- Our gas boiler had its annual service but also needed a new expansion tank and sensor. That’ll be £770, please. Ugh.
- I’m deliberately avoiding devices at bedtime. It’s probably sensible for my brain health. Instead I’ve been reading Project Hail Mary and have enjoyed being absorbed in a novel again. The protagonist is a scientist in space, there’s an alien, the Earth is in peril - just my cup of tea. Recommended.
- Work’s UK Christmas party was on Thursday at Swynford Manor, near to our Cambridge office. It was fun. I dressed up in Black Tie, met remote colleagues for the first time and had a few drinks. Staying overnight at the venue and taking the day off the next day meant I could get up late, have a Full English breakfast and then smugly drive home hangover-free.
- H’s school nativity play was Lights, Camel, Action 2! which is loosely based on Strictly Come Dancing. My parents came along to watch. He was a dancing shepherd doing the conga.
- I then spent Saturday in London, first at Arsenal v Everton at The Emirates. I had failed to get tickets in the ballot but that gave me access to the Ticket Exchange and, after many page refreshes, I secured a seat in the Clock End. However, it was a frustrating 0-0. The twenty-something guy next to me was quite annoyed by that and made sure those around him knew. 🤷 These things bother me less these days.
- The football didn’t ruin my day. I met up with Andy at Brixton Brewery (who had also watched a 0-0 at Bromley) for a few of their session beers in the tap room under one of the station arches.
- And then we went around the corner for Shed Seven at Brixton Academy. The Sheds are having a late career renaissance. They had two number-one albums this year and packed out the Academy with (mostly) 40-somethings having a nostalgic, lusty singalong to Chasing Rainbows and their other nineties hits. I don’t get to many gigs these days but I’ve never heard it so loud in there.
- Just two working days left before my extended Christmas break!
