It's Monday! Hurrah!
Yep, you guessed it, I haven't been at work today, which means I've been at liberty to do whatever I darn well fancy.  The problem is, I do have an awful lot of things I should be getting on with but, quite frankly, I can't be bothered.  In fact, I think the only thing I've managed to get done over the last five days away from the office is to knit my mate Lexi a phone sock which, although it looked pretty cool in the Good Mixer last night, wasn't exactly a major project.  
On my short term "to do" list I have a variety of bits and bobs that I need to finish off, and, in all honesty, none of them will take me that long, or be that difficult.  My  Peru collage just needs a lick of paint and a blob of extra glue here and there, the polyfillering of  the smattering of holes in my walls won't take 

more than 15 minutes and, whilst the last occupants left it in a bit of a state, the worst of the kitchen's deep clean is over.  However it seems that today I have done everything to avoid tackling any of these tasks.  Instead I've updated the playlist on my phone, read my magazine and been for a lovely walk through Walthamstow Marches - anything, but ANYTHING other than what I should really be doing.
If I'm honest with myself, I think I know what this is about.  This morning I made a start on the penultimate chapter of my second novel, which means that, by the end of July, the first draft will probably be complete.  This also means that, after a couple of read-throughs and the odd tweak here and there, it will be ready to share.  With other people.  People who might not like it.  Which is fine, except I've really enjoyed writing it and really hope that, even if like Faith, it goes nowhere, people get it - and find Emily's story as absorbing as I have.
So there you have it.  I've developed a fear of finishing.  Let's just hope it doesn't develop into writer's block and remains a simple barrier to me getting off my butt and cleaning the oven.  Only time will tell, and also reveal whether my novel is enjoyed by anyone other than myself.  Just remember, if I ask you to ready it, be honest, but if you don't like it, let me down gently... like my protagonist, I don't always like to face up to reality...

Happy Sunday everyone!

Yes, I know, it's Monday tomorrow, which means we all have to go back to work.  I'm relieved to say that I'm only in for two days before taking some annual leave - a much needed break from what often feels like Groundhog Day.

But whilst work has been rather tiresome, this week I've noticed a few firsts.  Okay. maybe they aren't anything major, but little things that, when I think about it, show that, whilst making the most of life, I might actually be getting somewhere...

• I finally get why everyone seems to think East London is really cool.  After a weekend of swimming in London Fields Lido, mooching around Spitalfields and lunching at my local Walthamstow farmer's market, I can see ventures west becoming less frequent.
• I had a conversation with my solicitor about my will and chatted to my financial advisor about life insurance.  Because buying a flat isn't scary enough.
• I experienced my first tube journey in a carriage with no lights - after 13 years of living in London.  Hopefully it won't happen again for another 13. 
• I went to M&M World.  Something I've been curious about for a while but, like the Bavarian Beerhouse at Old Street, I don't think I'll ever feel the need to go again.

Okay, so it's not a very long list, but my point is, life isn't standing still - in fact it's full of undiscovered experiences and, slowly but surely, it's moving in the right direction .  So, from now on, I think I'm going to count my firsts instead of my blessings, because whilst I know I am blessed in many ways, I sometimes lose sight of the progress I am making towards my goals - and, even when progress slows to a crawl, the fun that I'm having in the meantime.

Evening!
As I type, England are about to kick off their World Cup and I'm ready to do my Patriotic duty... after a bit of blogging of course!
Well, it's been a busy week.  On Tuesday I caught up with my mate from Down Under Cathie to check out the Matisse exhibition at Tate Modern.  I admit I wouldn't have bothered going if she hadn't suggested it, but am really glad that I did - his wall-covering cut-outs, magazine covers and stained glass window really blew me away.  Afterwards we headed over to Udderbelly to see circus act Limbo.  Not only were their acrobatics, contortions and sword swallowing jaw-dropping, but their ability to provide their own music as they performed was more than a bit impressive.  To round off the week I went to see my mate's band Dead On TV play at their album launch.  Yet again I was pleasantly surprised, and woke up this morning inspired to get my creative juices flowing again - if a little hung over...

It isn't just the arts that have inspired me this week.  On Thursday I volunteered to talk to some school kids  at the annual Junior Citizens event in Camden, where 10 and 11 year olds are spoken to by a range of services to prepare them for the transition to secondary school.  Not only were they given practical advice about public transport, fire safety and first aid (among many other subjects), they were also spoken to about crime, bullying and healthy relationships - which was where I came in.  Whilst some of the kids didn't really take it seriously, it was reassuring to see some of them really listening and thinking - and knowing that they all went away with ideas of who to talk to if they were ever in an unhealthy relationship, even if it was just Childline.  I'm a firm believer in education - not just the conventional sort, but the early interventions and life skills which could prevent a child coming to harm - or growing up causing harm to others.
Well, kick off is swiftly approaching, so I'm off to put on my pyjamas and grab my knitting.  Conventional England supporter I am not... 
COME ON ENGLAND!!!

I'm back!
It's been a while since I last blogged, but life has been even more manic than normal - and the lack of broadband in my bachelorette pad has made blogging even trickier.  But I'm now connected, back in London - and trying to chill.  Because I think moving wiped the ability to do so from my memory...  
In all honesty I can't really say that I've been completely wrapped up in unpacking and decorating.  There was a little foray to a house-party in Yorkshire over the last Bank Holiday, followed by a much needed holiday in Split, Croatia.  The trials and tribulations of being a new homeowner were getting the

 better of me (think leaks, lack of hot water and more leaks) and I desperately needed to escape.  It was on our last day when we were sat on the beach at Marjan Park and I was bemoaning the amount of things I needed to do to my flat that my friend asked me if I could remember what my New Years' Resolution had been.  She had a point; it was to do less.  So, after an epic unpack and an overwhelming trip to B&Q, I am having a beer and writing this blog before heading down to my old stomping ground Islington for a party.

The thing is... it's easier said than done.  When in Yorkshire I was trying to convince my friends who had just bought a four bedroom house with land up there (read:  Mansion) to chill out.
"Take it easy - and enjoy doing it up."  I advised. 
"Yes - but we want it all done now so we can really appreciate it."  They whined.  Fast forward two weeks and I completely understand.  Whilst things are slowly coming together, I can't wait to get the place painted, some proper curtains up and my pictures on the walls.  Even today I was chatting to my dad about what kind of ladder to get for my loft.
"There's no hurry is there?"  He asked.  "I mean, you only need it for storage."  Wise words, but... I want them NOW so I can clear away the excess clutter for my housewarming party - where everything needs to look perfect - PERFECT, do you hear??!!
Okay, so maybe I need to take a chill pill here and try to pace myself.  At the end of the day, there is plenty of other good stuff going on in my life which I am in danger of neglecting if I get carried away - including my writing and art - which is really more important than having a flat worthy of a spread in Home and Gardens.  So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get glammed up for this party.  Just as soon as I've cleaned the extractor fan and put up the caddy in my bathroom...