by martingibbons | Dec 18, 2012 | Reviews
Back around 1999 we were about to get a Scottish Parliament for the first time in 300 years. I was also interested in making my life a little more interesting at the time and decided I wanted to mix with some celebrities. I’m not normally that keen to meet celebrities as they often disappoint. It’s not their fault really, it’s simply that they have great difficulty meeting the expectations we have created for them. Each of us makes our own version of the people we see on the TV, so the chances of them matching it when you meet them in the flesh are almost impossible. I heard recently about a chap who was a huge Colin Montgomerie fan (Yes, the golfer). He had posters all over his wall with Mongomerie’s dour coupon looking down at him. He saved up his money to go see him play at the Scottish open. He pushed his way to the front and waited for days to get a glimpse and get up close to the great man. Finally he was close enough to ask for an autograph as Mongomerie came of the green. Unfortunately Mongomerie just pushed him aside and he never got his signature. So he went straight home and tore down all his posters. It’s an understandable response however you have to wonder as to the facsimile he had created of Montgomerie. My own impressions are that of a dour Scot. Let’s face it he is Scottish and he is obsessed by golf. That isn’t a recipe for a warm hearted, party person. But you see I have just applied my own impression based on next to nothing. We do this as...
by martingibbons | Apr 24, 2011 | Reviews
http://www.myafternoons.co.uk/ This simple wee French film has just shot into my top 5 favourite films. I can’t remember what the other 4 are, except for one, “conversations with my Gardner” by the same director and another French masterpiece. So what’s it about? Well nothing and then again everything. By studying the smallest, most insignificant things, it comments on the biggest issues facing our society today. It will make you smile…..a lot. And by the end of it you with feel as though your popcorn was laced with morphine. If you meet me in the street and I offer you a choice between fifty quid or a reminder of the name I’d this film, pass on the fifty, go see this movie...
by Martin | Jan 1, 2010 | Reviews, Uncategorized
The first thing you deliberately listen to in a New Year speaks volumes and for me it was Francis Cabrel’s Samedi Soir Sur La Terre. Its sixteen years old but I never tire of it. Check it...
by Martin | Dec 28, 2009 | Personal Development, Reviews
This book has possible the best subtext of all “A caring, compassionate, kick up the ass!” I believe that is what Ali wanted to call it but the publishers probably took fright. I review this book as something of an expert, in that I have read pretty much everything that falls under the personal development category and this book holds its own with the best of them. Now finding something new to say in the personal development arena is extremely difficult. There are dozens of household names writing new books all the time but I can honestly say that Ali has touched on a few gems in this book. I bookmarked 14 pages, which is a few more than I book marked in “Awaken the Giant Within”. To be honest, one new idea that deserves book marking is enough, so 14 is a really high score. Who should read this book? Anyone that needs a kick in the arse or at least feels they do (which is probably most of us). There are a couple of ideas that are instantly empowering; the kind of thing you read and go “bloody hell!” I had a couple of those breakthrough moments reading “Just Get On With it” and I suspect you will too. I love the case studies and the anecdotes too. These bring Ali into the room with you, where you get to ride shotgun with him on some pretty strange and wonderful experiences. I am fascinated with the human condition, especially my own and Ali shares some very strange human conditions with you in the book. He uses these...
