THE FIRST TIME I SAW A PANCAKE MACHINE #pancakeday

Today's fun question: I was reading some books in the library last week and one of them was borrowed by someone else. I don't remember the title, but it was white and quite thick and written by Emma something. Reader, it took me three minutes. I'd like to see AI do that.

A local kora player I've seen a few times is supporting a hammer dulcimer and handpan beat combo in a venue ten minutes' walk from my house. And I will be away. I am gutted. It's as though the universe created a perfect event for me, then whipped it away. Gah.

Absolutely gorgeous start to the day down Cardiff Bay.

I had a hearing test today. There's been some mild hearing loss since my last visit. This news didn't bother me at all. What DID bother me was being told it was two years since my last hearing test. Not one year, as I'd assumed. I made the audiologist double check. Yep. Two years. Bloody hell.

I've just realised my chimney sweep vacuumed my rugs. #notaeuphemism

Beyond the endless back-and-forth... What do we actually KNOW about GenAI? www.ned-potter.com/blog/what-do...

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“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video

small crab eating a grape (important)

In completely unrelated news, I've just stress-eaten a third of a jar of Biscoff spread and my heart is properly racing.

So, apparently, cycling coverage in the UK is moving from Discovery+ to HBO Max. Which is all moot for me, because I do not have the energy to learn the names of 2,347 channels available in various configurations via 724 different streaming services. (Neither, just so we're clear, do I want a VPN.)

Stood in a queue for 45 minutes this morning, only to discover, on reaching the front of the queue, that I'd been in the queue for the real queue. (I left and reframed the queuing as a challenging meditation session.)

Does Mariah Carey's hand look too big to you? (Winter Olympics opening ceremony on BBC2).

Watched an episode of Tipping Point, where the correct answer to every question in the final round was in the middle. I admit I've asked Google's AI whatsit for the odds on this. It's 1 in 243. The bloke won the £10k, but didn't mention the middle answer thing. Weird. (S10 E105 just fyi.)

Been in bed for 12 hours straight. So far. Nice.

Aldi are bringing out a cute, retro air fryer and I don't want an air fryer, never have done, but this one I do want. How annoying. Fingers crossed they sell out before I can get one. (See www.instagram.com/p/DUTBFq8lqR1/ )

Someone has messaged asking to chat sometime "this next week" and I am taking such umbrage at this, I'm tempted to just ignore the message completely.

Call for contributions for the first NLISN conference is open. We welcome anything related to neurodivergence and library, information, or archive work as short talks, longer talks, workshops or wildcard submissions. Please submit your ideas via our form by 2nd April 2026. forms.gle/y5SsGXZ4to2P...

I was feeling sad, so I booked two holidays. Now I feel sad and poor. Off to find some gin.

Travelodge, the buggers, now let you book specific rooms. For a charge. And as I'm in the habit of photographing room numbers of hotel rooms I've particularly liked, I can see me handing over £20. EVERY. BLOODY. TIME. (A quick glance at my phone reveals FOUR sodding hotel door/number photos. ARSE.)

Oh! The online train guy is on my TV. Pretending to be an astronaut. What a delight!

Spanish style Valentine's night at The George, High Street, Newnham GL14 1BS. Saturday 14th February, 7.30pm. Paella and bar, with flamenco from Dave Nash (guitar) and Wenda (dance). Tickets £20 available online and from The George Café thegeorgeatnewnham.co.uk/events

I find this offensive.

Ok, I moan like fury (and will continue to do so) about Cardiff losing its bus station (with some public land sold to private companies and the rest a concrete wasteland) but I've just rolled out of Cardiff Central train station into the bus interchange and onto a #101 with almost no effort. Nice.

As ever, the train journey home from Bath is a veritable rollercoaster of emotions. Train delayed by up to 45 mins! Oh no, sorry, train cancelled! But we'll take you to Bristol Parkway, so don't worry. Oh! Aha, maybe we can get to Cardiff! Yes, we'll be driving through the floods, buckle up, kids!

Woke up early, fancied a day trip, so find myself in lovely Bath, drinking an overpriced matcha latte and watching tourists with giant suitcases, airline luggage tags firmly attached, wandering over cobbles. Aujourd'hui, je flâne.

This World Economic Forum address, from Canadian PM, Mark Carney, is, if you've not already seen it, worth a watch... www.instagram.com/reel/DTyKOR9...

Valentine’s cards have just been added to my online shop. If you're not into being soppy, these cards are for you. www.gailmyerscough.co.uk/valentines-c...

Every day we all have to think about one of the most irredeemable cunts in the history of the world. What’s he doing? What’s he said now? How will it affect your life? What will be left once he’s finished smashing it all up? It’s unconscionable

A proud work day for me, as I said just one word* during a meeting. JUST. ONE. WORD. And that one word triggered a five minute response. How efficient am I? Exceptionally. *it was someone's name

I'm going to lying awake for ages wondering why they sent Pine's photo via fax. #TheNightManager

I have a stinky cold and much of this #TOTP is aggravating it.

“ICE agents, get out now because historically, this ends with you hanging from a lamppost and your body paraded through the streets.” - the …we rate dogs guy

This is beyond exciting! In 2027 I will be able to WALK to a stage finish of #LeTour! 😭🚴 www.letour.fr/en/news/2026...

Colleague mentioned that new-ish film "Frozen". You lot know it, yes? Said it was marketed at her age group, because, when it was released, she was ten years old. It's almost three hours since she said this and I'm still reeling.

Distressing dream, wherein I ordered an ice cream, covered in some biscuity substance, without asking the price, and had to pay £22.80. Worse still, it was mediocre.

I have a parcel arriving today, via DHL. I can't remember if DHL are one of the good ones. I am making a note here, so that next time I have a parcel delivery via DHL, I can check as to their reliability and tracking-fun-times. #SarahUsesSocialMediaLikeADiary

I don't know why I'm watching #TheTraitors. It makes me so angry. I loathe that deceit is potentially rewarded. I loathe seeing people vehemently misrepresent what they previously said (real life, much, eh?). I worry about the logistics of accommodating all these people separately.

Spent the morning getting ready to go out for this afternoon tea (which also included warm canapés), spent almost three hours eating this afternoon tea, will now spend the afternoon dozing and digesting this afternoon tea. A Saturday well spent.

4,130 knots down, just 770 to go. Ridiculous thing.

Here are my 2025 (right) and 2024 (left) lemon pigs today. They granted me no luck, they simply shrivelled. Disappointing. 2/10 I shan't be making a 2026 lemon pig.

Mediocre sunrise down Cardiff Bay. Happy new year. Etcetera.

Pappardelle is the best pasta.

My new year's resolution is to make no effort to understand things I am too old to care about. I want no repeat of those Labubu and 6-7 nonsenses.

There was a low tide in Cardiff this morning, so I walked from Cardiff Bay Barrage a short distance around Penarth Head. The sunrise over the mud of the Severn Estuary, birds feeding along the water's edge, was stunning. And deliciously quiet. Don't tell others this is here, ok?

I'm watching 'Oppenheimer'. I'm engrossed, but struggling with the constant, scratchy music-noise. I understand it's an artistic choice, a narrative device even, yet it's hurting my ears enough that I'm having to take frequent breaks. I could never have seen it in a cinema. Unlike 'Barbie'.

Update: Uggi has bitten another book to add to the giveaway! We are going to see if he feels up to biting a couple more later today.

2.5 hours to wrap my nieces' Christmas presents. Ludicrous. Will demand they take as long to open them, when I see them on Monday.