January days 1,2,3 (2026)

Let's have another go at this diary thing. I think it needs a purpose, and this year it will be to track how much human interaction I have, because it is rather low. 

Today was a hard day at times. It began with a tantrum from me because Rihanna had accidentally switched iplayer off when Big Ben began chiming, meaning to turn the volume up. Of course, these days switching BBC 1 back on is not a switch flicking affair but a torturous time consuming navigation through menus and loading screens. So I knew instantly that we had ruined the count down.

It’s not as if we watch BBC 1 much. Between us I think the Traitors and Rihanna’s occasional pigging out on Eastenders is about it. The rest of the time we watch YouTube in bulk and a slither of Netflix and Prime, mostly. It’s become a tradition to watch Jools Holland and the BBC 1 countdown at New Year, though neither are really enjoyable. I like the fact that Jools brings people together but the music is always meh-diocre. I would much rather be playing a board game but it’s just not what Rihanna wants to do. She wants the easiest option.

Anyway, because I threw a hissy fit or just because she was caustic all day today. Absolutely drenching me in unpleasantness consisting of some of the most irrational outbursts, the craziest of which was that I’d ruined things for her by buying several boxes of mince pies at Xmas- as that put her off making her own. (She made her own and I happily ate them but as she often buys mince pies how was I to know it was a crime for me to do likewise?) And here’s the thing. As I have resolved neither to swear or raise my voice eventually by the evening she finally came round and apologised. But she also wanted to borrow more money. So there’s that.

January 2nd

I posted some codeine to Rihanna's sister and sent back an Amazon return at the Post Office in the next village. Though I approve of the community spirit I simultaneously abhor the general rule in convenience store/post offices in Wales, which is to natter at length with no concern at all for the next customer waiting. 

January 3rd

Bought some petrol and took some recycling to the recycling centre. Feel quite trashy, which may be codeine withdrawal.