Saturday mornings

What’s your favorite cartoon?

This is a very tough choice to be honest and it boils down to a toss up between two 80s cartoons that I remember as a child.

The first one has seen a massive rise in popularity over the years due to rebooting the toys and cartoons, then the big screen treatment courtesy of Michael Bay.

Transformers

I still have a couple of the original G1 toys and I still have the complete animated series and original animated movie on VHS (what we had in the days before) fortunately I don’t need to explain the premise as it’s still a popular franchise in 2025.

The other cartoon was another Gen X Saturday morning show, or more during school holidays. It was called M.A.S.K (mobile armoured strike kommand) who had vehicle that transformed from say a motorcycle to a helicopter etc. MASK were the good guys fighting V.E.N.O.M (vicious evil network of mayhem) it was a cheesy cartoon created by Kenner to sell their action figures. Which I still have a couple of that I always wanted as a kid, tucked away safely.

M.A.S.K

Honourable mention

I can’t write about 80’s cartoons without giving a shout out to one of the other classics, whose action figures I got one year for Christmas. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. This was a quintessential 80’s cartoon action figure tie in by Mattel. This is another series that has been rebooted a few times. Including by the legendary Kevin Smith (Silent Bob) it was a tale of good He-Man and evil Skelator. Set on the planet Eternia.

He-Man

Stage fright

Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech?

I’ve performed on stage many times at various poetry open mic nights and at a few literary festivals also, despite stage fright and all the joys of being neurodivergent. When I did perform I found that I couldn’t sleep, eat (or keep food down) due to the anxiety that it caused.

I tried a trick that Roy Orbison used to use to battle his crippling stage fright, (not that I’m in the same league as him) sunglasses. You see they create a barrier between you and the audience. This works extremely well and I used it right up until the pandemic as a strategy to cope with the stage lights (eyes are v sensitive to bright light) and other people. Unfortunately after that I decided that the anxiety’s effects both physical and mental were becoming too much, so I now settle for just writing poetry that appears in magazines, books and websites globally. This way I can still create some really great poetry and it reaches an even bigger audience without the health issues. I do miss performing and I hope one day to be able to return to the stage. Until then most of my (unpublished) work an be found on here.

One of my first events

The infinite library

What bores you?

There’s nothing that bores me…

Really?

Yes, because If you’re bored, it could mean you’re not in the right place, or doing something that excites you. 

Boredom isn’t just about lacking excitement—it’s a neurochemical signal, a reminder to yourself that you might be missing out on a chance for growth.

Like for instance, finding the answers to any of those question you have. 

Like how many penguins would fit into a limousine?

(81 incase you wondered) 

The speed of light in miles per second.

186,282.4 

You see where I’m going. 

If you’re bored, ask a question. 

Anything. 

Why Coffee Deserves the Top Spot

What is your favorite drink?

Coffee isn’t just a drink — it’s a daily ritual, a creative spark, and a tiny moment of joy wrapped in a warm cup.

It’s the fuel that powers early mornings, ambitious ideas, and those “I’ve got this” moments we all need. With endless flavours, brewing styles, and personalities in every cup, coffee adapts to whoever you are and whoever you’re becoming.

It’s comfort when you’re tired, focus when you’re busy, and connection when you share it with someone else.

If there’s one drink that can elevate your day from ordinary to exceptional, it’s coffee — and that’s exactly why it should be everyone’s favourite.

These Boots were made for marching.

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

While these may not have been my favourite footwear at the time, they were comfortable, hard wearing and have certainly been places.

My standard issue (Army) boots were,once broken in. A fantastic price of kit that kept my feet warm, dry, and protected. They’ve been with me everywhere and taken me to places I’d never have dreamed of as a kid.

While the boots weren’t as magical as I’m making them appear, they were a big part of my younger years and the memories I have of my comrades, and the time we spent together are amazing.

(To Casper, Tictok, and badger)

Fantastic for their age

Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

One of the best gifts I’ve ever received has to be two antique oil lamps. They’re both from the Middle East and around 3,000 years old, and are in fantastic condition for their age. (rather like me)

I must mention that Mrs Bob has bought me so many great gifts over the years we’ve been together, from my HotToys Batman as a wedding present to books signed by Kevin Smith, Jock and other comic book legends.

Family business

What were your parents doing at your age?

My mother was working in early years support services, dealing with children with behavioural issues.

My biological father (sperm donor) was working in the aerospace engineering industry as he had all my life.

(Ps. Weirdly my mother and the various schools failed to notice my autism, and I actually ended up working in the same field as SD and his father, my grandfather who was a senior manager at RR. It’s how I got into Rolls Royce aerospace division, at the interview (at 18) they asked if I was related to him. I said yes and was given a job. By this point though it was just before I took a sabbatical and joined the British Army for a while. Before once again going back to the family buisness of aerospace engineering once again)

Dignity Over Stigma: The Case for Drug Law Reform

If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

If I had the power to change one law, I would reform our drug laws—specifically to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use and shift the focus from punishment to treatment and education.

My reason is not that drug use is harmless, but that our current approach often increases suffering rather than reducing it. Criminal records can follow someone for life, limiting employment, housing, and relationships. Instead of helping people overcome addiction or harmful habits, we frequently isolate and stigmatise them. A more compassionate, health-led approach would recognise that many who struggle with substance use are already experiencing deep pain.

I believe laws should aim to reduce harm, encourage personal responsibility, and cultivate wellbeing. Supporting accessible rehabilitation, mental health services, and community support would be far more constructive than relying primarily on punishment. When people are treated with dignity rather than condemnation, they are more likely to change in meaningful and lasting ways.

Ultimately, I would want our legal system to reflect care as much as accountability—to reduce suffering where it can and to encourage wiser choices, not simply impose consequences.

Stately Wayne Manor

Write about your dream home.

My dream home would have a library type room, so I could have all my graphic novels in one place. While also having some display cases for some of my rarer books and artefacts, including books by long lost relatives or my books by Charles Darwin etc, the only other thing would be a secret bookcase door (you know you’d have one too) into a small office room where I could write in peace and meditate when needed.

The only other features I’d want is a separate garage with a granny flat over it, so I could maybe have guests over without having them in the house (I’m very private) if that makes sense. Add a walk in swimming pool and a garden big enough to practice my archery and it’s complete.

Though if I’m honest, while dreaming about that is lovely, my home wouldn’t be a home without Mrs Bob and our little cat Noodles. These two creatures are what make our house a home,

This just in…

You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

Hmmm.

Firstly I’d obviously tell Mrs Bob and ask her to check the validity of said information, as I could have made a mistake (it’s been known to happen) Once it’s been confirmed, then I’d share the news with a very select few people who’ve been there for me.

I’d probably not tell anyone else as despite my website etc I’m a very shy and private individual and above all it’s my news.