Humans are amazing creatures. We’ve plumbed the depths of the oceans and have sent crafts billions of kilometres into space. We’ve created beautiful works of art and developed evermore complicated ways of killing each other. There seems to be no bounds to our curiosity and intellect yet it is the simplest of things that continue … Continue reading The simplest of things
Waiting, waiting, waiting.
If you’ve been following my blog, you will know that we have been getting some building work done at the back of the house. It wasn’t a big job but went on longer than it should. Anyway, the structure is up now and the gardener has arrived to relay the patio. As I write this … Continue reading Waiting, waiting, waiting.
The sea designs the boat
Image thanks to the Vasa museum I enjoyed listening to Tom Chatfield’s talk at Thinking Digital this year. I can call him Tom as we met when I went to buy his book ‘Wise Animals’. He even wrote a nice inscription on the inside cover. I always come away from Thinking Digital with books as … Continue reading The sea designs the boat
Building Work
I apologise to anyone who has had to sit through an online meeting with me over the last few weeks. We’ve been getting some building work done on the house, with a lot of banging and drilling, making it quite difficult, at times, to be an active participant. Since COVID, this has been a regular … Continue reading Building Work
Synchronicity
As my life transitions from work to whatever comes after that, my children have taken to buying me gifts that prepare me for the future. The presents are usually books, some to draw in, some with activities to do and some just to read and make me think. One of the book presents is ‘The … Continue reading Synchronicity
Old maps
I’m always on the lookout for something interesting for us to do. My wife has an interest in local history, especially that of Newcastle, while cartography holds a fascination for me, so when I saw an event called Historical Maps of Newcastle upon Tyne and Tyneside, organised by Northumberland & Newcastle Society, I put our … Continue reading Old maps
Shute
Image thanks to Realestate I have mentioned reading Nevil Shute before. I’ve been working through his canon ever since reading a recommendation by Peter Oborne writing in the Byline Times (you can buy this in the shops now by the way). If you recall, he suggested to his readers that we should read ‘A Town … Continue reading Shute
I only want to pay my tax
Image thanks to Freepik.com Here is some advice, if someone is offering, never miss the opportunity to take someone's money. It was a Sunday morning, I had a corporation tax bill and I was happy to pay it. I went online to transfer the money and this is where the fun began. I had the … Continue reading I only want to pay my tax
Stop worrying about AI
Image thanks to FreePik Arriving at Newcastle Falcons’ ground to watch the rugby only to find the car park was full gave us a fine opportunity for a chat on the walk to the stadium. I’m sure my son in law and I could have found somewhere closer but then we may not have got … Continue reading Stop worrying about AI
Old school
Last year, or perhaps it was the year before, I was invited to go and help out with some mock interviews at my old school. I must admit that it was a strange experience to say the least. Although the school is very different to when I was there back in the 1970s, the basic … Continue reading Old school
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 