I have been fearing riots in the streets in protest against my long silence. Fortunately the continuing Russian aggression against Ukraine, Azerbaijan’s attack on the residual Armenian enclave in Nagorno-Karabakh, Hamas’s attack on Israel and its consequences have, I suppose, distracted would-be rioters.

So why am I writing now?  I have several reasons.  First, and of least interest to anyone outside my family, today is the 150^th anniversary of my great-grandfather’s indenture as an apprentice to Joseph Newton, carpenter/builder of Harlow in Essex.  The indenture hangs on my office wall as a reminder of the value of diligent study, hard work and ambition.

Second, I want to put on record my disgust at Hamas’s brutal attack on Israelis, and at the equally brutal response and uncritical support that has been lavished on Israel by its traditional allies.  I am convinced that both sides’ actions result from the well of hatred that successive Israeli governments have been digging deeper and deeper for 75 years.  I have only contempt for Benjamin Netanyahu, who has accelerated the illegal colonisation of occupied Palestinian land and publicly rejected a two-state solution.  Sane, decent people of all stripes agree that Israelis and Palestinians should have their own states, side-by-side, each capable of economic and political sovereignty.  Jerusalem should be run by an independent authority answerable to the UN – that’s just my opinion.

The third reason is to share with you the news of yet another career change.  Being an influencer just wasn’t working, so I signed up for a 12-week online course in script-writing with La Trobe University.  I’ve just submitted my third and last assignment and am nervously awaiting my tutor’s assessment.

If my new career takes off, my books will be valuable collectors’ items.  Well, they should be, but since e-books can be reproduced limitlessly at zero cost (to the nearest cent) they probably won’t.  But just in case, do go to the ‘Books’ pages of this blog and buy them feverishly: Goldiloxians (comprising the entire Eeks Trilogy), Bobby Shafter, Farley’s Bend and Household Management for Men.  Unfortunately e-books don’t make great Christmas presents, unless you print them out and bind them.

Finally, this is a reminder that the Stroppy Git Award for Meaningless Drivel (aka ‘the Stroppy’) will be announced on my birthday (17 January) and nominations will close at midnight GMT on 15 January.