14th July

I am not overly enamoured with shift work. It has a detrimental effect on my social life* and my body clock. But the occasion late three hour shift like today's does allow for rest and recuperation. I slept well for the first time in what feels like an age and spent most of the afternoon watching the men's semi finals at Wimbledon.

The favourite, Roger Federer, beat Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Berdych didn't play badly by any means but it's difficult to touch his opponent in this sort of form. Should Federer win on Sunday he will win his 19th Grand Slam and his 8th Wimbledon title, moving him ahead of Pete Sampras and William Renshaw on 7 each. Federer is a graceful, effortlessly brilliant sportsman and I'd like to see him do it. I think he will. His opponent Marin Cilic has the one of the best serves in tennis but lacks the all round game to get Federer at the top of his ability. Still, you never know.

* Admittedly I am to blame for most of the central problems with my social life. I'm concerned that I'm heading down a path of isolation that I will struggle to return from, but that's for another time.

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