Three-Part Essay.

An inter-connected thought about a forthcoming 'festa junina' party, a Panorama special about the dark side of the World Cup and Brazil's most vulnerable people.

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ENGLAND AT THIS REMOVE.

Beachy HeadAt this distance from the UK, steeped in the clear air of separation from all the received notions and behaviours of one’s homeland that you put on like an old coat as soon as you return, I can’t help feeling that the secret to living in England has to lie in not succumbing to the pessimistic viewpoint propagated by the media and the people who believe the media. You have to find a bit of clear space and look after it and not worry about the rest. Of course, I know now that I always feel this way whenever I’ve been out of the UK for a spell. The only difference from the way I was when I came back from India aged 19 full of unshakeable conviction is that now I know I will lose this certainty just like all the others.

Here's a thing.

And it would probably be helpful if I explained it a bit. But that would imply that I'm taking this seriously, which I'm not, and that I have the time to unpack abstruse cultural theories, which I don't.

Beans, Beans, Beans.

Some feijão.My wife complains whenever I eat feijão, the staple accompaniment to every Brazilian lunch. She says it makes me smell 'empty'. How is that even possible? And even assuming it IS possible, what am I supposed to do about it? Does she think I don't have enough to worry about, without her accusations of metaphysical halitosis as well? Jesus.

Transcendence of the Dolls.

Quite literally a couple of thoughts about a recent Julia Donaldson title, The Paper Dolls, featuring illustrations by Rebecca Cobb.

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