A rare miss for Catalans, I think. Not a fan of the black detail on the home kit.

Today's work soundtrack:

Really bloody enjoyed Superman.

This Friday shall be spent In the Court of the Crimson King.

Books 25, 26 & 27 of 2025: 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. I only meant to read the first book and then come back to this, but it was such a compelling read that I had to go through all three. I love Murakami's brand of weird.

Early Evening

Today is supported by David Gilmour, Nick Cave and Miles Davies.

God it's hard being a Vikings fan.

Book 22 of 2025: The Battle of Britain by James Holland. In true Holland style this book about the Battle of Britain starts before the declaration of war in 1939. This results in a near thousand pager! But I'll say this much, they're a great near-thousand pages. Strong recommend.

In the office today and the soundtrack for the commute in will be the Grateful Dead's Anthems of the Sun. I expect the commute home will feature some dark and driving synthwave as I tire of all things human.

Book 20 of 2025: The Lady from Zagreb by Philip Kerr. A Bernie Gunther book, so obviously I loved it. This one felt much more in the noir style than the last couple (if I remember rightly) and it absolutely works.

Book 19 of 2025: East West Street by @philippesands.bsky.social The origins of the terms 'genocide' and 'crimes against humanity' in international law and their first usage at Nuremberg. Fascinating and haunting, this was another excellent book from Sands who never disappoints.

Book 18 of 2025: Cassino '44 by James Holland. The Allied invasion/liberation of Italy in the second world war was flippin' horrible. The accounts of people there are eye opening, as is the description of some of the bungling decisions made by commanders, both Allied and German.

I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/

Smashing Pumpkins were incredible. I'm a happy man

Monday listening.

Met up in Leeds for a band jam yesterday. When departing, my friend was notified that his train home to Liverpool was cancelled. It's okay though: They offered an 11.5 hour bus journey home in recompense for cancelling the train at late notice. We really are a joke of a country.

Damn, Evil Dead 2 is a good time. Haven't watched it in a while and it's cracking fun.

Got myself a treat and the first poem I land on upon a flick through has vindicated the purchase:

Book 17 of 2025: Lords of Uncreation by @aptshadow.bsky.social Final part of the Final Architecture series. A thrilling and bittersweet end. What a trilogy this has been. So very, very good.

It's a dream Thursday: I received a superb bundle from @everythingjazz.bsky.social this morning, containing some fantastic Blue Note records and swag. I am a happy chap, I'll say that much.

Every night when my toddler starts being cheeky when it's time for bed, but I must retain a disciplined front.

There's a strong argument that music peaked with: open.spotify.com/track/6VZlkM...

An evening of reading Arthur Machen is what I needed to calm a rumbling anxiety.

Django Reinhardt to bring in the work week. A sense of hope is kindled which cannot hope to take flame.

Book 16 of 2025: Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Second book in the Final Architecture trilogy, and the series continues to be absolutely fantastic. High octane space opera with great characters, universal threat, subterfuge and mystery. Seriously, get reading this series.

Somehow missed that @kapow-comics.bsky.social had found his way to this gaff. Go see the goodness.

I shall round off the work-week with David Gilmour and Paul Simon making a Friday morning more bearable.

After a suboptimal week, I'm rounding off the week with some Weather Report. It is the note on which to start the weekend.

It has been a long week (and it ain't over yet) flitting between irrationally annoyed and a deep malaise.

At the point in life where if I shave and wear a suit I'll look like a fat Eddie Hitler.

Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of the dot on scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner of the dot. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

Crikey, Deltarune is some good stuff.

I have today inadvertently dressed as a middle aged man pining for a sad and lonely past.

Book 13 of 2025: The Patient Assassin by @anitaanand.bsky.social Fantastic book. The fascinating story of Udham Singh's long-planned revenge against the British Empire. Complex and appalling at points, this was a great read.

Latrell Mitchell has been bloody superb today.

If the Knights aren't going all the way this year (and let me be very clear, it ain't happening) then I'm going to be hoping for a big second half of the year from the Wahs.

Book 10 of 2025: Return of A King by William Dalrymple. Another chunky book, this one about the British Empire's attempts to gain control over Afghanistan. Do you like your history with tales of bungled diplomacy, and incompetence This is for you! Fascinating book and another winner from Dalrymple.

Management types always seem to recommend books called, "Lead Bravely" and "Bold Talking", etc, and they all sound absolutely dogshit and are invariably written by a collection of con-artists. This lack of unashamed cringey-ness is why I have no ambition.

The continuing Kashmir shit show is yet another timely reminder that the British Empire is not merely a historical institute but has significant ramifications for people today.

My next book is City of Last Chances by @aptshadow.bsky.social and, even though I'm not too far through those title yet, AT is proving himself to be an author who you just read - don't worry about genre, about blurbs etc. The book will be good.

Book 9 of 2025: Victory '45 by James Holland and Al Murray. Details of each of the surrenders which brought a close to the second world war, with context of each party and the circumstances which made them choose to capitulate. Really enjoyed it and printed at the right time of year, I reckon.

Lovely day outside for a walk in the end - dog is knackered!

Pink Floyd's 'Live at Pompeii' has been re-released and that is absolutely how I'm getting through this Friday.

Book 8 of 2025: Perdido Street Station by China Miéville Fantastic urban fantasy. Grim, fantastical, weird-science, dystopia - it's got the lot; an incredible read. Really glad I revisited it. Next: Not a clue. Will consult the TBR gods.

Huddersfield Giants truly are the New York Jets of the Super League.

A day supported by Bad Religion today. Don't think about the fact that this album was released 21 years ago don't think about the fact that this album was released 21 years ago don't think about the fact that this album was released 21 years ago don't think about the fact that this album was...

I have just been in a work meeting where I've had to explain that my desk is a touch book-heavy at the moment because "my little poetry cupboard is full", and that I can't move them to that bit of clear space because "that's my record player" and honestly, I've rarely felt like such a dick.

Well, Greg Davies was excellent yesterday. A great day had with my lovely wife.

We're off to see @threebeansaladpod.bsky.social in Manchester in October. Very pleased with this.