This week I have learned:
- The Thai language is essentially all in the present tense, so lots of explaining is required. An English book translated into Thai will have 130-150% more pages than the original.
- The existence of JB Priestley’s book “Delight” which both is, and also has unlocked something for me about how to right randomthebook.com. Thanks to the wonderful Lisl MacDonald for both of the above.
- That the word “Boo” is thought to come from the ancient Greek word for “to shout”. Top antiquities courtesy of Julia Bellis.
- I’ve taken my next step into middle age, 2025 style and have bought a record player. I’m now realising how much of my record collection is complete tosh. And sadly not of the Peter variety.
- It’s also got me thinking about owning physical artefacts again. But I won’t be rebuying my back catalogue.
- I will refer to it as “Amerika” from now on.
- Yet again I find my happiest place is in front of an audience. Performing is my personal equivalent of skydiving.
- The pub opposite the office appears to be an outlet for the wonderful St Peter’s Brewery, a favourite from Suffolk.
- The new office also has a little auditorium. It’s fascinating how much more purposeful it makes giving a talk in comparison to just being in an office.
The week in media
Read
- Continuing to go through Dirk Gently
- Also now dipping into JB Priestley’s Delight
- And David Spiegelhalter’s The Art of Uncertainty
Watched
- Spike Jonze’s wonderful Her is currently streaming on Amazon Prime, so I rewatched it. Tragic romance meets near-future science fiction meets AI meets high-waisted trousers and moustaches. It’s excellent and also a good way of seeing through some of tech hype we are now surrounded by.
Listened
- My aged record collection. Highlights so far include a very early Gilles Peterson compilation album Jazz Juice, and a 12″ single from Ultra Vivid Scene.
Next week:
Manchester.
The week in photos:
mmitII 