This page is intended to serve as a running log of what I’m doing, right now. Well, maybe not right now. But, you know, generally at the moment.
Basically, I figured, if I put this stuff here, I don’t have to put it on social media. I got this idea from a post at 512 pixels. I think it originated with Derek Sivers.
I’m writing a book about old churches: how they were built, who built them and what they mean for us today. It’s quite challenging project, covering not just architectural history, but theology, archaeology, history of art, topography, philology, so many ‘ologies’. Which is why it’s taken me four years and counting. It still doesn’t have a title.
I’m still hosting the Mid-faith Crisis Podcast. We record on Thursdays, generally and it’s released on Saturdays. I’ve been trying to add a blog post each week giving some more thoughts on the podcast.
On a recent episode we talked about our themes for the year. Mine is ‘Less is More’. It’s going to be an attempt to declutter, not just physically, but spiritually and mentally.
I’ve written an article on the Council of Nicea in ad 325. This year is the 1700th anniversary and the article will come out in Christianity magazine in May.
I’m engaged in an ongoing project to regain my focus, and spend the optimum amount of time on what Cal Newport calls Deep Work.1 I took the Life of Focus course last year that Newport created with Scott Young. I recommend it for anyone who wants a deep life re-set.
I’m thinking a lot about wisdom at the moment. About the biblical strand of wisdom teaching and Jesus as a sage, but also about the idea of cherishing wisdom. In an age where the idiots are in power, this looks an even more vital topic than ever. I did write an article on it some time back, but this was just the first steps.
I only snack on the news. I’ve stopped gorging on it. The news is more entertainment and outrage these days. I check the BBC occasionally, listen to the radio and catch up with The Week, if I feel I really need to. Although I am not as extreme as he is, I was helped by Rolf Dobelli’s book Stop Reading the News.
I started blogging again. I use Micro.blog which also allows you to post smaller thoughts as well – micro blogs, in fact.
This site has replaced my old website. I had a hosted Wordpress account which the nice people at 123-reg suddenly doubled in price. And I realised I didn’t need it. All it was giving me was some nice graphics. But if people want information about me, they can find all that here.
I’m very interested in ideas about the Small Web. And in federated content. Lying behind this is a deep frustration and even anger about the way the web has been turned into an endless advertising billboard full of clickbait and AI slop. It doesn’t have to be like that.
As part of that, I’m currently subscribing to Kagi, a curated search engine. It’s wonderful. No sponsored results. Just the stuff you are actually looking for.
I’ve been watching Severance. One of the best TV series I have ever seen.
I’m re-reading Agatha Christie for the first time in about thirty years. So enjoyable. So well-crafted. So much casual racism.
I’m also re-reading David Jones' epic poem The Anathemata. This feels like scripture to me. Most of it I don’t understand, but I instinctively know that it matters. And it captures something of Britishness that is unique.
Working on an N gauge model railway. I started over a year ago and recently ripped the whole thing up and started again. It’s was intended to be a mindful occupation…
Updated April 18, 2025