I’m having a week off!

Having written almost daily for the past 5 years, I feel it is time to have a week off – partly because of circumstances beyond my control, due to my participation in  a discussion of the “Dark Side of Civil Society” – and yes there is a dark side (at least potentially in some cases, actual in others) – and partly because I need to temporarily severe the umbilical chord between the computer and myself just to prove to myself that I can.

After all, nothing truly unexpected or even remotely surprising is likely to come by way of effective policy or political movement from the feckless Ukrainian political class between now an 5th or 6th May when I shall reconnect my umbilical hardware and carry on where I left off.

Thus – I hope – there will be little by way of blogging, twitter or other social media from me for the next 7 days.

Absolutely nothing to do with Ukraine – A day off in search of Bowie!

Right!  Some things and some occurrences are momentarily more important than the big and complex issues of the day, or the lunatics that run the Ukrainian asylum.

Tickets to the Last night of the Proms, a front row seat to see Dame Shirley Bassey belting out songs just as forcefully as she did more than 50 years ago, the chance to jam with Clapton or BB King, a seat in the audience for an unplugged Alison Moyet – these are all things that would stop this blog being written for a day or two whilst I indulged myself.

Today is such a day.  Today is the release of the first David Bowie album in 10 years.  I am a collector of Bowie.  I am a fan.

If you people think I am sitting here writing instead of finding Bowie’s new album and listening to it at least four times today – you are dreaming!

Today, I am in search of – and will find – “The Next Day” by Mr Bowie.

I suggest you entertain yourselves for a while!

Счастливого Рождества

Happy New Year – С Ноывим Годом

A very predictable, but nonetheless necessary, New Years wish to all my readers this year – whether it be at this or the other blogs, or the snippets I write that appear in far more notable and esteemed places.

Of course, whilst my wish to you all is that your dreams and desires for 2013 come true – just be careful what you wish for!

(Oh – expect nothing from me tomorrow…..and possibly the next day if it gets particularly messy!)

By the way, the 2012 statistic for the blog state 68784 readers from 167 countries as of the time of writing – thank one and all who spend their time reading my ruminations every now and then!

Incapable……

Simply nothing compos mentis is at all possible today – sorry – far too much Christmas spirit was imbibed!

I’m back!

After a very wet and soggy time over in the UK, I am very happy to say I have made it back to Ukraine.

I have absolutely no idea what has been happening in my absence and equally I have no idea what has been happening in the UK as I have deliberately been e-communication-less and severed from all news.  It was a truly enjoyable experience to be quite frank.

Now I must immerse myself back into what is happening in Ukraine, which undoubtedly will be more of the same nonsense, poor or counterproductive policies, shenanigans, nefariousness and general discombobulation associated with Ukraine.

Normal blogging service will be resumed forthwith(ish).

All that said, it’s soooooo good to be back in Odessa!

Off on holiday (of sorts)

Right.  Tomorrow I leave the dysfunctional state of Ukraine and head for (the less than) United Kingdom for 10 days or so.

I am tagging on some days holiday prior to, and post, a symposium I am expected to attend in the ever beautiful city of Bath.

Therefore I very much doubt I will be blogging, tweeting, emailing or any other kind of e-communicating between now and 2 or 3 December when I get back to Ukraine.

You will therefore have to entertain yourselves for a while!

Moving – Back in a day or two!

In case you are wondering why the entries have been sporadic – I’m moving to my place by the sea in the rather exotically named Arcadia, here in Odessa.

Assuming the sciatica remains reasonably content, I expect normal service will resume on Monday.  Tuesday at the latest.

In the meantime, entertain yourselves with the “Services” offered at Odessatalk!