Month: April 2002

Opportunity. Does it come around twice? How do you spot the ones to take? What do you do if you miss it? Should you just go for it even if circumstances suggest that you shouldn’t?
Discuss.

Passportgate: a letter has been sent.

Journalists – guh. I recently had a conversation about a group of plants that we specialise in at work (Iris sibirica) with a journalist working for The English Garden magazine. I said that there were shedloads of new varieties.
The magazine arrived today.

My fans will love that.

Don’t say that I don’t look after my readers. Since Desi has been complaining in the comments about a lack of recent images, here is a rare photo of me, in my flat, sporting a new haircut. Not a great picture, admittedly, but a true likeness.

It didn’t. Well, it has. But not quite in the way I had hoped. Oh well.

STATEMENT: many people have asked me what is happening about the passport photo copyright issue. For obvious reasons, I’m saying nothing publicly about it at the moment. However, please be assured that there is coordinated activity behind the scenes. When it is all settled, I’ll report back.

TFF: 32 points. Total now 1030.
Incredibly busy again today, so not saying much.

I should have gone to this, but didn’t because I’m a miserable antisocial bugger (who had just been dumped – humph).

hmm. This causes me great concern. I am considering what action is appropriate.

UPDATE: email has been flying back and forth between the six of us concerned. For those who have only just arrived, here’s the deal:
Meg, Dave, Paul, Nick and James all submitted their photos to my passport photo page.
The Richmond Informer lifted the photos and used them in their advert.
At no time did they approach me, or any of the other people pictured (which would have been easy considering that there is an email link to me on the passport page, and each photo carries a link to the person’s website).

Both Meg and I have phoned them, and pointed out what is going on. Meg has a transcript of her conversation here. When I called, I got a more measured reaction, but still insisting on a written complaint (presumably to give them breathing space to decide on a response).
So we six are considering our next step. We are aggrieved, for sure, and will be seeking some form of recompense. It’s a good job that James‘s friend’s girlfriend spotted it.

A quick and very unscientific survey of shops in Chichester reveals that roughly a third will be closing between 10.30 and 1 as a mark of respect for the Queen Mum. Another third will be observing a two minute silence. The rest will not be doing anything.
Waitrose have gone completely overboard and will not be opening at all until 2pm. But prize for silliest tribute goes to Hansfords, an independent tailor – they have a sign in their window stating that they would “prefer to be closed today” but if you want to be served “just knock on the door”!
Trading as usual here at work today – we can’t afford to turn away custom.