The miracle of Lakhoum! From time to time I've been known to photograph my macchiato, but this time there was good reason. In fact, there was good reason to genuflect to this particular coffee. If you're at Flavours of Lakhoum in Richmond, ask the owner (Chris Phillips) to make you one of his signature coffees - it's a religious experience!

Mike's Pith & Wind - The Year That Was
Or, should that read, ‘The year that never was’? I’ve never trusted uneven years, and 2005 was typically uneven. It was Richard who pointed out (at yet another Nostril lunch) that he didn’t know anybody who had enjoyed the last twelve months as much as I had. It was an absolute revelation, because I suddenly saw my life from his perspective, and I could see how it could appear that I sailed through it, apparently oblivious to the laws of both Society and Nature.
(But, in reality, how can anyone make that claim on anybody else’s behalf? Even if Richard were my twin, he couldn’t possibly know for certain how the year and everything in it impacted on me. The presumption!)
I should own up at this stage that the year got off to an unreal financial start when the money from my late, great-Aunty Phyl’s will came home. With it I’ve been able to buy a new van and various studio knick knacks, but mainly it’s insulated me from the harsh realities of everyday survival, i.e. paid the rent, bought the food etc. Well, until recently anyway. Eventually it had to run out, and it officially ran out a month or so ago. My old friend Mr Anxiety has resumed his accustomed position right between my eyes. Like my dratted tinnitus, anxiety prospers when one is tired, hungry or bored. Or when Xmas is in the offing..

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The Year That Was - (cont.)
‘What have I accomplished this year?’ I ask rhetorically, which makes a change from, ‘Where did the year go?’ Let’s start by looking at some superficial issues – afterall, they are clearly the most important.
If you’ve kept up with me at all over the years, you couldn’t help but notice I’m always tampering with my appearance, but it’s never made any read more