Americans – 2020 – A Year of Perfect Vision

Costco

It was a deliberate and carefully considered choice to have Costco as the scene for my story the other day. Which story? This one: https://twenty20vision.home.blog/2020/04/29/telling-tales/ Costco is pretty big, here in Taiwan. It is a popular spot for locals to buy stuff in large quantities. You know… wholesale. The thing is, it’s American, I believe.Continue reading “Costco”

An Anagram

The other day, the Internet, or perhaps more precisely the Internet-based thingummy known as Twitter, went a bit mad. Mad in a nice way. There are some quick-witted people out there. Within minutes of this gem being posted… … some wag had come back with the near-perfect riposte. Namely, that PETA is an anagram ofContinue reading “An Anagram”

Language

I was listening to something earlier and wondered when it was that we became so bothered by one of life’s certainties. More precisely, when and why did someone decide that it was somehow inappropriate to say or write that someone has died? Just imagine: Bruce Willis stars in the blockbuster, Pass Away Hard. Cutting Crew’sContinue reading “Language”

Perspective

The latest virus threat is continuing to grab the headlines. This is probably not such a bad thing. Hopefully, it can be contained. Who knows? However, this just popped up on my laptop. “Yesterday: 3,700 people died, 40,000-80,000 severely injured. Not #Coronovirus, just daily traffic.” I confess I have not exercised caution and carried outContinue reading “Perspective”

Rubbish

Where we live, and indeed where we used to live, the dustbin lorry comes four times each week, accompanied by the recycling lorry on two of those days. Pretty amazing, really, if you are used to once per fortnight, as is the case in the UK. All over the island of Taiwan, these very sameContinue reading “Rubbish”

Interlude

Those of you new to my ramblings may/will be unaware that a few years ago I set myself the task of presenting a tune each day for the whole of my 53rd year. I began with Peter Gabriel and finished with The Ruts. I reckon I’d struggle to remember half of the 363 other choices,Continue reading “Interlude”

Run Home

I really have no business discussing this. It means nothing to me, almost literally. I was in Boston many years ago, staying in a hostel not far from Fenway Park, so I decided it would only be polite to buy a ticket to watch the Red Sox on their home turf. I think that mayContinue reading “Run Home”

Epstein

No, not that one. Nor even the one associated with the Beatles. This Epstein, who featured quite heavily in my life from late 2004 to July 2009, was a sculptor. He was also American and Jewish, although he became a British citizen and was ultimately recognised by the establishment, with a Knighthood, a few yearsContinue reading “Epstein”