The New Zealand Bakery of the Year Contest (words I never thought I’d write) has gingerbread men doing the haka. It’s wonderful, even if slightly cute gingerbread men doing a throat-slitting action disturbs me.
xD.

In some ways, I am incorrigibly British and I have the great good fortune to live within hearing distance of Big Ben. I was delighted to hear last night, for the first time since August 11th, the sonorous chimes on the hour. The sound of Big Ben and the Shipping Forecast are, I would go [...]

If a former high school teacher adds you on Facebook, can you say you went to school with them? It’s technically accurate but does add a few years to me that I’d rather not have added.
xD.

As the floods of the past few weeks show, the UK is not particularly well-prepared for inundations and has to build more homes on flood plains. While a lot of the houses to be built to the east of London are (I think) protected by the Thames Barrier, a lot aren’t. Here is my brilliant [...]

I start a new job tomorrow. I’ve had a couple of weeks off, during which I’ve been to my brother’s graduation (a first in physiotherapy from Cardiff, with the highest mark in his year for the final year: 93, where the average was 54) and the wedding of Polina Obolenskaya and Barend Janse van Rensburg. [...]

If you ask me, a Nintendo Wii is a pretty good way of spending your severance pay :). As it seems to cost about half the amount that the other consoles do, it’s even better. Best of all is that it’s fantastic. I’m sure I should marvel at the technology but it’s fantastic. You get [...]

I am quite pleased to have had, according to the Tracksy widget on my blog, 862 hits for June. Given the relative infrequency with which I update and that ‘unoriginalname38.blogspot.com’ hardly trips off the tongue, I think that’s not bad.
I have a couple of weeks off as I change jobs, so I’m going to try [...]

Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera, but walking through St James’ Park yesterday, I had the sheer delight of seeing a police band playing (I think) a Souza march. The sun was shining; the birds were flying; the tourists were somewhat confused; and the whole thing was wonderful in every way.
It is part of a [...]

I will be giving the opening speech at the University of London Cogers this evening at 1900 at The Plough, 27 Museum Street. Map here.
Former speakers include John Wilkes.
More on the Cogers here and here.
xD.

From my line manager…
The Government has an Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England. Unfortunately, the acronym is AHRSE.
Father Jack would approve…
xD.