Thursday, October 25, 2018

Hectic doldrums

Blogging, in my world, is a bit of a micro thingy of life...thingy because I’m not quite sure what it’s a micro of, but maybe an explanation of this odd claim will help.

This whole year I’ve been blogging along, faithfully writing and publishing my weekly posts and relishing every word of it. See where the life thing comes in yet? No? Okay, I shall try a different approach. 

Since the beginning of 2018, I’ve been busy enjoying a very productive working and leisure life. I really have. I’ve taught some great courses, met some wonderful students (notably my Syrian refugees but many others too) travelled some beautiful waterways and enjoyed working on both the Hennie H and my beloved Vereeniging. A bit like my blog, which indeed is a reflection of my life...that micro thingy I was referring to.

But now, suddenly, I feel disinclined; yes. I feel disinclined about everything: disinclined to work, to make the effort, to prepare the classes, do the jobs, paint the boats, even enjoy life. 

And the same applies to my blog. I’ve had no idea what to write and no real desire to write it this week. 

So what, though! Does it matter? Why bother?

But like life, it does matter and I do bother. It’s just one of those doldrums that I have to struggle out of. I know when I have these spells — they’re like being mentally becalmed —  it’s always after the summer and it’s always during my most hectic time of year workwise...it’s also always autumn (sorry, that’s obvious, isn’t it?). I call them my hectic doldrums because I am busy, should be busy and need to make myself be busy, especially when I don’t feel like it. But autumn is my doldrum time of year...I don’t know why. I suppose I should have been a badger or a squirrel because what I feel like doing hibernating. But I can’t and I won’t as the best way out of the doldrums is to write. Anything. 

And writing is doing, so it solves both problems: life and blogging.

Despite my disinclination then, I am writing this deeply philosophical treatise on a comparative analysis of life as it relates to the micro thingy that blogging represents...in other words, a load of twaddle. 

Now... do you think that’s enough for the moment? 

Okay, just to put you in the real picture, here are some more photos of our recent activities. See, I’m only kidding. Have a good weekend allemaal. I’ll be back with something sensible next week.











Replacing panels on the Vereeniging one by one


15 comments:

  1. Hi Val - that was highly amusing ... love the B+W photo ... so appropriate ... and yes we all go through the doldrums of life at times ... it will reappear - equally take a short break - don't be away for too long!? I feel like that too - where to go, what next and how ... take care - cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks, Hilary. It’s a bit of a conflict for me...it’s such a busy time and yet I find myself wanting to stay in bed all day! Haha. I’ll get through it...perhaps I’m just suffering from a bout of SAD as its acronym implies :)

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  2. Oh, I don't know, sometimes one just does feel a lack of interest. It's usually to do with needing some sort of a change, and not knowing what, or can also be if you are incubating some kind of a bug. We have been bothered by this anoying thing that goes on and on and makes you feel rather tired, a little bit of a sore throat, a little runny stuff from the nose, tiny headache, etc. but just on and on. We had it last winter, and it did go away in the end.

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    1. Maybe that's it, Jenny. I've been having some strange ongoing unwellness too...as you say, a bit of this, a bit of that. I recognised the sore throat, runny nose part. Add a bit of an earache, toothache from sinus stuff. Nothing bad enough to send me to bed, but a bit draining.

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  3. Chin up, Val, it'll soon be spring! :-\ (always the optimist!)

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    1. That's a nice thought, Roger, but can I hibernate till then? :)

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  4. Oh, Val, I love you and your writing! All the beautiful photos (and yest they are indeed beautiful) cannot compare to the pictures you create with your words. Twaddle or not, I enjoy reading it all! So, with that, your down time (which we all do need) is in juxtaposition with a burst of creative energy on my part. Keep on jotting and I will keep on reading; right next to you! xx

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    1. Bless you, Dale, and I can't tell you how glad I am that you are writing again! Your 1000 hills blog is precious...please keep writing? xx

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  5. Everyone feels like that from time to time. You need a dose of sunshine or maybe one of those light boxes to sit at.

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    1. Anne, I have nothing to complain about really. Goodness, when I think of you, I am ashamed to complain at all! I will survive and be fine, I know. It was just something to write when I didn't feel like doing anything. Bless you! xx

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  6. Only the peerless Val Poor could write such an engaging blog about being disinclined. Personally, I thank you. I haven't done a new blog in 2 weeks due to hospital visits, cold rainy weather - and disinclination. Now I must force myself to do better. Thanks! (Steph)

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    1. Steph, I so know what you mean!! You are way too busy, but disinclination is the worst dampener. But do it, my friend. You'll feel better if you do! xx

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  7. Oi ...don't do this to us~ we love hearing about your adventures and seeing your photos!

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    1. Thank you, Carol...I'll keep at it, I promise! xx

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  8. I too became tired of blogging and nearly closed down my blog. Then we took a holiday and now on my return am fully rested and eager to blog again. I think that we sometimes try too hard to please rather than pleasing ourselves... and strangely, I have found that short blog posts often generate more interest than long ones.

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