Met a really cool bloke at work today.

Had the honour & opportunity to meet @zackpolanski.bsky.social at #UCUCongress. We briefly chatted about Makersfield, the importance of trade unions, and my journey in @ducu.bsky.social as a professional services member. He was friendly, he listened, he asked probing questions. Was a pleasure.

Streeting: I’ll resign and have an entire day of press focused on me. It’ll allow me to get more names to my side now that I’ve taken a stand. Burnham: *Hold my beer*

As 55 MPs (at the time of writing) call for Starmer to resign or provide a timetable for his exit, one asks the question: can there be a nuanced discussion on politics on social media? I’ll begin by saying that Starmer is a wet blanket.

Edgar Rice Burroughs was super racist, but he's also been dead for 76 years. Strange New Worlds using a quote from one of his books is neither an endorsement of his racism nor providing it a platform.

One of the many idiosyncrasies of the US I find most mind boggling are taxes. Not the need to pay them, but the act of paying them. So, could a US friend explain it to me. How does it work?

The Last Dictator of Europe is gone. Orbán concedes, and Hungary enters a new phase.

Star Trek. Now in 3-D

Trekkies, can you spot your favourite Starfleet vessel? #StarTrek

A bit of a Lego day.

The #FireAndIce festival is boldly going with a sci-fi theme this year #StarTrek #Durham

Coconut Harissa Lamb Meatballs. Delicious!

“To escape and sit quietly on the beach - that’s my idea of paradise.” - Emilia Wickstead 1. Baker Beach, San Francisco, CA 2. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland 3. Bamburgh Beach , Northumberland 4. Embleton Bay, Northumberland

I’ve missed John Oliver.

Once again, I am out on the town and treating myself to a tasting menu. This time at #RestaurantFaru in Durham.

Who said being single means you can’t have a fancy solo dining experience? If you could point them out to me, I’ll raise my champagne in their general direction to show signal how wrong they are.

My evening so far for #DurhamRestaurantWeek at #FIIK. The soufflé has been the stand-out so far, closely followed by the Dill Mash that was served with the Cod.

It’s #DurhamRestaurantWeek, which means a week of tasting menus for me. First up is #FIIK, which combines a traditional atmosphere and tasty creations to the tunes of Avril Lavigne and Shania Twain and I AM DOWN FOR THIS!

Just a reminder: one of the primary causes of the fall of the Roman Empire was taxes. Don’t know why that is pertinent in today’s world, but it seemingly is.

I’m not actually worried about all this hate for Nu-Trek. We’ve been here before, numerous times, for each successive series that followed TOS. It’ll be like Enterprise, with ever growing appreciation as time passes. DISC, SNW, SFA will all have a resurgence ten years from now.

Does this mean we can get a sequel to Team America: World Police?

I’ve been reading a book on European history c.1674 to 1815. It’s a lovely tome, outlining the changing societal, demographic, legal, and governance aspects of Europe during the period. Essentially its central thesis is the development of what we would consider the modern nation-state.

So I guess I’m the King of Prussia now? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Happiest of birthdays, @fionaskywalker.bsky.social. Hope you have a great day and a fantastic year.

It’ll be cancelled after one season… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Dungeons & Dragons in the original Klingon #StarTrek

Finished painting this guy for our next #DnD campaign. Everyone, say hello to our Circle of Spores Druid, Dusty!

Lumiere has been and gone in Durham, the last one too. So it was especially poignant. Every two years this lovely light festival has brought a new perspective to the city. Sad to see it go.

Me: What a day! Glad we got that problem fixed, it was a little hectic for a second there. But time to go home, job well done everybody! Everybody: Andy, it’s only 10.30am Me: Well…shit.

A quick and easy one for #Halloween before I head out into town with friends. Chilli Beef, with Rice, Pine Nuts, and Coriander. Delicious.

Colourful meal for dinner. Butternut Squash Salad, with homemade tahini, pomegranate, pine nuts, and black olives.

Not surprising. Both from the perspective of Starmer and the UKs historical side-eye support of genocide (see: Cambodia).

Me in a previous era, circa 1986/7 and proving that deep down I’m a style icon you’re just not ready for.

Maybe too much for a Thursday night watching #MAFSuk?

Coming to the end of the second week of my new job. It’s been full on, into the deep end, learning new things and expanding what I already know. Trying to get the balance right. Safe to say, I’m shattered.

In any other industry, such as steel, was threatened with the loss of 12,000 jobs the government would intervene. But with Universities and Higher Education it’s just a Friday. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Morning All. Let’s smash today.

Hello, Durham. It’s good to be home.

Hello, UK!

Goodbye, America. It’s been a hoot. #AndysUSAdventure.

One last walk around The Strip… #AndysUSAdventure

One last night. Enjoying Fremont Street, and for myself a caricature to join the one I got when I was 21. #AndysUSAdventure

Hey #Nevada, take my money. #FlirtingWithAState

Finishing my time in #LasVegas with a meal at #HellsKitchen. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a fan of cheesy reality tv-shows, so this has been a treat. #AndysUSAdventure

Hey #Arizona, I could trace my hands over your Grand Canyon for hours. #FlirtingWithAState

Hey #California, your wines are prefect and I miss you. Let’s hook up soon. #FlirtingWithAState

Visiting the #GrandCanyon today. Took a walk on the Skywalk, and appreciated some fine geology. #AndysUSAdventure

Hello, Arizona! #AndysUSAdventure

After an hour at the blackjack table ($100 up), I decided to walk along The Strip.

Hello, Las Vegas! #AndysUSAdventure