My podcast debut

A few weeks ago the Evening Leader broadcast its first podcast, featuring our journalists talking about what's going on at the paper.

This week, I'm making my debut on the podcast and it's online now at http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/

We're having a few technical difficulties with the site at the moment, so please bear with us if it doesn't work immediately.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. We're planning a more light-hearted podcast next week - but any suggestions for improvements to the format would be welcome.

Thank goodness... I'm not as old as I thought

I've just had a conversation with my mum. She's discovered the internet and, after a fair bit of prompting it has to be said, she has found this blog.

Apart from complaining that my picture isn't as big as it should be (it's plenty big enough, thanks), our conversation centred around the 'about me' section and, in particular, my choice of music.

'I've never heard of any of those bands,' she said in one of those reproving voices that only mums can muster.

However, on this occasion, I took it as a big compliment. With my 32nd birthday on the not-to-distant horizon and the grey hairs colonising my hair (though goodness knows how long that will last), I was beginning to feel a bit over the hill.

I've spent years watching football and cricket matches, complaining that so-and-so should call it a day and retire with dignity now he's past 30; now I'm in the same boat.

So my conversation with mum made me feel better. If she still doesn't recognise any of the artists I'm listening to, maybe there's still hope. Now where did I put that Roxette CD?

Proof that I really am a gardener

I've one reader who refuses to believe that I am gardener. So, just to set the record straight, here's a picture of my garden taken last summer. I would include one from this year, but I keep forgetting to buy batteries for the digital camera.

The future of journalism

Although this is a pretty light-hearted blog most of the time, occasionally I do post items relevant to my professional life as a journalist.

Ryan Sholin, an American journalist, is a constant source of good advice about the future of journalism and this post is worth a look if you're at all interested in how online developments are revolutionising news delivery: http://ryansholin.com/2008/06/04/10-obvious-things-one-year-later/

Serious stuff over (for now).

Gardens

Just a quick update on my garden (whether you're interested or not).

Everything's looking pretty good at the moment, and the manure that nearly cost me serious injury - courtesy of an irate wife - seems to have worked its magic. I'm particularly proud of my beetroot and broad beans - they're looking very healthy and I'm expecting great things from them.

The greenhouse is also flourishing. I have tomato plants with plenty of early fruit, albeit not ready yet, and tonight I found three peppers on the chili plants I'm growing. Although I've been gardening for a couple of years, it still amazes me how quickly plants grow.

It's even got to the stage where I look forward to a bit of rain because 'it's good for the garden'. And how sad is that?