Securing a place in the VIP section is less exciting if you find out that anyone and everyone can enter and leave whenever they please. With no barriers to entry it's no longer a Very Important Person section but an Any Ole Person area. The fun and excitement comes from the exclusivity that's what makes … Continue reading VIP section →

I really like the US Office. I think it threads the needle beautifully. It balances the callous cruel nature necessary for comedy with heart warming personal moments that make you feel for the characters. If they were nice to each other all the time there would be no tension and no shocking burns. Who would … Continue reading The US office →

Everywhere I look Tenet is getting absolutely slated. 'The plot was too confusing' 'I couldn't hear a word they were saying' 'If they really were time travelers why didn't they just go back and tell their previous selves what was going to happen' I think this would be water off a duck's back for Chris … Continue reading Following Nolan →

I'm absolutely blindsided by this! Really? Blindsided? Because there were plenty of signs. This break up is coming out of the blue for me. But our relationship is 90% fighting, 5% stoney silence and 5% forced politeness. I'd like to redefine blindsided as blind to the signs. I think each major decision has a trail … Continue reading Blindsided →

I think feedback is fantastic... When done well. It helps you course correct and spot gaps between your perception and others'. I also think giving good constructive feedback is very difficult. The situation is fraught with sensitivities. Finding the right phrasing so you can help them learn whilst maintaining (at least) an amicable relationship is … Continue reading Volunteering for feedback →

In 'The Chimp Paradox' Professor Steve Peters describes a part of our brain as being chimp like. It is the unevolved survival section that is in charge of your hunger, sex drive and anger to name a few. It's a primitive portion of your brain but unfortunately it's 5 times more powerful than the evolved … Continue reading Managing the chimp →

The attention grabbing power of a baby is undeniable. It doesn't matter if you've just reached the nitty gritty section of how you're going to save the company from bankruptcy, if a baby pops up on screen you will be supplanted. The presence of a baby is so powerful that I daresay you could use … Continue reading Zoom babies →

When I think of the debate between hacks and professionals I think of sequels. I think professionals plan and hacks react. I think Harry Potter was the work of a professional because JK Rowling intended, even before the first book was published, to tell the story across 7 books. I think the endless Fast and … Continue reading Professionals and hacks →

'Church of the three Patrons' That was the only sign outside the tall grey bland building. I couldn't say the same about the colourful petrol station which was absolutely covered in signs and messages all desperate for my attention. The messages included price reductions, promotional offers, instructions on how to use the machinery etc. The … Continue reading Church of the three Patrons →

It can be terrible to be in a creative rut. Your project is probably swallowing you whole, consuming your life and allowing you to concentrate on little else. I posit that this mental torture is being caused by the fear of judgement. Therefore the solution that I would recommend is to publish. "Whether 'tis nobler … Continue reading Publishing →