IN ISSUE 11: The KLF, best travel places in '24, best internet moments of '23 & best TV episodes of this Century, the latest in midlife health and tickets for sale, Robbie Williams and Alvin Stardust
A 7 minute read, with the added serendipity that might just change your life
Editor’s letter
Welcome to issue 11.
We’re back! Cycling across Morocco was amazing. Thanks for bearing with me. It inspired me to include here the countries that the cool travel magazines reckon are going to be the next big places to visit in 2024.
Also, I love travelling on my own, without the baggage of stuff - I get to live in the present, with so many experiences around me. When I get back I find myself wasting too much time on social media - killing my time - literally.
So, I’m giving the Headway app a go - 15-minute summaries of inspiring books. I’m trying to replace the time I kill with time learning something new or something that inspires me onto my next adventure.
Which is what we hope to do with each issue of the Midlifer.
Enjoy.
Chris.
This week’s cuttings
We scan all relevant media to find anything valuable for living some good midlife years.
The key to success and happiness, it’s not what you think.
Success, according to in-depth polling by Ipsos, is surprisingly, at its root, a desire for control over our lives. (Times)
Traditions and rituals: why these meaningful moments mean so much to us
Birthday hikes through the hills. Kitchen discos on a Thursday night. New Year’s Day wild swimming. Hiding baby teeth for the tooth fairy. Croissants in bed on Saturday mornings. Traditions like these – rituals practised habitually with people we love, and often handed down from generation to generation – are the backbone of our lives. (Guardian)
Spend too much at restaurants? It's not you. It's the menu.
A menu's layout is designed to optimise profit. Here are five ways restaurants use language, psychology and behavioural economics to whet your appetite and make more money. (BBC)
Taylor Swift is Time Magazine ‘Person of the Year’ 2023
Read, the full article justifying the award for the biggest music artist in the world.
Why you should put a pound in a Lifetime ISA today
To learn more about the pros and cons of ISAs, listen to the Martin Lewis podcast on BBC Sounds. This is good savings advice for you (if you are a young midlifer or for your children).
If you’re buying gifts for Christmas make it personalised or homemade. Most people know, but if you don’t, Etsy is the home of millions of craft makers selling their homemade gifts.
Health
We only include news that has received credible coverage during the week.
Starting periods Before age 13 could raise the risk of type 2 diabetes in midlife
The findings from a recent study also suggest that menstruating younger, especially at age 10 or less, may increase stroke risk in midlife. (Everyday Health)
A new blood test shows if organs are ageing fast or slowly
Similar to doing an MOT on a car, scientists believe they can run a blood test to check how fast a person's internal organs are ageing, and even predict which ones might soon fail. (BBC)
How to start something new?
Travel - Here’s some motivation to do some more travelling in 2024. Best-selling travel magazines are listing the places they think will be the places to go next year.
National Geographic includes Nordland in Norway, Belfast in N.Ireland and Pompeii, in Italy. Conde Nast Traveller includes Budapest in Hungary, Cyclades in Greece and Yorkshire in the UK. Lonely Planet includes Mostar in Bosnia, Nairobi in Kenya and Kansas City in Missouri.
Click on the links for the full list and inspiration.
A cultural week
The best internet moments of 2023
From 'Barbie' buzz to 'Succession' bummers. The internet moves fast, and if you aren't chronically online you're going to miss some of the best bits. That's why Mashable made a list, in no particular order, of some of the best internet moments of the year. (Mashable)
The 50 greatest British TV episodes of the 21st century
Fleabag’s family dinner. Nasty Nick’s outing. Tim and Dawn’s first kiss. GQ Magazine asked 40 TV writers and critics to help them crown the best TV episodes to come out of the UK since the year 2000.
“Are you older than you thought you would ever be?
But at heart…Are you still an…Indie Kid or a…Death Metal Head…or a…Punks not Deader…or a…Proper Head (Dead or not) or just a…Raver to the Grave?
If so…You might want to know more about KLF KARE. They may have the care home for you! The KLF, who burned a million pounds and had a number one single ‘Doctorin’ the Tardis’ are back - and having fun!
When an idyllic getaway suddenly erupts into chaos, trust unravels fast. Starring Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la and Kevin Bacon. Meant to be very contemporary and very scary. On Netflix from tomorrow.
Tickets on sale
Robbie Williams tickets went on sale today for his headline gig in London’s Hyde Park next Summer. Also, tickets are just on sale for two stars of previous issues of Midlifer, very polite comedian Troy Hawke is doing a tour of the UK and Icelandic/Chinese jazz singer Laufey, set to be the next big thing, has announced a headline gig at the Royal Albert hall in London next Spring, following the selling-out of all the UK gigs she announced before that.
What were your top 5 listened-to artists and songs this year? I hope you’ve been sharing the embarrassment with friends and family. Here’s some motivation - if I can share this, you can share yours. :)
Spinal Tap are back! The director talks about the highly anticipated sequel coming in 2024.
PS - I’m loving this new album from The Bathers
The Bathers are a Scottish chamber pop band. The vehicle for singer-songwriter Chris Thomson, they have released seven albums and have been referred to as "the best-kept secret in Scottish music". Sirenesque is brilliant - but what do I know?!
One last thing…
Read about the very strange life of Alvin Stardust - How much was fact and how much was fiction.
Just to make sure you are up to date…if you haven’t heard, mansplaining is now called ‘Correctile Dysfunction’.
Finally, if you want to know how Jilly Cooper scored with her new book, set in the glamorous world of football and how she is looking for a new canine companion, then read this week’s Saga newsletter.
Have a great week!
Please share this issue, or if it was forwarded to you, please subscribe below, we publish once a week, every Thursday. Plus, please email us anything you think would benefit from being shared with Midlifer readers at chris@chrisward.cc
