It’s my last workday of 2021, at least I very much hope so, and I feel like I should try to sum up the year somehow. The problem is, I can’t think of anything much to say about it! What was supposed to be a fresh start after the weirdness of 2020 turned out to be pretty much just more of the same. As a friend of mine remarked, this was not his preferred method of learning the Greek alphabet. Sure, there were some highlights – taking on new challenges and responsibilities with the launch of the AI ethics course, going to Turku for the Technology Ethics conference – but the fact is that I saw even less of the inside of my office this year than the year before. I haven’t even bothered to find out how to raise my desk, which is supposed to be adjustable but appears to be stuck at the lowest possible elevation, making me feel a little silly and awkward on those rare occasions when I’ve sat at it. 

At least during the autumn term I’ve been going to the university campus on a regular basis, because the choir rehearses there in St Luke’s Chapel. As nice as it is that good things have happened at work, singing with Cassiopeia has been the real highlight of the year to be quite honest. If there was any shred of doubt left in my mind that these are my kind of people, it was well and truly dispelled by the Christmas party we had on Friday, easily the most fun I’ve had all year and a brilliant way to wrap up my first choir term. Our Christmas concerts were also a success, and you don’t need to just take my word for it: there’s a little taster available on YouTube, and if that gets you interested, you can buy access to a full concert recording on the choir website. Keep an eye on the YouTube channel of the tenor section too, there’s a very special Christmas treat coming there soon. 

Well, that’s it for 2021 then I guess. Will we run out of Greek letters in 2022, and what will we start using instead? Stay tuned to find out, and in the meantime, have a very happy holiday season!