A blog a day #11 - new books and more painting

Another day painting adding a second coat of primer to the whole kitchen. Set up nicely to finish the job tomorrow with the top coats. I must admit it looks so much fresher and brighter already just having the white walls so I’m a wee bit pleased!

But I couldn’t face another full day in and headed out to spend some Christmas money in Waterstones. I picked up their book of the month, ‘The Anxious Generation’ by Jonathan Haidt, which examines the effects of digital and social media on young people. I’m a wee bit anxious to read it given I’m already worried about how hooked my own girls are on things like YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat. I really wish I hadn’t let them on these things at such a young age; it’s a huge regret if I’m honest. I can’t see any benefit to them while the negatives are plenty. I take a bit of solace knowing I’m not unique as a parent and it’s as much down to societal pressure as it is to individual choices.

I also got ‘LESS’ by Patrick Grant, which looks more at my own problem with clutter and having too much stuff which again is causing me increasing levels of stress. Our house is a tip and it’s down to having too many things in it, admittedly most of which belong to me. Hopefully this will give me some ideas and motivation to get rid of lots of things I don’t need anymore.

And I grabbed a copy of The Economist for the first time in a while. I’m less interested in sharing my political opinions online now but I think I need to be a bit smarter about what those opinions are and be more informed about things happening out in the world.

Lisa was out in town with Christine so I was in eight car and dog this evening (treated myself to a fish supper too). Quite happy just chilling with the animals and watching football and

Comments

A new Scottish football league system (how I'd do it!)

With the current chat about how to reform the league setup in Scotland and the SPFL's desire to switch back to a 10-team league (terrible idea!) I've thought about how I'd do it. Unsurprisingly, I've went the other way and would expand the divisions. I don't agree with the belief this would create 'meaningless' games. Every game has some meaning to the teams involved and to the fans. For those teams trying to stay up, just securing top flight existence is a big enough deal for them, while others will chase the European places. I suggest two professional divisions of 18 teams with 34 games in a regular season. For the majority this means a cut of four games from the present 38. These four free slots can be used to offer additional break time in mid-December to mid-January. Give the players a break or let the teams book winter camps. Teams in Scotland already have three domestic competitions, which is baffling as well as the Challenge Cup and Europe for Range...

A blog a day #13 - office day

Monday morning and back to the office today. Half of me hates getting up so early on a Monday but the other half of me quite likes getting out the house and into the city. I also like seeing colleagues and there's usually a few in on a Monday so the chat is good. Got through some editing and posting, joined a couple of meetings, learned more about our soon-to-join Foundation Apprentice and picked up some more books on my lunch break! Drove to work also today. £8.50 for a peak time return on the train is just outrageous in my opinion. I can park for £6 all day in the city centre. That said, driving is fairly tedious and the standard of some folks on the road is appalling. Not sure if a lot of people have watched so much American TV, they now think we drive on the right hand side in this country. And just the lack of basic manners and behaviour is sad. After that, a basic night in front of the telly with some Still Game (again lol) and a good few pages of Stanley Tucci's book ...

A blog a day #15 - ridiculously unproductive

Started off the day by looking at YouTube and never really recovered after that. I did go to the local high school Grace will attend for a parents info evening all about the transition from P7 to S1. Quite impressed with the school and she is absolutely buzzing to get started. Rangers comfortably beat Aberdeen 3-0 at Ibrox. Not really starting this year on the front foot. I’m poor, it’s cold and I’m not in the mood. Picture from Lake Como last summer.

Ever Learning Dad

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