Loving the sunset views over London this evening.
Loving the sunset views over London this evening.
Yes, this is a day late, but it’s been quite the week so I hope you’ll understand.
And that….was the week that was.
A quick update
Following yesterday’s less than stellar medical update, I’ve since had a consultation with my doctor. And yes, I need an urgent referral to a specialist, followed by hospital time to get some quite unpleasant tests done.
Luckily, this should all be sorted in the next two weeks, so I won’t have too long to wait. I’m trying to focus on the positives and acknowledging that it could be a lot worse.
Well, today was definitely a game of two halves.
My other half had to catch an early flight to Spain, so I’ve been awake since 5am. Rather than go back to sleep, I headed into work early and got SO much done. I managed to wrap up everything on my todo list before lunchtime and then headed home.
Just as I was patting myself on the back for a job well done, I got an email from my doctor with some less than welcome news about some test results. So I have to have an urgent consultation tomorrow morning.
I’m obviously trying to avoid googling medical conditions and winding myself up even more. Best case scenario is an urgent referral to a specialist, followed by several weeks of invasive tests. Worst case scenario involves life-changing surgery.
So yeah. I’ve had better afternoons.
I’m distracting myself with Disney+ and a friend is coming over later for movie night. I’d just like to get the consultation tomorrow over with, so I know what I’m dealing with. Then I can make a plan and get some more certainty.
Onwards and upwards.
Sunset vibes
After a pretty long and busy day at work today, I took some time to sit down when I got home, and watch the sun go down. It was worth every moment of my time.
Welcome to the first in a (hopefully) ongoing series of posts reviewing the week that was.
Two big themes spring to mind as I write this:
One week into the new year and I’m attempting to undo some of the damage of a very lazy and overindulgent last few months of 2023. I’m really happy with the amount of exercise I was able to do this week, whether it was running, walking or using our much-neglected gym downstairs.
I made it to the gym three times, went for a cople of 4km runs, and this afternoon walked a loop of the Isle of Dogs - which is about 6km. Combined with a complete absence of alcohol, snacks or junk food, I’m hoping this is setting me up for some wins in the coming weeks.
I may be in the minority, but I’ve always found ‘Dry January’ to be incredibly easy. So why do it? A significant drop in empty / unneeded calories. Yep, beer is full of calories this little body doesn’t need. But it’s not a magic wand. So I also need to get this body moving more.
One week in, I’m already sleeping better and my skin is looking much clearer. No weight loss so speak of (a tiny drop on the scales) but I’m setting up some helpful habits that’ll
The highlight of this first working week was my office move. I’m now in a nicer building, in a nicer neighbourhood, with a better commute. It’s win/win. And while the day itself was stressful - about as stressful as any other move I’ve experienced - there were no disasters.
I’ve spent most of the working week setting up shop, making plans for this calendar year, and catching up on some simple admin I’d simple set aside in the run up to Christmas. The week ahead sees my first client-facing work for the year, and I’m really looking forward to it.
So that was week one. If the other fifty-one of 2024 are equally positive, fun and productive, I’ll have one hell of a year.
My second run of the year
It felt a lot better than yesterday - and I’ve no doubt the sunshine and blue skies helped a lot! I was also wearing my new running gear, which I picked up yesterday afternoon.
I had to get some updated gear - putting on three year old running tops made me look like a neon sausage! It made me very self-concious. So, one trip to Decathlon later and I have a new set of tops that fit me just fine and take my mind off how I might look as I plod along.
I repeated yesterday’s route and completed it just a smidge faster.
Onwards and upwards!
An absolutely beautiful morning in London
And as soon as I’ve finished this coffee, I’m heading out for a run. It might not be very long, or very fast, but it’ll be a run and it’ll be better than spending the morning on the sofa wishing I’d some something energetic.
I had a friend over for dinner and Nintendo last night, and we had the most fun.
I haven’t connected my Nintendo Switch to the TV in months and months, so had to charge everything and download some updates first. But it was worth the minor hassle.
I cracked open ‘Super Mario Bros. Wonder’ for the first time - it was a Christmas gift from my other half - and we played it for a solid ninety minutes before eating, laughing constantly. This game is magical and has so many nice touches.
I completely lost track of time and ended up with two very sore thumbs!
It was such a nice alternative to sitting in silence and watching a movie or TV show together. My friend has already completed the game, so was an excellent guide and coach - I learnt a lot! We chatted all the way through, he explained the game’s dynamics, and yes we celebrated when I finally got the hang of being an elephant!
You had to be there.
Contrary to the popular image of gaming being a solo and isolating experience, the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic device for bringing people together for shared gaming experiences.
I’m leaving it plugged into the TV for the remainder of the winter - unless it’s to take on my upcoming trip to Tokyo.
And boy, was that hard work!
It’s only…shamefully…when I look at my Strava app that I realise this was my first run since October last year. Honestly, if you’d asked me, I would have sworn I went for at least a couple of runs in November and December.
But, no. I was quite…sedentary.
The fallibility of the human memory laid bare. Which explains a large part of my ‘impressive’ weight gain in the last quarter of 2023.
Anyway, a slow and difficult run is infinitely better than no run at all. I’m going to use this route to train over the next few weeks, so I can compare runs and track my progress.
Just 43 days until my next trip to Japan.
And it’ll be my first solo trip. I’m so excited. And in a move that’s rather unlike me, I’ve put together quite a detailed list of experiences and locations I want to visit.
While I have several friends in Tokyo, I know I’ll be doing a lot of this alone, while they’re at work. So a plan is the kind of thing that will get me out of my hotel bed in the morning - in the absence of the accountability to a friend to turn up.
I want to document it properly, with a combination of photos and video. I’ll be bringing my favourite toy (the DJI Osmo Pocket 3) for the latter. I’ve been practicing with it quite a lot, so I can get better footage and take fewer accidental selfies while I’m trying to capture a moment!
I’m also considering running in Tokyo. I’ve done it before, albeit for short morning jogs, and some longer runs in Osaka. But it’s a great way to see a city - as long as I avoid the crowds during rush hour. And as long as the weather cooperates!
Ironically, the thing I’m most excited about is the journey there. For the first time, I’ll be flying to Tokyo non-stop with Japan Airlines. In my personal view, they’re the best airline in the world, and every previous flight I’ve had with them - even short domestic hops - has been superb.
I’m hoping my experience of the First Class experience from London to Tokyo lives up to expectations.
It seems like an age since New Year’s Day, which was, if I’m honest, spent on the sofa watching repeats on TV and bemoaning just how much beer I’d had at the party the night before.
Since then, I’ve gone back to work, moved my office to a new building, started a new fitness regimen, commenced Dry January and… it’s only Friday evening.
I had a very, very lazy last quarter of 2023. I mean I worked loads, I just didn’t get any exercise. It was like I was studiously avoiding the free gym in our building’s basement. Almost like I completely forgot that I could go for a run by the Thames at virtually any point.
I have no excuse. Picture me shrugging the world’s largest shrug.
But the new year, month and week has given me a shot in the arm. I’ve been downstairs to our gym three times now, Each time catching up on The Crown while on the cross-trainer. An excellent way to make this kind of exercise bearable.
I’ve shunned the beer - and all other alcohol - and intend to keep going after Dry January ends. I’ve give up the booze completely for most of last summer and the only outcomes were positives. Better sleep, better skin, (a little bit of) weight loss. And I’m sure my liver thanked me too.
The biggest changes have been on the diet front. As I was tired of getting undressed and shuddering at my reflection, something had to give. Seriously - after a day of wear, my jeans left me looking like I’d had a caesarean section. So it’s out with all the snacks and in with as much fruit, vegetables and water as I can get in to me. December was an absolute mind-field of filthy eating, where our cupboards and fridge were groaning with various cheeses, chocolate, pastries, breads and crisps.
Finishing all this off on New Year’s Day was our way of starting over afresh. Yes, “our”. One of the reasons this doesn’t feel like hard work in the slightest is my partner is doing it all with me. His moral support is priceless.
I have a school reunion back in Dublin this May. I want to look my best - better than at any point in the last three years, based on my photos - and that goal will keep me going over the next few months.
What’s really important is that I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself in the slightest. I’m not going hungry. I’m enjoying the exercise. And I’ll really enjoying seeing the inevitable difference on the weighing scales in the weeks to come.
Onwards and upwards! 🚀
Interesting London skies (and wind!!!) thanks to Storm Henk.
I picked up the keys to my new office this morning.
So excited to move in tomorrow. I just hope it’s all as smooth as the last time I moved, back in December 2022. It was all done and dusted in under two hours.
I’m looking forward to setting it all up to be a comfortable place to get work done. Given how much time I spend at work, it’s important to me that my workplace is a pleasant place to be. Even if the work isn’t always fun… I can be comfortable in my boredom.
I’m still surprised at how much rubbish I managed to accumulate in the last office. I filled bin bag after bin bag with assorted work-related detritus and boxes I no longer needed. It felt great to minimise and clear out at the end of last year.
Here’s to a fresh start for 2024 🎉
My Top Nine for 2023.
Just the best memories of family, friends and travel. Here’s to more adventures in 2024. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy New Year and all the very best for 2024.
This year’s Christmas centrepiece, created by my other half.
Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating!
Waking up to find that Ocado aren’t actually going to deliver the turkey we ordered is not the best start to Christmas Eve.
So, instead of leisurely relaxing with a mimosa and a mince pie, I have to walk to M&S and fight off all the other panicked shoppers to get a turkey. And thyme for the stuffing. And vegan mince pies. And an orange.
It’s a long story.
Seems like no matter how much I prepare for Christmas, there’s always something… Anyway, I’m sure the rest of the holiday will go according to plan. And if it doesn’t, there’s always champagne.
Cheers!
Inspired by the ‘Defaults’ post by Robb Knight, here are my default apps for a whole host of things:
Mail client: Mail.app for personal, Spark for work
Calendar: Fantastical
Cloud file storage: iCloud for personal, Google Drive for work
Contact management: Contacts.app
Browser: Safari
Chat: Messages.app, WhatsApp
Notes: Notes.app for personal, NotePlan for work
To-do: Things 3
Photography: Camera.app
Photo management: Photos.app
Spreadsheets: Google Sheets
Word processing: Google Docs
Presentations: Keynote
Shopping lists: Reminders.app
Budgeting and finance: MoneyHub
News: Apple News, The Guardian
Music: Apple Music
Podcasts: Pocket Casts
Mastodon: Web on Desktop
Weather: Apple Weather app
Backups: Time Machine
Screenshots: CleanShot
Search: Google
These are accurate as of today, but I reserve the right to jump on the next task management and note-taking bandwagons.
This year, I weaned myself off Dropbox and MS Office. I started using NotePlan for my work projects and absolutely love it. And rather than pay two subscriptions, I cancelled Spotify and now rely on Apple Music for my music.
I gingerly rolled out the yoga mat this morning and did a light routine.
My first in… quite some time. It felt great to do it again, but I could also tell it’s going to take me a while to get back to my former levels of flexibility and strength.
But we all have to (re)start somewhere.
Right?
Despite being on holiday today, my brain woke me up bright and early at 0645 this morning. There’s just no need for that.
Old habits die hard, I guess.
I stayed in bed with a coffee and did some Japanese practice on Duolingo, caught up on the news on Threads and watched some YouTube videos about NotePlan, my newest favourite app.
Since showering and getting dressed, I’ve actually been 100% relaxing!
There are no remaining Christmas errands - which is quite the surprise. I’m normally frantic at this point, but everything has been bought, gifts wrapped and food organised. So I’m going to have an early lunch, then catch up with a local friend and have a couple of leisurely pints.
I’ve also scheduled beers with another friend this evening - but it’s at the local Brewdog, where there will be burgers to soak up some of that beer. I’ve got parties on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to enjoy, so I don’t want to peak too soon this Christmas season.
And then we enter January - or as I’m terming it, The Month of Deprivation. Based on recent feedback and gentle nudging from my GP, it’s time to up the exercise, down the pint glass, and lose some of the weight I accumulated since the summer. He’s going to check in on my weight and cholesterol in March, so I have a couple of months to make a dent in it all.
But before then, there’s a full fridge and far too much rich food to ignore. Weight loss is next year’s problem.
Nearly there.
As soon as I end this upcoming work call, I’m unplugging everything on my desk, putting it in a packing box and then locking up my office until Jan 3rd. I’m looking forward to zero work for almost two weeks.
Instead?
Instead, I’ll be eating my body weight in turkey, mince pies, various kinds of potato dishes, chocolate, champagne and beer. We’re spending Christmas together in London, then visiting my family in Scotland for a few days, then back in time to bring in the New Year with ‘The Council of the Gays™️’.
And then?
Whatever 2024 has to throw at me!
A beautiful sunny morning here in London.
Just two more scheduled work calls (one today, one tomorrow) then I’m done for this year.
In terms of client work, anyway. I estimate I have about two hours' worth of office packing to finish tomorrow and then it’s holiday time until my office move on January 3rd.
And then the un-packing. But I don’t want to think about that just yet…
Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt.
Husband is looking cute this evening. We’re in the Netherlands, visiting his family. And it is so cold…