Quote of the day

My uncle's lapses into insobriety had no vice about them, they were purely therapeutic. The fact is he was following a new regime for perfect health, much in vogue at the time, he assured us, on the Continent.

'The aim is to warm up your glands with a series of jolts. The worst thing in the world for the body is to settle down and lead a quiet little life of regular habits; if you do that it soon resigns itself to old age and death. Shock your glands, force them to react, startle them back into youth, keep them on tip-toe so that they never know what to expect next, and they have to keep young and healthy to deal with all the surprises.'

– Nancy Mitford, Love in a cold climate

Notes towards book of advice for my god(less)son Theo

The world is horrible and insane. It always has been, and it always will be.

You only have this life to live. Make the most of it. Don't be a latrine-filler.

Watch out for those with a little amount of power, the petty officials. They come in all shapes, sizes, and guises.

Watch out for those on the make. They are distressingly common.