Or maybe #JanuaryJoys. I am generally rather fond of January, and loving the resurgence in Wassailing in Bristol and beyond. Free outdoor events celebrating and supporting the trees with singing and folklore is lush. Also Chinese New Year at the end of January!

Last year was #JanuaryJoys, but that is too positive now - I want to be able to post about things not so positive if that is what is important about the day. The only suggestion I’ve had so far is January Gems (from one child), which has been criticised by the other child.

Have just downloaded the update. It’s so exciting to see all the hashtags I’ve been using over the months appear as hyperlinks #daysofhappiness #JanuaryJoys #FebruaryThoughts #LISconference #ORL #LibrariesRewired23 (and more on an occasional basis).

On another topic, it is February tomorrow, and no longer January. So I will have no more #JanuaryJoys. The best idea I have for next month is #FebruaryThoughts - would appreciate any other suggestions.

I’m watching The Crown (S6 Ep5). Philip & William are playing chess. Perfect moment to do on of my favourite things & get my son to watch the game & see whether it’s any good. William was playing poorly. He initially had further critique, but then rewatched and said it was ok. #JanuaryJoys #Day31

I had multiple interesting conversations at work today, with colleagues and with students. I didn’t get much done on my block booked to do list, and got frustrated with the impossibility of everything, but the time with people was great. #JanuaryJoys #Day30

I didn’t sit working all evening while our children were at a thing at school late. I made fried potatoes, we subscribed to Netflix, and watched the last two episodes of Better Call Saul (had been waiting for these a long time). Remembering that we used to do things like this! #JanuaryJoys #Day29

Today I started, & am over halfway thru, a new audiobook: The Queen’s Gambit (I’ve already watched the series). I’m loving listening to a book about chess. While I don’t play myself, & can’t follow the games, it’s a big part of my life. Wonderful descriptions of the games & world #JanuaryJoys #Day28

Today I started a new jigsaw puzzle. I’ve got to the point where we’re building up several interesting sections, and am anticipating having a good amount of it done in the coming days #JanuaryJoys #Day27

Purple hardback notebook, pen and badge, all with Aurora or Advance HE branding).

This evening we watched #TheTraitors final two episodes, and as I saw the final five bonding I thought a bit about my experience at the #IamAurora event today. So nice to be sharing with people in person #JanuaryJoys #Day26 I love my new background too!

I’ve tried multiple times to get into The Expanse, knowing it ought to be my kind of series. I think my problem is that I’m generally multitasking when watching tv… Today I finished watching series 3 (having started it for the third time) & I think I kind of know what’s going on #JanuaryJoys #Day25

A long awaited catch up with an old friend #JanuaryJoys #Day24

I had block booked some of my time today to work on long term & short term projects & teaching prep. I’ve been block booking my calendar more & more recently, with mixed success. But today I managed to actually get something done that’d been on my to do list for month. It worked! #JanuaryJoys #Day23

I spent a considerable amount of time this evening discussing as yet unexplained errors in my systematic search in Academic Search Complete. Was very tempted to login to EBSCO on my phone to demonstrate (we honestly didn’t talk about work all evening!) #JanuaryJoys #Day22

Jane Austen playing cards, set up in pile, to play Patience. With no moves left to play.

Today we played Spit-a regular card game in our house, which I normally lose, as it’s very fast paced. Afterwards, I set up a game of Patience for myself-much more my kind of speed. But everyone else wanted to play too, one (typically) trying to make it into a competition! #JanuaryJoys #Day21

A purple book - Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse, by Chris Riddell

My daughter & I popped into the library today. She found a book by an author she’s read before but wasn’t sure whether she’d like this one. I enjoyed pointing out this is one of the big values of libraries-being able to try out lots of books without worrying about finishing them! #JanuaryJoys #Day20

A box containing a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle, a picture of Paris, Starry Night, by John O’Brien.

Once we finish a puzzle I usually offer it on my local WhatsApp group, where there’s a thriving exchange. I offered 3 today. One’s been collected already (another’s reserved) & the man who collected brought me 3 puzzles in return! I’ve already done nearly all the edge of this #JanuaryJoys #Day19

Today I’ve started looking at logistics for an exciting possible thing. Kind of scary. And hard work. But exciting. #JanuaryJoys #Day18

My #JanuaryJoys #Day17 is another one from my son. He said after school that the atmosphere before an exam starts is like the atmosphere before a chess tournament. Invigilator intros have similarities to an arbitrator talking through tournament rules (I’ve heard the latter many times recently!)

This evening my son started quizzing me on books on my bookshelves - giving me a book title and seeing if I could name the author. This was a lot of fun! There were various to be reads that I didn’t know, but many that I did. And we ended up remembering lots of books we’ve read. #JanuaryJoys #Day16

I was on campus today and it was good to chat with people. Then come home for a nice Monday evening with my family - cooking, drinks, chatting, tv #JanuaryJoys #Day15

Today I’ve been doing systematic review searching. I learn & create potential procedures for future research projects each time I work on this. A big takeaway: log out of the database after searching for & saving each concept, so I have a clear search history for the next concept #JanuaryJoys #Day14

Our Saturdays usually start gradually, unless we have external plans. I like the time to myself to read & potter & make pancakes for breakfast, before waking people up). Today, as both my children had things on locally in the morning, we were up early & did so much before midday #JanuaryJoys #Day13

I had a trip across London to visit someone today. In addition to the actual visit, it was nice to go to a few new (to me) charity shops. Partly just browsing, but also got a new (actually new) skirt, a book and a jigsaw puzzle (for when we finish our current one). #JanuaryJoys #Day12

Today once my children were off to school I didn’t get on with things immediately. I sat in my dressing gown listening to my audiobook and working on our jigsaw puzzle for about an hour #JanuaryJoys #Day11

My husband (who is usually a very slow reader) has been reading a book I love (Old Man’s War, by @scalzi.com) for a few days and is well through it, regularly saying it’s good. He even asked whether I’ve read any other books by this author (he’s in for a treat - I have lot!) #JanuaryJoys #Day10

I *think* I have a managed a temporary website solution, to a problem that was causing lots of stress. It’s not permanent, but provides some breathing room. A result of understanding the problem, patiently reading through forums, testing and then creating a system. #JanuaryJoys #Day9

I am up very late due to having been out for a chess game. My son is analysing his game while we both finish a late night snack. It has been a good evening (a draw, and a good game, and I got several hours to work on professional development stuff!) #JanuaryJoys #Day8

A broach in a shamrock shape, with three green heart shaped leaves and one of jewels.

Today I went out for a Nollaig na mBan ‘Women’s Christmas’ lunch (though would be happy to do this including men too!). A tasty meal with great company, and the friend who organised gave us all a little gift. Nice to catch up, and to meat new people #JanuaryJoys #Day7

We finished our Christmas jigsaw puzzle yesterday and I immediately sent my daughter out charity shopping to buy a new one. We’re now well into this one, with big chunks done already (it has several people and other distinctive things). I get so into puzzles at this time of year #JanuaryJoys #Day6