Taking stock – May 2018

Thursday, May 31, 2018 Permalink

I’ve been pretty slack on the non-bookish blogging front lately. Hell, I’ve been slack on the book blogging front as well. It’s partially on purpose. As I’m struggling to sit at my home computer during non-work hours I’ve cut back on my reading so I don’t get behind in my reviewing, which in turn has lead to 2-3 nights a week allocated to television. And yes, my life is the epitome of #firstworldproblems.

Anyhoo, rather than finish any of the three million half-written blog posts in my drafts folder I thought I’d fall back on the ubiquitous ‘taking stock’ post which requires me to write minimally about all sorts of different crap – purely for your reading enjoyment. Or something. Cos I know you’re all desperate to know what I’ve been….

Watching
mostly Netflix and shows on SBS. I seem to have stopped watching normal television completely which is weird. I wrote about The Alienist last week – well kinda – but I’m also enjoying season 2 of The Handmaid’s Tale at the moment and watching Safe. I did watch Dark also a few weeks ago which was okay but didn’t entirely make sense for various reasons that won’t mean anything unless you’ve watched the show as well.

And I was surprised to find that I enjoyed the new series of Lost in Space. And I swear it wasn’t only cos of the hot robot. (Who incidentally I didn’t even notice was #hot until everyone started raving about him / it on social media!)

Planning
a weekend in Brisbane this weekend. It’s my long-term bestie’s 50th birthday party on Saturday night and I’m looking forward to it. I’d planned on wearing my fabulous new black dress (bought late last year) and heels – though apparently there will be dancing. It will be the first time I’ve been out dancing since another bestie’s wedding in September 2011. Egad.

Of course it means I need to rethink the dress and heels cos I may need to consider boob support as well as comfort for my feet!

Guilting
over the fact I’ve done nothing about my August / September overseas holiday. My flights are booked. My week in Tuscany – at the writing retreat is sorted cos someone else has organised that. But I’ve not booked any other accommodation or internal travel. In fact I don’t even entirely know where I’m going yet. I have started googling accomm options in London, Rome, Bath etc though. (The adage, “It’s the thought that counts”, comes to mind!)

Panicking
about the end of my contract looming and being poor. Again. Well, relatively.

I got myself pretty stressed about it a few weeks ago (which obviously led to knee-jerk spending money on  a new sofa!) but then realised I still had 5mths left in this contract. Which equates to 10 paydays. So, for a change I’m trying to plan ahead and work out what big bills I have heading my way later this year in case I’m unemployed when I return home from my o/s holiday in late September.

Procrastinating
when it comes to writing about my China / Japan boat cruise back in early April. For unknown reasons I’m finding it hard to organise my thoughts into something that makes sense. Writing about the whole thing would make for too-long a post, but I’m not sure there’s enough to sustain several short posts. I need the middle-sized mumma bear option. (Goldilocks reference in case you missed it!)

And… there’s more but I can’t be arsed having to delve too deeply into the recesses of my oft-scatty mind.

Any travel planning / money saving tips? Or Netflix suggestions?

The Lovin’ Life team includes:

50 Shades of Age | Seize the Day Project | And Anyways | Write of the Middle | Deep Fried Fruit.

14 Comments
  • Sydney Shop Girl
    May 31, 2018

    Sometimes the best holiday plans come at the very last minute!

    SSG xxx

    • Debbish
      June 1, 2018

      Ha! I hope so. I figure I’ll get to the point when I panic and HAVE to make the bookings!

  • Jodie
    May 31, 2018

    I can totally relate. I was going to write a post about starting a blog, and then thought it way too long. I get into habits even in my writing (of course, my writing isn’t real writing) and it’s gets so hard for me at times. I might like video better because then I can just talk and talk!!!
    As much as I love to plan for a trip, some of our best times have been the spontaneous times!!! Just being away will be fabulous!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Debbish
      June 1, 2018

      I’ve often wondered about vlogging my book reviews, or even doing them on Facebook or similar but wonder if it’d take longer as I have no idea how to edit them etc…

      I’m thinking of doing a blogging every day challenge in June as my blog posts have taken on some weird importance and I worry they’re not interesting enough rather than just writing. I used to ‘write as if no one is reading’ and I’ve somehow lost that.

  • Jo
    May 31, 2018

    Ok, I get the whole spontaneous thing re holiday plans – & I’m the last person in the world to lecture about leaving things to the last minute, but seriously, Deb? Seriously? There, lecture over, as you were.

    • Debbish
      June 1, 2018

      My SIL commented the other week that I’d be paying a premium for accomm etc if I didn’t start booking and each weekend I plan to but then time gets away from me…

  • Denyse Whelan
    May 31, 2018

    Sounds to me like working full-time gives you little ‘free time’ so to speak and with that you are doing what you can to unwind! Have a fab time at the friend’s birthday. And if you don’t want to organise your holiday I am sure you can find someone who would love to. Enjoy your weekend! Denyse x

    • Debbish
      June 1, 2018

      I’ve cashed in some credit card points for Flight Centre gift card so I need to contact them to book some accommodation or travel for me. (At some point….) 🙂

  • Kathy Marris
    May 31, 2018

    A writing retreat in Tuscany? I’m so jealous. I would love to do something like this, even if it was to glare at the stunning scenery in Tuscany.

    • Debbish
      June 1, 2018

      I know! I saw a thing the other day for a Tuscany holiday and thought, “Maybe I should just spend the other 1.5weeks I’m in Italy in Tuscany in one spot and not have to plan anything else!” But it’d probably be a waste to go so far and not see anything!

  • Jo
    June 1, 2018

    There could possibly be a premium, but you are in the shoulder season so demand is lower. Check out Sawdays https://www.sawdays.co.uk

    • Debbish
      June 3, 2018

      Ah yes, you’d mentioned them and I’ve had them bookmarked and checking options out. I think deciding ‘where’ I’m going has been the stumbling block (ie where I want to stay!).

  • writeofthemiddle
    June 1, 2018

    I’d love to read about your China/Japan cruise! Maybe you could write it by Days? Day 1, Day 2 etc. Or separate into activities, eg times ashore and what you did, activities on the boat, food options, blah blah! I am so envious of your Tuscany Writer’s Retreat – OMG! Swoon!! You’ll get yourself sorted for that, I’m sure. How exciting! #TeamLovinLife

    • Debbish
      June 3, 2018

      I’m thinking of doing a challenge for a month and making myself write every day so that would probably finally result in the cruise-themed post!

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