It’s a joke. When you give me that look, it’s a joke . — Krusty the Clown, The Simpsons This post goes up on April 1. April Fools’ Day . A day known around the world for practical jokes, hoaxes, and pranks. One of the most famous is the Spaghetti Tree Hoax of 1957 in which the BBC showed a film in their Panorama current affairs series that purported to show Swiss farmers harvesting freshly-grown spaghetti. It’s my third least favourite day of the year, after Halloween and November 5 (Bonfire Night here in the UK). I hate the chaotic uncertainty, the overturning of trust, and the sly nastiness of many of the pranks. I’m nevertheless expected to find them amusing or risk reproval for lacking a sense of fun. In the fourteenth episode of the fourteenth season of The Simpsons (“Mr Spritz Goes to Washington”) Krusty the Clown stuns the Simpsons family by claiming “For a thousand [dollars] I can have someone whacked.” Responding to their astonished silence he declares , “It’s a j...
To mark this year’s World Bipolar Day (March 30) Fran and I are offering our books for FREE on Kindle for five days between Sunday March 29 and Thursday April 2, inclusive. In High Tide, Low Tide: The Caring Friend’s Guide to Bipolar Disorder we share what we’ve learned about growing a supportive, mutually rewarding friendship between a “well one” and an “ill one.” With no-nonsense advice from the caring friend’s point of view, original approaches and practical tips, illustrated with real-life conversations and examples. Buy it here . Friendship is a beautiful part of life and an important component of long-term wellness. No One Is Too Far Away: Notes from a Transatlantic Friendship is a collection of articles from our blog which shows that mental illness needn’t be a barrier to meaningful connection; indeed it can be the glue that holds people together. Buy it here . Once the free offer is over the prices will go back to normal. World Bipolar Day is celebrated e...