Satya Nadella Is A Cricket Fan

Satya Nadella is the new Microsoft CEO.

Growing up, playing cricket was his “passion,” and he played it competitively as a member of his school’s team. “I think playing cricket taught me more about working in teams and leadership that has stayed with me throughout my career.”

He also enjoys watching Test cricket, “which is the longest form of any sport in the world,” with games that can go for days and days. “I love it,” he says. “There’s so many subplots in it, it’s like reading a Russian novel.”

His appreciation of the game clearly indicates that he possesses some of the essential characteristics he will need: intelligence, discernment, patience, an appreciation of subtlety, bravery, an acceptance that a result is not always possible, the importance of playing with a straight bat (in the traditional sense), team spirit and leadership.

Good luck, dear boy, I think you’re going to need it.

Cricket1

Dilbert Last Lines

I’ve been doing some disk housekeeping and came across a bunch of Dilbert strips that I’d saved. Here’s a few last lines. I decided not to identify the “speaker”; I think it’s more fun without.

I don’t buy; I shovel.

For once, it wasn’t all bad.

Here’s a jar to put your conscience in. I’ll put it in the cupboard with mine.

Someone left the supply cabinet unlocked.

You’re thinking of gazpacho.

I make my own underpants from sandwich bags.

I’ll have to run some chaos and complexity simulations, but it looks as if you need more money.

And if you talk about fish to a starving man, you’re a consultant.

That’s the problem with randomness. You can never be sure.

Oh, wait… I just recognised a pattern.

Because sometimes less is more.

I’d rather not take sides until I hear the monkey’s version.

No, you look like a chewer.

His hair parts in the middle. That’s just wrong.

Add a chart.

That’s not what the Mayo Clinic said.

English Musical Nostalgia

Returning—as one does—to nostalgia: these videos take me back to my early teens and before.

Anthony Newley

Newley was hugely popular when I was a wee lad. One of my childhood memories is the sound of his voice—my mother was a big fan. I remember the soundtrack of Stop The World I Want To Get Off being frequently played. The first video (audio with a picture) is Newley singing Feelin’ Good,  which is one of the great songs (written by Newley with Leslie Bricusse). Do You Mind was a UK Number 1 in 1960.

Flanders & Swann

Michael Flanders and Donald Swann performed some wonderfully funny and clever comic songs and monologues/duologues in their shows At The Drop Of A Hat and At The Drop Of Another Hat. I might have supposed that F&S were completely passé, but clearly I would have been wrong as their Best of album is in the Amazon Top Ten for cabaret and comedy.