Now - Matt Marshall's Personal Site

This is in response to the now page movement.

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Our daughter, D, was born in late March and we are adjusting to being parents (and loving it!)
In the first few weeks of being parents, we binge-watched a bunch of shows to stay awake at the odd hours but that seems to have settled now
After some initial disruption I have been able to start strength training again thanks to my amazing partner giving me that space, although I haven’t started running again yet!
I am approaching my driving test soon, and although don’t expect to pass in the first few attempts I hope to pass before midwinter!
I still haven’t been able to use my new bow, since every time we plan to visit the archery field our daughter has other plans and disrupts the day but we don’t mind
I haven’t been able to read much but am listening to music while at work and during “Daddy dancing” sessions with my daughter in the morning

I have returned to work at Open Data Services Co-operative. I was on parental leave when version 1.4 of the 360Giving standard was released but our hard work paid off and my colleagues ensured that the release went smoothly. I am also “on-call” for when the Cabinet Office need support with their Open Contracting data, and am also prepping for developing version 3.1 of the Human Services Data Specification with colleagues at Open Referral.
I stopped developing my Minetest mods for a bit because I’m not really playing the game much; instead I finished a quick-and-dirty CLI application in Python, which means I can interact with our time tracking system at work without needing to open a web browser. It represents the latest in what I am calling the “Matt really doesn’t want to open a browser for this” series of small utilities.
I need to touch base with The Patchwork Project, as I haven’t seen them since the birth of D.

This section collects previous Now page status updates.

We are eagerly awaiting the birth of our child in a few days
We have been exploring my late Father-In-Law’s LP collection instead of watching shows
I bought a new board/card game, Dominion
I am on Parental leave and spending time with my partner, A, before the baby arrives
I am finally learning how to drive a car
I am reading where I can but do not expect to be doing as much historically
I’m exercising lots but also experimenting with a new fasting regime to improve some metabolic health
I’ve bought my first bow and kit but need to visit the Cleadon Archers to get measured for my draw length and to receive help assembling and tuning some parts of the bow

I still thoroughly enjoy my work at Open Data Services Co-operative where I have been preparing version 1.4 of the 360Giving data standard, helping the UK Cabinet Office team with their upcoming OCDS publication, and giving governance and technical consultancy to Open Referral with regards to HSDS
On the side, I worked on my Minetest mods a bit; getting the Alchemicka modpack into a “playable” shape
I had some great catch-ups with team at The Patchwork Project and I’m really pleased with the current management and work team there

I continue to work 5 days a week at Open Data Services Co-operative and throroughly enjoy my work there.
I split my time between supporting 360Giving with standard development on the 360Giving Standard, supporting the UK Cabinet Office and The Welsh Government with their OCDS implementations in response to the UK Procurement Reforms, and supporting Open Referral on various aspects of the HSDS standard.
I continue to be a trustee of The Patchwork Project and support them where possible with technical expertise.
I have joined UTAW as an act of solidarity, but I do not attend meetings because I do not have anything to contribute due to my status as a worker-owner of a co-operative.

I’ve recently joined The Cleadon Archers as a new member and I’m hopefully getting involved in my new sport.
I’m focusing on my strength training and putting my running into maintenance mode.
We’re enjoying our new home in South Tyneside, and are planning the various repairs it needs across the next few years.
I’m doing some creative writing where I can.
We’re looking after our pets: Fröyja the cat, Ash and Pika the rabbits.
We’re hiking and exploring in Northumberland and Teeside whenever we can.
Reading lots of fiction.
Learning about languages and using my Esperanto wherever possible.