The other day, apropos of something, Prof Paul asked Mouthsounds Steph and I
How well 1-10 do you guys know Dark Side of the Moon? I’m about 12.
[Read on – it’s not about conflict, greed, the passage of time, and mental illness. Promise!] Continue reading Dark Web
Let’s just ignore the elephant in the room for a moment, shall we? Yes, for someone who has the ability to speak out against racism and misogyny and homophobia (dons Stroke Bloke hat – or ablism) to choose to stay silent on these matters is the same as condoning them. So let’s be clear – I’m against these things here, in my life, and in my art.
Does that make me a phobophobe?
Help Ricky figure his shit out in the Apoplexy Tiny Letter. Continue reading The Partisan
I was consulting with some experts in a hospital this morning.
That’s right, Leslie Nielsen. The details aren’t important right now. What’s important is that I wasn’t the Consultant. I feel like if you’re doing medicine stuff, it’s best that you be qualified to be doing the medicining.
[More of this sort of thing? Check out the Apoplexy Tiny Letter.] Continue reading Trigger Happy
Sorry this post is a day late, and probably a hundred words short. A big boobrie came and took it.
A boobie, according to this interesting page of creatures of Scottish folklore, is
[a] gigantic black bird, which is supposed to have lived in the lochs of Argyllshire. It had webbed feet and fed on cattle.
[For more whimsy, don’t forget to check out the Apoplexy Tiny Letter.] Continue reading Here Be Monsters…
As readers of last week’s blog post will know, I like to listen to BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland when I’m making breakfast in the morning.
Mrs Stroke Bloke worries about my blood pressure, I’m sure, as a disconcerting mixture of laughter and swearie words escapes the kitchen. But it keeps me somewhat connected to the larger world, and sometimes, there’s a wee gem of an item to consider. Say, on the subject of #strokes. Continue reading The Standard Version
My love for BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, as hosted by Eddie Mair, is well-documented on this website (1, 2). During #indyref the first, I remember him conducting one of the better interviews I heard with Scotland’s First Minister.
However, it’s becoming increasingly apparent – from, for example, the Today programme’s coverage of yesterday’s news that the Westminster government is mulling making substantial payments to the EU to retain financial services passporting rights for the City of London– that The Herald‘s chief reporter has captured a larger truth about the BBC’s output.
I think the talking heads who review newspapers on London TV shows like Marr are running out of excuses for not understanding Scotland.
— David Leask (@LeaskyHT) October 16, 2016
[Yes, somehow I’ll pivot this into strokes and art. Read on to find out how.] Continue reading Thought For The Day
If you’ve ever visited the About Me section of apoplectic.me, you may recognize this picture:
(Actually, it could do with a bit of an update. I’ll do that when I’m done here.)
That’s four years ago, and I don’t really remember anything about the circumstances. Well, y’know, I had recently suffered a catastrophic haemorrhagic stroke. I’m pretty sure about that. But, other than that….
[For more whimsy and an eclectic weekly song selection, get the Apoplexy Tiny Letter here.] Continue reading Bang!
This might be a post for any non-Scottish readers who’ve ever wondered what the chuff I’m on about when I talk about Paw Broon.
The Broons, y’see, are Scotland’s Favourite Family. But then, you knew that already.
Last Thursday, I went to the Perth Concert Hall to watch a new play, The Broons: Maggie’s Wedding, for a review for The Edinburgh Reporter… Continue reading The Broons
It’s early on Monday morning, and I’ve just seen producer Jeremy Thomas and director Ben Wheatley’s adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s High-Rise. Maybe that’s why I’m in a slightly shitty mood.
Not because it’s not a good movie. It is. I think.
[I’d be happy if you’d like to extend the conversation, at the Apoplexy Tiny Letter.] Continue reading S-O-S
This is the fourth birthday I’ve celebrated in the post-stroke, apoplectic.me world. And it’s a significant one. Really, any birthday after the one you forget because you’ve had a massive haemorrhagic stroke two weeks later is significant.
But specifically, Mrs Stroke Bloke has taken to referring to me during the week of 15th September 2016 as “The Answer”.
