Eager to read this. I had the pleasure of meeting the writer, Andrew O'Hagan, briefly for afternoon drinks during a course taught by then-artist-in-residence at my college, Irvine Welsh. He brought in O'Hagan and Alan Warner, the novelist behind what became one of my favorite films and books, Morvern Callar (adapted in 2002 by Lynne Ramsay). O'Hagan read to us from this touching contemplation on the personal costs of war: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3638417/We-.... He's a brilliant writer, and in a past life he toured with the Wedding Present, and so I'd really like to be his friend, if only to cue up his stories and wit at will.

It's an under-served topic, not only in fiction and in columns such as this one (appears to be). An example from pop culture that comes to mind is the stark difference between the male cast of characters in Parks & Recreation vs. that of The Office. Male friendship is given exponentially more screen time in the former whereas in the latter the only 'pals' on display were the misfits, and they only appeared to engage in friendship out of a dearth of other options.

It's simple, I know, but I can't help but be touched by the sincere language used by the writers in certain exchanges between male characters on Parks & Rec if only because it's so rare elsewhere. If someone pitches you an idea for a story about two guys who just "go away for a while," you either come up with crime or Brokeback Mountain - rarely does something like Old Joy register in the pop consciousness, but that's exactly what I think we need, more of that. More depth, and more understanding, of what it is that makes dudes (of a certain context, to complete the joke) tick.

On the other hand, I deeply regret having written all that on International Women's Day.