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 So the chess pieces are gradually being put in to place. Truthfully I wish the chessboard had never been needed in the first place considering it certainly isn’t the first time it was brought out but it is the first time I’ve recognised what’s behind it. My mind is telling me to avoid the situations that make it all happen but my heart….well who knows what’s behind that. I have the feeling that checkmate will commence this week and I’m pretty sure this is the final blog entry with everything the way it’s been for 18 months. The next entry I think will be a tough one.

If you know me (chances are you don’t) then you’ll be aware of my obsession for gadgets. I’m not too concerned with having the very latest up-to-date boys’ toys (mainly due to the inflated prices) so I’m cool with waiting 2 years or so for something. For example in 2020 I bought a pair of Apple AirPods, the 1st generation wit no wireless charging etc and I’ve been fine using them for over 2 years. I’m not an audio-quality obsessive (even though I have worked in radio in the past), as long as they work well and give good audio quality - I do listen to a lot of podcasts, and music sounds good at the gym whilst I workout then it’s good to me.  I was never tempted to upgrade to the AirPods Pro at any time mainly due to the cost. I’d heard the sound quality was better but not to the point where an extra £50 was justifiable.  So what did I do? Went and bought a set of AirPod Pros. Only the 1st generation though as again wireless charging doesn’t massively appeal to me but the sound ...

 I’m in my 40s.  To be more accurate I’m the wrong end of my 40s. Not far from 50. It is what it is. Do I come across as my age? Absolutely not, and that’s not just my view. Ok ok, I’m 48 but according to a lot of people I don’t look or act it.  I often find myself in one of those group “guess how old I am” chats. Now in the workplace you can’t have those types of conversations apparently. Age is a “protected characteristic” (along with things like gender, religion, sexuality etc) but I get away with it by making it clear to all present that I won’t be offended regardless of what age they come out with and I mean that. There are plenty of ways I could be offended by the right people and that’s not one of them. Anyway on average I get told I look about 10 years younger than I am and will I ever complain about that? Hell no! But I don’t live my life seeking that kind of validation. In the interests of balance there are things I do which likely contributes to this perception...