Tag Archives: Politics

Rambling, Disjointed Observations From Within the Midst of a Pandemic

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Remember dear internet chums there is no place for puncuation here. This is waffle (drivel) in its purest form. Feel free to stick around and enjoy as a permanently confused Scottish man mentally unravels in ever-growing increments*. If you listen really carefully you can probably here it happening in real time.

Dont say I didn’t warn you…

What The Actual Fuck?

Wow, 2020 has just been stupid crazy so far hasn’t it? We’ve moved from confused, passed odd, through panicked and onwards to terrifying and that was all just in one week around mid-March. The murder hornets were nearly my pick of the year so far but COVID-19 just managed to edge them out of the top spot. The uncertainty of our current existence is hard work (more on that shortly). 

I think the key thing to remember is that we are only just half way through the year. There are all manner of terrible things that could (probably will) happen before the end of December. Its all still to play for.

Meanwhile politics has gone beyond satire into the realms of batshit crazy, the new normal is now just normal. A racist is in charge in the US (please note, the previous statement is not open to debate. HE IS A RACIST). In Britain an entitled buffon plays at being a leader while his strings are being pulled by a man who thinks he is far cleverer than he actually is. The trans-Atlantic game of fuckwit one upmanship would be hysterical if it werent for the fact people are suffering because of these pricks.

A couple of arseholes yesterday

We should be looking to countries like New Zealand and Germany as  blueprint of how things could/should be. Both run by women, I think that particular fact speaks volumes. 

Living At Work

Working from home is a thing that has happened. Part of me is enjoying the experience. I think it is over four months now and my other half hasnt killed me…yet. I’ll take that as a win. It is nice to be able to share my lunch break with her every day. I’m curious to see how my employer will handle those wanting to continue the working from home situation when the office reopens. We’ve proven working from home is viable so will it be considered a long term option? I’ll admit there is a small part of me that is missing wider social interaction. Dont get me wrong Teams, Zoom, Skype and Facebook are all good when it comes to video calls but its not the same as being in the same room as someone is it? Ultimately I am having some good days and some bad days. For me I’ve found the best option is taking each day as it comes. Trying to stay busy seems to help. If I stop for too long I find myself focusing on the wrong things. Its easy to fall into your own neagtive thoughts.

It’s Not All Doom and Gloom

The flip side to all the negativity is that there are some amazing people out their doing amazing things.

We’ve experienced some of these things ourself. Our new next door neighbor came around to introduce themselves a few days ago and when the discovered my other half is shielding they immediatley offered any assistance should she need it. Thats a pretty amazing thing to so when you have known someone all of about three minutes.

The professionalism of the NHS and our other emergency services remains, more so than ever, inspirational. Never mind z-list celebrities, footballers and the like its the doctors, nurses, hospital porters and cleaners who are real heroes.

Those courageous people who are determined to promote and embrace real change in the world for the better. Racism is a blight on the planet and needs to stop. I’ll admit to a degree of ignorance  on my part so I’m trying to educate myself. I’ve learned a lot about the nature of privilege in the last few months than I have ever learned in the last forty+ years. Its not enough to just be not racist you have to be actively anti-racist.

Run Away! Run Away!

There are some things that have kept me going in these uncertain times. When it comes to entertainment I am all about the escapism. Taking a break from yourself can be a genuinely cathartic experience. Here are just a few things that are currently cheering my weary heart – 

The Last of Us 2 is just as good, if not better, than its predecessor. As apocalypses go, it is a little bit brilliant. I am playing in one hour slots just so I can eek out the game for as long as possible. Five hours in and I am already an emotional husk of a man. Naughty Dog are unparalleled when it comes to compelling, narrative gameplay. They are just so good at story telling. I am more than a little bit in awe, it is such a truly immersive experience. If a television version of these games does ever materialise then it has the potential to be something quite special. As the kids say, “its giving me all of the feels”. 

Twelve months from now…

Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga is the best movie about The Eurovision Song Contest you are ever going to see. True it may be the only movie about Eurovision you are ever going to see but it is unashamedly self depricating and wonderfully joyous. The contest always brightens my soul and in the absence of an Icelandic winner this year** I’ll settle for a movie instead. I dont think you could ask for more. Jaja Ding Dong, indeed.

♫♪♪ Volcanic Protector Man ♫♪♪

Though my reviewing mojo is currently all over the place I have still read some cracking books. Did you know I’ll have been running The Eloquent Page for ten years come the end of July. I never would have believed I would have stuck to it this long if I’m honest. Some people even actually rate my opinion about genre fiction, the foolish fools. On a more serious note, I think I would be lost if I didnt have my books to fall back on. They are my security blanket of choice. Being able to share my thoughts, however fuzzy and indistinct, about them is one of my favourite things.

We’re rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer from the beginning. The 1990s look like a different planet from a million years ago. Its a double edged sword. Its fun to reconnect with the characters but it reminds me constantly that I’m a middle aged man now. I have a sneaking suspicion I may no longer be quite so rock and roll as I think I am. I do intend to try and counter this dawning realisation by getting more tattoos as soon as the fates will allow.

Oh! I’m Done, How Very Abrupt

If you’ve got this far then I apologise I have already taken up far more of your time than was entirely necessary. I do however appreciate you stopping by. Be nice to people and look out for one another.

*It may be that this is just the sound of my brain dripping out me ears. We’ll probably never know

**Daði Freyr was robbed!!

Where I’m At…

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After a terribly long time, nearly a year and a half if you’re counting, I’ve decided to resurrect the old personal blog. I have no idea how frequent the posts will be and I can’t speak for the quality of content. All I can promise is it will be 100% me and nowt else. Who know what old piffle I’ll come up with. Lets start writing and see what happens.

The Reluctant Gardener

Mrs Cheesecake and I are incredibly fortunate, our little Hobbit hole has a pretty reasonable sized garden. For the last few years we have been concentrating on the inside of the house but as that is finally managing to take shape our focus is shifting from indoors to outdoors. There has been some hardcore diy. We built four raised beds from scratch and currently we are growing potatoes, onions, cucumbers, strawberries, courgettes and a selection of herbs.

Phase two of the great gardent expansion is going to be some fencing. At present we have hedges and to be honest they are a huge pain in the ass to maintain. I am in the process of cutting them all back to nothing and later in the year we hope to get them replaced.

There is a problem though. I turns out I am far too tasty. The local insect population find me irresistible. I spent a couple of hours in the garden earlier in the week and now I am covered in bites. The worst thing is that I appear to react quite badly to said bites.

I enjoy gardening, I really do, but it is hard work when you are a walking buffet.

What I’m Watching This Week…

First up, Chernobyl – This mini series was utterly enthralling. I have vague memories of the event at the time and I remember people being scared. I seem to recall we were told to avoid going outside if at all possibe. The dramatisation of the catastrophy was first rate drama. It was horrific, shocking and at times even inspirational.Well played Sky Atlantic and HBO.

Chernobyl

Season one of Castle Rock, henceforth known as StephenKingTown in my head, was pretty well exectued. I had great fun King reference spotting and the plot was just bonkers enough to keep my attention for the entire run of ten episodes. The penultimate episode, where the revelations start coming at you thick and fast, is a particular headfuck.

Castle Rock

Season 3 of Designated Jack Bauer* appeared on Netflix last night. For reasons I am not 100% clear about swearing is suddenly a thing in this show. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t before but even Keifer said “bullshit” at one point. Do presidents swear? I suspect they do. Nice to see the clusterfuck that is Brexit got a mention.

Designated Survivor

Movie-wise Searching starring John Cho and Debra Messing has an interesting premise – an entire movie that plays out using social media. I rather liked it.

Searching

A Political Hiatus

I’ve shied away from all the political too-ing and fro-ing of late. Over the last few years it feels like I have been watching the UK slowly implode. Media commentary has appears to be driven entirely by agenda and it seems clear to me the country is treading a dangerous path. I’ve been given a few weeks off as the Tories disappear up their own arses but I can see the chaos starting to ramp up again in the coming weeks. Fuck knows when this nonsense will end. I am so tired of it all. I just hope we can save the NHS or the most vunerable are going to suffer. I’m sure our drug-addled overlords know exactly how to ensure the best for everyone.

Coming to America

Well, technically it is actually going to America but that title seemd appropriate. Later in the year I will be travelling to the US for the first time. We’ll be visiting the Boston and New England. I’m excited at the prospect. I just need to sort out my fear of flying and my various social anxieties and I’m sure it will all be fine.

Anyway, I think I’m done for now.

Till next I decide to spew my brain thoughts onto the internet be nice to people and perhaps they will be nice back.

*Ok, Designated Survivor.

Back Once Again Like A Renegade Cheesecake

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First A Few Ground Rules

I made the decision during the recent winter break that I was going to write more personal blogs. I didn’t update this site at all in 2017 and it seems I shame to leave it idle.

For the uninformed amongst you the rules here at pablocheesecake.co.uk are ridiculously simple

  • Don’t expect everything to be perfect. This is stream of consciousness stuff and life is to short to worry about punctuation and whatnot on a personal blog.
  • There will be swears. If you are looking for something more genteel I suggest looking elsewhere. You may wish to have a gander at my book review site The Eloquent Page (it’s a lot more sedate and I don’t say fuck there half as much as I do here).
  • Anything goes. I write about whatever I feel like. No topic is verboten.

Got it? Good. Now on with the show…

A Hirsute Man in Search of a Hobby

My other half is a bit of a fiend when it comes to all hobbies practical. She is a baker, a confectioner, a sculptor. She has turned her hand to archery, painting and writing and always manages to make it look effortless. I was bemoaning the fact that with the exception of casual gaming, watching television and films, the odd book review or fifty I don’t have any real hobbies. This Christmas* herself decided it was high time this situation was remedied so she bought me a Make Your Own Halloumi kit and a Grow Your Own Bonsai.

I decided to focus on the bonsai first (expect a cheese related blog post at some point in the future – Ed.) Based on the advertisement for said product, and my reaction, I can only conclude this is the ideal present for me. Time will tell.

Hmmm, I look more terrified than happy don’t I? (Yes, I do know my beard needs a trim. Thanks for noticing)

I have begun the planting process and even gone so far as purchasing some additional equipment so I can do the job right but it will still be a while before I see any results. When it comes to bonsai cultivation I rather suspect that is part of the charm. It is a contemplative undertaking. That works for me, I do enjoy a good think.

A Little Bit of Politics

Brace yourselves…

Over the last couple of years I’ve found myself getting more and more opinionated when it comes to the political climate in our little country. Lets be perfectly honest, 2017 was an EPIC clusterfuck. The Conservative government continues to be an ill-informed, shambolic group of self-serving fuckwits promoting greed and ignorance at every turn. Bo Jo offends everyone he comes into contact with. David Davis is incompetent. Jacob Rees-Mogg is all about Dickensian values and Theresa May can barely string a coherent sentence together. Brexit continues to be the biggest mistake we have collectively made as a country for decades. Right now there are idiots crowing about the colour of our fucking passports. Does the colour of a passport matter? Really? Look around, the NHS (arguably our country’s greatest achievement) is disappearing before our eyes, people are living in poverty or on the streets, the economy is already suffering. It’s all ok though because your average Leaver gets to banging on about reclaiming their sovereignty. You know, that sovereignty that we never fucking lost in the first place. I’d love to see the government admit they have made a costly mistake and we take a step back from the precipice. I fully appreciate however that this will never happen. We’re long since passed the point of no return. Undoing this fuck up is going to take a generation.

Meanwhile in America a failed businessman continues to fail an entire country while antagonising everyone he can on a daily basis. Sad.

Its all a bit fucked isn’t it. I’m not clever enough to know what the answer is but I do think a fundamental paradigm shift is required. We need to change the way we view ourselves and others.

In all honesty who knows what 2018 is going to bring politically? This time next year I’ll likely be updating this blog on a slate tablet whilst relaxing in my makeshift nuclear bunker. Perhaps its time to rewatch Threads?

Apologies for whanging on about politics but it is really starting to grind me down and I needed to get it off my chest.

Wow, that last section got a bit heavy didn’t it? I was going to write more but I think I need to go have a lie down in a darkened room. Who knew blogging could be so bloomin’ mentally taxing? 

Till next time Internet Chums

Adios Amigos

*Back at Christmas 2016 my other half bought me make your own haggis kit. I’m Scottish and I’ve eaten haggis before, and liked it, so making my own sounded like a challenge that was worthy of my attention. It was great fun, if somewhat messy, and the results were extremely tasty.

Why isn’t it Friday?

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Its been a while since I gave my brain a shake to see what would fall out. Not that I need a reason or anything but seeing as it’s a Thursday and Mrs Cheesecake is involved in some hardcore gaming activity I thought I would type some of the letter keys on my keyboard and see where I ended up.

Politics…Fuck Yeah!

I got a letter today from a Mr Ed Milliband. Apperently he thinks we are friends. He wants to have a chat. I have been musing about my response for a couple of hours and I have come to the conclusion I would rather have my knackers trapped in a vice and hit repeatedly with a cricket bat. After the spectacular horror that was the last General Election I think politics and I need time away from one another. We’ll still talk and try remaining civil, if only for the children’s sake, but for the most part we need to go our separate ways.

Book Overload

This week for reasons I still don’t fully understand I decided to read four books rather than the usual two. I won’t be attempting that again in a hurry. My brain was completely frazzled by the end of the fourth book. All my free time was taken up with reading. I think I’ll chock this one up as an experiment. I have learned my limits if nothing else.

Hmm tonight’s effort short but sweet.

Night all