I managed along quite nicely for (what is now) just over half of my life without the presence of the internet. And while I don’t deny its uses, there have been many times - in the last few years with increasing frequency - I have wished that I no longer had access to the World Wide Web, no longer had a smartphone, no longer had a laptop even. That day arrived on Thursday.

There was a widespread broadband outage in our area but even after being "pleased to [be told] this issue is now fixed. Best wishes, the Virgin Media Team", in our house it wasn’t. By sheer coincidence, my mobile phone also flaked out. I could make phone calls and receive (but, curiously, not send) text messages, and without broadband access I was unable to investigate further.

So how was my return to analogue distraction free life? Awful; all I could think about was fixing everything in time to book tickets for Dexys Midnight Runners at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in October when they went on sale on Friday morning.

Tickets on sale at Ripping Records, image © Copyright: HES

And I know it’s a cliche / I’m showing my age / not again granddad, take your pick, but it really was easier when you bought tickets for gigs from Ripping Records on South Bridge. Cash. Anyway, thanks to a breakfast + internet combo at La’Telve cafe, reader, I bought the tickets. I’m really looking forward to seeing Kevin Rowland again, hear his new album and some Dexys favourites. Should be a great evening.

And now that the internet has been restored? Awful. As Kev would say, did say: for God’s sake, burn it down. 🔥

Burn It Down

With A Little Luck