Quitting Starlink
Paying money to a company in which Elon Musk is the majority shareholder is not acceptable.
Diary
I call this a diary rather than a blog. It's the page where I add or link to new stuff with content arranged in date order, rather than where I regularly write short pieces on what I'm doing … although some of this does read rather like a blog.
Word salad
Some words that come to mind when hearing about the individual dominating the world agenda.
The Whole Picture
A life-long love affair with a small Pembrokeshire coastal town
A year without posting
Well this is slightly embarassing. Here I am on 29 December and realise that this year I have failed to add any posts. Why is that?
Well, the main reason is that my online profile is so intimately linked to my work at GS1 that anything I post here might be construed as a statement by my employer. The idea that "all views are my own" only gets you so far. I need to be careful. I sort of made an announcement on behalf of GS1 just before Christmas when I said in various social media channels that "Verifiable Credentials at GS1 will happen". The detail of that has yet to play out but several other stakeholders will be interested in that, I know. All the more reason to proceed with caution. And there's a lot I could say about the publication last month of ISO/IEC 18975. The document doesn't tell you this but I was its author ("Project Editor" in ISO-speak). I'll have a lot more to say about the ISO process after I've retired.
The UK continues to limp along in its Brexit-hobbled way. The election held on 4 July seems along time ago now and even a natural Labour support like me finds it hard to be positive about much of what they have done so far. It's unarguable that they have added a significant burden on business, especially small businesses. This comes from the straight-jacket they put themselves in of promising no rises in income tax, National Insurance or VAT. So they've put up other taxes, like employers' National Insuarance. Right wingers are moaning about the imposition of VAT on school fees (diddums) and farmers are whingeing about large land holdings being subject to 20% inheritance tax - half the rate paid on other assets (again, diddums). I do think farmers have cause for genuine grievance about the fact that they get paid so little for their work and produce - that needs addressing. It's tempting to say "well you shouldn't have voted for Brexit then should you" but the Brexit-supporting majority among farmers wasn't as large as one might think. And, as James O'Brien always says, compassion for the conned, contempt for the conmen of Brexit. The rise of the populist hard/far right continues to be a major concern. President Musk and his orange sidekick take over the White House in three weeks. Nothing good will come of that of course and the people who will be most hurt are those that voted for them.
One definite positive note from 2024: I've read more books this year than ever. And the TBR pile for 2025 is already looking very exciting. I think fiction is going to be necessary escape from reality.
A first for me
Why is this boittle of wine special for me? Is it because I first heard of Barolo at a favourite local restaurant (Tito's)? Nope … it's all about that QR code.
No need to apologise
Why did one of the most senior women in the country feel the need to apologise for asking a pertinent question of her subordinate? It happens all the time
The Traitors
I really enjoy playing Werewolf. I even enjoy watching it on TV.
Books I've read
I began listing the books I had read in January 2006, just before a friend and I started a new book club. After almost 13 years, I've finally got around to putting the list online.
Radio phone-in
I often listen to James O'Brien on LBC but I have to do it in the evening on catch-up because I'm at work in the day. Yesterday I was listenting to LBC live for a change and decided to call in.
Beyond measure
Britain has been brought low by the most shameless, amoral, xenophobic and corrupt government in our modern history. In one of the latest attempts to distract the populus from its behaviour, the government is running a consulation on bringing back imperial measures. I wish this were a joke.
A much loved aunt
The last of her generation. As much a defining part of my life as my parents, siblings and children. Farewell and thank you. The photograph here shows a nearly 18 year old Marion Girton, taken 21 August 1949 by my father, Roy Archer.
Christmas readings
Two videos produced by Nick Lansley for the GS1 office Christmas party 2021 (held virtually). Working with Nick and our colleague Christine Hutchinson on these was a lot of fun.
My presentation to an IEEE workshop on identifers and resolvers
I give talks all the time so I don't bother to record them all here, but this one was special and, since it was given as a video, I'm pleased to be able to include it here.
Signed by the author, or was it?
It's noticeable that publishers increasingly offer first editions of books signed by the author. It's true that an author signature can add signifiant value to a book and, first edition or not, can make a book special. But it's not always as simple as that.