Hannah James
@hannahjames.bsky.social
Archives, records, and data protection. Derbyshire lass in exile, Squirrel (Scout) leader, Friend, and proud Mummy.
After 200+ applications and numerous first and second round interviews, my husband is starting a new job later this month. It’s been one heck of a process and learning curve…and not one I want to repeat any time soon.
He has 30 (!!) open applications and another five to complete. He’s started the interview process with three so far. Purely a numbers game and a far cry from his last experience of the job market, which was as recently as late 2022.
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
After 200+ applications and numerous first and second round interviews, my husband is starting a new job later this month. It’s been one heck of a process and learning curve…and not one I want to repeat any time soon.
Do not skip the alt text. 10/10 recommend.
THREAD. A collection of photographs of excellent sheep I have met on walks.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
November 14, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Do not skip the alt text. 10/10 recommend.
Say it isn’t so! Gardies (properly The Gardenia, a kebab shop) has closed after 76 years.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cambridge kebab shop beloved by students shuts after 76 years - BBC News
A takeaway, loved by Stephen Fry and Michael Portillo, closes for good, says the college landlord.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Say it isn’t so! Gardies (properly The Gardenia, a kebab shop) has closed after 76 years.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It’s been a very quiet birthday this year. Stress over husband’s lack of job in a horribly tough job market combined with a disgusting cold means I’m opting for an official birthday at some other time. Lego building and Kung Fu Panda films for the win.
September 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It’s been a very quiet birthday this year. Stress over husband’s lack of job in a horribly tough job market combined with a disgusting cold means I’m opting for an official birthday at some other time. Lego building and Kung Fu Panda films for the win.
We’re rewatching Fake or Fortune and have just encountered the episode about a scene in Venice. We had to stop in fits of giggles when the Christie’s archivist revealed the seller to be Major Gubbins. Not just Mr Gubbins but Major Gubbins. 😂
September 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
We’re rewatching Fake or Fortune and have just encountered the episode about a scene in Venice. We had to stop in fits of giggles when the Christie’s archivist revealed the seller to be Major Gubbins. Not just Mr Gubbins but Major Gubbins. 😂
I am so confused. I usually wfh Tuesdays and Wednesdays (and some Thursdays). This week has been turned inside out due to onsite meetings and duty rota-ing so I’m wfh tomorrow. I’ve confused myself (today is *not* Friday) and most of my colleagues, too.
September 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I am so confused. I usually wfh Tuesdays and Wednesdays (and some Thursdays). This week has been turned inside out due to onsite meetings and duty rota-ing so I’m wfh tomorrow. I’ve confused myself (today is *not* Friday) and most of my colleagues, too.
A great opportunity for a future archivist!
We're currently recruiting an Apprentice Archivist in my brigade at IWM. It's a great role that will work across our Documents collection, a treasure trove of stories and secrets. If you're interested in forging a career as an archivist, this could be for you:
share.google/3s2r85OOjAdb...
share.google/3s2r85OOjAdb...
Apprentice Archivist - IWM
Title: Apprentice Archivist. Location: IWM London. Application Deadline: 01/09/2025, 09:00
share.google
August 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A great opportunity for a future archivist!
Summer holidays… tired son snuggled up for a snooze while the rain chucks down outside. Husband upstairs up-skilling and applying for new jobs (redundancy confirmed yesterday). Not exactly the sunny, happy holidays we had all imagined.
August 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Summer holidays… tired son snuggled up for a snooze while the rain chucks down outside. Husband upstairs up-skilling and applying for new jobs (redundancy confirmed yesterday). Not exactly the sunny, happy holidays we had all imagined.
Reposted by Hannah James
This is one of the best ideas I've heard in ages.
July 30, 2025 at 6:45 AM
This is one of the best ideas I've heard in ages.
Reposted by Hannah James
An interesting but, I think, partially misguided paper looking at occupations’ vulnerability to AI.
It has ‘archivist’ in its top 40 most vulnerable.
But this is because it has determined that archivists primarily ‘gather information’.
1/2
It has ‘archivist’ in its top 40 most vulnerable.
But this is because it has determined that archivists primarily ‘gather information’.
1/2
Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI
Given the rapid adoption of generative AI and its potential to impact a wide range of tasks, understanding the effects of AI on the economy is one of society's most important questions. In this work, ...
arxiv.org
July 30, 2025 at 6:32 AM
An interesting but, I think, partially misguided paper looking at occupations’ vulnerability to AI.
It has ‘archivist’ in its top 40 most vulnerable.
But this is because it has determined that archivists primarily ‘gather information’.
1/2
It has ‘archivist’ in its top 40 most vulnerable.
But this is because it has determined that archivists primarily ‘gather information’.
1/2
With husband soon to be made redundant, he has been applying for new jobs with my help. Thankfully there are lots for him but jeez, the job market it tough at the moment! I’ve been learning how to engage with AI to assist with cover letters and tweaking his CV - absolutely fascinating (and scary).
July 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
With husband soon to be made redundant, he has been applying for new jobs with my help. Thankfully there are lots for him but jeez, the job market it tough at the moment! I’ve been learning how to engage with AI to assist with cover letters and tweaking his CV - absolutely fascinating (and scary).
It’s nearly the end of term! We’re staggering towards tomorrow 3.10pm. Last Squirrels session of the year is now done. Everyone is rather demob happy (no, not demon happy, autocorrect!), including parents and teachers.
July 22, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It’s nearly the end of term! We’re staggering towards tomorrow 3.10pm. Last Squirrels session of the year is now done. Everyone is rather demob happy (no, not demon happy, autocorrect!), including parents and teachers.
Which ninnies thought that a district Squirrel campfire would be a good idea in late June?! Sure, it didn’t rain on us but we were far too hot, too! Let’s try that again… in the dark and cold next year.
June 27, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Which ninnies thought that a district Squirrel campfire would be a good idea in late June?! Sure, it didn’t rain on us but we were far too hot, too! Let’s try that again… in the dark and cold next year.
One of those days, I guess 😢. Fabulous day for me at work (a fabulous intro day for 10 people potentially interested in a career in archives), a great day for LO (school outing to Woburn Safari park), and a pants day for my husband (placed at risk of redundancy).
June 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
One of those days, I guess 😢. Fabulous day for me at work (a fabulous intro day for 10 people potentially interested in a career in archives), a great day for LO (school outing to Woburn Safari park), and a pants day for my husband (placed at risk of redundancy).
All of today’s readers have gone but I’m not yet leaving the invigilation desk…and the air con! One of the many blessings of being an archivist.
June 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
All of today’s readers have gone but I’m not yet leaving the invigilation desk…and the air con! One of the many blessings of being an archivist.
Reposted by Hannah James
Welcome to the archives.
June 10, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Welcome to the archives.
Husband is on a health drive so asked an AI to come up with a healthy supper based on fridge contents: scrambled eggs (minus milk and fat) w peas, spinach, and raw (?!) carrot. Rubbery, bland and odd texture combo. Let’s give that a 2/10 (at best).
June 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Husband is on a health drive so asked an AI to come up with a healthy supper based on fridge contents: scrambled eggs (minus milk and fat) w peas, spinach, and raw (?!) carrot. Rubbery, bland and odd texture combo. Let’s give that a 2/10 (at best).
Simon Reeves’ new Scandinavia adventure series has reminded us that we’ve twice tried to go on a Hurtigruten voyage up the Norwegian coast (prevented by family ill-health both times). Now we discover they have a Young Explorer programme and sea eagle safari so it’s edging up our family shortlist.
June 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Simon Reeves’ new Scandinavia adventure series has reminded us that we’ve twice tried to go on a Hurtigruten voyage up the Norwegian coast (prevented by family ill-health both times). Now we discover they have a Young Explorer programme and sea eagle safari so it’s edging up our family shortlist.
And the weather says “welcome to half-term holidays”. Rain forecast every. single. day. after a long dry patch.
May 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
And the weather says “welcome to half-term holidays”. Rain forecast every. single. day. after a long dry patch.
In trying to use up incredibly over-ripe bananas and surplus yoghurt I found a delicious-sounding recipe. So of course I made Nutella banana bread during my morning tea break. I wonder how much will be left by tomorrow…?
May 23, 2025 at 10:08 AM
In trying to use up incredibly over-ripe bananas and surplus yoghurt I found a delicious-sounding recipe. So of course I made Nutella banana bread during my morning tea break. I wonder how much will be left by tomorrow…?
My baby* has outgrown the smallest size on his bed and with it his cotbed duvets and bedding. We’ve extended the bed (thanks, IKEA) but he’s now using full-size single bedding. I’m boggled and slightly sad. He’s delighted.
*yes, I know he’s not actually a baby at 5.5yo but he always will be to me.
*yes, I know he’s not actually a baby at 5.5yo but he always will be to me.
May 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM
My baby* has outgrown the smallest size on his bed and with it his cotbed duvets and bedding. We’ve extended the bed (thanks, IKEA) but he’s now using full-size single bedding. I’m boggled and slightly sad. He’s delighted.
*yes, I know he’s not actually a baby at 5.5yo but he always will be to me.
*yes, I know he’s not actually a baby at 5.5yo but he always will be to me.
Much excitement here as we appear to have a honeybee nest/swarm in the garden. I had to retreat from hanging out laundry in my lunchbreak as the garden filled with a loud hum and lots of flying insects. Swarm collector on way to investigate!
May 7, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Much excitement here as we appear to have a honeybee nest/swarm in the garden. I had to retreat from hanging out laundry in my lunchbreak as the garden filled with a loud hum and lots of flying insects. Swarm collector on way to investigate!
I’ve been offline completely for the last 48hrs. What did I miss?
In related news, Squirrel family camp was (mostly) amazing and we’re all shattered, little one from attending, me from organising, and husband from being a fabulous dogsbody.
In related news, Squirrel family camp was (mostly) amazing and we’re all shattered, little one from attending, me from organising, and husband from being a fabulous dogsbody.
May 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
I’ve been offline completely for the last 48hrs. What did I miss?
In related news, Squirrel family camp was (mostly) amazing and we’re all shattered, little one from attending, me from organising, and husband from being a fabulous dogsbody.
In related news, Squirrel family camp was (mostly) amazing and we’re all shattered, little one from attending, me from organising, and husband from being a fabulous dogsbody.
Squirrels is absolutely amazing and gives little people so many new experiences/opportunities but it does reduce birthday party ideas! We regularly light fires, toast marshmallows, do scavenger/bug hunts, camp, build dens, do experiments and crafts. What do we do for a 6yo birthday party?!
April 27, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Squirrels is absolutely amazing and gives little people so many new experiences/opportunities but it does reduce birthday party ideas! We regularly light fires, toast marshmallows, do scavenger/bug hunts, camp, build dens, do experiments and crafts. What do we do for a 6yo birthday party?!
Home, at last, having battled traffic clear across the country. Final Easter chocolate tally for our little one is 2 large Lindt bunnies, 3 tiny Lindt bunnies, 2 medium eggs, 19 tiny eggs, and 3 cute chocolate animals. We bought none of it. I think we’re set until Christmas!
April 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Home, at last, having battled traffic clear across the country. Final Easter chocolate tally for our little one is 2 large Lindt bunnies, 3 tiny Lindt bunnies, 2 medium eggs, 19 tiny eggs, and 3 cute chocolate animals. We bought none of it. I think we’re set until Christmas!