Author Archives: Ranil Dissanayake

Hi all, There’s an oft-quoted line in the classic 1995 mystery/heist/Benicio Del Toro mumbling movie The Usual Suspect: “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” I was thinking about that today. With Brexit … Continue reading →

Hi all, 2020 jumped the shark today, when we CGD Europe had our work Christmas do over Zoom; brilliantly organised and fun as it was it drove home exactly how over this year I am. I’ve avoided pubs and restaurants … Continue reading →

Hi all, Well that was a week, wasn’t it? The Spending Review confirmed what was feared for the ODA budget, and then on the same day Diego Maradona (see the last link) and James Wolfensohn (link 2) died. Just when … Continue reading →

Hi all, I have extremely exciting news: I managed four hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. It’s true,  more exciting have happened in the world this week: there’s an election heist in progress somewhere, it seems, undertaken with all the … Continue reading →

Hi all, I’ve struggled with the disjunction between my personal 2020 (quite possibly the best year since 1994 saw the release of – deep breath – American Recordings, Superunknown, Live Through This, F.U.E.L., Grace, Hard to Earn, Unplugged in New … Continue reading →

Hi all, Some weeks the intro just writes itself. I’m sure virtually every reader of the links has learnt a great deal about the micro-political economy of the United States in the last week; I’ve got friends in Hong Kong … Continue reading →

Hi all, I’m feeling very old today. Not just because my son has developed a brilliant system for keeping me on my toes: letting me get just enough sleep to need more but not so much that I feel rested. … Continue reading →

Hi all, 2020 has been a brute, right? Although personally it’s been an extremely exciting (new job, new home, new baby, new coding language), and I’m one of the lucky ones who rather likes getting locked in with my family, … Continue reading →

Hi all, What was I saying about the King staying the King? In basketball, 35 is old; not just old, but pants pulled up to your chest, suspenders, and shaking-your-fist-at-a-cloud old. To not just be good, but at the pinnacle … Continue reading →

Hi all, Week 2 of attempting to be a functional member of the workforce on no sleep and while covered with baby vomit is in the bag, and once again, it has been a learning experience. It is truly remarkable … Continue reading →