Category Archive for "Life in general"

Back to school – returning to study?

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 Permalink

I completed my MBA (Master of Business Administration) in 1998. Apparently that is more than a decade ago. Even more than two decades ago. Apparently.

I’d started the MBA before heading overseas to work in international development so completed it by distance and have vivid memories of trying to explain to a lecturer – via fax or telephone (ie. before internet) – that I was living in Mozambique. A Portuguese-speaking country and had no access to any English texts or literature of any kind.

Anyhoo… it’s a long time since I’ve done any formal study. And I should admit, I hated study. Hated it. I always did far better at subjects requiring understanding and ‘doing’ rather than ‘learning’.

Online fatigue

Thursday, April 30, 2020 Permalink

Even before I officially started working from home as a contractor I worked (a little) from home in a less-official capacity. During my time with government (pre seachange), though I was never permitted to work remotely, I usually had to monitor emails and respond out of hours… or be pretty much available as required.

So… you’d think I’d be used to spending my days at my desk.

first, we make the beast beautiful by Sarah Wilson

Monday, April 27, 2020 Permalink

I’ve mentioned it a zillion times so you may be aware I don’t read non-fiction. I had heard however, a lot of good things about first, we make the beast beautiful by Sarah Wilson. And given everything happening at the moment, it seemed like a good time to dive into the beast-infested waters.

Wilson is of course known best for her I Quit Sugar initiative, program and books. For some reason I’d thought she’d separated herself from that movement but it’s mentioned a bit here. Although this book was first released in 2017.

Livin’ la vida lockdown

Monday, April 13, 2020 Permalink

I had planned to write something intelligent and insightful today, but now can’t be arsed. I did however want to participate in Denyse Whelan’s blogging link-up and the theme is ‘share your snaps’ and I figured that was doable.

I mentioned last week that ‘lockdown’ didn’t look terribly different in my world. I commented however, to someone yesterday, that I was struggling a little (with focus) as there felt as if there was a sense of something bigger, more important dislodging my thoughts and sense of purpose.

Life in Lockdown: business as usual

Monday, April 6, 2020 Permalink

Finally… I have the opportunity to shine. I can excel at something. Be better than most. It’s only what I deserve after all—given all of the effort I’ve put in and the years of training.

Of course my achievements are going unnoticed. But I won’t pout or sulk. I won’t boast. Or maybe I will. Yes I know… I’ll write a blog post about it.

About how good I am at ISOLATING. At SOCIAL DISTANCING.

Everybody’s baking bread

Monday, March 30, 2020 Permalink

What is it with all of the bread making? My social media feeds are full of people baking bread. I hadn’t realised we had so many bread lovers around the world.

I think there was initial panic-buying of bread and milk (as is always the case when we’re in danger of flooding, bushfires, cyclones, long weekends…) but most bakeries still seem to be open. And trading. Perhaps though, there is still a shortage of bread. Which I gather has led to the panic-buying of flour as lots of people assume they’re going to go all Martha Stewart or Little House on the Prairie and bake their own.

The Coronavirus… doing our bit

Monday, March 23, 2020 Permalink

In my post about the Coronavirus a couple of weeks ago I commented on the fact I was worried we were panicking about the wrong things… toilet paper and the like, whereas I felt we should be worried about the impact on our livelihoods, not just our lifestyles.

I don’t profess to be less materialistic or shallow than others, but as I mentioned I watch waaaaay too much dystopian (end of world) type TV not to worry about the events leading UP TO the apocalypse. And yes… I am being blithe there!

Yet another post about COVID-19

Thursday, March 12, 2020 Permalink

I’d planned to blog every day in March. And well… that hasn’t quite gone as I’d hoped. But it means today – out of guilt – I’m here writing something…. anything and not only because a reminder I set myself has been popping up on my phone and computer hourly since Tuesday.

Actually, yes that might be the reason.

Anyhoo… I’ve got 10 minutes, so I figure I’ll go with the elephant in the room…

Seven months without Instagram

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Permalink

I discovered today that it’s been 28 weeks – or 7 months for those without superior maths’ skills – since I decided to attempt an Instagram detox. I wasn’t sure how long I’d last but just knew I needed the break.

I did dip my toes back into the ‘gram-infested water for a few days in early October 2019 when I attended a crime-writing festival and posted a couple of pics at Christmas, but that’s it.