica Lewinsky - a likely pairing. Your interviewee/s?

Experience: 2007

Please tell us about something you really enjoyed in 2007. What was it? Where? Who were you with? Why was it so good?

Picture Response #17

You are standing in the foreground of the scene below.


What is that sound that you can hear in the distance?

Tell: Carrots

My friend hates carrots. Raw, cooked, grated, sliced - makes no difference. 'Nasty sweet things,' she said. 'Vegetables shouldn't be sweet. Bring on the broccoli.'

'But carrots must be good for something,' I said. 'Apart from eating, that is.'

The ensuing discussion was most entertaining. So here's your chance to amuse yourselves this Monday morning: suggest three possible uses for a carrot, other than eating it.

Debate: Birds

I've been encourageing bird-life into our garden - the seed, nut and suet-filled coconut balls have been a major hit, as have the seed-feeders. The bird table - crafted from an old Christmas tree trunk, found sticks, and the bases of three plant pots - is like a bird shopping mall. However! Pigeons are dominating and, whilst it's nature's way, I want to see more Coal Tits and the little birds.

Should I let nature rule the nut and seed roost, or should I intervene with feeding devices that bar the bigger birds?

Right Now: Snack, Drink?

Right now there is a butler at your elbow, immaculate damask napkin over his arm, silver tray in hand, offering you a drink and/or snack of your choice. Anything, from any season or country in the world. What would you choose?

Experience: Active

Through our youthful years we may have interests that we don't get round to acting upon - be they in relation to work, rest or play. In adulthood, we are likely to have fewer excuses for not getting round to acting upon these.

Share with us an activity or experience that sat on the backburner for a long while, but that you have, did or are pursuing in adulthood. (Or mention something that is to be pursued)

My starter at 10am: I recently took up Fencing.

Picture Response #16

Who are these people? What are they doing? Where in the world are they?

Tell: Voices

Occasionally, I am caught by surprise. Someone who I will see from afar as likely having a big horrible gruff voice will have that of an angel, whilst persons who I see as distantly blissful will prove to have the audio bearing of a truck with grinding gears. My point, or rather my enquiry:

Tell us of a voice or voices that you like a lot - that you could perhaps listen to talking about almost anything. Perhaps there is a specific person (doesn't have to be famous), or an accent, or a person whose clarity of speech (and thought) melts your very meltables. Your sharing would be lovely.

As an aperitif, might I offer up Stephen Fry, Kirsty Wark and Matthew Parris.

Debate: Balance?

Moderation and balance are over-rated. Excess can provide useful learning experiences by enabling us to push our own boundaries and those of others. If we were all, always, moderate and balanced, the world would be a very dull place.

Discuss.

Right Now: Simile

Concoct a new simile, taking the form:

'Right now, I'm feeling as _________ as a _________.'

My version: Right now, I'm feeling as hairy as the Sugar Puffs monster.

Experience: Illness or Injury

Please share with us a happy memory of illness or injury.

Picture Response #15

Take a look at the picture below.

Does this wood pile remind you of any particular time, place, person, sound, or experience? If so, do share.

Tell: Name

Is there a name you like, but which you would never give to a child? What is it? Why do you like it? And, if you like it so much, why would you not bestow it upon your precious first-born?

Debate: Summer

The year is 2008: Summer of Love or Love of Summer?

Right Now: Headline

If a tabloid journalist was writing an article on the last hour of your life (that's 'last' as in 'most recent', not 'last' as in 'final'), what would the headline be?

Experience: Character

Experience tells you that what is a good enough judge of character?

Picture Response #14

Could this be the one-eyed view of an insect? Or a fish? Or was the photographer hiding somewhere? In an old pipe, or a ship with a porthole? And why?

Tell: Captivated

When was the last time that you felt captivated? What was happening?

Debate: Time Is Money

'Money-rich, time-poor.'

Time to change, or time to stop bleating?

Right Now: Sound

With the exception of any voices, what can you hear right now, and what would you like to be able to hear right now?

Experience: Not Boring

Is there an experience you can always repeat without even a twinge or a tickle of boredom?

Picture Response #13

You're visiting an elderly friend or relative when there comes an unexpected knock at the door. Kindly, you get up to answer it. Peeping through the spy-hole before you unlock, you see this:


What's going on?

Tell: Big Brother

Senior television executives have asked, nay, begged you to be on the next series of Big Brother. They think you would create wonderful viewing material. Why do they think this? Do you agree or refuse? Why?

Debate: Nee-mail?

It is vitally important that we have regular 'no email' days.

Discuss.

Right Now: Not Quite Right Now

What were you doing one hour ago?

I was fast asleep in bed. Wish I still waszzzzzzzzz.

Experience: Worth it?

When was the last time that you thought 'I paid over the odds, but I don't care'?

And conversely, when was the last time that you thought 'That was an incredible deal' ?

For me, it's over the odds every time I drop in to Caffe Nero for a Chai Latte, whereas the last 'what a deal' feeling came from a £1 suet ball (in a coconut) bird-feeder that is giving the birds in our garden much pleasure - though much for the cat to feel frustrated about.

Picture Response #12

What's going on here?

Tell: Casting

They're casting for the film of your life. Tell us who should play you - whether at a young age, through the middle years or in your dotage. You can be cast and played for real, or ideal.

Whose agent(s) are we talking to?

NB/ If you're struggling for names, then just let us know three key qualities that we'll be casting for and we'll do the rest.

Debate: Should Children Rule The World?

Sometimes it seems to me that children are more sensible than adults; fairer; more clear-thinking. I was musing on this the other day, and it occurred to me that maybe children should govern, make laws, sit as judges etc. What do you think? Would it lead to world peace and harmony? Or would it be Lord Of The Flies on a grand scale? And, if the latter, would it really be very different to what we have now?

Right Now: Lunch-date

Let's say that you could share your next lunch with anyone at all - could be someone who you know, could be someone who you admire from afar, could be a cartoon character. You get the picture.

Who would you be sharing lunch with?

Experience: Lessons

What is the most useful lesson you've learned in your life? And who, or what, taught it to you?

Picture Response #11

Look at the picture and describe a place - anywhere that you have been - that springs to mind.

Tell: Holiday File

I was on an aeroplane recently heading for a well-known European holiday destination (just call me Ordinary Joe) when I overheard two passengers behind me, thus:

Passenger 1 (a bit panicky) 'Did you pack the file?'

Passenger 2 (reassuring) 'Yes, it's in the green holdall.'

I wanted to know more, but apparently they had nothing else to say on the subject. So assuage my curiosity, please, commenters. Why was it so important for them to take a file on holiday? What kind of file was it? What were they going to do with it when they got there? Do tell!

Debate: Leisure Travel

If Ordinary Joe can afford to travel extensively (planes, trains, automobiles) and he enjoys doing so, then he should. He should enjoy his travels, with no holding back. You only live once.

Do you agree or disagree?

Right Now: Habits

I have a magic spell to use for you. It has the power to change one habit: you can lose one, or gain one, of your choice. What will it be?

Experience: Greatness

Share with us three things that you've learned that you're really good at.

I'll claim greatness when it comes to making apple and raspberry crumble, the ego-boosting of youngsters and occasional oldsters, and doing quick mental arithmetic.

Share your greatness.

Picture Response #10

Moon over what? Over where?

Tell: Bottle

It's Monday and I'm determined that we start out on a positive note this week.

Imagine that you're walking on your nearest beach, later today. You find a bottle, with a note in it. A message! Tell us what it says.

Debate: Can We Shrink Christmas?

This post is inspired by an experience from last Wednesday morning, as I was driving into Dudley, past the Quality Hotel. I have never been to this particular Quality Hotel, so cannot vouch for its quality, but I have driven past it many times, and they frequently have banners outside advertising deals for the next 'special occasion' - Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Easter, you get the idea. Last Wednesday they were advertising Father's Day. Fair enough. But along the bottom of the banner, in largish letters, were the words 'Now Taking Bookings For Christmas.'

A couple of years ago, I was outraged when going out for a pub lunch on 1st September and finding a flyer for Christmas bookings on the table. 'That means Christmas lasts FOUR MONTHS,' I ranted. 'That's one-third of my YEAR dominated by Christmas.' Last Wednesday was the 9th of April. It seems that Christmas now has the same gestation period as a chimpanzee.

I have no problem with Christmas as such. It's an important festival in the Christian calendar, and as this country has, broadly speaking, been heavily influenced by Christian culture for a millennium and a half or so, it is bound to dominate life for a while. And naturally some people choose to spread their Christmas shopping over a long period, or make plans for holidays well in advance to ensure they can get their first choice. But couldn't we keep most of the pre-Christmas stuff - the advertising, the decorations, the hideous soundtracks in shops - to, say, the month leading up to the festival itself?

Right Now: On Air

If you had to listen to the radio right now (perhaps you are), what would you be pleased to hear as you turned on and tuned in?

(I'd be happy to hear anything featuring Matthew Paris - Great Lives for example)

Experience: Chair

Tell us about your favourite chair, and how you experience it.

(Mine is the Chair of Indefinite Studies, which I experience mostly by laughing.)

Picture Response #9

'I look at the picture and I think of ... '

Tell: Place/Food Combination

Tell us about your favourite food-place combination. So this may not involve your actual favourite food, or your very favourite place - but the optimum combination of the two. Maybe it's ice-cream on the beach as a potent association of childhood holidays... perhaps it was a never-to-be-repeated sharing of salty chips with a tipsy lover in a shop doorway while rain pelted down... or a pre-packed Danish on a train, neither of which you like much but somehow the combination of inferior pastry with the rhythm of wheels on track enables you to transcend the moment... you tell us.

Debate: Size Matters

Smaller class sizes would make little difference to most children's experience of mainstream education. School league tables. Best schools. School improvement. Education system.
Au contraire? Education debate! Teaching or training? Skills for life?

Right Now: Gladness

What are you most glad about, right now?

Experience: Dentist

Dentist, Orthodentist, Black and Decker - a drill's a drill, right?
Fear of dentist. Dentist Phobia. Good teeth. Shiny white teeth.
Share with us a memory or two, recent or distant, of a trip to the dentist.

Picture Response #8

What do you think when you see this picture?

Tell: Fool

Tell us about a time that you've felt like a fool.

Debate: Swearing

Swearing is not the &*$@ing problem that some would make it out to be.

Discuss. (And keep it clean, folks; this is a family blog.)

Right Now: Cooking

Someone who you love deserves a culinary treat. What do you cook for them? Delia Smith Jamie Oliver Gordon Ramsay Gary Rhodes recipes Rick Stein

Experience: Breaking Rules

When did you last benefit from breaking a rule?

Picture Response #7

Look deeply into the juice. Pictures of Britney Spears Amy Winehouse Kiera Knightley.

What does it say to you? Creative fun stuff art making holidays leisure activities.

Tell: Egg

A seasonal tell: something you could do with an egg. Culinary responses are prohibited. Boiling, poaching, frying, coddling, scrambling; these are quotidian and tedious. Lightening a cake, binding a nut roast, omelettes, tortillas; these too are mundane. What else could eggs be used for? Think outside the egg box.

Debate: Pens and Swords

'The pen is mightier than the sword'.

But really, is it?

Right Now: Talking Feet

What would your feet be saying to you right now, if they could talk?

Experience: Princely

According to the pop prince, Prince, some people were saying,

'...two thousand zero zero party over,

Oops, out of time!'

Thus, the diminutive one got down to partying like it was '1999', however, our records show us that for many people 'two thousand zero zero' did not equate to 'out of time'. To prove that, would you be so kind as to...

Share with us a memory from 'two thousand zero zero'.

Tell: Tail

This morning, when you woke up, you found that overnight you had grown a tail. What happened in the ten minutes that followed that discovery?

Debate: Television

Following m'learned friend's cultural initiative of yesterday, this blog moves that no earthly good has ever come of watching television. It's not called the 'idiot box' for nothing. Watching television rots your brain, fattens your body, alienates your friends, and ultimately takes over your LIFE!!!

Or does it?

What do you think?

Right Now: Booked

Name at least one book that you're enjoying at the moment, or one that you're ready to return to.

Experience: Wind

Here at A Post Box we are nothing if not cutting-edge topical bloggers. (Topical if you're in the UK, that is.) Tell us about a wind-related experience: amusing, horrific, mundane - you choose.

Picture Response #6

It's Tuesday, it's a picture post. You're invited to daub an addition to this gritty urban backdrop. What do you daub? And in which colour/s?

Tell: Cabbages

For some people Monday mornings are prosaic, mundane, humdrum. But it doesn't have to be this way. There is an antidote: whimsy, daydreams, flights of fancy. Indulge yourself: tell us what you heard the cabbages in the cabbage patch saying to each other.

Debate: Names

'To name a child after a hero or heroine of stage, screen, music, sport, or any other form of popular culture, is to play with fire', argued Ringo Johnny Depp Schwarzenegger Brown, of Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky. Discuss.

Right Now: Breaking Rules

Which of your own rules would you most like to break?

Experience: Summer

Share with us a good memory from one of the summers of your childhood.

Picture Response #5

(and don't forget, if you too take really bad pictures, feel free to email them to one of us for possible inclusion in our Tuesday confuse-the-commenter slot)

Tell: Guilty

Whether it be a food, a drink, a TV programme, a film star, whatever, you have one or two guilty pleasures. Really, you do.

Go on, tell us about one.

Debate: Harassment

Harassment is a trivial crime. Isn't it?

All thoughts, arguments, jokes, moans, contentions, opinions etc welcome in the comments box. Have a good weekend!

Right Now: Blue

A package is delivered to your address. It's clearly for you - right name, right place. But there's no name to say who the sender is. The package is gift-wrapped and it's mostly blue.

What is it?

Experience: Kindness

It's Wednesday, the day the week turns upon. This morning, as I write, is in the first half of the week; we're still pulling away from the relaxation of the weekend just gone. By this afternoon, we'll be over the hump and heading downhill with a shimmer of anticipation towards the delights of the weekend to come. So, to help us over that hump, tell us about the last time you were on the receiving end of a random act of kindness.

Picture Response #4

Complete the sentence:

As I looked into the sand I saw...

Tell: Nostalgia

Nostalgia. It's not what it used to be. I know, I know - the old ones are not, in fact, the best. So let's have a new one. Tell us about the time you ran into someone, anyone, from long ago.

Debate: Competing Contests?

'Beijing Olympics - leave politics out of it'.

Your view?

Right Now: Knees

In a rush this morning, so quick question: what pleases your knees?

Experience: Drink

Did what? Why ever? Oh dear.
.
Share with us one memory (notwithstanding the irony) of when you wished you had drank less (or more!).

Picture Response #3

This is a blog, therefore it must have photos of cute kittens (Blogger's Third Law). But these aren't just any old adorable cat babies, they are magic kittens. Look! They can read!

The message must be fascinating because it has drawn their attention away from their favourite cat toy. What do you think it says?

Tell: Crush

Swoon swoon flutter flutter. You've found that lovin' feelin'.
.
Tell us about a crush.
.
The more baffling the better.

Debate: Attention-seeking?

I'm feeling provocative today. Not the ruby-lipped, lithe-hipped kind of provocative, just the plain old cranky kind. So I have a suitably bad-tempered question for you to discuss over the weekend. Here it is:

Aren't people who say they have allergies just attention-seekers who should get over themselves?

Right Now: Break-time

It's Thursday, so it's a kind of 'here and now' post...

Your fairy god-dictator lands by your side and insists that s/he has arranged for you to spend the next three hours quietly reading at a favourite café or restaurant, which s/he will magically transport you to and from. Meanwhile, the ordinary business of your next three hours will be safely handled by fairy god-person. So, if you would be so kind, share with us:

Which and where is the café or restaurant of choice?
What will you read?
And finally, what is the name of your fairy god-whoever s/he is?

All commenters receive an imaginary fairy cake.

Experience: Fancy dress

This is the day when we get to find out things about you that nobody else knows. So tell us all about the fancy dress costume that made you proud. Was it one you wore yourself? Or one you made for someone else? Was it worn at a party, or a carnival, or an S&M dungeon? We want details! Spill beans!

Picture Response #2

It's Tuesday, so it's a picture response post.

Take a look at the picture below and share with us the newspaper headline that goes with the image. There will be prizes of undying affection for any comments (that make us smile).


(If anyone would care to share any pictures for our Tuesday slot, then please forward them to either of us by email (see profiles) - the more obscure or ambiguous the better).

Tell: Spiders

...cooking with spiders. Do you use the tasty arachnids in a favourite dish? Have you ever had an eight-limbed sous chef? Maybe you visited a spider's kitchen and helped them prepare a meal for you. Be creative! Have fun! Truth optional!

Debate: Fruity? Eggy?

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been chatting with ministers from the Departments for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and International Development. Together, they've come up with a whizzo idea... kind of. They are able to support a programme that will see all UK-based supermarkets stock universally affordable Fairtrade bananas or free-range organic eggs - with no unfair or inorganic alternatives, respectively. But which should they go for?

What would you rather see - universally affordable Fairtrade bananas or free-range organic eggs?

The choice is yours...

Right Now: Far away?

On Thursday mornings, as the countdown to the weekend begins, we will be asking for a moment's reflection and reportage on an issue of personal topicality. Confused? Marvellous! Here's today's example to make it all clear:

Where would you be right now, if you could be anywhere?

Experience: Good idea?

The idea behind Wednesday's posts is that we bring something more personal and particular to the fore - whether playful, serious, funny, dark, straight or absurd - it's up to you. New York, New York. So:

Share with us an experience of your's that later justified the comment, 'It seemed like a good idea at the time'.

Picture Response #1

Tuesday's child, sorry, post will be a picture of some kind for you to respond to in whatever way you choose. Write a story, share a joke, shout 'rubbish!' and click on to somewhere else - it's your choice.

Tell: PM

Generally speaking, the theme for our Monday posts will be 'Tell Us About'. The greatest likelihood is that these will call for playful mental summonings to start the week, rather than great insights into your deep dark subconscious. So, starting as we may well go on:

Tell us: You were meant to be Prime Minister by now. What on earth happened?

Debate: Social Networking Sites

Post will be delivered to this blog every weekday morning (UK time). On Fridays we will offer a subject for debate: this may be topical or philosophical, frivolous or serious. We welcome views, rants, stories, remarks and humour in the comments box. We ask that you remain polite, focus on opinions or statements rather than personalities, and avoid insults or swearing. The debate will be open throughout the weekend, so feel free to come back and add further thoughts as often as you like. Most of all: have fun!

So, this weekend's debate is about social networking sites (e.g. MySpace, Facebook, Bebo). Are they useful extensions to our communication options, or a triumph of style over substance?

If there is a subject you would like to see debated here, do email your suggestion to one of us. We will try to incorporate suggestions from commenters, although of course this will depend on the number of suggestions we receive.

Join us

This blog will open for creative, playful, interesting, intelligent and occasionally frivolous business on Friday 01 February , 2008.

We hope you will join us.