Category Archives: Opinion
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Ankara
11Wednesday 16 March, 2016 by Uncle Spike
For those who consider this part of the world some war torn dung-heap slum of rabble-rousing mobs who deserve nothing …
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International Women’s Day
6Tuesday 08 March, 2016 by Uncle Spike
As much as men think they rule the species, covet those positions of power in politics, business and the home, …
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Maya once more…
7Sunday 07 February, 2016 by Uncle Spike
Playing in the snow in the Anatolian Plateau is fun. Like any kid, Maya, an eight-year old Turkish pianist I met, …
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Maya’s back….
14Sunday 03 January, 2016 by Uncle Spike
Young Maya, the cheeky little eight year old pianist I met from Türkiye is progressing pretty well, tinkling the ivories …
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Dream on…
12Thursday 26 November, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Well I might as well, coz never gona seat my butt in one of these babies. There are more important …
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Thanksgiving 2015
7Thursday 26 November, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Here’s wishing my family, friends, followers and readers in the US, a peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving. . .
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Diwali 2015
7Wednesday 11 November, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Yes, it’s that time of year again when my friends who follow Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism celebrate the festival …
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WPC ‘Happy Place’… Not here, Not today.
62Saturday 10 October, 2015 by Uncle Spike
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Rock guitarists are not all the same!
7Wednesday 07 October, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Think of the great rock guitarists… What ‘s the image? Pretty sure most of conjure up pictures of long hair, …
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Out of respect. 911
1Friday 11 September, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Normally I post about musical memories on a Friday. Not today.
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American Memories on July 4th
5Saturday 04 July, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Having spent time in the states both as resident and visitor, and having numerous cousins living in five different states, …
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Turkey – the future?
23Saturday 06 June, 2015 by Uncle Spike
I am not one to get too involved in politics, and certainly not on my blog. In my humble opinion, …
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“Knowledge does not equal understanding”
15Thursday 28 May, 2015 by Uncle Spike
“Knowledge does not equal understanding” For those who reckon education is the answer, think again. Now that’s a very brave …
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The natural beauty of a woman
18Friday 22 May, 2015 by Uncle Spike
This a music video, and yes, it’s one that I could consider one of my Tunes I Love, but this …
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“Ok then Bro, which way now?”
5Thursday 21 May, 2015 by Uncle Spike
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Mother’s Day blossom
11Sunday 10 May, 2015 by Uncle Spike
Blossom varies from tree to tree, from species to species…. but this is my favourite from all the citrus trees …
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Gallipoli: lifelong dedication
13Friday 24 April, 2015 by Uncle Spike
This is my second post about the one hundred year anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign of World War One. Large official centennial memorial …
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Gallipoli: 100 years
10Friday 24 April, 2015 by Uncle Spike
One hundred years ago, the almost 9 month Gallipoli Campaign of World War One ended. The Allied forces withdrew from the peninsula, …
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Today, we think of Japan
9Wednesday 11 March, 2015 by Uncle Spike
It’s been four years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 at 2:46pm local time. Yesterday …
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Art From Where You’d Least Expect…
16Saturday 07 March, 2015 by Uncle Spike
This isn’t a post about my own work, something I have crafted myself or even a tale I have to …
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And That Was My 2014 Was It?
27Sunday 28 December, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Similar to last year, but different… It’s been a very busy but largely uneventful year (that’s a good thing), but …
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Christmas…
7Thursday 25 December, 2014 by Uncle Spike
It’s a beautiful and gorgeous winters’ morning here today in southwestern Türkiye. It’s cold (5/41) at night, but warm (20/68) …
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Being A Muslim At Christmas
14Sunday 21 December, 2014 by Uncle Spike
The vast majority of followers to my wee blog are located in the States, Canada and the UK. Irrespective of personal …
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Thankful at Thanksgiving – from Türkiye
21Wednesday 26 November, 2014 by Uncle Spike
It’s that time of year again when three things happen. One – over half my readers disappear to gorge on …
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Respect : Remembrance Sunday
1Sunday 09 November, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Originally posted on Uncle Spike's Adventures:
Lest We Forget In countries of the Commonwealth, today is known as Remembrance Sunday, with the… -
Volunteering Is A Must
9Tuesday 04 November, 2014 by Uncle Spike
These days my adventures in ‘volunteering’ tend to be limited to spending 8 hours with a backpack brushcutter to clear …
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Diwali 2014 Starts Today
8Wednesday 22 October, 2014 by Uncle Spike
I’m a Muslim, born to a Christian mother and an Atheist father… yep, we like to keep things a bit wacky in our …
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The Turkey Tag
8Sunday 19 October, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Like most of us, I spend a little time every day to peruse the offerings of my fellow bloggers. Now, …
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Seize the day; because it’s YOUR life !
3Saturday 11 October, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Today I read an article and saw a video about a young woman who will soon be dead. She is …
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Memorial page for Rhonda
2Tuesday 23 September, 2014 by Uncle Spike
I came across a memorial page for Rhonda, just in case any of her fellow bloggers are interested. You can …
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We lost one of our own…
40Saturday 20 September, 2014 by Uncle Spike
It is with a heavy heart that I write today. I have just found out that one of our Spikey’s, …
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Nine Eleven
7Thursday 11 September, 2014 by Uncle Spike
September 11, 2001 2977 people from 62 countries lost their lives. I remember that day vividly. I was here in Turkey on …
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Spoken With Dignity
8Thursday 28 August, 2014 by Uncle Spike
All men are created equal…
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Are You REALLY In Love?
16Sunday 24 August, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Love A simple, yet probably one of the most widely over-used, emotive, underrated and misunderstood words in the English language. …
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Remembering Robin Williams
7Tuesday 12 August, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Originally posted on TED Blog:
Robin Williams hijacks the TED2008 stage before the BBC World Debate. Photo: Andrew Heavens It’s 2008,… -
Turkey: Interesting Times Lay Ahead
15Saturday 09 August, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Tomorrow sees the first ‘public’ vote for President of the Turkish Republic. Up until now, the President has been appointed …
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Pushy Mom Scores One
9Saturday 09 August, 2014 by Uncle Spike
We all like to blab about our kids, and all think they are the smartest or most beautiful on the …
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Our Planet, Our Time, Our Shame
14Sunday 03 August, 2014 by Uncle Spike
We only have one planet upon which we may dwell (as far as I know). So why do we seem intent …
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Respect for Your Boss
9Saturday 02 August, 2014 by Uncle Spike
I’m no fan of bottom-feeders; those underlings who spend their careers attempting the crawl up the corporate ladder by way of …
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Pad Parent : Good Parent
7Thursday 31 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
It is a sad fact how many times you read, here or see cases of just plain old ‘bad parenting’. …
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MH17… A Most Despicable Act
11Friday 25 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Whatever you nationality, politics, background, or circumstance, the downing of flight MH17 was a senseless and despicable act of terror. …
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Adventure Travel Anyone?
29Sunday 20 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
I absolutely LOVE to travel, as you may have guessed anyway from my writing. For me, the destination is not …
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Anti-Social Media (?)
44Sunday 20 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Social Media; the bane or backbone of modern existence. See it how you will, we have ALL been dragged willingly …
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Wassup Grandad?
36Thursday 17 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
My maternal granddad died in the mid 70s when I was still in short trousers at school. But I have very fond memories …
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Media and the Near/Middle East
10Thursday 17 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
So often we are ‘informed’ about events taking place in my part of the world, the Near/Middle East, but from …
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Let’s Share Some Good News
8Friday 11 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Read a post in the wee hours this morning (suhoor/brekky time) from one of our more famous Spikey’s… Remember a …
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Imagine The World Will Be As One
3Sunday 06 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
These next few minutes will make you… believe in the priceless love of a mother… think again about the definition …
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Grand Budapest Hotel
29Saturday 05 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Today, Aunty Spike and I watched this truly epic, bizarre and wonderful piece of cinematography. What an absolute delight… . . …
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Hey America, Happy Birthday!
19Friday 04 July, 2014 by Uncle Spike
Yes it’s the Fourth of July, American Independence Day! So from all of us at Family Spike, enjoy your special …
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Where are you darling?
14Sunday 29 June, 2014 by Uncle Spike
One year ago, the LGBT Pride March in Istanbul was as controversial as ever. Our conservative quasi-religious government struggle immensely …
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