Aug 18, 2022Member-onlyNotebook Changeover: White Winter EditionField Notes Group Eleven to Field Notes Snowblind Pocket notebooks have become my everything books. They are my sketchbooks, home to my to-do lists and shopping lists, my planners, my idea-books, my journals, and my commonplace books. I’ve tried keeping multiple books at once, each with their own purpose, but…Notebooks2 min readNotebooks2 min read
Aug 15, 2022Member-onlyFirst Day BackReflections on a late return to the office — Last week was my first day back in my base office in almost two and a half years. …Teleworking3 min readTeleworking3 min read
Aug 15, 2022Member-onlyA Week in Textures 1Monday, 8 to Sunday, 14 August 2022 — Photography2 min readPhotography2 min read
Aug 9, 2022When I say that people hate metal, I’m not exaggerating. I can’t tell you the amount of conversations I’ve had regarding my taste in music in which people claim they “can’t understand the appeal” or that it sounds “too angry and could lead to violence” or they’re certain “this is what they’d play in hell.” Consider that even though Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” took the internet and ratings by storm, e…I Was Eddie Munson, and You Hated Me6.8K74Benjamin SledgeI've been having these conversations for almost thirty years.I've been having these conversations for almost thirty years. Even now fairly regularly with my partner, who dismisses anything metal as "angry music" (and only partly with tongue in cheek). I've always found it amusing and frustrating that people can't see past "angry" or "loud" to hear the melody, the musicianship and the story-telling that lies underneath. An interesting recent example: last night's Commonwealth Games closing ceremony was in part a showcase of all of the musical styles that have originated or been popular in the host city of Birmingham. The show's two brushes with metal were perfunctory given what the genre owes the city. Black Sabbath closing the show was quite welcome, but the tribute to Judas Priest was so neutered and tame that any elements of Breaking The Law were barely audible. You could tell that the inclusion of both these bands was grudging at best.1 min read1 min read
Aug 8, 2022Member-onlyNot Getting StressedIt’s okay to be late — We were getting ready to visit my parents and it was taking forever to get everything ready and for us to get out of the door. Temperatures were flaring, words were being said. The dog was getting more and more wound up and the baby more and more confused. …Parenthood3 min readParenthood3 min read
Published inSustainability Calendar·Jun 7, 2022Member-onlySustainability Calendar — What’s Happening in June 2022Helping you to keep informed, take part in campaigns and plan climate action in June 2022 — Welcome to my monthly overview of the Sustainability Calendar. The full year-long calendar is here. Scroll down to see the list of everything happening this month. Everything happening this month All month: 30 Days Wild in the UK Until Sunday, 5 June: National Children’s Gardening Week in the UK Wednesday, 1 to Tuesday, 7…Sustainability Calendar2 min readSustainability Calendar2 min read
Published inRethink Convenience·May 15, 2022Member-onlyWe need affordable sustainable solutionsThink of this as a manifesto for bringing everyone on the climate action journey — Now more than ever sustainable solutions need to be accessible and affordable to everyone. People rightly need to focus on keeping their families fed, warm and clothed, but climate change cannot wait. Climate action cannot wait. We need to act now and manage all of the problems facing us. And…Cost Of Living2 min readCost Of Living2 min read
Published inSustainability Calendar·May 11, 2022Member-onlySustainability Calendar — What’s Happening in May 2022Helping you to keep informed, take part in campaigns and plan climate action in May 2022 — Welcome to my monthly overview of the Sustainability Calendar. The full year-long calendar is here. Scroll down to see the list of everything happening this month. Everything happening this month: All month: National Clean Air Month in the US National Walking Month in the UK No Mow May in the UK Sunday, 1 to…Sustainability Calendar2 min readSustainability Calendar2 min read
Published inSustainability Calendar·Mar 31, 2022Member-onlySustainability Calendar — What’s Happening in April 2022Helping you to keep informed, take part in campaigns and plan climate action in April 2022 — Welcome to my monthly overview of the Sustainability Calendar. The full year-long calendar is here. Scroll down to see the list of everything happening this month. Overview World Health Day World Health Day takes place on the 7 April and marks the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948. This year’s theme…Sustainability Calendar4 min readSustainability Calendar4 min read
Feb 4, 2022Member-only28 Dog YearsThoughts on the 4 years of having a dog — This awesome little dude joined our pack four years ago. He drives us mad, but I don't know where we would be if we hadn't got him. …Dogs1 min readDogs1 min read
