A very exciting place in the middle of nowhere

Sunrise over the Orange river. The middle aged, middle class gap year is going well.

Wine tasting in South Africa. I would very much like to win the lottery so this could be my life for the remainder of my time on this planet.

The safety video on Ethiopian airlines is something truly special. It is so early 1980s it’s unreal and I am obsessed with. Luckily I’m on about 8 different flights with them over the next month so I’ll get to enjoy its weirdness again and again and again!

I'm upgrading a bunch of OJS and OMP instances now I'm working as part of @edinburghdiamond.bsky.social and SCURL Open Hosting. Upgrading these applications is fiddly as heck so I've written scripts to make my life easier and maybe anyone else who regularly works on OJS/OMP.

Sheffield have been doing these reviews since at least 2018. They're always awful, done without any notion that there are human beings behind job titles. For senior management to announce more, now, when the current dispute is ongoing smacks of punishment. Solidarity @sheffielducu.bsky.social

Staff ,supporters and students gathered outside Firth Court today in solidarity with colleagues locked out and facing withheld pay after lawful strike action at @sheffielducu Punishment is not negotiation. ✊

I failed to see a sign in time. This resulted in a monkey deciding he wanted to move in, me having to be very firm (I genuinely pointed at him and said ‘no you don’t, Sonny Jim’) and him then retreating to the balcony and sulking. I now think I can add Monkey Wrangling to my CV.

I am in Sri Lanka and have bumped into a chum from a previous holiday. It’s a small world

When Kevin and I get together it doesn't always end messily, but if past is prologue then I think we all know what's coming!

I have just realised that today is the last day I will have access to Box of Broadcasts. Farewell to my favourite and best way of watching old Miss Marple episdoes, I shall miss you.

New daily affirmation

Last day of work! And not just for Christmas, but for an indeterminate amount of time cause I’m walking away from Sheffield Uni to have adventures and do Very Exciting Things* *some travelling, some house renovations and at some point get an actual job again.

No more Western Bank Library for this Badger, and just another 4 working days before I go off for adventures new... It's going to be weird, not getting to work with the best people (cause Em is properly one of the bestest people ever)

It’s my last full week at Sheffield uni. Today I got give a card and I was doing well at not crying but then @nickshepp.bsky.social’s message almost tipped me over the edge. Of all the people you (don’t) expect to make you emotional!

Today I thought I was going to be very late to work cause my duvet was being ridiculously demanding of my attentions but somehow I am out of the house, dressed, full face of slap on and on the bus on time. A Christmas miracle!

Rob Reiner either made your favorite movie, or made somebody you know’s favorite movie. If you’re a Californian, he’s also part of the reason you or your friends can get married. He has changed more lives for the better than this asshole commenting on him ever did.

Just been writing a document and decided to use Calibri. I would never have even really thought about what was the most accessible font before Rubio kicked off about it, so that's nice.

Doll for all those people out there who think open infrastructure and open content is free, can you please remember the following two things: 1) Everything on the internet is rented. 2) it’s not free, it’s “included”. Someone somewhere is paying

Me, when talking about @scholtom.bsky.social

GET IN!

What the friggity frig is Yacht Rock when it’s at home?

I've got a new piece at @lseimpactblog.bsky.social today following on from my previous piece about the British Library cyberattack and arguing that, since the UK Government clearly doesn't care about the UK knowledge sector, we need to develop our own community-led tech and infrastructure solutions.

Maybe cricket journos should start asking Stokes what negatives he’s going to take from these performances.

happy cloudflare outage day to all who celebrate

Tauranga. This is where my brother used to live, so it’s very bitter sweet being here. I can see why he loved it so much though, it’s just beautiful

Cricket at Eden Park tonight. Bit different to the tiny (yet gorgeous) Hagley Oval…

A toaster clearly labelled as only for gluten free bread? Be still my beating heart!

I like flying. I'm a good flyer who actually enjoys a bit of turbulence (feels like you're a baby being rocked to sleep by nature). Today, however, flying up to Aukland in very strong winds was a deeply stressful experience, not helped by the woman sat behind me praying out loud for our souls...

If you believe in a royal family, you get what you're given. Paedophiles, Nazis, racists, lunatics, adulterers, alcoholics, wife-beheaders, toe-suckers, It's-A-Knockouters, fraudsters, ... the lot. You don't get to choose. That's how inherited power works.

Discworld QOTD, from Feet of Clay

These skies do not look promising…

I find myself at the International tree climbing competition. I have no idea what is going on but I’m already hooked. Unexpected weird sports are always a fun way to spend a Saturday morning

Dinner on a tram. Making @graysonscolumn.bsky.social jealous for sure

Christchurch. Finally I am here. 36 hours door to door, lost my purse, but now I can sleep and tomorrow we begin a holiday proper (and emailing all the lost property people)

Unexpected addition to the journey - Melbourne is next! And this is all fine and hunky dory and I am not getting hysterical over this even slightly

I am in Sydney. I should be in Christchurch. My luggage apparently should be in Sydney but is nowhere to be seen. I think I live in this baggage hall now.

Just as I had said to someone how smoothly it was all going…

I am now officially beginning my odyssey. I begin happy, positive and full of excitement. Let’s see how the mood changes as the travels commence…

Uk library peoples! Concerned about inter library loans and copyright in the light of potential journal cancellations? Well m’colleague and all round delightful chap, Andrew Johnson, has written all about it here so hopefully you can stop your panics doi.org/10.1629/uksg...

Today I am channeling my inner Kermit, cause today is a truly excellent day! Holiday!

The joy of working in the library on a Sunday is there's nobody else in the office or the one below so I can have my music on full blast without headphones. This makes me happy.

I have to give an 8 minute talk tomorrow. Just timed myself for the first time and BOOOOM!

TONIGHT! Come along if you’re within reach of Sheffield and/or on a mercy dash from the south to get some Hendo’s. This is going to be fab. I’m (a) super excited; (b) on my way! musicintheround.co.uk/events/chris...

I love getting emails from @scholtom.bsky.social. His predilection for all caps rivals that of the orange abomination yet somehow it is always entirely appropriate for whatever he's asking/haranguing/gossiping about!

In the footsteps of giants

After 24 hours in Belfast I can safely say I still know my way round without any issue or map, but good lord this place has changed. Mostly (and fairly obviously) for the better but I’d prefer far fewer hen parties. These were not a feature in my childhood and teen years for sure.

A rainy day in the motherland, so a museum trip is always the way to go and I very much enjoyed both this piece but also the confusion of many Americans as to what it was

Anne- what we need from publishers is transparency, and evidence of impact. Explain to us why you need the money you do. Seems overly difficult to get/ understand usage - need both data and user stories about impact. Helps make case to administration. #OASPA2025

Imagine the righteous rage I'd be spewing!