Mr. David Bishop 🇬🇧🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

I saw him speak recently, and he was very impressive.

You know the best way to kill AI? Don't use it. Don't buy it. Don't share it. Don't give the people who use it your labour or your money.

A constant theme is Campbell's belief that myth is something that once united people, and can do so again. It's an optimistic book in that sense, one which ends with a still timely warning. Beware the patriots, draped with flags; the first obstacles that any modern day hero needs to overcome.

Reading it brought back lots of happy memories of reading mythology and anthropology as part of my Classical Studies degree. Probably my favourite parts of those three years.

The cover of Joseph Campbell's seminal study of myth 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces'

Book 14 of 2026 #Booksky

This was quite the ride, stuffed full of weird and wonderful myths and folk tales from across the globe. Lots of excellent illustrations, too.

Look after yourself.

Thank you. No plans, will just try and rest up.

I will try.

So true.

Thank you. Dinner and time with the family has helped.

Thank you, me too.

I know, right?

I was always struck by Patterson having a whole bookcase to himself in our local library.

Thank you. Me too.

I just want stuff to be better.

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

I'm also thinking about changing schools, but am afraid that won't help. It's hard where I am, but starting again somewhere else...

I also came off my anti-depressants in August, so my moods are a lot more variable now. I don't really want to go back on them, but sometimes... Especially when it's the end of the week, and I'm exhausted and low.

Maybe it's my age, but each week rushes by and I feel no further forward. Struggling to think about what I have achieved.

What a week. Again. I am proper done in. Again.

A vase of glorious daffodils on my kitchen table.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!
Happy St. David's Day

Evening.

Morning. I'm up to take daughter to train, but definitely back to bed after.

a man in a black shirt and black pants is standing in front of a blue background Alt: a man in a black shirt and black pants is standing in front of a blue background

Good morning, and a happy new Resident Evil game day to all who celebrate.

There's also the horror of the unseen, Jackson leaving the reader to imagine what has/is happening, and which she is so good at. She engages the reader without looking like she's trying too hard. #Booksky

There's a lot of drinking in 'Hangsaman', a subject Jackson writes about very well, and presumably knew from the inside out. A likely factor in her early death. #Booksky

I picked this up in London last week along with the Ruth Franklin biography of Jackson, which I'm very much looking forward to cracking open. Jackson's writing is so dark, so strange in places, and I'll be on the lookout for reasons why. #Booksky

The cover of 'Hangsaman' by Shirley Jackson.

Book 13 of 2026 #Booksky

An entirely apt number for a peculiar, unsettling book. One of Jackson's earlier novels, and therefore less successful for me. But her writing is still sharp and unpredictable and full of people being hilariously awful to each other. Until it stops being funny. #Booksky

Sounds right up my street.

And I'm not even on a full teaching timetable. I don't think I could go back to that now. Two full days on the bounce (as I have next week) and I'm a puddle on the floor.