We’ve had the Gregorian version, the Lunar version, the meteorological first day of spring and in a couple of weeks we’ll have the astrological reboot at the equinox. But I haven’t written here (or very much anywhere else) since December 3rd 2025. That’s not a particularly long hiatus as this blog goes, but I feel in a very different space, a different world, a different me (or at least a rebooted me).

I’m a dad. I don’t just mean that in the sense that I’ve recently acquired a new offspring, although that’s true. What the last three months have helped me see is how the role is integral to my sense of self. I feel much more me now we’ve got a baby. Weird. More to say about this, I’m sure. But also, regarding the FAQs – he’s lovely, very chilled except when he isn’t, yes we’re knackered, but it’s getting better and we’re lucky that neither of us are obliged to jump back into “work” immediately – the fourth trimester is a thing and I’m hugely grateful to have been able to make up my own rules about paternity leave.

I’m not a fan of war. At all. Being a dad again hasn’t changed that. I’m especially not a fan of wars that trample on the 80-year-old UN Charter. And I think it’s despicable to attack any country when the majority of it’s population are observing a religious festival. I’m aware that neither of these are unique to the present ugliness. Just ugh!

The cliché worry is “what are we doing bringing a child into a world like this?” Well, my first time around, the Soviet Union was collapsing and the IRA was regularly bombing mainland Britain. I was born the year after the Cuban missile crisis. My parents were born either side of World War II. My grandparents were babies and children during World War I. So I guess the answer is “What are we supposed to do? Wait until it all gets better?”

In the meantime I’m enjoying Russell’s current video output. It’s very varied and equally good when he’s chatting with others as well as when talking to camera. Something to aspire to.

I especially liked (re)hearing this story about missions and goals.

Which reminds me, Interesting 2026 is on May 20th at Conway Hall (natch) – I don’t think I’ll be able to go, evenings out aren’t really a thing at the moment. But you should.