Over the past two weeks, I’ve been doing a civic duty as a juror at the local Crown Court. Before starting last week, I’d become a bit concerned that I would be spending quite a bit of time looking at how society goes wrong. I studied enough Criminology at university to know that poverty, drug … Continue reading Civic duty
Things I have learned this week: I've been (separately) experiencing aspects of both the health system and the judicial system this week. Both involved extensive periods of waiting with little information being supplied to alleviate frustration and anxiety. One has been able to take my mind off the other, though. Last night, I had the … Continue reading Weeknote 754: waiting
This week I have learned: It's a tricky thing when you go to the theatre and by the interval you know that the production isn't very good. Out of politeness I stay. But is that me being a bit too British? The liminal state I've found myself in for the last few weeks is coming … Continue reading Weeknote 753: counting down
This week I have learned: yet again, that putting work out there is terrifying. We have pushed out nearly 100 sample packs for the book out to friends and strangers to solicit feedback. It's like asking "Do you like my baby?"Once I get over myself and take the feedback in the constructive way it is … Continue reading Weeknote 752: exposure
I am, however I look at it, getting quite old. I'm old enough to remember the 1970s and the Christmas present I received, a CBM Electronic Calculator. I was amazed by how I could enter numbers and symbols, and the machine would return correct calculations. I'm old enough to remember the first experience at home … Continue reading Technonovelty
This week I have learned: Venice really is bloody remarkable, isn't it? My third visit and as spellbinding as ever. Sometimes, being involved in new business development work is like Whack-a-Mole. Something pops up, you go for it, it disappears, something else pops up and so on. When I'm about to enter a new business … Continue reading Weeknote 751: Italia
This week I have learned: the reason we fly flags at half mast when mourning. Apparently, it comes from the naval tradition of when one country defeated another, the victor's flag would be flown above the vanquished. In death, a flag at half mast is to indicate defeat to the unknown flag of death above. … Continue reading Weeknote 750: which feels like a big number
As we enter into the final stages of the editorial processes for randomthebook.com, yesterday I found myself with a creative challenge. Each of the stories in the book will be illustrated with a pop art-style collage. I've been struggling to get into the task, so wanted to break it down into more manageable steps. In … Continue reading Disposable applications
This week I have learned: if you raise concerns constructively, they might get heard. over the coming weeks, there's going to be a bit of a focus switch. I'm in need of it. I'm looking forward to it. I do like it when I bring a good team together. It's a bit of gut, a … Continue reading Weeknote 749: a shift
For many years, I've had a pet theory that you can tell a huge amount about the culture and values of an organisation from what you see and experience in their office reception area. Some examples: A large insurance company I visited in the City of London some years ago had toilets available for visitors … Continue reading Software as signs
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