Borisian thoughts
Before today's Sunday Sequence, I read the opening chapter of Andrew Grimson's new book, Boris: the Rise of Boris Johnson -- we'll be reviewing it soon on the Book Programme. Chronological serendipity smiled from the first page, with a quotation from Edward Gibbon's Autobiography:
It was at Rome, on the 15th of October 1764, as I sat musing amidst the ruins of the Capitol, while barefooted friars were singing vespers in the Temple of Jupiter, that the idea of writing the decline and fall of the city first started to my mind.
How strange that I should be reading that entry on this the 15th of October -- and stranger still since today is my birthday. It's enough to make you decline and fall off your chair. As I've pointed out in many an after dinner speech: the 15th of October is also the birthday of the philosopher Friedrich Nietsche, the mystic Theresa of Avila, and the erstwhile leader of Unionism David Trimble. The ultimate birthday lunch would be a table made up of historical figures with whom we share a birthday. I miss , by one day, the opportunity to dine with Margaret Thatcher -- but she has compensation enough in sharing a meal with Oscar Wilde. You'd pay to eavesdrop on that one, wouldn't you?
Comments
Happy Birthday WIll
On the day I heard that our local politicians could be 'powersplitting' soon
and on the day I wondered if your Birthday lunch is vegetarian and you weren't being abused or abusing meat.
I've got myself a vegetarian starter pack, Will! Not promising anything though. :-)
Many happy returns William.
Marcus: I did that about 5 or 6 years ago. I'm still eating meat...unrepentantly...and it tastes good. There's a a serious limit to peas and carrots my friend. Not only will you crap for ireland eating too much of that gunk, but you'll have to put up with limited menu choices in restaurants and drive yourself nuts asking why restaurant chefs think vegetarians don't want to eat as much food so it's OK to serve them miserable portions. But, if you don't really value your own happiness then eat all the turnip and refried beans you wish. It means there's more steak for me.
SG
Great information thanks.
Great information thanks.
Great information thanks.