I have just been approached in Morrisons by a man (and his seemingly nonplussed wife) who wanted to say he thought my work-in-progress beard was "magnificent" and "biblical". This is new to me. I knew of the 'male gaze' (and try to avoid doing it) but the 'male beard gaze' is a whole new thing.

Funny how gigs can make me feel 20 mentally but 80 physically, but so worth it. Three gigs in two weeks and the buzz will last a long time. Thank you @wardxvi.bsky.social and @pulveriseuk.bsky.social, such an amazing set of shows, appreciate all the effort you put into it.

Why yes, I, as a grown man did indeed shed a tear or two at the end of Yakuza 6.

It's heeeeeere! Well, at home, I now have the agonising wait until I can leave work and listen (until the download code appears anyway). I've not been this excited to listen to an album in quite a while, really looking forward to diving into @wardxvi.bsky.social's third album.

Smiling and secretly rocking in the office listening to @wardxvi.bsky.social's radio residency on @primordialradio.bsky.social. New album next week and launch gig to follow - really feeling the anticipation now!

Look, it's not that I'm egotistical or have trouble passing a mirror or anything, but I just want to say that after my music video debut in Square Wild's 'Sloth' last year, I am ruddy chuffed to show my mad 'walking through a door' skillz in @wardxvi.bsky.social's new video for 'Legion'.

Three quarters of the Fam and Millie Manders after another fantastic @milliemanders.bsky.social gig. Just an incredible band on record and live, with huge hearts to boot. Adore them.

I have decided I might start wearing a hat. Is this an age thing? Nobody warned me about this, that I'll one day suddenly find myself online browsing fedoras, trilbys, pork pies and cheeky little toppers wondering what best defines me.

Such a good night last night, seeing Marisa and the Moths. I needed that, singing my little tone deaf heart out while lost in the crowd! The whole band and crew are such lovely people too. And yes, yes I did dye my beard pink.

My body is ready (that's it on the right) for the premiere of the new @wardxvi.bsky.social single Blood is the New Black, tonight at 8pma youtu.be/_9h5qkMbI_w?...

First listen of the new @wardxvi.bsky.social single. It sounds absolutely massive, this is going to be stunning live!

Ghost is basically just Stonehenge by Spinal Tap.

The Stages of Growing a Beard While Working in an All Male Office. 0-5 Months: No comments. 5-7 Months: "Are you growing a beard?" 7-9 Months: "Joining ZZ Top?" 9-10 months: Clandestine corridor conversations with other beard adjacent colleagues over barber recommendations and grooming tips.

Is there a word for the anxiety you feel when you're rolling slowly in heavy traffic, look in the rear view mirror and notice the driver of the car rolling up behind you is looking down, almost if they have their phone in their lap?

If we hadn't looked the other way and tolerated Clippy back then we wouldn't be suffering this AI malarkey now. I refuse to accept it until we get Marvin the Paranoid Android as an option. "Brain the size of a planet and you're asking me if it's true dogs can't look up."

If anyone needs me, I'll be back in Skyrim for the foreseeable future.

It's Monday, I'm at work and my new boots are hurting. Still, earbuds are in. First up, @milliemanders.bsky.social. Personal opinion and YMMV, but this album is sooo good, one of the rare ones I listen to start to finish without skipping a track. Beautiful, honest, rightfully angry.

Surely any time saving benefits of ChatGPT are lost because of the sheer amount of time people who use the glorified gobby spellchecker keep wanging on to each other about how they use it.

I've never tried heroin, but there is no way you can convince me it's more addictive than mint Matchmakers.

Back in the office then and here, in no particular order, are this season's most annoying ringtones- i) The 'tok tak ting' one that sounds like a wood deerscarer ii) The simple 'ding' one iii) Honking clown car horn iv) The tinkling one like a fairy falling down five flights of stairs

A full set of beard chalks for Christmas? This is going to be a very colourful year! Ignore the dragged through a hedge backwards and upside down look, I hadn't hot brushed, softened, balmed, oiled, waxed and combed yet. Because yes, yes I am high maintenance, darlink.

Me and @purpleinkyfingers.bsky.social rockin' @wardxvi.bsky.social Christmas jumpers. Merry XVIMass everyone!

I'm a fifty-something man. I'm... I'm.... I'm going to have to lick it, aren't I?

7 am. Me: Hmmm, I think I'll try that smartwatch my son bought me again. 9 am. Watch: Hey! How about going for a brisk walk? 11 am. Watch: Hello? You haven't moved for a while, maybe try raising your arms a few times? 12 pm. Watch: Um. Breathing exercises? Breathe deep... in... out...

I do like the cut of BlueSky's jib, but I can't help miss the Temu ads on Twitter, if only to see what the latest fever dream of someone from the Retirement Home for Distressed Product Designers had conjured up.

I sent out an email at work today, using - tongue so far in my cheek my ear was getting wet - the phrase "quantifiably add simplification in the work based documentosphere arena moving forward". Concerningly, only one person in the large 'to' list felt this was questionable.

A workmate occasionally asks me "living the dream?" as a greeting, in an "everything is awful isn't it?" kinda way. Well. I have a wife and kids I love, a happy home, car I like to drive, a little more money than month. So yes, I am living the dream I had 20 years ago. It's good to remember that.