An Idea Some Day

Wonderful time on Majuba Beach with Char and the boys today. The cold wind we could feel when we got out of the car only lasted ten minutes, and then it was a lovely still afternoon. You could feel the sun'ssun's warmth, and the light across the sand was beautiful. Had a real wholesome time at the play park and walking along the esplanade before going back to my folks' for lunch. The boys were all cuteness and smiles, and it was great to get out for some fresh air on a rare dry, bright day. Lots of families out all doing the same. Such a nice vibe. Made me reevaluate my opinion on Redcar. It has its charms, for sure.  Drove through Marske and along the coast road en route. None of it has changed, and my memory has stayed pretty faithful to it, if a little hazy in parts now. Would love to spend some time walking or driving around Marske and Redcar to rekindle some memories and write about them before I lose them. It's been an interesting year, full of development, for s...

I'm a night person. Always have been. And I have this long-standing fantasy that if my regular work crashes and burns. Or my life falls apart. Or I just get old and bored and can't sleep. I'll get a night job. One where I don't have much to do. Where I'm alone with my thoughts. Like a driver or a security guard. Where I can enjoy the quiet of the night. Watch the world sleep. Let the ideas percolate. And write, write, write. Romanticising it? Maybe. But it's good to have a backup plan.

Had a wonderful Christmas. Charlotte's mum and dad came over, and I cooked a Capon chicken. The boys were on great form, enjoying themselves without any overexcitement or drama. And Char's folks were chill. Just a lovely family day. Same vibe on Boxing Day with just the four of us. I took the boys out for a car nap/supermarket trip, where I spotted blossom flowering out of season in the supermarket car park of all places. All in all, we managed a chill family holiday with some mental downtime (aka audiobook listening). Felt full of happiness and gratitude (and food) from having such a nice time. Back in my own bed after 18 months sleeping in Ansel's room. Feels good, like going back in time. A strange mix of the forgotten and the familiar. Like the last 18 months have just been a chapter where regular life was on pause while we adjusted to having a second kid. The boys are doing well sharing a room so far, and I've definitely been sleeping better without Ansel climbing ...

Man, it's been a week. More school visits, a new boiler, a christmas party, and not enough time for it all. Replaced our router today and the new one doesn't work, so now the new boiler, fitted this week and wifi-controlled, also doesn't work. So no heating in the middle of December until I call the helpline tomorrow and see when they can get an engineer out. Some upgrade. Reminds me of visiting Aladdin's Cave (knik-knack shop) in the Vicki Centre Market while in town a couple of weeks back. Walked in on a conversation about computers between the owner's son and an old dear in there. He's explaining how he's given up upgrading his software because it's so complicated, so he just runs it on ancient versions of everything. She says she doesn't even have a computer. He laughs and says they're pointless and starts lambasting the marketing of wifi-connected home appliances that he keeps seeing on TV. I'm all for mod cons, but my experience today h...

I took the boys to Pirates Play Center this morning. It ended with a beautiful moment where they were laid together on the spinner in the toddler area. Ansel was cuddling Zen, who did his lying still on his front thing and fell asleep. Ansel was stroking his hair and smiling and starting to doze, too. The whole while, they were slowly spinning around together on this padded disc. Other adults were swooning over the adorable scene. It’s the sweetest I’ve seen them be together since we first brought Zen home and Ansel cuddled and kissed him. I also broke my little toe pushing Ansel around the police car track. That familiar cold, dull feeling. Nothing to see at first, but big and purple when I removed my sock in the evening. It rounded out a lovely family-focused week. We had big snow last Sunday, so had to change our plans and have a home day. It felt great all being home together with no plans and nowhere to be. We lounged around and played, built a snowman, and I took Ansel for his fi...

Beautiful cold Saturday. Three days without a thaw. Everything is covered in frost and looks like a winter wonderland dreamscape. Hard to believe it’s December already—seems like a few short weeks since I started parental leave with Bruno in April. The last seven months have been a blur. The house is cold. And now I work from home I spend all day in it. I’ve taken to wearing a purple fleece robe over my clothes and suede moccasin slippers. I feel like a moneyed gent from a bygone era. Feels like I should be smoking thin cigarettes in a long holder, whiskey tumbler never far from hand. Never have any time. Feels like I have less time now than when I had a day job. I was so disinterested at work that I felt every minute drag on. Now I’m engaged in what I’m doing and the stakes are higher each day races by. Not something I expected. I’ve found the best antidote is slow walks around the village trails—either first thing or after lunch. They bring peace, headspace, and a window for reflecti...