Did the Romans know about Jesus?

I’m not religious, nor do I aspire to be (although I do want to write about this aspect of things…at a later stage). I find the Romans – their empire, attitudes in society, modernity, transformation of lifestyles and all the amazing world-affecting things they did – fascinating and constantly interesting. So, at this time of the year, it occured to me: Did the Romans know about Jesus? I’ll hopefully find out one day, and will post the answer here (unless any kind reader knows the answer)

Film titles likely to appeal to the Pope

I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue is a must-listen for me, and anyone who hasn’t come across it is usually instantly addicted. In it, just now, they did a scetch of “alternative film titles which might appeal to the Pope, or the Roman Catholic church.” Some were brilliant:

“Condom the Barbarian”

“Every which way but loser”

“Rome alone”

“Pope fiction”

“Rome alone 2″

“Mrs Henderson prevents”

“The quaker mass experiment”

“Fried green martyrs at the whistle stop cafe”

“Break me the bread of Alfredo…”

Superb. Listen here. Just a Minute is also back next week – another must listen!

Give it up

I spend most of December avoiding the annual difficulty of choosing what to give up for new year. A few days away from the beginning of the new year, I’m faced with the same old problem – what to give up?

Smoking is usually high up on other people’s lists – my family, for one, and some of my friends for two. And although I do feel an urge to give up, the temptation to smoke is far too strong for my weak state of being. Maybe it’ll happen this year, though.

Apart from the vices that grip all of us – all of which we promise will be easily shaken off in January, in what often appears to be the healthiest month of the year for the western world (resolutions, giving up, de-toxification and other such nonsense) – there are other aspects of my life I try to improve upon each year. Such as: being happier; finding a girlfriend (long term, for once); finding peace with myself (ah – subject for another post) and so on.

Ultimately, I just want to start my Sax up again. So that’s what I’ll do.

Favourite blogs

Perhaps I’ll keep this updated. I just wanted to pen some thoughts about one of my favourite blogs, PostSecret. There aren’t many blogs out there which really hold my interest, but I await new posts to PostSecret with great anticipation each week. It’s awesome.

In short, it’s a place for people to send in (post – by real, old-fashioned paper post / mail!) their deepest, darkest secrets. The results are extraordinary; the blogger, whoever they are, has published a book containing some of the world’s most secretive secrets. It’s almost cathartic, reading other people’s problems and pains…

Christmas gluttony

I’ve never been one of those who complain, curmudgeonly, about Christmas and it’s plentiful food and drink (and presents). But, aged 23, my cynicism is snowballing at an uncontrollable rate, aided by my family.

With my brother now almost certainly suffering from a drink problem – having, for 25 years, admonished anyone who touched alcohol as a minon of the devil – and my Mum muted with laryngitis, it’s been an uncomfortable first Christmas in our new house. All the feelings I thought would envelope us – longing for our old house, lonliness and so on – haven’t surfaced. And we are genuinely over the moon to be here – in our dream location – but the combined forces of my stubborn sibling, and the thought of going back to work in London (as the prime bread-winner in the family) fills me with dread.

At least my boss managed a friendly Happy Christmas email, which was a nice surprise, even adding “believe in yourself” – which couldn’t be more apt to my state of mind these days.

I’ve had a great year’s blogging, which has given me a great job and even greater prospects. I am, now, a professional blogger! But I’ve only ever blogged about one subject, and I’m determined to expose my innermost thoughts and views on the world. In the same method in which I began my first blog – just a place for me to air my views on that subject – I just want to make it my place to write about things that I’m passionate about. Or things that irk and irritate and delight, in equal measure. Who knows what 2006 might bring.

It’s not really a commentable blog…but, of course, please do so if you wish.