1/2 Just found a recording of the 2013 London perf of #FrankZappa’s “200 Motels Suites”. Whilst lovely to revisit, it brings sadness in that my dear New Yorker friend John (as big a Zappa freak as me) was due to be there, but died a few months before it. The empty seat next to me was important…

“Yes, I am beautiful, aren’t I?” #CatsofBluesky

Sorry to read of the death of #IkeWillis, vocalist and guitarist with #FrankZappa. Not only a key element in so much of Zappa’s studio output, he was a foil and compadre to Zappa live, including on the 1988 tour I was privileged to see.

Today’s in-tray is looking complex…. #CatsofBluesky

Re-reading John Heron’s "The Facilitator’s Handbook", I saw how influential it had been on me, including as an NHS Trust Chair, so have written as blog about how Heron’s approach may be helpful for a Chair: becauseitmattersltd.co.uk/facilitation...

Made #Ottolenghi Miso pesto crostini with charred spring onion salsa for lunch - tasty!

Phew! Just completed my first ever 10K run!

Interregnum interviews @jacobengelberg.bsky.social on his new book, Cinemas of Bisexual Transgression. The book argues that the way we look at queer film centres the gay/straight binary and considers what happens when bisexuality breaks the rules. interregnum.ghost.io/the-dangerou... #bisexual

1/2 Just finished “Cinemas Of Bisexual Transgression” - a challenging, informative, and ultimately rewarding three-weekend read. For a non-cinephile like me, I enjoyed the fact that I knew far more of the referenced movies than I anticipated, particularly in the chapter on les(bi)an vampires!...

Time to start a new book - going for “Cinemas Of Bisexual Transgression” by @jacobengelberg.bsky.social

Having done two #5K runs so far this year, this morning I've started with a #5-10K app! First run was suspiciously gentle...

I remember the days when home heating working was not dependent on not having a wifi outage in the night that stops an app connecting to the boiler and then seeming to be incapable of resetting... Fixed now (by wife replacing the fancy app unit with a manky old one) Leaves me feeling #old

Did my first #5K run of 2026 this morning - very grateful for having an indoor treadmill to run on!

So here's 2026! I'm on day two of not being Chair at Nottinghamshire Healthcare, having completed the end of my second three-year term at the end of 2025. It's been a real wrench, especially from so many wonderful people delivering care. We'll see what the year ahead brings!

If you're not fed up with my gig tickets posts, here's a link to a blog I wrote a while ago reflecting on my gig history: becauseitmattersltd.co.uk/music-is-moo...

1/n A while ago I rediscovered some of my old concert tickets and did a sort through. Many gigs not represented, of course, but here's a few highlights:

The importance of this book seems so much greater now even than it was when first published a few years ago, despite it being so needed then.

UK & EU people! you can enjoy a 30% discount off my forthcoming book CINEMAS OF BISEXUAL TRANSGRESSION, using the discount code FFS26 on the @marenostrumgroup.bsky.social website: mngbookshop.co.uk/978147803298...

also available in your UK bookshops! 😉

Well worth putting an order in for this!

1/2 Making @jamieoliveroffical.bsky.social Baked pasta dish, with an #ipod soundtrack by #ManicStreetPreachers, #Nirvana, #Phish, #DaveBrubeck, #AlbanBerg, #ArtPepper, #TheKills, #Hair!, #LeonardCohen, #BobDylan, #RevGaryDavis, #ShirleyCollins, #JethroTull, #VanMorrison, #TheStrokes…

I’m away at @nhsproviders.bsky.social annual conference. My cat is not impressed at being deprioritised….

My cat’s feedback about me not controlling the pouring rain…. “I’m not angry. Just disappointed.”

Did my first full 5K run in the last year this morning. Yay me!

I have a particular affinity for string quartets as a form of musical expression. Currently working my way through the Buchberger box set of complete Haydn ones - 23 CDs' worth! #classicalmusic

Just listening to #RachelPodger’s wonderful recording of von Biber’s Rosary Sonatas - out of print, but tracked down & gifted by a friend. Written in the late 1600s these show the likes of #TonyIommi & #JimmyPage weren’t the first to retune their instruments’ strings (scordatura) by some 300 years!

1/2 Had a challenging few weeks at work, but been sustained with some new (to me) music, incl #DweezilZappa Via Zammata; #TheWho Live At The Oval 1971; #JudasPriest The Essential; #WeatherReport Mysterious Traveller; #KasperRietkerk The Happy Traveller; #EvilBlizzard The Worst Show On Earth...

Sorry to read Tom Lehrer has died. His songs are one of my go-to sources when I need a smile. “Poisoning pigeons in the park”, “I hold your hand in mine”, & “The masochism tango” are particular favourites.

Looking forward to being part of the team representing #NottinghamshireHealthcare at #NottsPride25 today. Feels really important to be a visible ally this year. #NottsPride

I was discussing exactly these concerns with colleagues on an @nhsconfed.org hosted meeting of NHS Chairs a little earlier today @rogerkline.bsky.social - though not as eloquently as the summary you linked to!

Unexpected item in the baggage area! #catsofbluesky

Just watched this fantastic documentary. Thanks so much @morganmpage.bsky.social - such beautifully told life stories, journeys, & histories.

I’ve donated. If you are able, please support.

Spent part of my day at #NottinghamTransPride with colleagues from my NHS Trust & @nottsgic.bsky.social, then in Leicester at our #ArnoldLodge facility with patients, families & staff for a fantastic fete!

There were many important, specific questions asked, though not always answered.

& now 50 pages into the latest @stephenking.bsky.social, 'Never Flinch'. Such a great writer & storyteller, he never fails to grab and hold my attention

My recent holiday was a "9-book break", including books by @lairdbarron.bsky.social, @liu-cixin.bsky.social, @nataliehaynes.bsky.social, #MarkVolman, #PaulLynch, #LindyRyan, & #JaneFlett

Yup, @nehoc.bsky.social! I also like Margaret Atwood's description of Aunt Lydia in 'The Testaments' as an "iron fist in a leather glove in a woollen mitten". Beware seeing us as a woollen mitten!

Recently started watching a Vincent Price cooking show “Cooking Price-Wise”…. for real! It was evidently shown in the UK in 1971, on Tuesday’s at 11.15pm! The episodes on “Potatoes”, “Bacon”, & “Rice” confirm it is as outrageous as it sounds!

Glass' #EinsteinOnTheBeach always blows me away. Just finished the 4-LP version (which is slightly shorter than the original stage show, which I saw in revival at the Barbican in 2012) & it is stunning. The complexities in the music & libretto must require such concentration from performers.

When I was in Amsterdam at the weekend I spent time in Flesch Records & found some of the 20th century classical vinyl I've been looking to replace, incl Messiaen, Penderecki, Glass, & Peter Maxwell Davies. Lovely owner, Harry - knowledgeable, genuinely interested. & the vinyl's in good nick too!

Delighted to spend my day at Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s #EmbraceOurNarrative day listening to & exploring the voices of our Black & minority ethnic colleagues

On today’s Trans Day of Visibility #TDOV2025, as on every other day of the year, I am an ally to transgender people. More than at any time in my life, transgender people are under attack. Please know I see you, & I stand with you. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

I’ve had an email from #RAC (roadside assistance) offering me 30% off my renewal, as it lapsed a couple of days ago. Lovely! Except they’d originally told me my cover (for exactly the same as the previous year) was going up by 78%! Not playing those games, and gone elsewhere for cover.

Early train to that there London to support @nhsproviders.bsky.social aspiring directors programme - I’m chairing a mock committee for them. After a 4.45 alarm I’m glad to have my iPod & headphones for the train!

Amazing colour scheme on display in this morning’s sunrise:

Dita von Kitty in purposeful hunter mode! #cats #CatsofBluesky:

1/2 Just finished @cadenmgardner.bsky.social & @willowcatelyn.bsky.social “Corpses, Fools and Monsters - the history and future of transness in cinema”. A powerful, informative exploration of transness in film…

Prepping for @Ottolenghi Chaat masala potatoes with coriander chutney & tamarind dressing, with music from #U2, #KateBush, #VanMorrison, #PJHarvey, #TheWho, #IgorStravinsky, #JohnMartyn… & ready to make in a little while!

Just a chapter into @cadenmgardner.bsky.social & @willowcatelyn.bsky.social “Corpses, Fools and Monsters - the history and future of transness in cinema” & enjoying their writing whilst finding lots of new things out! Thank you both!