March Check In - April Goals

Well, that was a month and a half it has been - it feels like so much longer than this - in may ways it feels like the world is no longer the world that we know.

Victoria is now on Stage Three Lockdown, so we can only go out to get some brief exercise, go to the shops for essentials, see a doctor and that is about it. I am very glad I have Lucifer around the house. I know he's just a cat, but he's very good company, even if he does wake me up demanding breakfast most mornings.

Anyway, it's goal setting time.

Here's the March check in and the April reset.


1) To take lunch to work every day (except when I'm meeting somebody for lunch. 

While I was at work in the office, this happened. Since I've been working from home for the last two weeks, this is a bit of a moot point as I make my own lunch - sometimes sharing lunch over a video call with friends. Fun, eh!

2) Continue on the elimination of dairy, gluten and sugar.

I've not been great. Changes in the environment have meant a bit more ice cream has been eaten in total despair - but this has been rare. Being at home, I don't buy in crap, so it has not been a complete waste of a goal. To be continued.

3) Write down everything I spend

I've managed to do this. I've had a few more outlays than expected e.g. an office chair, a monitor etc, but I'll keep doing this as it keeps me in check. I spend too much on Apple products and eating out. Mind you, in lock down, this should go down a lot.

4) Complete a Park Run.

Didn't happen as they shut down Park Run before I could go. I have done a couple of laps of the Tan track and done some bit walks. Nearly, but not quite.

5) Read four books.

I've read three and a half. I'm halfway through American Dirt by Jeanine Cummings. I also read:

• Foster by Claire Keegan (For school)
• 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak (Extraordinary book)
• Allegra in Three Parts by Suzanne Daniel

Nearly acheived.

6) Lose two kilograms (at least)

Didn't happen.

7) Get 10000 words of the new novel done.

Half done. Up until Friday we were unsure if school was going ahead, along with the rest of the turmoil which March brought us - it is - we're now doing it online over Zoom - first class tonight. Really looking forward to getting back to it.

Now for April's goals. And I'm scaling these down a little due to the lockdown - as we've been old we've got this for the next month at least - I say it will be two to three months.

1) Get 10000 words of the new novel done.

Now we have school back - and Easter, there are no excuses.

2) Participate in Writers Victoria Flash Fiction every day.

It's 30 words - its not going to kill me - good for the observation skills. I did it last year and loved it. It's done on Twitter and only takes a few minutes.

3) Get in a 30 minute walk in every day.

The gym is closed. Heaven knows how much longer I'll be able to see Cleo - and Jay is reticent to go for a walk with me, so walking by myself it is. I also have a fit ball, a theraband, a yoga mat and a few other pieces of gym equipment that I can use around here - but I need to make sure I get out of the flat. I'll go mad otherwise.

4) Read four books this month.

I like this goal. Will do it again - nearly made it last month.

5) Work on my flexibility. 

Something good to do while I'm stuck at home. I'm not very bendy in a physical way - maybe some yoga exercises / stretches and the like will get me moving a bit better

6) Write down everything I spend

The key here is to get the discretionary spending right down. This keeps me accountable. It's a good goal to do.


Today's Song:

Best Self Card: Arguments

Quick one today as I have council minutes to write up, pieces for school to critique and my own novel work to get on with.

So I drew a Best Self Card from the box. Today's subject to write about. What do you get into the most arguments about?

That's easy. Politics.

I prefer to call them discussions. Occasionally heated discussions.

Just because I'm on the left of things - preferring out money to be going into schools and hospitals rather than big business. I'd rather see us not pandering to millionaires, as opposed to not seeing that the little people are having their say and due.

I hate the march to the far right, which frankly, scares the fuck out of me.

I think the Church as absolutely NO PLACE in modern politics. Absolute separation between Church and State is tantamount to a democracy. We don't have that at the moment.

I really dislike 99% of the current Cabines. I'll say good things about Marise Payne, Foreign Minister, mainly because she doesn't fuck up as much as the rest of them.

I hope when their term is over Morrison, Dutton, Angus Taylor and that awful Michaelia Cash end up in prison for crimes against humanity.

I'm hoping that this Covid-19 might restore a bit of common sense and humanity to global politics, though I don't like my chances.

You can see why I get into arguments about this.

Ah well.



Today's Song:

Alec Clayton's Questions

I'm getting a bit sick of living within the walls of my flat, but it needs to be done. This morning, Jay and I went for a walk along the river. Not an overly long walk, but it was great just to be out in nature, keeping our distance, having a chat, watching everybody else doing the same thing.  It was pretty glorious along the Yarra.

Like everybody else, I'm stuck at home, for work, soon it will be exercise. It just is what it is.

I'm just pleased I have the small panther to keep me company. He really is the bestest boy.

And on the good side of things, school is back on Tuesday, albeit online - but school is back, thank goodness.

Questions, as always, from Bev at Sunday Stealing.


1. If there's a personal god, what quality would you most like that person to have (and why)?

If there was a personal god, I would wish them to be unfailingly kind.

2. What's your death-row meal?

Oh, that would be roast lamb, with all the trimmings and lashings of mint sauce, followed by creme brulee. Either that or a full degustation meal from Vue de Monde.

3. Assuming we make it through this outbreak with minimal loss of life, what do you think our big takeaway should be?

We need to be very grateful for what we have - and to be kinder to the planet and too each other. I also think we need to have a good look at our political systems and we should strive to make them better for all. (Even though we have muppets in charge here, I'm so pleased I'm not in America at the moment)

4. Whom do you find yourself missing more than you would've predicted?

I'm in contact with most of my friends virtually, but not being able to get to Sydney is stinging a bit more than I like to admit to.

5. What brings you the most joy? Not happiness, not contentment -- JOY.

Cuddles. Hence why I'm missing Sydney trips.

6. Do you find yourself regretting anything you've said or done on social media?

Not yet. I'm very careful what I put on social media, trying to remain fairly balanced and positive. I'm thankful for it as it's how I keep up with most of my friends now.

7. What are your favorite and least favorite things about your body and face?

Favourite things about me: My eyes and hair.
Least favourite things: That I look at food and I put on weight.

8. and your life?

Most favourite things: Writing, reading, friends, food, my small panther.
Least favourite things: Being locked up at home, having the gym closed, seeing my friends suffer under the current conditions.

9. How's the self-isolation affecting your libido?

I'm always horny so there's no change.

10. Which three places in the physical universe would you most like to visit?

• Japan
• Angkor Wat
• Seattle / San Francisco / Las Vegas / Colorado - Western America is high on the list
• Morocco
• The Bungle Bungles and the Kimberleys

This is a very short list. It is a lot longer. 

11. On whom did you have a crush years ago? Have you ever told them?

How can I tell Clive Owen that I've had a crush on him for over a decade - we've barely been in the same country for 20 years - but he did do that wonderful film, The Boys are Back, near where I come from:

12. How have your religious views changed since you were in high school?

In high school I would have called myself a Christian  - or more to the point a Methodist. I'm now no longer a Christian - gave back my Jesus ticket thirty years ago as it never made sense to me. I'm now a funny mix of Wiccan, Agnostic, Kabbalist, Hindu, Humanist. I like being a part of lots of things, not just one. Basically, I'm spiritual, rather than religious.

13. If you could change one law, what would it be?

I'd be making it illegal for Australia to run the concentration camps on Manus and Nauru which they have been running for nearly ten years.

14. If you could add one commandment to the original ten, what would it be?

Thou shalt think before you open your mouth.

Today's Song:

The Dev Chronicles - Part Four

I don't have much to write about today, so I'm doing another Dev session. I'm over writing about Coronavirus and I don't want to go on about the joy that is Lucifer the cat.

So we'll do a Dev session. Gets the writing done for the day. These are great sessions. Highly recommended for all writers of all skill levels.

The showing of gratitude:

The thank you letter:

The most urgent task is the showing of gratitude.

Dear Universe,

I know it's a bit sappy to not thank a person, or a situation or something more concrete, but I feel I have to say thank you for everything you have given me lately - and this is a hell of a lot.

Part of me says that I should be writing to God, but I am thankful that I no longer really believe in a monotheistic presence - which is why I'm thanking you, the universe. It's a bigger thing - it also gives me a chance to look at my own free will and the desire for getting on with my life - which is great.

I have to thank you for giving me the courage to pursue things. You've lead me to a job, which I rather like and enjoy - allowing me to have a bit of security at this really insecure time. I know it was me who went out and got the job, but thank you for leading me to the opportunities.

Thank you also for giving me the courage to go and find Lucifer. I know he's going to be with me for a hell of a long time, and this still scares the living hell out of me, but that little presence in my bed and in my flat is keeping me a lot more level. Just having somebody to look after, talk to, feed and cuddle is making me feel whole. I know I've always loved animals, especially cats and dogs, but I've never let myself have one. I'm so glad he's come into my life - I think we were sort of make for each other.

Thank you for the lovely weather we're having at the moment. I know we're not supposed to be out much, but it is great to get some  sunshine on your skin. The lap of the Tan track the other night was simply magnificent.

I know this sounds a bit strange, but thank you for the Coronavirus. Thank you for allowing the Western World to slow the hell down for a bit and to reconsider exactly what they are doing. I don't like that people are getting sick and dying, but the consequences of the virus may mean we come out as a better, more compassionate, more reasonable, more caring society. Well, I live in hope. I know there are some big lessons to learn here, and I thank you for the lessons.

Thank you also for all the blessings I have in my life. There are a lot of them. That I'm solvent, fairly happy, have friends, have a roof over my head, food in my belly and I can do whatever I want within reason - all of this is huge. I really do thank you for these blessings.

That will be my time, but thank you again, Universe, for all you provide.

With love,

P


Ten minutes okay seven.

Write about your favourite person.

I can't write about my two favourite people on this blog as I don't write about them on this blog. There are some things that I keep for me, and my two favourite people are in that realm of just for me.

I can tell you very little about them. They are both male, but educated and intelligent , both have pale eyes, but that is where the similarities stop.

I fell in love with both of them slowly. One came more as a surprise, as at the time, the self-loathing in me was strong and I thought I wasn't good enough for him. The other, I was never supposed to fall in love with.

Both of these people I am completely at ease with, but in very different ways. Both think I'm barking mad, but in different ways.

But what I love about them both is that they let me be just me. They don't try and change me. They encourage my writing - never a bad thing.

But I don't get to see them often enough.

I wish I could be more concrete than this, but I've sworn to myself never to write about them in detail on this blog. As they are mine, and I don't like to share them with people.  I don't share them with people. They get that I compartmentalise my life. It's been a necessary feature of my life for many years.

It would be nice to love somebody and let the world know about it.



Today's Song:

Small Changes, Big Changes

I barely leave the house at the moment. It's a joy to take the rubbish down to the bins or have a coffee with my downstairs neighbour - Lea sits at the bottom of the stairs, I sit on the top landing, and we chat.

You have conversations from two metres away. Jay and I have had to tell Yanni, another gym body, not to get too close. Yanni, of course, is Greek. Not touching is about as foreign to him as not being loud. He looked despondent when we asked him to keep his distance.

For me, it's the small changes which are remarkable. Nothing changes in my flat, other than the new work chair purchased yesterday. I spent a bit, but I can sit for most of the day and not get a back ache now. I see it as investment. It's tax deductible. We'll leave it at that.

The only other change in the flat is everything is now everything is covered in black cat hair. All of my bed linen is white. I really didn't think that one through. Mind you, his intermittent cuddles during the day are keeping me sane. It's lovely waking up next to the critter - even if he does snuggle in for a cuddle when he wants his breakfast.

But it's the outside which has changed.

My unit block has changed. The guy in Number 19 is selling up. Off his own back he's painted the back fence, got the body corporate to lop the trees out the front and miracle of miracles, had the broken down car, which has been there for as long as I can remember, towed from the property. I'm not sure who would try and sell a house in this market. Auctions have been stopped for the time being.

My place of refuge has also changed. My local shopping centre has the gym and a cinema attached. Both are shut. You can't sit at the food court - this could be seen as a good thing. Half the shops are closed. I went to the supermarket to get a couple of essentials - haven't been in there since last Sunday - and I was pleasantly surprised. There was toilet paper, eggs, pasta and tissues available. People kept their distance. It was a bit odd but it was good to see a bit more stock on the shelves.

I think I was just happy to be out of the flat. I walked there and back in the gorgeous late March sunshine.

You have to take the good where you find it. I'm cherishing the little changes - like meeting people for coffee or lunch over Messenger off the cuff. Social media is a godsend - at least I feel somewhat connected with people, even if the interactions are peppered with news of friends losing their jobs, places of business closing down, livelihoods wrecked, dreams smashed.

Some of the stuff on the internet also helps. Remember the BBC Reporter who was working form home and was interrupted by his family. He came back. The kids are still feral. It's great.

I'm getting to meet people's pets and kids. You see inside people's houses. You get to connect with people in other ways. That reminds me, must set up a Zoom meeting for book group.

I'm okay with being locked away in my flat. But I can't wait to get out again. I think that first hug after social isolation will be a doozy.

Today's Song:

The Dev Files - Part Three

I' m going to do a Dev session tonight rather than writing about my day. I think Dev's session would be far more productive than going into things like:

• Talking to the cat
• Sitting in on a 6 hour training session - over Webex
• Buying a good office chair, as odds on,I'm going to be using it 7-9 hours a day for the next few months
• Having a training session out in the park (bliss)
• Findng the Loi Loi open for takeaway after said gym session (Prawn Spring Rolls - yum)

And I had a session with my Faber Course adviser, but I'm still milling over what she said and I'm unsure whether the course is going ahead. There are a lot of balls in the air at the moment. It was nice of her to say keep writing

I also don't want to talk about the C-word.

 Over talking about it. So here we go. Dev session number three. 

First question:

Who am I?

Me. Hell. I'm just me. I'm a lot of things. I'm a humanist. I'm unfalteringly kids, reasonably smart, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. I'm a South Australian - not Australian. I'm a wounded healer. I am a witch. I'm a witch who now owns a black cat called Lucifer. I'm a writer - I could be a very good writer if I got out of my own way. I'm also a lover, a fighter, a gin enthusiast, a gym junkie, theatre lover, cinema lover.

Why am I here?

I love to hone my craft, and having exercises put in front of me is one of the best ways of getting myself writing. So rather than write my daily blog, I'm here getting a shot of Vitamin Dev - it is good to write every day - I know this, but I need different inspiration sometimes. Dev is good for this.

It's also good watching Dev's facial expressions.

What do I want to get out of this (the online classes)?

A bit of a kick up the butt to really get this novel going. To be honest it's just great to write with somebody. As I've done the Gunna's Masterclass I've done a lot of these exercises before, it's always great to do them again.

I also want to inspire a few people to get onto these questions.

And I get to listen to Dev do Tubal Throat Singing - wow. Woman of many talents.

What stops me from writing?

Life. Laziness. Self-doubt. Too many ideas in my head. The need to relax. Thinking about the housework I have to do. The cat telling me to go to bed. Not giving me enough credit. Work. Sleep. Doubting my ideas. These are all excuses.

What gets me writing?

When I'm inspired. Insipid song lyrics. Laughter. The urge. With the blog posts, something that sents me off. The need to escape. The need to create. The need to communication. The need to just be me in the moment.


How do I feel when I'm not writing?

Flat. Anxious. Lazy. Doing myself a diservice. Guilty. Though sometimes I'm thinking about writing, which is a good thing as it lets me get writing quicker when I do. But I'm always writing - I just would like to do more focused writing - IE the novel.

How do you feel when you are writing?

Free. Happy (for the most part). I feel like I'm actively doing what I am supposed to be doing in life. I also feel relaxed when I'm writing. The blood pressure goes down a lot.


Homework: Write a small poem.


He is a small panther,
Stalking the realms of sleep and dreams
Ruling his domain with confidence,
Taking flight from the windowsill
Sleeping in the sun.
When he can.
When he wants.
Because he is a small panther.
Nobody has told him otherwise.




Today's Song:

First World Problems

A really quick one as I appear to have been sitting on this now uncomfortable chair for most of the day talking online in meetings. Basically, I'm a bit over sitting in front of the computer at home all day. I get up and walk around a bit - have a cuddle with the cat (bless him - and thank goodness he's cuddly).

Jay and I did a lap of the Tan this evening - which was brilliant. Lovely night for it. Plenty of parking, not many people out - and best of all - we were outside. We have to live it up while we get used to this new normal. And a lap of the Tan Track was just what was needed. Plenty of social distancing, fresh air, we took our own cars rather than have Jay collect me on the way there. It was great.

It's the small things that get us through.

However last night's instructions from the government have left me wondering about a few things.

After listening to the Prime Moron Minister for five minutes I was forced to say, quite loudly, 'Fuck, he's a dickhead." We need clear, concise instructions, not his pollie waffle.

We were told that a lot of businesses need to close as of today. And here is where the first world problems start coming in.

I know these are first world problems. I'm not moaning. I'm just pointing them out.

What is most gutting is the jobs which have gone away with the stroke of a pen. Millions of people are now without income.

So let's have a look at who is no longer in business for the the next while - until they are allowed to open again. I just hope they can get back into business quickly for all our sakes.

Gym:

This one has hurt a bit - as the gym is my sane space. Thankfully we can still see Cleo outside in a nearby park - the sessions are good. There may be no sled, no medicine balls, no TRX bands, no leg presses, but we still get in a decent workout.

But where are the roiders going to go? What will happen to the roiders (Big blokes on steroids - and known as the grunters who only have eyes for each other). What will the roiders look like when we come out the back of this? They skip leg day as it is. It's going to be interesting to see what comes out of hibernation.

Hairdressers:

You can go to the hairdressers, but there are strict rules about this. Lots of social distancing and there is a half hour time frame on appointments. Me - I've never had a hair appointment last anything less than 90 minutes - longer if there is balayage involved.

Me, I'm thankful I've got set and forget hair. I'm currently rocking Stevie Nicks long shaggy curls. My roots need attention, but it's not critical.

I'm wondering how some of these blonde Toorak princesses, with their tempered tresses. In a few months they're going to come out looking like skunks.

Jay, who's a bit older than me has her hair coloured every few weeks to keep the grays at bay. She thinks this is the time to transition to gray.

My sister, like me, dyes her hair, said she's going with the ombre look for the time being.

I'm not there yet. I'll have a talk to my hairdresser  - see if there is a supermarket option to keep the roots at bay. But anyway, nobody is going to see me. Does it matter? No. What matters is I stay safe and keep everybody else around me safe.

Beauticians:

Again, it's my vanity talking here. Once a month I go into Myer to see the heavily tattooed Morgan at the Benefit Counter, who does her magic on my eyebrows. If I let my eyebrows go, I end up looking like John Howard. I will have to tend these myself - if just for the sanity of the people with whom I'm on conference calls. Morgan just does them better



As women go, I fairly low maintenance. A leg wax every eight weeks and the very occasional pedicure and I'm done with beauty therapists.

I feel for the beauticians more than I do the women who will be going without spray tans, eyelash extensions, fillers, botox, gel nails.... they are going to look like completely different creates at the end of this (Jay is already lamenting the loss of her gel nails) .

I just pity the millennials out there, who, for the first time in their life, will have to cope with the joys of abundant pubic hair. Men might grow their chest hair back (That's fine with me) . Men may grow their back hair back (No thanks)

This is about to get interesting.

Today's song:

Town

I went into town today.

It's not illegal yet, even though it's not encouraged.

Today, it was just a matter of popping into town, getting my flu jab at work, collecting my mail and going home. In and out in an hour.

I looked at my method of preferred transport. As I was doing this in working hours, it was a matter of making this quick - as quick as possible. I could drive. Or I could take public transport. I live 10 minutes out of the city. I took the latter option, walking to the train station, tramming home.

There were no issues about social distancing on either method of transport. There were about five people in the train carriage on the way in. There were two people on the tram on the way home. A few more in the city, but nobody got near each other. This was taken on a tram that goes down Collins Street and is shoulder to shoulder on most days. This is what I found:

Collins Street, Midday

I made my way quickly to the office. Washing my hands as I got there. I was devastated but not surprised to find the cafe where we have book group closed.

St Kilda Road Bridge - deserted.

And the most telling of all. The Flinders Street underpass.

Anybody who knows Melbourne knows that this is normally packed most of the day. This was taken just before midday.

The city is a ghost town. And rightly so.

I donned a pair of gloves for the way home. Just food prepping gloves. Not to keep the germs out, but to keep myself from touching my face. It was a good strategy.

It's gratifying and shocking at how few people are in town. Gratifying that people are heeding the message and staying home.

Shocking at just how alien the place looks without people.

Dev described it as a mix between Gilead and Good Friday.

Me, I think it's more what this place would look like after the zombie apocalypse.

Needless to say, got home, scrubbed myself down and cuddled the cat, happy to be back in the safety of my own home.

I doubt I'll be getting in there again for a long time.


Today's song:

The New Half Normal

It's twenty to eleven, I'm in my pyjamas and I have 12 litres of gin. Hit it.

Okay, I have a small nip of GinFusion Blood Orange and Yuzu over ice and all is quite well. Mind you, blood orange and yuzu* makes most thing better. How can you go wrong when you have something yuzu tainted in your hand?

I've turned to alcohol in a very limited way tonight. It's needed. The world is all too surreal. The gym closed down today. There is reason to be grieving.

But we look to the good. Count my blessings. Remember the good.

So here are a few things that are good.

1) Secondhand cat, AKA Reginald Lucifer Morningstar Behr is settling in very well. He's doing everything a good cat should do. He's very well behaved. Loves his scratching pole, is still spending a lot of time under the bed, but that's okay - he comes out a lot.

His favourite trick is to sit next to you, look up at you like a two-year-old with the arms extented. He then jumps up into my lap, then crawls onto my shoulder . His favourite time to do this is when I'm on conference calls. It's probably best to turn off your camera and mike before you say, 'Hello, Darling, do you want a cuddle?'

Still think I lucked out on Cat Tinder and I struck gold with my little panther. He does look like a panther - he's so dark he's nearly Vantablack. I love him to bits. As much as I love Maow Maow, who had to be told that he is still my favourite best boy (Along with Lucifer.)

2) As the gym closed today, we had our first outside session with Cleo in the park, doing things we would normally do inside, just without the machines. It was good. We're doing it again on Thursday - as well as fitting in some walks and a few other things. to keep the fitness and sanity up.

On the good side of things, working out outside is great. And we're helping to keep Cleo employed. This could be a long break. I need exercise for my sanity. Looking at the New Zealand papers, where they have just gone into Stage 4 lockdown. You can go outside to exercise, walk the dog, go to the supermarket and the doctor and that is about it. At least they can get out for a walk.

Tomorrow I have to go into town to get my flu shot at work - I'm thinking of walking in - it's about an hour away - but its better than taking public transport.

3) People are starting to take this pandemic seriously. As of today, cafes and restaurants can only open for takeaway. Not sitting down to eat. It's the way it has to be.

4) It's my step-dad's birthday tomorrow. My step-sister reminded me. And its a good thing, because I still think his birthday is in April.

5) The best thing today was discovering a clip of Shirley Temple doing death metal. These stupid little things are make my day.

Still having a cat to cuddle around home - best decision ever.

* Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit that tastes something between a lemon and a mandarin, and it looks a bit like an ugly grapefruit.


Today's Song:

The Coronavirus Questions - Again

I know I posted these a few days ago, but things are changing at a stupid rate, I am going to do them again.

On the good side of things,despite the fact we're about to be locked down here in Australia, I now have company. I've adopted a small panther (read black short haired domestic cat, but he likes to think he's a panther) His name is Lucifer. Full name Reginald Lucifer Morningstar Behr, but he's just Lucifer to me. He's awesome. And settling well. I think I've done pretty well for a second-hand cat. (#adoptdontshop



It's shocking how quickly things are changing.

Questions were sourced by Bev at Sunday Stealing, first placed on my blog a few days ago.

1. Has the COVID-19 affected your work environment?

I'm not working from home exclusively. I was going to go into the office on Tuesday to get my flu shot, but as I think we're going into lock down on Tuesday this may not be happening now. I now have a new workmate too - Lucifer. He's going to be a treat on conference calls.

2. How are you feeling about the Coronavirus?

I'm pissed off about it. I wish it never happened. Mind you, it might be the wake up call we need.

3. Has anybody you know been tested / have you?

Yes. My sister. She came back with a negative result, which is what she thought would happen. She, like me, has a cough for half the year - and she'd gone to the doctors  about a sinus infection. She didn't meet the testing criteria, but the doctor tested her anyway.

4. Do you have any friends stuck in any exotic locations?

My friend who was stuck in Argentina has got as far as New Zealand, where she is in lockdown for the next fortnight. My friend doing the Camino has made it back to Melbourne and she is locked down in Brunswick.

5. Have you changed any of your personal habits due to the pandemic?

Same as before, I'm washing my hands a lot more and using hand sanitiser a lot more.I'm also counting my blessings. I have a lot of them to count.

6. What is the craziest thing you've seen or heard about the outbreak?

Pretty much half the stuff out of America (including the nutter in Stacey's comments) Also seeing a full beach at Bondi the other day - far too many people there under the circumstances. They've since closed the beach.

7. Do you think our politicians are doing enough to curb the crisis?

They're doing more for the economy than the health services, but that's what you get when you elect Conservatives. However, they are finally taking this seriously and taking drastic action.

8. Have you stockpiled anything because of the crisis?

I've got a bit more in than usual, but nothing too bad. I have a fortnight's worth of cat food here - Lucifer won't go hungry.

9. What do you think you will miss the most if you are subject to a lock in?

Decent coffee. Eating out. Fresh air (I don't even have a balcony). Ask me next week - we're about to get locked down.

10. What is the weirdest rumour you've heard about the virus?

I don't know who told people, but why would toilet paper run out if people have a virus that doesn't attack your gastrointestinal tract?

11. Do you have a favourite meme about the virus?

I quite liked this:



12. Has the virus made you grateful for anything?

Yes. My ordinary life. Movie theatres. Fresh air. Walking outside. Going to work. There are lots of things to be grateful for. Especially my friends.

13. Have any of your plans been upset by the outbreak?

I talked about this last time - but it looks like tomorrow will be the last time I get to see my wonderful trainer for a few weeks at least. The gym is closing tomorrow for an undetermined period.

14. Are you planning do to anything different because of the COVID-19 outbreak?

Yes, as of tomorrow I'm going to do intermittent fasting and keep my calories right down. Well that is the objective.

Also, I will be going on a lot of virtual coffee dates.

15. What do you hope to see in six months time?

I pray that we are nearly back to normal and that people are a lot nicer to each other.

 16. Has the Coronavirus upset your mental health in any way?

I'm being very vigilant about my mental health. Making sure I'm checking in with friends and being kind to myself. But I'm doing okay.

Today's Song: (Change the lyrics as you wish :) )

The Dev Chronicles: Part Deux

I am not going to talk about my new cat. I am not. So I just got my first cuddle and pat, after six hour of him relocating. I think this is promising. But for the moment, I'll record what I am writing on Dev's second webinar to get me writing. So I won't write about my new cat, who is currently alternating between sitting under the couch and coming up for smooches. He's like a mini panther.

Anyway, lets see what Dev has to say and write along with her. Cos you really don't want to hear about my cat.

I am sitting at my work desk - my desk. My table. Pulling my finger out and getting on with it. Let's eat the ugly frog.

So the first exercise. Who do I love?

Oh shit.

I love my friends and family. I do love my friends and family - they are incredibly important to me.

I also love him in England and him in Sydney but we don't talk about that. Different loves.

What do I do?

Erm. Well, by weekday - I'm a technical writer at an energy company. This means I pen work instructions for computer systems.  Joy.

By evening I am a journeyman novelist and feature writer.

What am I looking forward to?

I'm looking forward for life to return to some form of normality. It's only been a week but I am sick of the bloody flat already. But I have my new cat to enjoy.

I'm looking forward to being about to travel again, to go to the theatre and cinema in safety and I'm looking forward to a bit of certainty in life.

Second exercise: Six Prompts. Write like nobody is going to read it... okay it's going on my blog - and I LOVE THIS EXERCISE! Write for me. Don't write for anybody else.

 Use the prompts. The prompts are in bold. Keep writing . The aim is to keep going.


Imagine if there wasn't a reaction to this Coronavirus jobbie. If we were all going on in our lives like we were a month ago, not washing our hands all that thoroughly, going to restaurants and cafes, planning what to do in the footy fixture, going to work on packed public transport and generally being oblivious to everything.

I hate to think what the mortality rate would be.

You can't see around the corner, and what a pity it would have been if we could have seen around that bend? What would we have done differently if we knew what we knew now? I'm not sure I'd have done anything differently. I still get on public transport, but now it is empty and I'm only doing it once a week. I may start wearing food prep gloves when I get on a tram. I've not gone the mask route. I don't want to. People either look like ducks or dickheads. If it makes them feel safer then all well and good.

What had been forgotten, in we humans, is the desire for change is something most of us hate. we don't like change. We can do some change. Like the change that comes with the Death Card in the tarot deck - that slow change that takes forever. Noooo, we've been taken over by The Tower. The change that sweeps you off your feet, blindsides you and leaves you winded like you've been headbutted by a bull.

It was brilliant. Mother Nature, God, Cthulhu, which ever deity to which you subscribe has knocked the planet for six. And good on it. Who knew Mother Nature could be such a cunt.

Thing is, it's probably overdue. We've needed this reminder that we're fragile, that we're not the big tough bullies we think we are.

It took a few weeks , but eventually, most of us - and I say most of us, have come around to the fact that we really are amoeba, stuck in our respective houses for the foreseeable future until we get the all clear - and shite knows when that is going to happen. There are still people crowding Bondi Beach, sending their kids to Corona virus parties (akin to the old Chicken Pox parties) and generally being fuckwits. Listen to the fucking science people!  I think people are starting to catch on.

To be honest, I think this is Mother Nature's way of telling us to get fucked, pull our heads in, start looking after the place and to behave ourselves. It's like we, the human race, are a mob of recalcitrant teenagers, all sulky and sullen. We've had our stash taken away and we've been told to clean our rooms.

Only time will tell what will happen. I just know I'm very discombobulated, but I am trying to be both stoic and positive. Good change can come from this. It has to. I don't want the Coronavirus to sweep through the likes of Victor Harbor - though I can see a few people loving the trust funds now they have lost their jobs - mind your Ma and Pa are probably reverse mortgaged up to the hilt.

Time will tell. Maybe after this we might be nicer to the planet and to ourselves.

Fin.

Books on writing. Hmm. I like Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Element of drafts. Like it.

Last exercise. If you had six months to live, what would you do and what is stopping you from doing it now?

Easy - what is stopping me from doing anything at the moment? I'm in virtual lock down and I am now mother to a black cat named Lucifer.

But what would I do? I would travel the world. Meet people. Try every gin I could get my hands on. Make love. Read books. See films - maybe even see The Godfather at last. I would tell my friends and family that I love them.

And I would take Lucifer around to Blarney's place just before I go, as it will be written in my will that Blarney and Barney can get my cat - I'm getting Maow Maow if something happens to them.

Done

Today's Song:

Biting the Bullet

After a quiet day at work here in the lounge room. I did  a bit of shopping once I'd logged off at 5 pm.

I bought a cat igloo, a little tray and a cat carrier.

I'm biting the bullet and I hope to get a cat tomorrow.

I've called the shelter, which is out in the Yarra Valley. He seems like a sweet boy - in need of a Mum. He was handed in after his Dad had a change in circumstances. He allegedly likes other male cats, but he'd be better off in a home with some quiet people.

See! How could I not want to take him home?



Only think is he's currently called Reggie. Reg was my grandfather's name. So if he comes home with me I think I'll have to change his name.

I think Lucifer Morningstar is great name for a black cat.

I've always wanted a black cat. And I can see him being a Lucifer. I just want to be able to say, "Lucifer!" and roll my eyes like this:

Anyway, we'll see what goes down tomorrow afternoon. I'm driving out to the Yarra Valley to meet this beastie.

I hope we like each other.


Today's Song:

#fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

Today, I got the gutting news that my glorious neighbours of 14 years, Lea and Marc, have both been let go from their jobs and they will have to leave their home and move in with their family in the burbs. My heart is a little broken. I've lived above them for over a decade and they are great people. We feed each other's cats. We have each other's keys. They, like me, are quiet, friendly and responsible.

Scrap that - I'm going to start a new hashtag or two. #fuckcoronavirus. #fuckcovid19

I think I need to get this out of me. But I'll also try an look at the good.

But now, I need a bit of a whinge. Get it all out then go back to my normal, semi-optimistic, brightside-looking self.

I know what a lucky, privileged situation I find myself in - employed for at least a year in an essential service company, solvent, able to work from home, under 70, not overseas... the list is long and I am very, very grateful.

But some things just suck.

So let's get this all out of me. Here's my gripe list.

Okay, so I can't travel to Sydney for the foreseeable future. There goes my very limited lovelife and my sanity breaks as I like to call them. #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

The gym won't be open for much longer. Everybody knows this. The gym keeps me sane. I have to find a way to exercise inside if we go into lockdown or I will go spare. At least for the moment I can go for a walk.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

The reports about people stockpiling food and other goods then selling them on for profits shit me to tears.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

School has been cancelled for the next few weeks. It will happen but I wanted to do it NOW.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

Working from home is isolating. Very isolating. But we are monitoring this situation and keeping a handle on it.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

I went out for a dinner last night with some friends. A last gasp attempt at normality. We sat outside. We couldn't share stuff. Worst of all, there were no hugs. I like hugging my friends. No hugging. We tapped feet at the end of the night breaking the 1.5 metre ruling. It's not the same tapping feed. I wanted a Thom hug (Thom gives the best hugs).  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

If I go into the office, there is no eating in the kitchen, no sharing food, not birthday cakes, no bake offs, no lolly jars. All the fun stuff has been taken away.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

Everybody is a bit jittery and grumpy.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

If you cough or sneeze, people look at you as if you're about to give them Bubonic Plague and they scowl at you.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

Book group got cancelled. We're looking into virtual options.   #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

I will have to break in new neighbours.  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

How do you go to the hairdresser and maintain a social distance?  #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

Okay, whine over. I look at this list:

• Sydney trips will happen again
• The gym will reopen
• School will be great once we get the format running online
• Working from home means I get reading breaks on the couch at lunch, and we are all careful to check in with each other - I've only been there a month, but the people are lovely. 
• I will be able to hug my friends again
• I'm better off without the bakery culture at work anyway
• I can watch what I eat better at home
• People will pick up
• Maybe capitalism can seriously go get fucked now
• Along with the patriarchy
• People will stop coughing
• The empty trams, when you go on one, are quite refreshing
• People are helping each other out
• The new neighbours might be lovely
• Lea and Marc will find employment again
• Book Group will reconvene - and we will check in on each other
• As she works in a very small salon, I might be able to risk the hairdresser without setting off my social conscience
• And the earth might heal a bit while we're all on lockdown.

But still.

 #fuckcoronavirus #fuckcovid19

Now, no more whining. Back to my normal self now. 

Today's song: (Because I need a sweary song)

The Coronavirus Questions

I normally do a Q&A on Sunday - I've done it for years, but today - I'm going to set the questions - and answer them. Why not? It's all anybody is talking about at the moment.

I might send them over to Bev at Sunday Stealing - I'd love to hear what the Americans are doing about this at the moment.

So here they are - the Coronavirus questions:

1. Has the COVID-19 affected your work environment?

Hells yeah. I am somebody who likes going into the office - I'm now predominantly working from home. It's isolating. I'm thinking of getting a cat to counteract the feeling of isolation. Seeing this could be the case for months I think I will be getting on with this cat hunt on the weekend.

2. How are you feeling about the Coronavirus?

I like to think I'm being alert, but not alarmed. For the most part, I'm getting on with things, trying to read up about stuff on offical websites, but also not getting overwhelmed by the whole thing. I'm lucky my family is interstate so I can't infect them if I end up with it. I've been trying to be very as careful as I can be.

3. Has anybody you know been tested / has it?

Yes. My sister went to the doctor with a sinus infection. Though she doesn't meet Victorian testing criteria, her doctor tested her for it. Possibly after mentioning we have a 79-year-old mum who comes down to iron for my sister. Mum is not allowed near the house until she's got her results and /or gone through quarantine.

4. Do you have any friends stuck in any exotic locations?

I have one friend walking the Camino in Spain. Allegedly she's having a great time. I've also got a friend stuck in Argentina - she's hoping to get out on Friday, then it's a fortnight's quarantine in New Zealand, followed by another fortnight quarantine when she gets back to Australia. Fun....

5. Have you changed any of your personal habits due to the pandemic?

Hugging and hand washing. I have a tendency to hug my friends. We to tap now. And I've always washed my hands, but never before to two round of "Aga Doo" or "Mr Brightside".

6. What is the craziest thing you've seen or heard about the outbreak?

I've heard some churches saying that people's faiths will keep them safe from the virus.... Ummm no. I've also heard some stuff about 'herd immunity'. Not sure a virus without a vaccine can do this.

I'd still like the anti-vaxxers amongst us to agree to go over to Italy at the moment and see how they go.

7. Do you think our politicians are doing enough to curb the crisis?

Ah, no, but I'm not horrified with Australia's response. I think they're trying, and there have been a few things that could have been done earlier. I'm just glad I'm not in America - but saying that, Trump has been coming out as sort of Presidential in the last day or so.

8. Have you stockpiled anything because of the crisis?

I've not hoarded anything, but I've got a little bit more in, which I've gradually collected over the last few weeks - pasta, eggs, an extra loaf of bread - but I've certainly not gone overboard. I bought a six pack of loo paper in Sydney when I was up there, three of the rolls were donate to Blarney when I got back to Melbourne. There are four of them in the household and they're running low.

9. What do you think you will miss the most if you are subject to a lock in?

Fresh air, exercise, going out, movies, theatre, friends, hugs. Then again, the reading and writing I could get done....

10. What is the weirdest rumour you've heard about the virus?

Everything from it started in a wet market in Wuhan to the virus came from a Chinese biological weapons factory. There is a lot of strange stuff out there.

11. Do you have a favourite meme about the virus?

There are some good ones out there, but this tickled my fancy.




This one is good too:



12. Has the virus made you grateful for anything?

I'm grateful for lots of things:

• Having a full time, well paying job in an essential service (Utilities company)
• My friends
• My sense of humour
• For the sense to not stockpile in great amounts of food
• That I can work from home
• That I'm not in a high risk group
• That the gym is still open (just)

13. Have any of your plans been upset by the outbreak?

Hells yeah. Other than killing my love life dead for the foreseeable future so far things that have been cancelled:

• Book group
• School (though we're hoping to get this back and online soon)
• Theatre
• The Pixies Concert
• The Alanis Morrissette Concert
• Football where you can go to a game
• Meditation may be done online from next week.

And I'm sure there's more things, but all of these things have left me a bit gutted. 

14. Are you planning do to anything different because of the COVID-19 outbreak after it is over?

I don't know yet. I do know that being in semi-lockdown its a good chance to get the diet on track. I think I will be going outside more once things become safer.

15. What do you hope to see in six months time?

A happier world with as few deaths as possible and a health system which is not struggling.

16. Has the Coronavirus affected your mental health?

In a small way. I'm monitoring myself closely, reaching out to friends and making sure I don't feel too isolated. I'm two days in working from home and I'm already feeling a bit nuts. Hence the procuring of the cat. It's being monitored closely.

17. Do you have a song with which you wash your hands to for the required 30 seconds?

I mix them up a bit. Songs I sing while washing my hands include:

• Aga Doo by Black Lace
• Mr Brightside by The Killers
• Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones
• Emotional Rescue by the Rolling Stones
• Rubber Duckie by Ernie

Today's Song: (And don't forget to wash your hands)

It's a great time to be writing dystopia

I'm sitting here listening to the wonderful Catherine Deveny, who is doing a series of writing podcasts at the moment. She's giving me the shot of Vitamin Dev, or the Dev Enema - but it's a kick up the arse that you need to get you writing.

So for today's blog, I'm putting up my exercises from the 30 minutes online webinar.

Her first exercise. Write like your family is dead. Write like nobody will read it. Write like it will self-destruct at the end of it.

Well five minutes of writing. My topic for this  - It's a great time to be writing dystopia.

Because dystopia is here and it's real. We are in no man's land at the moment - in that space between the known and the unknown. A place where we have no idea what is going to happen next, other than it is fucking scary and really, you can't see the next steps.

Mind you, when you're writing a dystopian novel there is sooooooo much fodder that you can use. So many things which can be drawn upon that can be put in that novel. We are there. HG Wells and Ursula Le Guin and Ray Bradbury could never have predicted this.

Maybe Philip K Dick. Just as androids dream of electric sheep, we, here on the planet, dream of open spaces, full cafes and the knowledge that whatever you touch may have the effect of killing your granny in a few weeks time. It's freaking scary.

But some of the best ideas when you are writing come out from when you're frightened. Just watching your reactions can bring so many ideas to light.

And here I was thinking that in my novel I'd have to put out the timelines 20-30 years - nope, I give it five. I'm in the process of re-shaping what I've written over the last two years. Fun.

New exercise coming soon.

Make a brick not a bridge. (Dev Nugget of the day)

Okay, write for ten minutes. Here we go.

So what am I gleaning about writing dystopia in dystopian times.

Well today's idea comes from the fact that we've all gone bloody bonkers about this cretinous virus and we can't see the other end of things - and we can't, which is dreadful.

But think about what happens in a year. They reckon that we're going to lose between 50-150,000 people from this virus. They reckon once you get it, you're not going to be able to get it again. So there is that. But I'm going to start calling these imminent losses, 'The Cull", because maybe, just maybe, that's what Mother Nature or the Chinese (depends on which conspiracy theory you are peddling) are doing. What happens when you come out of this. The thought I had today is that my main character will be marked by her immunity in some way. Part of living in this new world is that you have to carry around your immunity status - probably by an implanted chip somewhere in the soft tissue of your left hand. Mind you, in Nullius, my dystopian state Australia, the Point One - the corporations which run the show, (as they have taken over the Government), are making it very easy for them to procure information on you.

This chip is implanted with all sorts of things - but one of these things is immunity to Coronavirus. It may well, in the future, be a bit of a badge of honour - having immunity to this will, in the future, be like having immunity to chicken pox, whooping cough or rubella. And just like today - no jab/acquired immunity, no play / work / reason to be a part of the functional society.

I'm not sure if anybody knows what it is like to be in the presence of somebody with shingles, only to realise you've never had chicken pox, you've been massaging them and there is a good chance you are going to end up in hospital for a week, being sedated, because adult chicken pox is only superseded by festering, infected piles in my list of things I don't want to get. (My sister was nearly hospitalised when she got chicken pox as an adult - mum never sent us to chicken pox parties when we were kids)

I think the most insidious thing about this virus is that we are all afraid of what we can't see - though we are very aware that it is there. It's like the invisible bogey man - only this pseudo-night-terror is may well kill your granny or your mate with the auto-immune disease, or the mate who's just out of chemo. I don't want to get this virus - I am not in the risk group - but I sure as hell don't want to give it to anybody.

-ooOoo-

Well, I'm at the end of Dev's writing lesson. I highly recommend any budding writer of any ability check these out. She's great at giving your both confidence and a kick up the bum.

I can now go to bed happy, knowing that I am housebound again tomorrow and playing with powerpoint  (though I will go out of a walk early morning. If we go into total lockdown I'm going to really watch my mental health).

Today's Song:

And so it begins

I've just finished setting up my home office. It's something I've resisted doing for years and it's taken a global pandemic and  the glories of having to work from home for the foreseeable future to get me to do this - but it's here now.

I've a 24 inch screen. Good for what I do. It'll be good for writing too. At least I'm not at the mercy of the laptop screen which kills your will along with stiffening your neck and back. I need to move stuff around in the screens - take snapshots, place images. At work, in the office, I have two monitors - but I'm good with the one.

There are two laptops on the desk. My work one will sit on top of my home one. Thankfully the work laptop is light and a lot smaller than the other.

There's also a headset, which provides audio for meetings. It's a bulky contraption, but necessary.

I've left the work peripherals at work - using my mouse and keyboard. I like my keyboard here better.

But this, here, for the foreseeable future, is my place of work.

The great thing is, fore tea breaks, I get to go have a lie down and read my book.

Thank goodness for small mercies.


Today's Song:

The Sleepy Rambles Meme

Well, I'm in Sydney and it is a ghost town. Alice and I were supposed to go to the Pixies concert last night. That was cancelled. Today we met for breakfast and then took ourselves off to the Sydney Biennale at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Today was the second day of the show. It was next to empty in the galleries - which in many ways is a great thing, but then again.... We still have some ability to get around here - we're not in full lock down, but the streets are quiet. I hate to say it, but I'm enjoying it. I'm not panicking- but I also know that this is just the start of things.

Questions, as always, come from Bev at Sunday Stealing.

1. What is the wallpaper on your computer screen? Why did you choose it?

On my main computer I have a runner on a beach scene. I never chose it, it's just there. 

2. Who is the person you text the most in your life? What relation are you?

That's a toss up between Blarney, and Cleo and Jay, organising training sessions. 

3.Is there carpet or hardwood floor in your bedroom?

Unfortunately it's carpet. It needs replacing. All the carpet in my flat needs replacing.

4. Do you believe in superstitious things such as breaking a mirror?

I'm minorly superstitious. I touch wood a lot. There are a few other things I do - like not giving knives as gives, when giving a handbag, putting some money in it - but these things don't rule my life.

5. Do you like those ‘end of the world,’ ‘Armageddon’ movies?

Not really - as they are normally blockbusters. But saying that Melancholia was excellent.

6. Chocolate or strawberry birthday cake? Choose one.

Ah, neither. Can I please have a vanilla or flourless lemon cake. Much better. If I have to choose, then strawberry at a push, but there are other flavours I prefer.

7. Do you eat more vegetables or fruits? What’s your favorite fruit/veggie?

I eat a lot of vegetables and very little fruit. I love sweet potatoes and pumpkin. For fruits lychees and most berries.

8. Does the dentist calm you or does it tend to stress you out?

I'm fine with the dentist. I see him every six months. He never does much to me thank goodness. 

9. If you had to choose, which is the worst movie you’ve ever seen?

Sin City. I walked out after half an hour. The Other Boleyn Girl wasn't great either. Walked out of that too. 

10. Have you ever found yourself talking to an inanimate object?

All the time. I talk to my computer screen at work a lot too. 

11. Do you like movies that are originally based on children’s books?

Sometimes. Sometimes not. Depends on the film. 

12. Is your hair more thick or thin? Is it more curly or straight?

My hair is long and increasingly curlier than it has been for most of my life. I quite like it at the moment. 

13. Something on the human body that grosses you out the most:

Arseholes. Both figuratively and literally. I've done too much bodywork to be grossed out by the human body. 

14. What is your favorite color of apple? Red, green or yellow?

I love a good Granny Smith apple (Green ones)

15. Do you hardly ever remember where you put things at?

The only thing I have regular trouble finding is my house keys. 

16. Do you ever lay in the grass and look up at the sky, just because?

I wish I could do this more. 

17. Are you a controversial person? Do your views oppose others?

I can be controversial. I tend to pick my battles. My novel, if it ever gets published, will be VERY controversial - so I'm keeping my controversy tickets in check at the moment. 

18. Have you ever thrown a surprise party for someone? Who for?

No surprise parties. Not my thing. I don't like surprises that much myself. 

19. What would you say your average word per minute time is on the keyboard?

I think I type around 50-60 words a minute. Years of practice. 

20. Do you like fiction or non-fiction books more? What’s your favorite?

I read a hell of a lot of fiction, though great non-fiction can be wonderful. I'm a literary reader. I make no apologies for this. 

21. Do you know how to play pool? Are you any good at it?

Yes I can play pool - and I'm quite good at it. Being ambidextrous makes it even more fun and I can shoot from both sides. 

22. The most painful medical procedure you’ve ever had?

A wisdom tooth that had to come out in the chair - that was awful. A test for Whooping Cough was awful too - thought he was trying to scoop out my brains. 

23. Are you someone who tends to take a whole lot of naps?

No - I nap very rarely - only when I'm ill will I nap.

24. Have you ever been pulled over by the cops for speeding?

Nope. Only ever had one red light camera ticket in my life.

25. Is anyone in your family a firefighter?

No. We're all doctors, police, nurses and shopkeepers. Very sedate. Ooops, sorry, I have a cousin who works for the Country Fire Association. So yes, I do.

Today's Song: