Category Archives: Edinburgh

Korea Opportunities

April 21, 2014Books, Edinburgh, Mindfulness, Podcasts, Pop Music, Strokericky

I’ve mentioned more than once on the blog that I’ve come to believe that one of the big mistakes made by my younger self was to think that everyone else was basically the same as me.

While that might have been a trifle solipsistic, it’s also kind of true. The genetic difference between individual humans today is miniscule — about 0.1%, on average. To a bonobo or chimpanzee, 1.2%. 1.6% to gorillas.

But we did have the same sideburns for a year. — Though oddly, 23.1% with Will Self.

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Iambic Pentameter

March 12, 2014Art, Books, Edinburgh, Mindfulness, Relationships, Strokericky

And now, at last, the blog is here for you:
It’s feet are light, and look! It’s rhyming, too.

A master's manglings are not by chance. — “Enough doggerel! And ‘take arms against a sea of troubles’ is a mixed metaphor.”
(Pic: Doctor Who Magazine)

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Reflektor

February 10, 2014Art, Brooklyn, Death, Edinburgh, Movies, Pop Musicricky

One of the many rubbish things about having a massive haemorrhagic stroke is that the ever-present factor of fatigue, and the whole brain lesions thing, militate against a quick return to the traditional, full-time workforce.

Sez me — Voted Funniest Thing On apoplectic.me 2013

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Day Of The Stroke Bloke

December 2, 2013Dr. Who, Edinburgh, Reviews, Strokericky

Well, you've had a week — Our Chief Spoiler Warnings Executive has a Day Of The Doctor message for our readers.

I remember sitting at home as a wee bobble heid, watching Doctor Who with my mum and dad. I remember being scared by Scaroth, shocked by Earthshock, and being amazed by my generation’s multidoctor story. So, fast forward thirty years…. Continue reading Day Of The Stroke Bloke →

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The Strange Case Of Stroke Bloke

November 18, 2013Books, Edinburgh, Strokericky

[Don’t forget, if you haven’t, you can sign up for apoplectic.me updates and bonus material here.]

If there’s one unifying theme to apoplectic.me, it’s love. And Python references. And transformation. In the wake of Stroke Bloke: Year One and my consideration of The Batman, I’ve been looking at some other origin stories. Like The Hulk and Dr. Manhattan of The Watchmen.

But he can still throw some natty shapes. — Although many miles from Bomb Zero, Dr Bruce Banner is bathed in the full force of the mysterious gamma rays!

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‘Nuff Said

October 28, 2013Edinburgh, Movies, Reviews, Strokericky

Last week was pretty stressful. I had to spend an hour here and there doing stuff that looked not entirely unlike my old job. I won’t bore you with the details. But even those couple of hours were exhausting and stressful. So much so that my blood pressure was elevated to the point where my physicians have previously indicated that I should sit quietly in a dark room.

Can you see me now? — Stroke Bloke, last week.

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Stroke Bloke’s Divertissement Apoplectique

October 14, 2013Art, Books, Brooklyn, Edinburgh, Movies, Strokericky

After last week’s hard stroke entry, a diversionary divertissement apoplectique….

Bloody trams. — You’ve spelled it wrong!
(h/t to Noisy Decent Graphics)

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Of Love And Asthma II: The Literal Version

September 9, 2013Asthma, Edinburgh, Healthcare, Strokericky

[For some important site news, click on “Blog News” at the top of the page.
No, wait! Read this first. Don’t get distracted….]

A wise man once said, omne trium perfectum. [Good post, that one. Deserved more comments.]

Things that come in threes are (1) inherently funnier, (2) more satisfying, or (3) more effective than other numbers of things.

Friendoftheblogron and I both poured scorn on this idea, but it turns out there might be something in it. Both on a micro (and a macro) level. So let’s clear the last of the asthma trilogy off the decks before we start the countdown to Strokiversary.

Igor Stravinsky — Strokiversary: Widely considered to be one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century.

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End Of An Error

July 18, 2013Digest Post, Edinburghricky

[Serious caveat this week: moving to the States and living in Brooklyn were not errors. It’s a pun!]

Big news this week…. I’ve formally surrendered my US permanent residency!

There are all sorts of technical reasons why this is a good idea. But, as the saying goes: “You can take the boy out of America, but you can’t take American out of the boy.” After all, my girlfriend and daughter are both Yanks. And, notwithstanding last week’s observations on queuing and artifice in popular music, there is other evidence of a strong link between Scotland and the States.

Fellow Aberdeen fan — “The most instantly recognisable Scot in the world.” Groundskeeper Willie, of Kirkwall, Orkney

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Who’s Afraid Of Americans?

July 11, 2013Brooklyn, Edinburgh, Strokericky

Beth and I were walking along Brooklyn’s Hicks Street on Monday. As we were poached by the early July heat, and boxed out by a solipsist and her two massive dogs, I was moved to remark: “I am regretting our move less by the hour.”

I’ve been much exercised by thoughts of national identity this week. It’s been increasingly needful that I remind myself of the mantra I deliver to self-satisfied Brits:

You’re talking about a country with the size and population of Europe. Everything’s here. The good and the bad.

Nice teeth, Limey! — Stroke Bloke contemplates having won the lottery of life

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Apoplectic Me

the scribblings of a bloke who had a stroke…

Category Archives: Edinburgh

Korea Opportunities

Iambic Pentameter

Reflektor

Day Of The Stroke Bloke

The Strange Case Of Stroke Bloke

‘Nuff Said

Stroke Bloke’s Divertissement Apoplectique

Of Love And Asthma II: The Literal Version

End Of An Error

Who’s Afraid Of Americans?