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Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
For those of us who have indulged in higher education, we have probably spent more time dwelling on the meaning of words than is ordinarily so. Academia is often a game of (relative) triviality and minutiae, with careers made by branding a particular take on identity or subjectivity or whatever else. A word that I…
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Backing myself: I WILL hit my weight loss goal by MID-SEPTEMBER
After 4 weeks of dieting and experimentation I’m calling time on the “test and learn” phase. Here’s a summary of key developments. After this length of time I don’t think about dieting (asides analytically), I just do it. It is now clear that I can live with 1,700 calories on a standard day. Note: My…
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Unforgettable Winter Trip: Belfast and Carrickfergus Highlights
I took a short, wintry escape to Northern Ireland, spending a couple of nights split between Belfast and Carrickfergus, and it turned out to be one of those trips that feels compact in time but rich in atmosphere and history. I based myself first in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, a fitting place to begin any introduction…
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From London with love
It was a festive day of leisurely exploration in London, beginning in the old City with sweeping winter views from the Sky Garden and Horizon 22. From there, the atmosphere turned warmly Christmassy at Leadenhall Market, its historic arcade glowing with seasonal lights. A relaxed walk along the river offered moments of calm amid the…
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Poland’s Christmas Markets
The Christmas market in Poznań felt intimate and welcoming, set against the colorful Renaissance façades of the Old Market Square. Wooden stalls clustered around the illuminated town hall, filling the air with the smell of mulled wine, grilled oscypek cheese, and sweet pastries. Traditional decorations, handcrafted gifts, and festive lights gave the square a cozy…
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Winter Trip to Scarborough
I ventured north for the first weekend of December, dropping off gifts and seeing my brother’s new house. Also catching up with my mum, it was her retirement and birthday weekend. As part of the visit I spent a couple of hours in Scarborough on a beautiful clear day. A great start to the festive…
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Birmingham Christmas warm-up
With so many weekends tied up in the build-up to Christmas, I took an early chance to sample the joys of Birmingham’s winter festivities. This included ice-skating at the temporary rink in Centenary Square, and perhaps unconventionally, a 5-course Japanese meal at a restaurant in the Cube. Happy Christmas to all (well in advance).
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Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul turned out to be far more European than I’d expected. In hindsight, that shouldn’t have surprised me—its history and geography have always made it a natural bridge between West and East, Europe and the mysterious world beyond. Swap the magnificent mosques for cathedrals and you could easily imagine yourself in any number of cities…
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Achievements as an amateur hour electrician
I’m no electrician—before moving into my house in Rugby, I hadn’t so much as changed a plug. But there was a lot to do, and over the past year, it’s been staggeringly expensive… without even paying for electricians! As is probably typical, the previous owners left behind all sorts of broken fixtures. Take the security…
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What Foucault and Kafka don’t know can’t harm them
I’m generally uncomfortable with the idea of a surveillance state—unless, that is, I’m the surveyor. I now have seven cameras in my fun little home-police state, where I’m mayor, judge, jury, detective, and police constable. Nothing happens in or around my property without me knowing about it. In practical terms, this means knowing the comings…
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Pride (In the Name of Garage Doors)
I always assumed the U2 classic “Pride (In the Name of Love)” was just another love song. A damn good one, mind you—but still, an example of history’s most well-worn theme. But is it possible Bono was actually doing a bit of DIY and felt chuffed to bits? Maybe he was feeling both pride and…
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Fear Street Part Two
A few additions to yesterday’s picture collection. It’s cheap fun, even in a cost-of-living crisis. I hear that it can cost £100 for a bog-standard meal for a family of four these days (dinners, desserts, a few drinks each). Thus, in the UK we’re being priced out of existence. My only saving grace is my…
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Dr Martin James 