Non-celeb birthday is my friend Harriet, who today is a year older than she was last birthday. Happy birthday Harriet! Also my sister's friend Elaine, who is pretty much the same age as Harriet. Happy birthday Elaine!
On this day was born in 1737 Thomas Paine, a great and undersung political philosophical. He wrote the Rights of Man, and was the influence behind the US Bill of Rights. HM Customs and Excise London Central office is in Thomas Paine House above Angel tube, and I think it rather beautiful that a great Socialist is commemorated in the building that collects VAT from the City.
In 1860 was born Chekhov.
In 1862 was born composer Fred Delius. Try as I do, I really can't get to like Fred Delius.
Germaine Greer was born in 1939. I was deeply impressed and influenced by the Female Eunuch, but I have found her to be so wrong in recent years. Most of all for stating before a Commons Select Committee that we ought to tolerate female genital mutilation in the spirit of cultural understanding. There is no excuse for female genital mutilation, and as a feminist deeply influenced by the Female Eunuch, I cannot understand why anybody would wish to defend it.
Tony Blackburn was born in 1943. What is there to say about Tony Blackburn that hasn't already been said?
Roderick Earle, bass, was born in 1952. I have seen him a few times at Covent Garden, and he is on at least four DVDs I own. A fine comprimario.
Oprah Winfrey was born in 1954. I suppose she is a cultural phenemonem that cannot be ignored, but I find her programme, and the derivative imitators to be deadly dull and no substitute for actual thought.
Sean Kerly was born in 1960. As captain of Great Britain's gold-medal winning Olympic hockey team he inhabited the outer portals of my pantheon of heroes in the 1980s - I suppose encompassing the 1984 and 1988 games.
Roddy Frame, from the vastly underrated Aztec Camera was born in 1964. As was Anna Ryder Richardson from Changing Rooms. I used to enjoy that programme when I was part of its cult following on BBC2. But once it transferred to BBC1 it became tired, clichéd and it was downhill all the way.
Clare Balding, horse, was born in 1971. You know, I would have put her as much older than me. I said I was crap at guessing ages.
Sara Gilbert was born in 1975. She played Darlene in Roseanne, one of my favourite sitcom characters.
