st_martin_a

I've been thinking about the best way to get through these exam papers this weekend and it's worked well today.
I got up when I felt like it (which was still pretty early - 7:30); had some breakfast and then got marking straight away. My reward was the 10:00 match (France v Australia). I had a workout, had some food in the garden, did some more marking, shaved my head (like you do), had a shower, and now - it's Peru v Denmark.
:)
Same sort of routine tomorrow.
:)

I've been working through these exam scripts but I'm doing it at a sensible rate so it's not been too bad.
I set my myself small goals and then feel good when I achieve them, and I've been loving this sunny weather that we're having at the moment too.
Every opportunity I get, I strip down to just shorts; walk outside into my garden and lye on the grass soaking it all in.
Every opportunity I'm out there - sitting, listening to the birds singing, eating, I'm even enjoying hanging the laundry out. Feels like a little bit of Eden.

Anyone else watching the Royal Wedding?
I'm not a big fan of the Royal family. I'm not big on inherited title and wealth but I find the media aspect of the event fascinating. Even the cultural influences.
Oprah's there, George Clooney, Idris Elba, ...
Ayup, Harry and Will have just arrived.

I was glad I cycled to work on Thursday. It was pretty chilly in the morning but beautiful coming home. It's amazing the difference properly pumped up tyres make as well.
Now we're back to typical April weather and I don't know when we'll see the sun again.
: /

Just watched 'Sadece Sen' on Netflix.
Tragic, intense, Bulgarian romance at its best.

: )

Thanks to everyone's kind words after my last post.
I appreciate it.
X

And today we had the hottest day since August in the UK. It was weird. The sun came out about midday and it suddenly felt like the middle of summer. It's amazing how the sun changes the feel of a place.

Tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same so I've got my bike ready to go. I've just got to make sure that I treat the cycle to work as a summer ride and not a hard slog that ends up at work. I need to look at it as an hour soaking up the sun.

Tomatelo con calma.

Today is my last day of the Easter holiday and the next 6 weeks are going to be stressful because of that negative report that was written about my department.
I've been trying not to think about it.
Today we went to church and I spent most of the rest of the day reading another Prince book. It was fascinating reading through a commentary on what was pretty much the soundtrack to my youth.

One thing I'm looking forward to is getting back on my bike. As soon as we get some more sun, I'm cycling to work. At the moment, that's forecast for Thursday.

I took my oldest son to Cambridge university today for an 'open day'. Cambridge is about 2 hours from where we live.
When Josh went in for his lecture, I wandered round the town. I found this record shop (you Americans call it a 'wrecka stoa' I believe; sorry it's the old Prince joke) which claimed to be the "best indie record shop in the UK". It had loads of vinyl records just like record shops had when I was a teenager. I looked up at the clientele expecting to see loads of trendy teenagers but most people were older than me. Lol.
I found the Prince section (from force of habit) and next to the vinyls (which I've got to admit, gave me that magical feeling that I used to get when I was a teenager) I saw the Prince book that was written recently by his first wife, for £3. So I bought it, found a quiet coffee shop and started reading it. Absolutely lovin' it. I'm still a hardcore Prince fan deep down.
When my son came out of the uni, we found a Japanese fast food shop called Wasami. It did sushi but the sauce that came with it was out of this world. Blew my head off. Like really intense chilli sauce but the sensation only lasted about 5 seconds. Wow. What a great restaurant.
We also had bubble tea. One of the strangest drinks I've ever had. Are you familiar with it my Japanese friends?

I've been trying not to think about work by exercising like mad, watching Netflix and exploring social media for anything inspiring.
There's a music festival in the UK called Greenbelt that some of you will be familiar with because I mention it every year. It's a Christian festival that is known for quality, quirky art and music. This year Pussy Riot are playing and so is this dude - he's from Birmingham Alabama. Possibly the most energetic act I've seen live and he sings about justice for everyone. Totally on my page:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Npe6tdJgF9U

It's another rainy day.
I took a walk into town and it felt cathartic breathing in the early Spring air and feeling the misty rain on my face.
I bought a novel from a charity shop - 'Looking for Alaska' by John Green. Reminds me a bit Douglas Copeland's writing. I've been drinking coffee and reading for most of the day, which is very rare for me.
It's about a guy who goes to live in a boarding school/college and it reminds me of my experience of living at university when I was 19. Interesting time of life. You're an adult but still have a lot to work out. You're open to lots of new influences...