Humour
Introducing the Fashtonometer
Ashton's speech today in Strasbourg - on the External Action Service - was just too much and I'm not talking about her proposals. …
- Originally published: 10 Mar 2010 in Humour
With these Rocher, you’re really spoiling us
Smooth and sophisticated, Belgian chocolate is among the finest in the world. But is it a bit much with a cup of tea? …
- Originally published: 29 Nov 2009 in Humour
How to wash your hands
Good to know that, in these difficult times of swine ‘flu, bird ‘flu and just plain old ‘flu, there’s always someone there with timely advice. So just in case you’ve forgotten since you …
- Originally published: 8 Oct 2009 in Humour
Attack of the obvious
I was walking down the corridor minding my own business the other day when I happened to see this sign: …
- Originally published: 8 Oct 2009 in Humour
Celebrating bureaucracy?
Opponents of the European Union are fond of pointing out what they see as the three grand negatives: democratic deficit, lack of transparency and unwieldy bureaucracy. Brussels certainly doesn’t do itself any favours …
- Originally published: 5 Mar 2009 in Humour
Entropa: one vision of Europe
Here’s a brief guide to Entropa, David Černý’s controversial artwork commissioned to mark the occasion of the Czech presidency of the European Union in 2009. Occasionally I have lunch with colleagues in the …
- Originally published: 5 Mar 2009 in Humour
Elsewhere on MikePadgett.com …
The Killers
Director: Robert Siodmak United States, 1946 Insurance investigator Jim Reardon uncovers dark dealings when assigned to the death of Ole ‘Swede’ Andersen. Told in flashback – with more than a pinch of nihilism – …
- Originally published: 30 Sep 2007 in Film
Gemäldegalerie, Berlin
Berlin’s art collections have been through the mill. Over four hundred larger works were lost during the Second World War. Then, when the Wall was erected, the Museumsinsel disappeared along with everything else …
- Originally published: 28 Mar 2009 in Museums & Galleries
Enough already!
What did you expect? You pluck a porcine, no-hope loser out of some dump in Bermondsey. You take her out of her dental nurse job, you shove her into the dentist’s chair …
- Originally published: 21 Jan 2007 in Editorial
Lila Downs in concert
As my interest in world music continues to develop, some names come up increasingly often. Though I had heard only snippets of her music, the voice of cantante mexicana Lila Downs persuaded me …
- Originally published: 25 Jul 2007 in Concerts
Don’t let me be misunderstood
Language means many things to many people. When starting a conversation in Brussels, where over 30% of residents are foreigners, language is the topical hors d’oeuvre to a main course of holidays, …
- Originally published: 12 Sep 2008 in Editorial
Who is that guy?
Hello you. I'm Mike Padgett and I work in the technology sector as an Information Designer.
I also enjoy travel, concerts, films and walking.
I'm based in Brussels, Belgium. My current favourite Belgian beer is St Feuillien Brune.