Modern Life – Dave Thomas's Blog

#makeadifferenceday Every Day Observations GOM Diary

Making a Difference, Without Making a Song and Dance About It

The trouble with being helpful I've noticed that making a difference has become rather complicated. Apparently, it's no longer enough to do something kind. Ideally, you should photograph it, post…

DaveThomas October 24, 2026

Every Day Observations GOM Diary Grumpy Old Man

Whatever Happened To Just Wrapping The Thing?

Whatever Happened To Just Wrapping The Thing? In honour of yesterday's Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day, I would like to report that I successfully liberated a set of batteries from their…

DaveThomas August 8, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #32 England Reach The Semi-Finals!

GOM World Cup Diary #32 England Reach The Semi-Finals! I Still Don't Know... England are in the World Cup semi-finals. There. I've said it. A few weeks ago, if someone…

DaveThomas July 14, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #31 – Shock! Horror! Spain Concede A Goal!

GOM World Cup Diary #31 – Shock! Horror! Spain Concede A Goal! Whatever Happened To Perfection? There was only one real shock in last night's quarter-final. Spain conceded a goal.…

DaveThomas July 13, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #30 – Whatever Happened To Leaving It Too Late?

GOM World Cup Diary #30 – Whatever Happened To Leaving It Too Late? Last night's quarter-final between France and Morocco wasn't quite the classic many of us had hoped for.…

DaveThomas July 10, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #29 – Whatever Happened To Taking Stock?

GOM World Cup Diary #29 – Whatever Happened To Taking Stock? Last night was unusual. For the first time since the World Cup began, there wasn't a match to watch.…

DaveThomas July 10, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #28 – Whatever Happened To Seeing It Through?

GOM World Cup Diary #28 – Whatever Happened To Seeing It Through? There are few more dangerous words in football than, "It's all over." Egypt probably thought exactly that with…

DaveThomas July 10, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #27 – Whatever Happened To The Laws?

GOM World Cup Diary #27 - Whatever Happened To The Laws? There was a time when football was wonderfully simple. The referee reached into his pocket, produced a yellow card…

DaveThomas July 7, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #11: Why Is Everybody Always In Such A Hurry?

Why Is Everybody Always In Such A Hurry? Last week Tunisia lost 5-1. Their response was immediate. The manager was shown the door. A new man was appointed. Fresh ideas…

DaveThomas June 21, 2026

Football Grumpy Old Man Humour

GOM World Cup Diary #4: Whatever Happened to Just Watching the Match?

GOM World Cup Diary #4: Whatever Happened to Just Watching the Match? I spent part of yesterday watching football supporters watching football. Which, when you think about it, is a…

DaveThomas June 14, 2026