What Is Going On With The News?

I watch the News and worry. People say not to bother watching but I want to know what is going on in this crazy world. After all, if we simply turn a blind eye, how will we ever deal with anything effectively?

When it comes to climate change, I hear people say things like:

‘Don’t take any notice of the News. Forget about global warming. It’s not worth thinking about.’

We could all bury our heads but that is not going to change anything for the better.

Look At Cloud Seeding…

In Dubai, there have been powerful rain storms leading to devastating floods and sand slides.

People comment on the weirdness of these weather incidents. Yet it is well known that Dubai uses cloud seeding to artificially create clouds.

This messing around with nature has bitten back. Massive storm clouds have resulted and much destruction caused by flash flooding and intense storms.

As For The Royals

Princess Kate has just had abdominal surgery and is having time off from royal duties to recover.

Yet Tiktok and News outlets are obsessed with knowing what exactly she had suffered from. Speculation has gone mad and now a photo released on Mothering Sunday has stirred up gossip.

So what if Kate cropped a family photograph?

Who hasn’t edited a photo to make it look slightly better, less dark or a little less smudged?

It is bonkers that the media is now accusing the royals of lying because of this. Give a poorly woman a break!

And As For Trump…

I would need to write a whole essay just about him and his apparent comeback. I can’t face that right now.

OK

RANT OVER

Has the News wound you up lately too?

Read, Watch, Listen – March

It has been a while since I did one of my monthly roundups of entertainment suggestions. This feature samples a book, a TV show and a podcast that I am currently enjoying.

Check out my reviews and see whether any take your fancy. This month I mention a drama set in Asia, a fanciful story about The Queen and a really funny podcast about death.

Read – The Uncommon Reader – By Alan Bennett

Thinking about the Queen in her prime, this story imagines her becoming a bookworm.

If the monarch started neglecting her duties due to a bookish obsession what might happen?

Alan Bennett explores this subject cleverly with gentle narrative and witty skill. It is a rather short book but nonetheless satisfying. With a book stuffed behind the seat of her state event carriage and a constant desire to quiz guests about their reading, it makes for an entertaining read.

Watch – Expats – on Amazon Prime Video

Nicole Kidman plays Margaret, an American lady who came over to Hong Kong with her husband and ended up staying longer than expected.

The reason for this was tragic. Their youngest son went missing during a visit to the well known Hong Kong night market. The six episodes follow various characters, including the young nanny, the housekeeper and various wealthy Expat friends.

Listen to – Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake

Kathy Burke hosts this hilarious podcast which interviews stars about their ideal deaths, funerals and wakes.

Kathy is well known for her funny roles in ‘Kevin and Perry,’ ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’ and ‘Absolutely Fabulous.’ I have even seen her direct an Oscar Wilde theatre play.

She is clever and scathing, known for her no-nonsense honesty and potty mouth.

The first interview she did involved Jennifer Saunders and she had me laughing my head off.

And Finally

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my recommendations. Hopefully something grabbed your interest.

Feel free to share your thoughts on one of these in the comments.

If you like my articles, perhaps also consider following my little blog for future similar content. I write reviews of books, movies and TV shows as well as discussing environmental problems and sharing life hacks.

Weather Or Climate?

When Michelle decided to write the latest lead post from the Climate Change Collective about the difference between Weather and Climate, I was especially intrigued.

As a Geography student I changed my degree after one year to a BSc(Hons) instead of a BA(Hons) in order that I could concentrate more on physical geography. A big part of this was the study of climate, and in particular, climate change.

A lot of people mix up the two things. Often people assume a few hot or cold days mean a change in climate but generally climate is about averages. Average rainfall, temperature and windspeed. Weather is more a description of what is happening right now in our blustery skies.

Lately, a short cold burst has led to people quickly condemning the idea of climate change. This is shortsighted and doesn’t make much sense.

Over half a century, world average temperatures have increased significantly. Occasional freak weather conditions do nothing to undo this fact.

Check out Michelle’s wonderful article to find out more about this subject. I hope that you can see how important it is to be able to distinguish between Weather and Climate.