Two Pianos and a Bass Baritone

Martinborough Music Festival Friday 23 – 25 September, Martinborough Town Hall

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Martinborough Music Festival (MMF). Judging by requests from people to be added to the mailing list and others asking for performance dates, it would be true to say that the MMF is now a firmly established event on the annual Martinborough social calendar. Festival founder, the late Ian Cresswell, would be well pleased with its success. This year’s MMF logo features a wonderful burst of colour to reflect the excitement of reaching this milestone. … Continue Reading

The compensations of old age 

Sometimes the old brain doesn’t kick in so quickly as it used to. Salvor Dali wrote about one technique he used to come up with ideas again . He simply takes a nap with a key or piece of cutlery in his hand, resting your arm so the key is above a plate or glass. 

When he nods off the key falls and the noise jolts him awake. He quickly scribbles whatever was in his head at that moment. Which probably explains some of his paintings.  … Continue Reading

The infinite monkey theorem 

The Internet is a vulnerable system. Its integrity cannot be assured. This is not because of genius hackers or careless users. The vulnerability is more a matter of the ‘Infinite Monkey Theorem’ . An infinite number of monkeys hitting keys on a keyboard an infinite amount of time will inevitably write the complete works of Shakespeare, not to mention crack your password (name of first pet plus your college locker number) .

People now connected to the internet now number 3.3 billion and estimates of how much time they spend on the internet per day range as high as ten hours.  Thus in just one ‘Monkey Year’ you get 3.3 billion times 3650, which may not equal infinity but big enough to get the Infinite Monkey theorem moving  

P.J.O’Rourke

Silence reigns

‘American people are acquiring more personal communication devices than there are persons. Walk into any public place and everyone is staring into a screen. There’s no one to talk to.

There’s no chance of striking up a friendly acquaintance in a waiting room, train, plane or bar. Even when conversation  does occur in a bar , the lively debate about who played shortstop for the 1986 Chicago Cubs is cut short by  some fool Googling it’ 

J P O’Rourke