I can’t decide whether January felt like it lasted a year, or if it flew by? A mixture of both I suspect, depending on my mood on any particular day.
In some ways it felt like an extension of the last couple of years. Covid uncertainty along shortages of stuff (like rapid antigen tests, panadol and toilet paper – AGAIN!). Plus the normal-plentiful things. Gluten-free bread shelves, for example have been empty for a few weeks.
Working
I’ve been in my ‘new’ job for two months now and still settling in. Working from home full-time – rather than in a contractor capacity with a few hours here and there – is still a bit weird. I’d initially put my own laptop out on my dining room table so I felt some sort of separation of work / personal stuff but that didn’t really work. So, it sits on the charger all day while my work laptop is plugged into extra screens and the like.
Ideally I’d be pulling my personal laptop onto my desk at the end of the day, but I’m still struggling with that. Instead I’m just wanting to just vege in front of the television at night. I did however spend some time Saturday at my desk catching up on book reviews, so… small wins.
Exercising
Speaking of which, I’m still trying to get into an exercise routine. My regular daily short walks seem to have disappeared in some sort of inverse proportion to the hot and wet weather we’re having.
But I’ve been (almost) consistently going to my two (over 50s) classes in a nearby hall each week. I always enjoy them and they’re not overly arduous but occasionally I just want to lie in bed. Today was one of those days. I messaged my instructor at the time my class was due to start to tell her I was still in bed. But as she’d checked her phone she responded to remind me I could come to the next class (there are three in a row). So… I did.
I mean, of course I know better than to let me talk myself out of going. I’m always fine once I get there. I feel better afterward. And I simmer with guilt all day if I don’t go.
Watching
I’ve been watching so much television. Well Netflix mainly! Ozark (final season part one). The Sinner (also the final season). And Afterlife (yet again the final season!). And I’ve started watching The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window. I’m actually not enjoying it as much as I expected. I realise it’s satire but it’s a bit TOO over-the-top I think. Or I’m just in a grumpy intolerant mood. Though I can’t help but wonder if it would have been better as a movie.
Next up is The Afterparty (Apple TV+). And in between all of that I’m rewatching The Marvellous Mrs Maisel (on Amazon Prime) in preparation for the next season later this month. I notice a new season of the British comedy Starstruck is about to air as well.
On that note, I notice a few shows are still releasing an episode a week. (Like Ted Lasso and SnowPiercer), so I wonder…
Am I alone in being disappointed when a whole season isn’t released at once? I mean… it’s like I can no longer be expected to remember the storyline of something from one week to the next and I wonder if my (our?) need for instant gratification is so great we’ve lost the ability to be patient?
Linking up with Denyse for Life This Week.
January 31, 2022
I’m with you in wanting the whole season at once. These days I only watch a series when the whole thing is available. Life’s changing for you with your new job so don’t be too hard on yourself.
January 31, 2022
Thanks Jennifer – re the work stuff.
And yes… I’m always shocked now when things aren’t available all at once. And of course (once upon a time) we always had to wait patiently for new episodes of shows.
January 31, 2022
Oh I hear you on the ….’do I really have to go’.
Some exercise has become ‘difficult’ due to my spinal condition – so I’m going to the pool. I can move far more easily in the water so things I can’t do on dry land are possible in the water. I walk – run even – do various exercises and swim.
BUT if I don’t get up and go early it doesn’t get done- even though there are lanes set aside for exercise all day long.
February 1, 2022
Yes, I have certain times of the day I function better. For some reason I can settle myself to write / blog either first thing in the morning or late afternoon. And I’m a bit the same with exercise, it’s good to get it out of the way.
January 31, 2022
I’m the same about slow dripped episodes – I find it so hard to keep up! Loved the last season of Afterlife except of course, it’s the last season so I’m kind of in mourning! Love that you got up to go to the gym – no one ever regrets a workout. You’re a legit Sporty Spice!
February 1, 2022
The worst thing is that I don’t even have to get up early for my normal class. Like… 7.15am to leave home at 7.30 so it’s not like I’m having to get up at dawn or anything!
January 31, 2022
I’ve got a really painful hip atm and my walking days seem to have evaporated (I end up limping like an old woman). My over 50’s exercise class is also on hold for the same reason. I’m very unimpressed with how easily things fall apart as I get older – where is my body’s bounce back button??? Good on you for keeping up with yr exercise classes – and the walking will probably increase when the weather feels more accommodating.
February 1, 2022
Oh yes injuries take so much longer to recover from now. I hurt my ankle late in 2020 and missed a couple of months, had only just restarted my classes then hurt my back in Feb 2021 and didn’t feel better until August 2021!
January 31, 2022
That’s great that you’re going to those exercise classes. Having an “appointment” gives some accountability, I guess. I need to get back to exercising a lot more myself, I haven’t done anything at all for a long time, other than an (very) occasional walk.
I absolutely HATE when they interrupt a TV show like that! I think they advantage with places like Netflix should be that you can see it all at once if you want to, so what’s the point if they don’t have it all? I’m even annoyed if they don’t have all seasons! I’ve almost stopped watching series on Netflix for this reason, because they almost always stop in the middle. Then I can just use an ordinary television… (we don’t have one, but still)
Hope you get a good week!
February 1, 2022
Susanne I was talking to someone at my class about the fact I’d missed my usual class and was at the later one as a result and they mentioned that they walk with a friend for the same reason – having to meet someone means they can’t pull out at the last minute.
February 1, 2022
I had a bit of a chuckle on the whole season thing. For me it’s when I know a favorite author is putting out a trilogy. I wait for all three books to be published before I start reading it! Yeah, I read so much that I would forget elements. So I get the whole season thing… and yet, we did it all the time as kids/young adults. Things change.
February 1, 2022
I completely understand feeling like that about books Pat. Even worse with books as most authors (not all) usually release books at the same time each year so you have to wait an entire year for the next in the series. I never completely re-read a book though. I’ll usually have a look at my review and / or the synopsis to remind myself how it ended or what happened.
February 1, 2022
I love the attitude of your fitness structure. Sometimes we just gotta lie in bed a little longer! 😀
February 1, 2022
Ha yes! I feel like that every day… like I want to lie there just a little longer. I’m lucky at the moment I rarely have to be up super early or set my alarm nowadays.
February 1, 2022
I’m good when I have accountability too, by having a buddy system or a partner or even the instructor looking out for you! I’ve not watched any of those shows!!!
February 2, 2022
Our over 50s classes are just in an old hall and only cost $5/class but we have to pay if we don’t attend, so there’s that. Plus I always feel like I need to apologise to the trainer if I unexpectedly skip a class. (Not that she’d mind of course, but still…)
February 2, 2022
I reckon with the many changes to your life in recent months you are doing pretty darned well. Starting a new job in the heat of summer, and going outside (to the hall) and to walk to exercise shows commitment. And it’s still early days in the job…take care… sorry about lack of supplies for your food needs. It’s a big challenge right now for sure. Many thanks to you for linking up for Life This Week with a blog post. I look forward, I hope, to seeing you back on Mondays whenever that works for you! Denyse.
February 3, 2022
Thanks Denyse. The heat this past week or two has been horrible. My aircon has been on all day. I keep transferring $ onto that account to prepay my next bill so I’m not horrified when it arrives.
February 3, 2022
Working from home is quite an adjustment I found! I used to work a day a week from home when I was back living the corporate life and I had to set strict boundaries and routine for myself so that I could get into a work zone and not slip into home zone. I’m a bit weird like that! I haven’t been doing walking either – it’s just too hot for me! BUT I’ve joined up with the MerryMaker sister’s MerryBody and doing Yoga, Pilates, Fusion of both & Meditation classes from an app on my phone every morning and I love it! I do some other exercise from another app (free) too if time & mood permits. I just recently watched The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window on Netflix and quite enjoyed it! I also watched the Manifest series and enjoyed that too!
February 4, 2022
I started watching Manifest when it was on TV and watched the first series I think. (It was a while ago.) Perhaps I should give it a try.
February 4, 2022
Yay for exercising and for two months in the current job. Can’t believe it’s been 2 months though! Time sure is flying. I too prefer an entire season in one go though I must admit I don’t binge as much these days. Afterlife Season 3 wasn’t as great as the first two and I wish he’d finished it then. Need to watch The Sinner.
February 4, 2022
I missed a couple of the characters from seasons 1 & 2 of Afterlife but gather it was an availability thing….
February 15, 2022
I can’t stand the releasing an episode a week biz. Does my head in!! I just started Inventing Anna (may not be called that). I like it
February 15, 2022
Oh I saw that it has arrived on Netflix!