Typing In My Notebook

Getting excited is fun. Sharing that excitement extends the joy. Why does there need to be any more reason to write?

Live review of the intoxicating Warpaint, performing at Oxford's O2 Academy.

Review of Goldfrapp's live performance at Oxford's O2 Academy.

Read my review of Mark Thomas' latest show, The Red Shed, performed at Oxford's North Wall arts' centre.

Review of Stewart Lee's full-length stand-up show, Content Provider, which first appeared on the Daily Info.

January is a time for trying new things and learning important lessons. Unfortunately some lessons are a little harder learned than others.

Check out my live review of the Margo Price Band, which first appeared on Daily Info.

Everyone should read 'The War on Women' because such accounts of real, everyday suffering, abuse and oppression teach us just how real and how systemic this war is.

From the sublime to the ridiculous - or rather the dumb - here are five things that I just happened to learn this week.

To do just the one thing is such an obvious piece of wisdom, but it is often forgotten. Upon finishing 'Stoner: A Novel', it seemed pertinent that writing this post be the one thing I do.

This weekend, thanks to a bit of baking, I realised there's a subtle difference between getting better at what you enjoy and working to improve what you do every day.

My week has not been without words: they were just published over on Daily Info because I went and watched a bunch of music and reviewed it.

Let's all join the analogue revolution and stop the slow digital creep that's reaching into our minds and breaking our spirits.

2015 is the year of adventure because I looked back at 2014 and searched for the best moment I could think of. The answer was obvious: Bestival.

My review of Jonathan Lethem's 'The Ecstasy of Influence' may have been quite little, but the thoughts it sparked were a quite big. So hop on board this train of thought about influence and intimidation.

Finally I can offer a little review of Jonathan Lethem's 'The Ecstasy of Influence' because I have at long last finished it. It only took me two and a half years.

Welcome, one and all, to 2015. It's the year of adventure and I am back (with gay abandon) to typing in my notebook.

When a production of Macbeth not only manages to make you jump, but also creeps the bejesus out of you, then you know it's getting something right. This is a review of Creation Theatre's Macbeth.

A pub in Wales pointed out that halfway to nowhere is exactly where you need to be to move forward with a little meaning.

The less you write, the less you are a writer. But when you keep worrying about what's happening next, there's no time to expand upon what's happening now.

Where do I even begin in describing the various vitality that all the talent I've encountered this week exuded and induced?...

Love and live music. Talking about some things that are hard to express, but very much need saying.

I've not been here for a while for the very simple reason that, I've not been here. And I don't know where I went but I'm starting to realise why.

Get better. Think about it - those two words say a lot more than first appearances may suggest.

2013 meant dipping my toes in a lot of new things. 2014 means diving a little deeper into a few and transitioning to a new writing frequency.

It's January, it's dark, it's gloomy and wet, it's Sunday afternoon. This is all I'm fit for...

It's that time of year again. And while I still remain skeptical about the whole resolution thing, I can't help but make the odd one...

I have the kind of flu that makes your head feel like it's going to fall off: must be Christmas!

This post is my personal love letter to my very special new home. Finally, I'm where I belong.

Writing is my profession, my fun and more. My brain on the other hand is a little more limited in its functionality.