Having a Triffids sort of day. No, not that one. The Aussie one.

On our morning stand up at work. I've given my update, which is basically "I've got loads on, going to be lucky if I get this bit of work done by Friday afternoon, so don't go giving me anything more to do." How many times do you think I heard "if Rob could just test this" by the end of the call?

Timeline cleanse courtesy of Alec Duckart.

Have just been asked to write something in a memorial book at work. Pointed out that I'd never met or spoken to the deceased, and was told "well, just put something nice".

On a Teams call. Convo between scrum Manager & technical architect: SM: Does he need a nudge? I can be annoying to him if you want. TA: You can be annoying to anyone you want. We all know that. Woof.

The Good Place and Bojack Horseman. Both are essentially flawless.

Me: Player, I'm feeling nostalgic. Give me something from 20 years ago. *player puts on Placebo's Meds* Me: No, I said...oh, bollocks.

Braved the icy streets to gather supplies, only to discover that everything in the shop was reduced to clear and had 1 day left before its use by date. You'd think it had been Christmas or something.

Apropos of...oh, I don't know.

You know, I remember a time when the US actually tried to be subtle about overthrowing South American governments. Guess subtle was never Trump's thing, though.

Introduce yourself as what almost killed you: Hi, I'm lack of oxygen to the brain due to 10 hours of general anaesthesia during abominal surgery.

Being in work for one day after a day off is weird, particularly when you're the only one in. Could feel my eyes starting to close, so listening to some Dream Wife to keep myself motivated.

No cheating, repost the most recent picture of your prt(s).

Back from a brief visit to the parents, laden with yet more sweets. It really is a miracle I haven't died of a sugar overdose. Still, it's salted caramel Lindor, so I'm not going to complain.

Hmm. Well, something to aim for, I suppose...

My dad has just compared my writing to Michael Marshall Smith. Favourably. Excuse me while I glow a bit.

Quote with a GIF that depicts the energy you're going into 2026 with. Same as always.

Well, that's a nice start to the year. We take those.

Right, then. 2026. Let's go.

"This is a great idea," thought Rob. "I should try that. I'm sure my player won't blatantly take the piss." Yeah. Oh, well. Happy new year, all. I'm off to bed.

I've been looking for a soundtrack for the current WIP for a couple of months now. Think I've finally found it.

Picture of the staff who operate my account.

Done with work for the year. Time to relax and drift into the new year with two of my favourite peeps. Unrelated: can't belive this was 10 years ago.

TTW you've been working on a project for 2 years, you're doing a major code release in 2 days and you suddenly find a potentially critical bug.

Someone got so annoyed at me for posting a She-Ra gif that they followed me, DM'd me to ask what I thought I was doing with my life, and when I answered "enjoying it", instantly blocked me.

Newcastle Station on a Sunday afternoon is surprisingly chill. Check that. It was, and then a couple of sprogs turned up. Oh, well.

I appear to have accidentally found the worst sweets in the history of the world (they were mistakenly included in my delivery this evening). 1000% sugar, 0% flavour.

In that annoying headspace where I'm ready to travel, but I've got a couple of hours to wait before I can go for my train. Should be time to do all manner of things, but my brain won't let me settle. *fidgets*

Co-worker, seeing me clean shaven for the first time: "God, Rob, that takes 20 years off you." Me: "Thanks." Her, after a pause: "Yeah, you could pass for mid-40s." I was 42.

I will never understand people who see someone reading and think it's acceptable to just start yammering away. So fucking rude.

Worst job of the day done (washing up). Now to relax with a cuppa and maybe a cheeky After Eight.

Yorkshire. Bleakly pretty innit?

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. Hope your day is full of good food and good cheer, and as few family arguments as possible.

Just discovered that part of my train journey back to Newcastle on Saturday is now a bus. Not because the train company got in touch, mind, but because my mum randomly asked what time I'd be getting in and so I checked my booking. Not best pleased, to say the least.

It's cold and wet and windy out, but I'm inside with a cup of tea and a box of Borders dark chocolate gingers, so things could be worse.

Have I mentioned that I love Beth Jeans Houghton? Cos I do. Merry almost Xmas, everyone.

Mum, filling out a review for the restaurant we went to earlier: Food was excellent, only let down by the disappointing coffee. Me: You didn't have coffee. Mum: No, because it was terrible last time I was there. Me:

A Lord of the Rings cover band called Wet Legolas.

In Huddersfield. Surprising precisely no one it's dreich.

As funny as it is to see Jake Paul getting his arse handed to him (and it really is), it's worth remembering that he knew this would happen and has been paid a shitload of money for it. It is funny, though.

Right, then. Off to the wilds of West Yorkshire I go. I'll see you all on the other side (when I have WiFi again).

Tonight's gaming nonsense: Me: Sorry, that was my fault. I did a dumb. Friend: You're not dumb. You're just unlucky when you think sometimes.

Current status: watching a game's European and American fandom have a hissy fit because the creators have dared to make a change that favours their (much larger, much more profitable) Asian market for once. Cry more, you entitled wankers.

Okay, into my top 10. And what better way to start than this cracker from Kae Tempest's fantastic new album.

Message from the company's facilities team. Apparently the Newcastle office is now a "nut free zone". I am not sure I needed to hear that.

On a Teams call, and one of the anagers was informing us that a colleague is off because "she's suffered a grievance". She meant bereavement.

Okay, then. Time for the list proper. As I did last year, I'll be splitting it across multiple days to avoid spamming too much. First up, a welcome return for The Dears after a 5 year break. At #20, Tears of a Nation.

Looks like I've had another of those birthday things. Better than the alternative, I suppose.

Well, it's that time of year again. I'd intended to start posting my favourite songs of the yesr yesterday, but it took me ages to whittle my list down to 20 so here we are...not posting my top 20, but a few that didn't quite make it in - starting with a lovely bit of americana from I'm With Her.

Not even 9 o'clock, and I've already had to explain to a random asshat that someone's "first language" is not the language of the country they are currently living in. I need coffee. And possibly a large mallet for whacking racists.