Parents who make you cringe?

Dad on the dancefloor? Mum singing in front of your friends? Or, when you first introduce your new boyfriend or girlfriend to your parents, them spouting off about what you were like as a baby? Yes, it’s happened to us all. Moments when your parents make you want to die of embarrassment. But is it your fault or theirs?

Keeping your head above the gloom?

Things have been looking pretty grim on the US economic front of late: a string of bank failures and mergers, jitters on Wall St, and even the President predicting possible financial panic there if Congress doesn’t act immediately to ease the crisis. Stories of foreclosures and job losses have been filling the press. And of course, what affects the US is likely to affect the rest of the global economy. Is the bad news swamping you? Or have you got ways of staying positive in the face of the onslaught? If so, what are your tips to see the silver lining in every cloud?

Michael Jordan meets Tchaikovsky

“Poetry in motion!” That’s a description applied to some of the best moments in sport. But instead of poetry, what about music? Chinese pianist Lang Lang – the 26-year-old who played at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics – has been speaking to the BBC about some of his sporting inspirations as he caresses the keys. When he plays Tchaikovsky? It’s basketball player, Michael Jordan, who comes to mind. But Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt also fill his fingers with fire. Is it the same for you? Do you forever link some sport or sports stars with pieces of music? Or do they inspire you to other works of art? And why?

A ring tone to die (of shame) for?

It’s one of the first rules of radio — switch off your mobile phone before going into the on-air studio. Or, better still, leave it outside. Sounds easy enough. But most radio producers have committed this cardinal sin at some point — breezing in, forgetting to turn the damn thing off. And most of the time you’ll get away with it. But not always…

Your national anthem: Olympic pride? Or can’t abide?

The Olympics are now in full flight, and medal ceremonies are coming thick and fast. But does your national anthem make your breast swell with pride or make you want to cringe behind the sofa? And what are the alternatives?

Room for diplomacy… but not as you know it?

It’s all about showing respect, the US Ambassador to Paraguay says. Well, it certainly wasn’t part of his diplomatic training, but Ambassador James Cason has been tugging at his host nation’s heart strings by releasing an album of local folksongs, sung in the indigenous Guarani language.

Ireland “No” vote – your best Limerick?

So Ireland has rejected the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. EU Treaties aren’t normally the inspiration for flights of poetry, but can you write a killer Limerick to sum up the moment? Is this a deserved slap in the face for Eurocrats who just don’t listen? Or is it Ireland – which has enjoyed a massive economic boom since joining the EU – that’s just given Europe an undeserved kick in the teeth?

Euro 2008 – football fantasy or footie flop?

We’re almost a week into the European Championships being played in Austria and Switzerland. It’s one of the world’s biggest football tournaments, but is it living up to the hype?