Now – Serendipities

What’s a “now” page?

It’s a place to post the answer to the question, “What are you up to right now?”

Think of it as an alternative to posting fragmented social media updates that no one wants to read or see.

Updated: 16 November 2025, Singapore

I’m ploughing through a load of books at the moment because I thought it would be a good idea to read this year’s Booker Prize shortlist with some friends (before the winner is announced on 10 November). I wrote a little bit here about why I’ve not necessarily enjoyed the process of stacking books to read. But I think it also has to do with the fact that [spoiler] I don’t think this year’s offerings are very good (relatively at least). None of the six books on the shortlist has gone beyond an 8 on my new book list.

I’m watching The Diplomat (Season 3) 7/10, Slow Horses (Season 5) 8/10, Celebrity Traitors 8/10, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 3) 7/10. I’ve enjoyed them all.

I’m growing a Mo again this year. More and more, I see the need for men’s mental health to have a space in the calendar. In an age of increasing isolation, I wonder how much more important the need for intentional connection, sitting around a table, just knowing that I am not on my own, will be for me over my next 50 years.

I’m ruminating over our recent family holiday to China. There was so much that I enjoyed that dispelled many misconceptions I held. The surveillance was much more understated (in the background rather than the foreground) than I expected. It also felt like Beijing was running on electricity, perhaps explaining why I didn’t see all that smog we saw on the TV during the Olympics back in 2008. I was bowled over by the number of EVs. Bikes, scooters, public transport, cars, vans…everything. It was so quiet at times – we played “spot the petrol car” at one point. We took bullet trains from Beijing to Nanjing and then to Shanghai: the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden Palace, Summer Palace, Nanjing Massacre Museum, Sun Yet Sen Mausoleum, Ming Tomb, Confucius Temple, and Shanghai including the Era Acrobats.

Updated: 27 SEPTEMBER 2025, Singapore

I’m reading The Narrow Road to the Deep North (9/10). Having visited the site of the Death Railway and the Commonwealth war graves back in 2007 (during a weekend break from a CELTA course in Bangkok), I was immediately taken in by the story. I won’t lie, quite a few tears (although not quite the amount of tears I gave for The Time Traveller’s Wife).

I’m watching Slow Horses season 5. We are only on episode 1, but I already have the feeling that the series has peaked and will be more of the same. That’s not to say I’m not going to enjoy it, more a feeling that I would not be surprised if it went the way of the Wheel of Time and was, sadly, not renewed.

I’m still running by the way. I’m really surprised that I am now at 410 km for the year. I never expected that. My target is 500 km for the year now. I’m not sure it’s made any difference to my appearance, but it’s nice to know that I’m not fading away just yet.

I’m still playing Magic: The Gathering, and attended my first CommaderFest event this month. It’s super-geek stuff really, and I enjoyed it more than I thought I might. Still, at the end of it all, I decided to finally cash in all my MTG cards (of value) and purchase Bitcoin with the proceeds. I have no idea about the wisdom of this decision. However, holding BTC is a lot easier than trying to maintain cardboard in the humidity of Singapore, so I think it will end up being a good decision.

Updated: 25 July 2025, Singapore

We’ve been travelling over the summer holidays. Firstly, we’ve decided to take over our little house in Brighton, UK, and spend a significant amount of time cleaning and renovating it as a holiday home. But we’ve also found time to visit Tuscany (stunning) with friends and spend time in the New Forest and Somerset with family so the kids can spend as much time as possible with their cousins.

We’re playing Lost Cities (7/10). We got this great little card game as a gift a few years ago and for some reason it stayed in the box. No more.

I’m watching Test Cricket through the summer holidays. It’s England v India. The kids keep asking me who is winning – I still have no idea how to answer this one, although they seem to be OK when I tell them who is more likely to win.

I’m also watching Normal People (8/10) after being surprised at enjoying Sally Rooney’s book of the same name. Not abnormally, it was an airport panic buy.

I’m still running. Strava already has me at 288km against my start of year target of 300km. I may need to set a new target of 500km (c.10km per week).

I’m finally carrying an Irish passport. And that means I’m now a “tri-national”. I’m celebrating it as it’s a privilege that makes up for some of the challenges of growing up as a mixed-race child who is now bringing up third culture kids.

Updated: 23 March 2025, Singapore

We’re still playing Splendor. It’s still great. Thinking it’s about time to get the expansion pack.

I’m reading Wool by Hugh Howey (7/10) because I am really enjoying the TV series (Silo). It’s pretty good, but I am enjoying the TV series a lot more. Not sure when the last time that was the case.

I’m running much more than I have ever done. I set a target of 300 km this year, and I’m already 162 km in.

I’m watching so much good TV at the moment. Slow Horses (9/10), Wheel of Time (7/10), and Severance (8/10) are all so good. I really hope these shows are renewed.

I’m still waiting for Irish citizenship.

Updated: 12 January 2025, Singapore

I’m applying for my Irish passport. That’s because, after a few years of gathering birth, death, and marriage certificates, I’ve finally made it onto the Foreign Births Register for Ireland through my grandfather. It’s also because of Brexit.

I’m playing Splendor. We were gifted this one for Christmas and did not expect it to be so simple and addictive. I gave it an 8/10, and it’s definitely going to be packed away as one of our travel games.

I’m still watching Silo (8/10) on Apple. We’re on series two now and at the stage where we must wait each week for the next episode to drop. I know a lot of people like it when a whole series is released in one go, but there has always been something special about being made to wait for something that you are looking forward to.

I’m reading Trust by Hernan Diaz (7/10) because of all the hype I’ve heard about it. And also, Wool, by Hugh Howey, inspired my enjoyment of the TV series (Silo).

Updated: 23 December 2024, Singapore

I’m watching Black Doves (8/10) on Netflix and Silo (8/10)on Apple TV. Both are thrilling, and I’ve noticed I’m on a run of enjoying brilliant female leads.

I’m playing Cascadia. This board game won a few awards a couple of years ago, and then my brother-in-law brought it for me after I mentioned that I wanted to play one day. I gave it a solid 7/10 because it delivers as a family game that we can bring travelling.

I’m reading Life under Pressure: The Social Roots of Youth Suicide and What to Do About Them by Anna Mueller and Seth Abrutyn (8/10). I came across this book whilst reading the (I thought disappointing) latest book from Malcolm Gladwell, Revenge of the Tipping Point (which I gave a lacklustre 5/10). Gladwell was trying to understand why one particular school in a small community found itself coming to terms with a disproportionate number of suicides over a relatively small period. I went down the rabbit hole and found that I wanted to read the whole story. I am glad I did. All School leaders should read this. It’s our work.

I’m deliberating on writing a book (with a friend) about my experiences in school innovation and the use of Dilemma Theory in resolving the tensions that make this work near impossible at times.

Updated: 1 November 2024, Singapore

I’m watching The Diplomat (8/10) on Netflix. I loved the first season, but this second one is even better. Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell are brilliant.

I’m (still) reading my Summer book list: Yellowface (8/10), Demon Copperhead (8/10), and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow (9/10). What a great list.

I’m growing a moustache for Movember.

Updated: 10 August 2024, Singapore

I’m watching The Last Kingdom. I started watching it on the BBC nearly a decade ago and was delighted when I saw it pop up on my Netflix feed.

I’m reading Cloud Street by Tim Winton because a friend I admire recommended it.

I’m listening to the Podcast The Rest is Politics. I enjoy the repartee between Rory and Alistair (and I secretly hope Rory will be a viable runner for PM one day).

I’m painting my army of Lumineth Realmlords. I still haven’t finished my archers and may need to buy more.

I’m sorting through my Magic: The Gathering cards to see if I can build a Rabbit Tribal Commander deck. And if you have no idea what that means, that’s probably for the best!

I’m playing a new board game: Dune Imperium. Loving it. I gave it a lofty 9/10 because it’s so good, but also because I love the gameplay, the drafting, and for keeping me nostalgic about the Dune world.

Thanks to Derek Sivers for the /now idea.