Day 1350 HBD

The 5th of February means one thing, my brother has rotated around the sun again. We haven’t always been the best of friends but we’ve really managed to pull it together in our adult years. Sometimes I think of an alternative universe where my brother and I run the deli together. It wouldn’t work. If the general public think i’m opinionated and argumentative then you wouldn’t stand a chance against my brother. He’s the smart one.

Salads:

Black lentil + roast squash

Sweet chilli rice

Super green pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1349 That doesn't give you the right to be a prick

He returned, but I wasn’t interested in round 2. In a calm manner I told the heathen that he wasn’t welcome in my oasis, to which he replied ‘but I have mental health problems’. Based on my research of modern society, I think the beast expected me to wipe his slate clean (on account on him have mental health issues) and invite him into my space but I also grew up with fairy tale’s and Little Red Riding Hood taught me not to let the wolf in.

Salads:

Chickpea coconut curry

Rainbow rice

Baked veggie pasta

Day 1348 I can see through your facade

It was an idyllic Monday morning until he showed up. He presented like a contributing member of society but in reality he’s just another waste of space. He made small talk and asked my name, access denied, my spidey senses are tingling. He then proceeds to drink 2 litres of vitamin drink, a double espresso and for dessert, a banana. All in the space of 5 minutes. Next thing I know he’s on all fours on shop floor attempting to retch in my bin. I scroll on my phone and wait for his performance to come to a close. Middle aged, middle class, scum.

Salads:

Black bean + aubergine

Ginger + spring onion rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Smokey bean + tomato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Cheddar, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1347 A bit of peace

Moose isn’t a fan of high pressure situations. On Saturday we surprised my mum with a little ‘Mortgage free(man)’ party. The room was filled with balloons and we popped a bottle of Cava, Moose’s nightmare. On Sunday Dragon announced it was the 1st of Feb and we all exhaled, January is done but there were still balloons in the room so Moose didn’t feel the same relief.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Carrot + dill rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1346 It's nearly over

January sure does drag on but the end is so close. I’ve been trying to stay chipper but the darkness is starting to make itself at home. There are so many fun excursions on the horizon but as time slows to a glacial pace, those fun times seems so far in the future. For now, the main task is keeping misery at bay.

Salads:

Thai spiced black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Roast pepper + tomato

Sandwich: Parma ham, Fontina cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1345 Thicc MIST

When I rise from slumber I check the weather. My eyes adjust to read the pixels on my screen and I see MIST. I potter to my car and I can barely hold the steering wheel, it’s so cold, the air is thick with MIST. I look across the common but I can’t see far because of the MIST. There’s a figure coming towards me, I can’t make out their face because of the MIST. I MIST the sun.

Salads:

Vegetable curry

Ginger + lemon rice

Sausage + ham pasta bake

Soup: Spiced chickpea

Day 1344 Taking speed at 3pm

It was a perfectly chilled Tuesday until 3pm rolled around. I was inundated with a flurry of colourful characters that acted as a double shot of espresso to my system. This spurred me on through a groomsmen meeting with my brother and co best man, then I met up with one of my honey’s to plan a summer excursion, 9pm rolls around and it was time to chill, have some dinner, relax. Just as I was going to put my plate on the table my fingers slipped and dinner was fed to the floor. Not my best performance, I will try and do better today.

Salads:

Braised pepper + potato curry

Rainbow rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Pastrami, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1343 Silence is preferred

I know you mean well but I don’t take it as a compliment when you say ‘you’re actually so much better than Gail’s’. Congrats, you’ve proved you’re not deaf, dumb and blind.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpeas

Sumac rice

Super greens + tomato pasta

Soup: Smokey beans + tomato

Day 1342 Would you risk it for a Fanta twist?

Every so often you come across a person that supports Trump. To agree with the Cheeto when you’re witnessing his antics from an outside perspective is even worse. I think we should use modern day tracking and surveillance to conscript all the Trump supporters to fight his war.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Red pepper rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced chickpea

Day 1341 Tested

My nerve was tested yesterday. A character from a few years back re-entered the sitcom, if there was a live audience watching the show they would have booed. I can’t say this person is a Karen more like an NPC, it’s like she gets a kick out of tormenting service people. I think I handled it well but I haven’t felt hatred for a person like that in a minute.

Salads:

Mushroom cacciatore

Aleppo pepper + rosemary rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Five spiced bean

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Gorgonzola, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1340 Now that's what I call Mother

Yesterday turned out to be a very special day. After 35+ years my mother became mortgage free(man). No help, just level headed money making decisions and perseverance. Along the way she provided my brother and I with everything we needed and more, she started her own business and funded some amazing adventures. I’m nothing but proud and in awe.

Salads:

Five spiced vegetables + black bean

Miso + ginger rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Soup: Leek + potato

Day 1339 What a queen

We decided to walk in Battersea park to warm up then we ran along the river. We trailed behind a gazelle (random woman) who set a good pace to keep up with. Suddenly the gazelle fell but in true antelopian fashion she got up bounced around, gave the all clear and we carried on. That is the mood for 2026 people, be a gazelle, and when you fall, get up and carry on!

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced vegetable madras

Day 1338 60 min 5k

I walked through the common on my way home last night and took part in the game ‘dodge the runner’. It was as if I was playing a video game and I had set all the bots to run. I respect the new year, new me dedication but the common looks comedic with all the running paraphernalia. I will attempt to join the galloping crowd this evening but I have indulged in a little chain smoking, so I probably won’t reach 5k.

Salads:

Braised white beans with rosemary

Lemon + parsley rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced carrot + chickpea

Day 1337 Come fly with me

I was in Turin this weekend. Over the past year I’ve had an obsession with weekends away. Instead of spending £100 on a night out in London, I take the same budget and orchestrate 24 hours in foreign lands. Thus far the odds have been on my side and experienced some fantastic excursions. If you like logistics and planning I highly recommend.

Salads:

Winter veg chickpea curry

Lemon + rosemary rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1336 Convenience is the devil

When a population grows, systems must be put in place to ensure the safety of the masses. These systems can sometimes shaft the average Joe (or Joan). Capitalists capitalise said systems to make a quick buck off of you and the majority accept as long as it provides convenience. I’d rather work a little harder and plan a little longer in an effort to not be a slave to convenience. Maybe then we could start putting the world to right.

Salads:

Cauliflower + potato curry

Lemon + ginger rice

Puttanesca pasta (no anchovy)

Soup: Tuscan tomato + borlotti beans

Day 1335 It's only the beginning

January sure is a shlug, but you can use the time wisely. The festive period is so intense with merriment and then we go into the most miserable month of the year. It’s been peaceful thus far but it seems there’s a few problems on the horizon. I won’t panic, just got to push through. That’s what we’re doing people, pushing through!

Salads:

Spiced sweet potato + chickpea

Herbed rice

Veggie pasta bake

Soup: Thai coconut chickpea

Sandwich: Fennel salami, Pecorino cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1334 Fascism is soooo trendy rn

I was so appreciative of the lack of people wishing the obligatory ‘Happy New Year’ upon our return to the grind. Lovingly, wake up and smell the tyranny. I can advocate sticking one’s head in the sand, but it’s impossible to ignore the abuse of human rights that is taking place across the world. So it’s a new year but ‘happy’ not so much.

Salads:

Thai spiced chickpea

Miso + crispy shallot rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Smokey bean + tomato

Day 1333 Hello again

We’re back. Where have we been? No where. What have been up to? Nothing. I’ve spent the last few weeks practicing the art of relaxing, this has been a tough task. How can one relax when there is nothing but mayhem beyond the threshold of ones abode? I pushed myself to explore the cafe culture that has festered in the city, mediocre, soulless and overpriced. I will miss waking up after sunrise and spending a lot of time outdoors but I’m gassed to be back, who’s ready to eat?

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Leek + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1332 Here it is, my final curtain

This has been the best year i’ve had in a long time, it wasn’t even that spectacular but it was peaceful and I think that’s quite a sort after place to be. 2026 is looking juicy and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the shenanigans on the horizon. Thank you to everyone that made this year worth living, I wish you all a peaceful festive period and a stupendous new year…apart from you Megan Barton, I hope your boiler breaks down.

Day 1331 I can hear the jingle bells

I forgot how difficult puppies are. My weekend was spent consistently aggravated by the silky demon. Whenever you think you’ve had a breakthrough, they break you. Needless to say, training Moose wasn’t easy but the end product made the blood, sweat and tears (many tears) worth it. Being and Aunt/Uncle is great, because you can give them back. Let’s start the penultimate day of the year.

Salads:

Chickpea + sweet potato with mango + lime pickle dressing

Sicilian styled aubergine pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced broccoli