Very much not a fan. I didn't really like his products, which often seemed to value form over function, and by all accounts he's someone I wouldn't have wanted to work for/with ( Read more... )

Didn't see that one coming, and was shocked when I read the news yesterday. 63 is no age really, such a shame. Nothing to add that hasn’t been said everywhere else.

Smiley Culture has died of a stab wound as police visited his house to make an arrest.

I don’t know what happened and where fault might lie, and I'll leave that for the justice system to sort out as best it can. Meanwhile, I remember Smiley Culture for a couple of brilliant singles back in the ‘80s: Cockney Translation and Police Officer.

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I ( Read more... )

As postprandial conversations are wont to do, yesterday’s discussion in the pub leapt in little more than a single bound from some quite general topic to the more specific one of Minna Reverelli, the Yodelling Prima Donna.

This was my fault. My Dad had an old 78 rpm record that took my fancy, and I have it beside me as I type. It’s in an old ( Read more... )

Nicholas Courtney, who played the character of Brigadier Alastair Lethbridge-Stewart on television for 40 years (1968-2008) in Doctor Who has died at the age of 81. The Brigadier was played honestly but with humour, despite an occasionally regrettable penchant for shooting things, and that warmth seemed to be a reflection of the actor. He will be ( Read more... )

Malcolm McLaren, the former Sex Pistols manager has died.

It was less than two minutes before it crossed my mind to wonder whether it was a publicity stunt. He'd probably have liked that.

I didn’t. Edward Woodward started his career at the Byre.

Poppies were required wear at work today. So was a suit, and so I wound up wearing two poppies, one on my coat and one on my suit.

Suits are not every-day work-wear for us, but then it was the day that Alex Salmond was officially opening our new office. In order for us to get the maximum personal enjoyment out of this momentous experience, ( Read more... )

According to Slashdot, the Thawte Web of Trust (of which I, tobyawand qidaneare notaries) is ending in less than 2 weeks' time - or November 16th, depending on which you believe. Maybe someone didn’t notice this was October.

The original article is Slashdotted, so I haven’t been able to read it, but if it is true it’ll be a little bit sad and quite a lot ( Read more... )

Patrick McGoohan has died at age 80. Sadly, I’ve not seen a lot of his work beyond The Prisoner, but that was something a bit special.

On to the ded gois all estatis,
Princis, prelotis, and potestatis,
Baith riche and pur of al degre;
Timor Mortis conturbat me.

Not a big fan of poetry, but Dunbar’s Lament for the Makaris (Number ( Read more... )