Now

At work, we have continued work around the use of APIs to transfer data. This has included trying to reverse engineer intended workflows in the absence of sufficient test material or stories (happy or sad). Ironically, when we were provided with some preliminary test data it was full of fake endpoints. Hallucinations? We are in a weird world with little trust.

In addition to that, we have had a number of issues raised associated with the end of year processes, the problem is that some logs are only kept for 30 days, therefore “No logs no play.” We have now put in place proactive health checks for the future.

On a positive note, completed a number of courses on LinkedIn Learning. Interesting to think about this as a model for professional development. At least it provides something, but churing through videos and quizzes does not feel like the most reflective of processes?

We are all amateurs in and of our own lives.

Source: Nothing To Be Frightened Of by Julian Barnes

On the home front, our renovations are almost done. I was initially apprehensive after Part 1 a few years ago. This time around we covered things and stayed on top of cleaning, which made a huge difference. Also good to get it all in before the materials jump in price.

Realised that I may have crossed the old-age Rubicon when I went shopping with my daughter and she started talking about ‘Preppy Core’, ‘Cottage Core’. I wonder what my ‘Core’ is, maybe, ‘Boring Core’?

I discovered I was drinking far too much (black) coffee, have subsequently turned to black tea and coffee.

Girls have started doing separate dance classes. This has worked much better for them. Just involved a bit of an adjustment with regards to organising who needs to be where when. A positive side-effect has been my daughter coming from walks with me while her sister has her lesson. Previously, I would have gone jogging. We have also started going on more rides together which has been good.

If you choose to be the collaborator [of misogyny] you’ll probably end up being the victim.

Source: Virginia Trioli on 702 ABC Sydney Mornings

Here is a list of books that I read this month:

  • Flaubert’s Parrot by Julian Barnes: A blend of fiction, biography, and literary criticism that manages to turn the banal parts of life of a dead French writer into a high-stakes investigation of truth and memory.
  • Nothing To Be Frightened Of by Julian Barnes: A meditation on mortality, God, and the fear of death, weaving together family history and reflections on great philosophers and writers.
  • The Old Games by Fiona Hardy: We are again taken on the road with Alice and Teddy, with the dead again back to haunt us.
  • A Little Book of Miriam by Miriam Margolyes: A delightful collection of anecdotes, life lessons, and characteristically blunt wisdom from the beloved British-Australian actress.
  • A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin: The fourth installment of A Song of Ice and Fire, where with each move, another three seem to unravel.
  • Futuromania: Electronic Dreams, Desiring Machines, and Tomorrow’s Music Today by Simon Reynolds: A collection of essays exploring the history of electronic music and how it has both predicted and shaped our cultural obsession with the future.
  • This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You by Susan Rogers: Explores the way that music that delivers the maximum gratification is determined by seven influential dimensions of musical listening that make up a unique profile.
  • Night People by Mark Ronson: This is not a memoir about the Grammy winning, super‑producer, but about the working DJ who spent years lugging crates into bars and nightclubs, reading rooms and igniting the dance floor.

Life is very boring if you live life as it is

Source: Old Games by Fiona Hardy

I acquired an original single record pressing of U2’s The Joshua Tree. I also continued my deep dive into Prince, listening to The Batman soundtrack, Graffiti Bridge, Diamonds and Pearls and The Love Symbol .

With regards to my writing, I wrote the following:

Podcasts that stood out this month:


Posted: March 2026