As an antidote to poison, 'kek', in my admittedly rather strange world, means 'underpants' so 'kekius maximus' using my best Latin translation skills (learned at school under extreme duress in 1971) would be 'gigantic pants'.
Something to raise a smile whenever it is inadvertently encountered.
"What I do know is that when a snake bites, you need an antidote. I think we should all try to be the antidote. In 2025, I will eat what I want and drink what I want, but I will try to be an antidote. I want to be an antidote to poison and to snake oil. And I will keep some bubbles chilled, ready for the moment when some of those snakes start to eat each other alive."
"Be the Antidote" – best New Year's resolution ever, and possible next book title?
I’m a bit late to the party, but so glad to have finally arrived. As others have said, “be the antidote” is a brilliant rallying cry as well as a quiet mantra. I love how you’ve woven the mundanity of typical New Year’s resolutions with the horror of the global shift toward autocracy and oligarchy. The truth is, in real life, we have to contend with both on a more or less daily basis, don’t we? The latest round of blithering from the incoming US president (🤢) was particularly harrowing. I do not know what I can do in the face of such unbridled hatred and stupidity and the enormous hubris and entitlement of average white men with lots of cash, but I will strive - in whatever small way I can - to be the antidote. And I will eat the damn crisps. xo
Thank you SO much, Jamie for your incredibly kind words. It's hard enough on this side of the pond, but it must be pretty agonising on yours. The "hubris and entitlement of average white men with lots of cash" is exactly right. Let's all do what we can be be the antidote and eat and drink what the hell we like. Really looking forward to our catch up on Saturday. xx
Well said / written, Christina, (as always)! Musk's recent actions sicken me, attacking our elected politicians. If only he could simply be ignored but not possible (and not helped by most of our own media providing oxygen to his hate filled mad rantings). Just shared you a take on him from Ms Blackley's thread btw, tho' you likely saw it anyway. I have made some progress in shutting myself away from politics, I believe necessary now for my mental health. (Serious.). But I have to agree with you, we cannot avoid entirely, else there will be no hope of rational opposition. Stay strong! John x
Many thanks, John. I am so sorry to hear about your mental health. I do understand. Yesterday I felt sick and despairing all day about Musk etc and I refuse to have my precious life wrecked by these monsters. But it’s so hard to know how to manage it all. Sending solidarity. X
What would I do without you, Christina .... please keep on writing. We're so alike in our point of view and yet would seem so different in personality. Am getting older, have fewer people to chat with about all these things in "real life" .... then your posts pop into my inbox, they always raise a smile and somehow leave me feeling less alone. Many thanks.
Quite excellent, as usual. Sitting back and reading essentially what I've been thinking these days, you so eloquently writing it down. (I know, a bit lazy of me) The comments from Mark et al. are indeed correct that keks in many regions refers to underpants (breeks), and kak means 💩
We can laugh, but this man (Maximus keks) is becoming a danger, slithering into other nations' politics with nothing constructive to offer but the almighty dollar, sterling, Euro, etc, to buy influence with those whose intentions are not necessarily in the national public interest. Moving on–
A marvellous account of your NY soirèes. All that leaves this Scot to do is to raise a glass and say: Sláinte mhath!
May yer lum always reek! (You can research that yin yersel)
Looking forward to the next episode here and Sky papers.
As an antidote to poison, 'kek', in my admittedly rather strange world, means 'underpants' so 'kekius maximus' using my best Latin translation skills (learned at school under extreme duress in 1971) would be 'gigantic pants'.
Something to raise a smile whenever it is inadvertently encountered.
Absolutely brilliant! That will cheer me up consistently. And a very happy new year to you, Mark.
🤣🤣
'Kek' close enough to 'kak', South African slang for 'crap', as EM would know. So he styles himself 'the biggest shit' - appropriate.
Brilliant! And happy new year to you.
🤣🤣
"What I do know is that when a snake bites, you need an antidote. I think we should all try to be the antidote. In 2025, I will eat what I want and drink what I want, but I will try to be an antidote. I want to be an antidote to poison and to snake oil. And I will keep some bubbles chilled, ready for the moment when some of those snakes start to eat each other alive."
"Be the Antidote" – best New Year's resolution ever, and possible next book title?
Thank you for your kind words. What a brilliant idea!
And you're just the one to write it! Happy New Year indeed 🥳
I’m a bit late to the party, but so glad to have finally arrived. As others have said, “be the antidote” is a brilliant rallying cry as well as a quiet mantra. I love how you’ve woven the mundanity of typical New Year’s resolutions with the horror of the global shift toward autocracy and oligarchy. The truth is, in real life, we have to contend with both on a more or less daily basis, don’t we? The latest round of blithering from the incoming US president (🤢) was particularly harrowing. I do not know what I can do in the face of such unbridled hatred and stupidity and the enormous hubris and entitlement of average white men with lots of cash, but I will strive - in whatever small way I can - to be the antidote. And I will eat the damn crisps. xo
Thank you SO much, Jamie for your incredibly kind words. It's hard enough on this side of the pond, but it must be pretty agonising on yours. The "hubris and entitlement of average white men with lots of cash" is exactly right. Let's all do what we can be be the antidote and eat and drink what the hell we like. Really looking forward to our catch up on Saturday. xx
Cremant ( I have one courtesy of Naked Wines) Negroni and crisps sound fab, but not just for Christmas in my house.
Absolutely! And a very happy new year to you, Louise.
Well said / written, Christina, (as always)! Musk's recent actions sicken me, attacking our elected politicians. If only he could simply be ignored but not possible (and not helped by most of our own media providing oxygen to his hate filled mad rantings). Just shared you a take on him from Ms Blackley's thread btw, tho' you likely saw it anyway. I have made some progress in shutting myself away from politics, I believe necessary now for my mental health. (Serious.). But I have to agree with you, we cannot avoid entirely, else there will be no hope of rational opposition. Stay strong! John x
Many thanks, John. I am so sorry to hear about your mental health. I do understand. Yesterday I felt sick and despairing all day about Musk etc and I refuse to have my precious life wrecked by these monsters. But it’s so hard to know how to manage it all. Sending solidarity. X
Joined WW and am doing dry January. Not sure I can cope with that double whammy!
Good for you! Very best of luck with both and happy new year, Donal.
What would I do without you, Christina .... please keep on writing. We're so alike in our point of view and yet would seem so different in personality. Am getting older, have fewer people to chat with about all these things in "real life" .... then your posts pop into my inbox, they always raise a smile and somehow leave me feeling less alone. Many thanks.
What a truly lovely thing to say, Julie. There is honestly nothing better you could say to a writer. Thank you so much.
Be the antidote to the poison - I love that, Christine, and will happily join you in that resolve! Please keep the Champagne chilled.
Please do and I will!
Quite excellent, as usual. Sitting back and reading essentially what I've been thinking these days, you so eloquently writing it down. (I know, a bit lazy of me) The comments from Mark et al. are indeed correct that keks in many regions refers to underpants (breeks), and kak means 💩
We can laugh, but this man (Maximus keks) is becoming a danger, slithering into other nations' politics with nothing constructive to offer but the almighty dollar, sterling, Euro, etc, to buy influence with those whose intentions are not necessarily in the national public interest. Moving on–
A marvellous account of your NY soirèes. All that leaves this Scot to do is to raise a glass and say: Sláinte mhath!
May yer lum always reek! (You can research that yin yersel)
Looking forward to the next episode here and Sky papers.
All the best in 2025–you deserve it.
💗🏴➡️🏴
What a lovely response! Thank you so much, Aisha, and a very happy new year to you!
Kekius Maximus sounds like a character from Life of Brian…he’s a very naughty boy 😂
Indeed! And happy new year to you.
A greart read! And now I have a navigational light for 2025: to be an antidote .... with crisps if I like....wherever I can.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Annalee. And a very happy new year to you, with minimal poison and plenty of crisps.
"art in heaven" 💕
According to a Telegraph article on healthy foods, Kettle Crisps are recommended .
Happy new year, Christina.
Happy New Year & thanks so much for this. Such a brilliant read and I love ‘Be the antidote’.