Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

On Saturday morning I was sitting at my desk. All of the lights went out. I looked at our fuse board. The main switch had tripped. I switched it on again; it tripped out again. My electrical knowledge and expertise has significant limitations. I tried to think logically, rationally. There’s a fault somewhere… I switchedContinue reading “Beyond Rationality”

Yesterday I heard about Daniel Fairbrother. A police patrol car in Stevenage, Hertfordshire stopped Daniel, who was jogging with a 25.7kg fridge strapped to his back. The police thought he might be up to no good; Daniel explained that he’s training for the London marathon.  Raising money for Diabetes UK he’s trying to break aContinue reading “Carrying A Fridge-Load”

Yesterday, Business Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, was interviewed. She was justifying the sacking of Henry Staunton, the chairman of the Post Office, discussing the difficulties the Post Office is having. One of the sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted in the Horizon scandal was asked if it would make any difference. She said that the government were employing aContinue reading “Dead Cat Strategy”

Father, I place into Your handsThe things I cannot do,Father, I place into your handsThe things that I’ve been through.Father, I place into Your handsThe way that I should go,For I know I always can trust You. Father, I place into Your handsMy friends and family.Father, I place into Your handsThe things that trouble me.Father,Continue reading “Father, I Place Into Your Hands”

On last night’s news Stuart Lawrence was interviewed. Stuart is the younger brother of Stephen Lawrence, who, in 1993, aged eighteen, was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack. Stuart’s a motivational speaker, dedicated to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, particularly amongst young people. His message was ‘Make a Difference’. I was reminded yesterday of theContinue reading “Make a Difference”

I’ve been musing on ‘Freedom of Choice’: A.J. Jacobs talks about ‘Freedom from Choice’, quoting Albert Einstein who owned seven identical suits, so that he wouldn’t have to choose what to wear. Jacobs tells of an experiment set up at a grocery store. Researchers set up two tables offering free jam tasting. One table hadContinue reading “Freedom From Choice”

Katharine Birbalsingh is the headteacher of Michaela Community School, known as ‘the strictest school in the country’. It has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating and excellent academic outcomes. Ms Birbalsingh is being sued by a female Musim pupil for banning ritual prayer during the school day. It seems that a group of Muslim pupils were usingContinue reading “Freedom of Religion?”

Yesterday wife-Rachel went with daughter-Jo to our local wildlife park. Her story of the day was of her close encounter with a lion… in a cage, behind glass. Meanwhile I was bird-watching. In a ditch, close to our house and a busy main road, was a little egret – a small heron… Rachel’s lion… myContinue reading “Freedom to Choose”

A.J. Jacobs, in ‘The Year of Living Biblically’, describes a year in which he tries to follow all the rules and guidelines he could find in the Bible… The famous ones, like the Ten Commandments or loving your neighbour, are straightforward. ‘Be fruitful and multiply’ and ‘Don’t shave your beard’ are more interesting. ‘Don’t wearContinue reading “Living Biblically”

Grandson-Luca has won a competition, designing a dress for the dame in the Lowestoft Players’ Pantomime. His had a musical theme… Pantomime dames have been around for generations. Men dressing up as women – in this case Cinderella’s ugly sisters – is a bit of fun – traditional Christmas family theatre. I know several lovelyContinue reading “The Actor’s Role and Identity”