Tag: life

Less, More & None (2021)

Less

  • allowing my task list to build up((Do, defer, delegate or delete.))
  • looking at my mobile phone when people are talking to me
  • reading doomscrolling the news((Once per day is more than enough))

More

  • exercise
  • reading((After reading 41 books in 2020, I want to challenge myself to read 50 in 2021.))
  • saving money
  • seeking opportunities for personal growth
  • writing

None

  • making excuses when it comes to exercise((I will get outside and run even if it is icy cold or teeming down with rain. And if I really can’t get outside to run then I will work out at home. There are no excuses. There is always enough time, enough ways to keep to fit, and enough tools (apps/videos/guides) to be able to exercise every day.))
  • skipping my ‘morning reading'((One of my daily rituals is to read from a selection of philosophical and theological texts. It helps focus my mind at the start of the day.))

She Bangs the Drums!

Today, Jennifer and I celebrated 16 years of marriage. I had planned to take her to Copenhagen but alas Covid-19 had other ideas. Instead we took a brief stroll in the sunshine through one of the local parks and spent the rest of the day in our apartment. We cooked together; watched Teen Wolf((Teen Wolf was on the TV the night we got married. We have watched it on our anniversary every year since. Perfect for a couple who love all things 80s.)) and reflected on the many happy years we have spent together so far.

I love Jennifer just as much today as the day I first laid eyes on her. She was a sophomore at College of Charleston, South Carolina; I was participating in an overseas placement as part of my American Studies degree. It was love at first sight. There were butterflies; nervous dates; and many long conversations sharing our passions and interests with each other.

While we have a few songs that we call our own, the one that most reminds me of Jennifer is ‘She Bangs the Drums’ by The Stone Roses. It perfectly captures how I felt every time I saw her back in Charleston when we started dating; and it continues to capture how I feel now, 20 years later. I’ll let Ian Brown and John Squire take it from here:

I don’t feel too steady on my feet
I feel hollow, I feel weak
Passion fruit and holy bread
Fill my guts and ease my head
Through the early morning sun
I can see her here she comes

She bangs the drums

Have you seen her have you heard
The way she plays there are no words
To describe the way I feel

How could it ever come to pass

She’ll be the first she’ll be the last
To describe the way I feel
The way I feel

I look forward to the next sixteen years of marriage, knowing she will be the first and last to describe the way I feel!

Quote

Ron Computer

I’ve been saving this one. Feels appropriate following yesterday’s optimistic post…

“As an eternal optimist… my hope is that something might come out of this time of reflection, where we’re all being made to hold still for a while. Perhaps when it’s over, we will walk outside and look at a tree, or reacquaint ourselves with squirrels and birds in our neighbourhood, and say, ‘Oh, there is beauty, there is worth, there is incredible value to the world and to life. And it doesn’t come through my phone, it doesn’t come through consumerism, it doesn’t come from capitalism’.”

~ Offerman, Nick, The Guardian, 2020.

Support Local – Updated!

The lockdown continues and so does the resilience and ingenuity of the local people here in Hastings and St. Leonards.

Rather than updating my previous post, I thought I would offer a fresh take on the businesses that are continuing to serve the community; as well as provide some info on a truly ‘Hastings’ approach to helping people stay active and creative during the lockdown.

  • Judges Bakery is still going strong. Pop in for sourdough bread; a sweet treat; or buy flour and yeast to bake something fresh at home. 🍞
  • Penbuckles Deli closed briefly but Richard and Ellie have regrouped and they are now open during the week. You can call them to place an order for collection; arrange a time to pop in and shop; or have food delivered to your home. 🧀
  • Trinity Whole Foods‘ main shop is open for business. They have plenty of fresh produce, dry goods and my favourite: Montezuma’s chocolate.((Not exactly a necessity but ‘The Dark Side’ is too delicious!)) 🍫
  • Queen’s Deli has also started a home delivery service. They have a range of groceries; wine; and fresh deli meats; including the finest salt beef to cook at home. 🥩
  • The Marina Fountain drive-thru is still open. See their website for details of the food and wine that is available.🍷
  • Tommy’s Pizzeria is still open for delivery; keeping a pizza-wide smile on everyone’s faces. Check out their Instagram for updates and limited time offers. 🍕
  • St Leonards’ favourite Half Man, Half Burger have also regrouped and they are open for delivery too. Treat yourself to a cheeseburger. 🍔
  • Finally, the Cake Room updated their Instagram and it looks like Baxter may have something in the pipeline. 🍰

And, if you have not come across it yet, a number of locals have pulled together to run Isolation Station Hastings. They are live-streaming a daily schedule of events on Facebook during the lockdown, including:

  • Educational Classes (Pottery, Life Drawing, Sea Creature Feature)
  • Exercise Classes (Yoga, Family Fitness)
  • Music (Solo gigs and Sing-a-longs)
  • Local News and Quizzes
  • And a daily reading of ‘The Time Machine’, by H.G. Wells, which was this year’s selection for ‘A Town Explores a Book’.

So go ahead, stay home, order some food from one of our local businesses and tune in to the Isolation Station. 🌞