The guy living under The Hair. @BodyofBreen@mastodon.world
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Articles by Christopher Breen
Labour is ‘haemorrhaging’ seats and Reform UK could become the largest party in the UK
A new poll has revealed that Labour is “haemorrhaging” seats across the UK and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK could become the largest political party in Britain. Pollsters More In Common is predicting that Reform UK could secure hundreds of seats in Parliament as Labour will lose a record number of seats. Labour could be hit with a major blow as nine Cabinet ministers could be set to lose their seats in the House of Commons.
Keir Starmer should say sorry over gender row, says ex-Labour MP
Duffield, who sits as an independent MP in the Commons after quitting Labour, said the Prime Minister should say sorry to her for previously condemning her stance on the issue.
Barclays' payment business sold to private equity giant - London Business News
Private equity giant Brookfield has snapped up UK lender Barclays’ payments business. Matt Hammerstein, CEO, Barclays UK Corporate Bank said: “Finding a partner to support us in transforming our payment acceptance business, in a way that will enable us both to serve our clients’ interests better and pursue a path to releasing value from the business, demonstrates clear execution of our three-year plan to become a simpler, better and more balanced bank.
Households expected to spend more than ever this Easter week
Easter typically stands out as a highlight for retailers, as the four-day weekend entices shoppers to spend, particularly in preparation for the summer. Specifically, home and garden improvements often take priority. Indeed, we find that shoppers will spend £360 million in hardware stores and £923 million in homeware stores over the week. This is around two-fifths higher than the typical week.
Heathrow fire hits UK travel stocks
The fire at Heathrow has sent airline stocks tumbling but has also had a knock-on impact on other travel stocks that service Europe’s busiest airport. British Airways and Iberia owner IAG and KLM-Air France dropped up to 3% and 1.5% respectively. Techreport.com compiled data covering UK travel firms in the FTSE 350, showing FirstGroup, the FTSE 250 listed firm and bus and rail operator, has slipped over 7% today. Mobico, operator of the National Express group, also fell nearly 1% today.
House cleaning best practices for business success
You’re determined to keep your workspace immaculate, yet challenges such as clutter and inconsistent cleaning can undermine your business image. In this post, you’ll discover proven cleaning tactics to boost productivity and customer satisfaction. You’ll learn how consistent schedules, top-tier cleaning supplies, and pro techniques eliminate dust, spills, and germs.
If Putin is ‘concerned about foreign military supplies' he should refuse weapons from North Korea and Iran - London Business News
The Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski slapped down Vladimir Putin saying if he is so concerned of Western military supplies heading to Ukraine, then he should stop receiving weapons from Iran and North Korea. This comes as Putin is demanding Kyiv halts mobilisation and Western military aid for their to be a ceasefire, but yet Russia is still receiving weaponry.
Six game-changing innovations in personal hygiene solutions
Choosing the right adult diapers is very crucial; whether you stay at home or go to work, you deserve comfort and confidence in your movement. Advancement has taken over the world; similarly, gone are the days of bulky, uncomfortable adult diapers that offered minimal protection. Revolutionary innovations enable diapers to be skin-friendly with better absorption rate and odor control.
Sustainability in retail: Five key trends driving the growing demand for responsible business
Sustainability has rapidly evolved from a niche consideration to a core business strategy, especially in the retail sector. As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental and social impacts of their purchases, businesses are under growing pressure to demonstrate responsible practices. A 2023 McKinsey report reveals that 60% of global consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, signaling a significant shift toward ethical consumption.
Looking to boost brand engagement? Here’s why you should use gazebos at outdoor events
Hosting an outdoor event? Whether you’re catering, exhibiting, or promoting your brand, a gazebo is an essential tool for creating an inviting and professional space. A simple structure like a gazebo can make all the difference when it comes to engaging with your audience and increasing brand visibility. A range of high-quality outdoor shelters are designed for all kinds of events.
The environmental benefits of scrapping your car
Scrapping your car can be an effective way to contribute positively to the environment. When you choose to scrap your vehicle, at least 95% of it can be recycled, significantly reducing the need for new raw materials and decreasing carbon emissions. This process is not just about getting rid of an old car; it’s about participating in a sustainable practice that conserves resources and lowers energy consumption.
As eCommerce continues to grow, so do delivery truck accidents
The landscape of global retail has undergone a profound transformation over the past decade, with ecommerce emerging as a dominant force in how consumers purchase goods. This shift, accelerated dramatically by the COVID-19 pandemic, has created unprecedented demand for home delivery services. As online orders have multiplied, so too has the presence of delivery vehicles on America’s roadways.
1pm will never feel the same: Meet the new restaurant levelling up London’s work lunches with Brioche
London may have a rich range of lunchtime options for its 5 million strong workforce, but Soho’s latest lunchtime foodie hun, La SPOT, promises to transform working lunches into a fiesta for your cravings. At the heart of La SPOT’s menu is brioche, which forms the cornerstone of many of the restaurant’s creations which seek to unite the very best of French and Spanish culinary culture.
Counter terror police probe Heathrow Airport fire amid fears of Russian sabotage
An immediate and urgent investigation is under by counter terror police over the Heathrow Airport fire amid fears of Russian sabotage. Heathrow is Europe’s busiest airport, and it is estimated 290,000 passengers have been affected as the it has closed for the day. National Grid told the Energy Minister Ed Miliband that they have never seen “anything like the scale” of this fire, however, there is currently no signs of any sabotage.
Fiscal rules are unnecessarily pushing the Chancellor into rushed, half-baked policy decisions
Next week brings another fiscal event. One of two set-piece occasions in the year for the Government to take stock of its tax and spend plans to ensure they best suit the country. Yet again, however, it seems destined to be dominated by the need to alter course based on changes to an economic forecast. It is largely expected that higher borrowing costs have more than wiped away the £10 billion fiscal headroom the Chancellor left herself at the Autumn Budget.
Value Creation- Set & Setting
The second part of value creation is the set & setting it's framed in. We often hear those terms maybe to describe a psychedelic trip; The setting determines the outcome (the trip). It seems this framework exists in how we determine the value of something and; therefore how we buy/sell products, consume things, attend places, & beyond. This video by Virgil Abloh explains what I'm hinting at here using a candle as an example, and the room surrounding it (6:45 in).
Value Creation - Test & Trial
In an attempt to be coherent & brief; I'm splitting this writing on value creation into two parts. Part 1 - Test & Trial, & part 2 - Set & Setting. These observations come at a time after launching a business. Months of deck sharing, meetings, coffees, and drinks, all to invite feedback and conversation across different industries and types of people. Since launch; It became more & more clear the danger and the importance of opening shop for feedback.
flâ·neur
I first heard the word thanks to one of my favorite living artists, Tom Sachs. He mentions it here, quite early on. His embodiment of the word as a daily ritual stuck with me. He's also just freaking awesome. The word "is a French noun referring to a person, literally meaning 'stroller', 'Lounger", 'saunterer', or 'loafer', but with some nuanced additional meanings. I met a friend named Chloe recently originally from France, we laughed about my lack of ability even to pronounce the damn word.
The journey—one year on — Hair-Breened Ideas
Dear Chris, Hi, it’s me, your future self, one year from today. I know you’re going under the knife this morning to finally get that cancer out of your throat. And, as I recall, you’re a little concerned about what the future holds. I can’t tell you how the “you’re probably out of the woods” two-year plan goes because we’re not there yet, but we’re half way, cancer-free, and alive enough for me to compose this message to you.
Broadband in the Boonies 2021 — Hair-Breened Ideas
When we last met to discuss broadband in rural areas, AT&T had jerked back its leased circuit from my then-current ISP and taken its sweet time providing its own service. After weeks of calls and promised-but-not-delivered truck rolls, the correct modem lights finally lit up and I was back on the Internet. In the two years since, we’ve had (are having) a pandemic, life has shifted to home, and each of us has grown to appreciate just how important a reliable broadband connection is.
This malignant American — Hair-Breened Ideas
Everything went well. Rest now. But what counts as your remaining consciousness spins. Can the months... years... of malignancy that has eaten away at you—carried away countless hours in fatigue, frustration, and doubt—be erased in a day? Stop. Rest. Recover. Heal. Prepare. Because it’s not over. Removing the primary tumor, cutting away the necrotic spread, is a good beginning.
What's The Best Way to Increase Swim Yardage? – Triathlete
Swim training provides many benefits for triathletes, and at various times of the year it’s worth increasing swim yardage. Although sport-specific training is the absolute best way to get better, endurance athletes need to pass as much oxygen through their bodies as they can. Swimming provides aerobic training in a low-impact environment and allows for great volumes of aerobic work with a low risk of injury.
Commander Jetpack!
In this week's Incomparable Radio Theater I composed and performed two versions of the Command Jetpack theme. The first—Jetpack Main Theme—is a military cadence for the "real" episode. For the radio-show-within-the-radio-show, I put together a cheesy version of the theme. As I imagined it, it was thrown together in a few minutes by the few musicians who lurked outside, catching a smoke. Quick. Dirty. And very, very cheesy. You can find both on the Music page.
More Incomparable Radio Theater Music
Yep, still at it. I've added a few tracks I've put together for The Incomparable Radio Theater. (All of which can be found, natch, on the Music page.) From the Goon Show homage, The Go On Show, you'll find The Go On Show Tidbit. This is based on radioright David J. Loehr's request that I cast the traditional Incomparable theme in the setting of The Archers theme. The other bits are from episode six, Eli's Coming. In this episode the Tigertails (me) return to sing David's Going Back to Old Nassau.
Play "Space Theme" yourself
Near the end of summer, I composed a theme for the Liftoff podcast, titled, imaginatively enough, Space Theme. (You can find a recording of it on the Music page.) I've grown quite fond of the little thing and thought it might make for a nice piano piece for beginning players. With that in mind, I've created a score of it for anyone who'd like a copy. If you count yourself among them, just click this link to receive a PDF. The usual fine print applies.
Princeton, Princeton, Shining Jewel
If for nothing else, you can credit The Incomparable Radio Theater with presenting me at least one new challenge each week. This time, it was forcing me to dredge up what little I could recall from my college choral scoring class. Episode 4 (Schrödinger’s Dot) features the return of Nikola Tesla and his two-fisted tales. This particular tale takes place (in part) at Princeton University. To help set the scene, radioright David J.
Hair-Breened Ideas
As I’ve mentioned a time or two, one of my current creative outlets is composing and recording podcast themes and incidental music. Lately, that’s meant scoring the weekly episodes of The Incomparable Radio Theater. This week’s episode presented a unique challenge. It’s like this. The show’s writer, David J. Loehr, fills his scripts with puns and audio gags.
Rules of the writing game
Recently I've come into contact with people who are embarking on a freelance writing career and are curious about how one fashions such a thing. Having been a freelance musician and then writer since my mid-20s on up to the point where someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse, friends and former colleagues seem to think I have some insight.
Review: The Internet (part 3): How does The Internet work?
This review has so far generated enough interest that the reader has posed the quite reasonable question that serves as the title of this section. Although the exact nature of The Internet's workings are so complicated (and diabolical) that no one person can be entrusted with every detail, I can shed some light on the matter.
Review: The Internet (part 2): The Internet Explorer
Your personal computer is now able to communicate with The Internet thanks to an Internet Box and The Internet Explorer. Congratulations! (Hint: No really, a lot of people have died or been shuffled among institutions as a result of attempting this!) But before you can begin your journey you must become familiar with the conventions of The Internet Explorer.
Review: The Internet (part 1)
In what may come as a surprise to many of you, beyond the real world of work, play, love, and television is a shadowy "virtual" world-a loosely joined electronic realm known to its inhabitants as The Internet.
About the beach photos
If you follow me on Twitter you've likely seen an increase in the number of beach photos that appear in my stream. Now seems as good a time as any to explain why. Because it's there I'm blessed to live near the California coast-not walking-near, but close enough that I can jump in the car and be standing in surf and sand within 10 minutes.
Willful ignorance and the pundit conundrum
Today Macworld published a projection piece of mine called Apple's HomeKit Hub May Already Be in Your House. I needn't regurgitate the article here. The gist is that an Apple TV could operate as the arbiter between you in some distant location and the "Internet of Things" in your home.
Another Galaxy Vintage D test
I've been playing the Galaxy Vintage D virtual piano for the past week or so and (I think) am starting to get a better feel for what I want from it. I've just recorded another tune with it using a configuration I've called the Polite Setting.
New podcast theme for Random Trek
Now that the cat's out of the bag and Scott McNulty's first episode of the Star Trek-centric Random Trek podcast is live, I can make public the theme I created for it. As with other tuneful things I've posted, you'll find it on the site's Music page (in the Bits and Pieces section).
Paying for the (virtual) piano
I've been working more with Logic Pro X lately and generally like the sounds and synths that come with it. But I've been looking for the killer grand piano sound and I may have found it in the form of Best Service's Galaxy Vintage D virtual grand piano.
Hair-Breened Ideas
Partly in reaction to my reaction to Dropbox appointing Condoleezza Rice to its board, my former colleague and guy-I-like Rob Griffiths asked the important question "Do Dropbox doppers do due diligence?" As he cited my departure from Dropbox in the piece I thought I'd devote some time to an answer.
Dropping Dropbox: The choices we make
Consider this a Take 2 on my earlier Leaving Dropbox piece] While I'm generally a pleasant enough fellow-kind to small children, animals, and restaurant staff-I do have one obvious failing: When there's righteousness to be had, I glom onto it like a half-price toaster on Black Friday.
And so I leave Dropbox
I seem to have this habit of diving into one service or another, enjoying the experience, and then discovering someone's dropped something large and smelly in the water. In the case of Facebook, which I abandoned in 2010 , it was over the company's cynical disregard for its users' privacy.
Anatomy of a set list
As some people know from following me in other areas of my life, I'm a member of the Macworld All-Star Band-a somewhat highfalutin name for a gaggle of guys who have some connection with the Macintosh community.
Hair-Breened Ideas
If there's one entry in this series that's going to elicit a "pot calling the kettle black" response it's likely to be this one. And it is because each and every one of us is guilty of this offense to greater or lesser extent. As the title hints (though in a slightly risque way- hey SEO!
About "Don't be a dick"
After a late night Google Browse the inner and outer Chris engage in internal dialog through the early morning hours. Inner Chris: "Dude, were you aware that Wil Wheaton did this whole 'Don't be a dick' thing nearly seven years ago?" Outer Chris: "Uh, well, no.
Hair-Breened Ideas
I was going to wait awhile before discussing dicks and religion, but with recent news of folks attempting to shroud their dickish ways in creamy god sauce, I'll jump ahead a thought or two. I am not a religious person. Nor am I particularly anti-religion.
Hair-Breened Ideas
In order to effectively tackle the subject of how to not be a dick, it's helpful to know exactly what constitutes one. In the days of the ancients, when just about any social transgression could be addressed with a large pile of stones or viper-choked pit, citizens were keenly aware of the boundaries between acceptable and iniquitous behavior.
Hair-Breened Ideas
In order to effectively tackle the subject of how to not be a dick, it's helpful to know exactly what constitutes one. In the days of the ancients, when just about any social transgression could be addressed with a large pile of stones or viper-choked pit, citizens were keenly aware of the boundaries between acceptable and iniquitous behavior.
Hair-Breened Ideas
Welcome to Don't Be a Dick, an etiquette guide for the oblivious. Before embarking on the guide I offer answers to the kinds of questions that are likely to arise as you thumb through its virtual pages. Q. I can't help but wonder what kind of guidance I'm going to get from someone who so freely flings around offensive words like "dick."
Plagiarism and the divine drop
"Oh lord, Breen's on again about plagiarism." Honestly, I had no intention of "owning" this issue, but this Twitter comment in reaction to my So, Plagiarism piece got me thinking: This is more like a daily thing in the blog world. Doesn't warrant a thorough investigation of a single person.
Hair-Breened Ideas
At the risk of aiding and abetting, here are two words of advice for those thinking of starting an exciting career in the plagiarism business: Google Cache. To view a cached webpage, all you need to do is enter: followed by the URL for the story you’d like to view. So, in this case: When I did this I discovered, despite Nancy’s protestations that "My words…have not change (sic) even a full stop" the edits to her second "draft" of my article were even more extensive than the first pass.
To get it right, don't get it wrong
Some months ago I whipped out a little screed called #prdonewrong where I griped about how badly some PR agencies and developers handle the press. I used that screed as the basis for a talk I gave at the most recent Renaissance conference in San Francisco.
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