News
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Enough with the cold weather
This winter has been so long that I'm beginning to think I live in Narnia. As I sit here, typing these words - wearing multiple layers and gloves - I can safely say that I have had enough of being cold.
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No show Northern Lights
Every year, there are at least a handful of occasions when the news tells us that we are in for a celestial treat; usually it's a comet, an eclipse, aligned planets, meteor showers or, as was the case tonight, the Northern Lights. On every single occasion, without exception, I've seen absolutely nothing.
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Standby for panic buying
Over recent days, images of empty supermarket shelves have once again begun to appear on social media and, in so doing, have set in motion an unstoppable phenomenon that will be sweeping the country before the weekend. Panic buying.
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Why Pancake Day is uniquely British
This evening, families, couples, singletons and people who only ever get their frying pans out once a year, will gather in their kitchens to throw scalding hot pancakes in the air. For today is Pancake Day, a British celebration like no other.
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Why censoring Roald Dahl is a dangerous step
Augustus Gloop is fat. The Witches are terrifying old hags and the Oompa Loompas are small men. Born of the imagination of Roald Dahl, they are - together with Dahl's countless other masterfully crafted heroes and villains - the legendary characters that have fascinated, entertained and terrified generations of children, myself included.
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Thank a volunteer this Random Acts of Kindness Day
It's Random Acts of Kindness Day, the one day of the year when old ladies across the world can head to the nearest pavement, confident of a helping hand to cross the road. A fantastic concept and one that is promoted across schools, scouting associations and children's groups everywhere, it's been lovely to see my own kids embracing the day.
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Balloons, aliens and sausage rolls
In an age of high-tech international cyber crime, there's something refreshingly old school about a superpower using balloons to allegedly spy on its enemies. Over the last week or so it seems that the US has scrambled F-16s at the site of any kind of inflatable flying objects in its airspace. The result is that #aliens and #UFOs are currently trending on social media as the world hypothesises over the international, or intergalactic origins of the obliterated objects.
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Welcome to Midlife On Earth
A topical magazine blog on midlife, written by a 40-something man for middle-aged men. Expect news, comment and opinions on almost anything.