Things have been a bit unsettled lately, and will continue so for a couple of months. Because of this, I won’t be blogging much. Expect reviews every other week or less, and if I feel the need I might write about my mental health.
I killed a pineapple 🙂
The reason is somewhat complex. As I’ve mentioned previously,
my job is coming to an end. I don’t know when for certain, although I have two dates – next Friday and mid-August – that delimit the time frame. At the same time as things are winding down I’ve actually been working more hours because I’ve taken on some of the Technical Administration duties. I really enjoy it; unfortunately my hands and back don’t, though that could be the unsuitable chair and computer table. Everything is the wrong height and not nearly supportive enough. By the time I get home and change, make and eat a meal etc., I’m too exhausted to do much else. I’ve been trying to read some of the books I need to review but I can’t focus enough during the week; I get a great deal read at the weekend though, if I don’t do anything else :-).
It’s not just that I’m losing my job though; I’m frantically searching for another, full time, permanent position because I’m being made homeless in a month.
Mother is selling up and moving in with her partner. I’m happy for her but, with the job coming to an end I’m not in a position to rent anywhere. I’m going to the council office next week to see what sort of help they can provide. I think I can get help with some costs if I rent privately or I might be able to get housing association accommodation.
It’s all rather stressing. I’m having a few days off next week, partly because it’s my birthday and I have plans, and partly so I can go to the council, as I mentioned, and spend some time on the library computer looking for a job and a place to live. I’ve had to take paid annual leave in order to find the time; it’s really not how I wanted to use my holiday days.
My latest project; my distraction at the moment.
I’m going to have to put all plans for travelling on hold until I get myself settled somewhere new. I think that’s almost, but not quite, upsetting me as much as the upheaval of moving and a new job, because I love travelling and really need some time away from here, a complete change of scene. I had provisional plans for a trip to Worldcon in London in August, and maybe a trip abroad later in the year.
I’ve been trying to make progress on the novel, and obviously time spent writing is time when I can’t be reading other people’s books or be blogging. Too much to do and too little time to do all the things I love is a curse. I sometimes wish I had three heads and six arms so I could read, embroider and write at the same time, while watching my favourite DVD and listening to music. It’s not sensory overload I’m after; I just find it so difficult to choose between them all.
Back to the matter in hand: I’ve never had to move, and the task of boxing up my life, especially my 5000 (approximately , I haven’t counted for fifteen years) books, is daunting in itself. It’s another thing to worry about 
I’d better stop writing; the usual catharsis I gain from writing my thoughts down has finally arrived and I’m struggling to stay awake
Have a good week
Rose
Everything Is Better With Dragons 