My major criticism of Shrinking is that no one uses a phone case. Otherwise, I love it a lot. 📺

Finally went back to the gym tonight. Forced myself to take it easy. Glad to be back doing something.

Our reading book today was called “Chips” which meant we had to have a conversation about the difference between American and British usage. We didn’t get into fries, thankfully.

Subtract

The Bear AND education? Right up my street. I was listening to his podcast at the weekend (They Behave For Me) and I tend to agree with most things he says.

Wordle 1,220 4/6

🟨⬜🟨⬜🟨
🟩🟩⬜🟨⬜
🟩🟩⬜⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I said to a group chat yesterday how lots of things happen in China that I just kind of take for granted or at least, that I now consider normal. Normal, when compared to the UK.

I think this counts. The skate park, aside from not havingng any skaters, and play area is still full of young kids and their parents at 8pm on a Saturday night.

A skate park is bustling with people under bright lights at night, surrounded by trees and greenery.

I was going to just watch MOTD to see the Arsenal game but my Spurs friend has already messaged me. So have looked the results up.

Just watched the first episode of The Cleaner with Greg Davies. I really enjoyed it. 📺

“Salted egg yolk dried meat floss glutinous rice” doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue and sure, it’s sounds pretty weird to this westerner. But… They’re so good.

Picture of a snack called "Salted egg yolk dried meat floss glutinous rice"

I enjoyed this a lot. I tended to skim most of the science but don’t feel that took away from the story, which I was gripped by. Stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it.

Project Hail Mary: A Novel by Andy Weir 📚

Think I’m finally getting better, it’s been 2 weeks now. I feel it’s the not exercising has made everything unstable, work, family have all been a bit wobbly. Not a great time.

Like this article a lot.

Gone are the days in which jobs were just jobs. Despite all the talk of work-life balance, the importance of having psychological distance from our careers is not an especially fashionable value. Even those who want that distance – who don’t define themselves by their professional achievements and lean on other identities instead – are often afraid to admit it. They worry that people will interpret their mindset as a sign that they’re apathetic, lack passion, aren’t dedicated enough.

The big idea: why it’s OK not to love your job | The Guardian

Glad that Shrinking is back. 📺

Apparently ramen and a beer with messages to a close friend was just what I needed to feel a little better emotionally.

bowl of ramen with a beer

Finally took Elise on the rollercoaster that she’s not tall enough for yesterday. It was pretty intense and she didn’t enjoy it, at all.

I am glad she was willing to go on some other rides after. Though, after that experience everything else seemed a little boring to her…

Swings and roundabouts.

Jungle Flying Dragon @ Happy Valley Chongqing, China - YouTube

I love this post by @annie so much, that it’s sat in my head since I read it this morning.

I love your week notes and day notes and art and lists - annie’s blog

And it made me think of this post on Instagram that I saved last week that I’m attaching.

Made me realise the conversations i have with different people and who I send what to, and how I don’t really track any of that. How my friends are all over the world and that that is sometimes hard.

Screen shot of an Instagram post.

Hallelujah (but it’s Baby Got Back) - FULL SONG - YouTube

Still not feeling 100%, been over a week now. Would I feel better if I hadn’t worked all week AND didn’t have two young children?

(It’s a rhetorical question.)

Kaos creator ‘gutted’ at Netflix show’s cancellation.

We really enjoyed this. Such a shame.

Link

My daughter is forever listening to the same podcast and songs on a cheap mp3 player.

Is there a reason not to get her a second hand iPod Touch to download playlists from Apple Music and listen to podcasts?

I guess I’m thinking from a practical point of view, will it still work?

Always strange to see how different the sidelines of sports in the US are… So full of people.

nobody should have to have kids but especially teachers. I can’t imagine what it’s like to work with kids all day and then come home and have to have the energy to do it all again for the rest of the evening/weekend

Teachers are some of the last people we should expect to be parents

I am a better teacher because I am a parent. Seeing things from the other side is enlightening. However, it’s tough.

But am I a better parent because I’m a teacher? Debatable.

Shorten meetings, lengthen pauses to re-focus and write stuff down so the brain can be more creative and less anxious about not forgetting. 

The Greatest Productivity Tips, 126 - Nicholas Bate

I Spent a Day as a 4th Grader (Ashley Redd) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

My week in media

  • Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 📚 - I did not realise it was romance in addition to fantasy but I’ve started now, and it’s the holidays so I plan to keep going。
  • I have bought a new copy of House of Leaves and it’s sat there judging me for not starting but I need to be in the right frame of mind.📚
  • Sultan and Shephard - Loving their music. This mix is a nice place to start. 💿
  • I’ve enjoyed Teach Sleep Repeat for being very relatable about how I feel about teaching at the moment. It’s often too much. It’s that thing of there not being enough time and always feeling rushed about everything. That i am always thinking about work-life balance too. So ultimately feeling like I could be doing better (father, husband, teacher) but I’m not.
  • Mannequin Pussy on KEXP Her voice. ❤️ 🎤
  • KAOS on Netflix. Lyra and I really enjoyed this Greek Mythology in the present world show. We made time to watch it, which as two time-poor people tells you something. Funny but so dark in places. Jeff Goldblum as Zeus was great. 📺
  • The Wild Robot - All 4 of us loved this tale of a robot washed up on an island, laugh out loud funny in places. I cried twice. They definitely said “On your left” at one point too, which tickled me. 🎬