Good Things
Mar. 10th, 2014 06:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
calissaAs my last post probably indicated, things have been rather difficult on the work front recently. This weekend has gone some way towards remedying that, partly thanks to the fact that it was a long weekend locally. I spent most of it camped out on the couch, reading in my pyjamas. I also spent a few hours with a great group of local writers who were holding a mini writing retreat over the weekend at a house close by.
In fact, over the last few weeks there have been many good things helping to counterbalance the nastiness. Since so many of you lovelies have been struggling as well, I thought I would share some of these good things in the hopes that they will counterbalance more nastiness--and as a bit of a thank you to those that responded to my Little Things post (which I am still making my way through).
Let's start with the shinies.
Sahaquiel worked especially hard to cheer me up. He made lots of terrible jokes, bought me Within Temptation's latest album and then a couple of weekends ago (where does the time go?) took me to the Old Bus Depot Markets. While there, I spotted this:
I did well to resist indulging in retail therapy but made an exception for this beauty:
My first ever fountain pen.sidheblessed inadvertently talked me into it and gave me some great recommendations. I totally love it and wish I had bought one years ago.
Other awesome things that have kept me going:
In fact, over the last few weeks there have been many good things helping to counterbalance the nastiness. Since so many of you lovelies have been struggling as well, I thought I would share some of these good things in the hopes that they will counterbalance more nastiness--and as a bit of a thank you to those that responded to my Little Things post (which I am still making my way through).
Let's start with the shinies.
Sahaquiel worked especially hard to cheer me up. He made lots of terrible jokes, bought me Within Temptation's latest album and then a couple of weekends ago (where does the time go?) took me to the Old Bus Depot Markets. While there, I spotted this:
I did well to resist indulging in retail therapy but made an exception for this beauty:
My first ever fountain pen.
sidheblessed inadvertently talked me into it and gave me some great recommendations. I totally love it and wish I had bought one years ago.Other awesome things that have kept me going:
- My nephew (now four months old) is a wiggling bundle of energy. He can't yet walk or even crawl but spends a lot of time trying to jump around (especially when held). So my sister bought him a jumping harness which attaches to door frames and supports his weight enough that he can jump around. He absolutely adores this. My sister sent me a couple of videos and the cuteness makes my heart explode.
- My sister was also awesome enough to bring me giant, homemade chocolate-chip cookies.
- My grandmother was in town for a few days and I got to visit for a little while. It was nice to see her get another chance to nurse her great-grandson.
- I also got to cuddle my nephew at my dad's birthday dinner just the other night. (Yes, my family is awesome. I don't know what I would have done without them).
- Is there anything more joyful than a dog on a walk? (untonuggan might argue that it's actually a dog playing fetch)
- And, of course, doggie cuddles are pretty wonderful.
- The leaves are changing colour with Autumn's arrival.
- Which means lots of Russian Caravan tea in the mornings. Yum.
- I've had some very interesting conversations on gender equality in anime (with specific reference to Log Horizon).
- In fact, my internet friends as a whole have been fantastic about keeping me going. So THANK YOU!
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Date: 2014-03-10 04:20 pm (UTC)YAY BABIES Your nephew sounds amazingly adorable XD
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Date: 2014-03-11 05:14 am (UTC)I'm not fond of babies as a general rule, but he is too cute. He even has dimples.
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Date: 2014-03-10 08:12 pm (UTC)Oh, oh - I had a fountain pen like that at school, but it was yellow...my current favourite pen (and the only one that improves my handwriting) is literally just a steel nib bound to a rook feather with the end off, it is...not so stylish. What will you write therewith?
Would you like some paper cranes? I have...rather a lot of paper cranes...
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Date: 2014-03-11 05:22 am (UTC)Why doesn't it surprise me that a nib with a rook's feather suits you best? :D
At the moment, I am writing everything with my fountain pen! Most particularly, I'm still working on the outline for that short story about the swallows (I think I've worked out most of the plot holes now).
Paper cranes are more than welcome to migrate to my place if they are looking for a home :)
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Date: 2014-03-11 07:02 pm (UTC)Any colour preference?
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Date: 2014-03-11 09:15 pm (UTC)I struggle to pick a favourite colour, so no :)
[ankle-deep in peedie paper cranes]
Date: 2014-03-14 09:25 pm (UTC)Re: [ankle-deep in peedie paper cranes]
Date: 2014-03-16 09:11 am (UTC)It sounds like you are keeping busy.
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Date: 2014-03-10 11:53 pm (UTC)Glad to hear about the good times. Babies and doggies are both pretty entertaining. :) Of course when it comes to babies I like being an aunty because it means I get to spoil them and then give them back to their parents. ;)
Autumn is my favorite time of year too. I love it when the air gets crisp and the leave start to turn. The Russian Caravan tea sounds very interesting and quite lovely.
And yay for wonderful conversations and friends (online and off). Both things make the world a better place.
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Date: 2014-03-11 05:25 am (UTC)Mornings here are nice and fresh, though the afternoons have still been pretty hot. Summer's grasp is loosening but hasn't quite given up. Still, those cool mornings are what really get me craving the Russian Caravan (especially when there's toast and marmalade to go with it).
Friends are indeed awesome. How are you going with settling in at work?
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Date: 2014-03-11 05:01 pm (UTC)We're starting to head into Spring here, and are having the first warm day we've had in ages. It was rather nice to dress in a skirt and not have to wear warm leggings under it. :)
I'm getting settled into work, though it will probably be a few months before I feel like I have my legs under me. Of course those months will probably pass before I realize it. Time does seem to move faster when you're busy.
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Date: 2014-03-11 09:16 pm (UTC)I am glad to hear that the weather is warming up a bit. I know this winter has been brutal for much of the northern hemisphere.
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Date: 2014-03-19 02:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-03-19 05:06 am (UTC)I have been enjoying the fountain pen very much, so thank you again!