The Jotter - issue 25
“Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.”
Salvador Dali
Hello
It has been two years since I started the Monthly Jotter.
I introduced it with the words - “to jot is to make a quick short note of something. The Monthly Jotter is a collection of things that have piqued my interest, sparked a thought, or compelled me to do something.”
The first one was published a month into the first lockdown in April 2020. Life had taken on a strange air and work was quiet. There was time for contemplation and curiosity. A moment to pause.
I took the opportunity to do the Keyboard CEO course by the DO Lectures. It was the best thing I could have done at the time. It has influenced my approach to business and life. And it has introduced me to many interesting people.
So thank you for taking the time to read and thank you for the kind words of encouragement I receive.
Onwards
Andrew
01, Photography
I love the colours, composition and clean geometry of these photos made by George Byrne in LA.
From the book and series, Post Truth © George Byrne
02, Listen
My weekends are bookended by two people I enjoy following on Twitter.
MJCarty’s enlightening blogs provide a thoughtful start to Saturday mornings. This week he wrote about the important art of listening.
“My goal is not to form an opinion. It’s to understand.”
Rick Rubin.
On Sunday evenings after a long dog walk and cake at No 10. Tea Gardens; we put on the roast, open a cheeky bottle of red and settle down to the Feasts & Fables newsletter. It celebrated its 5th birthday this month. I have been hanging on their every word for the last two years. It’s a heartening way to start the evening.
03, Quote
“Resting on your laurels is as dangerous as resting when you are walking in the snow. You doze off and die in your sleep.”
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Thank you again to Harry Watson for sharing another very good quote.
04, Local hero
On 9th April 1920, Bradford on Avon’s local genius, Dr Alex Moulton was born.
His home, The Hall, provides an elegant backdrop to the town. Lord Foster described the Moulton Bicycle as “the greatest work of twentieth century British design”.
His inventiveness encourages those of us living and working in the town to look for new ways of doing things.
Photo taken by me on his 90th birthday in 2010
05, Business
Stefan Powell wrote this incisive Twitter thread about the costs of running The Freshwater Coffee House on the Isle of Wight.
He contends that current taxation and economic policies appease big business at the expense of independent businesses.
06, Marmite
Thank you to fellow Beyond Curious organiser, Kim Youdan, and her excellent email newsletter (I heartily recommend that you sign up here) for sharing this clever and amusing ad campaign for Marmite.
07, Social media
Prompted by Instagram moving the goalposts yet again, photographer Jack Lowe shared some very wise advice here.
In summary:
Use social media if you like, but don’t rely on it.
And “Concentrate on your true crowd. They’ll love you for it.”
08, Observe
Thank you Harry Watson (yet again), for this nudge. He shared The Balcony by Édouard Manet as a demonstration of his 4/6 Wordle score.
I always thought it contained three people and had never noticed the 4th. It was a reminder to take the time and observe more.
09, Work.
This month I launched a new website for Beyond Curious (of course). With thanks to the aforementioned Kim Youdan who created the excellent branding and Giles Turnbull for the words.
Also, a calming new website for Suzanne Thomas who runs mindfulness courses in Cheltenham.
I am beavering away on two websites for businesses in West London (an osteopath and a wine merchant), a restaurant in Bristol and a Bath based property business.
Thank you for reading the April Jotter. The next one will emerge on Friday 24th June at 11am. Until then, I hope you enjoy the lighter evenings and spring sunshine.
Onwards
Andrew
“When burdened by the feeling that there are too many photographs in the world, I ask myself if there are too many flowers.”