Wednesday, July 19, 2023
I’ve been using Micro.blog solidly for about six weeks now, and it’s fair to say I’m hooked. I love the simplicity, the lack of overwhelming options and set-up requirements and how it just gets out of my way when I want to write and share something. I’ve lost count of the hours I’ve wasted on ‘optimising’ my Wordpress blogs, changing themes and messing around with widgets. All of which could have been used to actually write something.I have two business trips in Dublin scheduled for September and October and I can’t wait.
I used to get home basically every month - but COVID put an end to that. Now nearly all my work is remote. It’ll be nice to get back and, hopefully, catch up with some friends.
Nothing to see here…
Just a Royal Navy Minesweeper sailing past my apartment. I wonder if it’s headed anywhere interesting.
Living this close to the Thames means there’s always something interesting to see when I look out the window.
Relaxing with an alcohol-free beer from Asahi.
This is incredibly tasty and crisp. And at just £4 for four cans, a bit of a bargain. I’ll definitely be getting it again.
Wrapped up work early and headed out for a run.
It’s been far too long since my last run and I always seem to forget how good I feel afterwards.
Just a slow and steady jog around the neighbourhood, but every little helps. And easy to fit in at the end of the day.
My plane has finally landed at Edinburgh Airport.
Now for all those passengers to get off nice and quickly, so I can board and fly back to London.
How long do we reckon this will take…?
Another flight, another delay ✈️
Thankfully, I’m in the British Airways lounge, so I can charge my devices, grab a cold drink and have a snack while I’m waiting. Bearing in mind how little sleep I got last night, I could really do without this extra hour of hanging around.
Managed to get some nice family photos at last night’s birthday dinner for my mum.
It’s so rare we’re all in the same place (and all in the mood for photos!). Some lovely memories created, food consumed and many, many laughs had.
Monday, July 17, 2023
Saying goodbye to some of the neighbours before I fly back to London this evening. ✈️ It’s been a lovely long weekend, but as with all trips up here to see family, I ate and drank far too much. So I’m more than ready for a bit of self-control, a bit more sleep, and saying ‘no’ to an extra helping at every meal.Insomnia update.
I ended up awake from about 12:30am to some time after 4:00am and boy am I feeling it now.
Thankfully, no work today. Just a birthday brunch with my mum and later, my flight back to London.
Today will be brought to you by caffeine and resilience.
And there we have it: the reason I don’t watch horror films that much any more.
A ton of anxiety-filled nightmares, followed by several hours of insomnia. Having tried all the usual tricks, I’m just lying here, reading and cursing past me for pressing play on Netflix earlier.
Why do I ruin my own sleep like this?!
I watched Insidious for the first time this evening.
An endless series of jump cuts and scares. Quite exhausting and not something I’ll be watching again.
Mum’s birthday celebrations
Enjoyed a lovely evening at my sister’s place to celebrate. Blessed with some very welcome evening sunshine too.
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Enjoying my coffee in bed, while catching up on the news. As ever, when visiting my mum, I slept like a baby. In no small part due to the peace and quiet here in rural Fife. No screaming police sirens, no car horns blaring, no party boats floating down the Thames. It’ll be quite a shock to the system to get back into my bed in London on Monday evening.Logan says hi
Named as a kitten for his enormous claws, he’s calmed down a lot since then. Now all he wants is belly rubs and to get under the duvet with me.
One of the perks of visiting is getting to have this little fur ball on my lap for hours on end.
At Edinburgh Gateway station.
Waiting for my train to Fife. Landed in Edinburgh at 10:00am and I’ll be in Dunfermline by 11:00am. Super smooth connections! ✈️🚋🚂
Next stop: Edinburgh ✈️
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
So it looks like the public betas of the new Apple operating systems are now available. And while I’m super interested in seeing what’s new in iOS17, iPadOS17 and watchOS17 in particular - I’m not really prepared to take a gamble with my core devices. Especially as I’m about to go on holidays to Scotland for the next few days. There’s no way I’d want to be without a fully functioning iPhone when navigating an airport!Spotted on my walk around Shoreditch this morning…
Okay, just one big item left on today’s work task list.
So I should still be able to make it out the door for 5pm and head home to pack my bag for my Scotland trip.
Last day in the office before a long weekend visiting family up in Scotland.
Lots to finish before I can leave with a clear conscience, but I’ll get there in the end and then I can enjoy a few relaxing days up in Fife.
Good morning!
On my way to run a workshop in a client office in Shoreditch, snapping photos as I go.
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
I accompanied my friend to his doctoral graduation ceremony yesterday. It was infectiously positive and joyful. Lots of applause for the grads, lots of hugs, smiles and even a few tears. It’s 11 years since I was ‘doctored’ but it all came back to me in a flash.Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Up since 5:15am this morning, to head down to Brighton. Ran two workshops back-to-back and then came straight back up to London. Somehow managed to walk 11,000 steps before 3pm. This evening will be a very quite one, with some catching up on TV shows, a simple dinner and an early night.Really, really enjoyed the latest episode of ‘Smartless’, featuring an interview with Tom Holland. I could listen to his stories all day long.
Like all the best podcasts, it’s like listening in to a group of friends having a chat.
🎧 You can listen here.
Things aren’t looking great for Evernote (again)
The Verge: Evernote has laid off most of its US staff and will move most operations to Europe
Evernote became one of the first popular note-taking apps when it launched in 2008, but has struggled since the mid-2010s as other, similar apps began to steal some of its thunder and the company has found itself bogged down in messes of its own making.
I remember a time when I relied on Evernote for virtually everything.
An absolutely gorgeous morning here in London.
Had a very early start to do some more preparation before this morning’s workshop at 10am. Coffee is my best friend this morning. Very much looking forward to finishing up at 12pm.
Goodnight from London.
I’ve just spent a few minutes admiring the view from our balcony before getting ready for bed.
Early start and a big day at work tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Sunday, July 9, 2023
I had a conversation with someone yesterday and it’s still ringing in my ears. We shared that we both, over time, had fallen a little out of love with London. I’ve lived here for over 23 years now - and bear in mind the plan was to come here for a single year, to complete my MSc in psychology. Then straight back to Dublin to start my career. Decades later, I’m still here, running a business, owning an apartment and married to my best friend.Finally started reading The Three Body Problem and I’m thoroughly enjoying it so far. I definitely regret not reading it sooner. 📚