Newsletter #7: Being Hercules, London Trip, and a Dawkins Tweet
Hello all, I’m back! But only for one newsletter today, as I have been very busy and am still tired from it all. Sorry, upfront, for having no substantial piece for you today then. Instead, here is some griping about how hassled I’ve felt. But don’t worry, it wasn’t all bad busyness, for I spent a few pleasant days earlier this week at my friend/colleague/boss Iona Italia’s place in London.
Last week, I spent a lot of time packing up stuff in my Edinburgh flat before driving it through to Fife, where I now live at home once again. I’m proud of myself for the hard labour I did. Though it might be nothing for some, for me it was Herculean. Loading heavy bags, cleaning the Edinburgh flat, hauling the bags down to the car, driving through to Fife, unloading the bags into the garage here, driving back to Edinburgh, then more cleaning and packing and loading and driving and unloading… Phew!
And then, a couple of days after saying goodbye to my beloved Edinburgh pad, off I went to London for what was, as I said, a few very pleasant days indeed with Iona. Her place is lovely, and it felt like a holiday to be there, as indeed it was, I suppose, what with the meals and wine and general lazing about (some important Areo Magazine work was also done, I must add). Still, it involved more labour, lugging around suitcases and catching trains and tubes and the like. Thanks to Iona for her hospitality which, if you’re ever lucky enough to be offered, I highly recommend you accept.
When I returned to Fife, all those bags in the garage awaited me, and more labour was required. For a chubster like myself, it was all very heavy going, but just a few hours ago I finished unpacking and am now, finally, settled for the next stage of life, whatever the hell that turns out to be. I have a grand plan of knocking myself into a routine, doing more exercise, and eating and drinking less crap. I have articles to write and other miscellaneous tasks to embark on, but if I get into a workday routine I should be much more productive. I’m making a meagre amount of money, though I hope that changes soon, but since I’m living at home again I should be fairly comfortable. Onward, I suppose. Scotland’s ‘Freedom Day’ is tomorrow, so there’s that to look forward to: if all else fails, the siren song of the pubs and clubs is faintly audible once more, and I can always follow it…
Finally, I was surprised and delighted when one of my great heroes Richard Dawkins tweeted out compliments for an Areo piece of mine at the end of July. So, it’s only a tweet, but it’s still nice to know one’s work is appreciated by people one admires. I won’t say it is reward enough, because I would also like to make a proper living out of this writing stuff, but it is a great reward nonetheless.
I will be back next week with more substantial stuff. Until then, thanks again, and have a lovely week.
DJS