Taking my Brompton in for a service this morning.
It’s been far too long since I was a regular cyclist. That needs to change.
Step one: ensure the bike is road worthy.
2023
At the very lovely Club Soda to sample some alcohol-free drinks (and shelter from the hordes of tourists in Covent Garden).
Starting with a pint of the delicious Lucky Saint to quench my thirst.
Managed a 5km run and actually quite enjoyed it. Now time for some brunch!
Today’s missions:
- Finish this delicious, life-giving coffee ☕️
- Go out for a run by the river 🏃♂️
- Meet a friend to sample delicious alcohol-free beers 🍻
I’m very, very full of delicious homemade Mexican food, courtesy of my friend.
He’s a really excellent cook and invited us to his new apartment for dinner. A meat and bean soup, chicken mole and a flan for desert. We’re all having a lie down on the sofa to recover. Feels like Christmas Day.
Just ten days until my next trip to Sitges.
Can’t wait for some sunshine, warm temperatures, ample tanning time on my favourite beach and nights out for good food.
I’m traveling alone, which I did for the first time last August. It was such good fun, I committed to doing it once a year. My goals are simple: top up my tan, get plenty of rest, eat all the food and put a dent in that enormous backlog of books I’ve been accumulating.
This is what passes for July in London. I’d like a refund, please.
While there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect bag’, I may have found one that meets so many of my requirements, it might as well be.
Currently awaiting the delivery of a Via Workpack from Bellroy. Apparently, the courier will deliver it by 2pm and I’m looking forward to putting it through its paces.
What I was looking for:
- A nice slim profile, with minimal visible zips and pockets
- A pass-through for attaching it to my suitcase when travelling
- Decent handles for when I want to carry it like a tote bag
- A professional design, suitable for bringing to work events
And, as part of my ‘one in, one out’ policy for bags, I’ll be ebaying the Transit Workpack, which is super spacious, but a little too large and missing the luggage pass-through.
Pictures, and a review, to follow…
A super productive morning in the office.
Was a guest on a friend’s podcast and got to discuss my recent work on dealing with workplace loneliness. We recorded live and took questions from the audience who joined us.
Then I edited and published my latest YouTube video, all about the myths surrounding loneliness at work.
Heading back to Canary Wharf now to pick up something for dinner and put my feet up. Time for a cold drink out on the balcony - now that the sun has decided to reappear!
So Barbie was just the most amazing experience.
I could sit down and watch the whole thing over again. It exceeded all my expectations and had the entire cinema audience laughing throughout.
My most fun visit to the cinema this year.
People playing music on public transport without headphones are…tiresome. This is far from news.
I’m just tired and need to vent.
I was so proud of myself recording three episodes of my podcast yesterday. I was keen to get ahead of schedule and have content lined up for when I’m on holidays next month.
Checking the recordings this morning, I realised that Zencastr had used the microphone in my Apple Studio Display as the source, rather than the Yeti Blue mic I use for the podcast. And so, I sounded like I’d recorded everything from inside Europe’s largest echo chamber.
So, so annoying. Nothing salvageable, a complete waste of yesterday morning.
I had to re-record all three episodes this morning. The only benefit? Each was better than the first attempt. But it’s not something I’d like to repeat.
Onwards and upwards.
This arrived last night…
I can’t wait to try out all the air fryer recipes I’ve been researching for the last few weeks. Looks like a great way to prepare a quick, healthy meal for two without using an entire oven or a ton of cookware. As long as it’s not used for wall-to-wall preparation of french fries!
Stay tuned for some air fryer updates as I wrestle with learning how to use yet another domestic device.
Seems like my overnight ritual sacrifices to the weather gods have paid off.
I woke up to some sunshine here in London this morning. Unsure how long it’ll last, but I’m hoping until at least lunchtime, so I can get out for a walk and actually enjoy it.
Until then, eyes down for a webinar on coaching skills and a one-to-one coaching session. And quite a lot of coffee…
Summer in London 🤨
Counting down the days until I’m back in the Spanish sunshine and dipping my hobbit feet into the sea.
Until then, it’s just flicking through my photo memories and imagining the sand between my toes.
I don’t know why it is, but I’m finding it very difficult to summon up any enthusiasm for work today.
I’m not sure if it’s because the weather is really appalling here in London today. I’m not sure if it’s something to do with the fact that it’s Monday. Or maybe it’s a psychological hangover from three hours of watching Oppenheimer yesterday afternoon.
So I’ve been trawling my task lists for some ‘low energy’ or ‘5mins’ tasks and I’m chipping away at what you might call the low hanging fruit of my various projects.
Here’s hoping Tuesday morning brings some more enthusiasm and motivation.
A few lovely pints with friends, after the cinema.
Reliving our trip to Sitges, catching up on all the gossip and enjoying a great selection of beers and snacks. Plus plenty of laughs and a miniature schnauzer called Klaus.
The perfect end to the weekend.
So, Oppenheimer was stunning.
Beautiful to watch and the soundtrack was simply amazing. I could sit down and watch the whole thing again.
And, personally speaking, the time just flew by.
Morning yoga complete
Yesterday’s run - and ensuing stiffness and pain in my calves and Achilles tendons - reminded me of how it’s been since I rolled out the yoga mat.
Nice to get back into the habit. Albeit stiffly and with more wobbles than before.
Well, this is a very welcome surprise to wake up to!
There might not be any actors or big casting announcements at San Diego Comic-Con this year, but Paramount Plus did find one way to surprise fans. It’s dropping the next episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds five days early. The episode also happens to be the very anticipated crossover episode featuring the live-action version of some of the cast of Star Trek: Lower Decks. Having already seen this episode, I can confirm this is all exactly as delightful as it sounds.
I’ve been really enjoying Strange New Worlds - it reminds of the excitement and novelty of the original series (Shatner, Nimoy et al), with a very contemporary twist. The casting is excellent and the characters has grown and developed so much since first appearing on Star Trek: Discovery.
This little geek is very happy this morning!
So glad I went for that run earlier. It’s bucketing down now. Why is continental Europe melting in heatwaves, yet the UK is experiencing October-like weather in July?
More ritual sacrifices to the weather gods are required, obviously.
I managed 5km this morning…
It was quite the struggle, what with the very tight calves and achilles tendons, plus the wind that seemed to be blowing in my face, no matter which direction I was facing.
Still, a run is a run. Now for some very delayed breakfast.
And then lots more stretching…
And now it’s time for a much-delayed run.
It’s overcast and there’s a breeze in the air. Not too hot, not too cold.
What I’m saying is: I have no excuse. See you on the other side.
An overwhelming plethora of choice... 🍺
Saturday, July 22, 2023
After walking past it several times over the last few months, I finally paid a visit to the Craft Beer Company in Limehouse. I only had time for a quick pitstop, and a half pint of IPA, but I’m so glad I went. To say they have a choice of beers is quite the understatement. Their drinks menu is impressive and organised into a small ring-bound folder placed on each table - pages and pages of craft beers, gins, whiskeys and other assorted drinks.Just spotted that Tony Bennett has died
During a career that spanned seven decades, the crooner sold millions of records and won 20 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award.
I was lucky enough to see him perform live at the Royal Albert Hall many years ago and was blown away by his energy and his sense of humour. He was a giant of popular music.
Awaiting my eye test… and they’re running late. As usual.
I really, really need to get out of bed.
I have a coffee meeting with a fellow psychologist in less than two hours, an appointment for an eye test and some work to do on the podcast.
But it felt so warm last night, I had a very disrupted and inconsistent sleep. Finding it difficult to get started this morning.
Perhaps another coffee will help ☕️
One more hour of work and then I can head home to collapse. Awake from 2am onwards overnight, due to my old friend insomnia. To say today was an effort would be an understatement.
Good evening from a very beautiful London.
Just booked tickets to see Oppenheimer for this Sunday lunchtime.
Bringing a friend, as my partner simply doesn’t have the attention span to last three hours in the cinema. I’ll give him the summary over dinner afterwards.
And yes, Barbie is booked too. But next week. I don’t think I could handle five hours of cinema in a single day. And I get the impression I might need some decompression and a long walk once I leave the cinema post-Oppenheimer.