More observant people may have noticed I’ve updated my blog header.  My long term aim – knowing me this will be in 2020 – is to go self-hosted and to get myself a slightly more presentable theme. I was just about to use the blog migration service offered by Pipdig when it all got a bit heated online. I’ve said it before, but sometimes being lazy does have advantages.  I’m writing the first part of this Juneathon update on a delayed train at Birmingham New Street. I’m not complaining because the slight delay meant that I was able to get on an earlier train; fingers crossed it moves soon.

It’s taking me longer than I’d like to adapt to getting out of bed at 05:30. I still need to refine my morning routine as I found myself faffing quite a lot this morning. I just don’t seem to be able to function when I first get out of bed. Hopefully practice will make perfect. Despite my grumbles, I think getting in early is the way forward as it means that I can leave the office at 15:30 and miss both the morning and evening rush hours.

Work was what I’d describe as busy but in a positive way. I remembered to book train tickets for my day trip down to the Exeter office on Thursday. My wireless mouse and laptop bag arrived, it’s just a shame my work phone appears to have gone AWOL. Someone apparently signed for it last Wednesday. The only parcel that arrived for me last Wednesday was an encrypted USB stick. I’m sure the phone will make an appearance at some stage.

In between phone calls, reading through an application form for an ex-colleague in Wallingford and training sessions, I tried to respond to the emails I received about a paper which will hopefully be appearing in a special issue of the academic journal my late PhD supervisor founded. It’s great that the paper is finally progressing but the timing is a little unfortunate.

Phew, the train has finally made it to Four Oaks, I can escape the sound of a toddler having a tantrum.

My plan to have a productive evening didn’t quite work out. I spent a few minutes researching running groups in Birmingham and was reminded about the existence of GoodGym. I walked the short distance to the Post Office and got soaked. My waterproof jacket clearly wasn’t very waterproof. I got back from the Post Office and watched the final few overs of the England v Afghanistan cricket match. Once I sat down and relaxed it was game over; one minute I had plenty of time to run, the next I’d had a nap which lasted a little longer than planned and it was almost time for bed. I was also hungry and knew that I had to eat.

Random photos from Day 18

I wanted to take some photos outside Birmingham New Street but didn’t feel completely safe getting my phone out. I’ll try again tomorrow.

Best thing spotted on the Internet on Day 18

I love Susie Dent’s ‘word of the day’ tweets.

Word of the day: ‘cockalorum’: 18th-century speak for a self-important, strutting little man.

— Susie Dent (@susie_dent) June 18, 2019

I’m going to see if I can incorporate cockalorum into my next team meeting.

Cumulative Juneathon Distance: 16.5 km

🙂