Lovely to head out and enjoy some autumnal sunshine this morning.

Noticing: https://samradford.com/2025/10/04/noticing.html

Loving the moody weather today.

I’m reading Anam Cara by John O’Donohue. It’s a rich, thoughtful book that I’m reading a few pages at a time. Today’s passage had this section, which I thought was a striking reminder about how to live well:

"It is far more creative ... samradford.com/2025/10/03/im-reading-an...

Had my first ever visit to the Emirates to watch Arsenal Women at the weekend. The 1-1 draw was disappointing, but it was a great day out!

Solid start to the season for #ArsenalWomen against an unknown entity. Scoreline flattered us a little, but the win was deserved. You can’t afford any slip ups when competing with Chelsea for the league, so good to get a win to start the season. Olivia Smith already looking like a great signing!

I’m claiming credit: As soon as I posted the below, it became stress free!! Great win for England!

Feel like this should have been much less stressful! #cricket

The idolatry of geography: samradford.com/2025/06/19/the-idolatry-...

We got away with it today, Handré Pollard, but please don’t give any interviews this week about goal kicking—we need you back at your best for the final! #LeicesterTigers

What if I’m wrong?: https://samradford.com/2025/05/25/what-if-im-wrong.html

Imogen is 13!: https://samradford.com/2025/05/23/imogen-is.html

The pause between scrolls: samradford.com/2025/05/22/the-pause-bet...

The loss of curiosity in pursuit of convenience: samradford.com/2025/05/21/the-loss-of-c...

Golden ages thrive on openness: samradford.com/2025/05/07/golden-ages-t...

“Mental Load – the Movie”: samradford.com/2025/05/03/mental-load-t...

Fabulous win for #ArsenalWomen! Champions League final here we come!!

Our cover this week.

My heart is not happy with me watching this #Arsenal game, but I’d have absolutely taken 0–0 at half time prior to kick off. Especially as we’ve look more like scoring (and should have scored that penalty).

People are saying #Arsenal should play it safe tonight, focus on protecting the 3–0 lead. That doesn’t sit right with me. We shouldn’t be careless, but our mindset should be to take this game by the jugular and kill it off. Go for it. Don’t invite them onto us by sitting back and playing safe.

🔗 Have we been thinking about ADHD all wrong?

This is a long—very long!—article, but well worth the time.

Screen usage and back and neck pain: samradford.com/2025/04/13/screen-usage-...

“Trump’s latest approval rating dropped this week to just 43%.”

What does it say about America that nearly half the country is still on board with him? After everything?

I’m glad it’s dropping, but how is it still this high?!

Age and forgiveness: https://samradford.com/2025/04/03/164349.html

📚 I gave All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton a solid shot—made it about 30% through—but it’s just not clicking for me. No matter how much I try, I can’t seem to get into it, so I’m moving on to something that grabs me more!

Enjoying a relaxing spa day at Champneys Springs in Leicestershire with Rachel. Spent a blissful hour and a half making my way through FT Weekend—there’s still something uniquely satisfying about a leisurely newspaper read on a we... samradford.com/2025/03/08/enjoying-a-re...

It’s going to be challenging for Apple to talk about new Apple Intelligence features for iOS 19 at WWDC when they’ve failed to deliver what they announced last year for iOS 18. It’s worrying how much Apple seems to be struggling with AI. And the glacial pace at which they’re moving.

📚 Finished reading The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose last night. Very enjoyable! The socially awkward yet endearing main character works well. In the best sense of the word, it’s just a really nice book!

#Arsenal just not nearly threatening enough. Not enough guile. Not enough pace. Not enough potency. Disappointing. There’s reasons, but still…

Aware but not following.