I found it very interesting to note that there wasn’t too much fuss or, indeed, controversy following the Roberto Mancini sacking as Manchester City boss early last week.

It can be hard to access the pace of change when it is happening on your doorstep.

I have always wished that when you decided you were finally, definitely going to lose weight and get fit, a magical weight loss and get fit fairy would appear, perhaps grill you on your intentions and, if they deem you genuine, magic off a couple of stone.

A number of articles have appeared in the ‘Derry Journal’ recently in relation to the Magee campus. One by former vice-chancellor Gerry McKenna highlighted the commonly-held view that progress on the physical, student number and subject-based expansion of the Magee campus had stalled in the last few years.

It was the first birthday of my nephew otherwise known as golden child during the week.

Is ionann iad dán agus amhrán go minic i dtraidisiún na nGael. Ciallaíonn ‘chuala mé ceol’ ‘chuala mé amhrán’ nó ‘chuala mé dán’. Deirimid ‘Dúirt me amhrán’, ar ndóigh. Is féidir le haithris filíochta a bheith chomh héifeachtach le hamhrán.

You might not be surprised to learn that I’ve never met either Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston. I don’t think either of the Hollywood A-Listers have ever been to Derry - and I’ve certainly never been to the wacky world of Los Angeles.

DURING the week, I tweeted: “To those tweeting ‘Thank you Sir Alex,’ as though you have shared some heroic adventures, it is worth remembering he is a complete stranger.”

We don’t get it, do we? The idea of separating church and state, that is. North and South we’ve made the same mistake over and over again. So why don’t we learn our lesson?
The churches are entitled to make up their own ‘rules’ and to encourage people to stick to them.

It was while perusing Birmingham’s local newspaper, ‘The Post’, that I chanced on last week’s news of the University of Ulster’s investment in that city - in contrast to its lack of investment in Derry.

Our location on the north west periphery of Europe can often lead to a sense of remoteness from the political centres of Brussels and Strasbourg.

I am and remain a great admirer of Sir Alex Ferguson mainly because, like the Glaswegian, I’m an old fashioned type of guy.

The long-awaited shared future strategy outlining the Executive’s plans to deal with our divided society was published yesterday and has already generated considerable comment.

Dear Reader, before I continue with extolling the virtues of the Biggest Loser programme I have a confession to make.

Bhog Donncha Ó hÉallaithe ó Bhaile Átha Cliath go Conamara 40 bliain ó shin. ‘B’í an Ghaeilge a mheall mé le bogadh amach as Baile Átha Cliath,’ a deir sé san eagrán

There’s a picture doing the rounds on Facebook which instantly makes me laugh no matter how many times I see it.

Browsing through back numbers of the Birmingham Post, as you do, I came across the headline: “New University of Ulster campus brings £6m boost to Birmingham’s economy.”

Have you seen the TV programme with Kevin McAleer travelling from Tyrone to visit Ulster/Scots folk in Antrim, Derry and Donegal? It’s called, Our Friends in the North.

The trouble with people is that they can’t be relied upon to be stupid when you really need them to be stupid. They’re happy enough to play along with appearing stupid when they don’t care or when their personal interests aren’t being threatened.

At the weekend thousands of revellers packed into pubs, clubs, public spaces and many other venues across the city for the successful City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival.