People – Postcards

Postcards from…

February 2, 2024 No Comments

This post has existed in my drafts folder since November 2019, and for four years has consisted of a title and a single line ‘Clive James died’. If this isn’t evidence of how distractable my mind is I don’t know what is. Tying it down is a continuous battle, like holding down a sheet in […]

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People Sounds

Shirley Manson Interview in the Guardian

October 14, 2022 No Comments

Always been an Garbage fan since forever. Shirley did a Q&A with the Guardian, worth reading in full. Sample: How much sexism did you face as a rising female rock star in the 90s? Is it better now or is it still too depressing to ponder? StupidGrrrl The outrageous way I was spoken to or about […]

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People Sport

Murray Walker, “It wasn’t work”

April 16, 2021 No Comments

Wonderful hour-long interview with the late, great Murray Walker from 2013. Any time I think about formula 1 I can hear him, like Clive James said: “Even in moments of tranquility, Murray Walker sounds like a man whose trousers are on fire.” Murray was one of a kind, his excitement was infectious and unintentionally hilarious […]

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Inspiration People

The Schultz Hour

February 11, 2021 No Comments

When George Shultz was secretary of state in the 1980s, he liked to carve out one hour each week for quiet reflection. He sat down in his office with a pad of paper and pen, closed the door, and told his secretary to interrupt him only if one of two people called: “My wife or […]

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Food for Thought Government People Society

Food for Thought

November 14, 2020 No Comments

“Democracy is not something you believe in or a place you hang your hat, but it’s something you do. You participate. If you stop doing it, democracy crumbles.” – Abbie Hoffman

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Life People

Robert Fisk, 2 July 1946 – 30 October 2020

November 5, 2020 No Comments

From the Irish Times: Veteran foreign correspondent and author Robert Fisk has died after becoming unwell at his Dublin home on Friday. It is understood the journalist was admitted to St Vincent’s hospital where he died a short time later. He was 74. Fisk was one of the most highly regarded and controversial British foreign correspondents of […]

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Life People

Sean Connery, Dead at 90

November 3, 2020 No Comments

Alas, the greatest Bond actor has died. It was hard not to like Connery on screen, besides being the best Bond, I really enjoyed his performance in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He had great screen presence, even in smaller roles like King Agamemnon in Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits, he’s very memorable. He’ll be […]

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People

Paddy Doyle, 1951-2020

October 12, 2020 No Comments

Sad to hear that the author of The God Squad died today. A revealing indictment of the Church in Ireland and institutional abuse. I read it a couple of years ago.

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Life People

Elliot Gould: “it’s all of us together, or none of us”

April 21, 2020 No Comments

Enjoyable interview, it’s very easy to hear and see him in your head as you read it. He’s got a distinctive voice and mannerism. The best review ever received by Elliott Gould – renowned actor and star of M*A*S*H and The Long Goodbye; not to mention, Ross and Monica’s dad on Friends – was from Groucho Marx. […]

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History People Space

50 Years since Apollo 13 – Lessons in leadership and planning

February 29, 2020 No Comments

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/feb/29/apollo-13-how-teamwork-and-tenacity-turned-disaster-into-triumph In approaching this crisis, their delegation of authority and deference to expertise is almost total. In the face of high-stakes scenarios, it is tempting to wrest control from more junior colleagues. But in 1970 the approach of mission control was quite different. They empowered their most junior team members, giving them total ownership of […]

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Who?

Murf

Postcards from…

Shirley Manson Interview in the Guardian

Murray Walker, “It wasn’t work”

The Schultz Hour

Food for Thought

Robert Fisk, 2 July 1946 – 30 October 2020

Sean Connery, Dead at 90

Paddy Doyle, 1951-2020

Elliot Gould: “it’s all of us together, or none of us”

50 Years since Apollo 13 – Lessons in leadership and planning

Category: People