macro on Emma Cragg

Monica, 2022 - ★★★★

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:42:57 +0000

Watched on Thursday April 9, 2026.

Thor: Ragnarok, 2017 - ★

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:07:53 +0000

Dad’s choice. Not for me. Felt like a poor man’s Fifth Element with added Avengers.

The Order, 2024 - ★★★

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:06:11 +0000

Just missing something to take this to the next level. Not sure what though.

The Bride!, 2026 - ★★★★

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:52:38 +0000

Perfect watch on International Women’s Day

Sirāt, 2025 - ★★★★

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:59:03 +0000

To paraphrase a character from the film, “it’s going to be brutal when the shock wears off”

Women Talking, 2022 - ★★★★★

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:09:18 +0000

Exactly what it say on the tin.

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, 2025 - ★★★★

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:44:53 +0000

An assault on the senses from the first seconds. A challenging film in many ways which deserves to be seen in the cinema if only to stop you from turning off when it all gets a bit to much. If Rose Byrne* can’t step away, why should you?

* I realised as I started writing this sentence that I’d no idea what the character was called

The Worst Person in the World, 2021

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:30:35 +0000

Can’t give this a rating because in truth I wasn’t paying it much attention. Probably deserves a rewatch.

Atomic Blonde, 2017 - ★★

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:31:13 +0000

I have many weaknesses and Charlize Theron is one of them.

Sinners, 2025 - ★★★★

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 20:41:04 +0000

Some night, eh?

A House of Dynamite, 2025 - ★★★

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 22:47:53 +0000

Watched on Sunday January 18, 2026.

Aguirre, the Wrath of God, 1972 - ★★★★

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:00:32 +0000

Not as frenetic as I was expecting, but I did find I was keeping my eyes peeled throughout for where the next arrow, poison dart or back stabbing was coming from.

Plainclothes, 2025 - ★★★½

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:39:59 +0000

More engaging from a visual perspective than the story or connection to the characters. For the latter I felt it was missing some depth or nuance. The different perspectives, pace and quality of visuals felt frenetic and had my heart racing throughout.

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood, 2019 - ★★★

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 22:46:20 +0000

Watched on Sunday January 4, 2026.

Train Dreams, 2025 - ★★★★

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 15:19:53 +0000

The world is full of beauty and violence, and this man has seen it all.

Sentimental Value, 2025 - ★★★★★

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 22:32:03 +0000

Life is hard. Relationships are complex. We all contain multitudes etc

Wicked, 2024 - ★★★★

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 21:44:05 +0000

Watched on Wednesday December 31, 2025.

Captain Marvel, 2019 - ★★★

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:41:32 +0000

Watched on Thursday December 25, 2025.

The Holiday, 2006 - ★★★

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:41:19 +0000

The perfect background for present wrapping

Last Christmas, 2019 - ★★★

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 21:22:11 +0000

As Christmas films go, this is one of the better ones

Black Bag, 2025 - ★★★

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 21:19:41 +0000

Watched on Wednesday December 17, 2025.

Rye Lane, 2023 - ★★★★

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 22:25:17 +0000

Watched on Sunday December 14, 2025.

Honey Don't!, 2025 - ★★

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 11:26:32 +0000

My expectations were too high 😢

While You Were Sleeping, 1995

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 11:25:31 +0000

If anyone tries to tell you this isn’t the best Christmas film, send them my way.

Sally, 2025 - ★★★

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 23:14:45 +0000

Watched on Sunday November 23, 2025.

Dragonfly, 2025 - ★★★★

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 22:14:31 +0000

One of those films where you feel like you’ve had a shared experience with everyone else in the cinema. Everyone stayed seated until the end of the credits and nobody spoke as they left. Not felt that for a long time.

After a few hours I’m still not sure what I think of the film overall. But it’s one I’ll be thinking about for a while yet.

Snowpiercer, 2013 - ★★★½

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:00:07 +0000

Watched on Saturday November 8, 2025.

Hedda, 2025 - ★★★★

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:29:41 +0000

There were a few things in my favour when seeing this 1) not knowing the source material 2) a small, almost empty cinema screen.

I was intrigued throughout by the use of sound. In places it was reminiscent of the chorus in a Greek tragedy. An extra character in the telling of the story for sure.

One Battle After Another, 2025 - ★★★★

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 21:07:07 +0000

Watched on Sunday October 12, 2025.

Maintenance Required, 2025 - ★

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 21:52:50 +0000

Dreadful

Unicorns, 2023 - ★★

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 20:15:48 +0000

Challenging but not for the reasons I expected. Don’t be fooled into thinking the straight white man doesn’t have all the power in this relationship.

The Stronghold, 2021 - ★★★

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 18:48:24 +0000

Glad I’ve already been to Marseille because I’m not sure this would encourage me to visit.

Signature Move, 2017 - ★★

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 18:46:45 +0000

Less wrestling than I expected. More gay than I expected. Make of that what you will.

The Old Guard 2, 2025 - ★★

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:35:28 +0000

Only really deserving of 1 star (it’s an entirely unnecessary and poorly thought out film) but gets the second because, well, Charlize Theron.

Thunderbolts*, 2025 - ★★★

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:32:42 +0000

Surprised myself by actually quite enjoying this 🌩️

Saltburn, 2023 - ★★★

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 06:48:21 +0000

As ever I let the dust settle when everyone is talking about a film. It’s visually appealing and very well acted. Has the odd one-liner that elicited a laugh and a few cringe inducing moments. But otherwise, really, what was all the fuss about?

Polite Society, 2023 - ★★★

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 20:40:16 +0000

Just the right amount of silliness for Saturday movie night.

Dreams (Sex Love), 2024 - ★★★½

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:38:32 +0000

I was a little worried 20 minutes in that this was going to be a 90minute monologue from an unreliable narrator. Thankfully not.

What we did get was multiple perspectives on a story and unanswered questions on truth, love, power and infatuation.

Dreams (Sex Love), 2024 - ★★★½

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:38:32 +0000

I was a little worried 20 minutes in that this was going to be a 90minute monologue from an unreliable narrator. Thankfully not.

What we did get was multiple perspectives on a story and unanswered questions on truth, love, power and infatuation.

Dreams, 2024 - ★★★½

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:38:32 +0000

I was a little worried 20 minutes in that this was going to be a 90minute monologue from an unreliable narrator. Thankfully not.

What we did get was multiple perspectives on a story and unanswered questions on truth, love, power and infatuation.

Battle of the Sexes, 2017 - ★★

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 13:29:14 +0000

Watched on Sunday July 20, 2025.

Battle of the Sexes, 2017 - ★★

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 13:29:14 +0000

Watched on Sunday July 20, 2025.

Bohemian Rhapsody, 2018 - ★★

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 13:28:54 +0000

Watched on Saturday July 19, 2025.

Bohemian Rhapsody, 2018 - ★★

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 13:28:54 +0000

Watched on Saturday July 19, 2025.

The Old Guard, 2020 - ★★★

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:17:23 +0000

Watched on Wednesday July 9, 2025.

The Old Guard, 2020 - ★★★

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:17:23 +0000

Watched on Wednesday July 9, 2025.

Parasite, 2019 - ★★★★

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:55:21 +0000

Amazing how it’s taken me so long to watch this. I wonder if I’d seen it amidst the hype it would have got 5 stars. Nearly, but not quite perfect in my eyes.

Parasite, 2019 - ★★★★

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:55:21 +0000

Amazing how it’s taken me so long to watch this. I wonder if I’d seen it amidst the hype it would have got 5 stars. Nearly, but not quite perfect in my eyes.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout, 2018 - ★★★

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:52:10 +0000

Watched on Friday June 6, 2025.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout, 2018 - ★★★

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:52:10 +0000

Watched on Friday June 6, 2025.

The Batman, 2022 - ★★★★

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:50:12 +0000

Watched on Friday June 13, 2025.

The Batman, 2022 - ★★★★

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:50:12 +0000

Watched on Friday June 13, 2025.

Shiva Baby, 2020 - ★★★

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 14:29:12 +0000

Watched on Thursday May 8, 2025.

Shiva Baby, 2020 - ★★★

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 14:29:12 +0000

Watched on Thursday May 8, 2025.

Am I OK?, 2022 - ★★

Sun, 25 May 2025 10:05:21 +0000

It was OK.

Am I OK?, 2022 - ★★

Sun, 25 May 2025 10:05:21 +0000

It was OK.

Twisters, 2024 - ★★★

Sun, 25 May 2025 10:02:16 +0000

Watched on Saturday May 24, 2025.

Twisters, 2024 - ★★★

Sun, 25 May 2025 10:02:16 +0000

Watched on Saturday May 24, 2025.

Drive-Away Dolls, 2024 - ★★★

Sat, 24 May 2025 13:30:10 +0000

Watched on Friday May 23, 2025.

Drive-Away Dolls, 2024 - ★★★

Sat, 24 May 2025 13:30:10 +0000

Watched on Friday May 23, 2025.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, 2015 - ★★★

Sun, 18 May 2025 13:18:50 +0000

Watched on Saturday May 17, 2025.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, 2015 - ★★★

Sun, 18 May 2025 13:18:50 +0000

Watched on Saturday May 17, 2025.

Conclave, 2024 - ★★★★

Sat, 17 May 2025 18:55:20 +0000

Didn’t have me quite as gripped as the book did, but a beautiful piece of film making.

Conclave, 2024 - ★★★★

Sat, 17 May 2025 18:55:20 +0000

Didn’t have me quite as gripped as the book did, but a beautiful piece of film making.

Aftersun, 2022 - ★★★★★

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:54:03 +0000

Oof. I’ve not got words for the emotional rollercoaster this film took me on. A fantastic piece of film making.

Aftersun, 2022 - ★★★★★

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:54:03 +0000

Oof. I’ve not got words for the emotional rollercoaster this film took me on. A fantastic piece of film making.

Civil War, 2024 - ★★★

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 15:07:02 +0000

One of those films where you get thrown in to a story that’s already started. It’s moving fast and there’s no time to wait for stragglers to catch up. And then just when you might be finding your feet, it’s over... I wonder if that’s how Jessie felt too.

Civil War, 2024 - ★★★

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 15:07:02 +0000

Her, 2013 - ★★★

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:16:25 +0000

On reflection I really wish I’d made time to watch this when it came out. The decade and rapid changes in tech probably made me as non-plussed as the people living in this world when they blindly accepted their friends and colleagues falling in love with operating system.

Her, 2013 - ★★★

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:16:25 +0000

The Substance, 2024 - ★★★

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 20:28:47 +0000

This was a challenge for me, not least because as a feature length ASMR film it triggered all my noise sensitivities. I think I need warnings like the ones you get for flashing lights!

That said, it’s like nothing I’ve seen before and Demi Moore was indeed excellent.

The Substance, 2024 - ★★★

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 20:28:47 +0000

This was a challenge for me, not least because as a feature length ASMR film it triggered all my noise sensitivities. I think I need warnings like the ones you get for flashing lights!

That said, it’s like nothing I’ve seen before and Demi Moore was indeed excellent.

The Brutalist, 2024 - ★★★½

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 09:47:51 +0000

Visually impressive and enjoyable as a modernist architecture geek. The length which was one thing I was unsure about really wasn’t noticeable with the well-timed interval.

The main reason this isn’t getting a higher rating is that I felt no emotional connection to the characters. I feel there was also scope to develop the stories of some of the peripheral characters further especially Gordon and Zsofia.

The Brutalist, 2024 - ★★★★

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 09:47:51 +0000

Visually impressive and enjoyable as a modernist architecture geek. The length which was one thing I was unsure about really wasn’t noticeable with the well-timed interval.

A Real Pain, 2024 - ★★★★★

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:51:56 +0000

I’ve been thinking about what to write about this for a week. And I’ve ended up with this… it’s got just the right amount of everything. I feared before going in it could be overly sentimental, but the script and performances are just spot on.

It’s a lean film with nothing more than it needs. Not trying to give us answers but more questions to ponder.

A Real Pain, 2024 - ★★★★★

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:51:56 +0000

It’s a lean film with nothing more than it needs. Not trying to give us answers but more questions to ponder.

The Florida Project, 2017 - ★★★★

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:44:27 +0000

This took me by surprise a little. Felt very reminiscent of British social realist films like Fish Tank and The Selfish Giant.

Seen lots of reviews talking about seeing things from Moonee’s perspective, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like it was Bobby’s eyes I was looking through.

The Florida Project, 2017 - ★★★★

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:44:27 +0000

This took me by surprise a little. Felt very reminiscent of British social realist films like Fish Tank and The Selfish Giant.

Seen lots of reviews talking about seeing things from Moonee’s perspective, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like it was Bobby’s eyes I was looking through.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, 2024 - ★★★★

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:42:54 +0000

These days if you can hold my attention for a full 2.5 hours you’re likely to get 4 stars. And if you give me a main character who is someone competent and excessively resentful on top of that, it’s a lock in.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, 2024 - ★★★★

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:42:54 +0000

Carry-On, 2024 - ★★

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 11:48:48 +0000

Watched on Saturday January 11, 2025.

Carry-On, 2024 - ★★

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 11:48:48 +0000

Watched on Saturday January 11, 2025.

Emily the Criminal, 2022 - ★★★

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 19:16:59 +0000

Watched on Monday January 6, 2025.

Emily the Criminal, 2022 - ★★★

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 19:16:59 +0000

Watched on Monday January 6, 2025.

Anora, 2024 - ★★★★

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 20:10:16 +0000

Quite the rollercoaster. At times uncomfortable to watch, at times laugh out loud funny and then one final moment of gut wrenching despair.

Anora, 2024 - ★★★★

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 20:10:16 +0000

Quite the rollercoaster. At times uncomfortable to watch, at times laugh out loud funny and then one final moment of gut wrenching despair.

Frosty mornings

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 12:02:02 +0000

I much prefer the crisp cold morning we had yesterday to today’s slushy snow. We went for a walk along the River Derwent and it was magical.

Year in books for 2024

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 14:21:49 +0000

Here are the books I finished reading in 2024. I didn’t reach my goal, but who cares. I’ve read some outstanding books and abandoned a few that didn’t feel worth my time.

Perfect Days, 2023 - ★★★★★

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:26:39 +0000

Some films come along at just the right time, and this one I needed today. Now is now.

Perfect Days, 2023 - ★★★★★

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:26:39 +0000

Some films come along at just the right time, and this one I needed today. Now is now.

The Holdovers, 2023 - ★★★★★

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:03:13 +0000

An actual Christmas film that is actually very good. I enjoyed how it was set up to be one thing then turned into something entirely different. All three main actors were at the top of their game. And Payne’s touch is so subtle I was fully immersed in the story and the unfolding relationships.

The Holdovers, 2023 - ★★★★★

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:03:13 +0000

Happiest Season, 2020 - ★★

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 17:33:39 +0000

Call me when they’ve made the alternative ending where Kristen Stewart and Aubrey Plaza live happily ever after.

Happiest Season, 2020 - ★★

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 17:33:39 +0000

Call me when they’ve made the alternative ending where Kristen Stewart and Aubrey Plaza live happily ever after.

All We Imagine as Light, 2024 - ★★★★

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 12:35:57 +0000

There’s so much depth to this film which essentially presents itself as the story of three friends working at the same hospital in Mumbai.

Despite the hum of the city constantly in the background there’s a calm throughout.

All We Imagine as Light, 2024 - ★★★★

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 12:35:57 +0000

There’s so much depth to this film which essentially presents itself as the story of three friends working at the same hospital in Mumbai.

Despite the hum of the city constantly in the background there’s a calm throughout.

13 Assassins, 2010 - ★★★★★

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:09:37 +0000

There’s just something about how samurai films contrast stillness and silence with absolute carnage that no other action films can rival.

I’ve not been this engrossed in a film for some time. So glad I made the effort to go see this at the cinema in 35mm.

Nope, 2022 - ★★★★

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 17:11:03 +0000

Very enjoyable indeed. Had me keeping an extra careful eye on the weather all day today 👀

Nocturnal Animals, 2016 - ★★★

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 18:50:08 +0000

Mixed feeling an about this, and the longer it goes the more conflicted I feel. The acting is undoubtedly top notch. And there was enough suspense to keep me engaged. I even enjoyed the stylistic cuts between the different stories and times. But there’s something off. I’ve best seen it described elsewhere as “needlessly provocative”.

Gladiator II, 2024 - ★★

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:09:00 +0000

Heavy handed. Corny. Lacking drama and emotion. It lost me at the arrival of baboons on steroids, which is unfortunately only about 20 minutes in 😴

I Saw the TV Glow, 2024 - ★★★★

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 10:20:27 +0000

I’ve been thinking about what to say about this all week. I wonder whether my indecision has something to do with the confusion of the film itself.

My focus was more on the themes of identity than the pop culture/fandom element. I had quite a physical response to it. The ache of loneliness. A disconnection from my body. It was difficult to get comfortable in my cinema seat. I felt seen and challenged all at the same time.

There was a lot I liked about the directing. The overall atmosphere is haunting. The composition of some scenes is subtle and artistic - some of the best filmmaking I’ve seen recently. Yet at other times I felt the delivery was a bit heavy handed.

The story lost me a little towards the end but I doubt I’ll ever see another film quite like this.

Now (July 2024)

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:04:37 +0000

The latest look at where my energy and attention is focused now…

Freelance work

The quiet of July and August is giving me an opportunity to rethink my entire freelance business.

My plan for the rest of the year (and beyond) is to:

adapt activities from my workshops into digital workbooks that I can sell
refresh my freelancer away days so they can be done at any time
focus on finding short-term facilitation gigs with small businesses and teams

Part-time employment

I’ve now been in my part-time content design role for just over a year. It’s taken a while to get the service off the ground, as you might expect, but right now my time is booked up at least a month in advance.

I’m still enjoying the variety in the work, getting more involved with the strategy behind projects and leading on discovery workshops focused on user needs. This week I’ve contributed to setting up a user research project too.

There’s a seed in the back of my mind about where the opportunities are for development. I’m a team of one at the moment, and if that grows I’d love to add some research expertise into the mix. I also wonder whether I’ll need to make a decision about increasing my hours. Nothing concrete at the moment, but I want to be prepared should the conversation arise.

Activities

I’ve been really enjoying playing tag rugby over the summer. After attending a taster session in May, I signed up to join the league and was assigned a team. Over the past few months, we’ve really bonded, finishing third in the first mini-season and qualifying for the Cup competition.

At work, there’s a small group of us ‘doing PE’. We started off playing Spikeball and have expanded to throwing a ball between ourselves as we walk/jog along the Quayside.

Through the print studio I’m a member of, I signed up to take part in the 20:20 print exchange. After a lot of thinking, I tested a concept and printing of the edition is under way. I’m still finding the process a little scary, not really knowing how the final piece will come out after three blocks, each adding a different colour/layer.

Relaxing

I am reading a lot at the moment, fuelled by regular trips lunchtime to the city library. On my summer reading pile are:

The Red Parts by Maggie Nelson
The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers
War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Tokyo Express by Seichō Matsumoto

Summer also means that I’m watching a lot of sport. We’re really spoiled for choice at the moment with a variety of forms of cricket and the Olympics. And as we hurtle towards the start of a new football season, my photo library is currently filling up with drafts for my Fantasy Premier League team.

This is a ‘now’ page, inspired by Derek Sivers. Intrigued by this? Read about the origins of the /now page movement then make your own.

Submarine, 2010

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 17:28:07 +0000

One of those films I chose to watch because it was leaving Netflix. I don’t know what I make of it really.

Submarine, 2010

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 17:28:07 +0000

One of those films I chose to watch because it was leaving Netflix. I don’t know what I make of it really.

Senna, 2010 - ★★★★

Sat, 13 Jul 2024 20:39:39 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve watched a good documentary and this didn’t disappoint. Izzy’s pick for film night and it kept both of us non-F1 fans engaged and informed.

Shifting feelings on blogging

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 12:38:30 +0000

For about a year, I lost my desire to write. I didn’t know why I was doing it. Who it was for. I’ve been in a funk, and it’s been bothering me. But over the last week or two, I can sense something shifting. I’m starting to feel excited about the possibility of returning to blogging.

Some of this renewed motivation has come from rediscovering the joy of reading blogs. Thanks Rachel, Scott and Maren. A large part has come from the reminder about why we blog, shared through the interviews on People and Blogs.

Evidence of the shift that’s happening is that the ideas for topics to write about have started flowing again. Here’s a short list of things I want to write about:

learning lino printing
what progress looks like
holding things lightly
a life in fantasy football
capturing memories

I’m sharing these ideas here in the hope it gives me some accountability to actually follow through on writing about them. I’ll keep you posted!

Licorice Pizza, 2021

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 19:20:34 +0000

Gave up on the hour mark, just after Sean Penn’s character is introduced. Sometimes I don’t have the patience for films where I can’t connect with at least one character.

Licorice Pizza, 2021

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 19:20:34 +0000

Gave up on the hour mark, just after Sean Penn’s character is introduced. Sometimes I don’t have the patience for films where I can’t connect with at least one character.

Hit Man, 2023 - ★★

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 20:59:13 +0000

I enjoyed this from the comfort of my sofa on a random midweek evening. Had I paid to see it at the cinema I’d have been disappointed.

It was clearly the Glen Powell show with no depth given to any of the supporting characters. And what an odd way to end it - maybe just skip the last 5 minutes.

Sweetheart, 2021 - ★★★

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:34:08 +0000

Two hours spent reliving the awkwardness of being a queer teenager.

The Beautiful Game, 2024 - ★★

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:30:53 +0000

Enjoyable to watch but come the end I felt it could have been so much more. The characters deserved more depth and exploration of their stories.

Love Lies Bleeding, 2024 - ★★★★

Tue, 07 May 2024 19:59:47 +0000

A film of contrasts. Seedy and sexy. Tender and violent. Blurred lines between fantasy and reality. Horrific with a hint of humour running through it.

Top Gun: Maverick, 2022 - ★★

Mon, 06 May 2024 21:09:20 +0000

What on earth was all the fuss about?

Amanda Palmer on rest and seasons

Wed, 01 May 2024 13:43:21 +0000

I’ve been trying to clear out my podcast feed, starting by prioritising a handful of episodes to listen to each week. I started with a 4-year-old interview with Amanda Palmer (listen or read the transcript) on the now defunct Routines and Ruts podcast.

The upside of coming to this episode now, is that there were some nuggets of wisdom that align with the current focus of both my work and my personal projects. The downside was that I’d chosen to listen while out for a run, and every few minutes I felt the need to pause and make a note of something I’d heard.

What follows are some highlights and ideas that were sparked through listening to this conversation.

Our phones have turned us into Gollum

Amanda’s point is that because our phones have become a single place where the majority of daily life happens, it’s hard to create boundaries. A thought popped into my head, probably from the one device thing, that our relationship with our phones is similar to Gollum’s relationship with the ring - if we’re not careful, we lose sight of who we are and what is important to us, just like Sméagol did.

There is no pause button for creative minds

This is a really valuable reminder, something I’ve experienced in the freelance communities I’m in, especially with creative folk and knowledge workers. The urge to keep making things and putting them out into the world is strong. There’s a pull to keep going. A fear that if we stop, maybe we’ll never start again. However, when we allow ourselves to rest, what we’re actually doing is changing gear or switching modes, and creating space for more expansive thinking.

“Your internal combustion engines are always working on something and your experience is always being synthesised into whatever is going to come out in the tray at the end of the day, whether it’s a week from now or ten years from now.”

Rest is not a reward, we don’t have to earn it

That’s it. There are no wiser words I can add to that sentence.

Everything works in seasons

Sometimes our commitments (our work, our relationships, our hobbies even) require us to be constantly on, constantly active. Sometimes there are lulls or droughts. It can be easy to feel the need to push against that, but what would happen if we accept and work with the season we’re in?

“anything in general has these cycles that you just need to take in, respect, and work around, and then have enough understanding that you don’t stack them back to back to back.”

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, 2022 - ★★★

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 20:49:30 +0000

Good fun… if you like Nicolas Cage. Dread to think what this might have been without the counterbalance of Pedro Pascal though who is the real star for me.

But I'm a Cheerleader, 1999 - ★★★

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:22:19 +0000

Timeless. Ridiculous. So much plastic.

But I'm a Cheerleader, 1999 - ★★★

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:22:19 +0000

Timeless. Ridiculous. So much plastic.

Bend It Like Beckham, 2002 - ★★★

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 21:17:10 +0000

Take out all the scenes with the creepy coach and this could be a 5-star film.

Bend It Like Beckham, 2002 - ★★★½

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 21:17:10 +0000

Take out all the scenes with the creepy coach and this could be a 5-star film.

How to Have Sex, 2023 - ★★★★

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 21:25:31 +0000

I’ve been trying to articulate how I felt come the end of this film. Helpless is one way to describe it - I could see what was coming and couldn’t do anything to stop it. I realise I also feel culpable, like so many of the so-called friends who aren’t looking out for each other.

I’d like every 16 year old to watch this before they head off for that holiday.

How to Have Sex, 2023 - ★★★★

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 21:25:31 +0000

I’d like every 16 year old to watch this before they head off for that holiday.

Past Lives, 2023 - ★★★★★

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 15:39:58 +0000

Just brilliant. Excellent script. Fantastic acting. Subtle directing. Keep having to remind myself this is a debut from Celine Song 🤯

Past Lives, 2023 - ★★★★★

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 15:39:58 +0000

Just brilliant. Excellent script. Fantastic acting. Subtle directing. Keep having to remind myself this is a debut from Celine Song 🤯

Dune, 2021 - ★★★

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:20:41 +0000

I enjoyed the first half, but when the action moved out into the desert it all got a bit too broody for me. And as the foresight/dream sequences increased I started to get bored.

Dune, 2021 - ★★★

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:20:41 +0000

I enjoyed the first half, but when the action moved out into the desert it all got a bit too broody for me. And as the foresight/dream sequences increased I started to get bored.

Young Adult, 2011 - ★★

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:38:23 +0000

This won’t be leaving a lasting impression, but it fitted my requirements for the evening’s entertaining - 90 minutes of uncomplicated entertainment.

Young Adult, 2011 - ★★

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:38:23 +0000

This won’t be leaving a lasting impression, but it fitted my requirements for the evening’s entertaining - 90 minutes of uncomplicated entertainment.

The 355, 2022 - ★★

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:50:17 +0000

Flawed in many ways but entertaining.

The 355, 2022 - ★★

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:50:17 +0000

Flawed in many ways but entertaining.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, 2020 - ★★★

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 22:00:35 +0000

A lot like a recorded theatre performance in terms of its staging and extended monologues. And on the whole I think that worked, largely as a result of stellar performances from David and Boseman.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, 2020 - ★★★½

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 22:00:35 +0000

A lot like a recorded theatre performance in terms of its staging and extended monologues. And on the whole I think that worked, largely as a result of stellar performances from David and Boseman.

Weeknote 09/24

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:29:47 +0000

Better late than never, here are a few things from the week that was:

I took Wednesday off to spend with Izzy after she returned from a week away
at work I moved desks - I’m now on my third desk in 9 months
I caught up on a few smaller projects that took a back seat while I worked on a tender document
in my freelance time this week, I worked on tasks associated with relaunching my coaching practice and had a very fruitful supervision session
I recovered from an annoying hip injury to play two hockey matches over the weekend, including the O35 Plate competition quarter-final which we lost on penalty shuffles
Izzy went away again over the weekend and I subsisted on supermarket pizza and beer for three days
I went back to try again with Picard - so far I’m enjoying the second season way more than season one
on Sunday Aggie arrived for a few days stay

Petite Maman, 2021 - ★★★★

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 20:01:13 +0000

Small and perfectly formed. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Celine Sciamma.

Weeknote 07/24

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:51:13 +0000

I still don’t feel that I’ve fully got into a rhythm for my freelance days. At the moment I’d say I’m only spending 1 day at most on this work. As a result I made the decision this week to bump a couple of workshops I had originally scheduled to happen in March. They’ll now take place in May.

I’m spending much of my freelance time at the moment focused on repositioning my coaching practice and working towards re-accreditation with the International Coaching Federation. This week I outlined exactly what I need to do to achieve that.

It was a subdued week in the office at my part-time job, after we got the news on Monday that a colleague had died. He had been ill for some time and recently left work. Although you could say his death was not unexpected, I think we all hoped he had more time remaining with his family.

On Wednesday, I took the afternoon off to have my induction at Northern Print. I’ve joined as a member to make use of the studio facilities. After the health and safety tour, plus a refresher on using the Albion press, I was left to do my own thing. I focused on printing a new lighthouse design I’d made for the day and with a few tweaks to the pressure of the press I was pretty happy with the results.

This week’s Monday night movie was Official Competition (before it disappeared off Netflix). I followed this up with a trip to the cinema on Tuesday after work to see All of Us Strangers.

I decided I needed a brief pause after reading The Parable of the Sower. When a book leaves such a lasting impression whatever follows it always gets a raw deal. And yet, there was still time for reading, so I picked up a crime novel to be my stop-gap. These types of book are perfect for this situation; they’re formulaic and therefore easy to read and there’s no pressure on them to live up to what came before them.

Both Izzy and I had more free time than usual over the weekend, so we went on a Saturday morning date. First pancakes for breakfast (as we were both busy on Shrove Tuesday), then on to the touring Yevonde: Life and Colour exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery.

All of Us Strangers, 2023 - ★★★

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:00:30 +0000

There was a moment about three quarters of the way through the film when I became aware of the soundtrack of sobs in the cinema screen. I wondered briefly why my heart was so impenetrable today. Then Harry’s story reached its denouement and I felt my heartstrings being tugged.

This portrait of loneliness and grief made a lot more sense when the credits rolled and I saw it was based on a novel by a Japanese author.

Official Competition, 2021 - ★★★

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 21:03:39 +0000

I knew I was going to enjoy this as soon as Lola started flicking through her annotated script.

Weeknotes 05-06/24

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:35:58 +0000

Week 5

After a busy weekend, I mostly took Monday off to catch up with myself I did some digital spring cleaning, got some household chores done and made a plan for the lino project I want to take to my upcoming induction at the print studio.

I watched Bottoms for Monday movie night. I really wanted to like it more than I did.

We had a dog sitting duty Tuesday to Friday which meant I worked from home for an extra day.

On Saturday, I went to Wakefield to play hockey. It was a close match, in which we spent the majority camped in our defensive half. However, we held strong, defended a slender lead and finally came away with three points.

I rounded the week off by giving blood (on a Sunday!) It was my 37th donation and keeps me on track to reach 40 within the year of my 40th birthday. It was a good donation day as there were mint Clubs on offer in the refreshment area.

Week 6

This was a week of ups and downs.

The ups

I had my belated 6-month review at my part-time job and without fanfare passed probation
I moved my newsletter to Buttondown and sent out an update to tell subscribers about my intended changes to the format and frequency
I made progress on the repositioning work I’ve been doing for my coaching practice

The downs

I caught a bug towards the end of the week and ended up having a sick day on Friday
I recovered enough to play hockey but made a mistake that gifted the opposition a goal and, as it turned out, the victory
I spend Sunday full of rage for no apparent reason

Maestro, 2023 - ★★

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 21:25:07 +0000

Lacking in chemistry, I got zero connection with the characters. Although very well acted, as you’d expect, it left me totally cold. Had I been watching on my own I reckon I’d have switched off before the hour.

Bottoms, 2023 - ★★★

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 21:02:20 +0000

Watched on Monday January 29, 2024.

Weeknote 04/24

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:07:12 +0000

Monday saw the first monthly planning session of the year. We had a great turnout of 20 participants which is largely due to teaming up with Freelancer Magazine this year for some cross-promotion. Later the same day I had my first 1-1 coaching supervision. Previously I’ve done group supervision but it was great to be able to focus on my own practice for the hour. I came away with lots to think about!

Work ticked along nicely this week both from an employed and a freelance perspective. In the office we had the return of our monthly book chat where this month we talked about the brilliance of Claire Keegan - I started and finished reading Foster on Tuesday. For the Janury distance challenge I’m on course to pass 150km before the 31st, and my team is in with a shout of winning the team challenge.

Izzy and I went out for a fancy meal on Thursday at a local restaurant. I’ve been wanting to go for a while but their signature 10-course tasting menu felt a little outside our budget. For January they were offering a 5-course menu as a mid-week special so I snapped up a table. It was delicious and I’ll be saving up to go back.

After last Saturday’s hockey match was cancelled due to snow, training this week was cancelled due to high winds. All of this meant that I headed into a double-header weekend feeling like I couldn’t remember the last time I picked up a hockey stick! It was a tough weekend on and off the pitch with two 3-0 losses (despite relatively strong performances) and some rather childish behaviour from notable members of the team.

This week’s films for me were a rewatch of Caramel, an old favourite, and Wingwomen which was surprisingly entertaining. Izzy and I also finished Mare of Easttown.

Wingwomen, 2023 - ★★★

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 13:36:35 +0000

Watched on Sunday January 28, 2024.

Now (January 2024)

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:13:19 +0000

The latest look at where my energy and attention is focused now…

Freelance work

With my full focus in the run up to the end of last year on my freelancer away days, I am a little slow off the mark with plans for this year.

Here are some things I know right now:

I’m refreshing my coaching offer
I’ve got a new supervisor and am excited for the work we’ll do together
I’m continuing to run free monthly planning sessions
I’ve got two freelance manifesto workshops scheduled

Beyond that, we’ll see.

Part-time employment

I’ve now been in my part-time content design role for eight months. It’s taken a while to get the service off the ground, as you might expect, but right now my time is booked up at least a month in advance.

I’m enjoying the variety in the work from scoping projects through discovery workshops and developing content strategies to reviewing planned and existing content to make improvements based on user needs and journeys.

The best bit though, is my colleagues. I feel really settled and am definitely benefitting from the daily chat and support that you just can’t get when working solo, no matter how good your networks are.

Making connections

Every Wednesday morning when I’m free I’ve been attending Freelancer Mag’s virtual co-working. I’m enjoying both the routine of this and also the familiarity that’s growing within the group of regular attendees.

On Monday mornings (and sometimes Wednesdays too) you’ll find me journaling alongside other members of the Sonder community.

Activities

Throughout January I’ve been taking part in a distance challenge through work. This has got me out walking at every spare opportunity. With a week to go I’ve reached 118km. Can I get to 150 for the month? While I don’t think I’ll be able to keep up the same commitment in future months, I will still make time for at least one longer walk every month.

I’ve become a member at a local print studio and have my induction scheduled for early February. I’ve dabbled with linocut for the past few years and attended a couple of courses. This year I want to develop my skills and I think to do that access to a proper studio with a variety of presses will help improve the quality of the finished work.

We’re over half way through the hockey season now and it’s an understatement to say it’s a tough one. The league we’ve been promoted into is obviously a step up than previous seasons, but I don’t think we anticipated just how hard it would be. All our energy is going in to winning just enough points to stay up.

Relaxing

For the new year I’ve instituted Monday movie night. While my wife is out at college I plan to work my way through my watchlist.

Other than that, my main methods for relaxing are:

reading
watching sport
doing puzzles
listening to podcasts
taking afternoon baths

This is a ‘now’ page, inspired by Derek Sivers. Intrigued by this? Read about the origins of the /now page movement then make your own.

Caramel, 2007 - ★★★★

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:44:20 +0000

There is great depth in the apparent simplicity of this film. Any film Nadine Labaki touches is immediately on my watchlist.

Weeknote 03/24

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 11:22:08 +0000

I think I drank more tea than usual. It’s cold. We had a little snow. And mostly I’m feeling like hibernating until spring would be a good idea.

The highlight of this week was a visit from Aggie who stayed with us from Monday to Wednesday. She supervised my work from the comfort of her bed…

At the job job this week I was mostly focused on running client workshops. The first was for a site that’s about to launch giving their editors an introduction to writing for the web. Then I ran a workshop to gather information to allow me to create a site map for a new site being created from the merger of four orgnizations. The workshop itself was good overall; the clients had a lot to say and we went down a few rabbit holes, but I think we all got what we needed. And I have a better idea of what we should be doing in the follow up workshop next week.

On Wednesday I was back at virtual coworking for the first time this year. I enjoy the routine of dialling in for a few hours each week. I always meet someone new and have a good chat during the break. This week during the session I did some vital workshop admin.

Something that’s been on my to do list for months is to decide what I’m doing with my newsletter. It’s been on hiatus since I took a social media break in the summer. This week I’ve finally decided on an approach. It won’t be coming back as a regular thing. Instead I’ll focus on rediscovering the joy of writing and posting to my neglected blog. I’ll maintain my mailing list and send occasional updates about what’s going on in my world.

My movie of the week was The Lost Daughter which I really enjoyed. I’d been avoiding it for no apparent reason and I’m so glad I finally got over myself.

I was due to be travelling to Whitby on Saturday morning to play hockey. They called on Friday night to say there was still snow on the pitch. Unsurprisingly nothing had changed before we were due to set off on Saturday morning so the game was cancelled. I took myself out for a walk instead. There was still some hockey for me that day though as I got to watch GB beat Ireland and qualify for this summer’s Olympics.

I spent the rest of Saturday on the sofa reading a trashy queer romance which is about all my brain had capacity for. And yes, that means I’m no longer reading The Three Musketeers. I was finding it hard to get into so put it on hold for a while.

Izzy and I decided we weren’t really enjoying season 2 of The Tourist (after 3 episodes) so we are now finally watching Mare of Easttown, which is as good as everyone says it is.

Marsden Bay and Cleadon Hills

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:25:21 +0000

Another Saturday with no hockey. This time a result of snow still covering the pitch in Whitby rendering it unplayable. As I was up and dressed anyway, I decided to throw my walking boots in the car and head out to a nearer stretch of coastline for a walk and some fresh air. I chose a circular route I’ve done before from Whitburn, over the Cleadon Hills and back along the coast via Marsden Rocks and Souter lighthouse.

It’s on odd beginning through a housing estate, across a farmyard and then out into open fields. I was glad I’d done it before otherwise I would have thought I’d gone wrong somewhere.

The walk across farmland was very sticky and in places slippy - I almost went over a couple of times. The views across the fields were peaceful and I could forget that if I turned a little to the left the urban edges of Sunderland were visible in the distance.

As I came out onto the Cleadon Hills, there was a freezing wind and I was grateful that I’d finally picked up a Buff in the sales this week. Until the approach to Cleadon Windmill I’d barely seen anyone, but then I was reminded it was a Saturday morning, and the open common was filled with dog walkers.

The route was pretty busy from then onwards, across the golf course and back onto the coastal path where I met a large group of parents screaming at their kids (probably an under 10s football team) to keep away from the road. I chose to pause and let them get far enough ahead that I could return to my quiet thoughts.

There are some great stacks and arches that have been eroded from the cliff edge along this stretch of coastline. I paused frequently to watch the waves crash around them. I didn’t spot any smugglers though. The sea was probably a bit too rough.

The Lost Daughter, 2021 - ★★★★

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 22:20:41 +0000

A mesmerising portrayal of the claustrophobia and loneliness of motherhood. There’s also something intriguing about how memories and the emotions they stir up are depicted.

As the film went on I found myself wondering how different it might feel to watch it as a mother.

Eager to see what Maggie Gyllenhaal does next.

Weeknote 02/24

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 17:30:57 +0000

The highlight of my week was a fleeting visit from my sister who was in town for a conference. It was novel to spend time just the two of us. And I didn’t know how much I needed it.

I ran the last of my freelancer away days on Monday. We met online for three 90-minute workshops to review what happened in 2023, set intentions for 2024 and start planning the projects that will help us reach our goals. A thoroughly rewarding day.

At the job-job I planned a couple of workshop activities to gather ideas for the new site information architecture, agreed an approach for a resource to help clients understand what they need to do to prepare their content for a site launch and delivered a presentation to the project managers on how they can talk to their clients about our content design services.

I added 33km to the distance challenge. This total included a brutal post-workshop run, an enjoyable lunchtime walk with colleagues for coffee and cake, and a solo jaunt taking the Metro a few stops east then walking home.

We were away in Leeds for this week’s hockey match. It was another frustrating day out with a scoreline that should have been closer.

I’ve started reading The Three Musketeers. Was indecisive about what film I wanted to watch and ended up binging the whole of season 2 of The Good Fight instead.

Not logged yet

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 15:18:34 +0000

Strange Way of Life

Weeknote 01/24

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 19:43:10 +0000

I love it when the month starts on a Monday. It’s even better when it’s also a new year! We met friends for a walk at the coast then spent the rest of the day sorting ourselves out for the week ahead and clinging on to the last hours of the holiday.

I went back to work on Tuesday. It took a while to warm up to it but was I back in the swing of things by lunchtime. This week I’ve been preparing a couple of discovery workshops for a new website merger project and reviewed the content and UI of a multi-stage form for an energy company. For my three days in the office I did one bus, one bike and one running commute.

My first freelance day of the year was cut short with a nasty headache.

I’m taking part in a distance challenge through work and it’s brining out my competitive nature. The goal is to see who can reach the highest combined distance for walking and running over the course of January. There are 14 of us taking part and collectively we’ve covered 384.6km in the first week. My contribution is 30.7km. My activities have included a hike in the North York Moors and a running commute.

Having a friend visiting meant I went for my first trip to my local during dry January. The guys had me covered though with a tasty alcohol free pale ale on tap.

I enjoyed my first book of the year, Emily St John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility which I read during every quiet minute I could snatch this week.

We finally finished the fourth and final season of Sex Education. I enjoyed the closure of storylines involving the characters we know and love, but felt the new school and scenes in the US were forced. We also got up to date with University Challenge.

I wrote this while multitasking, watching the FA Cup match between Arsenal and Liverpool, and preparing our meal plan for the week ahead.

Captain Cook Round

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 19:37:08 +0000

It’s rare we have a completely free weekend together but due to plans to visit friends falling through, that’s how we found ourselves this weekend. To get us out and about we decided to take ourselves on a long walk a little further afield than we’d usually go. We chose the Captain Cook Round from Pocket Mountains' North York Moors guidebook.

The day was overcast but still, fine while you were on the move but a damp cold set in if you stood still too long.

The walk started with a steep climb from our starting point at Kildale station up a lane to meet the Cleveland Way. Our route then took us across the moor where we saw a lot of grouse in the heather. We diverted off the main path to climb to the summit of Roseberry Topping which needed to be taken slow due to mud on the stone path.

Rejoining the Cleveland Way we dropped down to Gribdale, where we stopped briefly for our picnic. Then it was back on the ascent to Captain Cook’s monument which was shrouded in cloud when we got there.

As we decended through woods and farmland back to the station we caught sight of a barn owl in flight. It initially came alongside us from the farm buildings and into the woodland, then passed up the lane where we’d just come.

Distance: 13.3km Elevation: 518m Time: 2h 57m

Barbie, 2023 - ★★★★

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 18:48:03 +0000

Glad I waited for the hype to die down.

The Truman Show, 1998 - ★★★★

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 11:59:43 +0000

Still holds up after more than 25 years. Watching now (and with Izzy for the first time) it seems remarkably prescient.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, 1991 - ★★★

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 17:33:13 +0000

Highly flawed and yet still entertaining.

Home Alone, 1990 - ★★½

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 12:37:26 +0000

Introducing my wife to a classic. Not the best filmmaking but good fun nonetheless.

It’s amazing what you can forget about a film you haven’t seen for ~30 years though. I’d erased practically every scene that took place outside the house.

Love at First Sight, 2023 - ★★★

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 10:33:21 +0000

Described by a friend as an unexpected delight and I wholeheartedly agree.

NYAD, 2023 - ★★

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 10:32:36 +0000

Watched on Monday November 13, 2023.

Enola Holmes, 2020 - ★★

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 19:22:04 +0000

I’d heard good things about this. It was entertaining enough for a rainy Saturday afternoon but I have two lingering questions:
- Why did the there need to be a boy?
- Why did Susan Wokoma not get more screen time?

Fanfic, 2023 - ★★½

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 19:02:13 +0000

The story has so much potential. Sadly the execution didn’t match up. Feels like there would have been much more scope to develop the characters and give their stories more depth if it were a series.

Green Sea, 2020 - ★★ (contains spoilers)

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 14:50:44 +0000

This review may contain spoilers.

Not entirely sure what to make of this film. It felt like it could be a wholesome story about friendship but there was an edge of something sinister throughout that I couldn’t let go of.

And at the end I’m left with one overriding thought: Why did she take the dog?

Derivé in Durham

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 19:20:55 +0000

This morning I took a short train ride to Durham to take a walk and explore some (new to me) corners of the city. This activity and the prompts I used to guide me were inspired by Andrew Eberlin.

Here’s what I found…

Pick any direction and walk in a straight line. After 100 paces take a photo of what is in front of you.
At the next opportunity turn right. Photograph the oldest and newest building on the street.
Turn down the next street that starts with a vowel. Photograph something that moves.
Head in the noisiest direction and find somewhere to take a self portrait.
Wave and smile at the next surveillance camera. Photograph it.
Turn left. Find a place to sit for a while and watch the world go by. Walk to the subject that most captivates you.
Go north until you see something red or yellow. Or both. Take its photo.
Take two lefts and photograph the middle of the road. If it’s safe to do so.
Take the next right and photograph something wonderful.
Find something that no longer works.
Meander to a nearby tree. Photograph it close up and far away.
Take a typical photo of Durham.
And then photograph something discarded or lost.
Stand somewhere and photograph a passer-by.
Walk until you notice something unreasonable. Document your experience.
Continue until you want to photograph something. You choose the subject. It’s a free world.

The End.

The walk took about 90 minutes in total with 60 minutes time on the move. This final image is the route the prompts took me in.

I enjoyed seeing some new parts of this small city. I know it a little but definitely found some areas new to me, and appreciated some places I used to frequent during my lunch breaks when I worked here briefly. I’ll definitely do this again and maybe see what new perspectives it can bring to my home town.

My Neighbor Totoro, 1988 - ★★★★

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 14:47:23 +0000

Almost ashamed to say this is the first time I’ve watched this. I was tired and feeling a bit sorry for myself and some time with Totoro et al was exactly what I needed.

I’m kind of amazed that a film almost as old as me could feel so timeless, but I guess that’s the magic of Miyazaki.

Now (July 2023)

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 16:08:40 +0000

The latest look at where my energy and attention is focused now…

Part-time employment

In the last week of June I started a new part-time job. It’s a return to content design at a local digital agency. I’m their first part-time employee and the only content designer. I’m also returning to employment after freelancing full time for the past five years. It’s safe to say that we’ll be spending the first month or two finding our feet!

Freelance work

The summer has always been a quiet time for my freelance work so my main focus at the moment is planning for events later in the year. I’m in the process of confirming dates and venues, then I’ll be moving on to setting up booking systems and thinking about how I go about marketing them.

I’ve been off social media (primarily Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) since the start of June. With the exception of checking in from time to time to respond to messages I’ve pretty much gone cold turkey. And as expected, it’s been liberating. I’ve already decided that I won’t be going back to Twitter and I’ll be re-establishing some boundaries with the other platforms.

Making connections

Every Wednesday afternoon when I’m free I run Unoffice Hours. These 30-minute calls are opportunities for us to get to know each other or catch up. There’s no agenda, we’ll just see where the conversation takes us.

On Monday mornings (and sometimes Wednesdays too) you’ll find me journaling alongside other members of the Sonder community. It’s currently a closed space but we’re exploring how we can make it more visible and accessible soon.

Relaxing

I’m enjoying spending my time off pottering around in my yard. This year I’ve put a bit more effort into making it an enjoyable space to hang out on sunny days (and also hang the washing).

The summer means it’s the cricket season so I’m rarely seen without TMS on the radio. It’s debatable whether this should come under the heading of relaxing, especially during an Ashes series, but there’s always hope!

Then there’s the usual walking, reading, cooking and eating, plus the occasional messy craft project.

This is a ‘now’ page, inspired by Derek Sivers. Intrigued by this? Read about the origins of the /now page movement then make your own.

Always Be My Maybe, 2019 - ★★

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 17:09:44 +0000

Needed something light for the end of my first week at work and this fit the bill perfectly. I enjoyed the broad story and central relationships. Not sold on the big name cameo though and at least one joke left a bit of a bitter taste.

Full Time, 2021 - ★★★★

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:56:19 +0000

Before we went to see this I was flippantly referring to it as Run Lola Run for the middle aged. It’s not quite, but it did get my heart racing in a similar way and a lot of that is down to the use of sound.

There were moments that had me on the edge of my seat, as well as a lot of subtlety in script, direction and performance.

Kielder Water — cycling

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 07:28:07 +0000

My goal for day two of my trip (read about day one here) was to cycle a full loop around the reservoir. At 40 km this would be by far my longest ever ride. On the whole I was looking forward to it, but in the back of my mind I had a few anxious thoughts about what could go wrong.

Thankfully those fears remained in my imagination and my day was characterised by some good decisions. The first two made before I even left the B&B…

Opting for a sausage sandwich and small pot of coffee instead of a full English at breakfast.
Choosing to wear the padded liners in my cycling shorts, despite the heat.
Seeking advice about which direction to cycle around the reservoir… and then listening to it.

This last one, I believe, was the difference between me finishing the ride and being beaten by it. Starting at Tower Knowe and cycling anti-clockwise meant that I was descending most of the steepest sections. There were still a few uphill stretches that proved a challenge for me but in general they were more gradual rather than short and sharp.

I also managed to avoid any nasty tumbles. Only on one of the latter steep descents that included some sharp turns did I feel the bike slipping from under me. I was able to respond quickly and managed to regain control.

I set off a little before 10AM with the intention of taking my time. However, there’s little reason to stop on the north side and little shade, so bar a couple of short stops to take photos and grab a drink, I continued along my way for 19 km.

I arrived at Kielder well before noon. This was originally where I had planned to stop for lunch as it’s roughly half-way. I was feeling relatively fresh, and not in need of anything more than a snack, so decided to keep going.

A few kilometres further on, near Matthew’s Linn, I found a quiet and shady spot next to a jetty to eat my sandwiches. I would have loved to sit here longer to read and enjoy the views but the lack of a breeze meant the midges were out in full force.

At 27 km, stopping for a tub of ice cream (the flavour was cherry crush, in case you were wondering) at the Waterside visitor centre felt like a brilliant idea but when I got up to get going again my legs felt like jelly. Thankfully the next few kilometres were pretty steady, retracing the route around the peninsula that I’d walked the day before) and I got back in my rhythm.

With 5km left of the loop I hit a wall. The loudest sound I could hear was my heart thumping in my chest. A brief stop half-way up a hill to throw cold water over myself and refuel was necessary. That pick-me-up just about got me to the finish line, where I arrived around 2:30PM.

Before setting off for home I bundled my bike back into the car, thanked the visitor centre staff for their advice, refuelled with my remaining sandwiches and a coffee and chocolate brownie from the café. I’d intended to take myself for a celebratory pint on my return home, but instead crashed on the sofa with a cup of sugary tea.

Cycling stats

Distance covered: 40.11 km

Elapsed time: 4 hours 36 minutes

Moving time: 3 hours 1 minute

Average speed: 12.5 km/hr

Max speed: 30.3 km/hr

Max elevation: 231 m

Tags: #holiday #northumberland #cycling

Kielder Water — walking

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:29:50 +0000

In anticipation of starting a new part-time role at the end of the month, and losing the flexibility that my freelance life offers, I booked myself a midweek overnight stay near Kielder Water in Northumberland.

My plan for day one of the trip was to walk a 10 km loop around Bull Crag peninsula, starting and ending at the Waterside visitor centre. Day two would involve cycling the full 40 km loop of the lake on the Lakeside Way.

On day one I set off for my walk around 11:30AM and, given the number of parked cars, I was surprised how few people I met on the path. For long stretches all I could hear was the crunching of my footsteps, the birds and the gentle lapping of water.

I walked for around an hour and stopped in the shade of the pine forest to eat lunch. I made sure that distance wise I was at least half way along the route. My picnic spot was idyllic with a strong, and welcome, breeze coming off the water.

Before setting off again I swapped my camera for my binoculars to see what I could spot in what proved to be a dense section of forest. There was plenty of activity, based on the birdsong. I heard wrens, robins, and a willow warbler but only caught sight of the underside of a siskin and a very friendly chaffinch.

The last section of my walk along the ‘alternative route’ which helps to form the loop around the peninsula was by far the least scenic few kilometres. It was hilly too with a far more uneven surface and very little shade.

I finished the loop around 2:45PM and treated myself to an ice cream (a mint Magnum was the day’s choice) and an espresso. After this refuelling stop and with a couple of hours to go before I could check in to my B&B, I hopped in the car, parked up near the dam and set out to check out another stretch of the shoreline.

Walking along the dam gave a great angle across the reservoir and I enjoyed the return of the breeze. With the exception of a few cyclists on the dam who were coming to the end of their rides at Hawkhope, I only saw one pair of walkers who were following the same route as me onto The Belling and up to the Wave Chamber.

On the dot of 5PM I made my way to the nearby village of Falstone to check in to my accommodation for the night. After cleaning up, I secured a quiet spot in the (relatively) cool bar to enjoy a meal and refreshing pint (or two) before turning in for an early night ahead of continuing my Kielder adventure on day two.

Walking stats

Distance covered: 16.46 km

Elapsed time: 4 hours 46 minutes

Moving time: 2 hours 7 minutes

Average speed: 5 km/hr

Max elevation: 249 m

Tags: #holiday #walking #activity #northumberland

Zombieland: Double Tap, 2019 - ★★

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:28:10 +0000

Ridiculous. Fun. As advertised.

Joyland, 2022 - ★★★★

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 11:40:32 +0000

Oof, this was everything I expected, and more. A devastating story of identity, repression, love, pride… The fact that it is a debut makes it all the more remarkable.

There’s so many layers that I would have liked a little more time with the characters, especially Mumtaz and Biba. You know they had more of their lives to share.

Wayfinder, 2022 - ★★★½

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 15:22:44 +0000

Sometimes I can forget that film is an art form. I get caught up on narrative or action and forget to experience how a film makes me feel. Wayfinder reminded me.

I enjoyed the stillness of the visuals, the poetry of the narration and the almost hypnotic music and folk songs that accompany them. I wasn't concerned with following the story so much as paying attention to certain words or phrases that spoke to me.

I'm glad I set aside the time to watch this in its entirety. I can't help feeling that the people who popped their heads in to the gallery for just a minute or two, instead of immersing themselves in it, have missed out.

Just me

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 17:52:56 +0000

If you happened to pass by me this morning while I was out for a run you’d have seen me in my usual state during exercise; huffing and puffing, streaming with sweat and growing increasingly red in the face. Look a bit more closely and you’d also have noticed the tears rolling down my cheeks.

The tears took me by surprise and were brought on by my choice of listening — an episode of the podcast Changes where Annie Macmanus interviews Kae Tempest. It brought up such a range of emotions for me that are bubbling to the surface again while I write this. The tears came from recognition, frustration, overwhelm and ultimately hope.

The interview starts with a conversation about words and writing, and it feels appropriate therefore that the reason I connected with this episode so much was because Kae was able to put into words their experience of childhood, a childhood that has echoes of my own, in a much more articulate way than I’ve ever been able to talk about mine.

They talk about effectively living as a boy until puberty at which point the world kind of forgets that we’re all just kids and starts to streamline the sexes — girls to the left, boys to the right. Of the challenge of getting your hair cut or buying clothes. Of constantly being asked ‘what are you?’

“But the people that knew me, knew me, and they accepted me for who I was. But it was hard to meet new people because you always have to start from zero. Like you know, what are you?”

I’m grateful that my family knew me too and let me be who I wanted to be and do what I wanted to do. But when you’re out of that bubble it’s tiring, and lonely, not feeling like you fit in and constantly having to explain yourself. I used to think it would be so much easier if I’d been a boy.

Now, with a whole heap of hindsight I’m grateful for my experience. Of being neither one nor the other. Of having such a strong sense of myself, and a big dose of stubbornness, that I didn’t feel I had to change to fit in to a world that wants you to pick a side. It makes me unique.

“I’m very glad of being this person now because I have the perspective of both. I have the perspective… which makes me sensitive to things about gender that cis people or people that have always been confident and comfortable in their gender, it would be much harder for them to have contact with. And this is real. This is what we have. This is the blessing of it. This is why it’s beautiful to have people like us in the world, because there’s things that we know that other people just don’t know.”

There’s so much more covered in this interview about discovering yourself, the creative process and how we cope amidst everything that’s going on in the world, that it’s well worth an hour of your time to listen to it all.

To finish though, I want to return to that question, ‘what are you?’ There are many answers. Each one is the right answer for a different audience. But ultimately the answer I want to give and that should be enough is — I’m me! Emma, Em, or Craggy (whatever name you know me by). That’s it. No other labels or qualifiers needed. Just me.

Tags: #reflection #listenting #exercise #gender

Paris, Texas, 1984 - ★★★★

Tue, 30 May 2023 14:36:51 +0000

Watched on Sunday May 28, 2023.

Get Out, 2017 - ★★★★

Tue, 30 May 2023 14:36:18 +0000

Watched on Wednesday May 10, 2023.

My media diet

Tue, 23 May 2023 12:44:36 +0000

I’m fascinated by the different ways we consume, interact and engage with different forms of media. Over the past few years I’ve become very aware of how I’ve adapted my own approach to suit my needs and save my sanity.

I’ve read a few posts where people have shared the what and how of their media diet and thought it would be an interesting activity (if only for me) to write my own…

Blogs

When it comes to reading blogs, RSS is my friend and I happily pay an annual fee to Feedbin. As with newsletters I try to be judicious with what I subscribe to and review the list regularly. When I do this I try to notice when I regularly stop reading and start skimming posts in a certain feed.

Here are a few blogs that keep me reading:

The Creative Independent
everything changes by Mandy Brown
Anna Havron’s blog
Sue Hetherington’s daily blog
Weekly Musings and Random Notes by Scott Nesbitt

I also predominantly follow my micro.blog timeline via RSS (primarily on my phone). When it comes to the social aspect of micro.blog I switch to the app.

Books

For the last couple of years I’ve committed to reading only books that I already own. Before that the ‘to be read’ pile (or shelves in my case) was only growing. Now I see that I’m making a small dent. An occasional books slips through the net though — a gift, something for work or a loan from a friend or family member.

I mostly read in the mornings as I wake up with a cup of tea. I switched to this approach after I realised I couldn’t get past a few pages at bed time before nodding off.

News

I made a conscious decision to stop watching the news on TV in the run up to the Brexit referendum in 2016. I briefly went back during the early days of COVID but was soon reminded how very narrow the reporting is and how there’s so much pressure for news to be 24/7 that often we just end of watching the same features over and over. You can add to that the increasing feeling that much of what is reported as news these days is merely gossip. These things all contributed to the sense that for me watching the news does more harm than good.

My consumption of news is now filtered through other channels - often word of mouth - and then I make a conscious choice to engage with it or not.

Newsletters

I use a separate email alias to subscribe that allows me to set up a rule so anything sent to it skips my inbox and gets dumped in a ‘Newsletters’ folder so I can choose when I want to see them. Nevertheless it’s still easy for them to get out of control so I’ve recently cut my subscriptions down to what I consider the essentials ie those that I read in full every issue, including:

Nick Cave’s Red Hand Files
Lisa Olivera’s Human Stuff
Mandy Brown’s A Working Letter
Oliver Burkeman’s The Imperfectionist
Kat Vellos’ We Should Get Together

Lately I’ve discovered that Substack newsletters have RSS feeds. I prefer to read in my feed reader so I’ve moved most (I’m keeping some essentials in my email) Substack newsletters over there.

Podcasts

Here is where the overwhelm lies. So many podcasts so little time to listen.

I prioritise sports podcasts. Why? They’re time limited. Next the list I call ‘downtime’ which includes my other interests and hobbies outside sport; film, food and books. I mostly listen when I’m exercising, on the move or in the kitchen. They’re also my go to when I’m struggling to get to sleep.

Everything else, especially work-related stuff, is building up and up and UP. Sometimes I think about declaring bankruptcy…. but the FOMO is real!

I only access Twitter via Tweetdeck on my laptop. I don’t have the app on my phone and I have Hide Feed turned on in my browser to block my timeline and all the trending topics that do nothing but raise my blood pressure if I have to visit the website for any reason. Until the API was turned off I mainly followed a few private lists via Feedbin. Since then I’ve noticed my engagement has dwindled.

The two social apps I have on my phone are Mastodon and Instagram. I check these a couple of times a day each and post occasionally.

YouTube

I’m not one of those people who spend hours browsing YouTube or following breadcrumb trails from video to video. I go with a specific purpose in mind which is usually to watch a live sporting event, a recording of a live event that I missed or an instructional ‘how to’ video. I use lists to create a queue for watching things later. Anything over 15 minutes usually gets added to the queue and I then schedule time to watch these over a lunch break.

Nobody, 2021 - ★

Sat, 20 May 2023 19:19:44 +0000

A waste of time. Should have stopped watching at the bus incident when I realised it was going to be unnecessarily violent.

Chungking Express, 1994 - ★★★½

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 19:17:52 +0000

I don’t quite know what to make of it. In the first half I felt like I had no clue what was going on and couldn’t make any real connection with the two central characters. And then it shifts and my experience changed completely. I wanted to spend more time with Cop 663 and Faye.

There’s a lot to love about the film making too, of course: the use of sound, the humour and the attention to detail.

BPM (Beats per Minute), 2017 - ★★★★

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 11:10:46 +0000

This has been on my list to see for some time and now it is certainly going to sit with me for some time to come. At times it felt like a documentary and at others a love story set against the realities of the 1990s AIDS crisis. By the end I was bawling my eyes out. Necessary viewing.

No Time to Die, 2021 - ★★

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:31:27 +0000

Boooooring 🥱

However, I am intrigued to see what happens to 007 next.

My Days of Mercy, 2017 - ★★

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:29:34 +0000

It's the chemistry between Page and Mara that makes this film. It's clear what the film wants to be but it fails to either unlock the complexity of the relationships (between all the characters) or explore the conflict between the opposing sides at the death row protests within its 100 minutes.

Blue Jean, 2022 - ★★★

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:57:02 +0000

I could feel the pressure building for Jean with every minute that went by. She's stuck. Questioning every action she makes. Justifying her choices as much to herself as the people around her.

It's a difficult watch at times and I found myself wondering what I would have done in her situation. It also made me recognise how lucky I am to be a generation or two on from this.

And yet, it feels so very relevant for this to be released now as we appear to be cycling round again.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, 2019 - ★★★★

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:29:23 +0000

I'd put off watching this as I feared that not being familiar with Mr Rogers, and his place in US culture, would be a barrier. That I wouldn't get it. But it's not a biopic in the traditional sense, as summed up by Matt Singer in his review:

"the movie is less about Fred Rogers than about his spirit and lessons"

It's also, in a way, far more about Lloyd and I really felt I journeyed with him on his arc.

TÁR, 2022 - ★★★

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:35:35 +0000

I think it says a lot about my response to this film that I developed a bit of an obsession with her shoes. I did wonder if this was due in part to how the film starts - I felt like I was watching something in a language I couldn't speak with no subtitles. I couldn't understand the words so I focused on noticing the detail in what I could see, how the characters interacted, their body language and habitual movements. And I think that level of observation continued throughout the film.

I did struggle a little with the pace of both the beginning and end. The film starts slow and then wraps up in a flurry. Everything in the middle felt more like it unfolded more naturally.

I left the cinema feeling a little underwhelmed. I'd expected more drama, more tension, more divisiveness, more extremes, just more of everything really.

The Guard, 2011 - ★★★

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 18:47:51 +0000

Needed something that was entertaining but not taxing for a Saturday night after a day of sport. This fit the bill nicely.

I enjoyed the developing relationship between Gerry and Wendell. And that for much of the film we’re as clueless as Cheadle’s FBI agent over whether Gleeson’s Gerry is really smart or really stupid!

Molly's Game, 2017 - ★★★

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:33:03 +0000

Just fine for a Sunday night movie.

Uncut Gems, 2019

Sat, 28 Jan 2023 20:19:29 +0000

In summary: men shouting.

Not giving this a rating because I only made it half way. The prospect of another hour of the same noise did not fill me with joy.

Red Notice, 2021 - ★

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:53:17 +0000

Needed something mindless after a hard day working in the garden… this was certainly that.

The Farewell, 2019 - ★★★

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 21:21:17 +0000

The central relationship between grandma and granddaughter was enough to keep me engaged in this story. And I found myself on a similar journey to Billi, learning to appreciate the differences in familial, and particularly intergenerational, relationships between eastern and western cultures.

I’m a little bemused by references to the film as a comedy-drama. There’s humour in it for sure, but it’s bittersweet and I think to call it comedy is a stretch.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, 2022 - ★★★

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:58:06 +0000

Ridiculous and entertaining. I think I marginally preferred this second outing for Benoit Blanc to his debut.

There were moments however where I was pulled out of the story and reminded these "disruptors" with their endless pots of money and huge egos are out there causing havoc in the real world.

A New York Christmas Wedding, 2020 - ★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:38:14 +0000

Watched on Tuesday December 13, 2022.

Wedding Season, 2022 - ★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:37:05 +0000

A friend recently introduced me to the concept of “fake date” films and this one certainly fits the bill. One of the better films I watched in my pre-Christmas, cold induced rom-com binge.

Love Hard, 2021 - ★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:34:26 +0000

Watched on Sunday December 11, 2022.

Falling for Christmas, 2022 - ★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:33:07 +0000

There should be a special star rating system for Christmas films. This one was actually better than I expected.

Beauty, 2022 - ★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:27:27 +0000

I liked the style of this film, including the decision not to let us hear Beauty sing. Ultimately it’s a tragedy and felt reminiscent of what I know about Whitney Houston’s life, which left me wondering whether the character of Beauty was based on her.

Overall, I felt the filmmaker was trying a bit too hard and failed to create any connection for me with either the characters or story.

Coco, 2017 - ★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:20:38 +0000

I’m a sucker for a film about families and intergenerational friendships.

Inside Out, 2015 - ★★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:18:13 +0000

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Pixar at its best.

… slightly concerned the guiding emotions in my head behave a little like those in Dad’s head though.

Decision to Leave, 2022 - ★★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 16:04:15 +0000

It’s all in the detail.

The Half of It, 2020 - ★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:54:10 +0000

Delightful.

2022: A year in books

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:40:27 +0000

Here are the books I finished reading in 2022. I didn’t set myself a goal, it’s not helpful for me. Instead I prefer to aim to read a little every day. The final count of 18 feels about average for me over the course of a year.

Of these titles, the standouts were:

The Name of the Wind
Treacle Walker
The Vanishing Half
Spring Cannot be Cancelled
Great Circle

Joker, 2019 - ★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:30:17 +0000

I don’t know what to make of Joker. It made me feel supremely uncomfortable and I don’t know if that’s a result of its brilliance or because it vastly missed the mark. What I do know is Joaquin Phoenix is always intriguing.

This rating could have been a 2 and could have been a 4, so I split the difference.

The Harder They Fall, 2021 - ★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:24:41 +0000

Effortlessly cool.

Miss Americana, 2020 - ★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:14:26 +0000

Watched on Sunday May 8, 2022.

Bruised, 2020 - ★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:12:06 +0000

Watched on Saturday January 22, 2022.

Ava, 2020 - ★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:10:27 +0000

Why Jessica, why?

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, 2022 - ★★★★

Sat, 31 Dec 2022 15:06:37 +0000

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film and glad I left my judgments aside when invited to see it.

2022: A year in the park

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:06:39 +0000

I took 12 photos from the same spot in a local park this year. One for every month of the year, just to see how things changed over time.

What surprised me is how little these pictures really differ, and those differences are mostly down to the weather and time of day the picture was taken.

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Weeknote 35/22

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 13:31:26 +0000

My week started with a couple of days off visiting family. On Monday I went to watch The Hundred at Trent Bridge with my sister and her family. My nephews (aged 3, 6 and 8) were beyond excited about their first live sport event (and getting to stay up late!) It was a great day out and our team won both matches.

On Tuesday we stopped off to visit my aunt and uncle on our way home. We raided their fruit trees, helped collect firewood and went out for lunch.

The time off over the Bank Holiday meant I had a three-day work week. Here’s what I spent my time on:

finishing the set up for our next accountability group
running a quarterly planning session
research for an upcoming talk on the role of personal development in the transition to self-employment
writing a brief and marketing plan for the freelancer away days I’m running later this year
a project plan for my next group coaching programme

Over the weekend, I:

watched finals day of The Hundred
had a games and pizza night with a couple of friends
prepped all the fruit we brought home ready for the freezer
visited a friend in her new flat for Sunday lunch
went for a stroll at the coast

Weeknote 34/22

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 12:37:06 +0000

What happened this week…

📋 I took a new approach to setting my intentions for the week using three themes; things to finish, things to progress, things to think about. It turned out I had three items under each of the things (I didn’t set myself a limit, but I think that’s something to consider). When it came to review the week I found I’d checked off all the things I needed to finish and spent time working on or thinking about everything else. So I’ll keep going with this approach during September and see how it works out.

✅ A bit slow out of the blocks but we finally got everything set up for our next accountability group which starts on 2 September. We’ve switched from monthly intakes to quarterly and are going to spend the rest of this year looking at developments for a relaunch/refresh coming in 2023.

🛬 I ran the final session of my group coaching pilot on Tuesday. Now I need to collate feedback from the participants and consider how I want to develop the programme for the next group.

🤔 I spent two days in my co-working space… but was the only one in. considering what to rename it. Suggestions from mastodon: a singularity; a lair or den.

🔌 We had no Internet at home for most of the day on Friday which threw the end of my working week off course. I’ve done a little bit of catch up this morning (Saturday) to make sure I’m ready for next week as I’ll only be working three days.

🍻 I’ve found myself drawn into over socialising this summer. This week I’ve been grateful that I’ve rediscovered my ability to politely decline when invited out. I’ve learned my capacity is having things booked for a maximum of two evenings during the week and once at the weekend. There are a couple of exceptions to this rule; hanging out with my buddy and dates with my wife.

🏑 There’s been a lot of hockey admin this week ahead of the new season. Some people stuff too as we start to consider who will be in what squad.

🚘 I’m early with my weeknote because this evening we’re hopping in the car to head south and spend the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend with my sister and family.

Weeknote 33/22

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 16:29:16 +0000

It’s been a few weeks since I posted a weeknote. You missed out on:

a second week of COVID blues
a holiday in Scotland
the blur of returning to work after nearly three weeks off

I’m ready to write again now! Here’s the week that was…

💻 On Monday I got up and hosted/joined my weekly calls to start the week. All was well. Afterwards I hopped on the bus to go into my co-working space. It was the first day in a long time when I felt full of energy and looking forward to getting stuck in to my work. My laptop felt different and when I arrived at my desk it refused to turn on. So I immediately turned around and headed home. The rest of the day was a right off.

💰 With the help of an IT guy I know, I managed to get the laptop fixed pretty quickly and without breaking the bank. He has recommended that I think about making plans to replace it. Any recommendations welcome!

✅ Without my laptop I didn’t get a huge amount done, choosing to focus only on the essentials — calls with potential clients and coaching sessions.

💡 Spending less time at a screen gave me some space to think about some projects I’ve got on the horizon for freelancer strategy days and a full launch of my group coaching programme.

📋 I caught up with my co-host of the accountability group to run through our plans for the rest of the year and any potential changes to how we run things. We’re also in talks to develop something similar for another community.

🏑 On Wednesday I went to my first pre-season hockey training. I’m captaining a side this season and with that comes a lot of behind the scenes work. This week that involved coming up with a solution for pre-season trial games that suited all teams and coaches, and worked with the pitches we have available.

⚽️ I played my first wildcard to reset my fantasy football team. While that hasn’t proved successful for this gameweek, I am in a much better place going forward.

🍻 Now that I’m over covid and my pal is back from her holidays we spent Friday afternoon/evening trying out a couple of nearby taprooms and playing darts (badly).

🤞 I’m keeping my finger’s crossed that the week ahead holds no surprises or set backs!

Weeknotes 28-29/22

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 15:17:49 +0000

✅ With a grand total of two working days over the past two weeks my focus has been on the absolute essentials; planning activities for my next group coaching sessions, creating worksheets for said activities and preparing to launch my next group programme.

⚽ We took a trip to London to see Germany v Spain at the Women’s Euros. While in London we caught up with friends and dropped in to see the Cornelia Parker exhibition at Tate Britain.

🧟 Izzy came back from a big church event (~400 people on a university campus for four days) and tested positive for Covid. I followed suit a couple of days later. We’ve both had pretty bad cold and flu symptoms and been like zombies for a full seven days. I’m feeling much better (though lacking energy) as we start a new week.

☀️ What’s worse than 48 hours of unbearable heat? 48 hours of unbearable heat when you’ve got Covid! Somehow we got through it.

🎂 We celebrated Izzy’s big birthday in a very low key style — doing our weekly crossword on FaceTime with my parents and eating cake. All other celebrations postponed until we’re feeling better.

📺 While I’ve been ill I’ve struggled to read for any length of time so have watched a lot of not very taxing series on Netflix; two seasons of Chicago Fire and the first season of Heartstopper.

🛒 With plenty of friends on our doorstep we’ve had regular food deliveries but haven’t wanted to cook or eat much. Pretty sure I’ve survived on toast, biscuits, ice cream and lemonade.

Weeknote 27/22

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 13:06:47 +0000

🗓️ I’ve been feeling slightly apprehensive about the amount of work I have on and the limited days I have available in July. So I was pleased to hear a content migration job I’ve been waiting to get scheduled has been pushed back again. It gives me a bit of breathing room.

📑 Had a good meeting with a collaborator about pitching a project similar to the accountability groups we already run to another community.

💭 Ran session three of the group coaching pilot this week on the theme of boundaries. We’re now half way through the programme and I’m starting to think ahead to opening bookings for the next group starting in the autumn.

☕ One of the coaching group had to miss a recent session and as she lives nearby we met for coffee and a recap. Made me realise although there are great benefits to being able to run events online it is good to sit alongside someone.

📋 My main tasks outside of coaching this week have been making sure I’m prepared for the next few weeks where I’ve only got a maximum of two working days per week. I got my newsletter scheduled as well as completing some prep work for other up coming events.

🦋 I finished reading Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behaviour.

👀 I watched a lot of sport this week (aided by arriving at my parents who have both Sky and BT); most Wimbledon matches, most Women’s Euros matches, England v India T20s and the home nations southern hemisphere rugby tour matches.

🏏 While I’ve been home, we also went for a day trip to Nottingham to watch my eldest nephew play cricket and I’ve been helping my Dad with various labour intensive two-person jobs in the garden.

Weeknote 26/22

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 15:56:40 +0000

It’s Sunday afternoon and by some small miracle I’m here posting my weeknote!

🪞 On Monday I had a great conversation with Kerry Bertram of Brilliant Thing via LinkedIn Live on the broad theme of reflection. We talked about the power of pausing, creative ways to reflect and the importance of reflection for teams as well as individuals.

🧈 I spent most of Wednesday livid because the video call software we use for our accountability group had released a pretty major update without telling anyone. I found out about 30 seconds before I was due to host a session that I no longer had permissions to open the room. Thankfully my co-host was on hand to step in.

📄 Most of my time outside calls this week was spent working on the last few weeks of activities for my group coaching programme. I’ve also been researching launch plans for marketing the next run of the programme.

🛍️ A recurring theme of my weeks lately has been working in the background on small shifts to my positioning and offer. It’s slow progress but I’m getting there.

🔗 In the latest issue of my newsletter I shared what I’ve been reading in June in my end of the month link round-up.

🥗 Izzy and I are giving Weight Watchers a try for a month. So far, I’m enjoying cooking from their recipes (it’s not vastly different from what we’d usually eat, just more moderate portion sizes!)

👂🏼 I spent most of the week with a blocked left ear which made me disoriented and cranky. I also realised too late that it was really effecting my concentration.

🐶 We had Aggie staying with us until Wednesday evening. She’s such a treasure it really makes me rethink my hard stance on not having a dog while we’re in the flat.

📽️ On Saturday night we attended BALTIC is Curious as part of the month-long Curious Arts festival. We saw three excellent short films by women and non-binary people of colour.

🎾 Most of the weekend I’ve had tennis on in the background while I’ve either been reading or doing stuff around the flat. Watson and Norrie’s runs have been a highlight.

Weeknote 25/22

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 19:11:57 +0000

🙋🏼 Ran the second session of my group coaching programme on the theme of identity. I also got a head start on planning activities and creating materials for the remaining sessions.

🤔 Spent a good chunk of time thinking about how I position my business and talk about what I do.

💡 I’ve been thinking about my business model and how it may be affected by the rise in cost of living. Less disposable income for individuals could mean less investment in personal development activities like coaching. I’ve had a couple of ideas this week for how I can expand and offer my services for small businesses locally.

☕ Met all the other folk at my new co-working space for our first members’ coffee morning. Another sign that I’ve made the right choice.

🗃️ Tidied up my weekly and monthly planning templates in Notion. The main aim for doing this was to add sections to keep my monthly and quarterly goals visible.

🐶 Aggie arrived for a mini-break on Friday. She comes regularly enough that we all know the daily routine and she settles in well. I’m really enjoying it being light enough to take her round the park for our last walk of the day.

🍳 Cooked steak and proper homemade chips for a friend’s birthday meal over the weekend.

☂️ Finished Russian Doll and started watching the new season of The Umbrella Academy.

🎶 Enjoyed having coverage of Glastonbury on in the background the whole weekend while I pottered around the flat. Favourite sets include: First Aid Kit, Gabriels and, Skunk Anansie.

Hustle, 2022 - ★★★

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 19:54:34 +0000

Enjoyable enough. Bo and Stanley are certainly characters you can get behind. Probably would have appreciated it more if I knew who everyone was!

Weeknote 24/22

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 10:47:33 +0000

🏆 My Pod co-host and I have been shortlisted in the Freelance Impact category at YunoJuno’s Freelancer Awards. Voting is now open!

🖐 Finalised materials for next week’s group coaching session on identity to send out to participants.

📅 Added details of the regular events I run to my homepage (a job that’s been on the to do list for too long).

📰 Sent my newsletter which includes a new article on metaphors for goal setting.

🔮 Gave myself some time to zoom out and think ahead to what I want to work towards the rest of the year.

📢 I’ve committed to spending a block of time each week on marketing as it’s something I typically avoid doing. I’m about three weeks in now and slowly building a habit.

☕ Had a virtual coffee with a fellow facilitator to chat about what we’re both working on and agreed to do a LinkedIn live conversation about reflection.

📷 Revisited my Flickr account to find some images for a coaching activity. Had a tidy up and started planning an inspiration jaunt while we’re on holiday to get out exploring with my camera again.

👀 Went to the cinema to see Everything Everywhere All At Once.

🌳 Saw Hockney’s A Year in Normandie exhibition at Salts Mill. Spent considerable time with one tree. Bought a poster of wildflowers from the Arrival of Spring exhibition and a few postcards from the Normandy series.

🐯 By some miracle I was able to avoid hearing the outcome from Saturdays Gallagher Premiership Final so I could watch it on catch-up on Sunday night. As a Leicester supporter I was on the edge of my seat for much of the second half and practically holding my breath for the final 5 minutes.

The ground beneath our feet

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 09:23:22 +0000

On my walk to work today I listened to an episode of On Being that was a conversation from 2016 between Krista Tippett and the poet David Whyte. About 10 minutes in, as a precursor to reciting his poem Everything is Waiting for You, Whyte said:

we have so many allies in this world, including just the color blue in the sky, which we’re not paying attention to, or the breeze or the ground beneath our feet.

I have to be honest, although the rest of the episode played on, I wasn’t giving it my full attention. I was too hung up on these words and how they made me feel.

I looked up to the blue sky above me, with barely a cloud in sight. My world felt vast. I turned my attention to the feeling of the solid concrete under my feet. I felt supported. Safe.

I know the benefits of feeling connected to the world around me, of grounding myself, and feeling a sense that I’m part of something bigger (sympatheia is what the Stoics call it). But, I haven’t had a hook that calls me back, or reminds me of this connection. Now I do. It’s the idea that when I need it most these things will be there, without fail, to support me and lift me up.

Tags: #quotes #DavidWhyte #OnBeing #nature

Everything Everywhere All at Once, 2022 - ★★★★

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:19:16 +0000

I'm glad I went in to see this without expectations. I'd seen the trailer months ago and then avoided everything else.

It took me a while to warm up to it. But when I let myself go, I thoroughly enjoyed this film for its ridiculousness and ambition. What I particularly liked was that underneath the fantastical at its heart this is a family drama.

My enjoyment was topped off when I returned home to find two googly eyes randomly placed on the mantelpiece.

Weeknote 23/22

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 11:36:09 +0000

🌟 The first session of my group coaching pilot was on Tuesday and it couldn’t have gone better. We started with a benchmarking activity which we’ll review at the end of the programme to help judge what progress has been made. The theme of the week was values, so the rest of the time we explored how these show up in the work we do and set actions to work on before the next session.

🏗️ This week I watched my first co-working/office space get razed to the ground… and moved into a new space where I’m planning to spend a couple of days a week for the foreseeable future.

🐠 While my co-host is away I’ve been running June’s accountability Pod solo, so that’s been taking up a bit more time and energy this week.

🔮 I spent a little time this week looking ahead to map out some business goals for the next 6 months.

🤯 I’ve had contracts to read for my new co-working space and associate work, as well as a long overdue update to my website’s privacy policy. I’m still trying to get my head around a couple of clauses which are anything but clear!

👨🏼‍🍳 I’ve been pretty grumpy and not very nice to live with for the past few weeks. Managed to turn things around this week and cooked an apology curry for Izzy; butter chicken, onion bhaji and roti.

🏏 We visited my sister and family over the weekend. Most of this was spent playing football and cricket with my nephews.

Weeknote 22/22

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 19:07:30 +0000

📆 It’s been a funny old week. Through travel and Bank Holidays I worked three days (two full, two half). It was quiet as we’re between Pods and many people are away for the school holidays. Without my usual standing commitments I had the opportunity to zoom out a little and think about longer term plans.

🧠 One thing I’ve been trying to figure out if the connections (and gaps) between the different things I do, how I communicate that and what I can do to make it more coherent.

📋 There were still a few logistical things to set up for June’s Pod and my group coaching pilot programme that both start next week.

👑 I have mostly been avoiding anything to do with the Queen’s Jubilee. My one concession was baking some scones for Izzy to take to her church gathering.

🏏 I spent the end of the week pottering at home with the first test match between England and New Zealand on the radio.

🥃 Joined friends on Friday for a birthday celebration in the local beer cafe. Sadly they’d run out of whiskey for our final drink of the night, but they did have some coffee tequila as a back up. It was delicious — I may be a convert!

🎨 I’ve been meaning to get back into watercolour painting for some time. This weekend I finally started a Domestika course to ease me back in.

Weeknote 21/22

Tue, 31 May 2022 09:43:51 +0000

🗓️ Monday brought another monthly plan with me session. It was the largest group so far this year with a good mix of first timers and regulars.

🍷 We experimented with adding a social hour to the Pod. Not everyone was able to make it this time, but it went down very well with those who came.

📋 I had a catch up with the hosting team behind our daily mindfulness sessions to review developments and write prompts for the next few weeks.

📄 I’ve mostly been working on the activities for the upcoming pilot of Inner Work for Independent Workers.

🔗 I sent May’s link round-up newsletter.

🤔 I’ve done four-day weeks for the last couple and I think I’ve realised that I work more effectively this way. Definitely thinking of making this permanent.

🛋️ Our new sofa got delivered on Thursday. I spent the morning in anticipation and the afternoon faffing… very little work was done.

1️⃣ I’m giving Day One another try to start keeping a kind of log book. I’ve hooked it up to other services so other updates and activities get sent there too. Let’s see if it sticks.

🩸 I gave blood on Wednesday. The waiting room was full which is always good to see. This was donation number 33 for me, so I’m on course to reach 40 in my 40th year.

✂️ One of my favourite times of the month is going to get my hair cut. I find 30 minutes in the hairdressers chair is as good as a trip to a spa.

🧩 Visited my parents over the weekend. We chatted, walked and ate well. It also meant we got to do our weekly crossword in person.

Marriage Story, 2019 - ★★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:50:19 +0000

Watched on Monday August 31, 2020.

The Old Guard, 2020 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:49:23 +0000

Watched on Saturday August 29, 2020.

13th, 2016 - ★★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:45:45 +0000

Watched on Saturday August 22, 2020.

I, Tonya, 2017 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:44:38 +0000

Watched on Sunday May 17, 2020.

The Post, 2017 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:43:16 +0000

Watched on Thursday April 30, 2020.

Spy, 2015 - ★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:40:18 +0000

Watched on Sunday April 19, 2020.

The Big Short, 2015 - ★★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:39:05 +0000

Watched on Sunday February 2, 2020.

Wonder Woman, 2017 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:35:01 +0000

Watched on Saturday February 1, 2020.

Mean Streets, 1973 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:33:50 +0000

Wish I’d watched this during my 70s phase about 20 years ago

The Two Popes, 2019 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:31:38 +0000

Watched on Friday January 24, 2020.

The Forty-Year-Old Version, 2020 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:21:31 +0000

Watched on Sunday October 11, 2020.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, 2019 - ★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 11:07:46 +0000

I enjoy the interplay between (and performances of) Ridley and Driver, but the rest is a bit meh.

Ocean's Eight, 2018 - ★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 10:59:58 +0000

I’d been waiting to see this for so long. Perhaps I built my expectations up too much. So very disappointing.

Paddington, 2014 - ★★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 10:56:57 +0000

Finally got round to watching this and it was everything I expected/hoped it would be. Perfect holiday film.

Booksmart, 2019 - ★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 10:54:26 +0000

Watched on Wednesday May 26, 2021.

David Byrne's American Utopia, 2020 - ★★★★

Sat, 28 May 2022 10:48:50 +0000

I had no idea what to expect from this… and I loved it! We watched it as part of our virtual weekend away to NYC during lockdown.

Weeknote 20/22

Mon, 23 May 2022 10:08:00 +0000

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it in a weeknote before but I start each week with two regular Monday morning commitments:

hosting a half-hour mindfulness/journaling session
joining the intention setting call with the accountability group I co-run

Having these two sessions to draw my focus in helps to ease me into the working week.

What else happened this week?

😵‍ My brain was AWOL on Monday after two days of pretty intense peopling and travel for the conference the week before. I spent the day on easy admin to give myself time to process and recover.

🌊 I took Tuesday off to spend the day with my wife. We went up to Howick Hall in Northumberland and walked a loop to take us out to the coast. I remembered my binoculars; we saw a stonechat, a flight of swallows, cuddy ducks and a heron fishing in the sea

🏑 After our day out I attended my hockey club’s AGM. We agreed a new committee structure, elected officers (I’ll be co-captaining the 2nd team next season), and had a discussion about a variety of options for a new home for the club in the near future.

🎯 I returned to work on Wednesday full of enthusiasm and focus. Both Wednesday and Thursday were super productive. I wrote daily to do lists on my desk pad and just did one thing after the other. For the first time in a while it felt easy.

🗃️ The working week ended with more admin; getting everything set up for the next month’s accountability group, sending an update to participants on my group coaching pilot, updating finances and catching up on emails.

🤸 I spent Wednesday evening on my first GoodGym Group Run. I chose to run to the meet, as well as run with the group to our task location. The task involved helping Ouseburn Trust volunteers to clear a flight of steps leading from Lime Street to St Ann’s. We finished the evening with a four-station circuit session.

🌻 On Saturday I helped a friend in her garden. My job was to dig up a field of dandelions to prepare the grass for reseeding. I was paid in quiche, cake and an endless flow of tea.

🍻 After my day of manual labour I met my wife from work and we did a test run for her 50th birthday celebrations. We needed to test out a local pub to make sure it was right for a large group.

⚽ I rounded off the week following the final day of the Premier League. I wasn’t invested in any particular outcome but still found it emotionally exhausting!

Black Book, 2006 - ★★★

Sun, 22 May 2022 11:00:26 +0000

Watched as part of our virtual holiday to Amsterdam.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire, 2019 - ★★★★★

Sun, 22 May 2022 10:52:48 +0000

Wow.

Invincibility

Thu, 19 May 2022 12:59:44 +0000

The weekly question in the freelancer community I belong to was: What gives you confidence?

My response surprised me…

My confidence is definitely lowest if I spend too much time alone, so getting out and talking to people is a real booster. I also look back to the point in my life where the rug was pulled from under me and when I remember how far I’ve come since then it makes me feel invincible.

Weeknote 19/22

Wed, 18 May 2022 09:21:03 +0000

Late again but I’m happy with my reasons… Last week I attended a 2-day conference (Friday/Saturday). It was my first in person experience for around 3 years and I’ve needed a faffing day and a full day off to recover. So I’m just starting my working week proper today (Wednesday).

☎️ Had a catch up call (refreshingly over the phone, not video) with a colleague about sponsorship and bursaries to support making coaching accessible to everyone who wants it not just those who can pay.

🛋️ Visited a new co-working space for a tour to see if it could work for me. I’m interested in how they’re approaching building a community rather than just renting space… but I’m not so sure about the physical environment of the office itself. I’ll need to trial it to know for sure.

💡 Met with another freelancers to share our Notion setups and swap ideas. Got some tweaks to make to my ‘Control Deck’ and weekly overview template.

💻 Hosted my usual mid-week co-working session for the accountability group.

✍️ Other work this week consisted of a lot of writing, including a longer than usual blog post about my new group coaching programme and the article edition of my fortnightly newsletter.

📚 Finished reading Spring Cannot Be Cancelled. It’s had a huge impact on me and I keep referring to it in conversation. Need to write-up those thoughts before they leave me!

🩳 Major breakthrough in mindset around wearing shorts to ‘professional’ events. I wear shorts fairly constantly for around 8 months of the year (usually between the clocks changing) but have had a mental block around wearing them to meetings and events. I realised this week that if I were a person who wears skirts it would never cross my mind not to wear one on these occasions, so why worry about rocking up in shorts?!

☕ Attended the International Association of Facilitators (England & Wales branch) conference in Birmingham; a hybrid conference with options to join in person or via Zoom. Attendance was roughly 50/50. What I really valued from the in person side was those chance conversations over coffee. It was also great to be off screen for two full days — I didn’t even take any notes! I’m still processing everything that happened and a full write-up is coming soon. And yes, I did wear shorts!

🌳 Stayed with friends while at the conference and enjoyed the down time. Also caught up with other friends locally on the Sunday for a walk in the woods before traveling home.

⚽ Played my second free hit (and final chip) in the penultimate gameweek of Fantasy Premier League. It could be worse, it could be better. And there’s still half the matches to be played. But let’s just say I should have trusted my gut!

Weeknote 18/22

Sun, 08 May 2022 18:13:24 +0000

Here’s my first attempt at getting back into the habit of posting my weeknote on a Sunday evening…

🌳 There was a Bank Holiday in the UK on Monday so we packed up our lunch and headed out into Northumberland for a walk. After a pretty meh weekend it was just what we needed.

🌟 When back to work, I made another big decision… this time to postpone the start of my group coaching pilot so I have more time to fill all the available seats.

📋 I’ve made a plan (and started acting on it!) for the next couple of weeks in terms of what I need to do to get my coaching pilot ready to run.

🍅 I did lots of virtual co-working and pomodoros to keep me focused on things I didn’t want to do and/or was struggling to start.

✍️ Had a great catch up with fellow hosts of our mindfulness community to talk about plans for the next few months including adding more sessions and organising a summer social.

🐕 On Wednesday I had another day dog-sitting Aggie which included lots of sleep and two lovely walks with playtime in the park.

🧈 On Friday morning I joined the IAF Wales meetup to demo Butter, as an alternative to Zoom.

🚮 I joined my first GoodGym community mission. We did a litter pick on the Quayside.

🌇 As the days get longer, Izzy and I have started heading out for an evening walk around the park in the last of the light around 9PM. On our first outing we spotted a couple of bats out hunting.

🌤️ It’s been a lovely weekend weather wise and I took advantage of this for a long walk on Saturday afternoon, run Sunday morning and a couple of hours working in the yard in the afternoon.

🎨 My personal goal for May is to fill a sketchbook. I’m learning to draw the birds, and other cool things, I see on my walks and need to get some practice in.

Weeknote 17/22

Thu, 05 May 2022 09:22:57 +0000

How late is too late to post a weeknote? Here’s last week’s…

🚆 I started my working week taking my first three calls sitting at my Dad’s desk, then caught the train home. I usually try to postpone work if I’m traveling but this worked out OK.

⚖️ On Tuesday I attended a webinar about the legal documents I need for my business. It was a surprisingly good refresher and I came away with a list of actions to review and refresh what I already have in place.

⏪ Reversed a decision to keep a new group coaching programme under wraps until I was ready to launch properly. It’s now out in the world and I’ll be starting the pilot in June.

✅ Caught up with my co-host for the accountability groups to review where we’re going over the next few months. Participant numbers have been increasing over the last couple of months so we had some practical stuff to review. And we agreed that neither of us have the capacity at the moment to look for new communities we could collaborate with.

🤑 Started setting up new bookkeeping software.

🎱 Watched a lot of snooker and rugby.

🍿 Started rewatching The Matrix series and spent the whole of the first film wondering whether we had Internet at home when it was originally released.

🐶 We had a third member of the household for a week while we looked after a friend’s dog. She made herself right at home, turned heads in the park, and got me stopped on the doorstep by a stranger enquiring after our new family member.

Weeknote 16/22

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 08:53:42 +0000

I’m a little out of the habit writing these weeknotes having been on holiday and then seemingly incapable of dedicating time to them in the week before or after. I’ll summarise the lost weeks here instead:

Week 13 — All focus on getting everything tied up with a neat bow before going away. Overall feeling: pressure.
Week 14 — 10 days away visiting family and friends, and exploring cities and countryside throughout England and Wales. Overall feeling: joy.
Week 15 — Back to work trying to pick up where I left off and get used to being back inside for the majority of the day. Overall feeling: acceptance.

So what of this week?

🗨️ This week’s journaling prompts have been a selection of quotes. I’ve been writing up my responses on Fragmented Thoughts.

💻 A former colleague recently got in touch to see if I still take on freelance content work and this week we spoke to agree what that would look like.

✍️ I also got to the final stage in the onboarding process for some associate work I’m doing as an essay marker for a coaching qualification.

📋 My other main work time this week has been spent on content and marketing for a new group coaching programme I’ve put together which starts next month.

💭 And I’ve been doing some thinking about how all the pieces of my offer fit together and where there might be gaps to fill.

🌳 I’ve been making some tweaks to my daily routines, all of which so far I’ve felt the benefit of: drinking more water, creating more regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise and reducing time spent on email and social media.

🚆 Got the train home to visit my parents for the weekend. It was busy yet everyone was in good humour. A lot of groups heading to Wembley for the boxing.

🌹 Dad and I went back to Welford Road for the first time in about 20 years (we used to have season tickets there for Leicester Tigers when I was a teenager). We watched our first live Red Roses match. England only really got up to speed in the second half, scoring 9 of their 11 tries at the end opposite to where we were sitting. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable day out in the sunshine and good to see them play live.

It is your life - but only if you choose to make it so

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 08:22:22 +0000

Today’s quote for reflection is taken from Eleanor Roosevelt’s book You Learn by Living.

It is your life — but only if you choose to make it so.

This quote feels particularly pertinent this week as I try to make choices — especially in work — that have me swimming against the stream.

It’s so very easy to get drawn along in the flow with everyone else and not realise that there’s another way, a choice to be made to do something different. Something that sits more comfortably with who you are and what you want to achieve.

The first step, of course, is noticing. Noticing that something isn’t right, that your needs aren’t being met, that you’re struggling or frustrated, and that something needs to change. And with that comes the realisation that you do indeed have a choice about what happens next. That you can break free from expectation and first make, then walk, your own path.

That metaphor of the path is something I’ve used before and have returned to recently. I used it to help me in the early days of starting my current freelance career. The path is mine to build, brick by brick. It will meander and possibly need to divert to avoid an obstacle in the way but overall it’s headed in the direction I choose.

I have a reminder of this on my house keys. A single yellow Lego brick reminds me I choose where and when the next brick is laid.

Tags: #quotes #reflection #journaling #EleanorRoosevelt

It is our expectations that define what will anger us

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:31:45 +0000

Today’s quote for reflection is taken from a lecture by Alain de Botton (it’s another one I was directed to from Dense Discovery #181).

It is our expectations that define what will anger us.

I really relate to this quote as I recognise that when I most often get angry it’s because I’ve set unrealistic expectations for myself or others. I’m also very aware that in those cases where I have expectations of someone else often I’ve failed to communicate them clearly or at all. It’s in the gap that anger festers.

I write this in the full knowledge that I have a history with anger and how I respond to it. I have spent a lot of time working on this relationship and I know giving it my attention has paid off. I feel different and see that my behaviour has changed. I knew this quote was coming up as today’s prompt and so I asked my partner whether she had observed the same and I’m pleased to say she verified it.

In fact, I can’t actually recall the last time I ~~was angry~~ had an angry outburst. I changed what I wrote there because it isn’t that I don’t still get angry (although it’s also happening less) but what’s changed is how often I act out as a result of that feeling.

Returning to an earlier thought, I feel a lot of my anger is bound up in non- or mis-communication on my part. Through bottling up my feelings and not letting the people close to me know what I needed from them and then consequently feeling frustrated and angry when my expectations weren’t met. Things changed when I started talking with those close to me about how I am feeling and allowing myself to be vulnerable. They’ve changed even more since I started a more regular dialogue with myself through journaling.

Another thing to explore further is this distinction between the feeling of anger itself and the response to it or behaviours that result from it. It’s natural to feel angry sometimes, what happens next is the important bit.

What’s changed for me is that I’m getting better at noticing when I feel angry. Spotting it before it has a chance to fester and cloud my judgment… and then pausing before I act. That pause gives me space to choose what happens next. Happily, more often than not these days that choice is to let go.

Tags: #quotes #anger #choice #behaviour #reflection #journaling

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 11:36:46 +0000

I’m a member of a community who meet for daily mindfulness and journaling sessions. I host one session every week too and in this capacity it’s also my responsibility to contribute to the prompt schedule. This week we’re using quotes as prompts for our reflections. Writing in response to these quotes is something I had planned to do personally, to breathe life into this blog, and I decided to share them with the group too.

Today’s quote is…

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. — Lao Tzu

When I first came across this quote (in Dense Discovery #181) I felt a response to it physically. A jolt. A lightning bolt. As I repeated it again and again in my head trying to distil its essence, and its lesson, I settled on the line that things will happen when the time is right.

I think the reason these words stopped me in my tracks is because I know I have a tendency to want to be further ahead with things than I am. When I set my mind on doing something, I feel a pull, an urgency and I want it to be done… yesterday.

What is the rush? Where are the benefits of hurrying to get things done? What can be gained from slowing down and paying attention to the process?

The longer I sit with this quote, the more layers emerge. In this morning’s session I was thinking about the various cycles in nature. Sunrise and sunset. The tides. The seasons. Migration. Metamorphosis. They happen without fail. Again and again. There’s no rush. No fuss. And yet again I came back to thinking about the routines in my own life. How they help me stay calm and balanced. How they help me to slow down.

I’ve got far more to explore on this topic than I have time for today. And so I’m taking a lesson from Lao Tzu. I’ll not hurry it. I’ll sit awhile longer and ponder it. And come back another day.

Tags: #quotes #journaling #nature

Weeknote 12/22

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 10:05:03 +0000

📋 We’re running an open week for our accountability group in the last week of March, so I spent some time setting up and planning sessions for that. We’ve doubled the number of participants, and added a couple of bonus sessions, so it requires a little more logistical effort than usual.

❓ I attended a Q&A about business insurance. Sounds dull but was actually super helpful (and not at all dry) thanks to the enthusiasm of the speaker.

👣 I also attended an onboarding session for an associate role I’m taking on through Barefoot Coaching. It was both helpful to walk through the various processes and good to meet my fellow associates.

💬 On Thursday evening, I ran my first Sobremesa Session where we explored the topic of compassion. Overall I was pleased with how it went and got some great feedback. There are a couple of tweaks to make for next time but nothing major.

📢 This week’s newsletter was about community. It clearly struck a chord as a few people immediately shared it with their networks. That was a nice reminder that if you write something that resonates other people will shout about it for you.

📖 During this week’s daily mindfulness sessions our prompts have all been about habits. Instead of journaling in response to these, I’ve chosen to start building a habit of 30 minutes non-fiction reading. It helped me to finally start reading Spring Cannot be Cancelled.

🍾 On Friday night we had our first takeaway in a while. And for no reason other than we wanted to, we shared a bottle of champagne with our fish and chip supper.

🏑 Saturday saw the last hockey match of the season. We made hard work of it during the first half which ended 1-1. Thankfully we found our stride for the second half and scored a further three goals with no reply; two of which are contenders for goal of the season.

⚽ To take advantage of the last of the sunshine before the weather turns we got the Metro up to near the airport to watch Newcastle United Women play Bradford City. Not the finest defensive performance from either team, it was 1-1 at half time. A penalty resulting from a foul by the last defender (who also received a red card) sealed the win for Newcastle, though they really should have had more after a couple of goal-line scrambles.

Weeknote 11/22

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 12:29:48 +0000

⚡ I spent a good chunk of my working time this week preparing for an event series I’m trialling. The first session is next week and I’m just ironing out the details ahead of that.

✉️ I delayed sending my newsletter and decided to switch to a new schedule of two emails per month. As work is getting busier I’ve noticed the quality diminishing as I try to keep up with the weekly schedule.

💰 Ahead of switching the structure of my business from a limited company to sole trader I’ve done a cashflow forecast and a load more financial admin.

📢 I’ve made the effort to continue consistent work on marketing. This has started with some thinking around what I’m trying to achieve and the different strategies that will get me there in a way that feels natural to me.

🔁 For a while I’ve been throwing ideas around with a colleague about how we can make our accountability groups a sustainable part of our businesses. This week I’ve been exploring memberships as a way of doing this.

✍️ Another decision, related to my goal of building a more consistent (non-work-related) writing habit is to restart the 100 days to offload challenge. I’ll post to my write.as blog a couple of time a week from the beginning of April.

🏑 Two big wins (and bonus clean sheets) for my hockey team this week. Mid-week we won 2-0 against a team who are right on our tail in the league. Then on Saturday we beat the team at the bottom of the table 5-0. The points and improved goal difference helped us leapfrog the team above us.

☀️ It’s really starting to feel like Spring. We’ve had sunshine all week, the daffs are blooming and I wore shorts all week (much to the consternation of some of my fellow freelance friends)!

🏰 I started reading Titus Alone and tried to explain the bonkers world of Gormenghast to some friends.

🗡️ And I binged season 3 of Killing Eve after realising I hadn’t seen it yet. I gave up after S2 which was more than a little ridiculous. Thankfully S3 gets back to basics.

Weeknote 10/22

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:26:35 +0000

🏃 Started the week running a sub 35-minute 5k. This is an achievement on two fronts 1) I’ve not run this far all year 2) I rarely run faster than 7 minutes per km (on average).

💻 Monday to Wednesday afternoons I attended virtual co-working sessions (one of which I hosted). I find these really helpful when I’ve got more routine tasks to work on as they both help me to focus on one thing at a time, and also give me a chance to chat during the breaks.

🐠 Over the past month or two we’ve been making plans to run an open week to share what goes on in our accountability group. We made the event live this week.

📝 I’ve created a more detailed outline for my first group coaching programme and have a couple of people signed up for a pilot to start in May.

📢 I made progress on the one area of the business that I really drag my feet over: marketing. This includes blocking time for it each week on my calendar and a list of tasks I can turn to to minimise decision making.

📰 This week’s newsletter was all about defining progress.

⏱️ I did an experiment tracking how I spend my time over a week, mostly out of curiosity and to see if there are any patterns or areas I want to change. To do this I assigned each 30 minute block to one of six broad categories: work, rest, exercise, morning routine, nourishment and other. My initial observations show that I’m pretty consistent every day of the week and I have no problems with prioritising rest! Next, I may take one of the categories and break it down to record more detailed level of activity.

🎳 Went bowling with my hockey team and then was encouraged to continue the fun with a few beers in town. Unexpectedly stayed out until 2AM… and then discovered after only 5 hours sleep why I don’t do that more often!

🏑 We managed to hold off the team at the top of the league for about 60 minutes before the deadlock was broken. The attack did their best to claw one back but the game ended in a 1-0 loss. There are definite positives to take away even though we might feel disappointed with the result. Just three matches left of the season.

🎆 Ended the week attending the festival finale of North of the Tyne Under the Stars. The projections were mixed but it was worth it just to see the Zoetrope on the Civic Centre (pictured below)

Weeknote 09/22

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 14:18:07 +0000

🤹 This week I’ve been working on four main projects and felt like I took significant steps forward in each of them. I generally find that having more to do makes me more efficient, plus there’s the benefit of being able to switch project when I’m bored/stuck/need some variety.

📆 I shared the details of an event I want to trial and got some immediate registrations. Although I was a little disappointed that there was zero response from one community I shared it with. There’s a lesson in that at least.

💰 I talked to a couple of new accountants about some upcoming changes to my business model and how they can support me.

💬 Conversations continued to get feedback on a new group coaching programme I’m working on. I’ve got enough to revise the offer ready to re-test with a wider audience.

📢 I joined a small group of fellow freelancers to chat about our approaches to and challenges with marketing. I came away with a load of ideas for how to make marketing work for me. And by that I mean make it something I actually do rather than indefinitely put off!

⏳ I’ve accepted that I only ever work a half-day on Friday. I’m actively trying not to become the freelancer in this web comic.

🏃 Pleased that I broadly kept to my exercise plan, including hockey training in the torrential rain on Wednesday. It was a small session but sometimes they’re the most fun.

🏑 We got a good result from Saturday’s hockey match. Another 0—0 draw with a local university team, that included surviving a penalty corner in the final seconds of the match. Oh and I was voted joint player of the match!

🥞 I hadn’t planned to have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. As it also fell on St David’s Day I decided to make Welsh Cakes instead.

🐦 My dusk walks continued, and included a longer one on Sunday evening. On the home stretch I spotted a treecreeper.

Weeknote 08/22

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 16:59:25 +0000

Rounding off the month with what was for me a really good week both personally and professionally.

🗓️ I ran the Feb/March monthly planning session on Monday. Each time I’m gradually refining my process and I’ve got an idea how to adapt my Notion setup to better link daily-weekly-monthly reviews together.

💫 The big thing work-wise this week was moving two future projects forward; one event and one group coaching programme. I’ve started conversations to get feedback on my initial ideas and am ready to open one up for bookings so I can run a pilots in March and April.

🧠 I met with the fellow directors of the company I work through and we’ve made some major decisions for how we’re going to do business in the future.

🍃 I helped to rebrand the community mindfulness group I’m part of. We’ve recently transitioned from being under the umbrella of a startup to be independent and community run, so a new identity was needed.

💰 I attended the IAF Northern Meetup on the theme of selling facilitation. It was a fun and informative session as always.

📶 We had wobbly Internet for a couple of days at the end of the week (possibly result of the weather, possibly people digging up fibre cables). It was frustrating but thankfully seems to have stabilised.

🌇 I shifted my daily walk to dusk. I witnessed more bird activity, as they settle down for the night, and some beautiful sunsets.

📺 I watched less TV than normal which meant more time for cooking, reading, playing board games, and conversation.

🏑 We tried a new formation at hockey. It’ll be a good move in the long-run but on this occasion we were out-played and lost 2-1.

🍻 Post-hockey, my wife (who was at work) asked what I had planned. My response: “Two rugby matches, a sausage roll and a beer (or two)”. We agreed this was my perfect afternoon.

🍗 And the week rounded off with a trip up the coast to visit a friend in her new home. We went for a walk in the woods nearby and to the local pub for Sunday lunch.

Photo of the week: Sunday night’s sunset

Weeknote 07/22

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 12:07:23 +0000

Let’s try this again. I drafted most of my weeknote yesterday but committed the cardinal error of doing so directly in the browser and then accidentally closed the tab before I was done!

I’m trying on a different structure inspired by maique’s ThingsThisWeek.

⏸️ I finished reading Do Pause by Robert Poynton. It was jam packed full of ideas that connect to my work and how I try to approach life in general. I wrote up some initial thoughts for my newsletter.

💡 I made some meaningful progress on a couple of projects I’m trying to get off the ground. First, I’ve set up some customer research conversations for a new group coaching programme. Then, I had an idea for a monthly conversation club which I’m going to develop and test over the next month.

❓ This week’s coaching involved exploring what it means to “be productive” and helping a client with prep for an interview.

💸 I did a long overdue financial review and made a plan for the rest of the year. I finally feel clear about where I am and what I need to do next.

💻 I got a lead on some possible desk space at a local content agency through a former colleague. I’ve been searching for some out of the house workspace since the end of lockdown but everything has been too cold (not temperature wise) and corporate. I’m optimistic about how this could work out.

🕘 I updated my /now page for the first time this year.

🥌 I spent a lot of time over the weekend watching curling and ice hockey on catch up. That doesn’t come without its challenges — I had two match results revealed to me before I could get around to them.

🛌🏽 We gave a bed to some friends while they were passing through town this weekend. I’ve only seen them briefly since I moved back up north and it was so good to have the opportunity to catch up properly.

👨🏼‍🍳 I’m feeling pretty smug about my cooking this week. First, my wife requested chicken kiev for our Valentine’s meal and then I decided to attempt a fancy looking pie for dinner with our friends. Both surpassed expectations.

🏝️ After some scrutiny of the diary I booked our summer holiday. The island emoji might lead you to think we’re going somewhere tropical when in fact we’re staying relatively close to home… in Scotland. It’s no less beautiful than a tropical island and crucially for me involves far less stress (for that read no airports or planes) to get there.

🛋️ Oh yeah, and we ordered a new sofa.

Nightmare Alley, 2021 - ★★★

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 22:38:43 +0000

A film of two halves for sure. Felt reminiscent of The Prestige but nowhere near as good.

High-Rise, 2015 - ★★

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 22:36:19 +0000

Engaging for about the first hour and then drastically lost its way.

Felt like one of those dreams you wake from in the middle of the night and desperately hope you don’t go back to when you eventually drop back off to sleep.

Weeknote 06/22

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 17:51:39 +0000

Home — I’ve been home alone the majority of this week. I survived pretty well without reverting to student / bachelor behaviour. Mostly because I planned my meals and did a big shop at the start of the week (that’s usual, but I tend to let it slip when I’m on my own) and I allowed myself one indulgence… to get out of bed whenever I wanted each morning. Izzy returned late Thursday and we’ve had a quiet weekend at home dog sitting for Aggie, a west highland puppy.

Work — My focus this week was on mid- to long-term goals and I feel I made real strides forward. This includes a financial plan for the next year as well as clarity around my offer, where I want to put my energy and what types of work I want to do more (and less) of. What’s been critical for this is time away from my desk. And I’ve got a detailed list of actions for the next few weeks.

Hobbies — This week I’ve done lots of walking, bird watching and reading, plus a solo trip to the cinema. I’ve also posted daily on Instagram for the February photo challenge. The stand out here this week is a 0-0 draw at hockey against a team that thrashed us last time around. It was a strong team performance and honestly felt like a win!

Personal development — Choosing to allow myself to get up later in the mornings meant I didn’t go to the daily community mindfulness sessions. I’m feeling a little unanchored as a result of this so want to be sure to make the effort to attend in the coming week.

Looking ahead, next week I’m going to get to work on research for a new group coaching programme and bring back some routine to my work days.

Weeknote 05/22

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 11:38:47 +0000

Let’s get right to it…

Home – Cleaned the flat on Monday evening and what a difference it makes to the experience living and working at home during the week! I’m really going to make a concerted effort to do this regularly so doesn’t become a “big thing”. Keeping up with my intention to strengthen connections with friends, I’ve been in touch with some friends from a previous life… hopefully they’re coming to stay later this month so we can catch up properly. I also wrote to some people I met on my travels around a decade ago. And I decided to update this heading from friends and family as it often involves stuff not related to people.

Work – I don’t have a huge amount to show for my work this week, however I made some big decisions. The first was about whether to get involved as an associate on a new project. This coincided with thinking about the projects I want to push forward for my own business. The end result was that the two don’t really align so I’ve decided to focus on doing my own thing, at least for now. That all led to a review of my goals for the year and coming months and a brain dump of all the associated tasks.

Other than that, I spent some time working outside the house this week. It’s amazing how a different environment can help shift things. My aim is to make this a weekly event.

Development – I started reading Do Pause by Robert Poynton. It grabbed me from the start and I can tell it will be a book I return to regularly. I’ve also found an in-person conference I want to go to in a few months and am looking to join a new coaching supervision group. Related to the decision making that went on this week, I’ve started a new journal specifically to record these things.

Hobbies – Two hockey matches. Two losses. The less said about that the better. I didn’t get to the next class on my “How to draw birds” course, but I did stop off at RSPB Saltholme on my way home from one of those hockey matches to do some bird watching. Although most of the birds were sensibly sheltering from the strong wind and freezing rain, I did see a kestrel, a heron, a lapwing (I think) and hoards of goldfinch.

Health – I hadn’t realised it until someone asked me how I’m feeling physically, but I’ve been back to 100% for the past couple of weeks. That’s a real relief as there was a moment mid-January that I thought I’d never get over the persistent after effects on the non-Covid virus I had before Christmas. To mark this improvement in fitness, I started strength training again.

Looking ahead, this week I need to start unpicking that big ‘ol list of tasks I wrote and start prioritising project work.

Weeknote 04/22

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 17:59:53 +0000

Every weekend when I catch up with my parents they ask how the week has been. Mostly I can’t recall what’s happened… perhaps I should start writing my weeknote before I speak to them?

Friends and family – There are some weeks where Izzy and I are ships that pass in the night, or rather over the dinner table. We snatch half an hour together while we eat our tea between work and evening meetings. This was one of those weeks. It was good therefore to have a bonus day together on Saturday after my hockey was called off. We went to the cinema to see Belfast and returned home for a steak dinner. Other than that my only socialising this week was a quick pint with my pal after work on Friday.

Work – This week was really up and down work wise. There was some real highs: running the first of this year’s monthly planning sessions and delivering a talk on sustainable productivity, based on these nine principles, for Postgraduate students at the University of Glasgow. And a few lows: an unfocused day, where I frustrated myself by neither committing to work or taking the time off, and a disagreement with my accountant. Nevertheless when it came to reviewing my week with the accountability group on Friday, I’d got everything done that I set out to do.

Development – Another week with little on the development front. We’re back up and running with the daily community mindfulness space, which I host once a week, and it’s good to be back in that routine as a way of starting the day.

Hobbies – Storm Malik put the kibosh on this week’s hockey match by blowing the goals around the pitch making it unsafe to play. In lieu of playing sport myself I’ve been listening to a lot on the radio during the night and early morning with action underway in the Women’s Ashes and the second week of the Australian Open. Other than that, I’ve done the first lessons and exercises in an art course on how to draw birds and am really getting into my new book, Saltwater.

I’m looking forward to a quieter week. My focus will be getting back into having some structure in my working day, blocking time for work on both the things that need doing and longer term goals/projects.

Belfast, 2021 - ★★★

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 16:58:58 +0000

Watched on Saturday January 29, 2022.

Weeknote 03/22

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 17:49:52 +0000

Well here I am back for another overdue weeknote. Maybe I just need to accept that Monday is my weeknote publishing day? Although I didn’t think I’d get to it at all today but then my 5PM discovery call was a no show, so here we are….

Friends and family – Two good friends came to me this week presenting conundrums they’re dealing with. I was able to offer a listening ear and space to bounce around ideas. This is the strength of our friendships. One came back for food later in the week and it felt so good to cook for folk again. Izzy and I have been making a conscious effort to eat at the table instead of in front of the TV and I’m really enjoying the conversations we’re having.

Work – I really felt like I was chasing my tail at the start of the week with so many back-to-back appointments. It’s a way of working I so rarely do, and I’m supremely grateful for that. I managed to catch up with myself later in the week, despite a couple of personal appointments breaking up the days on Wednesday and Thursday. I sent out my newsletter after the week off, wrote the outline for a talk I’m delivering next week and starting thinking about the next steps to get a group coaching programme off the ground.

Development – This week’s sole development activity was a session with my own coach.

Hobbies – I managed to get back on the hockey pitch this week, first for training and then a match at the weekend. I’m glad I gave myself a bit more time and took it gently to start. I suffered a little after training but am pleased to say there’s been no side effects from the match. This week I also finished my first book of 2022: The Books of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin. Well when I say book, it’s actually seven books in one (plus assorted afterwords and essays) and I started it last year!

Health – I’m feeling back to my best this week after various issues through December and the first couple of weeks of January. As well as hockey I’m increasing exercise again, this week with a couple of sessions of yoga and a run. Izzy’s also requested a slight change to our eating habits as we’ve both put on some unwanted weight. I’m enjoying finding new things to put on the menu.

In the coming week I’ve got another busy few days up first. They focus is a talk I’m giving to new Postgraduate students on Wednesday.

Weeknote 02/22

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 12:07:00 +0000

Here we are again. I’m happy to report I’m on schedule for writing my second weeknote of the year. I’ve even done some prep for this one pats myself on the back. So here goes…

Friends and family – I enjoyed some serendipitous meetings this week. First I bumped into a former co-worker in the park and had a lovely catch-up. Then I had a spur of the moment drink with a friend who happened to be passing the cafe I was in. One of the things I’ve not quite figured out (despite nearly two years of on/off furlough and wfh) is how to get meaningful work done when my partner is at home. She was here two days this week. We did OK but I’m determined to crack it this month as she has a lot of holiday to use up so will be home more frequently.

Work – This week was mostly one about seeking out and siezing opportunities. I had a great call about a new project that’s starting up which I’m keen to get involved in. It’s early days but I think once the ball is rolling it’s going to move fast. We’ve had some enquries about developing our accountability group model for different communities and I’ve started the groundwork to make a promo video for them. And lastly I’ve started exploring the idea of a new group coaching programme for freelancers.

Health and wellbeing – It’s been sunny this week and I think I’d forgotten how much that improves my mood for the better. I’ve had some lovely walks both in the early afternoon and at dusk. Hockey started up this week but I’m not ready to return yet. I have ventured out for a couple of short runs to test my energy level and lungs. I did OK and feel I’m in better shape than I feared. I did get a migraine after my second run of the week though not sure if it’s connected 🤷

Hobbies – I’ve not done much recreational reading or making this week as I’ve worked a couple of evenings. I did however make my first eraser stamps (while watching snooker).

Development – I ran community journaling sessions four mornings this week and attended part of AgileNE’s meetup on facilitating hybrid events.

Next week is looking pretty busy. Monday is practically a full day of meetings which is quite rare for me. One thing I need to be mindful of is keeping up with the routines that help me stay on an even keel, especially getting out every day for some fresh air.

Weeknote 01/22

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 11:57:00 +0000

Among many other things, one of the habits I want to build this year is writing up my weekly review as a weeknote.

Last week I shared some intentions for the year under five categories:

family and friends
work
health and wellbeing
hobbies
personal development

I’m going to use these categories for my ongoing weeknote series. I figure this will both help give me a structure for each post and also encourage me to keep those intentions for the year front of mind.

Friends and family – I got off to a good start with my intentions here. First I went for a mid-week pint with my best buddy. It’s our usual routine to go to the pub on Fridays to drink beer and play cards. I couldn’t do that this week so I’m glad we managed to still meet up. I wasn’t around on Friday because we went away for the weekend to visit friends in Coventry. I can highly recommend scheduling something like this for the end of your first week back at work.

Work – It was a slow start to the year for me and I really needed that as a transition out of doing nothing for a full two weeks over Christmas and New Year. I spent my time reconnecting with coaching clients and booking in future sessions, kicking off January’s accountability group, doing my accounts and making decisions about how I want to spend my time this year. I also wrote and sent my first newsletter of 2022.

Health and wellbeing – We were dog-sitting this week so there were plenty of walks. I particularly enjoyed going out as the sun was setting and may consider shifting my daily walk to this time for a while. I’m still recovering from a month of illness so haven’t been doing anything more active than these walks. I’m really glad to be feeling better though and am starting to get itchy feet to get back to more strenuous exercise.

Hobbies – I did little in the way of reading this week largely due to not quite being back to my usual weekday morning routine. I’ve missed it, so that’s a high priority for next week. Similarly, I’ve done a lot of thinking about my linocut project but not made a start on it yet.

Personal development – This week I restarted morning journaling thanks to the accountability of the community journaling group I’m part of. It felt so good both to start the day getting words out of my head and onto paper, and to catch up with a few other group members.

Next week (well actually this week as I’m late publishing this!) I’ve got a conversation booked in about some possible associate work and am restarting coaching sessions with a couple of clients. I’ll also start doing some gentle exercise and get back into my weekday routines.

Looking forward

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 09:55:49 +0000

I’ve been reading lots of blog and social media posts over the past week with people sharing their themes, goals and intentions for the coming year. I’ve seen far fewer resolutions than usual, however. I wonder whether the language we use for these things matters?

Personally I’ve found myself making a distinction between plans I’m making for my business — where using goals feels the right — and for my personal life — where I’m all about intentions. The difference as I see it is that my goals are specific and measurable, ie I’ll know if/when I’ve done them, whereas my intentions are around rituals and routines that I want to build over time.

One of the posts I read was Doug Belshaw’s Looking back, looking forward. The broad categories he uses to outline some of the changes he wants to make in the next year helped to give me some further structure to my thinking. So using these categories, here’s what I want to do this year….

Family and friends — This one is simple: more quality time spent together. There just hasn’t been enough of it in recent years for obvious reasons. This will include regular dates with my wife, Friday nights in the pub with friends, weekly crosswords with my parents, a holiday with my sister and visiting my oldest friend.

Work — I enjoyed the direction my work was taking me last year and the momentum I was building. The aim for this year, therefore, is to do more of what was good from 2020. That will involve playing an active role in communities, seeking new collaborations and associate work, and creating my first product.

Health and wellbeing — My main aim for this year is to add more variety into my exercise routine. To do this, I’ll add strength and stretching to running and hockey. I also plan to keep up my daily walks which are good for both body and mind. My aim is to walk the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats (1745km).

Hobbies — I’ve stopped setting myself a goal for how many books I want to read each year, making time for reading every day is enough. This year, however, I have set an intention — I’m only going to read books that I already own. There’s currently 42 unread (not counting ebooks)! I’m also determined to extend my linocut printing beyond making our Christmas cards. I’ll start with a project related to the daily prompts I shared on Instagram during December.

Personal development — One of my biggest achievements last year was developing my journaling practice (building from nothing to three or four days a week). This year, I’d like to build on that and start every day getting my thoughts out of my head.

What are you looking forward to?

Don't Look Up, 2021

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 12:29:33 +0000

Paused after an hour and when we realised there was more to go than we had already watched we gave up. Yawn.

Fighting with My Family, 2019 - ★★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 15:08:48 +0000

Watched on Sunday December 29, 2019.

The Terminator, 1984 - ★★★★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 15:02:17 +0000

Watched on Tuesday December 31, 2019.

Army of the Dead, 2021 - ★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 15:00:10 +0000

Watched on Saturday June 5, 2021.

Spider-Man: Far From Home, 2019 - ★★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:59:40 +0000

Watched on Friday September 10, 2021.

The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013 - ★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:58:16 +0000

Watched on Sunday September 12, 2021.

Kate, 2021 - ★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:57:33 +0000

Watched on Saturday October 2, 2021.

Pain and Glory, 2019 - ★★★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:54:47 +0000

Unmistakably Almodovar

Funny Girl, 1968

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:53:45 +0000

Watched on Sunday October 24, 2021.

Nomadland, 2020 - ★★★★★

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:45:43 +0000

Watched on Saturday May 22, 2021.

Newcastle United

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 09:34:18 +0000

When you turn to the sports pages today you’ll see elated Newcastle fans celebrating the end of the Mike Ashley era. That’s something I can join in with but what comes next is not.

I can’t ignore the human rights abuses of the new owners. I don’t want to support a team that is funded by the leaders of a country where people like me are flogged and put in jail.

I hoped for something better for Newcastle but this isn’t it.

I’m out.

Choose your words carefully

Fri, 21 May 2021 14:12:11 +0000

Within the space of two hours today I’ve been addressed as brother and, as part of a group, ladies. Neither is correct. On both occasions the speaker made an assumption about me. In the case of the former that assumption was based on my appearance. And in the latter, on my name.

I know that the intention behind the use of each of these words was to be friendly and welcoming, but that’s not necessarily how they are received.

I wanted to share this experience to encourage you to take a moment to think the next time you find yourself default to using gendered language. Especially when it’s in conversation with a group or someone you don’t know. Who are you addressing? What assumptions are you making about them? What non-gendered term could you use as an alternative?

This is day 39 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Let the rug be pulled from beneath you

Mon, 17 May 2021 18:20:03 +0000

Everything is changing all the time, and we keep wanting to pin it down, to fix it. So whenever you come up with a solid conclusion, let the rug be pulled out. You can pull out your own rug, and you can also let life pull it out for you.

I’ve been sitting with this quote from Pema Chödrön’s book start where you are for a few weeks now. Today feels like the right time to put some of my thinking down into words.

Why today? Well, on this day seven years ago I packed all my worldly belongings into my car and left town to start a new life. It was a leap into the unknown after the future I thought I was stepping into was taken away.

I’ve always described this experience as having the rug pulled from under me. It was the lowest point of my life and at the time I couldn’t see how I was going to get out of it. I’d been holding so tightly to one specific outcome and suddenly it felt like there was nothing in front of me. Everything was fuzzy. Everything was uncertain.

When I was in the midst of it, it was hard to imagine life being any different. Anything beyond the day in front of me felt unclear. Somehow I knew that all I could do was to take things one day at a time. To put one foot in front of the other and slowly make my way forward. As time passed, the world started to open up again and I was eventually able to start making plans further into the future. To rebuild my life on my own terms.

With the perspective that each new year brings, I can now look back on that time and feel grateful for what the experience has taught me. I learned:

to allow myself to sit with uncomfortable emotions
to focus on what is in my control
to open up about how I’m feeling and ask for help
and, that no matter what I’ll be OK

Five years on from this, I chose to pull the rug out myself, to make another leap into the unknown. I moved from the security of employment to the rollercoaster of running a business of my own. It was a step I’m certain I would never have taken without that previous experience.

What I think I’ve learned over the past seven years, and what I read in the words that started this whole piece, is that the less tightly we hold onto certainty, or a fixed outcome, the easier it becomes to deal with both planned and unexpected changes in our lives.

This is day 38 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Learning to be patient

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 19:03:17 +0000

At the end of last week, I managed to rupture the tendon of my right index finger. Apparently it’s an easy thing to do. The upshot of this is that my finger is in a splint for six to eight weeks while the tendon heals.

This morning I joined Sanctus' daily journaling session where the prompt was ‘What are you aware of?’ It got me thinking about how the splint has affected me over the past few days as I’ve been getting used to doing things a bit differently. Most things are OK as I can still grip with the remaining three fingers and thumb. Where a bit more dexterity is needed, for handwriting, eating and tying my laces etc, I’m having to modify my technique.

What I am most aware of is:

the level of patience needed as everything is naturally taking me longer
how it’s forcing me to slow down and be more deliberate in my actions
that I will inevitably need help with some things and must be prepared to ask for it

I’m only a few days in to this but I can already feel I’m going to learn a lot over the next couple of months. And that those lessons will apply more broadly to life than just what I can or can’t do with my hand.

This is day 37 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

A change of scene

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 13:07:13 +0000

Last week I did a couple of things that I’ve not done in around six months: slept in a bed that’s not my own and went to the pub for a pint. When the roadmap out of lockdown was announced we booked a few nights away in a holiday cottage for the earliest available opportunity. And the time to take that opportunity rolled around last week.

Until we arrived in this peaceful spot, I hadn’t realised how much I needed both the change of scenery and the time to fully disconnect and immerse myself in the beautiful countryside of Northumberland and Cumbria.

Our only neighbours on the farm where our cottage was located were a family of friendly goldfinches and a field full of sheep and their lambs.

We had some wonerful weather for walking and did a couple of varied routes. First, a loop from Lambley Viaduct that included sections of both the Pennine Way and South Tyne Trail. We got to go under and over the viaduct at varuous points on the route.

Our second walk took us along a section of Hadrian’s Wall, from Walltown Quarry to Great Chesters. We walked back along the vallum and crossed farmland to Tipal Burn and returned to the start via the ruins of Thirwall Castle.

We ended our stay with visits to RSPB Geltsdale and Talkin Tarn.

Other than walking, we did a lot of birdwatching. Over the week we saw:

lapwings
a curlew
a snipe
a red grouse
partridge
tufted ducks
whinchats
wheatears
a reed warbler
a great spotted woodpecker, and
a skylark

When we weren’t outdoors the main activity was reading. I chose to take Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, which I devoured, and Robert Macfarlane’s The Old Ways, which helped me think about the paths we we walking in a new way.

I feel ready to return to work next week rested and recharged. Also with a renewed commitment to get out here more regularly for longer walks to top up my personal battery.

This is day 36 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Tags: #holidays #gratitude

Reasons to be cheerful #6

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 17:01:10 +0000

I’ve had a few weeks off from writing this list. That was not because there was nothing to say, but because I’ve been trying to spend more time disconnected and enjoying a wider variety of activities that don’t require a screen. So let me catch you up on the things that have been making me smile recently…

new binoculars; a great boost for my newfound love of birdwatching
discovering #BirdsSeenIn2021, this alongside Dean Wilson’s pebble of the day series is reason enough to be on Twitter
taking a new approach to my phone use and really feeling the benefits
a couple of long walks a little further afield; exploring different sections of the region’s waggonways and including a return to the coast
another successful virtual weekend away
and last but not least, a win for Newcastle today

Tags: #gratitude

Play your own game

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 14:28:19 +0000

On my walk earlier today I was listening to an episode of Planet FPL. You’ll often find me consuming this kind of content, especially towards the end of the week, as I make decisions about my Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team. Towards the end of this particular episode, one of the hosts reminds listeners to play your own game.

The reference here is to the tendency among FPL managers to fixate on, and even copy, the transfer and captaincy decisions that other managers make. Ultimately, however, the decisions we make about individual players have to be made in the context of our teams as a whole. Just because a manager ranked in the top 10 is transferring in a certain player, it doesn’t mean that it’s right for your team too.

Why am I writing about this? Well, often I find soundbites like this that are intended for a specific context actually have implications or applications in other areas of life. And today, for me, the reminder to play your own game is much needed advice for some business decisions I’m making. It made me realise that I’ve drifted off this path of late.

I’ve become caught up with what everyone else in the coaching industry is doing without really considering whether that’s the direction I want to go in. And let me tell you readers, it is not. So from now on as I make choices for my business I’ll be asking myself is this what you want to do or what you feel you should do?

This is day 35 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

The Prestige, 2006 - ★★★★

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 14:31:25 +0000

Watched on Saturday April 3, 2021.

A virtual visit to Amsterdam

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:10:50 +0000

Six weeks on from our last virtual weekend away we were on our imaginary travels again this weekend. Our destination for this trip was Amsterdam.

Once more, our plans involved exploring the history, culture and cuisine of our chosen destination. Some highlights included:

visiting Anne Frank House via Anne’s video diary
a night at the Rijksmuseum
David Hockney’s thoughts on Vincent Van Gogh and Spring
a fine selection of Dutch beer and cheeses
some rather successful creations in the kitchen (if I don’t say so myself) including a Dutch apple cake and a selection of bar snacks

Where next, who knows?

This is day 34 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Reasons to be cheerful #5

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 10:35:20 +0000

Signs of Spring are certainly a recurring theme in these lists at the moment. Perhaps because the changing seasons are the only thing that differs from week to week at the moment.

Anyway, here’s what’s brought a smile to my face this week:

a sunny day after a week of grey
bullfinches on the bird feeders in the park
not just the sight of blossom but the smell, oh my the smell is intoxicating
the realisation that I’m so much into the running groove that I can even go out when I’m not really feeling in the mood for it
having the option to self-define sexuality and gender on the census

Tags: #gratitude

Joy is not made to be a crumb

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 13:50:03 +0000

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. …whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

When I saw these lines in a recent newsletter from James Clear it made me smile. They’re from Mary Oliver’s poem Don’t Hesitate which we had as a reading at our wedding.

It’s a poem that asks us to remember that among all the terrible things that happen in the world and amidst all our errors of judgment, there’s still possibility. There’s still joy if we take the time to notice and nurture it.

Here you can hear Don’t Hesitate read in full.

This is day 33 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Tags: #poetry #gratitude #noticing

Reasons to be cheerful #4

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 10:46:53 +0000

Some weeks these lists are hard to write. Not for the lack of things to put on them but that other things happening in the world make each item feel insignificant. And then I remember, that’s exactly why I write them.

So here’s a selection of things that keep me smiling:

my parents got their first vaccine dose
planning a summer refresh for the yard, including making a scale drawing to try out options
an impromptu walk along the river with Izz
buds bursting and the first sign of blossom
a successful first foray into making chicken kiev

Tags: #gratitude

Newsletter frequency

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 10:16:35 +0000

Most newsletters come out on a schedule that suits the creator. Daily. Weekly. Fortnightly. Monthly. Occasionally.

What if you as the recipient could choose?

I currently send my newsletter weekly, with one issue per month as a round-up of links to things I’ve found interesting, appealing or useful. If I added a list of my writing from the month to the link round-up I would be able to give readers the option to receive the newsletter either weekly or monthly. Either way they would receive the same content but on a frequency they preferred.

Do you offer this option already? I’d love to see some examples.

This is day 32 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

10 March 2020

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 09:50:44 +0000

My typical approach to journaling is writing a one-line summary at the end of the day. However, at the start of the pandemic I decided to write a little more occasionally. Below is my first entry in what I labeled my ‘Coronavirus diary’ from exactly a year ago…

It’s difficult to know what to think about, and do in response to, the threat of Coronavirus. At the moment cases in the UK are limited, but we have to expect or at least be prepared for the level of outbreak countries like China and Italy have experienced.

At the moment, I’m still going about things as normal. But I do get the feeling that generally there are fewer people about (that may be just a coincidence, of course). At the weekend I played hockey and we still shook hands and shared food. I’m going in to the office every day on the bus. In the next couple of weeks I’ve got plans to go away for the weekend with my hockey team, attend networking events and talks, and meet clients. And at the start of April we’re away for a week with the whole family. I’m beginning to wonder whether any or all of that will still go ahead.

Ahead of a co-working day I was due to attend today we were sent advice from Public Health England about the scenarios in which you would need to self-quarantine. People in my networks are starting to talk about the plans their organisations are making to move to remote working and distance learning. Some of these involve having trial days before it becomes a necessity to make sure any issues are ironed out in advance. Should the need arise, I’m fully able to continue my work from home.

Working for myself however I feel one step removed from it all. I’m not aware of a heightened sense of fear, or anyone significantly changing their day-to-day behaviour. At the weekend though teacher friends did mention that their schools are receiving phone calls from parents demanding when they’re going to close and expressing concern that their children are being put at risk. I’ll wait to take my lead from Good Space (where my office is located).

I think my mantra will be to proceed with caution, not panic. It’s hard to stay calm though when all around you are losing their heads. The stockpiling of toilet roll, soap and pain killers has begun. I will admit to getting Izzy to buy a few extra tins in the last shop, just in case… although I think that’s more a response to reading The Siege than it is to fears the supermarkets will be empty.

One useful thing I have seen is guidance from the World Health Organisation around what the actual symptoms of the virus are and how they’re similar/different from the common cold and flu.

This is day 31 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Wintering

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 14:31:36 +0000

Over the weekend I read Wintering: The power of rest and retreat in difficult times by Katherine May. It’s a mix of memoir, nature writing and (the good kind of) self-help.

Reading this now got me reflecting on both the experiences of the past year and my own period of wintering which marked the transition between an old life and the new.

I bookmarked a few pages to return to both for the ideas and rhythm of the writing.

The starkness of winter can reveal colours that we would otherwise miss. I once watched a fox cross a frosty field, her coat shining against the gloom. Walking in the bare winter woodland, I am also surrounded by astonishing foxy reds: the burnish of bracken, its dry fronds twisted to lacework; the crimson leaves left on brambles; the last remaining berries on honeysuckle; and orangey clusters of rosehips. The iconic holly, its boughs so thoroughly raided each Christmas. There is also the bright yellow of gorse on heathland, glowing on until spring comes, the stately evergreens, and the tangle of green leaves that remain unnoticed on the ground. Life goes on, abundantly, in winter, and this is where changes are made that usher us into future glories. (from p. 81)

Some people thrive on a little sleep deprivation, but I do not. I now know that I can achieve far more after nine hours than I can in the spare time afforded by a short night. Sleeping is my sanity, my luxury, my addiction. (from p. 86-7)

I clear the surface of my desk and make a pool of light with my lamp. I go off to fetch matches and light a candle. One light is steady and sure, the other uncertain and flickering. I open my notebook and work between these two poles. On balance, it’s where I prefer to be: somewhere in the middle. Certainty is a dead space, in which there’s no more room to grow. Wavering is painful. I’m glad to be travelling between the two. (from p. 94)

In our winter, a transformation happened. We read, and we worked, and we problem-solved, and we found new solutions. We changed our focus away from pushing through with normal life and towards making a new one. When everything is broken, everything is up for grabs. That’s the gift of winter: it’s irresistible. Change will happen in its wake, whether we like it or not. We can come out of it wearing a different coat. (from p. 140)

This is day 30 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Tags: #books #quotes #reading

Knives Out, 2019 - ★★★

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 13:25:26 +0000

Watched on Friday February 26, 2021.

Reasons to be cheerful #3

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 16:34:22 +0000

This week’s list of little things:

my longest run of the year so far
finally finishing The Count of Monte Cristo
the moon
a restock of beer from the pub
first day warm enough to wear shorts

This is day 29 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Tags: #gratitude

Privacy updates

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 16:26:39 +0000

Over the past few weeks I’ve made a few changes to how I do things on my website and for my newsletter.

Cleaning up cookies

I’ve never used many services in the running of my website that require cookies to be set. I don’t use sharing buttons or embed media from third party services, and I choose to use a privacy-friendly analytics tool with cookies turned off.

I gave the site an overhaul recently and part of that process was checking what cookies were set. The only ones listed in the report were those set by the cookie notification plugin I was using, which seems redundent when there’s no other cookies to accept or reject…

So I’ve turned off that plugin and am pleased to report my site is cookie free.

No to spy pixels

I’ve also been following Dave Smyth’s work on a new project, No To Spy Pixels, which aims to raise awareness, and encourage regulation, of what gets tracked when you open emails from mailing lists.

I use ConvertKit to send my newsletter which doesn’t currently have the option to allow you to turn off tracking. However, following the launch of No To Spy Pixels, I went to find out if this was a planned feature and if not, to request it is added to the list.

I’m pleased that it is currently in development and I’ve joined the beta testing. From now on, my newsletter and other emails sent through ConvertKit won’t track opens, location or device information. It’s not yet possible to turn of link tracking, but I’ve requested this be added to the development. And I’m fully prepared to find an alternative email provider if I can’t get this functionality.

This is day 28 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

2021 reading log

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 10:58:39 +0000

A running list of all the books I read in 2021.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Finished 25 February. I like Dumas' writing style and I did enjoy reading this; it’s a ripping yarn. However, it’s far too long! Given that it was originally published in serial format (like Dickens) there’s speculation that he was paid by the word… and it shows.

Wintering: The Power of Retreat and Rest in Difficult Times by Katherine May. Finished 28 February. I devoured this in just a few days (which is practically unheard of for me). It’s beautifully written, poetic in places. A winning combination of memoir, nature writing and thoughtful advice on how to prepare for winters of our own.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. Finsihed 4 March. A quick read but nevertheless this packs a punch. The ease and subtlety of the writing makes the more brutal aspects of the story feel even more shocking.

The Green Road by Anne Enright. Finished 13 March.

The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe. Finished 21 March.

Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake. Finshed 11 April. This has been on my reading list probably since I watched the BBC adaptation in the early 2000s. I’d always been slightly apprehensive of it, but I don’t know why. I really enjoyed it!

Lowborn by Kerry Hudson. Finished 19 April.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Finished 23 April.

Tags: #reading #books

Rush hour

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 13:59:24 +0000

I live near one of the main routes into the centre of Newcastle. Lately I’ve noticed that traffic during what you might describe as the morning rush hour has increased. It doesn’t feel that different from what a typical rush hour might have been like before the pandemic.

When I see this, questions start popping in my head:

Where are they all going?
What is it going to be like when more people start returning to the office?
How much worse can this get?

My most niggling question concerns public transport. During rush hour before the pandemic there would be full buses going by every 5 minutes. Post pandemic, however, people will be more cautious about getting on a bus. That’s perfectly understandable, but it worries me that instead of the bus they will opt to drive instead. Then we’ll be in a situation where there are more cars than ever on the road during rush hour.

Here are some more questions that spring to mind when I think about possible ways to avoid this:

What needs to be in place to make public transport safe during busy times?
What will help increase people’s confidence in using public transport?
What can we do to show people all the available options for their commute?
What can we do to help encourage and support transport decisions that benefit the environment?

This is day 27 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Laughter is good for the soul

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:24:46 +0000

I got to the end of the work day yesterday feeling pretty flat. As we sat down to eat our tea I put the radio on. It was right as Just a Minute was starting on Radio 4. If you’re not familiar with it, and don’t want to click that link, here’s how it works:

contestants are challenged to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition on any subject that comes up on the cards

Just a Minute has been running for 54 years and is a British broadcasting institution. And it never fails to make me laugh. So at the end of yesterday’s episode my mood had significantly improved.

Laughter has been an essential feature of lockdown life. Whether it’s been howling at the antics of Johnny Vegas, Daisy May Cooper, Katherine Parkinson, Mawaan Rizwan and Richard Herring on the latest series of Taskmaster or roaring at some of the ridiculous statements that fall from my family’s mouths (which I won’t repeat because you most definitely had to be there), having a good laugh at something trivial has been good for the soul.

This is day 26 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Lifting lockdown... again

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 19:52:31 +0000

So, if all goes to plan it looks like life will expand beyond the four walls of the home gradually over the next four months. It’s nice to be able to think about making tentative plans for seeing family and friends in the not too distant future.

As with most news these days, however, I’ll wait for the dust to settle and then only proceed with cautious optimism. The caution is largely around the details. I’m already hearing people pin their hopes on the dates that are mentioned in each step, speculating on when they may return to work, the gym, the pub or book the next holiday. But we need to be clear these are the earliest possible dates and it’s highly likely they will change.

My preference is simply to think about the order that things will happen - this, then that, then that… And instead of thinking months ahead, to look forward a week or two at the most. It’s easier then to come to terms with the inevitable shifts that happen. I think my stock phrase for the next few months will be ‘let’s wait and see.’

This is day 25 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Reasons to be cheerful #2

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 10:48:38 +0000

Rounding off another week with a list of things that keep me smiling:

being in control of my own schedule — allowing me to take time off for a mid-afternoon game of Carcasonne with my nephews
getting back into a running rhythm after the snow
starting a new series of ER (we’re at 11/15 after started the marathon in the second UK lockdown)
another stay at home hair cut and the best one yet
exploring a different park and new sections of the region’s wagonways

This is day 24 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Tags: #gratitude

Tyneside wagonways

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 20:43:57 +0000

Most days I include sections of the Coxlodge wagonway on my lunchtime walk. I like it because it’s away from traffic (mostly) and is quieter than the nearby parks. The route was used in the 19th century to haul coal from Coxlodge Colliery, just north of Newcastle upon Tyne, to the staiths at Wallsend on the river Tyne.

There is an extensive network of wagonways in the region which have been turned into footpaths and cycle ways. Around 30 miles of routes, maintained by North Tyneside Council, include local nature reserves Rising Sun Country Park and Wallsend Dene.

One of the great highlights of the first lockdown was discovering that it’s possible to walk from my home to Rising Sun largely off road. Today I walked a new section and it’s clear I’ve got much more exploring to do.

——— This is day 23 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Revisiting values

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 16:38:28 +0000

I’ve spent this afternoon revisiting my personal values as part of a strategy session planning what projects I’m going to work on next.

My reason for doing this is simple - without understanding my values, and therefore what is important to me, it’s very hard to make decisions about where best to spend my time and what to prioritize.

I’ve chosen to write out my values as a keyword and supporting statement. That currently looks like this:

Integrity; an unwavering belief in who I am and what I have to give.
Openness; staying curious and sharing what I learn.
Stability; a solid footing from which to grow and thrive.
Trust; building on honesty and clear communication as a foundation for all relationships.
Connection; building relationships for inspiration, encouragement, energy and empathy.
Sustainability; living and working at a sustainable pace, developed through reflection, routine and self-compassion.

With my values clearly articulated, I can go to my list of potential projects and see how they align with them. To do this, I annotate each project with icons (see image below) to represent each value that it fulfils. For example, my weekly newsletter aligns with integrity, openness, trust and connection. This activity helps me to feel more confident in the decisions I make around the projects I prioritize and pursue.

This is day 22 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

On self-promotion in peer support communities

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:49:49 +0000

Let me say this first - I’m not against self-promotion, you can’t be when you are a one-person business, but I believe there are boundaries and when they are pushed it aggravates me.

I’m writing this as a lament because recently one of the most supportive groups I’ve been involved with has been hijacked by people promoting their new products and services. When I joined it was a place to ask questions, get feedback or recommendations and share ideas. But those kinds of posts are now few and far between, and I miss it. I miss the safe space among peers to ask for, and offer, help.

I know it doesn’t have to be this way. I’ve been, and am (thankfully), part of at least one community that has succeeded in maintaining a peer support space free from marketing. From what I’ve observed, the reason it succeeds is that all of the following are in place:

clear and visible community guidelines
multiple channels for different topics, rather than a single stream
active moderators, who challenge guideline breaches

Why does this feel so rare though?

This is day 21 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

A personal history of blogging

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 18:32:30 +0000

By my calculations I’m reaching a point where I could legitimately claim to have been blogging for 20 years. I began my blogging journey as a teenager back in the early 2000s. My very first blog was on Diary-x.

I clearly got the blogging bug as after that I’ve had blogs on:

Tumblr
Blogger
Wordpress (both hosted and self-hosted)
write.as

At any one time I’ll have at least two blogs on the go; one more personal and one more professional. I’ve also set up blogs for specific projects and training programmes. In a past life I even used a blog to teach people how to blog.

I can’t say what prompted me to start blogging, but I know why I’ve continued. A blog is a space to:

think and explore what interests you
develop writing skills and style
express yourself and share ideas publicly
start conversations and get feedback

Can social media or newsletters replace blogs? I don’t think so. These other places to write and express yourself are an addition to, not a replacement for, blogs. If anything, I think we’re seeing a renaissance of blogging through challenges like 100 Days to Offload that help build the habit and confidence to write, and services like write.as that make it so much easier to publish.

This is day 20 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

End of work rituals

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:31:33 +0000

When you work from home the boundaries of the work day are often blurred. Without the act of physically changing location it can be hard to switch off from work. Over the years I’ve developed a set of end of day rituals to help with this.

1. End of day review The very last thing I do at my desk is to write a short review of the day. I answer three questions:

What went well?
What challenged or frustrated you?
What will help you have a good day tomorrow? It helps me to mentally tie up any loose ends and set myself up for the next day. I’ll also clear up any papers or notebooks so I can start afresh in the morning.

2. Fresh air and exercise The Urban Wanderer describes the act of walking at the start and end the day when working from home as a reverse commute. I find this particularly effective at the end of the day to help empty my mind of work related things. I’m lucky to have a park on my doorstep and so I’ll usually do a few laps of that.

3. Offline activity Spending time away from a screen immediately after finishing work is the best way I know to relax and shift gear. Most days for me this means an hour or so in the kitchen cooking tea. It’s an activity that for me signifies the start of my evening.

What rituals do you have to help you switch off from work?

This is day 19 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Reasons to be cheerful #1

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 20:28:48 +0000

Over the years I’ve periodically posted lists of the small, everyday things that I’m grateful for. Along with many other things I’ve chosen to commit to lately is making this a weekly thing.

So without further ado, here’s my first (of this incarnation at least) list of reasons to be cheerful:

the honesty of children: “Can we stop Zoom now?” said my nephew part-way through a family birthday call… he got his wish
an extra few moments of light in the evening
walking on fresh snow
getting to that point in a book where all the loose threads start coming together… and you can’t bear to put it down
cosy new pyjamas

This is day 18 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Tags: #gratitude

A typical Saturday

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 19:04:23 +0000

I love Saturdays. A day to unwind and have fun. A day to really switch off and relax. Here’s what a typical lockdown Saturday looks like…

Wake around 8 and read in bed until I start to get hungry.
Breakfast, usually eggs and coffee.
FaceTime with my parents to chat and do the crossword. This is something we’d do when we stay with them that we’ve made a weekly ritual during the pandemic.
Lunch, usually a homemade soup.
Walk, I try to get out every day for an hour or so.
The rest of the afternoon is given over to whatever sport is on. Today for example I’ve listened to football on the radio, and watched rugby and football matches.
Tea is often leftovers or a takeaway as Saturday is my night off cooking. Tonight we’ve got a rather fine curry I made yesterday. And a couple of beers of course!
We round of the day with a film or a board game. Tonight we’re playing a new one; Forbidden Island.

To be fair, I don’t think my Saturdays before the pandemic were that different. You’d just need to factor in a hockey match in place of the walk.

What does your perfect Saturday look like?

— This is day 17 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

There is no finish line

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:16:59 +0000

Sometimes we can be tempted into thinking that there’s a magic item, experience or feeling that will bring us success or happiness. We pin our hopes on it. We work our way steadily towards it.

Sometimes we might reach or attain that magical thing. But when we do, we realise it wasn’t that magical after all and we set our sights on something else.

We keep on going. Keep on searching. Keep on learning. And eventually we realise; it’s about the journey, not the destination.

When I think of this, it reminds me of a line I once heard in a TV show (Baptiste, I think):

The wind blows Still the world turns

This post was prompted by the latest issue of Sophie Cross' Thoughtfully newsletter.

This is day 16 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Co-working and community

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 19:26:32 +0000

It can be lonely working for yourself. You may see people regularly, but meetings with clients are no proxy for having a team around you.

I’m grateful for the advice I got when I first went freelance to make sure I didn’t spend all my time at home in my office. It prompted me to join a local co-working group and attend sessions at least once a month. Later I spent more time co-working, with at least one day per week among the community at Good Space, where I later rented a shared office.

Since the start of the pandemic the ability to go out to co-working spaces and work side-by-side with people has obviously been restricted. Sadly this means that many places, Good Space included, have had to close.

I’m grateful however to other initiatives that create a community for freelancers and other solo-workers. This morning I joined a virtual co-working session run by my local group. Last week I attended daily pomodoro sessions from Othership. And every day I check in with the Leapers community.

There are plenty more communities and sessions like this out there. If you’re a freelancer or self-employed and feeling lonely or isolated then I’d pass on the piece of advice given to me – find yourself some co-workers.

This is day 15 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Cutting yourself some slack vs slacking off

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 17:30:37 +0000

Something I’ve been pondering a while is where the line lies between cutting yourself some slack and slacking off.

Is it contextual? Is it time-bound? Is it to do with the difference between needing a break and avoiding a task?

Answers on a postcard please.

This is day 14 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Early adopters

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 20:30:27 +0000

There used to be a time when I was among the first to sign up to new websites and apps. I was eager to poke around with other early adopters to see what they offered, how they worked and if there were any benefits for my work or personal life. Some stuck. Others didn’t.

There’s a reticence now. I’m not sure where it comes from. Maybe it’s due to my change in circumstance? When I worked in universities, often I was the one in the team who sussed things out and shared new digital tools. I don’t have this role now I’m my own boss. Maybe it’s down to the sheer volume of new software that is being released every day? There’s no way to keep up with it all, so why not let others filter out the dross. Maybe it’s a loss of trust? I’m certainly more conscious about what happens with my personal data and the content I create when I sign up to these things. Maybe I’ve got better ways to spend my time?

This is day 13 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

A weekend away

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 18:03:06 +0000

We spent the weekend just gone in New York. We ate pancakes, burgers and bagels. Drank cosmos and Manhattans. Visited The Frick, The Met and MOMA. Saw a broadway show and listened to jazz from Village Vanguard… And all of this from the comfort of our living room.

Like many, I’ve been finding the latest lockdown harder than those that preceded it. It’s the cumulative effect of day after day spent within the same four walls and in the same company. That and the approach of the one year anniversary of the first lockdown and prospect of spending a second birthday in isolation.

We needed to shake things up and a virtual weekend away was just the ticket. It broke us out of our routine, helped us to properly disconnect from work and to relax. We did all the things we’d usually do on holiday and none of the things we’d usually do at home on the weekend.

The whole experience was restorative and we’ll definitely do it again.

Where shall we go next?

This is day 12 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Being British

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 16:56:03 +0000

All anybody was talking about on Twitter yesterday were two things:

Jackie Weaver and that Handforth Parish Council video
This thread about weird things British people do

Of the former I have nothing much to say. Except that it’s been referenced in pretty much every conversation my wife and I have had over the past 24 hours.

Of the latter I will concede that for the most part us “Britishes” are weird as hell. As pointed out in the thread most of the things have no logical or sensible explanation:

the swan story
the sanctity of the queue
public schools
buying drinks in rounds
or separate taps

However, the cultural significance and brilliance of fish finger sandwiches is a hill I’m willing to die on.

This is day 11 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Giving blood

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:11:20 +0000

Today I gave my 30th blood donation. The last time I was there a lady was celebrating her 100th donation! My goal is to get to 40 before I’m 40.

I went for the first time as a teenager when my Mum took me along with her. It was in the sports hall where I did trampolining and went to football camps in the summer holidays. At uni the donor team set up in the Students Union. And in my later 20s it was the community centre in the village I lived in. Now I go to the donor centre, a permanent space for the NHS Blood and Transplant team in Newcastle.

I love everything about giving blood. The staff always manage to create a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Today all the staff of a certain age were singing along to Hot Chocolate on the radio and I had a good chat that ranged from cooking new things during the pandemic to the importance of finding work that challenges and fulfils you.

I love seeing all the first timers… and the old timers.

I love the follow up; finding out when and where my blood has been used.

I love the feeling of helping out.

And obviously, I love the biscuits!

This is day 10 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

A soundtrack for work

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 21:14:50 +0000

For the most part I sit in silence while I work. However, I’ve got a new clock in my office and it has THE LOUDEST TICK EVER. I have superhuman hearing, so it’s probably not even that loud, this just means that repetitive sounds like this really bug me. So I’ve been thinking a lot about soundtracks that are conducive for work.

When I worked for universities in open plan offices sound was essential for a happy work day. In the quest to quiet the ticking clock I’ve found myself returning to some old habits.

My soundtrack for routine, dare I say repetitive, tasks that don’t require a lot of thinking on my part is generally something I can sing along or tap my foot to. Some favourites are:

Stomp and Holler
Sing-a-long Indie Hits
my covers playlist
one of my daily mixes
or, if I’m lucky, Test Match Special on the radio

When I’m working with words music won’t cut it. Even instrumental. Instead, I prefer some sounds of nature. Services like Online Background Noises and Noisili let me craft a unique mix of the elements. And very occasionally I’ll opt for a bit of coffee shop ambience, perhaps with some rain beating on the windows and a roaring fire in the corner.

What is your soundtrack of choice?

This is day nine of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

A note about deadlines

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 17:26:40 +0000

I worked furiously yesterday to get a project finished for today’s deadline. I was focused and systematic and I got more than I expected to done. That is, I finished all of the essential work and got most of the nice to have stuff done too.

Working up to the wire in this way is how I work best. I don’t know any other way to be. Without the time pressure I rarely find the zone of focus and flow I need to really get things done.

I battled with this for a long time because it feels out of sync with my nature. I’m a planner and always organised. In a group, I’m the one who has thought of every eventuality and prepared for it. What I’ve come to realise is that this is what allows me to work effectively when time is limited. I use my time in advance to come up with a plan so that when it comes to those final hours I know exactly what I’ve got to do and how to go about it. That means I rarely miss a deadline.

So back to this latest project I’ve been working on…

After the rush and high of finishing on time I discovered that I’d got my dates wrong and the deadline is actually a week away! It feels so strange to have finished something so far ahead of schedule. I almost don’t know what to do with myself!

This is day eight of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

A 28-day challenge within a challenge

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 20:06:25 +0000

On August 26 2020 I set out my intention to take part in #100DaysToOffload. A challenge to publish 100 blog posts in one year. Less than a month later, I fell off the wagon having published just six posts!

As of today, 1 February, there are 205 days until my year is up. That means to reach my goal I need to post roughly every other day between now and then. I want to reach that goal and re-establish a regular writing routine.

To get things started I’ve committed to publish every day throughout February. I’m using Austin Kleon’s monthly challenge template to keep me on track.

A previous version of this template has space to add a reward for when you reach your goal. As I’m trying not to buy any new books at the moment (while I work my way through a monster to-read pile) I felt a fitting reward would be to pick up something from my wishlist. I’ve chosen The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova.

This is day seven of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Favourited: Newsletters; or, an enormous rant about writing on the web that doesn’t really go anywhere and that’s okay with me

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 09:35:18 +0000

Link: www.robinrendle.com/essays/ne… Author: Robin Rendle Time to read: 8 minutes

#favourite

Favourited: Spend time on something that will outlast them

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 09:35:17 +0000

Link: austinkleon.com/2021/01/2… Author: Austin Kleon

#favourite

Favourited: How to prioritize your project ideas

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 17:15:00 +0000

Link: thecreativeindependent.com/people/ti… Author: Ryan Mather Time to read: 10 minutes

#favourite

Lessons from hockey for life

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 09:48:58 +0000

At hockey training last night we were working on match situations where one team has an overload. After a while, we paused to talk about how it was going. It felt like chaos and mostly we were running around like headless chickens.

Our coach gave us this advice for what to do when you’re under pressure:

slow down
be decisive in your actions
if it doesn’t work, change direction
protect the ball

As soon as she’d made the first point I knew what she was saying would be applicable off the hockey pitch as well as on it. In a non-sporting context, for the final point, I’d substitute your wellbeing for the ball. Other than that, I’d say they’re all valid in situations when we’re feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and under pressure.

What do you think? Where in your life could you apply these steps to make a difference?

This is day six of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Things my Mum taught me

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 12:25:22 +0000

My previous post contains a list of things my Dad taught me. Not wanting to leave my Mum out, here are some of the things she taught me. Again it’s off the top of my head and in no particular order:

how to drive
the art of giving a good hug
to appreciate the simple things in life
how to make custard
the right cup to drink tea from
to enjoy singing
how to iron a shirt
to have the courage to try new things
how to make Christmas dinner
to keep going

This is day five of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Things my Dad taught me

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 18:45:19 +0000

There was a tweet going round over the weekend that asked you to name one thing your Dad taught you. I didn’t respond because I couldn’t pick just one. So instead, here’s 10 of the things that came to mind (in no particular order):

that the crusty bits around the edges are the tastiest
how to tie my shoelaces
to be inquisitive
the rules of rugby and cricket
how to play cards
fierce loyalty
how to make stock, gravy and soup
generosity
how to grow tomatoes
to know when I need to take a break

This is day four of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Research skills

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 10:52:34 +0000

I am in the process of completing a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Business and Personal Coaching. I completed the practical element of this course back in 2018 and now all that’s left is to write the essays. There are three in total:

Coaching in Practice - a reflective essay about my development as a coach
Coaching to Enable Change - encompassing what helps us change, what gets in the way and how coaching can facilitate the process
Coaching in an Organisational Setting - my focus for this one is the importance of reflective practice in the workplace

When it comes to this kind of academic work, and talking to my peers about their experience of it, I am incredibly grateful for the research skills I learned in my previous career as a librarian. There are things that I know, that I probably take for granted, that really help to ease the process. I’ve shared all of them before when helping people with their research, but now seems a good time to bring them together in one place.

Accessing electronic resources

It’s no secret that the myriad of systems used to access electronic resources through the library make for a less than intuitive experience. Add to that, the fact that the kind of course I’m doing doesn’t allow full access to library systems; more often than not I come up against an “access forbidden” alert. It’s frustrating to say the least, but here are some ways around it.

Firstly, I found out exactly which packages I have access to and now, instead of searching the whole catalogue, I search specifically within these databases. This works best in the early stages of research when searching by topic rather than for a specific article.

If you’re a fellow student on the PGCert for Business and Personal Coaching through the University of Chester, those databases are: ProQuest, Wiley Online Library, Dawsonera and E-book Central

A similar approach at this stage is to use the Directory of Open Access Journals. This indexes peer-reviewed journals that have no barriers to access.

When it comes to looking for specific articles, I use the Unpaywall extension. This highlights whether an open access version is available if you’ve found an article you want to read in a paywalled journal.

Sometimes you have to accept that it’s not possible to get your hands on the exact article you’re looking for. Using these approaches there are usually plenty of alternatives that are good enough.

Locating print materials*

I’m affiliated to a university in the north west of England, but as I live on the other side of the country accessing their print materials isn’t an option. Thankfully, there are other ways to get hold of books you can’t get electronically.

Use WorldCat to find local libraries that hold the item you’re looking for. Many university libraries allow walk-in access to visitors, especially those affiliated with other academic intstitutions.

I also search directly on the catalogues of university libraries near me. You may not be able to borrow, but you should be able to use the library for reference. And if, like me, you live near the place that you did your undergraduate degree then you may be able to borrow books as an alumni.

Referencing

There’s something about my nature that means I get a strange sense of joy out of referencing – I know this makes me an anomaly. I just like how methodical it is.

I know that for a lot of people both the purpose and practice just don’t make sense. And sadly, most of the guides available make the whole thing seem more complex than it is and therefore even more confusing for beginners. Thankfully, lots of academic libraries provide quick guides that cover most of what’s needed to get started. I’m currently using one from York St John University and I don’t find I need more than that.

If you really want to up your referencing game, and have some fun in the process, check out RefQuest from Learning Futures and the Library at Western Sydney University.

*The caveat to this is that obviously during the pandemic physical access to libraries is probably not feasible anyway, but I think it’s worth noting these options for some future date when we can just walk in somewhere and pick a book up off a shelf.

This is day three of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

Blog updates

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 10:21:31 +0000

In preparation for starting this writing challenge I decided to make some tweaks to the setup of this blog. There’s a new theme and an archive so you can browse or search older posts.

I’ve also set up federation. That may sound fancy but write.as makes it as easy as checking a box in the settings. What this means is that people can now follow this blog in the fediverse.

My main exploration of the fediverse is through Mastodon. I have the loosest grasp on how it all works so won’t try to explain it. If you want to learn more watch this video explainer from a user’s perspective. I found the part that explains local and federated instances (or servers) using the analogy of villages and towns particularly helpful.

If that’s piqued your interest and you want to give Mastodon a try, here are a couple of handy guides:

You can find me at octodon.social/@ekcragg (although I have a request to join writing.exchange awaiting approval, so watch this space).

This is day two of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com

#100DaysToOffload

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 16:30:51 +0000

My writing typically comes in fits and starts. Just take a look at the yawning gaps between posts on this blog.

19 November 2019. 4 February 2020. 21 August 2020.

That’s not to say I’m not writing elsewhere. But it’s clear this blog needs a nudge. So I’m committing myself publicly to #100DaysToOffload.

In case you don’t click that link, here’s the gist:

it is a challenge to publish 100 posts on your personal blog in one year
there are no limits. Just. Write.
it is the brainchild of Kev Quirk
there are many participants sharing their posts on social media using the hashtag #100DaysToOffload

… Will you join us?

Favourited: The Work You Do, the Person You Are

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 16:39:53 +0000

Link: www.newyorker.com/magazine/… Author: Toni Morrison Time to read: 3 mins.

I found this article a good provocation to think about my relationship with the work I do, and have done over the course of my career so far.

It can be easy to base so much of our identity around our job, but what if we took the opposite approach?

Whatever the work is, do it well—not for the boss but for yourself.

You make the job; it doesn’t make you.

Your real life is with us, your family.

You are not the work you do; you are the person you are.

#favourite #identity #worklife #careers #ToniMorrison

Favourited: Your ‘Surge Capacity’ Is Depleted — It’s Why You Feel Awful

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 14:25:23 +0000

Link: elemental.medium.com/your-surg… Author: Tara Haelle Time to read: 15 mins.

Another article that prompts reflection on how we’ve coped during the pandemic. It introduced me to a handful of concepts, including surge capacity and ambiguous loss.

Surge capacity is a collection of adaptive systems — mental and physical — that humans draw on for short-term survival in acutely stressful situations, such as natural disasters. But natural disasters occur over a short period, even if recovery is long. Pandemics are different — the disaster itself stretches out indefinitely.

“The pandemic has demonstrated both what we can do with surge capacity and the limits of surge capacity,” says Masten. When it’s depleted, it has to be renewed. But what happens when you struggle to renew it because the emergency phase has now become chronic?

It concludes with some good points to help as we continue to navigate an uncertain future.

#favourite #pandemic #psychology

June reading

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 11:22:18 +0000

In this order…

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

How Not to Be a Boy by Robert Webb

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Lanny by Max Porter

A Burst of Light and Other Essays by Audre Lorde

Tags: #reading #lockdown

Gratitude #004

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 15:40:08 +0000

Izzy’s endless patience with my up and down mood
Instigating a cake exchange with friends nearby
The impending resumption of Premier League and fantasy football
Having the choice to ignore the government’s gradual lifting of lockdown

Tags: #gratitude #cv19 #lockdown #june2020

ducks, Newburyport

Tue, 26 May 2020 11:11:55 +0000

The fact that after two months I’ve finally finished reading ducks, Newburyport, the fact that I got into the rhythm of it quite early on but it felt like a slog nontheless, the fact that overall I’d say I enjoyed the insight into one person’s mind, stream of consciousness, mountain lion, gun violence, mother-daughter relationships, polluted water, the fact that I could have done with less Laura Ingalls Wilder chat, the fact that all sense of time got distorted, sleep, wake, childhood memories, day-after-day, the fact that both nothing happened and everything happened, key events, flood, runaway, home invasion, mountain lion, the fact that it’s a real feat of thought and creativity, the fact that I made cinamon rolls during the time I was reading this, but I don’t have a Candy-Apple Red kneeding machine, the fact that now it’s over I kind of miss her voice.

Tags: #reading #may2020 #cv19 #lockdown

Gratitude #003

Thu, 14 May 2020 11:07:32 +0000

I got some fresh yeast from the bakery and have rekindled my love of baking bread and buns. Pictured above is a batch of Skillingsboller or shilling buns. Yum!
Spent a couple of hours doing the crossword with my parents via video call
Discovered we can now recycle a lot more plastic items from home
Ate breakfast out in the yard on a couple of blisteringly hot days

Tags: #gratitude #cv19 #lockdown #may2020

A short poem

Tue, 12 May 2020 11:48:39 +0000

…inspired by England’s new lockdown slogan

On an evening walk

Stay alert while watching birds

Don’t fall over your feet

Tags: #cv19 #lockdown #stayalert #may2020

Tips for lockdown haircuts

Mon, 11 May 2020 16:05:02 +0000

From the client:

accept it won’t be perfect
be prepared to live with the outcome you get
put all your trust in the hairdresser
don’t interfere unless asked for feedback

From the hairdresser:

accept it won’t be perfect
aim for good enough
start small to build confidence, you can always go back and do more

Tags: #may2020 #cv19 #lockdown

Venturing forth

Fri, 01 May 2020 09:19:08 +0000

For the past five weeks I’ve only left the house to exercise. I’ve not been beyond a 2km radius from my house in that time.

This week I finally ventured further afield, hopping in the car to go to give blood at Newcastle Donor Centre. I was a little apprehensive about it, but it felt good to see some different scenery on the drive, passing by the cows on the Town Moor. The roads were quieter than usual but not as quiet as I’d expected. I found myself wondering where everyone was going.

While waiting my turn I bumped into a friend and we had a quick catch up. I hadn’t realised quite how much those chance encounters are missing. The closest I’ve got recently are the momentary comedy stand offs on the street working out with strangers who is going to step aside.

Tags: #may2020 #cv19 #lockdown

Gratitude #002

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 13:58:04 +0000

Discovering a delicious carrot soup recipe.
Richard Osman’s weekly alphabet quizzes. To take part you need to subscribe to his newsletter.
Celebrating my middle nephew’s birthday with family (from afar).
An early morning invigorating walk around the neighbourhood.
Successfully recreating a friend’s recipe for corned beef pie. The ultimate comfort food.

Tags: #gratitude #april2020 #cv19 #lockdown

Gratitude #001

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 16:04:09 +0000

A park on my doorstep.
Beer deliveries by bike.
Being able to source flour relatively easily. If you’ve not been so lucky, try local weigh houses or zero waste stores as they’re more able, and used to, batching up larger quantities into smaller packets.
A decent Internet connection (keeping my fingers' crossed that I’ve not jinxed it by saying this).
My wife, who is able and willing to go to the supermarket.

Tags: #gratitude #april2020 #cv19 #lockdown

A pure soul and a smile in your heart

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:13:48 +0000

Thanks Cards Against Humanity for bringing some joy to my day.

I don’t have any kids. Should I download this?

If you have a pure soul and a smile in your heart: yes.

From Cards Against Humanity Family Edition via Thought Shrapnel Weekly

Tags: #lockdown #games #april2020

Coronavirus confessions #1

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 08:33:09 +0000

As I’ve been reading over the past few days I’ve found myself forgetting that the characters in my book aren’t on lockdown. I keep being surprised that they’re free to leave the house and meet other people.

Tags: #cv19 #lockdown #march2020

A moment of bliss

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:06:57 +0000

I woke up this morning, stretched and got out of bed. As I walked to the kitchen to make tea the usual narrative started running through my head.

What day is it?

What’s for breakfast?

What have I got on today?

For a moment I’d forgotten life is different now. And it was bliss.

Tags: #cv19 #march2020

Change is the one constant

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:48:15 +0000

Today I’ve been reading sample essays on how coaching can help to facilitate change. One opens with the line:

Change is the one constant we all live with, that and the certainty of our own death.

Cheery.

Tags: #march2020 #mementomori

About

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:40:42 +0000

The author

Lost Sentences is a personal blog written by me, Emma Cragg.

Let’s start with a bit about the stuff I’m interested in outside of my work.

I’m a foody – I love to cook and eat delicious meals.

I’m a sports fanatic – I play, I watch, I listen to almost anything.

I’m an avid reader – mostly fiction, but I’ll give anything a try.

I’m a maker - I love to make things, both physical and digital.

Simple things make me very happy. Things like looking at the moon, a tasty pint of beer, being by the sea or getting my favourite seat in the cinema.

I like to look on the bright side of life.

On the off chance you’re interested in my work, here’s a few of the things I do:

coaching with individuals and teams
facilitation of workshops and meetings
content design, copywriting and editing

The content

Many of the posts on this blog will be short observations about what’s going on in the world around me. You’ll also find quotes from the things I’m reading and maybe, occasionally, a few photos. I like making lists too.

I’ve taken inspiration from Simon Collison’s Stream and Doug Belshaw’s discours.es

The title

I have a [bad] habit of regularly not finishing sentences. Someone I used to live with once suggested I keep a record of these lost sentences. I liked the idea and the name has kind of stuck with me through all previous efforts at personal blogging.

The theme

I’ve adapted the Carbontwelve theme for write.as. My minimal changes include a new colour scheme and moving blockquotes inline for larger screens.

Elsewhere on the web

There’s more info about my work on my website, where you can also sign up to receive my musings on personal development in the form of a monthly newsletter. You can link to my main social accounts from there too.

You can also find me over on micro.blog, and less frequently on Mastodon.

Tags: #general #blogging

What is enough?

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 10:12:28 +0000

Enough seems like a radical idea in a world that is conditioned to more. The concept of sufficiency runs contrary to so many values the Western world has ingrained in us. Our autopilot strives for bigger, better, more….

Several studies have shown that once a certain ‘satiation point’ has been reached, more money has no long-term effect on our level of contentment. And yet, we relentlessly optimise our private and professional lives for more, perhaps too scared to contemplate what we would do with ourselves if we were so foolish to accept enough.

Source: Kai Brach in Dense Discovery Issue 73

#DenseDiscovery #quote #sustainability

Prioritizing wellbeing

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 14:30:27 +0000

In Adam Smith’s earlier work, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments,” which I think is just as important, he made the observation that the value of any government is judged in proportion to the extent that it makes its people happy. I think that is a good founding principle for any group of countries focused on promoting well-being. None of us have all of the answers, not even Scotland, the birthplace of Adam Smith. But in the world we live in today, with growing divides and inequalities, with disaffection and alienation, it is more important than ever that we ask and find the answers to those questions and promote a vision of society that has well-being, not just wealth, at its very heart.

Source: Why governments should prioritize well-being TED Talk by Nicola Sturgeon

#wellbeing #happiness #quote

Life is short, don't wait

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 13:57:03 +0000

If you find yourself thinking that life is too short for something, you should try to eliminate it if you can…

Cultivate a habit of impatience about the things you most want to do. Don’t wait before climbing that mountain or writing that book or visiting your mother. You don’t need to be constantly reminding yourself why you shouldn’t wait. Just don’t wait.

Source: Life is short by Paul Graham

#mementomori #quote

Balancing the accounts

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 15:09:43 +0000

Just because we’re working to fill one account (our bank account), doesn’t mean we should diminish our life and health account in the process. We need both accounts in good standing to have a good life.

Source: Your other account balance by Paul Jarvis

#wellbeing #productivity #worklife #quote

RIP blogging?

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 09:46:18 +0000

Here’s the thing: there are good blogs to read. Some old ones are gone, but new good ones are created all the time.

And there are good RSS readers which you can use instead of (or in addition) to Twitter and Facebook.

And — most importantly — nothing is stopping you from writing joyfully and creatively for the web! You can entertain, you can have fun, you can push the boundaries of the form, if you want to. Or you can just write about cats as you develop your voice. Whatever you want!

Source: You Choose by Brent Simmons

#writing #quote #blogging

Instructions for living a life...

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 08:59:48 +0000

Pay attention Be astonished Tell about it

Extract from Sometimes by Mary Oliver

Source: You do not have to be good by Austin Kleon

#poetry #MaryOliver

Creatives are...

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:04:26 +0000

People going through some endeavour trying to build or create or make something. I don’t mean artists or painters, just FYI. I mean people who are taking a risk to express some part of themselves.

Source: Sunni Brown on Self-Compassion in the Creative Process

#quote #creativity

Money doesn't fix everything

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 15:27:49 +0000

Interesting analysis of the problems at Manchester United (emphasis my own):

“It’s interesting because we keep hearing they need to buy more players. You know they have spent a lot of money in headline terms and yet the whole thing is a horrible incoherent mess. It’s just a brilliant reminder that there is more to every area of life than simply having and spending lots of money and football seems to be really struggling to process this. Why isn’t that rich person happy… Why isn’t money everything? Well because there are other things like care and intelligence and wanting to be doing this thing together. And what’s missing there is not spending money, you know people have tried desperately and in a haphazard fashion to spend money. It’s intellignce, care and love and being involved in that project. It’s a brilliant lesson that we should all heed and watch endlessly on a loop.”

Source: The Guardian Football Weekly

Carry your life lightly

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 12:58:49 +0000

Carry your life lightly Don’t overcompensate, Or turn the wheel too sharply But if you keep the handbrake on, you’ll never know The joy of moving free, countering gravity No need for fear Even at speed you can correct a swerve

Source: Carry your life lightly by Anna Starkey

#poetry #wellbeing

Look after yourself

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:22:11 +0000

Do less and achieve more. Take quality breaks. Take the occasional retreat. Spend time re-charging. Get enough sleep. Read for inspiration. Spend more time with those who encourage and less time with those who criticise. Look after yourself.

From How to Be Brilliant by Nicholas Bate

#selfcare #quote

Progress might mean doing an about-turn

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:44:38 +0000

Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning, then going forward does not get you any nearer.

Matt Haig shares this quote from C.S. Lewis in Notes on a Nervous Planet. He follows it with this insight of his own:

Forward momentum, on an individual or social level, is not automatically good simply because it is forward momentum… progress might mean doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road.

It seems to me that often our egos get in the way of these about-turns. We’re too fragile to admit, to ourselves as much as anyone else, that we made a mistake and so we just keep ploughing forward.

If we can get beyond that, and check in with ourselves on a regular basis to ask if we’re still heading in the right direction, then maybe we can avoid going too far along the wrong roads.

#progress #change #mistakes #ego

herein, I only talk about the things I like

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:06:31 +0000

This was an important decision for me, made some years ago. It is great fun to annihilate something in a storm of arch Menckenesque hail, and I’ve done it in the past. But I came to the place where I questioned its utility here. If I’m spending time and space on something that is bad, then that is time and space not be used to boost the awareness of something good. And that is a poor trade-off, these days…

I’ll only ever tell you about things I think are good. Because, really, that’s all we should be spending our time on, and all we should be raising up into the conversation…

Here, we only do the good shit. Okay? Okay.

Source: Warren Ellis, Orbital Operations 9 June 19

What should we be teaching?

Thu, 23 May 2019 16:13:57 +0000

schools should downplay technical skills and emphasize general-purpose life skills. Most important of all will be the ability to deal with change, to learn new things, and to preserve your mental balance in unfamiliar situations. In order to keeps up with the world of 2050, you will need not merely to invent new ideas and products - you will above all need to reinvent yourself again and again.

Source: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by #YuvalNoahHarari

Bridging critical thinking and hope

Mon, 13 May 2019 09:06:30 +0000

Critical thinking without hope is cynicism. But hope without critical thinking is naïveté. I try to live in this place between the two, to try to build a life there, because finding fault and feeling hopeless about improving our situation produces resignation of which cynicism is a symptom and against which it is the futile self-protection mechanism. But on the other hand, believing blindly that everything will work out just fine also produces a kind of resignation because we have no motive to apply ourselves toward making things better. And I think in order to survive, both as individuals and as a civilization, but especially in order to thrive, we need to bridge critical thinking with hope.

Source: Maria Popova: Cartographer of Meaning in a Digital Age, OnBeing with Krista Tippett

False promises

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 09:35:22 +0000

When enough people make false promises, words stop meaning anything. And there are no more answers only better and better lies.

Wise words from Jon Snow in Game of Thrones, S7:E7.

#lies #meaning

Lincoln's logic

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:59:00 +0000

You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all of the time.

#quote

Democracy and the media

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:57:39 +0000

If a government is corrupt and fails to improve people’s lives, enough citizens will eventually realise this and replace the government. But government control of the media undermines Lincoln’s logic, because it prevents citizens from realising the truth.

Source: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by #YuvalNoahHarari

Invention

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:53:56 +0000

Humans were always far better at inventing tools than using them wisely

Source: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by #YuvalNoahHarari

Your network is your net worth

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 08:29:44 +0000

Your network is your net worth. The people you surround yourself with most have a significant influence on your behaviors, attitudes, beliefs, and performance.
– George Raveling

Source: George Raveling’s newsletter 30/03/2019

#quote #networks

A Lopsided Arms Race

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:53:33 +0000

Notes from the introduction and chapter 1 of Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

In the introduction, Newport highlights:

“the necessity of cultivating high-quality leisure to replace the time most now dedicate to mindless device use.”

The emphasis in the quote above is my own, this mindless device use is something I’m very aware of in my own life and something I’m actively trying to eliminate. In a world where we’re all feeling increasingly busy and like we don’t have time to do the things we want to do, we need to identify the activities we do that have little benefit and replace them with something more rewarding. I’d say this is my drive behind reading the book.

Chapter 1 takes us back to the early days of smartphones and social media. Reminding us of their original selling points, for example the key feature of the first iPhone was that it combined your mobile phone and mp3 player into one device. It evolved from there to become something far more ubiquitous:

“We added new technologies to the periphery of our experience for minor reasons, then woke up one morning to discover that they had colonized the core of our daily life. We didn’t, in other words, sign up for the digital world in which we’re currently entrenched; we seem to have stumbled backward into it.”

From this point, the rest of the chapter goes on to argue that our autonomy in this area of our lives has been taken away.

“People don’t succumb to screens because they’re lazy, but instead because billions of dollars have been invested to make this outcome inevitable.”

The question here is that if we now know this, why do we continue to engage with the technologies, and the companies who make them, that are apparently doing more harm than good? The two reasons Newport gives are intermittent positive reinforcement and social approval, both of which are manipulated by features of the systems, eg tags and likes.

Come the end of the chapter we’re well primed to hear how Newport’s philosophy of digital minimalism can help us regain control.

#CalNewport #technology #DigitalMinimalism

Personal productivity

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 10:12:19 +0000

Bookmarked: Why time management is ruining our lives

“Personal productivity presents itself as an antidote to busyness when it might better be understood as yet another form of busyness.”

There are some very interesting points in this Guardian article, relating to productivity and procrastination. Focusing on how I do my work, rather that actually getting on and doing it, is something I’m certainly aware of doing myself. It’s even something the very people who have come up with the productivity techniques we strive for are concerned about, eg Merlin Mann, who came up with the system of Inbox Zero.

#bookmark #time #productivity #busyness

Reading time

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 09:41:09 +0000

Had an interesting conversation with my partner this morning about why we’re struggling to finish an audiobook. There’s something about knowing how long it’s going to take (16 hours in this case) that makes dedicating the time to it harder.

Whereas, with a book, where it’s not obvious how long it will take to finish, it’s so much easier to say “I’m going to read for half an hour”. And just keep doing that until it’s done.

#reading #goals #time #note

What do you want your days to look like?

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:58:42 +0000

Bookmarked What your days look like

“What do you want your days to look like?” is a question I ask myself whenever I’m trying to make a decision about what to do next. In fact, I believe that most questions about what to do with one’s life can be replaced by this question.

What career should I choose? Should I go back to school? Where should I live? Should I get married? Should I have kids? Should I get a dog? Should I take up the piano?

“What do you want your days to look like?” forces you to imagine the day in, day out realities that making such choices will present you with.

#question #bookmark #quote

Fear of the unknown

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:30:52 +0000

New Project? Every time… by @bryanMMathers is licenced under CC-BY-ND

I need this reminder constantly. The only way to overcome the fear is to start and break down the big scary thing in to small achievable pieces.

#procrastination #fear #projects #creativity #image

Then what?

Sun, 27 Jan 2019 16:47:33 +0000

Bookmarked The Parable of the Mexican Fisherman (via Laura Hilliger)

If you find yourself asking:

why you’re doing what you’re doing
what the end goal is
whether what you’re doing will actually help you to reach your goal

… then read this.

#perspective #purpose #bookmark

Slay the dragon of resistance

Sat, 26 Jan 2019 10:32:42 +0000

Every time you ship, you plunge your sword into the dragon of resistance and you silence the fear.

Source: How to Build an Audience of 1000 True Fans in a Noisy World

For the next time you pause when pressing publish or send.

#fear #procrastination #quote

Discretionary time

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 10:33:09 +0000

Time to read is seen as a luxury, a flower broken by the storm. The first thing we lose under pressure is discretionary time, and yet without this investment in ourselves, we are destined, forever, to be ourselves. To deny the opportunity to become the person who we have the potential to be. To grow is to thrive. If we lose ourselves in the busyness of the everyday, we are simply surviving.

Source: On Reading

#busyness #time #growth #JulianStodd #quote

Rest ≠ Fun (and vice versa)

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:19:31 +0000

Bookmarked Rest Isn’t Always Fun (and Fun Isn’t Always Rest)

fun activities that we enjoy and find pleasurable can be depleting, leaving us happy and appreciative–but not well-rested.

It’s the ‘fun isn’t always rest’ element of this article that interests me most. My partner and I were planning holidays recently and discussing where we’d like to go. We ended up categorizing the locations by the type of holiday: relaxation (rest) or adventure (fun).

Our choice of destination will be determined by what we need at what time of year. For example after the busy summer retail period and financial end of year in August, my partner needs to relax. Whereas in Spring after we’ve hibernated all winter, we’re looking for adventure.

#rest #EdBatista #bookmark

Time and quiet

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 11:37:02 +0000

Time and quiet should not be luxury items.

Tim Kreider

Source: Time Off

At the end of the Time Off episode 10 Actions From 2018 there’s some bonus content, Tim Kreider’s audio essay on busyness. It’s similar, although not identical to his 2012 opinion piece in The New York Times.

This quote stood out to me. He’s right, time and quiet, space to think, should not be luxuries. We need to be able to build this into our daily lives. It’s a theme I’ll be thinking and writing more about this year.

#busyness #TimKreider #quote

Idleness

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 17:13:43 +0000

Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets. The space and quiet that idleness provides is a necessary condition for standing back from life and seeing it whole, for making unexpected connections and waiting for the wild summer lightning strikes of inspiration — it is, paradoxically, necessary to getting any work done.

Source: The ‘Busy’ Trap

#quote #gtd #busyness

Begin again

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 16:21:38 +0000

If the last year went awry and the supply of new ones is not unlimited, here, at least, is one more.

Source: Begin Again

The poetry of this post from Martin Wroe struck a chord. The sentiment too, of taking time to pause, reflect, and then, begin again.

Tags: #bookmark #reflection #pause