• With family, we revert to age 12 Family hurts. They are the hardest reminders of the gnarliest, unprettiest bits of ourselves. They hold up the rawest reflections. No smoke, just mirrors. And so we revert to our 12-year-old selves in defensive response. I don’t know about you. I was 12 when I really started to hurt. I was 12 when I was more
• on valentine’s day, it could be worse. You could be my mum. My Dad just sent this email update. I’ve written before about his group emails. I thought I’d share because it made my day. Bear in mind, this from a man who bought my mum an iron for her 21st. Hey kids Look at the terrific present I made mum for Valentines Day. It will be more
• jo’s four favourite posts I’m on leave, so this is a in-case-you-missed-it post. I asked right-hand chick Jo to highlight her favourite posts from the year. Here they are: (PS. this pic above is one Jo took from her flat…she sits here to think each morning…) 1. I love this post: The best reason I’ve ever found for backing more
• rockstars at mum and dad’s house How vulnerably daggy are these shots taken by Life photographer John Olson in the 1970s? I like how these cool, subversive types (OK, Elton, not so much) are transformed when juxtapositioned with mum and dad, and with brick veneer and formica as a backdrop. Do you find this with your parents? You revert to form more
• sunday life: in which I quit the sunday afternoon email catch-up habit This week I reclaim my Sunday Sundays are sad. So says a Swedish study just out. It found the Sabbath the most depressing day of the week because (and I just love how big, important studies have an uncanny knack for pointing out the bleeding obvious) it’s the day before school and work starts. It more
• a cheerful* christmas to you all I just needed an excuse to post this snap courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com: * and just a little reminder for anyone finding themselves reading this because they’re feeling overwhelmed by family and Christmas and expectations, you don’t have to be having a “happy” Christmas. Last night I slept on a foam mattress.