Recent listening

Fujiya and Miyagi – Ventriloquizzing (modern Krautrock which deserves more recognition), PJ Harvey – Let England Shake, Elbow – Build A Rocket Boys! and The Seldom Seen Kid, recent Killing Joke – Absolute Dissent (European Super State is an absolutely stonking track), Blancmange – Best Of (Living On The Ceiling remains a classic), Porcupine Tree – Signify and Deadwing, various King Crimson tracks from Facebook postings, Splodgenessabounds – Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please, various The The and The Cure, Radiohead – Amnesiac (Pyramid Song still stands out), Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here, some Gold Panda.

Mostly vegan

Have been pondering more than usual about vegetarianism and veganism recently. My own approach is more of a long-term, flexible, “macrobiotic” lifestyle. Depending on a wide range of factors this can be vegetarian or vegan, but is perhaps more often “pescetarian” i.e. includes eating fish.

Although I try not to be too dogmatic about anything (“There’s nothing worse than a fascist vegan!”, as a friend of mine once said about his younger self), I’m fairly convinced that the majority of us would be a lot better off if we went in this kind of dietary direction. Ever since it was pointed out to me, it’s always struck me as completely bizarre that milk produced by cows for calves, has been widely accepted as a “natural” healthy food for humans in the western world.

Mostly vegan, mostly organic (can’t always afford it), keeping sugar and processed stuff intake very low, has worked very well for me for 35 years anyway. Apart from anything else, I just think it tastes best. I’ve always liked the idea of actively taking responsibility for one’s own health, better use of planetary resources, taking a small political stance to help reduce unnecessary suffering, blah blah blah etc etc. And unlike some, the smell of bacon has never made me turn back!