Category Archives: Personal reflections

Quantum quandaries and pints in London

Posted on April 2, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 For once, my Ryanair flight to Stansted wasn’t a claustrophobic test of human endurance. In a rare twist of fate, the plane was half-empty, giving me enough space to almost stretch out and almost be comfortable. Small victories. With … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Personal reflections, Science & Curiosity, Travel | Tagged Beer & philosophy, British pubs, City life, Intellectual wanderings, London Trip, Pub culture, Quantum physics, Science musings, Thought experiments, Travel Reflections | 1 Comment

The month that was – March 2025

Posted on April 1, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 The case of the disappearing month Once again, I find myself asking: where on earth did March go? It barely arrived, made itself comfortable for about five minutes, and then vanished without so much as a goodbye. I checked … Continue reading →

Posted in Lifestyle, Monthly Recaps, Personal reflections, Travel, Travel and adventure | Tagged Bureaucratic Battles, Devon Trip, Irish Pub Culture, London Trip, March Recap, Mini Drone Adventures, Rugby Matches, Seaside Getaway, Time Flies, Travel planning | 1 Comment

The week that was 11-2025

Posted on March 16, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A week of sneezes, seafood and subscriptions At the time of writing, I am feeling decidedly under the weather, battling a rather unpleasant cold. Given the times we live in, I should probably take a COVID test, but let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Lifestyle, Personal reflections | Tagged Food & Drink, Getaways, Health, Money Management, Productivity & Organisation, Seasonal Living, Travel, Wellness | 1 Comment

Boycotting with a twist

Posted on March 10, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 My two-decades quest for alternatives Ah, the good ol’ days of the early 2000s, when hair was big, jeans were baggy, and the world was blissfully unaware of the impending doom that came with a certain military operation in … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative software, Consumer activism, European innovation, Gadgets, Personal reflections, Technology | Tagged AI, apple, AppleProducts, apps, Books, Boycott, ConsumerChoice, DigitalSovereignty, EuropeanApps, iPhone, LeChat, MistralAI, Nokia, SoftwareDiversity, Tech, TechAlternatives, Technology | 1 Comment

The week that was 10-2025

Posted on March 9, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A retired person’s delight (mostly) Ah, another week in the life of a happily retired individual. A week that was neither too adventurous nor entirely uneventful—just the right balance of leisure, technology-induced epiphanies, and the occasional humbling experience. Let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Comics, Music & Nostalgia, Personal reflections, Retirement life, Tech Gadgets, Technology, Travel planning | Tagged AppleEcosystem, BureaucracyAdventures, ComicsAndBooks, DronePhotography, FrenchRadio, MusicMemories, NeilYoung, RetirementLife, SouthPacificTravel, TanguyEtLaverdure, TechSolutions, TravelPlanning | 3 Comments

The month that was – February 2025

Posted on March 1, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 A month of movement, mild weather and musical holograms Ah, February—the shortest month, yet somehow always managing to pack in just as much (if not more) than its lengthier counterparts. This one started in spectacular fashion, with the annual—or … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Personal reflections, Technology, Travel | Tagged ABBA Voyage, Alicante 2026, Barcelona Getaway, Carcassonne, Classic Cars, Digital Housekeeping, Mild Winter, Rétromobile Paris, Solo Living, Tapas & Gastronomy, Tech Upgrades, Travel planning, Virtual Concerts | 1 Comment

The curse of compliments

Posted on February 3, 2025 by JJS

A train tale Did I, by any chance, mention how smooth and delightful our train journey was yesterday? If so, I would like to formally retract that statement and accept full responsibility for what has followed. This morning, the train … Continue reading →

Posted in Life's Little Surprises, Personal reflections, Slow Travel, Train Journeys, Travel | Tagged Bordeaux to Paris, francais, Frasier nostalgia, French, Hotel life, litterature, Relaxing moments, Silver linings, TGV travel, Train Delays, Travel, Travel Mishaps, Travel stories, Unexpected downtime | 1 Comment

Train ride

Posted on February 2, 2025 by JJS

🇬🇧 There’s something delightful about old-school train travel. Currently, I’m comfortably settled in a first-class carriage on the Intercités, gliding from Carcassonne to Bordeaux. I’ve been looking forward to this trip all week, and so far, it’s living up to … Continue reading →