Alison McQueen

Blog

The Year of The Dragon

Posted: January 23rd, 2012

The dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, and those born under its sign are supposed to be particularly lucky. I’m hoping that this will be an auspicious start, especially as I was one of those babies.

Drunk People on Trains

Posted: January 20th, 2012

Drunk people on trains is nothing new, although I have to say that I avoid Virgin trains like the plague since finding myself on the coming out of Manchester on a three hour journey packed with intensely pissed football fans. It was lairy and scary without a guard in sight should things get a little ugly.  Continue Reading »

The Dangers of Distraction

Posted: January 17th, 2012

One of my first instincts upon waking is to make my way to the nearest source of caffeine. It’s an addiction which I have managed to control only so far. I allow myself three cups, max, over the course of the morning, and that’s it. On the upside, I make the best cup of coffee known to mankind. I use a really dark roasted Italian bean mix, beans freshly ground for each cup, hot milk, and none of that skimmed nonsense either, warmed cups, unrefined sugar. It’s an art, as anyone who’s really into their coffee will freely admit. Continue Reading »

The Big Question

Posted: January 16th, 2012

Fortunately, I don’t get out much. I’m not big on socialising, except with people who I know and like. Other than that, I am pretty much a recluse, preferring nothing better than to lock myself away in complete solitude. The annual festive season can be a bit tricky, particularly those unavoidable occasions when I am dragged along as the reluctant spouse. The moment I most dread is the invariable opening question from an unimaginative stranger: What Do You Do? In years gone by, I used to tell the truth. Not any more. Continue Reading »