At the end of January, I posted this on my Instagram and Facebook pages: Initially, I was concerned that my friends would think that I was being melodramatic, or believe that my social media addiction was worse than it actually was. Perhaps some of those who had stepped back from the platforms already were asking…
Category: Off road
Spin Class
Before I begin, I must admit that spin and I are not exactly on good terms. On our first ever encounter, I was hungover. I had ambitiously arranged a 7am date, believing I could power through on four hours of sleep. I soon discovered I was wrong. The instructor was not sympathetic. She relentlessly told…
Consumer
I’m a consumer. I consume the news, the views, the Fake stuff, the praying for you’s, the foibles of democracy, hypocrisy, tragedy. I consume Netflix, binge drinks, hollow chick flicks, Japanese pop. lit. with rave reviews. I consume the property owner dreams, the ageing Queen, the has-beens and the gossip of those I’ve never seen….
The Serpent
A serpent lies dormant in my chest It wraps itself around my ribs, sleeping. When I think of all my failings It slips down, landing heavily on my gut Squashing my diaphragm Redirecting the blood away from my head. Its tail flickers dangerously up my throat The death rattle by my tonsils I am afraid…
The Inseparability of Twins
Twins are not that rare a phenomenon, with 8-16 pairs of twins per 1,000 pregnancies in Europe, North America and the Middle East. Of these, around a quarter are a subset called mirror twins. There is a simple Thai phrase which sums up my experience as an identical mirror twin, ‘Same, same but different.’ Here are my…
Goodbye Grandad
We’ll miss your twinkly eyes and trademark floppy hair. Your inevitable snooze after lunch. The work ethic that meant you conveniently forgot about being retired. The impressive community spirit that you built with Barbrooks store and your sporting endeavours. Reydon is going to miss you immensely. The meticulous way you arranged the fruit and veg….
An Unusual Request
“Good morning. Is that Sheffield County Council?” “Yes, how can I be of assistance?” “Well…this is a slightly strange request. I’m organising a naked calendar as a charity fundraiser, and wondered whether I need permission for the shoots.” “Oh, right. [Long silence]. Where are you planning to take these photos?” “All over Sheffield. There’s around 20…
Reconfiguring
Moving abroad can feel like falling into the Catch-22 mechanism where every incremental step forwards relies on something unattainable. Take my case, for example. I arrived in Singapore with an IPA (that’s an In Principle Approval letter). That’s enough to get you in to work, with an understanding that you’ll obtain the Employment Pass (EP)…
Chop and change
I sat in the chair, facing a mirror with a stranger holding scissors by my ears. Moments later, before even wetting my hair that I have grown since the age of twelve, I watched as he slowly cut along in rough lines above my shoulders. The floor was thick with my hair, which lay in a…
Ferns and forest 