Rather Lovely

I work full-time, 9-5. In theory. In actuality, I sit behind a desk 9-5, but you can frequently find me scouring the internet for interesting and amusing websites, procrastinating.

I like to maintain as many interests outside of my job as possible, because, like many people, my job doesn’t particularly interest me.

At the moment I am training for the Birmingham Half Marathon. I’m not a fitness fanatic in any way. In fact, I’m not particularly physically fit. But I realised recently that I’m 23 years old and in perfect health: why would I waste such a glorious, fabulous potential by being unfit and not making the most of my youth while I can? The Half Marathon is on October 11th 2009, so not too far away now. I’m running 4-5 times a week, about 4 miles each time with a long run on a Sunday. I don’t like to sacrifice my Sundays, but sometimes it’s got to be done. Don’t get me wrong, I hate running most of the time. I am looking forward to the Half Marathon being over, so I can begin to take part in sport or excercise which is fun and enjoyable. I hope to continue undertaking physical activity at least weekly, even after the Half Marathon is over. Also, exercising means that you can eat whatever you like, within reason. Excellent!

I volunteer for Birmingham Conservation Trust, which is a lovely little charity taking an interest in the conservation of historic buildings in the Birmingham area. I haven’t yet had a particularly active role in the trust, but I hope to become more involved in the future. Unfortunately, one of their projects, the Newman Brothers Coffin Works, in which I was partially involved, has been denied funding by its owner, Advantage West Midlands. This is a shame because it means funding can’t be found from other sources (because AWM own it), and the longer it takes, the further into disrepair the building falls. If you’re interested in supporting the trust, particularly their effort to obtain funding for the Coffin Works, here is some information on how you can help.

I’m an avid reader, particularly fiction, and am rarely to be found without a book in my hand. For the past few months I have been concentrating on reading classics and cult literature, mainly so I can talk to other people about books. I occasionally write book reviews on my other blog, and maybe I will begin posting some here, too. I’ve started reading more short stories of late, as I’ve been advised a number of times that they are valuable for developing your own writing. I’m particulaly enamoured of Richard Yates, and would greatly recommend his short story collections: Liars in Love, and Eleven Kinds of Loneliness.

Another of my interests, which I have yet to follow up in Birmingham, is the theatre, and I am thinking of getting involved in local amateur dramatics once I have established how much time will be needed for the A215. I’m a little experienced with backstage functions, particularly lighting and a little sound operation, but I’m also interested in auditioning for some roles, so we’ll see what happens there!

And, rather obviously, I enjoy to write, when I can apply myself. I’m a member of a Writers’ Group in Birmingham, and find that interacting with other writers is immensley helpful. We meet twice a month, which motivates me to get something down on paper occasionally, and I have met some very nice, likeminded people, which is always a good thing.

Other interests of mine include cycling, music, travelling and photography. Unfortunately, it definitely feels like I have avoided working for long enough, so I will end this post here. x

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I love Sundays. I am so happy on a Sunday: coffee, newspapers and a lie-in. I like the sacred feeling of a Sunday afternoon with a film and a duvet on the sofa.

I don’t want to give that up, so I intend to work hard during the week (in the evenings after work) and on Saturdays if necessary, intending to leave Sundays sacred and free. They are My Time. I hope I can keep it that way.

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