One of the things that I told everyone who asked what I was going to do once I was retired was that I was going to try and learn to draw. We are fortunate in Morpeth that we have an art shop which sells everything that a budding and more mature artist may want. What … Continue reading Drawing lessons
Six long weeks
Image thanks to Medium At last the time has come when the children go to school. For some it is their first time while for many it is a continuation of the last academic year. Parents are relieved but not more so than grandparents. The six week holiday is when they really come into their … Continue reading Six long weeks
Bad as it seems?
I’ve tried giving social media a rest. I’ve not gone for a total switch off but have been trying to spend less time doom scrolling as it is not good for me. I came off Twitter some time ago as I found it too depressing, filled with bile and hatred. I would put my phone … Continue reading Bad as it seems?
Another bank closes
It’s a long story but I ended up with a cheque in dollars. Trying to do something with it has been a faff. I couldn’t do anything with it through the app (only cheques in pounds are accepted) and there is no longer a branch of my bank in my home town. The next time … Continue reading Another bank closes
Mutually Assured Destruction
Image thanks to SchoolsHistory.org.uk I heard another really interesting presentation at CyberNorth’s CyberSips event last week. It was delivered by Charles Dodd, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Durham University and was all about the current and future states of passwords. This time the regular monthly event was focussed on Space (Durham County Council and University are … Continue reading Mutually Assured Destruction
Thinking Digital 2025
I had to check on my previous blogs to see how many Thinking Digital conferences I have attended. It turns out that this year is my 11th. I must admit that I did not have the same excitement about this year’s event as in previous years, partly as I am still trying to fit work … Continue reading Thinking Digital 2025
Read the world
Image of Vaddey Ratner It’s a crazy idea I know but I get them from time to time. I read a lot, getting through two or three books a week, sometimes more. At the time I was reading ‘The Call of the Toad’ by Gunter Grass, a German author when I wondered if it would … Continue reading Read the world
More Net Zero
Image thanks to IT-Daily I’ev been thinking about the effect of cyber security software on the environment. It seems an odd thing to think about perhaps yet it is amazing where a small question can take you. Thankfully, Durham University has been there to help me get my head around this topic, thanks to the … Continue reading More Net Zero
Cannulation
I’ve been undergoing some treatment in hospital over the last few months. It’s nothing too onerous yet I am required to have a cannula inserted every three weeks. Thankfully (and hopefully) the treatment is coming to its completion. Each time it has been a different nurse and each has their own way of approaching the … Continue reading Cannulation
What’s in a name?
Image thanks to Waterstones. Jackman isn’t a very common name although it can be quite common. There aren’t that many of us in the world yet the name derives from a servile position. Jackman is a boy's name of Old English origin and comes from an occupational surname meaning ‘servant of Jack’, see what I … Continue reading What’s in a name?
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 