A day in the life…

I don’t know about you, but these days, no matter where I turn, there’s always something to make me angry or sad.

And it’s wintertime. Oh, how I loathe Winter: apart from providing the ideal conditions for long, mournful walks in the dark, the season’s no damn good.

There’s a transport strike on as well right now. So I’m somewhat trapped in the middle of nowhere, i.e. utterly house bound. Even if I venture out, there is only so much entertainment the neighbouring supermarket, library and post office can whip up.

Snuggling my portable radiator – which I am seeking to name – and my laptop, bundled up like a woolly layered cake, I tackle my current lack of professional activity, wade through pages of job offers, and respond to them between sips of lukewarm coffee.

Once that is done, I heave a sigh – not one of relief – and brainstorm story ideas, read up on the day’s current events, listen to loud, angry music …

I shuffle through computer files, looking for a  story to rework or an old picture I forgot even existed, into which I can breathe new life.

<——-Like this one…part of a really fun shoot: over an hour spent climbing on chairs and tables at a famous fast food chain diner one Saturday morning.  Featured: the lovely and ever so talented boys from Sydney band The Mischief.

Once I’ve gone through all my files twice (but still left something to chew on for a rainy day),  the nostalgia kicks in. My memory cross fades back to a time when a great day involved uncovering a really nifty rock for my collection, or winning the pogs off every other kid in my class, and coming home to this in the evening —>

Good times. Now, I’m wondering « what next? » « How much could I get for my old pog and rock collection today? »

Or « How come the Golden Girls were always so cool? Why don’t I keep ice-cream stocked in the fridge  at all times for midnight emergencies? »

At this point, I realise that I’m envying the lifestyle of retirees, very lively ones for sure, but nevertheless…From the sandbox to the condo in seconds.

I’ve gulped my way through about 5 litres of caffeine by now, have googled names, found out that in the sixteenth century, the King of France moved the beginning of the year from March-April to January, googled more names, and wound up watching the creepy videos Youtube keeps recommending for me.

Line up in pairs, hold hands and play nice…The end is in sight. I have – amazingly – made it through yet another day. I just have to wait a few more hours for the caffeine buzz to finally wear off. Perhaps I’ll whistle a tune to bide the time. Perhaps I’ll chant a few words of wisdom too. These for example, drawn from Life of Brian:

So always look on the bright side of death

Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life’s a piece of shit

When you look at it

Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true.

You’ll see it’s all a show

Keep ’em laughing as you go

Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

(excerpt from « Always look on the bright side of life »)

Just a day in the life kids, just a day in the life.

PS: If you have any really cool name ideas for my radiator…