Picked up some new pillows for visitors in the Aldi aisle of dreams special buys. Different types to give a selection on the pillow menu.

Comfortable but not too comfortable. Just what you need for visitors. Comfort but not so much they overstay or want to visit regularly 😀

Good to see decent numbers using the local library. There were more than 5.9 million physical items loaned out by Brisbane Council libraries in 2025, with an additional 2.1 million e-books and audiobooks downloaded. The top item was We Solve Murders by Richard Osman, which was borrowed 2,306 times.📚

My list of muted topics, words and hashtags on Mastodon and Bluesky is steadily increasing.

I know it’s important to stay across global issues but most of these relate to the US and the continuing spiral down the drain at the hands of the orange clown and company.

A day spent with friends.

A long lunch was had. The gallery was wandered. There were cocktails at a favourite bar after. A walk home along the river.

Saturday has been good.

I love my Kobo Clara and the fact I can source books from anywhere. Connecting to my Mac to sync with Calibre is so hit and miss though.

It’s rare for the Mac to recognise the Kobo first go. Usually 3-4 unplug/plug in before it connects.

The best way to keep reality at bay.

An enamel badge pinned on a blue and white shirt. The badge has the image of an open book in the bottom right corner and says - A book a day keeps reality away.

First work day of 2026:

Christmas decorations put away ✅

Final batch of 2025 emails filed away ✅

Q1 planning ✅

Booked a trip to Melbourne ✅

Planned some leave dates ✅

Time to go home.

Only another 247 work days to get through this year; at least until I book some leave.

My coffee machine stopped working and I decided not to replace it. I switched to pour over coffees again and it’s all I need at home.

Bought myself a new stovetop kettle and it’s so much better for controlling water flow across the coffee. I’m a simple man, little things like this make me happy.

A silvery metal kettle sitting on a red trivet on top of a kitchen bench. The kettle is shaped sort of like an inverted cone and has a long thin curved spout from the bottom. The handle is wood as is the round handle on the lid.

📚 Disappointed in my last book finished in 2025. Dawn of the Hunters by Ryan Wieser.

The trilogy really would have benefitted from tighter editing; allowing the author more time for interesting plot points rushed through in this book.

Having done something while away to kick off some sciatica, I find myself stretched out on the floor for the second time today. It’s actually the most comfortable spot instead of the couch or chair.