Using my “emergency boost” running playlist to try and pump myself up to go to work.

Here's a handy little graphic showing how much more taxpayers' money has gone into bankrolling shareholder dividends and other nations railways since privatisation. Fares tend to rise by RPI +1%, regardless of any pay rises. Rail workers are also taxpayers.

All my inspiration keeps vacillating between my "millennial returns to her Guernsey roots and grows up" story, to my "star-crossed trade unionists discover their sexuality at the Durham Miners' Gala" story. Can I just actually write SOMETHING please?

Booked myself a "writing retreat" for November - in other words, I'm going back to Guernsey for the weekend, minus my child this time. Taking a bit of a gamble that the plane will actually be able to land in the traditional Guernsey winter weather, but I'm optimistic!

Lee Anderson is utterly beyond parody at this point.

Aaaaaaaargh. It’s the Great North Run today.

Oh my god I actually did it.

"We don't just want the cake, we want the whole goddamn bakery." RMT President Alex Gordon #JoinAUnion at #TUC24 calling for the renationalisation of all public transport.

I wish the Princess of Wales no harm but I am fed up RF taking control of the news cycle. She has faced a tough year but let’s be honest, with a staff of 60 and unlimited resources. No washing ironing cleaning or catching 3 buses to obtain treatment. #AbolishTheMonarchy

The whip used to be removed for misconduct. Now it's removed for voting against child poverty and caring about vulnerable pensioners. Authoritarian and unsustainable long-term.

I've come into town to stretch my (sore) legs and get some writing done, but the weather is so drizzly and autumnal I'm feeling compelled to hobble back home and get pleasantly ensconced with a cup of tea and a biography of Mary Shelley.

Labour MPs could learn a lot from RMT's Mick Lynch. It is possible to champion the interests of public sector workers AND vulnerable pensioners.

Realised I’ve not actually posted much about the #GreatNorthRun2024 on here - but here’s my official race photo from 20km in. No idea how I was a) still smiling or b) still running!

Message 🖤

Today’s the first anniversary of my first Couch to 5k run. I say ‘run’; I sat out half the running intervals because I thought I was going to die. Fast forward a year, a torn calf, tendinitis, shin splints and two bouts of Covid, and I’m commemorating my first Great North Run.

Was dreaming all night that I was navigating the apocalypse with Annila (Ah-nee-la) and Zarah Sultana MP and honestly, could think of worse teams to be trapped with fighting faceless insurgents at the end of days. Though I doubt my superpowers of stubbornness and shouting would be much use.

I try to remain in a year-long sulk with Sonata Arctica (they don’t seem to want to tour in the UK any more) but then this comes on shuffle and I remember how much I miss being utterly certifiable at their shows and I still love them really. open.spotify.com/track/6g08Yo2W…

This needs to be said over and over again. Even if every member of rail staff refused their pay rise because of pensioners, not a penny of that money would go anywhere near them.