BBC's 'The Power of Nightmares'

What a brilliant series the BBC's The Power of Nightmares is turning out to be. I can't remember the last programme I watched that made such illuminating connections and insights. The parts about the US neoconservatives and their attempts to bring down Clinton, and the Reagan administration's refusal to work with the Soviets for the good of Afghanistan in the 1980s were particularly interesting. Just shows you that we really lose perspective on events I think with our instant new analysis. You look back just ten years and patterns emerge that you couldn't see at the time. The next and final part is on Wed 10 Nov.

John Peel

Very sad to hear the news today that John Peel has died. I'm sure I'm not the only person to have fond memories of listening to him on the radio over the years and being consistently surprised, delighted and challenged by what he played. He was such an institution that you kind of thought he would always be around. 65 is way too young to pass away, but what a great contribution he made to music. Cheers John - I'm sure there will be excellent mushroom biryanis in heaven.

Assistant gig

Assistant have a headline gig at the Cable Club, at the Pressure Point in Brighton on 6 December. Which just so happens to be my birthday as well.

Despair at work

Demotivated?

HR speak

We just had a factsheet from Human Resources here at work about Ramadan, a particular highlight of which was, "During the month of Ramadan it is not appropriate to ask a Muslim staff member to ensure that a client is 'wined and dined'."

Where do HR people go to learn how to communicate like this? The Donald Rumsfeld School of English?

Girlinky

Fab indie pop band Girlinky from London are off on tour in October and November to promote their new single. Assistant have played with them a few times and they are great live, so check them out.

Fuji Heavy

Fuji Heavy play the Pressure Point in Brighton on Thursday. They are on second and it's only 4 quid.