Father's Day Breakfast at Nursery

This Father's Day, I got to kick things off in a truly special way: a breakfast visit to the nursery. While I've dropped him off and picked him up countless times, I've only actually been inside the nursery a handful of times, so this was a lovely chance to see his world from a new perspective.

When I first arrived, Thom was actually a little shy, but it didn't take long for him to warm up. Once he spotted his favorite member of staff and got a little food in him, he started to warm up. He then became absolutely buzzing with excitement, so keen to show me around and pulling me by the hand from one area to another. It was clear he was really proud of his space, and it was heartwarming to see him so comfortable and happy there. He led me through the different play zones, pointing out his favourite toys and activities.

We settled down for breakfast, and I enjoyed a proper bacon sandwich, a nice start to the day! Ever the sophisticated little man, opted for a croissant, which he happily munched on. It was just a simple meal, but sharing it with him in his environment was a nice experience.

After breakfast, we had about half an hour to play together. We explored the outside, and I got to see him interact in a way I don't usually witness. He was so engaged and full of joy, and watching him enjoy himself so thoroughly was the best Father's Day gift.

Leaving him after our play felt a little bittersweet, we had a big cuddle before I left. It was a wonderful reminder of how much he's growing and how much he loves his nursery. Moments like these are truly precious, and I'm so glad I got to share this Father's Day breakfast with my enthusiastic little guide.

Reclaiming Your Web Experience: Safari's "Hide Distracting Items"

If you're anything like me, you've probably clicked on a news article only to find it unreadable thanks to the annoying advertising jammed in. Open a news article, and you're immediately bombarded with pop-ups, autoplay videos, and, worst of all, a relentless stream of adverts that obscure the very content you came to read. For me, sites like the Manchester Evening News had become almost unusable.

I've had a revelation! I recently stumbled upon a feature in Safari that has absolutely transformed my news-reading experience, and I'm kicking myself for not discovering it sooner. It's called "Hide Distracting Items," and it's nothing short of a miracle.

What is "Hide Distracting Items" and How Does It Work?

Essentially, this feature allows Safari to intelligently identify and conceal non-essential elements on a webpage. Think of it as a built-in ad-blocker and content declutterer all rolled into one. It doesn't just block ads; it hides banners, social media widgets, newsletter sign-up prompts, and all the other visual noise that clutters up so many websites.

The best part? It's incredibly simple to use. While viewing a webpage in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, here's how you access it:

• On iPhone/iPad: Tap the "aA" icon in the address bar (usually on the left). In the dropdown menu, you'll see "Hide Distracting Items." Tap it, and watch the magic happen!
• On Mac: Click "View" in the Safari menu bar at the top of your screen. You'll find "Hide Distracting Items" in the dropdown.

My Experience with the Manchester Evening News (and Beyond!)

Before this discovery, trying to read an article on the Manchester Evening News was an exercise in frustration. Every scroll was interrupted by a new advert or a demand to sign up for something. Now, with "Hide Distracting Items" enabled, the site transforms into a clean, readable page. The articles are front and centre, as they should be.

This isn't just limited to news sites either. I've found it incredibly effective on a wide range of content-heavy websites that rely heavily on advertising. It makes reading articles, recipes, blog posts – essentially anything with a significant body of text – a far more enjoyable and less distracting experience.

Why You Should Try It

If you're tired of the web feeling like an obstacle course of promotions and pop-ups, I urge you to give Safari's "Hide Distracting Items" a try. It's a built-in solution that requires no third-party extensions and works seamlessly across your Apple devices.

It won't block every single ad, especially those embedded directly into the content, but it significantly reduces the visual clutter and dramatically improves readability. For a cleaner, calmer, and more focused Browse experience, this feature is an absolute must-use.

Have you tried "Hide Distracting Items" before? What are your thoughts? Share your experiences in the comments below!

The Downward Trend I Love: My 16kg Weight Loss Journey

For most things in life, I’m a big fan of seeing the graph go up. My step count? Definitely climbing! My wealth? Absolutely skyward! But there are a select few things that bring me pure joy when the numbers head in the opposite direction. And right now, the biggest one on that list is my weight.

It feels hard to believe, but since last December, I've been on a real mission. A mission to eat a bit less, move a whole lot more, and generally take better care of myself. Today, I’m genuinely chuffed to announce that all this conscious effort has paid off in a massive way: I’ve shed a whopping 16 kilograms

I had a health review and they were at pains to point out that I was dangerously obese. That was a wake-up call, a clear sign that something had to change for my long-term health and just, well, feeling better. Fast forward to today, and while I’m not quite at my "ideal" weight yet, I’ve managed to shift myself into the "merely overweight" category. Honestly, for me, that’s a victory.

giving up alcohol for several months. That decision alone had such a surprising impact, not just on the calories I was consuming, but on my energy levels and just feeling clearer in the head. It also totally broke a really ingrained bad habit: having drinks and then, of course, the snacks, while watching TV in the evenings. Instead, Kath and I swapped those out for herbal tea – a simple switch that’s made a huge difference in cutting out mindless evening calories. Coupled with being more mindful about what I was eating, the kilograms just steadily started to melt away.

m"Move more" for me wasn't just about pottering around; it was about getting back to something I already loved. I was already a runner, having completed the London Marathon in 2024. So, while I can't really say I discovered the running bug, this journey has certainly reignited it in a big way! During this time, I've trained for and proudly completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon and the Great Run Manchester 10K. Each time I crossed one of those finish lines, it felt like a real physical sign of my progress, solid proof that my body was getting stronger and way more capable. Next up on the horizon is the incredible, and slightly terrifying, challenge of the Chicago Marathon.

It's been a fascinating transformation, not just when I step on the scales, but in everyday life too. My clothes are practically swimming on me these days – I’ve actually had to go down one to two full sizes! In fact, my old trousers were so big, I literally had to go out and buy new ones just so they’d stay up. It’s such a strange, but honestly wonderful, feeling to pull on a pair of jeans that used to be snug and now they just hang comfortably

This whole thing isn't just about the number on the scale; it's genuinely about reclaiming my health and feeling more vibrant, more energetic, and a whole lot more confident. It's a brilliant reminder that sometimes, the most satisfying progress you make is when you're charting a downward course – especially when that frees you up to achieve even bigger, upward-trending goals like marathon training!

I'm really excited to keep going on this path and see where it takes me next. If you're on a similar journey, or even just thinking about starting one, just know that small, consistent changes really do add up to big results.

From Exchange to Hardware: The Peace of Mind a Ledger Brings to My Bitcoin Holdings

For a while now, I've been part of the growing number of people who own Bitcoin. Like many newcomers, my journey started with leaving my coins on an exchange – specifically, Coinbase. It was convenient, easy to buy, and seemed secure enough at the time. However, as I delved deeper into the world of cryptocurrency, a persistent, nagging worry began to creep in: the age-old crypto adage, "not your keys, not your crypto."

That phrase isn't just a catchy slogan; it's a fundamental principle of self-custody in the decentralized world. While exchanges like Coinbase are reputable and have strong security measures, they still represent a centralized point of failure. If the exchange were ever hacked, or if my account were compromised, my Bitcoin could be at risk, entirely out of my control. The idea of waking up one day to find my digital assets gone because of something entirely external to my actions was a constant source of low-level anxiety.

The history of crypto is unfortunately riddled with examples of this exact nightmare scenario playing out. Perhaps the most infamous is Mt. Gox, once the largest Bitcoin exchange in the world. In 2014, Mt. Gox suffered a massive hack, leading to the loss of hundreds of thousands of Bitcoins. I even had an acquaintance who lost 10 Bitcoin in that hack – a devastating loss that underscored the very real dangers of relying solely on a third-party custodian.

Beyond the exchange risk, another significant concern always loomed: the security of hot wallets. While software wallets offer more control than an exchange, they are still connected to the internet. The threat of sophisticated phishing attacks, designed to trick users into revealing their seed phrases or signing malicious transactions, is a very real and present danger. The idea of "wallet draining" phishing code – malicious scripts that can sweep your funds if you accidentally interact with them – was a constant deterrent from moving my significant holdings to a software wallet on my computer or phone. I simply didn't feel comfortable with that level of exposure.

And then, I finally made the leap. I invested in a hardware wallet – a Ledger, to be exact.

The difference in peace of mind has been transformative.

A hardware wallet like the Ledger is a physical device that stores your private keys offline. This means your private keys are never exposed to the internet, even when you're making a transaction. When you want to send Bitcoin, you connect the Ledger to your computer, initiate the transaction on your software interface (like Ledger Live), and then physically confirm it on the device itself. This air-gapped security model is a game-changer.

The process of setting up my Ledger was straightforward, and the initial learning curve was minimal. The feeling of going through the steps, generating my seed phrase (and meticulously backing it up offline, in multiple secure locations!), and then finally transferring my Bitcoin from Coinbase to my own self-custodied wallet was incredibly empowering.

What's even more reassuring is the process of sending Bitcoin out of my Ledger. The device itself requires you to physically verify the recipient address on its screen before the transaction can be signed and broadcast. This simple yet critical step prevents sophisticated malware from secretly altering the address on your computer. To be absolutely double sure, I also employed a smart strategy: for my very first withdrawal, I sent a tiny test amount first. Once that small transaction confirmed successfully, I knew the address was correct and everything was working as it should, giving me the confidence to send the larger amount.

Now, when I think about my Bitcoin, that nagging worry is gone. My keys are my own, secured by a dedicated, purpose-built device. The threat of online phishing attacks or exchange hacks affecting my holdings directly has been virtually eliminated. It's a level of security and control that simply isn't possible when your funds are on an exchange or in a hot wallet.

If you're currently keeping your significant Bitcoin holdings on an exchange or are constantly worried about the security of hot wallets, I can't recommend a hardware wallet enough. It's an investment in your financial sovereignty and, more importantly, in your peace of mind. Taking control of your private keys is a crucial step in truly understanding and participating in the decentralized future that cryptocurrency promises.

 

The Joy of the Log: Why I Love Recording Everything

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Perhaps there's something hardwired in my brain, but I genuinely enjoy recording things. It's more than just a habit; there's a satisfying click when a piece of data is logged, a feeling of order emerging from the everyday.

Whether it's writing down ideas, meticulously logging my runs on Strava (you might remember I ran the London Marathon last year and I'm gearing up for Chicago this year), or cataloging my ever-growing record collection on Discogs, there's a certain pleasure in capturing these details.

My current small obsession? Catching up on my Letterboxd account with previously watched films. It's been a fun dive into the past, sifting through old theatre receipt emails and even trawling through the archives of this very blog, blog.johncooke.info, for movies I've previously written about. It’s a bit like creating a personal archive of my experiences, one entry at a time.