Not much happens out of the blue. The snakes of lightning across one’s vision before a migraine, the same argument verbatim every few weeks before a break-up, the sudden dread when you know someone’s about to break unwanted news – signs, more often than not, are there in plain sight. I’ve been thinking a lot… Continue reading On the good side
Tag: opinion
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A few weeks ago, Labour MP Jess Phillips commented that one of the ways sex education could be improved is by discussing female pleasure. “We should be telling girls about orgasms during sex education,” she said in an interview with Grazia. “I’m not suggesting we teach children how to masturbate, I’m suggesting we talk to them… Continue reading Tumblr-ing down
So much left to do
Sometimes I like to play a little game with myself called, “What would a world designed by women look like?” (I know; I’m great fun at parties.) The first things that jump to mind are always fairly minor inconveniences, like high shelves and heavy doors. Shop space designed by women would surely bring the higher… Continue reading So much left to do
The houseguest
If you invite someone into your home, you do so because you want them there. If they turn violent, start to smash your belongings and pose a danger to you, you’re entitled to make them leave, or call for help. If someone breaks into your home – kicks the door down, batters their way in,… Continue reading The houseguest
Changing the agenda
I don’t listen to the Today programme anymore – I did for a while, and when I’ve got the hang of leaping out of bed on the dot of 6am rather than hitting snooze five times and eventually stumbling into the shower at 6.20, I daresay I will again – but I was quite intrigued*… Continue reading Changing the agenda
Unpopular opinions
I have no time for contrarians, as you know – disliking popular things just to be different tends to be the hallmark of the incurably insufferable – but when the below tweet did the rounds a few days ago, it got thousands of replies, many of which were hilarious. To absolutely no-one’s surprise, it turns… Continue reading Unpopular opinions
On politics and anger
It was about twenty years ago that, following one of her traditional Sunday roasts, my darling Granny managed to serve someone’s portion of rhubarb crumble with mayonnaise. It went down in Parnell-Helyer history, and became a kind of family shorthand for an act of foolishness: “it’s all gone a bit mayonnaise-on-the-rhubarb”. Whenever I recall it… Continue reading On politics and anger
When fear is the easy option
I’m quite excitable by nature – it doesn’t take much to give me one of those mini-rushes of everyday joy*. The mere sight of Brighton’s white buildings against blue skies. Meeting dogs – any dogs – on the street or at the beach. Plump-cheeked toddlers. Pretty skirts and dresses. Pretty skirts and dresses that have… Continue reading When fear is the easy option
Inbetween Girl 