Curious Bystander

An Evening with Barack Obama in Glasgow –

The other night we went to the ex-president’s open house or interview or whatever you wish to call it at the OVO Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

It was refreshingly absent of anything overtly political towards this country, or towards America, i.e. he never really mentioned Democrats and Republicans or Trump; at least not in an overt manner – how refreshing.

He certainly didn’t mention too much about the UK situation and our present political situation. Instead, it was a very refreshing evening, and I say that as not necessarily being a fan, but it was a very pleasant interview / non-interview.

I truly believe he did not have the questions to begin with, as he seemed to always have a very slow, and measured reply. This happened in front of over 12,500 people. The OVO was packed; as I only thought it could take 10 or 11,000, but every last remaining space was taken with seated people.

What I found interesting, is that he was calm, cool, and seemed like he’s becoming more and more conservative as he ages. I noticed that he referred to his life, as if he was in a bubble before, during, and after the presidency.

It was interesting that he noted a conversation with one of his daughters, I believe Malia; on how she took climate change very seriously and wished for a “perfect” solution; where everybody wins, etc. His response was something I didn’t think he’d say, i.e., that nothing is perfect, and if some are saved from the effects of the climate, then at least we are on the right track – this went with his overall argument that nothing is perfect – in government policy – i.e. the Theory of Second (or even Third) Best.

I’ve always not been a fan of the American tradition, that their ex-Presidents aren’t meant to be silent with a gradual drifting away from public life; I completely disagree. For him, he seemed to be raring to go; as he mentioned many different personal projects and many different projects by other people, in various parts of the world; with many having the goal of getting young people to be the future leaders.

That’s where I disagree. I think we have far too many quote-unquote leaders, who’ve never actually done anything before public service; with many never even having a private sector job, but who are now leading. However, that is purely politics from my side, something I don’t wish to discuss on this social blog.

In the end, it was very positive. Yes, they were all Obama fans, and I heard a lot of American accents. In particular, there was a simply awful woman in front of me, who was a “typical” annoying American woman; as she would stand up constantly and praise Obama. To each his own, but I thought that she mistook the measured words of the ex-President; thinking that this was a campaign rally!

One of his nicest stories and something I have not heard before, was the level of correspondence he’d receive as President; some 40,000 letters / emails / etc, each day! But, each night he’d have his staff present him with 10 of these. And he’d stress to his staff that he only wanted to receive a TRUE reflection of America; not correspondence from fans only. Then, he’d read all 10 – a superb idea.

He mentioned that there was one letter written to him by a 6(?) year old, who advised him that he had too much homework to do. And that he simply didn’t feel like doing it. Obama had to regrettably say to the child, that this was a local issue, and he had no power to assist!

Another story was from a Republican male, who told him that he was not a fan, but that he admired how Obama always spent time with his family, and that if the President of the United States could find time to spend with his family, that there was no reason why he couldn’t do the same. Good point.

All in all, a very positive interview with a retired politician, that I only wish that this could be a template for all politicians to follow.

Carnoustie, Scotland – Golf and Train Trips –

Justin Rose – Former World #1 and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist

Carnoustie, a world-renowned and notoriously difficult golf course in eastern Scotland was part of this year’s Dunhill Golf championship. And as it’s free of charge the first three rounds, why not go!

I hadn’t expected the weather to be quite so good: a beautiful day, around 60–65°F, slightly windy, and not an ounce of rain.

What’s striking is that for roughly £150–£160 you can stay in a hotel right beside the course, where many of the players stay. Some rooms have a balcony overlooking the 18th green; it’s cheaper without one, which is fair enough. We chose one of the older pub hotels a little further out instead, the Corner Bar.

It was an interesting place. Like a lot of Scottish pubs — and especially in a town that used to be a fishing village — you get a mix of two or three locals, two or three tourists, and a pool table that looks as though it hasn’t been properly cleaned since the 1950s. There was a separate lounge and a separate bar. The bar itself looked like the sort of place I wouldn’t have gone into if my life depended on it: flaky white paint on the outside and one of those faded signs that probably hasn’t worked properly since the mid-1970s. I gave it a miss.

The room, though, was surprisingly decent — very basic, but we had everything we needed. There was an early tea the next morning, and then we went to one of the most perfect old-fashioned bakeries (apparently it’s called “Craft Baking”) I’ve seen in Scotland; J & M Bakery.

It looked exactly as you’d expect a small bakery to have looked in 1965 (See the attached photos.)! It was superb. They had local bakery goods delivered that morning — absolutely lovely, the staff were polite, after which we had the short walk to the golf.

The golf itself was fairly busy. I’ve been to the Dunhill tournament quite a few times over the past 10–15 years, maybe every other year, but I’d never ventured away from St Andrews before.

Spectating is free on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday, then £20 to watch them all finish on the Old Course at St Andrews on Sunday. The day itself was almost too perfect.

And then, there was the train journey home.

The journey home on the InterCity was only about an hour and 40 minutes, but as usual there was a family from hell sitting behind us. They claimed to have a disabled child, yet he was the least of their problems — the crudeness, the over-the-top loudness, and the occasional shouting that their kid was disabled, made me want to throw up.

Typical, isn’t it?

Morocco – The Medina and a Cooking Course –

Marrakesh feels like three cities in one. There’s the sleek Ville Nouvelle, the modern new town—where we stayed, with wide boulevards (including one named after John F. Kennedy), grand villas that could pass for Beverly Hills, lush forests of trees, and beautifully manicured lawns. It sits near the airport and a large artificial reservoir, giving the area a surprisingly green and spacious feel.

Then there’s the ancient heart of the city: the Medina. Yes, it’s noisy, chaotic, and packed with life. People actually live there—families, shopkeepers, craftsmen—going about their days amid the scooters darting through narrow alleys and constant activity. It’s easy to think about the touts and beggars, but if you don’t go looking for them, they become little more than background noise. We found them rarely aggressive, and the whole experience had a playful, almost game-like quality to it. They enjoy to haggle and expect you to do it as well.

What surprised us most was how cool and vibrant parts of the Medina feel. Trendy cafés, hairdressers, traditional massage houses offering oil treatments and hammams, and that unmistakable French colonial influence still lingering in the atmosphere. Deadly little motorcycles sped through the lanes, but somehow it all works. We discovered one or two excellent restaurants and left with the strong impression that the Medina is not just a tourist trap—it’s a genuinely enjoyable place to wander, eat, and soak it all in.

The Cooking Course – Keen to do more than just sightseeing (as we had in Mallorca in Spain the year before), we signed up for a Moroccan cooking class. It turned out to be one of the trip’s highlights.

The format is impressively efficient: the same team runs two to three classes, three times a day, charging proper Western prices but delivering fantastic value. Our group of about 15 met in the Medina (above), then set off on a lively shopping expedition—buying fresh chicken, beef, vegetables, and spices from different stalls. We then headed back to a beautiful traditional house where the classes are held.

The experience was wonderfully hands-on. Our teacher was excellent—confident, generous with tips, and clearly passionate. Upstairs, another group was doing the baking course, which looked equally tempting (next time, I’m definitely signing up for that). Downstairs, the grandmother worked quietly in the background, prepping ingredients, cleaning, and baking with quiet expertise.

One memorable trick she shared: to make a rich, smoky aubergine (eggplant) paste, place the whole raw aubergines directly over an open flame. The skin chars and blisters, infusing the flesh with incredible flavour. Once cooled, it peels away easily, leaving you with something far superior to the usual methods.

Everything was cooked in beautiful tagines—those iconic conical ceramic pots that trap steam and gently infuse the ingredients. We prepared a generous spread of vegetable and meat tagines, all bursting with flavour. The meal stretched to four or five courses, and we washed it all down with plenty of sweet Moroccan mint tea.

The Art of Moroccan Mint Tea

I quickly became addicted to the tea. It’s not just green tea with mint thrown in—it’s a proper ritual. The base is green tea, which brings a pleasant bitterness, balanced by generous handfuls of fresh spearmint. They brew it with care (sometimes discarding the first short infusion), then sweeten it generously.

The serving style is pure theatre: you pour from a height of one or two feet, raising and lowering the teapot to create a beautiful stream and a crown of bubbles on top. “No bubbles, no tea,” they told us. I loved it—especially extra sweet. At home now, I make it with a low-calorie sweetener so I can enjoy it guilt-free.

All in all, we visited the Medina twice and thoroughly enjoyed both trips. Any initial trepidation quickly melted away. Marrakech is a city of contrast, energy, and warmth—and far more welcoming and interesting than many people assume.

Highly recommended.

Morocco – The Atlas Mountains – A walk in Imlil – A relief from the Heat –

It was interesting, I’d always heard about the Atlas Mountains, but when I actually went there I just didn’t realise just how big they are. They look like the Alps. They go over 14,000 feet, I think 4,200 metres, and are very impressive.

They literally rise from the desert. It seems to go straight from desert trees, desert brush, immediately to an alpine type of feel. We started at our hotel in Marrakech, and about two hours, two and a half hours later with a suicidal ride in a taxi; we were there in Imlil. Absolutely insane. And to think that our driver actually wasn’t that bad, compared to some of the motorcycles or the other taxis that I saw. You had to do it to believe it.

Absolutely crazy. When we finally did get up there, we had a lovely hotel / hostel. Very basic, very clean, very centralised, and at night it was actually quite cold.

But something that I enjoy, as I can sleep much better when it’s cold – maybe it’s living in Scotland? We had a very friendly host, who had actually been to Scotland, and had climbed up Ben Nevis. Very impressive, and very knowledgeable about Morocco, Marrakech, and in particular the Atlas Mountains.

The place also had a lovely veranda on top of the roof, where you could see it seemed like many new-ish types of flats and apartments.. When I asked him who the flats belonged to, he said basically other Moroccans and other people from Marrakech, who want to live in Imlil or to have a mountain flat to escape from the heat, particularly in the summer, from Marrakech. We went and had some tea and coffee, and went through the village. They love their tea here, and it’s always green!

And even then it wasn’t as if we had the place to ourselves, as it seemed like there were quite a few tourists, both foreign and from Morocco. Look at the photos and in particular, the photo of the coffee. I don’t drink coffee, but the other partner in crime absolutely loved it. It almost looked like a Guinness beer. There that night, we had dinner, and it was very basic, but actually with variety and a good amount of food.

It seemed like they generally cared about their guests, and at the same time, they seemed to want to showcase the best of Morocco. The meal above with the rice was utterly beautiful, very healthy. And the service was not only prompt, it was very friendly, as I said before.

At night-time, the roof terrace was beautiful, although it was getting cold, in the single-digit figures. Next morning, we were up, and again a fairly huge but basic breakfast.

Honey, dried fruits, bread, orange juice, yoghurts. It was something, again, similar to the night meal. Basic, very Moroccan, but at the same time, they wanted to showcase exactly what they do here in the country.

We then started the walk / tour. It lasted nearly four hours with our guide, Muhammad , and followed an old road & trail, whilst it slowly got higher and higher with many waterfalls and a lot of water that we had to cross.

We were always safe. In addition to that, one of the early parts of the trip was going on a new road that was being constructed, and I know that rather than desert sand, this was solid rock, again, similar to the Alps, that they intend to have in the future. Again, they seemed very proud of the culture and very proud that this is being developed. Muhammad kept telling us, that tourism is the future for this area.

He also told us, all the water was previously used for agriculture, which was the main occupation here in the past. You can still see the small rivers that go through here, the small mini canals, but at the same time, fewer people are earning their livelihood from rivers, from agriculture, so hence, it’s being developed more for the tourists or more for the staycations. But please don’t think that with the water and mountains, it’s cold. even then he told us that in parts of the summer, it can still be 45-50 degrees here!

People flock, not only to stay at their summer houses or they come to hike, but they also come here on day trips from Marrakech. It was quite impressive just how many buildings have been erected here recently. At the same time, we went through some villages, and still saw the old way of life; handcrafts, making blankets, making jackets, making hats, even using the horses for the tours. There was a gang of cyclists who were in our hotel, who were getting their bikes taken up by donkeys for a 5 day biking tour, and then riding their bikes down.

I get the feeling, that the future for this area and for Morocco seems to be on a positive arc.

Morocco – A Water Museum in Marrakech –

Water has always fascinated me being raised largely in a desert. BTW, speaking about water, go and check out Chinatown (1975).

If you want to watch a movie about water, go watch it; it’s also one of the best movies ever made.

Meanwhile, we were in Marrakech, Morocco recently, and the question kept coming up: where does it all come from? The city sits just north-northwest of the Atlas Mountains, so the answer, of course, begins up there.

On one trip we headed into the High Atlas Mountains to Imlil. Everywhere you look there are small barriers, channels, and ancient irrigation systems guiding precious melted snow down to the valleys and to the dwindling number of farms in the area.

It made me wonder how Morocco manages water for a city like Marrakech. How do they capture enough? How do they plan for it? What role does the government play—dams, reservoirs, distribution? That curiosity led us to this water museum in the northwest part of Marrakech.

It was utterly fascinating. Morocco has around 130–140 dams, and this museum tells the long story of the country’s constant battle for water across the centuries. We visited on a weekday and practically had the place to ourselves—only a small group of four arrived later.

We’d taken the local bus back into town for about 40 pence. We were the only Europeans on board, but that’s another story. The museum itself is grand—three floors, designed so you start at the top and work your way down.

The exhibits, videos, and interactive displays did a wonderful job of showing just how difficult, and how ingenious, water sourcing and distribution have been in this land. From the top floor there’s a striking panoramic view (or large display) highlighting Morocco’s water systems, with Marrakech prominently featured.

What impressed me almost as much as the content was the museum itself. Despite the light foot traffic, it was immaculate. The finishes—marble, granite, and high-quality materials—show that no expense was spared. You could feel the city’s (and the country’s) genuine pride in the place. It was spotless, dignified, and beautifully maintained. My only gripe, was that due to the UK, in my opinion, having more cafes than anywhere in the world (!), there was only a very small display unit here that was serving drinks; with the coffee hall being closed.

Other than that, it’s a real hidden gem that gave us a much deeper appreciation for a resource we so easily take for granted; particularly in Scotland.

The comeback of panelling . . . when did this start?

A few years ago, I had clients working for a large internet company who mentioned complaints about their website. The feedback focused on its “old-school” colour scheme — think classic reds and greens — and how outdated it felt, even though the site targeted an older audience.

The suggestion?

Modernise it to appeal more to Millennials or even Generation Z, starting with a complete colour overhaul. They then told me they’d held a meeting just a month earlier to discuss exactly this! I was surprised and asked, “Is it really that important?” They assured me it absolutely was.

That got me thinking: Who decides these things? Is there some official process for declaring “new colours”?

Does a yearly ritual happen where certain shades are crowned as the colours for the next season?

It’s fascinating because, over the past year or so, I’ve noticed an aesthetic shift everywhere I go. From vape shops and doctors’ offices to retail stores, hairdressers, cafés, and even a hardware/DIY shop — I’ve seen these warm, brown, wooden panels popping up repeatedly.

I searched for them earlier this week (above), and sure enough, they’re widely available as “acoustic slat wall panels”! I found myself wondering:

When exactly did this trend start?

It reminded me of that client conversation — these things don’t happen by accident. Someone, somewhere, decides, and then it spreads like wildfire. It’s more serious (and influential) than it first appears.

* Now I’m left asking:

Start? History?

I decided to dig a little deeper into this acoustic brown wood panel phenomenon. It turns out this isn’t just a random coincidence that I’ve been spotting in Glasgow cafés and shops — it’s part of a genuine global interior design trend that really took off around the early 2020s and has continued gaining serious momentum through 2026.

In fact, only last week I was in a Specsavers and saw them; and then simply had to ask when did they have them installed? A few years ago? She looked back and started to laugh, “Oh, only about 6 or 7 months ago”!

Apparently, this style is called Japandi, Scandinavian-modern, and biophilic design (bringing nature indoors). With even Australia getting into the act; https://cladsmart.com.au/

And also the Chinese firm, Carsem:

https://www.carsemfloor.com/wall-panel.html

Where they swear that; “Our panel wall boards help people create hearing-friendly spaces where they can better live, work, learn, play, and heal.”?

“Heal”? Perhaps that’s taking it a bit too far.

* A quick history lesson 0n Japandi

So those warm brown wood panels aren’t just random — they slot perfectly into the Japandi trend that’s been quietly taking over recently. Japandi is a mixture between Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian cosiness (hence the mash-up name).

The story goes back about 150 years: after Japan finally opened its borders in the 1850s–60s, curious Danish designers and artists started visiting. They fell head over heels for the clean lines, natural materials, and a philosophy of beauty in simplicity. It DOES look Danish or Swedish, doesn’t it?

Fast-forward to the 2020s and boom — everyone wanted serene, clutter-free spaces that still felt welcoming, maybe during COVID? That’s why the same earthy wood tones keep popping up everywhere from here in Glasgow cafés to your local vape shop!

Trends really do start somewhere… and right now, Japandi feels like it’s winning.

🛣️ “Driving Home for Christmas” by the late, great, Chris Rea –

My Favourite Christmas Song – BTW, It’s still Christmas, and will be until 6 January –

It was with sadness when the other half informed us last week that Rea had died; knowing that I had a fondness for the tune and for Rea.

It was only earlier in the past month, some of my clients were discussing their favourite Christmas music and songs. One of them—an engineer from northern Germany whom I greatly respect—said he loved “Driving Home for Christmas” by Chris Rea.

I concurred and was somewhat surprised, that even in northern Germany this song had an effect on people. I had to tell him, that I remember when this came out in the UK. And from what I remember, it wasn’t that big of a hit, but has certainly endured to become one of the most remembered & liked Xmas tunes in the UK.

As for Rea, I’m old enough to remember “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”, a strange late 70s song—not ballad, not easy-listening, just a decent pop song with that rasp in his voice. I still remember the album Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?. In fact, I recently found an interview where Rea revealed it was the only track he recorded that he didn’t play guitar on. So much so, that American reviewers at the time even compared him to Elton John!

I also recall him appearing in a star-studded UK comedy, directed by Michael Winner, where Rea was a hit man of sorts, and I quote from a review:

“Their most notable collaboration was the 1999 film Parting Shots, which was Winner’s final directorial effort and featured Rea in his only lead acting role. The film, a dark comedy about a man diagnosed with cancer who seeks revenge on those who wronged him, was widely criticized upon release and has since been described as one of the worst films ever made. Rea, who had no prior acting experience, was cast after Winner met him on a beach in Barbados, a decision that drew significant criticism for its mismatched casting.”

But what makes “Driving Home for Christmas” so special is its simplicity: it’s contemporary (“I’m driving…”), no bells, no snow, no reindeer, no tinsel—just a twinkling jazz piano and major‑seventh chords. Both make it my all-time favourite.

Interesting, Rea never performed the song until Christmas season 2014!

“In the Guardian interview, Rea stated that he never played the song live until 2014 at Hammersmith Odeon; he recalls: “the gig was on 20 December, so the road crew kept badgering me to do it. I went, ‘If I’m going to sing this fucking song, we’re gonna do it properly.’ So, we hired 12 snow cannons. When we started the song, you couldn’t hear it for the noise of the crowd, and we let go with the machines. We put three feet of artificial snow in the stalls. The venue charged me £12,000 to clean it up“!

Interestingly, even a day or two before Rea’s untimely death last Monday, I found myself wondering why I’m so drawn to that song, and particularly modern Christmas tunes.

Usually, three things must come together—especially in British Christmas songs:

1 – It’s by a mainstream’ish artist
2 – It’s contemporary and fresh.
3 – The artist is at the peak of their game when they record it.

Great examples include “Last Christmas” (Wham!), Elton John’s “Step into Christmas”, and even Band Aid. These songs were modern, culturally relevant, and infectious. Please forgive me if you’re annoyed that The Pogue’s with their Irish blarney didn’t make my list. (Ed, – Why do they always talk about New York City, instead of Dublin?), or Mariah Carey’s chart schlock—both feel like heavy corporate promotion. That’s not really my scene. But there’s something about UK and Irish audiences—you can feel their love for Christmas singles.

Although, in my opinion, it’s been around 20 years since a decent, new tune clinched the Christmas number one—that being The Darkness in 2004? I haven’t really heard many standout, new tunes since then.

🎶 My All-Time Top Three Christmas Songs

Chris Rea – “Driving Home for Christmas”
A masterclass in contemporary yet personal Christmas songwriting.
Jonah Lee – “How to Stop the Cavalry”
This anti-war gem has remained one of my favourite festive tunes as well.
Greg Lake – (Christmas piece borrowing from Prokofiev)
A beautifully orchestral offering that nods to classic composers.

Glasgow Doors Open Day 2025- Inside St. Mary’s Masonic Lodge

A Hidden Gem on Glasgow’s Dumbarton Road –

Interesting as always, Glasgow hosts a Doors Open Day every September. We’ve done so many things through this event over the years, so I thought—why not try something just around the corner from us? That’s how we ended up at St. Mary’s Masonic Lodge.

First thing that I thought, was that this was not an Orange Lodge that most people know. This is the Freemasons. I’ll admit, I brought all my usual bigotries with me … and wow, was I wrong.

I’ve never met people more open, more friendly, and more diverse in appearance and background. Everyone seemed genuinely interested in sharing and learning. It was incredibly hospitable.

First of all, the name caught me: St. Mary’s. I always thought, “If they’re Protestant, why do they believe in saints?” But they’re not Protestant—they’re Freemasons.

Second, our guide wasn’t even British. He was Spanish, I believe, and was wonderfully inclusive in how he explained the beauty—at least from his perspective—of the Lodge. He spoke about their charitable work, their visitors, and their humility. When someone asked what they actually contribute (financially) to, he said that wasn’t the point. The people who receive help know who the Masons are, and it’s not for anyone else to know.

As the photos show, the main hall looks almost like a church—or even a synagogue. It was plainly decorated, and not overdone. Very tasteful, very open. The building spans three floors, and each space had its own character—never barren, never gaudy.

The top hall? That’s where they have a bar and a small tea room—well, “restaurant” might be pushing it. Still, there was free food for visitors, and the walls were lined with paintings and photographs of Glasgow past and present.

What struck me most was something I’d never noticed before, even after walking past this building countless times: the windows. They’re designed to blend into the tenement style while still standing out. The stairs—the “closes,” as we say in Glasgow—lead only to one thing: the Lodge itself.

I’m glad I finally saw it and is something I hope they continue to share with the public in the future.

Dogs & Restaurants; a complete pet hate of mine. . .

*Certainly, easy to believe – A loser of an Incel, with his pals* – A recent survey stated that
almost 1/2 of men will not go out, if they can’t take their mutt with them?!

When did this even start? And now, as with many things, we are simply expected to just take it lying down, while thinking of England, et al.

As usual, I didn’t think that I could be the only one who feels this way. For another opinion, please go here:

https://www.foodandwine.com/dogs-allowed-in-restaurants-7370835

To be blunt, I’m probably a dog person, whatever that even means; thinking that at least they’ve always seemed more friendly and approachable, and certainly nowhere near as mercenary as cats; cats are simply awful.

But first some general info:

Dog-Friendly Trends (Indirect Stats and Surveys):

Directories and Listings:
Sites like DogFriendly.co.uk list over 1,300 dog-friendly restaurants and cafes as of 2024, but this is a self-reported subset and not exhaustive. Pub guides (e.g., Dugs n’ Pubs) highlight thousands of dog-welcoming pubs, often in rural areas.

Anecdotal and Media Reports:
A 2022 Telegraph article notes “pooch-friendly dining is a trend gaining pace,” with chains like Mowgli (14 UK branches) adopting dog-friendly policies since ~2017. By 2024, Costa Coffee (after a trial) allows dogs in many stores, joining others like Bill’s, Giraffe, and Zizzi.

Consumer Surveys:

One from the Mirror found:

83% of pet owners and 87% of dog owners believe pets should not be taken to restaurants. But 23% of people aged 34–45 thought it was acceptable. 74% said it’s good etiquette to leave if your dog is barking. 68% agreed dogs should only be allowed if the restaurant is clean.

Another one, from YouGov:

69% of Britons say it’s unacceptable to bring dogs to restaurants. Only 21% think it’s acceptable.

And a final survey, from Open Table found:

With a simply horrible headline; “Doggy Dining: Nearly half of new dog owners take their pooch everywhere” –

35% of Brits refuse to dine at a restaurant that doesn’t accept dogs. 49% will only take their dog if eating outdoors. 42% of new dog owners take their pet EVERY TIME they socialize. 88% of dog owners prioritize their pet’s comfort when dining out.

At least, let’s have some ground rules. . .

Surely it’s possible to separate the customers with dogs, and the customers who have not brought their dogs with them. I.e, left side canines, right side humans?
Can we not also, even have a pen or common area where the dogs have to be tied down at a table (underneath perhaps), as so many times when I’ve had to move by a table with a dog, I’ve had to step over it in order to proceed somewhere? And almost ALWAYS with no assistance whatsoever from their respective owners. They (the owners) just KNOW that they’re getting in your faces, don’t they?
And it should be possible, to have an extra charge for the hounds, as it must take something to clean the areas due to the hairs, mud on the paws, etc. At least it could go to bring a balance between us (humans) and that lot (the dogs & their owners). I believe the Economics literature calls this an “externality“.

Rap & it’s decline; at long last . . . ?

*De la Soul – Alt Hip Hop – Sensational performance at Reading Festival in the Early 90s*

https://www.nme.com/news/music/there-are-no-hip-hop-songs-in-the-us-top-40-for-the-first-time-since-1990-3905278

I found it interesting that I came across the above article, and it didn’t seem to get much attention in the press recently. I remember when I was young—in the late ’80s and early ’90s— I was completely wrapped up in the music scene, and then hip-hop arrived.

*the Definition of Sound* *– Inventive, London Hip Hop*

I always thought hip-hop was wonderful: a fusion of styles and sounds. Sure, many artists didn’t play instruments, but the music they created was fun, danceable, and perfectly suited to the genre. Also, I felt that there was an enormous variety to the genre; the pictures above and below showcase some of my favourites.

The thing about rap, is that I was never a big fan; always thinking that Hip Hop was just SO much more inventive and clever. Also, imho American music in general is at times, very compartmentalized. It always felt to me, that the country was more reliant on corporate acts, and simply did not have a very great “pop” tradition like the UK had.

Playlists were predictable: hip-hop for predominantly ethnic & city audiences, country for rural listeners, and so on. But then, in the early to mid-’90s, both genres began crossing over and hitting the pop charts. The rap acts started to become huge, as well as, in my opinion completely mediocre acts such as Garth Brooks; dreadful. How he is rumoured to be the best selling, single artist in history is mind-blowing. Let’s be honest here, did he ever write & record a Wichita Lineman? A Walk the Line? Etc?

As for rap, part of the popularity (as with any genre) may have to do with how charts work now compared to then. Today, many songs rely heavily on a small group of fans streaming tracks repeatedly. For example, five regular fans might play a song ten times a month—that’s 50 plays. But if one superfan plays it 100 times a month (about 3x / day) that single listener can push the numbers up dramatically (too my knowledge). This wasn’t the case back when you bought an album or a record. One sale was one sale, and that was it. If you never played that song / album again, or if you did; it meant nothing. The sale was the sale. Spotify doesn’t track unique listeners in the same way. They don’t say, “This person listened once three weeks ago, so that’s enough.” Instead, repeated plays count, which is why some pop and rap songs can stay in the charts for an incredibly long time.

This is something that probably needs to be addressed—but that’s another discussion. If Rap is fading, or if it’s just slowly declining, it raises the question: when the charts finally shift, what will take its place?

PS – These are my own opinions. This is not a music blog, I could WELL be incorrect.