Finally! Mitchell has gone!

Finally, the wretched Tory toff Andrew Mitchell has resigned. What Andrew Mitchell actually said we still do not know. I'd like to bet though that he used the word 'pleb' as an insult to humiliate someone he believed was less important than himself. That word 'pleb' is so revelatory of the real views of the Tories. They are the privileged ones and all the rest of us should dance attendance upon them. The sooner we boot them out, the better!

Sean and Marcus, Sophie and Sian - Corrie's courage.

I wrote about the sensitive and compassionate way in which Coronation Street is tackling Alzheimer's but I'm also so impressed by the way in which gay relationships are presented.I think I'm right in stating that Tod, Eileen's rather cultured, refined son, was the first to be involved in a gay relationship in 2004. Since then of course we have seen Sophie and Sian (with a little input from a rather manipulative Amber)and the truly delightful relationship between Sean and Marcus. They seem to me to be ideally suited and so convincing as both men are such superb actors. Both display real generosity of spirit in their relationship with each other and to other people.

Homophobia and the pejorative way in which some people think they have the right to talk about gay people is a particular bugbear of mine. Many people have the utterly misinformed view that the only aspect of life gay people think about is sex and their sexuality. Such nonsense! Many ignorant people believe that homosexual equals pedophile; again utter nonsense! I believe that Coronation Street has made enormous strides in countering the prejudices people have felt, without thinking, about gay people.

Coronation Street is so much more than a soap opera - it should never be dismissed as just a soap opera. Tony Warren, the show's creator and a gay man must be so proud to see his creation making such terrific progress in shifting attitudes towards gay people.

The wonderful Eileen Grimshaw of Coronation Street.

Can there be, please, some good luck somewhere for Eileen. This woman allows so many people, down on their luck to share her home.She retains a dry sense of humour, looks better than she did a few years ago and work so hard! Would it be too much to wish for that Eileen gets some good fortune soon?

Alzheimer's on Coronation Street

Once again the writers at Coronation Street handle a very emotional and distressing illness with great skill. The fact that Leslie is in early middle age and has Alzheimer's is perhaps a shock to viewers but it is certainly true that people can and do become affected at a relatively youthful age. Personally I know 2 women who have it -one is just 49 and has had it for 3 years and the other is now 55 and has had it for 5 years. The latter case, to me, was particularly shocking as she had been a brilliant drama teacher. She worked in a challenging area of Sheffield and was well known for her tireless persistence in her belief that all children would benefit from involvement in drama. It is unbearably sad to think of her now limited life and her need for 24 hour care.

For anyone affected by this story line can find out more information regarding Alzheimer's disease at alzheimers.org.uk

Is Lewis still a cad and a conman?

Brilliant the way the story of Lewis and Audrey in Coronation Street is unfolding. What skilful writing, acting, directing and producing!

As I watch I'm trying to detect a look, a glance, a nervous gesture which will indicate whether or not Lewis's intentions towards Audrey are honourable or whether he's up to his old tricks and the money Audrey has made through tinting, perming, colouring, trimming and conditioning will all be lost. Surely Audrey will not be the 'no fool like an old fool' for a second time. We'll see...

Mary is one of the very best characters to appear in Coronation Street. It is her mix of old - fashioned clothing,her undercurrent of malevolence and her enduring passion for Norris that makes her so interesting. In addition, there's her competition entries, her weird and wonderful monologues and her wish to organise everyone that all adds to the marvel that is Mary. I would love to see a big story centred around her and some more of her back story.

Later love in Coronation Street

I'm most impressed by the treatment of what I'm calling Later Love in Coronation Street. So we have Audrey and Lewis, Rita and Dennis and to an extent, Mary and Norris, though of course it's much more Mary than it is Norris. This Later Love explosion for which Eileen and her fireman Paul might also qualify, is in my view refreshing. As ever Coronation Street succeeds in mirroring change within contemporary society.


People are living longer, online dating is providing countless opportunities for people to meet and there has been a rise in the number of more mature people divorcing, probably driven by improved longevity, 6o is the new 40, and the increase in plastic surgery. I make no judgement at all.

Gail though is very exercised by her mother's behaviour and understandably so. Audrey was made to look a fool last time with Lewis and it will be very interesting to see where the brilliant script writers will take Audrey and Lewis this time. Gail, it must be remembered is Audrey's daughter and there has, since time began, been the revulsion factor concerning a parent engaging in the physical act of love! Admittedly, I too feel a little tense for Audrey. We'll see...

Great credit to the writers for tackling Later Love. We see so many young people in relationships - all beautifully smooth-skinned, toned and honed and frankly it's all rather dull and predictable. I'll bet there will be many tears shed, of happiness as course, as Rita and Dennis get spliced, unless of course the writers have a surprise up their sleeves. And Norris? I can't be the only avid fan who senses Norris' unrequited love. Great character though she is, In fact she's a brilliant creation, Mary is no match for the lovely cabaret girl, Rita Sullivan.

Smokin'

An interesting aspect of language is that an action or habit many people think of as disgusting, smoking, is also used as an adjective to describe someone who is very attractive, as in he's/she's smokin'- it features in the film The Mask.

So, I've been thinking about smoking as in the act of lighting a cigarette - ah but wait because that's not the start of it. The start is when you take the cellophane off the packet, then open the packet, remove the silver paper, take out a selected cigarette and that's when you light it.
I might say at this point that I stopped smoking, something I loved, almost exactly eight years ago. I miss it and I believe I would be a least a couple of stone lighter if still smoked. But, I knew I had to stop because I would die a premature death otherwise. So, cold turkey it was.

It isn't just the smoking I miss, it's the whole ritual. I loved the click of the lighter, the explosive match and the smell of the phosphorous. Back in the day, I also loved the offering of the cigarettes to others as we sat in the pub. There was something very companionable about it - sharing ideas, getting slightly drunk and 'crashing' the fags,as we used to say.

Of course, smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health. I am NOT promoting smoking, in fact I think everyone should stop- NOW. Still though there lurks in me an idea that actually, smoking is cool and it's the more interesting people who smoke. Yes, interesting maybe, but sadly, sooner dead than more boring people.

Dunelm Mill

Not a terribly inspiring title but the point I'm about to make is of interest, I think. For those who don't know, Dunelm Mill is a cheap shop selling bedding, bathroom stuff, kitchen equipment and general house stuff. The shop looks unsophisticated, the layout is old fashioned and the poor staff have to wear a hideous uniform. They yell at each other across the shop and they trundle around with huge trolleys laden with goods and do not give way to customers.

Now, my point is that with a little more refinement, some low calorie diets, a presentable set of clothing, a few training sessions on the basics of customer care and a refurbishment, this shop could be so much better. In fact if you isolate each item on sale and placed them say in The White Company shop in London, high end sophisticated shop, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the stock of Dunelm Mill and The White Company. It seems to me that it's all about image, location and presentation. In other words it's a con trick. I have bought some white flowers, false ones, from Dunelm Mill and they are lovely. They cost, per stem, on average 99 pence. In The White Company my bet is that the same individual stems would cost at least 10 times that. We need to be wiser and more astute in our purchases in these times of austerity.

Posturing and showing off

I may be getting too cynical but today and in previous meetings I've felt annoyed by a certain group of my friends. It seems that the reason they want to meet is so that they have an audience to show off to. Some are more overt than others. Some do their showing off then say things such as, Oh dear, this sounds so ridiculously immodest.

My friends are in their 50s and 60s mainly but I do have younger friends too. I find the younger ones less boastful. I wonder why that is.
The boasts also centre around how much they love their children and how much their children love them. Tedious and transparent showing off.

The posturing involves making out how strongly they feel about certain issues. They are all purportedly left wing - easy enough when you're comfortably off and want for nothing. They would have you believe that they spend their days in a state of permanent outrage over Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq. Other issues too, which enrage them concerning our domestic policies. But it's false. I don't believe these posturers; they are really saying that they are compassionate people and care enormously about the poor, the racist treatment some have to bear and the homophobia encountered by many gay people on a regular basis. I believe they have a passing concern but when they say they are deeply upset, they exaggerate.

Theresa May and I agree - incredible,

Well, probably for the first time ever I am in full agreement with Theresa May. She's in The Times today writing in full support of gay marriage. Thank God! A sensible view from a key member of this wretched coalition. Good old Terry, if I may be so bold!

Privilege, poverty and perfume!

Worked hard today and felt knackered so sat down and switched on the tv. Well, I happened to catch The Housewives of Orange County. Those women! How privileged they are and dressed to the nines all the time!

Then, in the commercial break, we are shown images of starving children. Just makes me wonder how history will judge us. After the commercial break each of the delightful, cosmetically enhanced housewives are being asked about their personalities in order for them to have perfume ideally matched to them. Essential of course!

Anxiety over children.

Even though my children are now 27,25 and 21 I never cease to be anxious about them. As far as I know they are fine. Wholly unrealistically, I want them to be happy at all times. I want them to have good, well paid, satisfying jobs, friends who are loyal and good fun,and girlfriends who appreciate their wonderfulness.

Some say we are too involved with their lives, let them get on with it, you've done your job as a parent etc. But that's just it, there lies the rub, because you never feel that you've done all you can.

I do not have a religious bone in my body yet at the local church people started tying ribbons to a branch of a tree, invited to do so by the church. The ribbons are symbolic and so I have attached 3 ribbons and most days see those ribbons and touch them and wish for the best for my children.

Gay marriage

Gay marriage

Have other people noticed how language is changing right before our eyes (or should that be ears?. Of course this has ever been the case and though many regret it and resent it there is nothing we can do to stop it.

What I've noticed recently is that people say, 'It's worser than I thought,' for example instead of using the standard English 'worse'.Also people are saying, 'it's more better like that' instead of using the standard just 'better' on its own. All very interesting. Have others also noticed how people are missing off the suffix -ed at the end of texted as in, 'He text me yesterday' rather than texted. This sort of thing often happens because text is easier to say than texted. This is a simple reason why language changes; it's language tidying itself up and becoming user friendly.

My golden cocker spaniel Duffy is lying in front of the fire without a care in the world, except for the whereabouts of the cats.

I'm trying to motivate myself to do some marking for my A level students but keep faffing about and not getting on with it. Totally ironic as I am constantly telling my students to stop procrastinating and to get the job done.