Chris B

The 2026 Barkley Marathons is over. There are no finishers. #BM100

That's roughly how often I get a _very_ similar dream.

I get a dream very like this a couple of times a year, for the last 35 years or so. It's a slight variant for me: "they" finally *have* noticed, so here I am in the exam I have to pass, otherwise every academic qualification gained since is voided.

This play brought that phrase back to me. The huge difficulties in forming true intimacy with the shadow of criminalisation of love meant people were "living off scraps".

The play features well meaning "experts" offering conversion practices as a solution, which are *still* with us.

‘Naked homophobia’: play revisits BBC’s first programme on gay men in 1950s Original script from 1954 referring to ‘troubles of this kind’ to be brought to life on stage for LGBT+ History Month

I went to see "The BBC's first homosexual" yesterday. Still thinking about it today. It really brought home to me the grim situation for gay people in the 1950s. Someone once used the phrase to me "living off scraps" to describe a lack of true intimacy. www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/j...

Yeah, my attitude to houseplants is pretty much that. If they're growing, they must be reasonably OK.

Yeah, dust doesn't matter! At least it's alive, that's a very good sign. What are you going to do with it for the moment?

On Sale: The BBC's First Homosexual.

In 1954, the BBC made its first ever documentary about male homosexuality. It was banned. With BBC permission, award-winning Stephen M Hornby and Oli Hurst bring the transcript to life on stage in a new dramatisation.

6th Feb 2026
Book Now: bit.ly/4p2MrhI

Do you know what type of tree it is? My deep research (Google!) suggests lots of bonsai lose leaves in winter, but "indoor" ones typically don't.

Fingers crossed! What does it normally do in winter?

I've planted more snowdrops in my front garden. They cheer me up a lot in winter.

I haven't been for a run since Wednesday. I was hoping to go this evening, but even with the thaw I'm not quite sure everything is going to be safe. At the moment there's still plenty of very slippery patches left.

Training for Paris marathon is not really going to plan, so far.

John Paul II loved football, I think he played in goal in his youth. He supported Cracovia.

I'm on my way back from a visit to the town I grew up in. It has been over 20 years since I was last here - my mum moved away in 2004. It felt very odd being back here. Things have changed so much.

The guy cutting my hair today said it was "very untidy". Well, yes, that's why I was there. I don't know if it will work as a strategy to entice me to go more often. (Or ever return to that particular place).

Updating the firmware on my Christmas lights, that ancient tradition.

My best ever age graded parkrun today, and my joint-fastest ever. I go to parkrun for the community, and I do most of them at a fairly relaxed place. But - it's nice to take advantage of the brief window of post-marathon fitness and really go for it, sometimes.

It was nice to be able to push things a bit at parkrun after holding back for so long (long runs the next day...). Best time this year, I surprised myself. I was quick enough to be able to help with barcode scanning, which has been a while.

Me in a blue running vest holding up a large gold coloured medal.

Me in a blue running vest holding up a large gold coloured medal.

New York City Marathon done. The city really delivered.

Two middle aged men wrapped up warm on a bus.

On the bus to Staten Island.

View of freedom Tower in the distance.

Freedom Tower in early morning grey skys

Bonus view!

View of freedom Tower in the distance.

Freedom Tower in early morning grey skys

Bonus view

I forgot ALT text: the view is of the Empire State Building.

Arrived in NYC for the marathon. Love the view from the hotel.

A highland cow having a little nap on a boulder on Dartmoor (ok, it was actually scratching its head)

Highland cattle are famous for their ability to "disco nap". Normally these brief, efficient sleeps will last between three and twenty minutes, deploying a variety of objects as pillows, including moorland boulders, cars or any particularly large dog or sheep who happens to be nearby.

I didn't realise until just now, but today I reached the arbitrary milestone of 350 parkruns. 301 at @cannonhparkrun.bsky.social

The Talented Mr Ripley, yesterday at Birmingham Rep. Clever production, a brilliant performance from Ed McVey as Tom Ripley.

Program for Abigail's Party.

A fantastic production of Abigail's Party at @crescenttheatre.bsky.social

Hilariously funny, but you feel all the frustrations simmering away, the constant jostling for status and the pain

This is incredible!

Me (middle aged man in glasses) in a blue running vest that says "Birmingham Swifts".

Today was my 300th parkrun at Cannon Hill.