We went to Brighton, connected with the child and her partner (who made me two lovely hand-trimmed hand-stitched notebooks with thick art paper), ate an excellent meal at an out-of-the-way Argentinian steakhouse where my dessert (ice cream with walnuts in whisky) came with a lit candle, and then went to see Amigo The Devil play live at the Hope & Ruin, which was superb. Generally, a pretty damn good way to start my fifty-second year.

Got home this afternoon, made some booking and schedulings, cleared email, ran around social media, and then, while I was still in a peaceful and proactive frame of mind, started switching things off.

(And then did notes on someone else’s pitch document, because LA may be closed but it’s still a work day out here on the Thames Delta.)

(And talked to the phone a lot – iOS Reminders app is getting a workout this month)

Yesterday I was told I look “excessively nautical” so tomorrow I’m trimming the winter beard, an act which should summon Spring. But won’t.

Next phase of 2020 begins now. Feels good.