The July Jotter
A collection of things that have piqued my interest, sparked a thought, or inspired action.
Posted here or delivered safely to your inbox (there’s a box you can fill in and a button you can press at the bottom of this page), on the last Friday of each month.
01. A Book - Do/Disrupt by Mark Shayler
I feel a bit mean sharing this one as it is currently sold out.
DoBooks have been a great source of ideas and inspiration during the last few months of lockdown. I read Do/Disrupt on holiday earlier this month. It sparked a fair few thoughts around where next for Brighter Side.
(Ideas which are beginning to take shape. First up: removing the need for a cookie banner on this website).
Here is my favourite quote from the book:
“You’ve got to... keep your radar on. Always. It’s all about observation. Take your earphones out. Walk instead of taking the tube. Take the bike not the car. Keep your eyes open.”
02. Plant trees while you search
Goodbye Google, hello Ecosia, my new default search engine.
Here’s what I like about them:
They use their profits to plant trees.
They don’t sell your data to advertisers and don’t have any third-party trackers.
Their servers run on 100% renewable energy.
03. A local business: The Cheese Shop
Bradford on Avon is fortunate to have many fine independent businesses.
The Cheese Shop is run by smiling Christophe. As you can imagine, it sells a very good range of cheese.
It also sells the second best quiches in the whole wide world (my wife obviously makes the best…). I treat myself to one on Friday lunch times.
04. A podcast - Ashley ‘Dotty’ Charles talks about Outrage on Fortunately
‘Fortunately’ has entertained us on many a long car journey. Hosted by the amusing and articulate Fi Glover and Jane Garvey, with a good choice of interesting guests.
This episode talks to the eloquent Ashley ‘Dotty’ Charles who has written a book called Outraged. They discuss outrage on social media and how to deal with it.
I’ve added the book to my reading list.
05. A quote
“Big ideas come from the unconscious. This is true in art, in science and in advertising. But your unconscious has to be well informed, or your idea will be irrelevant. Stuff your conscious mind with information, then unhook your rational thought process. You can help this process by going for a long walk, or taking a hot bath, or drinking half a pint of claret.”
David Ogilvy
06. Software - IA Writer
I have used IA Writer for many years. It’s a beautifully designed, distraction free writing app.
Its minimal interface allows me to pour forth nonsense in the hope that something coherent will emerge. It has the added benefit of syncing across devices so I can pick up where I left off with whatever is closest to hand.
07. Email sign off - “Onwards.”
How do you sign off on an email? I use “thanks.” Why? I’m not sure. Lack of imagination. Habit.
When Clive James died I read somewhere (unfortunately I forget which article), that he signed off his emails with “Onwards.” What an inspired choice of word.
08. Photography - Swimming Pool by Maria Svarbova
Thanks to Tim Green for this tip. If you know Tim’s photography, you will understand why he likes the geometric perfection of these photographs.
“Frozen in the composition, the swimmers are as smooth and cold as the pool tiles. The colours softly vibrate in a dream-like atmosphere.”
09. Work
As is often the case, we had a number of website projects ongoing in July, the planets aligned and everyone was ready to launch at the same time.
Allow me to introduce you to four new websites and one commission free ticketing app launched in the last month.
We updated the Berkeley Castle ticketing app so that they could comply with Covid-19 guidelines for re-opening earlier this month. Our ticketing app is commission free which will save the Castle much-needed £’000s.
Wiltshire and Swindon Cultural Education Partnership would like to improve educational, cultural and social outcomes for children.
GD Sports Massage are Bradford on Avon based experts in sports massage therapy. What does this do? It promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries and prepares you for optimal performance.
Last month’s talented friends, Dunleavy Vineyards, make cheeky wines in rural Somerset that taste very nice. You can buy them online and if you take the sensible decision of buying more than 6 you receive free delivery.
Digital Interlock Software rather excitedly hold a UK patent for bar-top digital point of sale that offers remote content changes via wifi. And now pubs are open you may see them winking at you.
