Too often, I get my phone out to make a quick note, and then I get distracted by something on the screen and forget the thing I was going to write down in the first place. That’s why I try to reduce the distractions on my phone as much as I can. I allow notifications from only the bare minimum of applications, and have reduced the number of visible apps and widgets to remove the clutter.

Here’s what my setup looks like.

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I’ve always had a thing for baggy jeans. It makes me tremendously happy that they are back in fashion at the moment, and I enjoy seeing them everywhere around me.

Back in the day, the last time we were wearing baggy jeans, JNCOs weren’t a thing where I’m from, but I came across them online and from the first moment I saw them, I wanted a pair. However, the lack of supply and, I guess, my lack of courage meant I never bought any.

Until now, that is. A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing the web, and I can’t remember quite how, but I ended up on JNCO’s homepage, and there they were. I kept coming back, browsing the product list for a couple of days, and then I suddenly hit the “add to basket” button, satisfying a lifelong ambition in just a click.

Yesterday, they arrived, and I love them!

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This blog has been running for just over 2 months now, so I figured it might make sense to post a recap of what’s been going on. Mainly for my own benefit, but you’re welcome to read along!

• The biggest event of the summer so far was definitely moving house, from our home of many years to a temporary flat further east, bringing with it new views and a new commute.

• Travel has been limited to a day trip to Brighton and 2 weeks in Sweden for holiday and remote working, with an enjoyable trip to the island Klädesholmen up the coast, as well as a bit of boating.

• Culturally, it’s been a pretty decent period. I’ve been to V&A East, The Serpentine Pavilion, Tate modern, Pilane Sculpture Park in Sweden, The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, NIGO at the Design Museum, The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration and Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery. I’ve also attended two Proms at Royal Albert Hall.

• Personal projects have obviously involved the blog itself, which I launched on 24 May, using AI to build my own static site generator. I’ve also been playing around with creating some signal flag icons as well as a rainbow blow logo for a different kind of signalling. I also started a reboot of my wardrobe, which I need to get back to.

• Life stuff hasn’t been too dramatic, but I did a write-up of my values as well as a life-tracker to keep my focus. My birthday is coming up, so it’s likely I will soon start creating a plan for what my next year might look like.

• Financially, I’ve been getting used to the higher expenses in the new place, including a hike in travel costs.

• What I bought has been limited to day-to-day items, with nothing new or exciting to report, except for one thing I will post about when it arrives.

• Most unexpected has been the weather. Where’s the rain gone? And it’s been hot pretty much every day. I feel ready for autumn!

All in all, so far, so good! 😊

I always enjoy Anish Kapoor’s art, and his latest exhibition was a treat.

Much of the theme this time was red blobs. A big inflated red blob filling most of a gallery and the one next to it. A big lava-like blob hanging from the ceiling. Other big red organic-looking ones in shrinkwrap.

I’m not sure I’m doing it justice…

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I love the BBC Proms and the special atmosphere in Royal Albert Hall. Some years, I’ve had a season ticket and some years we just buy tickets for a few specific proms. This year is a year we’re doing the latter, and when booking, I tend to pick some big, mainstream pieces.

Beethoven’s 9th, like yesterday, is always a good bet, and that proved true this year too.

Tonight, it’s time for our second (and last) prom this year: Also Sprach Zaratustra.

Yesterday, we went to see the NIGO exhibition at the Design Museum. I can’t say I’m super familiar with his work, but I’m obviously aware of his brand Bape.

I liked the exhibition, and there was lots to see. However, if I’m completely honest, I think what I enjoyed the most were the items from his personal collection that had inspired him, like Game & Watch, Star Wars action figures etc. Such nostalgia!

I like systems and processes, and easily end up with long lists of specific rules, goals and principles for how to live my life.

However, as much as I enjoy creating these systems, they quickly lose their appeal. Long lists feel like pressure. Too many rules hold me back, or I end up ignoring them. And when I do, the system breaks down.

A couple of years ago, inspired by some article or podcast I can’t remember now, I tried a different approach: identifying my personal values.

Much to my surprise, it has actually been working! I have stuck to them since and never felt a need to rewrite them. Unlike the long list of life rules, I know them by heart, and they don’t get outdated the same way the more granular items do.

Whenever I have a decision to make, I avoid things that don’t align with my values. If I feel discontent, I use my values to try to find what’s missing.

Sure, I may still relapse and create a list of intentions once in a while, but when I do, I now have my values to guide me.

But enough background, let’s move on to the values themselves!

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On Sunday afternoon, we went to The Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. This is always a good day out. So many works and such a fascinating mix. And if you find anything you really like, you can buy it too.

I’ve never actually bought anything, but we were saying that next year, if we have our longer-term home by then, we could try to go earlier and actually try to buy something. There would be a lot to choose from!