My posts have been few and far between of late. Particularly my non-bookish posts, but even the book reviews.
I guess I’m still finding some balance though I’ve now been in my ‘new’ job for over 4 months. The uncertainty or unease I wrote about early this month remains but I’m trying to be more accepting of my moods and responses. Most of which are only evident to others because I share them publicly rather than grappling with them in silence. I’m not sure which is better. I know I get frustrated with those who do nothing but whinge, but then again we all know that many only share the good on social media and their lives seem charmed. Enviable, but also inaccessible in some ways.
Anyhoo, my blogging friend Denyse is reigniting a linkup every couple of weeks so I figured I should share something today and am going with the usual ‘check-in’ post.
What I’ve been watching
Like many many others I binged on the second season of this as soon as it was available. I loved season one though was pretty much alone in HATING the lead, Daphne. I thought she was insipid and – though this isn’t the fault of the character or actress – I felt she looked about 14 or 15 years old, so struggled to see her as an adult. Of course I adored the gorgeous Simon and was sad he wasn’t appearing in season two.
However, the Anthony and Kate storyline made up for it and the actress who played Kate was / is stunning and I loved the chemistry between the pair. I gather many who’ve read the books are unhappy it veered away from the book’s plot a little, and others were disappointed by the fact there was significantly less sex this time around.
But for me – in short:
- I loved Anthony and Kate
- I shed many tears during the backstory around Anthony’s father’s death
- I could have done with less of the Featheringtons
- My favourite character remains Eloise.
Oh and I was horrified to realise I’m the age (or older) of the parents in the show! 😕
Cross-country travel
I went on a work trip this past month. It’d been ages since I travelled for work (or travelled at all really) so my anxiety peaked big-time. I was horrified by my reaction as in the past I travelled a lot – twice to the Solomon Islands with a day’s notice (and one of those times I went for almost a month!).
I decided it was a combination of factors – this being a fairly new job and not knowing my colleagues particularly well or knowing what was expected of me; combined with the fact that travel hasn’t been something most of us have done regularly over recent years.
I should mention that as soon as I entered the airport and dropped my bag off I was fine. Like riding a bike. And the trip was great. We travelled to the West Kimberley in Western Australia, which involved 6 flights for me and a couple of hours of driving each way.
I wish I’d remember not to stress about things that will ultimately work out okay, but I’ve tried to teach myself that lesson again and again and it doesn’t seem to work.
I’ve been AWOL, so feel free to share your highlights of the past month or two. Any Bridgerton fans out there?
March 28, 2022
Good to read your update Deb. I haven’t yet seen an episode of Bridgerton, although I had to laugh when my almost 40year old daughter told me the first season might be too raunchy for me :). So funny! I am pleased the travel went well and lucky you going to WA. I’ve booked us flights and a month in England to see my daughter and celebrate Dottie’s 3rd birthday in August, so am excited but also feeling a bit reckless if I’m honest.
March 28, 2022
I actually deleted this bit but had mentioned I was trying to decide whether to travel to the crime writing festival (I wrote about a while ago) in Harrogate in late July. I feel like I should be more responsible and put money aside in case I’m unemployed again soon, but I like the idea of having something to look forward to.
March 28, 2022
Interesting review of the two Bridgerton series Deb – I thought Daphne was a bit young and insipid too (wet behind the ears was my description!) so I’ll look forward to seeing what the second one is like if you enjoyed it more. You did well with all the travel – I’ve lived in WA my entire life and have never made it to the Kimberleys – I’m not a lover of long distance car travel and the airfares are ridiculously expensive. One day….
March 28, 2022
I really disliked Daphne. I found her churlish and she looked soooo young and yes, so insipid. We didn’t see her much in s2 and I could have actually done without her being there at all.
We flew from Perth to Broome and then drove to Derby. The trip covered a huge amount of ground when you look at a map!
March 28, 2022
Hi Deb – wow that trip to WA would’ve been a bit of fun and interesting after so long of no travel due to COVID (particularly if you haven’t been to WA before). I completely understand the anxiety though! I had a quick few days in Perth while hubby was at a conference back in 2017 and managed to see quite a bit in that time – including a bus trip to Mary River and I also checked out Fremantle (briefly). I’d love to see the Kimberly and Rottnest Island and so much more of WA. One day hopefully! I haven’t watched any of Bridgerton – I think I started it and was bored and never went back to it. I should probably give it more of a chance!
March 28, 2022
I didn’t get to do any touristing in Perth as I only arrived at midnight (or so) one night and then had meetings all the next day before then flying to Broome the following morning. So… all I really only did in Perth was take a drive at the end of the day to Kings Park / Botanic Garden. Then we just drove from Broome to Derby but it’s always nice to see other parts of the country.
March 28, 2022
I’m with you regarding Daphne – never convincing for me. Only a few eps into S2 but enjoying so far.
March 28, 2022
Kate was everything Daphne was not! I don’t know if Daphne was the same in the books.
March 28, 2022
I haven’t read the books – not the sort of thing I normally read (but love to watch).
March 29, 2022
I don’t watch too many period shows… though am like that with science / dystopian fiction. I don’t read it but watch it.
March 28, 2022
Less sex this time around for Bridgerton makes me more inclined to watch it. Last season was OTT (I know, it’s just not my thing).
March 28, 2022
Yes, it was a bit OTT certainly. I guess it also made me wonder how faithful some of these husbands would be to their wives. I suspect there’s some discussion to be had re the sort of women they sleep with vs the sort they marry. (And it get blurred a little here!)
March 28, 2022
My entire knowledge of Bridgerton comes from the show too. These are not books I read or ever would, so I’m probably not the intended fan base.
March 29, 2022
I’ve read a few spoilers re what happens with Eloise for eg, and do kinda hope they vary it from the books down the track.
March 29, 2022
It’s a weird time. I think everything seems weird qat the moment. Just roll with it….It’s not necessarily you. It’s you in the new world. Can’t say I’ve watched Bridgerton but it appears to be top of everyone’s list.
March 30, 2022
Yes, I remember everyone raving about it when s1 came out. I am not necessarily into period drama but loved it more than I expected.
March 29, 2022
Hi Deb, I haven’t seen Bridgerton but I know I’d love it. From someone who has never had to travel for work, your work trip sounds amazing. I hope you found time to appreciate your surroundings. I know what you mean about travel. I’ve been very hesitant but have decided it’s time to start living again. I’m off to Norfolk Island in August with a stay at Noosa after to see my family. Very excited.
March 30, 2022
I did see that you had some travel planned. I’m trying to decide whether to embark on an overseas trip in late July and will need to make a decision soon as the writing festival I want to attend will be sold out otherwise!
March 30, 2022
It made me happy to see your post and thanks for the shoutout. How interesting that you got yourself so bothered about the travel and then once in the airport, you were fine. So much over thinking we humans do. It was great seeing your pics of that part of Australia too. Thank you so much for linking your blog post up for Life’s Stories my “now” fortnightly blogging link up at Denyse Whelan Blogs.
I appreciate your support and continuing blogging connections and friendships.
I will be back with the next #LifesStories link up on Monday 11 April 2022.
Denyse.
March 30, 2022
Yes, as soon as the journey started I was fine. So it was just the pre-departure stuff – getting organised and the ‘idea’ of going I think.
April 1, 2022
I loved season 2 as well & don’t care in the least that the plots have deviated from the books. The books are the books and the series is the series… and as for that chemistry? Wowsers! Great to catch up with you – twice – this week.
April 1, 2022
Yes, absolutely re catching up. And I certainly thought the chemistry was amazing this season. Def more so than s1!