Tom Dolan
@tomskerous.bsky.social
Tall, curly, silly, sometimes musical. Currently Head of Product at Which?, freelance product coach and somehow also a trainer for Mind the Product. Did time at GDS, DIT, ITV, MTV, BBC. Helping art meet massive, and to get stories told.
So, plans to go and see Dodie with the firstborn at the Roundhouse this evening have been shelved, because she's ill.
(I thought about going on my own, but the support act reinforces the idea it's all heading in a "light jazz" direction. And I just want to hear "Monster" and friends all evening.)
(I thought about going on my own, but the support act reinforces the idea it's all heading in a "light jazz" direction. And I just want to hear "Monster" and friends all evening.)
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
So, plans to go and see Dodie with the firstborn at the Roundhouse this evening have been shelved, because she's ill.
(I thought about going on my own, but the support act reinforces the idea it's all heading in a "light jazz" direction. And I just want to hear "Monster" and friends all evening.)
(I thought about going on my own, but the support act reinforces the idea it's all heading in a "light jazz" direction. And I just want to hear "Monster" and friends all evening.)
Four days at work this week.
And yes, ok, most nights I was in bed at 9pm.
But I was doing it because I was interested and stimulated. Not because of worry about what would happen if I wasn’t at work and continually on duty.
So all good. And for the right reasons.
And yes, ok, most nights I was in bed at 9pm.
But I was doing it because I was interested and stimulated. Not because of worry about what would happen if I wasn’t at work and continually on duty.
So all good. And for the right reasons.
November 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Four days at work this week.
And yes, ok, most nights I was in bed at 9pm.
But I was doing it because I was interested and stimulated. Not because of worry about what would happen if I wasn’t at work and continually on duty.
So all good. And for the right reasons.
And yes, ok, most nights I was in bed at 9pm.
But I was doing it because I was interested and stimulated. Not because of worry about what would happen if I wasn’t at work and continually on duty.
So all good. And for the right reasons.
Not saying things might be slowly getting better after I got knocked sideways all the way back in the spring, but...I nearly wrote a weeknote today.
November 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Not saying things might be slowly getting better after I got knocked sideways all the way back in the spring, but...I nearly wrote a weeknote today.
Wasn’t expecting to hear D50 preset 44 “pizzagogo” (aka “Orinoco Flow”) on the new Tame Impala album.
Truly a welcome return after a long long time in the wilderness.
(I think “Obsolete” has a bunch of other presets but I can’t remember the numbers)
Truly a welcome return after a long long time in the wilderness.
(I think “Obsolete” has a bunch of other presets but I can’t remember the numbers)
November 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Wasn’t expecting to hear D50 preset 44 “pizzagogo” (aka “Orinoco Flow”) on the new Tame Impala album.
Truly a welcome return after a long long time in the wilderness.
(I think “Obsolete” has a bunch of other presets but I can’t remember the numbers)
Truly a welcome return after a long long time in the wilderness.
(I think “Obsolete” has a bunch of other presets but I can’t remember the numbers)
Two days going into the office back-to-back.
As a result, I'm in bed before 10pm.
It's like having toddlers again.
As a result, I'm in bed before 10pm.
It's like having toddlers again.
November 4, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Two days going into the office back-to-back.
As a result, I'm in bed before 10pm.
It's like having toddlers again.
As a result, I'm in bed before 10pm.
It's like having toddlers again.
I am currently on hold to the congestion charging site, so I can find my 9 digit account number so that I can log in. I have never been sent my 9 digit account number. I cannot recover my 9 digit account number through their website. I cannot reuse my email address to set up a new account.
Hackney council tax online payment and account setup both asking for ‘reference’ (so I give my property reference number) when they mean ‘account number’ is just great.
Both are ‘nine digit numbers starting with 3 printed on the front of my bill’ as it happens as well! Fantastic!
Both are ‘nine digit numbers starting with 3 printed on the front of my bill’ as it happens as well! Fantastic!
October 31, 2025 at 8:24 AM
I am currently on hold to the congestion charging site, so I can find my 9 digit account number so that I can log in. I have never been sent my 9 digit account number. I cannot recover my 9 digit account number through their website. I cannot reuse my email address to set up a new account.
That thing where you realise you’d forgotten about ordering the Kate Bush b-sides album several months ago, and then get an email to say it’s turning up tomorrow…
October 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
That thing where you realise you’d forgotten about ordering the Kate Bush b-sides album several months ago, and then get an email to say it’s turning up tomorrow…
Reposted by Tom Dolan
We always try to get Nine Lessons shows beyond London - it is never profitable but we hope it makes it accessible for others - This year is CARDIFF - but no one seems to want to come - so we will pull it next week if we see that it is going to lose us too much money
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People - The Glee Club
The iconic Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People season extravaganza is headed to Cardiff for the first time
www.glee.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
We always try to get Nine Lessons shows beyond London - it is never profitable but we hope it makes it accessible for others - This year is CARDIFF - but no one seems to want to come - so we will pull it next week if we see that it is going to lose us too much money
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
May have just had a really really big idea.
A reframing of something we always talk about as linear, but I knew wasn’t really. So that’s nice.
Hopefully @r4isstatic.com will agree when he reads it on Monday.
A reframing of something we always talk about as linear, but I knew wasn’t really. So that’s nice.
Hopefully @r4isstatic.com will agree when he reads it on Monday.
October 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
May have just had a really really big idea.
A reframing of something we always talk about as linear, but I knew wasn’t really. So that’s nice.
Hopefully @r4isstatic.com will agree when he reads it on Monday.
A reframing of something we always talk about as linear, but I knew wasn’t really. So that’s nice.
Hopefully @r4isstatic.com will agree when he reads it on Monday.
“Hope is a verb. It’s an action. It’s got muscle.”
A timely reminder, when sometimes it feels like a (depleting) noun.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
A timely reminder, when sometimes it feels like a (depleting) noun.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
‘What I do with my body is none of your business’: musician Beverly Glenn-Copeland on trans rights, cult stardom and living with dementia
His music was ignored for decades. Now, at 81, he is collaborating with pop stars. He and his wife talk about his extraordinary life – and facing severe illness
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
“Hope is a verb. It’s an action. It’s got muscle.”
A timely reminder, when sometimes it feels like a (depleting) noun.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
A timely reminder, when sometimes it feels like a (depleting) noun.
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
It’s been quite a week for unexpected plot twists.
October 16, 2025 at 11:06 PM
It’s been quite a week for unexpected plot twists.
Got through a big thing today.
It went actually really ok.
I'm having to remind myself that this is the norm, and the other similar events over the last few years really *weren't*.
It went actually really ok.
I'm having to remind myself that this is the norm, and the other similar events over the last few years really *weren't*.
October 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Got through a big thing today.
It went actually really ok.
I'm having to remind myself that this is the norm, and the other similar events over the last few years really *weren't*.
It went actually really ok.
I'm having to remind myself that this is the norm, and the other similar events over the last few years really *weren't*.
Great.
So because my council have moved to a new parking permit provider, and can't (presumably this means "don't have the budget/risk appetite to") migrate all the existing proofs, I have to go and find and scan an absolute ton of documents all over again.
So because my council have moved to a new parking permit provider, and can't (presumably this means "don't have the budget/risk appetite to") migrate all the existing proofs, I have to go and find and scan an absolute ton of documents all over again.
October 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Great.
So because my council have moved to a new parking permit provider, and can't (presumably this means "don't have the budget/risk appetite to") migrate all the existing proofs, I have to go and find and scan an absolute ton of documents all over again.
So because my council have moved to a new parking permit provider, and can't (presumably this means "don't have the budget/risk appetite to") migrate all the existing proofs, I have to go and find and scan an absolute ton of documents all over again.
This is excellent news to celebrate the start of a "day off". WRNTDP are just wonderful if you've not come across them before. "Nation's Most Central Location" and "Your Community Hub" are Paddy-Kingsland-retro but bleakly modern at the same time.
October 10, 2025 at 7:52 AM
This is excellent news to celebrate the start of a "day off". WRNTDP are just wonderful if you've not come across them before. "Nation's Most Central Location" and "Your Community Hub" are Paddy-Kingsland-retro but bleakly modern at the same time.
New fridge moved into place. Bike is back on the wall in the hall where it should be. My studio is no longer storage for sanitaryware, and I have the ability to put things away on shelves once more.
There's a bathroom for them to finish still, but we're definitely approaching endgame/normality.
There's a bathroom for them to finish still, but we're definitely approaching endgame/normality.
October 4, 2025 at 9:04 PM
New fridge moved into place. Bike is back on the wall in the hall where it should be. My studio is no longer storage for sanitaryware, and I have the ability to put things away on shelves once more.
There's a bathroom for them to finish still, but we're definitely approaching endgame/normality.
There's a bathroom for them to finish still, but we're definitely approaching endgame/normality.
Talk about trusted teams done!!! Yay. Seemed to go well.
Now hearing about Mob Programming from @woodyzuill.bsky.social.
@swardley.bsky.social was ace this morning, extending his normal talk into AI, culture, sovereignty and much more. @randysilver.outofowls.com as fab as ever.
#agilecam
Now hearing about Mob Programming from @woodyzuill.bsky.social.
@swardley.bsky.social was ace this morning, extending his normal talk into AI, culture, sovereignty and much more. @randysilver.outofowls.com as fab as ever.
#agilecam
October 1, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Talk about trusted teams done!!! Yay. Seemed to go well.
Now hearing about Mob Programming from @woodyzuill.bsky.social.
@swardley.bsky.social was ace this morning, extending his normal talk into AI, culture, sovereignty and much more. @randysilver.outofowls.com as fab as ever.
#agilecam
Now hearing about Mob Programming from @woodyzuill.bsky.social.
@swardley.bsky.social was ace this morning, extending his normal talk into AI, culture, sovereignty and much more. @randysilver.outofowls.com as fab as ever.
#agilecam
Turned a mindmap that was a 45 minute talk into slides today. I know it was 45 mins, because I timed it.
Somehow it’s now looking scarily much much longer.
Somehow it’s now looking scarily much much longer.
September 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Turned a mindmap that was a 45 minute talk into slides today. I know it was 45 mins, because I timed it.
Somehow it’s now looking scarily much much longer.
Somehow it’s now looking scarily much much longer.
Reposted by Tom Dolan
September 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Just connected a microphone to a computer for the first time since "Incident of the Month".
Be afraid. Lightly afraid.
Be afraid. Lightly afraid.
September 10, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Just connected a microphone to a computer for the first time since "Incident of the Month".
Be afraid. Lightly afraid.
Be afraid. Lightly afraid.
Too much driving today, starting at seven bloody am, after a 5:30 alarm. Six hours all told, I think. :(
Tomorrow will hopefully involve sitting still or being on buses where someone else is doing the hard work.
Tomorrow will hopefully involve sitting still or being on buses where someone else is doing the hard work.
September 3, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Too much driving today, starting at seven bloody am, after a 5:30 alarm. Six hours all told, I think. :(
Tomorrow will hopefully involve sitting still or being on buses where someone else is doing the hard work.
Tomorrow will hopefully involve sitting still or being on buses where someone else is doing the hard work.
So, I am going to be talking about some things that happened, and what I thought about them, in very public on 1st October.
Perhaps you’d like to come and hear it?
agilecambridge.net/programme/tr...
Perhaps you’d like to come and hear it?
agilecambridge.net/programme/tr...
The trusted teams toolkit
agilecambridge.net
September 1, 2025 at 10:16 PM
So, I am going to be talking about some things that happened, and what I thought about them, in very public on 1st October.
Perhaps you’d like to come and hear it?
agilecambridge.net/programme/tr...
Perhaps you’d like to come and hear it?
agilecambridge.net/programme/tr...
Chapter one of the poorly-timed side project “let’s completely rebuild the kitchen and dining room, just as I get super-ill, V has a restructure at work, and our daughter moves home from university” is looking largely complete.
This is a huge relief.
This is a huge relief.
August 24, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Chapter one of the poorly-timed side project “let’s completely rebuild the kitchen and dining room, just as I get super-ill, V has a restructure at work, and our daughter moves home from university” is looking largely complete.
This is a huge relief.
This is a huge relief.
Think I may just possibly have a working (new) kitchen.
(Apparently the next step involves using an app to update the firmware on the oven and hob and dishwasher. Welcome to 2025.)
(Apparently the next step involves using an app to update the firmware on the oven and hob and dishwasher. Welcome to 2025.)
August 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Think I may just possibly have a working (new) kitchen.
(Apparently the next step involves using an app to update the firmware on the oven and hob and dishwasher. Welcome to 2025.)
(Apparently the next step involves using an app to update the firmware on the oven and hob and dishwasher. Welcome to 2025.)
Reposted by Tom Dolan
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
August 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
Reposted by Tom Dolan
The fact that the thing we're calling artificial intelligence *can't do math* and yet we're jamming it into programs that successfully *have done math* for decades, then warning people against using the AI to do math, seems like an excellent summary of where we are.
Good thing no one uses Microsoft Excel for anything related to legal, regulatory or compliance business functions
www.theverge.com/news/761338/...
www.theverge.com/news/761338/...
August 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The fact that the thing we're calling artificial intelligence *can't do math* and yet we're jamming it into programs that successfully *have done math* for decades, then warning people against using the AI to do math, seems like an excellent summary of where we are.