My 6 days off (11 counting weekends and the bank hol) have passed far too quickly. There’s a distinct Back to School vibe in the air. But September and October are the best of months, so bring it on!
I’m also looking forward to less guilt and fewer logistical challenges when the kids are back at school. And my birthday, which is in 9 days. And this year’s London Film Festival (full line-up will be announced on Weds).
Not work
I dismantled the kids’ long-disused 10-foot trampoline. End of an era. End of years of putting off doing that. The scrap metal people whisked away all the metal parts within hours. So diligent and reliable! What’s their secret? Podcasts and TED talks have been built on less.
I spent about 10 hours gardening, which is unusual for me. About 5 of them cultivating the land and sowing lawn seed where the trampoline used to be, and 5 planting perennials where a plumber excavated my front yard to fix a leaking mains water pipe. Both jobs entailed way more rubble than was anticipated or reasonable. My fork is bent, my back is fucked, but I’m proud of my toil. Will the grass seed grow or be eaten by pigeons? Stay tuned.
I also sanded and repainted the stinky door of my home office. It’s a weird phenomenon. It smells musty. If I hang any clothes on the back of it, they become infused with it. After a day with the door shut (i.e. any WFH day), the whole office is rancid. Cleaning it achieved nothing. Will repainting it work, or will the stink persist? Stay tuned.
I took the kids out in the Cronx, for 3 things:
- A McDonalds breakfast (they’d been curious to try a McMuffin, and were suitably nonplussed – especially Dylan who’s sampled Leon’s far superior fare)
- Clothes for Dylan that meet his new college’s strangely restrictive dress code
- Come As You Really Are, a great little art exhibit of hobbies and collectables in the ‘hobby cave’ (aka an abandoned Wetherspoons). You should go! Pics below. On until 20 October.
Work
I did some light prep because this coming week will be full-on.
While my leave flew by, I do feel I’ve reset my head and can attack work with fresh energy and perspective. Will try to glide above the weeds and politics for as long as that feeling lasts! (Probably about half of Monday).
A few good links
Holly Taylor wrote this on LinkedIn in praise of sending candidates the interview questions in advance. We’ve been doing it at the BFI (at least in one of my depts) and I now swear by it.
I never liked Oasis much, so I enjoyed this searing takedown of Oasis and the Gallaghers.
BlueSky is growing. People have been making these nifty starter packs to help you quickly (re)build your network on there. Try these:
- Internet of Public Service
- Internet of Public Service too
- Tech and Media
- Tech
- General Tech
- Movie Culture
- Film Writers
Shout out to another blogger: I always enjoy Hugh Wallace’s newsletters, like this one.
Shape the market and buy better stuff by Catherine Howe. Complacent vendors and scant choice in the local gov systems market is the most prominent area of market failure where a new DSIT digital centre could have the most revolutionary impact, imo.
Radicalised by a soap dispenser. This reminded me of Ben Terret’s fun talk on design unnovation in taps.
Watched, played listened etc
🎬 Rambo: First Blood. Showed the kids. Don’t push it.
🎬 The Blob (1988). Nostalgic, stands up.
🎬 Freddy Got Fingered. Second watch for me, first for the kids. Fun, dodgy depravity.
🎬 Bicycle Thieves. Ticked off one more of the Sight and Sound greatest films of all time.
🎧 New episode of The Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman. It’s damning, a must listen.
🎧 Louis Theroux interviews Belle Delphine. Insightful on internet culture and the slippery slope from e-girl content creation to OF accountant. (This gen-Xer hadn’t even heard of her, I hasten to add).
🕹️ Baldur’s Gate 3. Both solo and with friends. Which is helping me appreciate how much player choices change the experience. It’s ever so deep and impressive.
🍳 I, too, now have an air fryer (birthday present, opened early) so I’ve been air frying everything in sight. Hit me up with your go-to recipes.
That’s it for this week. Back to work I go, with my new geometry set at the ready.
