I awoke this morning of news on the radio that a novel written by AI called Death of an Author and I thought, “how is it even possible that I’m now living in a world that is stripping away every possibility of being able to think and create for myself?” It irritated me because at […]
Eye Dominance
Once I started playing golf, I came to realise that I was a bit of an anomaly. I’m right handed with everything I do except playing bat and club sports. I also noticed this when I was rifle shooting years ago as well as using a microscope in my University years. However back then, it […]
Virtual Trip to Lyon
It’s unlikely we will be travelling anywhere overseas for at least another few years but thankfully, we have an abundance of wonderful videos, programmes and other resources to do virtual trips instead. Some time ago, during the pandemic lockdowns I created a Virtual Tour of France where I created an itinerary for 5 days that […]
Things I Love About Golf
This morning while driving to the golf club to play another round of 18 holes Stroke competition today, I thought about all the things I love about playing this game. It’s fast becoming my new learning obsession where I’m making time to improve my skill and lower the handicap. I have a long way to […]
More Books!
Andrew had a gift voucher for a bookstore and he used the funds on that to buy books for us today. He’s a Stephen King and Matthew Riley fan (and bought their latest books) but I’m all about the literary classics and I put in my order for some Russian literature. (Perfect for winter days). […]
The Roof is Finally Finished!
Finally we put up the bamboo roof on the arbour. Originally, I was planning to keep it open so that I could grow a grapevine or wisteria (hence why the structure is so high) but then I realised it’s way too much work for me. I can’t keep going up on ladders to cut it […]
The House of the Dead
I’m back to reading Dostoyevsky. After piss farting around with other novels, I felt compelled to go back to the big ones. I needed another “War and Peace” experience where I had to have a book that I scribbled in, took notes, lived in. I checked my shelves. Brothers Karamazov? Crime and Punishment? I didn’t […]
Our Club Recognised for Women’s Golf
I’m glad that I was lucky enough to go through one of these Women Introduction to Golf Programs by the Woodlands Golf Course. Going through as a cohort of women of all ages, it’s been a chance to learn how to play, get introduced to the other staff and members, have access to the club […]
Quiet Time
It feels a bit awkward to write something here as I feel it’s been a while since I’ve had anything of note to say. Nothing much has been happening in my life and in fact, I don’t mind it at all. There’s a quietness to my days and there are days where I get up […]
Video Book Review of A Start in Life by Anita Brookner
My new review is now up online. I try and do a review every week.
My Medals Arrived
Finally, I got off my backside and ordered a set of replica medals. It’s taken me over a decade to decide to get them. And wear them. Why? My real ones were presented to me at different times in my life when I was in the Navy in front of others. Usually, the Commanding Officer […]
Video Review of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Finally, I bit the bullet and read this book. I let go of my own pride and prejudice of this book and was pleasantly surprised.
Virginia Woolf’s Rediscovered Novel
Here’s a piece of good news that I like to read. “A recently rediscovered personal copy of the novel’s first edition, containing Woolf’s handwritten notes and amendments, now offers a tantalising glimpse into her private thoughts about her fraught opus, and her writing process.” Virginia Woolf’s first novel was recently found in the science section […]
Decluttering My Book Shelves
I guess there’s a point in everyone’s life when they do a major decluttering of the things in their life to mark transition points. I realised that my home office study will need an overhaul with all the text books and reference books that I have collected over the years. As I try and figure […]
Grand Sale! Selling My Books on eBay
I have to say that I have a decent library of books collected over the years. During my working years, I spent a lot of money on buying decent text books and reference books on topics related to my field in Learning and Development. However, they are now taking up space on my shelves where […]
My Peaceful Place at Rippon Lea
Sometimes when I want a bit of an escape from the boredom of home, I go for a short drive to my “other house”. 🤣 Of course, it’s not my “real” home but it’s an escape from the busyness outside on the streets to smack bang into the middle of Edwardian times. Simpler times. The […]
A House That Has Captured My Imagination
There’s something about old, dilapidated houses that I love. (Probably because I spent many years growing up in one? 🤔) I think it’s also because I like to think about who may have lived in them, what they looked like in their hey day and what stories they have to tell. For many years now, […]
Being Asked Questions About Microsoft
It’s been nearly eight months since I left work and I don’t miss it at all as I’ve kept myself occupied with more meaningful endeavours. Lots of sleep, golf, knitting, reading and learning French mainly. Exploring writing, catching up with friends and family, playing with the cat. Everything but work. In some way, I feel […]
How Can You Read So Many Books?
A friend of mine sent me this snapshot of a tweet last night and asked if my husband and I could provide an answer. As I’m not on social media anymore (and likely not to ever get back on it), I answered her directly (and not the tweet obviously). My average for books read every […]
Book Review of Anti-Fragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Time for a new book review. I’ve been reading a lot of classics of late. Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and even some Anita Brookner books but I decided that I needed to get back to Taleb’s Incerto series and continue reading the books there. (I have two more to go). I picked out Anti-Fragile, […]