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A Goodbye to Frankie & Benny's, Glasgow Airport’s Jewel

May 13, 2025 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

It can be hard to say goodbye to something that has meant a great deal to you across your life.

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May 13, 2025 /Chris Quilietti
op-ed
Lifestyle
Comment

Rocky Horror in Queens Park, Glasgow.

July 15, 2024 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

It’s an astounding time at the free open air cinema at Queen’s Park Arena in the Southside of Glasgow. 

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July 15, 2024 /Chris Quilietti
glasgow
Lifestyle

InSeine - Cleaning Up for the Olympics

June 29, 2024 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

If only it didn't take the eyes of the world, but the eyes of Parisians to clean up their historic rivière.

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June 29, 2024 /Chris Quilietti
op-ed, front
Lifestyle

The Thai Bar & Restaurant, a treat in the Southside of Glasgow

January 28, 2024 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle, Food and Drink

The Thai is absolutely worth your time.

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January 28, 2024 /Chris Quilietti
Food
Lifestyle, Food and Drink

Wonka Review - A Bad Musical Wrapped in a Good Film

January 28, 2024 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle, Review

I can review the film in one sentence. Wonka is a great, feel-good, family film, but it’s not a good musical.

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January 28, 2024 /Chris Quilietti
Review, musical, op-ed
Lifestyle, Review

Photo by Nikola Johnny Mirkovic on Unsplash

Candles Sit On Polish Graves

January 14, 2024 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

Szczecinek, Poland - it was damp underfoot.


“This place is massive,” my partner told me over the thud of the car door. I'm drawn to a booth to the right side of the cemetery entrance. A white wooden booth with a red metal roof, Znicze printed on its green canopy. Further down, a matching structure, both selling glass candle holders. Some are ornate with painted glass and religious symbols, in various sizes and shapes.

Today trade is good for the candle sellers. Those who do not have one seek out the red roofs before walking up the wooded lane to visit lost relatives, most accompanied by the ones they have left.

At a distance I don't notice anything unusual but as each row folds past, headstones sit on top of slabs - slabs that cover the entirety of the grave. Some are marble-like, others stone or granite. All placed in the same way - above, to protect what’s below. Perfect rectangles. Aside from the occasional block that appears to be made to resemble the lid of a coffin.

Accustomed as I am to the bureaucracy of headstones, I asked if names are added with each new occupant. "Often the entire slab and headstone are replaced” I'm told.

Each section is squared off by a hedge. Many graves have a seat to the side or front that doubles as a container for cleaning tools - brushes, cloths. Once you have taken the time to clean, you can sit with a loved one and rest. Standing by a  grave now strikes me as formal - something reserved for the funeral, not to be done afterwards.

Candles lit the day before are still burning. Their glow is faint through the tinted glass, but still present. Every grave has a candle; some have many, while others, less tended, have one or two. With winter's daylight fading, the sea of flickering is overwhelming.

The Polish respect for the dead is clear. A land that has known conflict and prosperity, the memory of this ground is deep. On the way back, I pass a memorial to Russian soldiers who fought against the Germans in the Second World War to liberate the town. A broken stone arch that looks to have survived a battle itself.

Passing couples and families, I bow my head to an older man making his way into the cemetery alone. He is holding a candle.

We return home for Christmas dinner.

January 14, 2024 /Chris Quilietti
Lifestyle

New Year's Eve in Vienna

January 14, 2024 by Chris Quilietti in Travel, Lifestyle

Warm and traditional, Vienna is a spectacular place to spend New Year’s Eve.

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January 14, 2024 /Chris Quilietti
Europe, long read
Travel, Lifestyle

The Dolls - Over 25 Years of Drag in Athens

July 10, 2023 by Chris Quilietti in LGBT, Lifestyle

Pay a visit to this legendary drag show that is full of laughs and heart. 

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July 10, 2023 /Chris Quilietti
Europe
LGBT, Lifestyle

Mezcal - The Best Taco In Glasgow?

April 30, 2023 by Chris Quilietti in Review, Lifestyle, Food and Drink

Mezcal has been serving up some of Glasgow’s most popular Mexican dishes and some truly fantastic tacos since 2019.

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April 30, 2023 /Chris Quilietti
Food, Review
Review, Lifestyle, Food and Drink

Please Don’t Sing Along at the Theatre

April 17, 2023 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

With discussion around theater etiquette and audience behavior, should you sing along when you go to see a show? No, probably not.

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April 17, 2023 /Chris Quilietti
theatre, op-ed
Lifestyle

Have we Forgotten the True Meaning of Pancake Tuesday?

February 20, 2023 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

With supermarkets throwing more at us every year, have we forgotten the true meaning behind Pancake Tuesday?

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February 20, 2023 /Chris Quilietti
Food, op-ed
Lifestyle

This was written by artificial intelligence

February 02, 2023 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

This blog was written by artificial intelligence using, using ChatGPT

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February 02, 2023 /Chris Quilietti
Lifestyle

How to Have a Helmut Newton Day

January 22, 2023 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

How to Have a Helmut Newton Day when visiting Berlin. Start off at the Helmut Newton exhibition and end up at one of the coolest bars in Berlin.

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January 22, 2023 /Chris Quilietti
Europe
Lifestyle

Notes From A Polish Train

January 02, 2023 by Chris Quilietti in Travel, Lifestyle

A busy train ride through Western Pomerania, days before Christmas.

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January 02, 2023 /Chris Quilietti
Europe
Travel, Lifestyle

Karen's Diners are a Terrible Idea

October 04, 2022 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

They sound like a fun idea but hit headlines for all the wrong reasons.

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October 04, 2022 /Chris Quilietti
op-ed, long read
Lifestyle

The Mystery of the New York Sour

September 14, 2022 by Chris Quilietti in Food and Drink, Lifestyle

Time to show a bit of love to this classy and sour New York cocktail.

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September 14, 2022 /Chris Quilietti
Food
Food and Drink, Lifestyle

Casa Fofó, A Michelin Star that Won't Break The Bank

July 27, 2022 by Chris Quilietti in Food and Drink, Lifestyle, Review

Looking for Michelin quality food that you won’t have to take a mortgage out to pay for? Casa Fofó is the place for you.

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July 27, 2022 /Chris Quilietti
Food, Review, London
Food and Drink, Lifestyle, Review

30 Of The Best Coffee Shops In Scotland (2022 Update)

July 14, 2022 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle, Food and Drink

Some of the best coffee shops and cafes from all over Scotland

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July 14, 2022 /Chris Quilietti
Scotland
Lifestyle, Food and Drink

My Experience With Roaccutane

June 26, 2022 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle

I spent a year on a severe acne treatment in my teens, here’s how it went.

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June 26, 2022 /Chris Quilietti
Lifestyle

In Defence of Pizza and Wine

January 31, 2021 by Chris Quilietti in Lifestyle, Food and Drink

Pick up a slice, uncork a bottle and enjoy.

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January 31, 2021 /Chris Quilietti
food, pizza, Covid 19
Lifestyle, Food and Drink
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Blog
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A Day Trip to Bratislava, Slovakia’s quirky capital
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Rocky Horror in Queens Park, Glasgow.
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The Cats of Athens
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The Mystery of the New York Sour

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