Five things on Friday #406
A silly birthday edition.
Really only one thing of note for the week ending Friday November 21st, 2025.
#406
Earlier this week I asked my bluesky followers a simple question:
100% of the replies said ‘C’.
And so here we are 😀
It is indeed my birthday, today, Friday November 21st, 2025. I have a couple of meetings to sort out and then I’ve got some pals round for a small dinner party.
As I write to you now I am eating Pokemon chocolate cornflake cakes with coffee in bed surrounded by presents and love.
I do have work today so I should get up soon.
But the tldr for you is: there will be no proper newsletter this week.
However, to keep my promise to my Bluesky fam, you are ALL extremely welcome to validate my existence and reply to this email with ‘Happy Birthday!’ 🥳 😄 😅
Failing that, why not do one of these five things instead (damn, even on my birthday I can’t not do FIVE THINGS):
Send me a nice reply on Bluesky.
Add me on Linkedin (with a note - obvs) - the true birthday gift that keeps on giving.
Post a recommendation on your social channel of choice saying how great this newsletter is.
Give a donation to CALM.
Any of the above or none of the above, I really don’t mind. It’s entirely up to you. Point is: I’m having a day off writing 3000 words because… I’ve earned it? :)
Normal service will resume next edition.
And while it is indeed the start of silly season, it is my ambition to get at least one or two more newsletters out before Christmas.
Promise.
Finally, if you’re properly missing a real FTOF fix, then why not browse the archive a relatively new, searchable destination where several hundred old editions can be found.
Go digging - you never know, you might strike gold.
Speaking of gold, I am off to wear a golden crown around the house until my first Teams call of the day.
With much birthday love,
James.
PS. If you REALLY wanna do something nice, why not hire the Mrs (as her new website soft-launched earlier this week - and it’s all about helping small to medium indie agencies get better at client service. Her client list is growing but if anything there sounds like you, then you should absolutely get in touch).
Five thing on Friday will always be free.
However, if you want to chuck a couple of quid directly to the running costs then you can do that at these links:
You can sign up to an annual sub (no minimum amount required - people have dropped £20-£50 on this link, which is nice).
Or a one off pay whatever you want donation right here.
100% of all your dollar will go on Buttondown fees (about £23 a month) and anything left over at the end of each year with Buttondown will go direct to men’s mental health charity, CALM.