Now
This is my /now page. For me, it is a place to return to when the world gets noisy and complicated and I need to remember what's important. What I should be doing now. You can find out more about /now pages at nownownow.com with links to many other examples.
Updated Monday 22nd February 2021, unpinned/retired Thursday 6th January 2022
#Fatherhood: Embracing the joys and challenges of fatherhood – maybe a little later in life than average but loving it so far!
Family and friends: Remembering to reach out and stay in touch, particularly important right now. Not beating myself up about it when the world gets too busy but making a conscious effort as personal connections matter way more than social media “likes”!
Looking after myself so that I have resources for other people and other things! Getting enough sleep (hmmm, maybe incompatible with a baby!), personal down-time to decompress through my hobbies, watching TV, actually playing my guitar – remembering to give myself leeway when I don't achieve everything all the time. My current focus is on:
#Running – something I used to enjoy but hadn't done in about four years. I've just completed the NHS Couch to 5K programme so hopefully this will be the kick-start I need to integrate it into my life again.
Loosing weight – never a problem until middle-age(!), I'm doing it the low effort way with Slimfast. 11 lbs lost so far, a few more to go.
Hobbies: when I can find time for them, my current hobbies (other than the ones above) are:
Writing – I'm really enjoying this blog and want to continue it. Maybe start a journal/diary too. Perhaps even try some creative writing.
#Reading – other people's blogs, easily digested fantasy novels on my Kobo, random things on the internet.
#Beer – Thursday night #BeerBods with friends, embracing <0.5% abv #SpacerBeers, supporting independent/local breweries through ordering direct from them in the pandemic, and (when life allows) the local Cathays Beer House micropub who are staying alive in these challenging times by dispensing fresh beer to drink at home.
#Linux life – playing around on my little Starlabs Star Lite Mark II “labtop”, finding new ways of arranging and streamlining my personal digital life to align with values of privacy, freedom, respect, and treading a path of my own slightly out of step with the mainstream.
Making a difference, however small it may seem some days, to the knowledge and evidence base of this world through my job supporting and facilitating university research. In a time when so-called “Alternative Facts” abound, evidence matters more than ever, properly communicated with its limits, respectful of differences in interpretation and that people's lived experiences are also a form of evidence. The people dedicating their lives to this pursuit are heroes and they deserve support, encouragement and our collective gratitude.