She has not begun to stem the tide of British ugliness—the yobbish teenagers shivering in their torn gear; the shoddy streets littered with fast-food packaging; the drunks urinating on London's tube platforms; the drug culture. It is facile to call those concerned “Thatcher's children”: she is not responsible for their actions.

Benches and tables are set up for the workers headed by professional assistants like the wirebenders on whose expertise so much of the finery of Carnival costumes depend.

I was dreadfully afraid of the night (a carryover from childhood, but my self-control just didn't work with night fright), and I smoked.

Let's say, for example, that you arrive home late (again) because you had an important piece of business to finish that will add a nice chunk of change to your bank account.