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Today we mark the sad passing of the legendary TV chef Keith Floyd. Floyd was a character unto himself and I feel one of the biggest influences on both TV chefs and many others opinions of food – including mine.

Floyd’s love of food and particularly wine was evident throughout his presentations and his infamous phrase “if it’s not good enough to drink, it’s not good enough to cook with” is one that I carry with me today, and is certainly the legacy that Floyd left with me. I am certain that he had some influence on my love of food and wine today.

Rest In Peace Keith Floyd, and salute to your memory.

It’s now two days since America swore in its 44th President and I have managed to avoid blogging about Barack Obama so far, but with the world hanging off his every word, I will finally give my comments on his road to The White House.

The world’s knowledge and obsession of Obama really started way back in 2004 when he wrote and delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. It should come as little surprise that it was an incredible speech and I remember thinking at the time (as a young Toastmaster) that he was an incredible speaker.

Today having taken the highest office in the world, he remains one of the best public speakers ever (in my opinion). Indeed, I feel that a large portion of his success has been in his ability to convey his message so eruditely to his audience. The phrase from his November 4th speech: “”But tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this moment, change has come to America.” is one that defines his election in time. Even though it is a phrase that actually belongs to another man…

Indeed, this election has been linked to Martin Luther King Jr. on so many levels, and I truly believe that the world has seen a first realisation of King’s “dream”. In many ways this election can be linked to the 1995 election of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, but as this election is so influential and in the worlds current crisis, so important, it has been noticed so much more.

All I can say to conclude is “congratulations Sir, may you lead America and the world wisely and effectively.”

2008 is the 20th Year we have “celebrated” World Aids Day and considered the implications of this terrible disease and the virus which causes it – HIV.

It is especially important to those of us who live in Africa, where the disease kills millions every year. Wear your red ribbon today, and do your bit to prevent the spread of Aids. My “virtual” ribbon sits here in acknowledgement of the day.

Ninety years ago, at the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month (11h00 11 November 1918) the Allied Forces and Germany signed the great armistice of World War One. Today we commemorate the fallen of The War and in doing so, the words of Laurence Binyon’s famous poem For The Fallen:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them. We will remember them.
For The Fallen – Laurence Binyon

Whilst this Armistice Day commemorates the culmination of the Great War, we have also commemorated the fallen of the many other wars which have torn the world. At 11h00 at the British Army Base in Basra, on Remembrance Sunday we began with the commemoration of those who continue to fall in the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This is particularly true as we remember that this armistice marks the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front – the fighting still continued elsewhere. As we commemorate with two minutes silence today, I salute the fallen and all those who put themselves in the firing line for our safety and the security of the world.

Ings recently posted about the site If the world could vote, which gives anyone and everyone the opportunity to vote for their chosen candidate in the American Presidential race. Of course, its just a poll, and it is flawed in that its possible to vote more than once, but…

Currently 346 thousand odd people have voted, in an overwhelming majority for Barack Obama, with just one little country voting for the Republicans. Its less than two weeks to the real thing, who will become the most powerful man alive. Find out, November 4th.

In the mean time, have your say: www.iftheworldcouldvote.com