A Bat, an Owl and Pterodactyls

Amazing how time goes by when you're beavering away. Among other things we have published, a CSR Wire blog on the NEON ecosystem monitoring network in the US, a blog on our recent survey of 'breakthrough' stories in the business media for the Guardian Sustainable Business website, done with Susie (Braun), and another on 'The Pursuit of Zero' for the Sustainable Brands website, done with Amanda (Feldman).

Have spent the past couple of weeks working intensely to get ready for the next couple of months of travel and speaking - starting when I leave for Brussels tomorrow. Worked with Charmian and Sam on a series of five blogs (hopefully) for Fast Company, completely revamped my basic slide deck, and created the presentation for the Global Chemical Industry Sustainability Summit on Monday - where I will be focusing once again zero.

I spent some time delightfully working with Gaia on a secret filmed contribution for my mother's 90th birthday in a week or so. Great how it has brought the family together in pleasant conspiracy, something that will warm the cockles of her heart, I'm sure.

The office, meanwhile, has been a hive of activity over the past couple of weeks, with a constant buzz of activity and excitement - and a number of us have made our way to The Orchard, our relatively new favourite restaurant, in Sicilian Avenue.

With a moderate case of repetitive strain in my right wrist, something I have been wary of having a bad case almost 20 years ago in 1993 having worked intensely at my computer before heading off for a family trip driving across the States, I have been wearing a brace and not cycling, partly too because the chain kept slipping and seizing solid in mid-journey.

Because my usual bike-shop in Putney has been booked solid, I went to Bikefix in Lambs Conduit Street, just across from SustainAbility's London offices in Bedford Row, and they did an amazing job, returning the 25-year-old machine sparkling like a teenager, despite its dents. When I first took it out, to head back to Bloomsbury, I tested the brakes and the thing bucked like a bronco - hadn't realised quite how far my brakes were worn down.

Glorious day today, with brilliant blue skies, and a visit somewhat of the blue by Nick Parker, and long-standing friend who who chairs the Cleantech Group and the Blue Economy Initiative, and has a fascinating new venture on the drawing board. Lovely lunch, in total agreement about the Schumnpeterian moment/decade we find ourselves in. Great deal of alignment in thinking with Tom Burke, who I spent a morning with earlier in the week as part of the research for our the next stage of our Breakthrough Capitalism program.

Couple of nice moment this week as I walked home through Barnes: first, by Barnes Pond, a bat flew right in front off my nose, as if communicating; then, a few days later, walking back across the Common from Barnes Station, I saw a wonderfully large and silent (probably brown) owl flying ahead of me through the trees. (One odd thing this year: how few insects there seem to be. The swifts are conspicuous by their absence, wherever they may be.) That evening had also seen a glorious gathering at the NFT, in a delightfully quiet private room with its own bar behind a bookshelf, of team members from various like-minded organisations, including Fenton, GlobeScan, SustainAbility and Volans.

Among books bought recently, E.O. Wilson's The Social Conquest of Earth. Can't wait to read.

As far as TV goes, have been enjoying Parade's End, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, who I once had to manhandle over our partition wall with the Poulets, and then there was the first episode Of Jake Lushington's 3-part series, The Bletchley Circle. Emailed Jake and Hania, currently at the Venice film festival to say how brilliant we thought it. Marvellous casting, great scripting, evocative lighting. The lot.

Otherwise, am watching Dr Who on a space Ark, being chased by pterodactyls and a triceratops racing after golf balls. Almost as much fun as the NFT reunion.

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Journal

A Bat, an Owl and Pterodactyls
Catching up with myself
08 September 2012

Comments

Journal

A Bat, an Owl and Pterodactyls Catching up with myself 08 September 2012

Comments

A Bat, an Owl and Pterodactyls
Catching up with myself
08 September 2012