Really looking forward to recording a podcast about Augustus in two weeks time. He’s no Elagabalus, but he has his moments.

Finished and sent off abstract. Negroni time.

Still alive!

In case the negronis get the better of me later on,wishing friends and colleagues everywhere a fabulous 2026. And raising a glass to everyone who won’t be with us to see it.

Wrapping up loose ends and preparing to start new things.

Very tempted by a conference on the history of food and medicine in Antiquity and the Middle Ages at the University of Łódź in Poland in May. Have until February to submit a paper abstract.

Starting to think about the next two conference papers and scribbling some thoughts: the first on teaching Greek tragedy in prisons, the second on Roman coin legends and trilingual inscriptions.

2025 not a bad year but need to achieve more.Feel like I’m treading water.2 publications bookending the year & more text book work.Too many jobs: stepping away from 2.In 2026 focusing on university teaching,research & writing.Looking forward to doing a few public talks,conference papers and podcasts

A morning atop volcanoes and amidst lava fields. And an extra festive treat: a 'zona industrial'.

So, Christmas morning playlist:drill or grime?

Off duty.

"Come ... It is time to keep your appointment with The Snowman."

Morning!

Holiday reading sorted.

A train full of loud drunks (not me). This should be fun.

So, 2026: some continuity but a lot of change. Exciting times ahead!

New 'The Odyssey' images show Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland as family divided (exclusive) ew.com/the-odyssey-...

Sweary lady in pyjamas and dressing gown (and duvet) drinking wine and whisky on the train. You don't get this on the Orient Express.

Sunday morning OU teach ahead of essay deadline on Tuesday. Then a lot of marking to do in a VERY short period of time.

Morning!

It is, without a shadow of a doubt, negroni time.

Serious wow! Just when you thought the artefacts from the 70s occult revival couldn't get any weirder.

Publication day again (physical edition). A heady mix of Domitian, Elagabalus, Futurism and molecular gastronomy.

Caravaggio’s 10 Most Provocative Paintings—Ranked news.artnet.com/art-world/ca...

Just a reminder that it is Krampusnacht.

An Anthropology lesson that I'm delivering today is all about isolated communities,so will definitely include numerous folk horror tropes. 'We follow the old ways 'round here'.

Goodnight.

Why some of my students dislike paired and group work.

Early start tomorrow: taking students to Bath to tell them all about hypocausts,curse tablets and religious synchretism.

Never gets old.

Morning!

Negroni time.

Christ at the Column https://www.wikiart.org/en/caravaggio/christ-at-the-column

Epic movie: Christopher Nolan uses 2m ft of film for adaptation of The Odyssey www.theguardian.com/film/2025/no...

Publication day! Kindle version out now,physical copy next month from Bloomsbury. My chapter entitled ‘Sensory Deception and Manipulation in Ancient Aristocratic Banquets’ and looks at what connects emperors Domitian and Elagabalus, the Italian Futurists and molecular gastronomy.

The students are just about to start their study of the Aeneid. They know I’m firmly in camp Virgil but I’m sure they’ll have their own thoughts.

Managed another 20km walk this morning. Need to gradually increase the distance over the coming weeks but work prep drew me back home. I think I could have comfortably managed another 10km. It’s all coming together!

Wow! 😮🤩 There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓 itiner-e.org We might have to have a lie-down.

Always have an exit plan.

The Marbles review – thoughtful outline of case for giving the Parthenon marbles back to Greece www.theguardian.com/film/2025/no...