2026-23

A busy few weeks

We had a good, relaxing holiday over half-term. The grandparents looked after the boys while A- and I had a short break at Nirvana Spa. It’s the best spa I’ve been to - lots of hot water, strong jets and a good sauna.

We then travelled to the Welsh border to meet friends for a few nights. We stayed in the same place we did last year - it has plenty of space for the kids to play and for us all to cook and eat together. By the end of the week I started to miss N-. He was there, he was just so absorbed in games with his friends that we hardly spoke!

We spent a day at the Hay Festival and in Hay-on-wye. N- and I went to see a talk by Olaf Falafel. He was very funny and ended the event with a draw-along.

I’m enjoying the current project with the NHS childhood vaccination service at work. I’m starting to feel like I understand bits of the system and have been able to make a few improvements. Spending time with James and Chris and the other developers at the Good Machine office once a week has been great too.

I’ve been to a few gigs in the last month. Julian Lage at the South Bank Centre was wonderful. Just a great band using Julian’s songs as ever-fresh jumping off-points for improvisation. I also got to hang out with Alex at a gig for the first time in a few years, it meant a lot to see him.

Rilo Kiley at the Empire were excellent, Jenny Lewis is still an amazing singer and stage-presence. They’d sold a few too many tickets though, it was uncomfortably full.

I travelled to Southampton for Rich “The Scene” Levene’s 60th birthday party at The Joiners. My old friends and bandmates were playing (Argelander, billed as “New Band #1”) and the place was filled with familiar faces. A lot of the way I think about the world, work, community and politics stems from my involvement with the DIY/Hardcore scene as a youngster. I wouldn’t have had that without Rich’s tireless organising and welcome. A true legend - I look forward to many more birthday gigs.

My quarter playing Pirate Borg at the Archway Branch of Role Play Haven is coming to an end. I’ve enjoyed it a lot. My favourite session coincided with Arsenal winning the league so at the end of the game I joined the party outside the stadium and again marvelled at the diversity of life and opportunities along the Holloway Road.