ZERO HANGOVERS, TOLERANCE, AND SPACE

ero-percent beers have been a total game-changer recently. Being able to head to the pub or share a drink with friends without the looming dread of a hangover or the logistics of driving is brilliant. I first blogged about this back in 2018 and followed up a year later, but the landscape has shifted so much since then.

​I’ve always loved a beer, but I rarely partake because my hangovers are particularly brutal. Usually, I save my drinking for holidays or big nights out, and even then, I never take it to excess. That’s why I’ve become such an advocate for a good "zero" option. Last year, I tried Guinness 0.0, and honestly, it changed everything. It’s proof that you don't need the alcohol to enjoy the ritual.

A Small Victory Against the Machines

While the beer has been smooth, life lately has been a bit more "stop and start." Last week, Morticia went to a medical appointment at a clinic with an ANPR-controlled car park. As a Blue Badge holder, she’s entitled to free parking, but the system required her to manually enter her serial number into a touchscreen.

Despite several attempts, the system kept spitting out error messages. This isn’t a new hurdle—Rotherham Hospital uses a similar setup—but it’s incredibly frustrating when technology fails. When she told me about it, I emailed the parking company immediately. Their initial response was dismissive, essentially saying, "We don't issue the fines; just appeal it if a charge arrives in the post."

I wasn't having that. I replied stating that wasn't good enough and asked for the matter to be escalated. That did the trick: they responded quickly to say they had "whitelisted" our vehicle. It begs the question: why couldn't that have been the first response? We shall have to wait and see if they are true to their word.

Reclaiming the Sanctuary

Between bureaucratic battles and family life, my plans for last weekend went slightly awry. I had intended to spend time tidying my shed. If you don’t know, my shed is my sanctuary; it’s where my bikes live, where I have my workspace, and a small altar where I meditate to clear my mind.

Since just before Yule, it’s become a bit of a dumping ground for "stuff" that needs sorting. I promised myself this would never happen to my space, and this is the first time since I built it that the clutter has taken over. I’d planned to tackle it last weekend, but I ended up babysitting my grandson for most of the time instead.

​I love the family time, but I’ve realised how much I need that space back to stay centred. This weekend, I’m making it a priority—without fail!

If you appreciate the atmospheric grit of northern life—and the resilience it takes to navigate its daily hurdles—you'll find those same Norse echoes in my webcomic, Northman. While I'm busy reclaiming my sanctuary and treading the bureaucratic paths of South Yorkshire, my characters are navigating much more treacherous terrain through the landscapes of Jorvikshire.

Read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

Check out my social media

For regular updates, behind-the-scenes content, and further reflections on my creative path (and perhaps a photo of a tidy shed!), connect with me on social media.

​

Instagram ● Threads

BlueSky ● TikTok