Author: fatzorroofcato

So obviously everyone’s talking about how we’ll never return to sharing offices and how virtual work is at least as good as sharing space, and without the commute, too. I’ve always been an advocate of people coming to the office, and at the start of this I felt like a dinosaur, having to learn the … Continue reading Not-so-splendid isolation

If, like me, you're thinking about losing that couple of extra pounds you've gained over the festive period, then this is the recipe for you. You'll recognise the basics from my pork bastard recipe in December. What we've done here is really dialled down the volume, but (I'd like to think) kept the flavour and … Continue reading New year, new you

It started with a conversation in the office. Jo and Mandy were egging me on to experiment with the rest of a loin of pork I’d essentially ruined on Sunday last. With Mrs T away and only the cats to scare with my cooking, now did seem like the perfect time to try the skills … Continue reading Monsterchef

So I've finally given in and decided to share my signature recipe. As usual with these things, it's important that you experiment with what works for you, but the basic recipe will get you close to the real deal. I came across this dish originally in a Chinese restaurant in Doncaster. It's not there now; … Continue reading Pork bastard

I got a bit ruthless with my entertainment about ten years ago: - stopped going to the cinema because of all the noise and because the films I went to see were flashing light shows (I used to like a bit of “arthouse” cinema but we never got to see that) - stopped watching TV … Continue reading Poems

Last month, I was reviewing an USDAW publication that included Personal injury/ Employer liability claims that they had supported, during a training course at a warehouse. As usual, there were lots of small claims for everything from bruising to back injury. Worth noting that the claims for discrimination were properly bigger than those for injury. … Continue reading Let’s play a game

So the problem for Sparky is being in a band with me. The bigger part of that is being in *two* bands with me, one of which offers him no protection from my whims (see “Whims"). And I’m on what can only be called a “hot streak” of whims right now. First up: our friend … Continue reading Yes men

So last night my band played its first ever Corporate gig. It was a 30th anniversary party for a recycling company held at a local football ground. A good friend of ours organised the whole thing and we're delighted she invited us. We've never done corporate before and a bunch of heavy things needed to … Continue reading Not crossing the Rubicon

Last week I was working in London in one of those anonymous meetings venues. Our group were the epitome of self-determining civil servants. They’ve been brilliant and conscientious and humane and thoughtful in all of our dealings. On Thursday, we arrived at the venue and straightaway, one of our learners complained that the room was … Continue reading Negotiain’t

We kept wondering what the National Guard was, for no big reason, the last two weeks whilst we were guests of America.  Eventually, on the tram back from Tijuana, I remembered to check Wikipedia.  Turns out it’s a set of state-specific reserve soldiers, who can be called upon to assist Federally but who are bound … Continue reading The National Guard