There is always something to learn, even from performers or creative artists in disciplines other than your own. That is the first thing I wanted to say. The other thing I wanted to float from this metaphorical soapbox is the kind of question addressed to people who create “stuff”; writers, visual artists, and musicians. That question is: “Where do you get your ideas from?” Yeah, just the small things.
I recently attended The Magic Circle History Gathering in London. This is a day that throws up subjects, performers, and people that, mostly, I know very little of. For me it can be a literal magical mystery tour. (Apologies to a certain fab four… I couldn’t resist.) Here’s an indication of how little I know sometimes—it was only recently that I found out Professor Hoffmann was not a person’s real name (see the June 2026 Genii for more). Sad but true! OK, I think I have established a level.