A new book, Engines of Privilege, promises to explore ‘the irrefutable link between private schools and life’s gilded path: private school to top university to top career.’ As someone who went to comprehensive school, this has been a lifelong fascination. What difference does a school make? Why should the experience have such a lasting impact on one’s progress? Private schools give you confidence and connections. … Continue reading School privilege
Lately I’ve been feeling shaky. Because the type of work I do feels at times like walking on a tightrope. I haven’t joined the circus but I have moved from a permanent job to be self-employed / running my own business / a freelancer. And living this way is a balancing act. I find myself looking down and getting dizzy. Steering your ship When a … Continue reading Freelancer balancing act
I’m with my mum at a hotel in the North of England, on a special offer one night break. We’re here ‘to relax’. Since our last visit, the hotel has gone upmarket. We get a hint of what’s to come at the check-in desk. Our offer includes £30 per person to spend on dinner that evening. Great! I say, because £30 should buy a decent … Continue reading Muddy relaxation on a spa break
It all starts with my Dad. Anyone who’s met him can confirm: he likes a chat. He’s from the Midlands, where it isn’t odd to talk to the shop assistant, or the bus driver, a fellow dog walker or just a fellow human. In London, this behaviour is incongruous. London isn’t chatty. Like many big cities, it’s driven by business and being busy. I’ve written … Continue reading Time to talk
No sooner are the Christmas cards off shelves before we get the onslaught of red heart displays for 14th February. There’s the traditional, the jokey, the ironic cards. The chocolates, flowers and fizz. No. No. No. It’s a no from me. This year I find myself blissfully liberated from Valentine’s Day brainwashing. Because what is V Day? It’s the tired remnants of a time when … Continue reading Roses are red, but make choices instead
January is the time of year when gyms are full of amateurs. People who don’t go enough to know how every machine works, or have a regular workout, or feel comfortable in lycra. People like me. Finding exercise I enjoy has been a life-long challenge. I don’t dispute the benefits of exercise, but sports have never featured in my hobbies. It’s hard to admit this … Continue reading Me vs. exercise
Digital spring cleaning can be revealing. Going through old bookmarks reveals my preoccupations whilst in my twenties. It’s a time now behind me, so it’s fun to look back at what it shows with my worldly, more wrinkly eyes. A decade of aspiration During my twenties I went from broke student to working home owner. Rather than hedonism and freedom, I aspired to an image … Continue reading My twenties according to my Internet bookmarks
2018 was a good year for me, personally. The main reason I say that is because people I care about are alive and well. In the end it comes down to that. Work has its ups and downs. Relationships change. There are periods of darkness and light in my outlook. But as friends go through the agony of loss, it’s important to recognise the gift … Continue reading My only 2019 resolution
I’ve been enjoying The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (MMM), the award-winning comedy set in 1950s New York. It’s an uplifting watch with great writing and highly recommended. Lots of MMM is colourful, escapist TV. But for me there were moments that triggered poignant memories. That’s because in the first episode, <spoiler> the main character’s marriage abruptly crumbles. It kickstarts the plot for the rest of the series, which … Continue reading Mrs Maisel and marriage breakdowns
The Modern Couples exhibition at the Barbican is powerful and educational. Go and see it before 27th January 2019. It tells the story of 46 relationships between artists. Each story has dates of the relationship, extracts from personal letters and a selection of art created by all the people involved. Why is it special? I can’t remember reading every single description in an art gallery … Continue reading The art of relationships
