Staycation

I should have taken some time off 3 weeks ago. I didn't. I needed to take some time off 3 weeks ago. I started feeling physically bleugh and trying to write copy through the treacle my brain had become, was a task of extreme optimism. But hey, I made it here without too much drama.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am on Staycation! Oh yes, people. Not for me trooping half way across the world to lie on a sandy beach, emptying my bank account, stressing at the airport, killing my skin and liver cells. Nope. I am in the pink, fluffy dressing gown, drinking coffee, looking at the sunshine with a whole heap of nothing to do.

Actually, that's not quite true. I do have somethings I want to do this week. A few things to get back on track. I've got some books to read, some exercises to sweat over, not to mention naps to partake. This staycation isn't about rushing around, this staycation is about recharging batteries. Pottering about, getting things done.

Boy and I are getting rather excited. You will remember that we are big fans of the Elder Scrolls game called Oblivion. Well, Bethesda have finally got it together to release another one in the series, Skyrim. And it looks awesome. Truly, awesome. Unfortunately, we have to wait until November 11th for it's release. To pass the time, we've been revisiting Oblivion. I started on a new character, Boy continued with his Argonian. Somehow, Boy is going to have to do a serious balancing act. His Pretty will want to see him and while she has proven patient with him so far. I suspect she may find us very trying as we lose ourselves in the wonder of the world of the Elder Scrolls. We're just going to have to drag her in. Poor love. Mind you, if we do that, it means we'll have even longer to wait between turns. Damn. Hmm....leave it with me, I need to have a think about that.

I'm not baracading myself in, I am being sociable. I'm just not packing my diary out. I have things which can only be attended to outside of the house. And 103, still does the best frothy coffee in town. But I don't have to move any faster than I want to, and Ladies and Gentlemen, I can move at glacier pace. Staycation....joy.

How to Waste Time by a Professional Procrastinator

I have acquired two new obsessions. They manage to eat away quite a lot of my time, which, considering the stuff that I really should be getting on with, is a bit silly. Boy and I sat down and wrote the To Do List which has 17 items, which I must do before Saturday. The items vary between Very Important and Urgent and so far today I've done 1 thing. I really can Procrastinate for England, it is slightly ridiculous.

A few weeks ago, Boy bought Oblivion for his XBox 360. It's a fantasy role-playing game. It's stunning. I'm a dark-elf, encased in armour wandering around Cyrodiil, a province of Tamriel doing quests. I get to beat people up, explore caves, go swimming with slaughter-fish, ride a dappled horse, swing my sword around, gamble, drink and generally create mayhem. I have been tasked with saving the heir to Tamriel, but quite frankly with everything else I've got going on at the moment, I'm procrastinating that quest too. OMG, I procrastinate virtually as well!

Unfortunately, Boy has bought the Transformers game today. Humpf. Up until today, I could interrupt his game, have a go on Oblivion for an hour or so, and then we'd just swap around. Now I have to beg, plead, cajole and threaten. Double humpf.

I was thinking back on last summer and how much I was worrying about my baby growing up. It's funny, I look across at my Boy and I see a young man now. This year he left his childhood behind and entered with confidence the world of a teenager, a far more dangerous and scary place. He's settled into high school and works hard, he avoids trouble and seems to have good, positive friendships. I see the man to come and am exceptionally proud. His sense of humour is so dry and sarcastic; he just creases me up; I really enjoy his company.

I've also discovered the joys of Facebook. I know people have said that all kinds of nasties can creep out of the woodwork, but I've found myself to be nasty-free. Besides, you don't have to accept people you don't want. It's got these really fun applications that you can add to your page at the moment I've been wasting time with the iLike application. I've been loading up clips and videos of my favourite music and making soppy dedications to my Viking. It just eats time. But it's so much fun. By the way, if you want to be my virtual friend, drop me an e-mail and I'll add you. I'll buy you virtual beer, fish for your acquarium, flowers for your garden and we can compare music tastes. Just think, we can procrastinate together.