— Bob-a-job-alog-a-roonie

These people have caught my attention a lot. They are very contrary, talented, and winning.

Billie Eilish – hasn’t rushed out a new album. Persists with the baggy clothes that is affecting an entire generation, steering us away from judging people physically.

Taika Waititi – his role in Jojo Rabbit was insane, and also Oscar nominated for the movie itself. Made one of the best Marvel movies, and What We Do In The Shadows on TV is awesome. Plus, is not shy with fashion.

Bryson Dechambeau – ramped up his physique rapidly and against perceived wisdom – apparently that much muscle ruins your golf swing. Wrong, he is dominating.

AOC – keeps shining bright – is simply presenting the right message in the right way + charisma

Greta Thunberg – last year was her year, but like Billie Eilish she has maintained a presence without pushing hard. Biding her time…

The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many – the things we trust will always be there aren’t so trustworthy after all.

Toilet paper / bathroom tissue / loo roll has been part of human lives for not much longer than a century, and yet doing without it horrifies us.

We can become more appreciative of what we have, and more resilient when we are without, by occasionally, purposefully, doing without.

For those who have a toilet in the same room as the shower, go a day or two without buying toilet paper after running out. Sluice yourself in the shower. Experience something different, and revel in your adaptability.

Try tea without milk for a week, you might find you like it better. Go without bread, or pasta, or rice. Try sandwiches without butter. Skip shampoo or moisturiser.

Not refilling is easier than purposefully not using something that is sitting there. And you can refill any time you wish, if it is too uncomfortable for you.

It’s an adventure. A cost-free, risk-free experiment in not living precisely the same week as last week.

Just a small thought, that is a bit different to the standard explanation.

It is no coincidence that the demise of gay bars equals the rise of apps like Grindr. Likewise, there has been a decrease in venues that catered for straight young people simply seeking to hook up. But straight people didn’t stop going to bars, they still socialise as much as ever.

My little thought is that

1. Gay folk are more comfortable in straight environments these days, so they don’t need their own designated bars
2. It may be too presumptuous to think that gay only want to hang out with gay people. In fact, many might find such scenes tiresome

I think that with increased acceptance, and Grindr removing the hook up aspect that was such a factor in gay bars, we are simply seeing pubs and clubs as being designated as for people – in whichever flavour they come in.