Dave Meldrum

Thanks @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social & listener for Long Covid shout out on Thursday’s pod. Long Covid means I haven’t worked since I got Covid at Christmas 2020. Which means this Brit in Cape Town has been able to pay v close attention to every facet of Arsenal’s resurgence under Arteta…

This afternoon I am mainly watching American Psycho.

New from me ... a few words about mental health and the church. Read, share, subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/davemeld...

My daughter helping with my sermon yesterday by sharing some of her experiences of dealing with anxiety. I’m SO proud of her. Sermon here: drive.google.com/file/d/1Fl8d...

Listening to the Task Spoiler Special on @pilotv.bsky.social , and serious props from this Anglican to @jamescdyer.bsky.social for actually engaging with a theological issue and knowing what he's talking about. Good job.

Sorry to hear @simonbrew.bsky.social ‘s news. Sending all the love, support & prayers.

Over-indulged in activity yesterday by (checks notes) unpacking boxes of boxes that had been stored away during renovations. So Long Covid is kicking my butt today. That it’s 36 degrees also making it hard.

Breaking news. Writing a book is hard.

Meaningless stat alert: Oz will have to make the largest innings total of the match to win.

Maybe I should go back to bed.

I was away yesterday, do today’s my first early get up for The Ashes. And putting up with infantile commentary (with the odd exception) before breakfast.

This afternoon I am mainly watching Frankenstein.

Death By Lightning is a terrific 4-episode historical political drama on Netflix about assassination of James Garfield (the 20th US President). It has a wonderful cast (Bradley Whitford doing political drama is all warm, nostalgic feelings), & it has a fine sense of humour alongside dramatic events.

Spurs - Man United. It ain’t great.

This afternoon I was mainly watching Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

My big Arsenal worry is that Raya may forget how to make a save. Imagine next week v Sunderland, Xhaka unleashes a thunderbolt & Raya is momentarily stunned into inaction by the sight of a spherical object hurtling towards him. Result: catastrophe. It could happen.

Whose sofa is this, exactly?

I'm not saying I'm easily influenced, but the book I'm reading just mentioned Tunnock’s Tea Cakes, and now I can’t think about anything else.

Some writing this morning - at the behest of my editor - that is taking me well beyond my comfort zone. No idea if I've gone too far, or not far enough. But I guess that's why we have editors.

I'm into the process of editing the first draft of my novel in progress. I have a screed of notes on the first half from the editor I'm working with. The volume of notes is humbling, exciting, scary, and depressing all at the same time. But after a necessary break, it's good to get back into it.

This afternoon I am mainly watching Black Bag.

New film from Kathryn Bigelow is on Netflix. The only scary movie you need this spooky season. To achieve this, watch this film about the American response to what appears to be the launch of single nuclear missile at USA w conscious awareness of who's in White House letterboxd.com/vicardave/fi...

This afternoon I am mainly watching A House Of Dynamite

I’m having the best time watching Celebrity Traitors with Jenica. Bantering together about what’s happening, sharing jokes and predictions, laughing together … a lot. TV you can watch (via a VPN) with your child(ren) is precious.

This is the peaceful face of Jasper, who until yesterday had been too scared to put on a lead and get out the house in over two years with us. 45 minutes with a dog behaviourist, and he’s been out three times in 24 hours. What a brave boy (and a great behaviourist)!

This afternoon I am mainly watching Steve.

This afternoon I am mainly watching One Battle After Another.

Major cricket tournaments are bad for my film watching habits.

Looking at squads and the fixture list, I reckon if Arsenal are within 4 points of the lead at start of February, then we're favourites for league.

Dominant, professional performance from Arsenal. Never looked in danger.

Dominant first half from Arsenal. Weaving some pretty, hypnotic patterns in attack. Need to see it through with a couple of more goals.

Team Meldrum on safari.

Better few minutes.

Our build up play is painful.

I’m also thinking shots on target would be useful.

I’m going to suggest that we may want to track Halland’s runs.

Every year recently, around this time, I’m bewildered as to why some seem to pay so much attention to the state of the (football) league table. Never used to. I ignore it until 10 games in. When did this become a thing, or am I a grumpy old man?

From Threads (user: Amy Brown) … not mine originally. Wish it was. “I SAW GOODY PROCTOR BEING INSUFFICIENTLY MOURNFUL OF CHARLIE KIRK”.

Do you think we could have a slow news day sometime, please? Like just one where nothing too bad happens, and people do some nice stuff reasonably well?

I preached today. If you need more of my voice in your life, you can listen to it here. I preached on Jesus' conversation with a woman at a well in John 4, using it to think re how we see ourselves, God & others in the mission we're all called to drive.google.com/file/d/1C81V...

Interviewer on international coverage translating her own interview with Zubamendi. Seriously impressive..hope she gets double pay….sorry didn’t catch her name.

Madueke looking like a very good buy (as Zubi scores a blinder) … those who petitioned against the transfer looking like right wallies.

Posie is unimpressed with the new dog…

Be it about Charlie Kirk’s murder, the fallout from it, or anything else for that matter, for the love of all that’s good please only post news from trusted, verified sources.