Peace And Goodwill To All Men
As the festive season gets into full swing, the constant stream of parties and celebration can overcome even the most hardened among us. We can be caught up in the whirl of over-indulgence, as everyone expects a piece of our time and the shopping, eating and drinking create a hazy shade of winter that can blind us to the true meaning of Christmas.
Whether we mark Christmas in December or January, it is the same story and celebrations tend to extend long into the weeks either side. Personally speaking, I am already feeling the effects of the festivities. But although I am paying the small price for festive excess, there is little chance of letting up before the New Year bells toll. I am definitely not Ebenezer Scrooge and I intend to make the most of the party season to enjoy time with friends.
What Happened To Autumn?
Britain has been branded as a country of four seasons in one day. Whatever the truth, I do remember that we had four set seasons in a year. Each was distinct from the other and you could predict what to expect each month. When I was a boy, we painted pictures to mark the start of each season and in autumn we would collect leaves and conkers to decorate our classroom. The times they are a-changin, as the bard famously sang.
No season suits all. Each has its ups and downs, and should be cherished for what it shares. Spring and autumn are my favourites. I feel they have more character, more colour, than the seasons they book-end. Of course, I enjoy the t.shirt joys of summer but I find it quite one-dimensional. While I like the idealised image of crisp white snow and frosty mornings, I hate grey slush on city streets and the inconvenience of bad weather.
Midweek Madness in Belgrade
Time has become one of our most valuable commodities. As our busy lives get ever more packed and always-on gadgets take over, we often find ourselves time-strapped. It is not only dashing around London that this modern strain tells on me. When in Belgrade I notice that my time is also in quite short supply. Whether my stay is for a few days or up to a fortnight, it is never enough.
During my time in Belgrade, my schedule is chock-a-block with business meetings and catch-ups with friends. Even though I visit the city quite often, there is always more for me to do and too little time in which to do it. From the moment I leave my hotel for a breakfast meeting to the time I stagger back to my room in the early hours, my days are crammed with appointments. Every time slot is filled from morning to night, with mealtimes used as additional opportunities to meet.
Be Responsible. Take The Test
It is little more than a month since my last visit to Belgrade and I find myself back in the city I have grown to enjoy so much. I am relaxed in this city and I have a number of good friends here. It makes travel so much easier when you know that you can pick up the phone to some friends and meet them within hours of arriving back.
Regular readers of my posts will know that the topics I share can be quite wide-ranging. They can also generate debate, which I see as a good thing. I like to see others get involved by contributing their own take on the issue and, although we do not always agree, it is encouraging to when someone can put their view across while respecting another person’s opinion. It works to get it out in the open. Most of the time. Like anyone, I have moments when I am so taken aback that I need to resist posting a comment that would only inflame the conversation more.
