Recently I marathoned Space Force. I near split my sides laughing at this Trump-baiting, satirical fun. Steve Carell and John Malkovich are a great pairing as General Mark R. Naird and Dr Adrian Mallory. Lisa Kudrow is fantastic as Maggie. See [spoiler alert-]. This show is so funny, but scarily relevant given current politics.
During the wash-out that was our week’s holiday from work (only outside spaces to get drenched in, as nowhere else had opened) we snuggled in and re-watched Lord of the Rings first two movies. I love Tolkien, and love Jackson’s interpretation of the books. I never tire of reading the books or watching the movies.
My partner and I watched a few episodes of the funny, kooky, spooky ‘What we do in the Shadows’. It appealed to my IT Crowd, Mighty Boosh, ridiculous-loving side. I’ll need to watch the rest of the show solo, as I think it was a tad too weird for my partner!
Back in May we had a magical walk in Nostell Priory woodland. National Trust had only just opened a few outside spaces, and visitor numbers were very limited, so we had no stress with social distancing. We were spoiled with scorching hot weather. It was freeing and strange to be away from home in an unfamiliar environment, out of the confines of our tiny one bedroom flat. We had a lovely picnic in the park grounds, faraway from any potential lurgy.
I’m missing live music at present. Our last outing to see Sabaton at Wembley, seems a lifetime ago. Remember those times when we stood shoulder to shoulder in a packed stadium, not a care for the danger of catching this damned plague? Thankfully, Download tv Festival provided a welcome dose of metal and mayhem. My partner and I had our own at-home beer festival, tasting some sours, staying up past our bedtime to see Iron Maiden. I have added Download and Bloodstock to our wishlist for next year.
After decades on my wish-list, (I had fake DM shoes at school-thankfully without the Bros-style bottle tops) I got my first ever pair of official Dr Martens. I hadn’t realised that breaking these bad-boys in is a right of passage! After no issues first couple of times out (wearing thick socks, and keeping laces loose), I was complacent, thinking I could wear them with super-thin socks. All went fine with my right boot -comfy as a slipper. Half-way around our local park and my left boot was not so good ,cutting into the back of my heel. That set me back a few days wear while it healed up.
Since Covid isolation and waiting to start homeworking I have been gaining new skills and revived some old ones.
No longer getting up bleary-eyed at 6am for the commute, I’ve had time to get competent in applying liquid eyeliner again.
I’ve taken up yoga, which is challenging my range of movement, though in a slow gentle way.
I am attempting to relearn how to draw. I was competent at school, then became an expert at drawing Power Rangers for my young son. At the age of 5 my son felt competent enough to draw them himself. I haven’t drawn much since. He’s now 29, so it’s been a while! My latest attempt, from Stalenhag’s ‘Scrappers’ illustration is acceptable. I do need more practice, and a refresher on techniques. Now worried I’ll make a mess of the shading and colouring.
There is a web series based on Stalenhag’s ‘Tales from the Loop’, which I am finding intriguing and different. Part sci-fi, part mystery. Set in an alternative 70s/ 80s past. It’s comfortingly retro for me, a child of the eighties. I am enjoying the ‘Stranger Things’ vibe, mixed with the Nordic Noir feel. Very original!
Harking again back to my past, I have regained my love of reading horror (as opposed to paranormal) fiction. I stumbled across Stephen King’s ‘Christine’ at the age of 8 or 9. For years after I was terrified walking or roller-skating near parked cars alone, though would never admit it. Still, this only ignited my love for the terrifying and gory.
I’m optimistic I will get through the current situation having found what is truly important, and shedding what is negative or unhelpful. Here’s to coming out the other side with new skills and ignited old interests.
[Spoiler alert-
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