Nothing like an afternoon teaching about agrarian legislation in the late Roman Republic to make you feel gloriously alive.

Just had a triple espresso on the commute up to north Devon and I still think I need more caffeine.

Good morning!

Group of teenagers on train blasting out something awful on their phones at high volume. Retaliatory Requiem Mass at the ready...

Author’s copy has just arrived.

OU online teaching this morning: two hours on Archaic and classical Greek sculpture. I’m anticipating the usual backlash against polychromy.

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