A Random List of Observations

1) The Guardian online has changed, and not in a good way, in my view. As we'd say in Mexico: "Ya chafeó". Main reason being the ever-increasing number of "experts" in various fields writing shallow, unnecessary, pointless articles, including photos and videos. Really - there may be a lot of variety, but - where's the *content* and *substance* it used to have? Last good thing I read was an interview with Glenn Close. Mind you - this coming from a keen viewer of Big Brother UK 18 months ago. Solely on a sociological-philosophical basis, naturally.

That's the thing about contributing to the internet. Where to find...? I mean -

2) How boring was Jonathan Ross's interview with Mickey Rourke? And I have to say... Will Young was equally flat and unwatchable. Couldn't see more than 2 minutes of either of them - what's going on?

Anyway - I'm not sure about the BBC, really. I mean, don't get me wrong - there's an unshakeable respect for the organisation and everything (think Sir David Attenborough), but. I don't know, these stories, lately, of words like "Golliwog" being worthy of news, I mean, c'mon, gimme a break. And the Ross Saga, shit. What a fiasco. You can say goodbye to that cheeky, funny persona that was Jonathan Ross and hope for him to come up with something equally risqué sometime soon, because as far as I can see, we've got another Angus (Deayton) in our hands with his Friday night chat show...

And I really hope he does - come up with something a bit more refined, I mean. I was surprised to come across this old video on YouTube (which I cannot locate at the moment) of him interviewing Alejandro Jodorowsky in 1990. You can see a 38-second clip here.

3) Sailing rules.



4) Have most inconveniently run out of wine *and* ciggies. It's off to Superama for me. See you soon and - yes. See you soon.

G'night.

Lester Goes to Acapulco

Brother's Art

Lester's Nemesis

Henry the neighbour has 2 young adult, identical-looking ginger cats.

Now - I don't mind cats, really. In fact, I like them a lot, I think they're mischievous (had to look for the spelling of that word!) and fun.

I had a cat once. Her name was Dominique. But I've told you this story before, surely. Anyway, Dominique was great and she lived for ages, but that was before Lester's time.

Point is, Lester doesn't like cats.

And neighbour's ginger cats are young and bold and agile, while my puppydog is old and half-blind.

Doesn't stop him from defending his turf from what he no doubt perceives - judging from his relentless barking - as an unwelcome intruder.



Sometimes they'll get tired of staring at each other, but instead of walking away, they just settle down into a more comfortable position, right there where they are.

The Garden Painting

I've always wanted to paint something, but have never been gifted in the arts department. Mainly because I draw quite badly, to be fair.

So instead of being bold and having an urge to experiment with new subjects, I choose to stick to what I can get away with.

And what that is, you might be wondering, is, um... leaves, actually. And even them I draw badly. But I draw them. Leaves and cartoon-like ladybirds.

Too bad I didn't put a date on my meditation stool, because I painted leaves on it right after I bought it at the Buddhist Centre in Croydon, sometime at the beginning of this Century.



Anyway, I just came across my little stool and realise the style hasn't changed one bit. I'm still drawing leaves and ladybirds (badly), except now I've taken a fancy to my big and white garden wall.

There are 3 leaves left to paint at this stage before I'm done... and then the branch and stems and, of course, the ladybirds, though I'm not sure I'll be putting those in. Oh, what the heck -

Only because it's an appropriate place for them. Out in the garden, like?

But really - maybe I should start practising drawing something else.

Or I could just call it my tag.

*If* the painting survives this sudden and unexpected downpour!