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Beethoven Symphony 9
This was long overdue, it’s not amongst my favourite symphonies but it’s one I felt the need to get around to anyway – if only for the “Ode de Joy” portion of the 4th movement. It’s hard not to be roused by that. As a comedy treat I arrived 5 mins late for the prior…
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Hans Zimmer Live & Manchester
I don’t do hyperbole (except in the sarcastic sense) so when I say this I mean it: Hans Zimmer Live is the best show I’ve ever seen. It features a true living genius bringing his work to life on stage with an array of musical talent that leaves you speechless. The best show on the…
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Bounce back session #2, 12 June ’23
As well as putting in some key chest exercises I went hard on the squats and deadlifts. I’ve ached for a few days since. Pain is progress!
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Back to Basics in the Home Gym
Well well, what a 2023 so far! Yep, you guessed it, the gym went out the window from February onwards as the Spring semester kicked in. 10 good workouts in January. Zero Feb-May. 😦 On this occasion I could not be harsh on myself for this, it was genuinely impossible. Still, I got back in…
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Flying Visit: Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes isn’t a much loved town and I’m not sure why because there’s lots to like and little to offend. Maybe that’s its problem, it’s offensively unoffensive in its modern orderliness. It’s very American – roundabouts aside – which I guess goes down well with some and bothers others with its un-Britishness. Anyway I…
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New wheels
Very happy to have my first decent off-road bike and my first Specialized. As with Cannondale and BMC it’s no ordinary bike manufacturer, they build machines with personality and soul. The Status 140 is already a cult item, referred to as “the most fun you can have on two wheels” in one review. I feel…
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“CABS”, Celtic Manor & Wales
A wonderful coming together of things: returning to south Wales (where I have considerable history), 3 days at a 5* resort (which I’ve driven past countless times but never been to) and presenting at a major conference. The icing on the cake was being there with great colleagues and beautiful weather. What a treat! My…
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New furniture, new garden look (May 2023)
A new parasol and seat cushions can and does add real freshness to a garden, as can be seen. In recent years the garden has taken a backseat, but I’m hoping next year will be a major garden year. I’ll do a proper re-seed and enjoy some quality grass. In the meantime, a few small…
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The Lodge
It’s ever evolving, and it’s hard to put a value on the Lodge and how much joy it brings me. Very few people get to work in a place like this. Not only is my office beautiful it’s got an amazing location – right in the heart of the UoB campus, which is itself the…
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Trip home: Leamington (30/04/23)
First time back in Leamington since 2020. It’s bizarre how such a meaningful place can be less than an hour away and yet I haven’t visited for 3 years. Such are the times, and such is my point in life. Great to get back there; I’m fairly confident there will be more such visits before…
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Dr Martin James 