Notes and links from Wed 1 July

Status: Went out for a cuppa today with a friend, the first time I’ve done this under my own steam in at least two years, maybe longer. The rest of the day I’ve felt OK but definitely drained and unable to do things I’d like to crack on with. There’s a good Big Read in the pipe but it’ll have to wait until I’m able to do it justice. The thoughts are mostly there but I just can’t construct the sentences. Most frustrating but it’ll come in time. We went to what used to be Wildcat, one of my homes-from-home in Stirchley, to the level that I had my own tankard behind the bar, until I got sick of tourists asking me how they could get a tankard and disturbing my peace. It always used to be quiet midweek during the day with locals sitting on their own reading books and the like. Liam decided to quit the business this year (and fair enough, hospitality is a nightmare business these days) and a neighbouring bar took over the venue, promising to keep the vibe. And I’m happy to say in the…