New year, new me, etc, etc. Perhaps it’s slightly late to be saying that, a full 17 days in to 2018, but the intention is good. I haven’t been a regular blogger for the past couple of years, and was largely absent for most of 2017, preferring to hang out over on Instagram, mostly, for instant gratification. But I miss not having somewhere to vent/share/write and so I thought I’d offer a little update to anyone who still reads this as to where the hell I’ve been.
Since last spring, I have:
- Taken redundancy from my job in broadcasting and left the world of access services after nearly 9 years with a cheery wave.
- Spent 5 weeks in America, gadding about, house-sitting for family and friends. I started a new instagram account (@everythingiateinamerica) to document, well, everything I ate. On days like today, when I’m feeling hungry and homesick for my second home in Cincinnati, I like to browse it and relive every bite.
- Spent a week on a beach in Kos, drinking cocktails and swimming in the sea every day. It was top notch super fun.
- Fell in love with a new horsey beau, Monty. We took part in a dressage competition and we only bloody came second!
- Released my collaborative zine with Marceline and sold out of the first print run very quickly, yay! I have others in the works.
- Worked in a variety of places, including looking after a college’s website and serving people terrible coffee
- Started and completed working at Sainsburys supermarket for the Christmas season which was a lot more fun that it sounds. Checked off a life goal of working on a checkout – I really enjoyed it but it did mean I didn’t get any days off at all for about 4 months.
- Had two teeth removed. I got IV sedation which I’d heartily recommend. Look after your teeth, kids.
- And after skipping away happily from access services and the world of broadcasting, starting a new job at STV – in the wonderful world of access services! There’s no escape from television, it seems.
- Spent a month or two looking after my neighbour’s pony Lark, who I immediately rechristened Mark. He is a good sort and we spent some lovely time together roaming around the woods.
- Launched a new range of hand-painted keychains that you can buy. Nay, you SHOULD buy.
Took part in the Etsy Made Local market in Glasgow, which was hands-down my most profitable market day in over 13 years. It was good to get the old team together.
Did my first foreign language cross stitch commission, a piece in Russian which my Russian sister-in-law tells me is quite insulting, but the customer loved it nonetheless.
And rounded off the year seeing my favourite band, Rocket From The Crypt, who as ever, put on a truly amazing show.
But by far and away the best thing about 2017, was this:
And now you’ll never forget how to spell diarrhoea either.