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Killing Time

By LifeNo Comments

When I’m not at work it feels like I am killing time. Killing time until I am released, free from house arrest. Normally I’d be keeping myself happily amused with: reading, writing and candle making.

I even relieved some massive jars for the latter activity today:

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A medium-sized jar (left) and a MASSIVE jar (right).

But I just can’t seem to motivate myself to be creative. I can’t even motivate myself to entertain myself. I just want to sleep.

Maybe it’s because the weather is good and I usually see people and do things when the weather’s good. I wonder if I’d lack motivation if it were the middle of winter?

Who knows. I’m working all over the long Bank Holiday, so at least boredom won’t set in.

Write soon,

Antony

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Thursday 9 April 2020

My Favourite Blog Post For Each Year

By Life, Nature, ThinkingNo Comments

While we are self-isolating and only allowed to make essential journeys, I decided to share my favourite blog post for each year that the blog has been online.

2019 – The Bank Holiday Weekend: 4 Lovely Days
I chose this blog post for the weather, the time spent in nature with good friends and the photos.

2018 – Chester Zoo with Jayne
I chose this blog post for the animals. I love animals and it’s always great to see them. I got to spend quality time with my good friend Jayne on this day and the weather was lovely. Plus the post has plenty of photos.


2017 – Causes For Celebration
I chose this post because lots of positive things happening to me at the time, including landing my dream job.

2016 – My Thirtieth Birthday
I chose this because of a meal with family and friends. It is perhaps the best birthday I’ve ever had. And just look at the cake:

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My 30th Birthday Cake: Minion Bob.

2015 – A Celebration of Love: Mum & Ian’s Wedding
I chose this post because I have never seen my mum happier than on her Wedding Day and in the relationship she is in with her husband Ian (I call him my Papa). It was truly a special day and one to remember.

2014 – Mid-Wales, Part 1: The Lovely Penrhos Cottage
My good friend Simon and I had a lovely weekend away in Mid-Wales. There are photos of the cottage we stayed in. You can also see part 2 here.

2013 – TED Talk: Elizabeth Gilbert – Your elusive creative genius
I chose this post as it is my all-time favourite TED Talk.

Honorable mention must also go to Mel Bossa’s Latest Book: In His Secret Life, the author very kindly sent me a signed copy of her book.

2012 – Growing Up Gay: My Story
I chose this as I just loved the photo of me:

2011 – A Long FANTASTIC Bank Holiday Weekend
I chose this post as I went to visit two of my bengal cats as kittens and the photos on the post are super cute.

2010 – Book Review: The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett
I chose this as this book is perhaps my all-time favourite stand alone novel. I’ve re-read it several times.

2009 – Pagan Festivals
I chose this post as it describes pagan festivals easily.

2008 – Reiki one – Qualified
I chose this as I am proud to be a Reiki practitioner.

There you have it. I hope you’ve found it as entertaining as I have putting together the list.

Take care and blog soon,

Antony

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Sunday 5 April 2020

A Typical Essential Worker’s Week?

By Life6 Comments

There are many types of essential workers out there. As a Nurse, I am one. The national Coronavirus updates by the Government and NHS England change day by day, as do our local updates. I want to give you a walk through of my week, to give you an idea of what it has been like.

Monday – A very mixed day. An early start and I hadn’t slept well. A colleague brought in a bacon bap, which would have been enough to make my day. But then we got a huge delivery of food from the local Nandos for us NHS staff for free. I was overwhelmed by the kindness of both my colleague and the Nandos staff.

It was a pleasant day weather wise, as it would be for the rest of the week. But on my drive home I was so disappointed to see so many people out when the Government had told people to stay at home.

Tuesday – I start my day by checking for Coronavirus updates on our NHS Tust’s intranet. This will become daily practice over the course of the week as I try to remain up to date at all times. I’m working from home today, as I’m on a rare non-clinical day. It feels weird not to drive into work, I guess this is what all the other home workers must be feeling.

Social distancing starts.

Wednesday – Today I complete an appraisal with my colleague. The best thing about managing staff is watching them grow and develop. The feedback I gave in the appraisal was extremely positive and I used a coaching approach to look at planning for the next quarter and year.

Although I don’t do appraisals every day, there was a feeling of everything being normal. This was despite the challenges of implementing plans around Cornonavirus around the hospital.

Thursday – The day was over before I knew it. I spent a lot of time getting up to date with tasks that I needed to get done. I also put together a rota for the next few weeks (obviously subject to change). Overall a productive day. I got home, put my lounge wear on and began to relax. Then I heard the noise of horses hooves outside.

Who the heck is riding a horse when they should be at home? I thought. I looked out of my window and was touched to see several neighbours clapping for the NHS and other essential workers. It left me feeling appreciated, privileged to do the job and honoured to work in our NHS.

Friday – Today I spent the day covering the office phone, bleeps and mobiles, ready to give telephone advice if needed. Good fortune appeared to smile down on me because nobody called or bleeped. This meant I managed to get some clinical auditing done.

I hope this post has been of interest. Write soon,

Antony

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Friday 27 March 2020

A List of 56 Things To Do While Self-Isolating

By Amazon, Creativity, Life, ThinkingNo Comments
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Self-Isolation means no get-togethers.

More and more people are going to be self-isolating in the coming weeks. So here’s a list of Things To Do for people that are self-isolating:

  1. Read a book – if you don’t have any at home, remember that you can download them via Amazon Kindle.
  2. Go for a walk – spending time in nature is great for mental health, just remember that you should be walking alone.
  3. Watch a new series on Netflix – have a browse or message family and friends for suggestions.
  4. Spring clean / deep clean – clean those areas you have been putting off. If you can get rid of some clutter, all the better.
  5. Learn to cook a new meal – There are loads of recipes online.
  6. Play computer games – I’m currently enjoying playing Prison Architect, Stellaris and Civilization 6.
  7. Paint a landscape.
  8. Do a jigsaw – There are plenty of these that can be bought online without leaving your home.
  9. Listen to music.
  10. Dance to music.
  11. Treat yourself to something on Amazon.
  12. Enjoy a long bath or shower.
  13. Sort through the Apps on your phone, iPad/tablet and computers.
  14. Organise paperwork – We all have paperwork (bank statements, bills and the like) that could do with organising. Self-isolation is the perfect opportunity to get it all organised.
  15. Watch all the Disney films you own.
  16. Watch all the Harry Potter Films in order.
  17. Write a novel.
  18. Learn to play an instrument.
  19. Go for a drive – Just avoid places that people tend to congregate.
  20. Meditate or practice Mindfulness.
  21. Call/text/message/FaceTime others – for that essential social contact.
  22. Write out meal plans and stick to them.
  23. Read up on a topic from history.
  24. Spend some quality time with pets.
  25. Read some inspirational quotes.
  26. Write a ‘To Do’ list and then action it.
  27. Imagine being on holiday.
  28. Watch some comedy or stand-up comedy.
  29. Learn to knit then knit something.
  30. Start a gratitude journal.
  31. Take a nap.
  32. Do something you’ve been putting off.
  33. Sort through and edit photos on your phone.
  34. Create your own board game.
  35. Learn a new language.
  36. Colour in an adult colouring book.
  37. Listen to Podcasts.
  38. Create a video for YouTube.
  39. Watch videos on YouTube.
  40. Make a vision board.
  41. Rearrange furniture in a room.
  42. Do Gardening.
  43. Wash your hands.
  44. Write letters to friends and family and send them through the post. I love this idea as I love receiving any mail that isn’t bills.
  45. Decide what you’d do if you won the lottery.
  46. Decide what you’d do if there was a zombie apocalypse.
  47. Give up something non-essential such as smoking or chocolate
  48. Dress up for the evening – This could be putting on formal attire or dressing up in costumes.
  49. Do crosswords.
  50. Sort through your wardrobe .
  51. Bake cakes.
  52. Make a ‘stock list’ of all the food that you have.
  53. Learn to read Tarot.
  54. Make candles or at least burn candles with awesome fragrances. If you’re looking for candles, I sell them here.
  55. Get Take Away delivered to your door.
  56. Plan how you will celebrate when the epidemic is over.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Sunday 22 March 2020
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