The Joy of Books

A brilliant short film you should watch if you like books (real physical ones, rather than kindle, kobo, etc), or like animation.

Yosemite National Park

Just spent a week in the park.  What an unbelievable place - I can see why Ansel Adams was so smitten with it.  Although I love photography, I'm not normally into landscapes, but you can't help but be inspired by the views here; from the first breathtaking view of El Capitan rising majestically in front of you as you drive into the park, through the thundering rush of Yosemite Falls to the serene views of Half Dome reflected in the Merced River at sunset.  Stunning.

All this beauty for only $20 a week!  I felt like I was robbing my American cousins!  You could easilly charge ten times this and it would still be a bargain. 

Should be very high on your 'must visit' list.

Svengali - Derren Brown

What a great Christmas present this was. Had to wait four months to attend the actual show, mind, but it was worth it.

If you've seen Derren on TV, then the show is pretty much the same:  all the magic, suggestion and showmanship you've come to expect, only it's right there in front of you, live.  Excellent, but don't go if you have a really embarrassing story you'd rather people didn't find out about ...

Wonders of the Solar System

Just finished watching this on Blu Ray.  Missed it when it was on TV - actually, I deliberately didn't watch it as I don't like the way that Brian Cox is often wheeled out when science documentaries need a 'cool' scientist - the science then gets dumbed down.  This was different - it's really fantastic popular science TV and Cox's passion for science shines through, but not at the expense of some great scientific discussion. 

Typography - Ronnie Bruce

Excellent, maybe, if you know what I mean, possibly, you know?

Sync by Steven Strogatz

I read lots of PopSci books and this is one of the best I've read in a while. Also, check out Steven's talk on sync at TED.

Drive by Daniel Pinker

What motivates us?  Not what you (or your manager) think.  A must read for people managers and those looking to  get the best from themselves.  For a flavour of what the book is about, check out Dan's TED Talk.

 "Way Back Home" - Danny MacAskill

Fantastic.  Amazing bike skills, great music, and beautiful views of Scotland.  Well worth 8 minutes of your life ...

Ghost Stories

With great acting and writing, and clever staging, this funny (yes funny), scary, intriguing and disturbing show is a must see ...  If you can, go check it out, but don't say you haven't been warned ...