Drovers Barn, Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR3 6EU, GB
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WHO'S A LUCKY BOY THEN?
It's quite an achievement entering one's 8th decade in one piece - relatively speaking - and still bouncing on the right side of Shakespeare's mortal coil. So it's only fitting that the occasion should be celebrated accordingly, and I am immensely grateful to my other half for putting on some glorious surprises. More about that as the festivities progress throughout my 'birthday season' but one special moment came just this very afternoon (Friday 31st May) here at the annual Hay-on-Wye literary festival and I am so chuffed by it all that I just had to share it here.
Professor Anthony Clifford ('AC') Grayling CBE FRSA FRSL is, to me, simply 'da man'. Yes, I know, other philosophers are available but there is something about his genial, almost avuncular style that barely conceals a piercing erudition and faultless progression through logical discourse (much of which may be equated with Voltaire's common sense that isn't quite so common) and which has captivated me from the beginning of my own quest for Aristotle's elusive 'eudaimonia' (just Google it).
The Professor writes about other stuff as well, and on this particular afternoon he was promoting his latest book Who Owns The Moon, a disturbing critique of what may come to pass when everyone wants a bit of it. Basically, if anyone thinks the likes of China, India or Russia - or even the USA and the UK - are spending billions up there simply to expand our understanding of the universe then your very own perch in cloud-cuckoo-land awaits. Rare minerals, essential to our modern way of life - here comes the new Gold Rush, folks. And the international punch-ups to go with it, should we not acknowledge the lessons from history and act right now.
If you've not heard of Prof. Grayling then let me suggest he is to contemporary philosophers what Hendrix was to rock music. IMHO, to put it in text-speak, anyone but anyone who has the remotest interest in pursuing philosophy must place Bertrand Russell's monumental History of Western Philosophy (1946) high on their list of required reading. IMHO (there's that text-speak again) Prof. Grayling is our Bertrand Russell for the 21st Century. In fact I told him as much, and he seemed genuinely touched by the compliment.
So, here I am (that's me on the left, by the way) having a book signed, chatting and shaking him warmly by the hand. And that's the difference between me and you, my loyal readers. Y'see, I have now shaken the hand of Professor A.C Grayling. And you ain't, so there. Ta-da! Happy birthday to me.
(Note to GF: you may have to edit this last paragraph a little bit so you don't come across as too smartypants - Ed)
posted 31.5.24
GF meets his philosophical mentor
Lots more to come, folks ...
... so feel free to browse awhile and revel in the absence of a paywall. You are about to enter quite an eclectic website which we hope you enjoy - please do tell us via the button above. In the meantime, just to get you into the swing of things, here's a cat. Everybody loves cats, don't they? I hear even the Pope does; in fact he's a confirmed Cat-a-holic (with thanks to the master of silliness Milton Jones for that one).
Anyway, here is one of five such critters, plus two dogs, that begrudgingly allow us to live chez nous. This is Maisie the Minx. She is, as you can see, a bone idle slob like the rest of 'em. The money we spent on mouse traps because she is too lazy to move is considerable. She is resting on an Aga, which she does for hours. The Aga is on. Admittedly it was a cold morning. But will she shift? No way; just hold your ear close to the screen and you can actually hear her innards burbling.(*)
(* And I bet you just tried that!)
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JUST BEWARE OF THE CATS; THEY POP UP EVERYWHERE ...