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Dianne Carlson's avatar

John, your vivid account of the events that "Birthed" this gem is captivating. You described the moment the comet of inspiration struck both you and Wess, sparking an effortless flow and impeccable timing to real life. "Seamlessly" as you said. Blending arts vision and reality. Through the blessed birth of Matilda,(Congratulation on her, and to her on her success!) John, you delivered another creation. Maybe a Transcendent fusion art and life. Your explanations and details on the backstory were special, and chilling to me in a positive way; the creative process is so remarkable. I truly thank you for sharing this very special discussion! This hits one of your "Top 10" for me.

I think your day is going to be busy, we are alll staying tuned in. Best to you and the team...

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John Hulsman's avatar

Thanks so much Dianne; as is true for you, the creative process—how and when magic happens—has always fascinated me. That seemed a story worth remembering, especially ahead of our all hands on deck weekend!

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Dianne Carlson's avatar

John, Todays Trump Putin meeting/summit implication for Russia, but US China relations and Taiwan are profound, China will gain insight into Trumps deal making style. Although Trump is not "cookie cutter" in his negotiations or deals. This is a chance for Trump to maneuver both wisely for a delicate balance of both with the US and with each other. Fascinating, with long term implications. We will await your analysis...

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John Hulsman's avatar

Off to bed very early; as I’m sure the next few days will be long!

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Dianne Carlson's avatar

Rest up, when you wake you may want put the cutlery away!!! no forks in the eye. MSM is delusional in comintary and thinking.

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John Hulsman's avatar

Yes, Dianne, first coffee with the cats, and no cutlery whilst reading!

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Kieran Wilson's avatar

Dianne, a belated song for Friday. A reflection on the inevitability of human self-interest intruding on creation and the mystery of nature: People Ruin Paintings by Manic Street Preachers.

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Dianne Carlson's avatar

Good morning, Kieran, This song just triggered such angst in me from a year I helped a friend launch a new art gallery. Unlocked feelings of dread helping clients find art for newly built mansions. The criteria were the colors had to match sofa and area rugs, and be expensive. You would have no way of knowing any of this; Kieran this was "shithousery"( one of your fav's ) for my early morning silence. I had to google the song, I will find out more about theband and the lyrics later. Still thinking of why you chose this?

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Kieran Wilson's avatar

Hi Dianne. Sorry, not my intention to cause angst! The band are good and I think that song is solid. They have an even more relevant one from back in the day. It has always stuck with me as a warning about what happens when people look the other way, and it feels pretty apt for the UK right now: Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This Then Your Children Will Be Next.

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Dianne Carlson's avatar

I understand Kieran, my immediate response was visceral, inward as opposed to outward and at 6am. It hit me hard form a long lost memory of superficial appreciation. After doing a quick background search, The Manics accomplished what they intended, you had no way of knowing the depth of the meaning of this song for me. I did see in a search the next song you mention "if you tolerate this... Kieran, I can hear how this band resonates with you in profound ways. I hope you have been able to see them live. Thank you, I think:)

Kieran, I hope you have started, or intend to start The Daughter of Time, when you have a few short hours, you will enjoy it for many reasons. Best!

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Terri's avatar

Great story! Remember you told me I could work at your firm filing reports, etc. I would have insisted on staying with the crew this weekend!

Matilda sounds talented and amazing..

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John Hulsman's avatar

Yes, this weekend should be fun, as everyone is at battle stations; here we will have some Prosecco to wash down the analysis all the easier! And yes, Matilda amazes me, she's in the creative world for all the right reasons. Better still, she’s totally unselfconscious about what she can do, and is a very fine person (I have to work at it).

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Terri's avatar

John you are a very fine person! And I am sure that Ethical Realism is a great book, as is the White Album, which I always thought would be a great musical..

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Misbah's avatar

The plane trip sounds hilarious, I'm getting shades of Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas vibes. ;)

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John Hulsman's avatar

We’d do the commentary of the 3 days battle at Gettysburg as Lee and Longstreet never breaking character, as those sitting around us fled!

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Misbah's avatar

I'd have requested intermissions so refreshments could be replenished. Also, as a precaution, a discreet word with the flight officer to see if they could put the historical gentlemen in matching straitjackets.

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Kieran Wilson's avatar

Even Bezos can’t get me a real copy before the end of the year here. Maybe in the UK I have to surrender my passport to get a hard copy! I downloaded and read it on Google Play and flew through it. Fantastic writing, John and Wess, it flows so effortlessly and is a real page turner. The cornerstone of its success surely lies in opening this highbrow subject into something entertainingly relatable and accessible for the layman (no easy task). I especially enjoyed the Epilogue.

These passport parables are really something. Primus inter pares. An update… or should I forget I ever asked? Concrete shoes don’t suit me.

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John Hulsman's avatar

That’s just great to hear Kieran; thanks. Wess is a fine writer (or better than that) and he surely drove me to do my best; we had a very good natured competition built on friendship and excellence, what’s better than that? Yes, ‘just connecting’ (EM Forster’s dictum) was the point of the whole exercise, and we were gratified it did so.

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Kieran Wilson's avatar

If you throw a few hefeweizens and a Vegas trip into the mix, I’d say not much could be better.

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John Hulsman's avatar

It seemed very Jack Kerouac, On The Road, to me, in the best way

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