Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?

...Well, nowhere as it happens, but this last month has been a combination of stress, professional frustration and existential ennui. Still, you've got to laugh, haven't you?

I do, however, have a backlog of pieces from December that I'll be posting up very soon, then we'll crack on with the usual mixture of satire, reviews and snarky commentary. Oh yes, WordJam hasn't closed for business just yet.

In the meantime, a journalist from a staunchly (dare I say it) 'woke' publication recently contacted me to complain about the "problematic satirical focus" on this site (ie. the humour's a bit "edgy" and it isn't clear what my politics are). They also said that if I was as "bold" as half the things I post on WordJam I should stop being a coward and post a picture of myself.

Your wish is my command: here I am celebrating my birthday with a number of close friends (their identities have been protected). I'm also wearing my favourite t-shirt:

What do you make of that, then, Little M*ss Moral Compass? Is that problematic enough for you? I would post up images of me in my Jeremy Corbyn, Nigel Farage or Xi Jinping t-shirts, but you get the point.

Y'see, with all that virtue-signalling of yours you forget that real satire doesn't give a shit about your finer feelings or what position you hold on any given issue. In a strictly Swiftean sense, it's about placing an individual face to face with their own moral thought. (Not to mention stirring the shit from time to time, which may not be noble but it's honest.)

I make no great claims about my abilities as a writer, but all I know is if I'm getting feedback from people claiming to represent particular views - right, left or liberal - who have a problem with what I'm joking about rather than how I say it then that suggests I'm doing something right. Besides, there are plenty of not-so-subtle hints on WordJam that I'm not an "-ist" or a "-phobe". (Context, people: or don't they teach that in basic journalism anymore?)

Now we've cleared that up, I'd be happy to contribute to your article about the current state of satire. But let's make it clear: if you want this you don't misrepresent me or any of my readers, okay?

And on that note, I'd like to take this opportunity to express once again my gratitude towards WordJam's loyal, much-respected readership and thank you for your continued interest and support. This blog wouldn't exist without you. Make sure you stay tuned to WordJam, folks: the blog that will change your life. But don't just take my word for it. Remember how the great Jordan Peterson said there are twelve rules to becoming a happy and fulfilled individual? Turns out there are only two.

Thanks, Prof!