Issue 122

.. in the first century BC and capture by pirates might have been described as ‘an occupational hazard for Roman aristocrats* . Among their more celebrated captives was Julius Caesar who, when the pirates demanded a ransom of twenty talents, indignantly claimed he was worth fifty. He also told his captors that that he would…

Mike’s Pith & Wind cont. But I’m getting less sure that I’ve got the time. Film stars and musicians I grew up with are dropping of the coil daily. Friends and acquaintances, family – there’s hardly a day goes by when I don’t hear of somebody I knew being menaced by or succumbing to various…

Mike’s Pith & Wind cont. .. rammed down our throats then and so retained a healthy sense of inquisitiveness and, well, a healthy naivety. I feel sorry for kids missing out on a chunk of their childhood because they’re confronted with adults’ version of reality too soon. No wonder youth suicide is an issue… but…

..serviced in anticipation. I was about 10,000 k overdue, which is unusual for me but reflects the precarious state of my income stream. I had it done here at home for the first time by a mobile mechanic, and so far it’s all good. It was probably half my usual cost and I know for…

.. Pepper could well have used Bill as their model and I’m sure you can think of many more examples. He was actually once asked if he’d consider playing the role of Derek Smalls in a Spinal Tap musical – or was it a Spinal Tap tribute band? Either way he wasn’t interested – in…