How things are at present

[fpb]

The translation market is deader than I have ever seen it. I hope it is just a seasonal thing and not that recession that everyone keeps insisting is over. However, I have started serious work on rearranging my flat, which now looks more like a building site and less like a battlefield. I am also hoping this will help with the latest slimming drive - which include distant supervision from my doctor - since I really have come to realize that my overweight problem is interfering with my active life, and I cannot afford to just let it take over. [sings} If I were a rich man, yada dida dida dida dida dida dah, all day long I'd biddy biddy bum, if I were a wealthy man... - but I am not, and with the translation market in a coma I have to rely on the dubious kindness of the British state.

You would think that this would be a damn depressing situation to be in, but as a matter of fact I am less depressed than the average. And I think this is entirely to do with the start of serious work on the flat. I have been brooding about changing things around for years, but now that I have started I not only see possibilities everywhere, but the fact itself of having things to do is encouraging rather than otherwise. The work just multiplies; install a shower in my bathtub; place a waterproof curtain there; put up shelves; turn the skeletons of the old bed I am taking apart into frames for new bookcases (I have very luckily found some wood which will fit in the frames just great); move several bookcases and rethink the distribution of books, comics, CDs, tapes and vinyl; wash the carpet; repair the bicycle and turn the wrecks of previous ones into a whole second one - just because; possibly build some sort of shelter to avoid them being rain-damaged again; sort the clothes that no longer fit me and (unless I see some real prospect of slimming) send them to charity. You would think that this would feel overwhelming, but in fact, now that I have started on it instead of just brooding on it on my own, I feel ever so slightly exhilarated.

Comments

[expectare.livejournal.com]

It actually sounds fun. I'm moving in right now and I'm having fun rigging partitions, skulking around finding wood to use for bookshelves, etc.

I do hope translation works come along soon though.

[super-pan.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful that you're getting your place organized! It is great feeling because you have so much to look forward to, every completed task is another accomplishment, your mind and body are occupied, and the end result is peaceful order.

[dustthouart.livejournal.com]

Donating clothes that are too small for you to charity is a guaranteed recipe for weight loss! It worked for me!

Of course, lol, when it does work you have to buy new clothes... ^_^

[affablestranger.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a real plan, sir. A good plan. I hope your exhileration continues and that your results are better than you bargained for. :)

[fpb.livejournal.com]

I also suspect it may have the same built-in problem as washing cars - it does not work if you do it because you want it to rain.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Unlikely. I'll be glad if I fail to set the flat on fire, flood it, or bring down a load-bearing wall. 8-)

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Uhh, you haven't forgotten this is me you're talking about, have you?

[super-pan.livejournal.com]

By peaceful order, I just mean that beautiful moment when you've got your place clean and orderly, and everything seems so nice and spacious and bright that makes it feel like you have so much more space and can breathe! It usually last no more than five minutes, then you start living in your space and it gets dirty again!

[elegant-bonfire.livejournal.com]

One of my best friends is staying with me as she is temporarily homeless. In return, she and her brother cleaned my apartment(!) which was admittedly pretty bad heh. This has given me the same sort of impetus to do something with the place--I've ordered a few more pieces of kitchen and living room storage sort of things and have been able to go through and toss some unnecessary stuff.

Re: getting in shape--a couple of things that really helped me (I've lost about 30 pounds since Christmas) was to stop eating anything deep fried and switch from refined carbs to whole grain. I also cut out everything that has high-fructose corn syrup in it, which means a lot of label reading, but I don't think that's as much of a problem over there as it is here.