So here’s the irony: my last post was about being swamped with reading material, and this one is about week 4 of the Artist’s way, in which the main event is, you guessed it: reading deprivation. Yes, that’s right. No reading for a week. I’m not sure if writing is ok because you are sort of reading it as you go along, but what the hell, I’m doing it, so there. Sue me.
One of the main effects reading deprivation has had on me is to free up about 7 hours this week due to the fact that I can’t study. What a shame. Luckily I had the first part of an assignment finished before reading deprivation came along, though, or I might have been a bit more anxious. The fact that I DO rather need to get along with my world of study also means I have been a lot more diligent in completing my Artist’s Way weekly exercises, so as not to get stuck in week 4 for longer than necessary! And frankly, I have needed the incentive. Week One lasted about 2.5 weeks, week 2 lasted at least 3 weeks and week 3 lasted probably 5 weeks, but perhaps more, I have not been tempted to read back. Week 4 exercises have all been completed by Thursday of the same week. In fact, I actually began the week Monday night instead of Sunday. So. Amazing what the right kind of motivation will do for you.
The Sopranos have featured a lot more heavily in my life this week, filling in time of an evening when DH is busy with whatever else (soccer, chess tournament, jamming/recording with the lads) which I am sure is not what the author had in mind at all. To send me from the arms of reading material into the jaws of the television. No, I think the point was rather to find something creative to do. Which I have done, throughout the days: I spent 2 hours on Tuesday making greeting cards, and a further 2 hrs in the garden planting flowers etc. But frankly, at the end of a long day I don’t want to be constructive. I just want to be entertained. I’m sure I would be better served by meditating for the hour and a half I watch t.v. But then how would I find the time to catch up on the latest exploits of Dr Who/Tony Soprano/Dr House/etc et al?
Right now I am so tired I can’t even be bothered watching TV which is saying something. I would be asleep, but you know, it’s Thursday night, which means the music is LOUD below my bedroom. I’m tempted just to put the earplugs in and not care less, but they are recording, which means snippets of the same thing over and over again and that really does my head in.
What else I have noticed whilst NOT reading at the table when I am eating breakfast or lunch: DH has his head in his laptop until (breakfast) he goes to work or (lunch) goes back to work. Checking emails, having his chess or scrabble moves, writing emails, checking the stock market movement, facebooking, Whatever. Probably not all that more reprehensible than reading a book or the newspaper at the table, they are equally antisocial habits. I just happen to notice his more now I am not indulging in my own escapism. Interesting.
The orchard has really taken shape over the last fortnight and I would love to write about it but I think fatigue has beaten me. Maybe next post, with some pictures. We have 22 trees in the ground, 5 more trees to plant this weekend, and about 7 more to order, plus the berries. And then they just have to GROW. Fortunately we have had a modicum of rain over the past two days which has allowed a hiatus on hand watering them. I am hoping DH manages to find the time to deck the area out with reticulation soon – easier said than done of course – trench digging and the like all takes time especially when the soil is hard clay. And you only have about 8 spare hours a week. But bless him, he’ll wear himself into the ground just like his wife does, and it will get done before summer hits us too hard. Then he can get to work completing the shade house….
As for me, I have a large day looming ahead, wherein I go to Busselton for a hair appointment, collect some pills from the pharmacy (ever hopeful folate 5mg; fish oil) and catch up with my Dad; drop off 2 seasons worth of Sopranos (evil, begone from my home!) and purchase a new selection of plants for our fish tank. Upon my return I shall (probably) find my weekend house-guest has arrived and I shall don my apron and set about manufacturing several types of pizza (from scratch – though I have made some of the toppings like slow roasted pumpkin/tomatoes and capsicum ahead of time) and then commence creating an almond and quince paste tart for dessert. Thankfully I have already made the lavender and honey ice cream to serve it with (see: what to do with too many eggs). And the quince paste was made months ago, so you can put aside thoughts of me stirring endlessly for 5 hrs at the stove and wondering how on earth I am going to manage it all. This task has previously been completed.
Cleverly, DH is off to a buck’s night, so he’ll be no use at all. And probably not much use the following day either. I’m thinking of just cracking out the pomegranate liqueur and getting the house guest to construct his own damn pizzas. The hell with it!
Ooh, stirrings below suggest my salvation is at hand. Bed beckons. I can but oblige. Sweet bliss. Oh temporary oblivion, how I love you.
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