The Intro and the Outro

A recent promotion and one or two other events in real life have left me with insufficient time to spend on this blog. As a result, and with some considerable regret, I have decided to end it. This will accordingly be the last post. It will also be the first post for anyone who happens to stumble across the blog in the future. I thought I would therefore try and say a few words about the blog and the blogging experience by way of both conclusion and introduction.

This is, or was, the blog of a half Kiwi/half English lawyer who likes cricket, current affairs, law and various bits of Western civilisation. It contains a few arguments and rants by me on various issues, usually whatever was current in the daily press, and also links to other sites I find interesting. More information on my personal tastes can be found on my profile on the right hand side of the screen.

As to cricket, I am entirely high church, without apology. That is to say, test cricket, and little else, holds my attention. I tried to enjoy the last limited overs world cup; I failed. Five nil defeats in the Ashes provided more enjoyment, and that's saying something (and nothing good either).

Politically I suppose I incline towards the Classical Liberalism of JS Mill. Needless to say I find it hard to identify with any of today's political parties. Hence I find so much political comment in the UK so tedious. Too many commentators blind themselves to the failings of their own whilst aggressively traducing the 'other side'. Even esteemed journalists like Polly Toynbee aren't immune; indeed, she might be the paradigmatic example. Besides, virtually all of British Politics was neatly summed up more than twenty years ago by Yes Minister.

As well as issues of the day, I have posted some modest efforts on somewhat weighty topics such as religion, climate change and animal rights, which I'm beginning to wonder might be the same thing, or at least variations on a theme. I have also attempted to discuss discrimination and multiculturalism and learned how much of a hornet's nest one might end up poking.

Looking back I see I have 81 posts tagged "Law", but I hope most have been written on a subject and in a way that might be of interest to general readers too.

Culturally I am unapologetically in favour of classical Western Civilisation, at least when there was such a thing. Modern art I despise. Most (though not all) of what is in the Tate Modern and almost every Turner Prize entry in history is crap. Some is literally crap. A torn canvass is not a work of art. Nor is a screwed up piece of paper. Nor a room with the light flickering on and off. Gangsta’ Rap and Simon Cowellesque fluffy pop music is not as good as Bach or Beethoven or Pink Floyd or Clapton or Led Zeppelin or Alison Krauss. Enough said.

Similarly, I disdain witchdoctors and spin doctors. Homeopathy does not work. It cannot, on its own terms. Nor does astrology. The Easter Bunny isn't real either. I could go on. I have, at length, already.

I do, however, enjoy military history, in particular the Great War, where curiously the popular British view seem to be the opposite of party politics: they dish the dirt on their own, whilst blinding themselves to the failings of others. I also enjoy films, particularly those of Stanley Kubrick, Terrence Malick and Martin Scorcese. Most of my cultural witterings were done under this link or this one.

It only remains for me to offer thanks to all those who have contributed to the comments over the time I have been writing it, they have enriched the blog immensely. I would like to say a few words about everyone out individually, but fear that I have neither the time to say it properly and, worse, would be bound to forget someone! I will still try and visit my favourite blogs when I have the chance - and, who knows, like a professional boxer, will unwisely decide to come out of retirement from time to time here. For now, however, it is time for a break, and a substantial one at that.

Thanks once again for stopping by.