From the latest issue (sorry no refunds). shop.viz.co.uk/viz355bs

Dark patterns & web annoyances by Big Brands: No.436 @nationalrail.bsky.social preselects an unwanted @bookingcom.bsky.social link to open in a new tab when looking for train times. Not cool. Treat us like a customer, let us make choices, not a vehicle for your unwanted ads from your "partners". 🙄

When you ask Microsoft Copilot what the disadvantages of forced installation are - 😆

I work away a lot. I stay in a lot of hotels. Some nice, some meh. This one is very nice and it has what every itinerant consultant needs - a coffee table clock.

1983 was a good year for pop. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdlh...

Do Not Use.

Apple‘s attempts to summarise my voice mails gives me a smile every time. It’s charmingly crap at what it does. I had a call yesterday from “Ashley, Prince of Land”, apparently. Much more intriguing than the mundane truth - Printerland. 😁

It's a 1980's synth pop day. music.apple.com/gb/album/pho...

I'm a huge fan of Derek Jarman, and the anniversary of his death is looming so I have been rereading some of his work. Modern Nature remains one of my favourite books. This interview on YouTube is a wonderful insight into his bravery, anger and artistic vision. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rnD...

Murmuration at Lackford Lakes, with (I think) a sparrow hawk on the hunt.

As much as I love modern coffee, sometimes an old school proper Italian espresso is what is required. Bar Italia in Frith Street never disappoints. 👌

Gold, Frankenstein and Grrrr. Vodka Margarine #Christmastradition. bottom.fandom.com/wiki/Holy

Coaching summarised in one video. I love this. youtube.com/shorts/qg9kF...

I’m making a concerted effort to lose weight so I’m logging my food intake. Autocorrect has suggested logging an Espresso Machiavelli It made me laugh.

Listening to The Bible, the band not the Judeo-Christian tome, and its improved my mood immensely. youtu.be/dVdnpzman3Q?...

I needed headspace today so I got a Greater Anglia Ranger ticket and I’m exploring Suffolk and Norfolk. I can indulge in uninterrupted “train dreaming” as I watch the world glide by the window. Very therapeutic. 😎

Sad to hear this. I paid off my university overdraft working as a runner and general dogsbody at Farrell's London Spitfire Factory studio in the early 90's. A fun, crazy, chaotic time. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

"Terry Davis was on a mission from God" - a fascinating review of the production of TempleOS: born of faith, a genius level of programming skill and severe mental illness. (Link may not be available outside the UK) www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/s... The Mystery Plays had (and have) a huge impact on me. Tony Harrison was a genius and the National Theatre saw this and created magic with The Mystery Plays. Rest in Peace Tony and thank you for your legacy.

Would you like to join me in Sunny Suffolk to explore the science of happiness through the filter of faith? Does God want us to be happy? Spoiler alert - yes! We'll then be looking at *why* ? There will be refreshments throughout the day, and fish-and-chip lunch is also included in the price.

Today is my one year no booze anniversary. I'm celebrating with an Asahi Super Dry 0.0% and really enjoying it. 🍺 I've found most AF beers disappointing and generally preferred something soft over the last year, but this is lovely. Thank you @janejennison.bsky.social for getting them for me.

I suspect the here’s too much cloud cover to see the blood moon on the east coast. The sunset offered some consolation.

The light on the east coast was beautiful this morning. A stiff breeze from the North Sea activated “bracing“ mode.

Simple pleasures. An early morning walk by the sea.

This is an absolute joy. Watch it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=efID...

Does God want us to be happy? Combining science of #happiness, #PositivePsychology , & #Bible teachings on happiness, by the end of t day, you will have developed your understanding of the science & faith of happiness - & why it's important! Please book on here larkriseretreats.org/does-god-wan...

I have eclectic musical tastes - 80's synth pop to the dark fringes of Scandi Death Metal. Sometimes, I just need a dose of down and dirty rock and roll / metal. Whitby's finest, the Tygers of Pan Tang were a huge part of my mid teens. Love this riff. 🤘 www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBHI...

Humour is the best weapon. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwJS...

Continuing my series of shocking front page headlines from our local news site. It’s hectic here, I can tell you.

There’s a WeBuyAnyCar outlet at our local supermarket. There was a Bentley with a custom plate being assessed for sale yesterday. They really do.

If you want a lift this evening, watch these YouTube videos about artists and their lofts in New York City by Joshua Charon. It's joyous. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A_u...

You either get it or you don't. Enjoy. You know who you are. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT2i...

TIL: seagulls in flight can shit at 45 degrees through our patio doors and hit the middle of our living room. Isn’t nature wonderful?

As a 1980's teenager from Bedford I was aware of the Jesus Army, based in nearby Northamptonshire, and having a strong sense that they were to be avoided. This Guardian article documents the abuse the organisation perpetrated on its members. Not an easy read. www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...

Bunhill Fields Burial Ground is a cool haven in a hot, sticky and factious London. Taking a few moments to escape the humidity and enjoy some quiet reflection with an old friend.

Just watched our resident sparrow hawk do her thing in the garden. In other news, it’s not a good day to be a sparrow.

My ongoing series highlighting how sleepy my home town is. Today's headline on our local news site.

Top figure - our patio. Bottom figure. - My office. 🥵🐦‍🔥🥵

Ooooh!

Worth a watch. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Pm...

Love the book design ethos of the Penguin Archive of 90 classic works.

As a motorist I do like the design of the new LR Defender. As a cyclist, they are terrifying. It’s like being overtaken by a mobile city.

The joys of 'quiet' Sunday in Suffolk. The drum and bagpipe band practicing in the school field at the end of my road, and a neighbour going for the World Strimmer Record (Attention Destroying, Intermittent, Inconsistent class).

Has anyone else lost reader functionality on iOS Safari since the last upgrade? It appears to have disappeared completely on my Iphone. 📱

I'm 56 and I will be watching Ivor The Engine on the ITV Retro YouTube channel today. I've worked in Transport for over thirty years so it's research. Or something. #JonesTheSteam #OwenTheSignal #GrumblyGasworks

I'm rereading Joe Moran's 'First You Write a Sentence - The Elements of Reading, Writing … and Life.' It's just as much fun the second time around. It's a witty homage to the joy of a beautifully written sentence and the power they have when we read. Recommended.

I had an itch for some non-fiction so I have been re-reading Orwell's 'Down and Out in Paris and London' and Didion's 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem'. Both books are a masterclass in sentence construction and cadence. A reminder of the power of the English language.

There was lot of shade thrown at Apple for putting the power button on the bottom of the new Mac mini. I have had mine for 40 days, 100% uptime and it's cool to the touch at all times. You really don't need to turn it off. It's not plug and play. It's plug and forget.

Cycling makes me feel better. I have only done 16 miles this week, as my fitness needs some work after being ill for months, but the simple act of getting on the bike and pootling about is good for me. Sunshine, wildlife, avoiding the traffic and human-powered movement. All good.