Month: September 2001

Wise words, and ones that I agree with.

Yet another article to read.

Another thought provoking article.

Just about every UK newspaper has produced at least one, if not several, full colour photo supplements recording the scenes from the past few days, ranging from eight to sixteen pages. You almost sit looking at some of the pictures and think “my, what an excellent photograph!” until you stop to think about what the images represent. The souvenirs are just like the sort of thing that is published when there is a royal wedding or similar event – you almost feel that you should be keeping them for posterity. Am I the only person beginning to think that the reporting is becoming ghoulish and voyeuristic in some parts, aggressive and war-mongering in others?

I’ve long admired John Simpson’s journalism. Here are two good pieces that you should read: What now for the Taleban? (audio version) and The day that Osama bin Laden put a price on my head.

Beers tonight with Paul F, the ever-youthful Aris, the eternally lovely Julie, Arron, the splendid Brenda and Greg (I think we can now officially use the term “Brenda and Greg” now that they are cohabiting [what a crap word that is]), Dan, Claudette, Tanya, Claudine, Mich and a whole bunch of other people.
Julie, quite reasonably, suggests that it is time to lighten up at Grayblog. Tomorrow (Sunday 16th) is my first blogaversary, and I think it is time to celebrate. Yes, it has been a dreadful week, but I think it is a good thing to be defiant and continue with life as close to normal as we possibly can.
So, if you enjoy Grayblog, I’d really love to hear from you. I’ve been doing this for a year now, and I have every intention of carrying on into the future. Your reaction and encouragement will mean a lot to me. This has been a hard year on so many levels, and I am grateful for the friends I have made through blogging, and the outlet that this has given me.

TFF this week: 26 points, taking my total to 92. Time for a transfer or two, methinks.

Idle thought: I read recently (I’m sorry, I can’t remember where) that eight children under the age of five die every minute because of disease and malnutrition. On Tuesday, around 5000 people lost their lives in the terrorist attacks – a terrible atrocity, which nothing can detract from. But on that same day, 11500 under-5s died. Another 11500 died on Wednesday. And Thursday and Friday. A similar number will die today. Two have died in the time it has taken you to read this paragraph. Think about it.

An interesting article. Whilst I am not into conspiracy theories, there are several things in this article that have concerned me too. I am still not entirely convinced that bin Laden is behind this, or, if he is, that he acted alone – somehow it seems too easy to blame the bogeyman.

A good record of blog commentary on the terrorist action in the US can be found here.