Today is a Good Day to Diet.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-healthy-nature-red-46174/

I don’t do well with food. I am obese. According to Wii fit, yes I am using a game that came out 12 years ago, I am just on the cusp of obese and occasionally I drop down into the overweight section. As far as I am aware I have never been an ideal weight – well maybe once as a baby.

Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels

When I think of the word ‘obese’ I imagine someone a lot bigger than I am. When I was in the USA many years ago I remember seeing trousers (pants) that were large enough that I could fit into one leg. Being obese though is a much broader spectrum. Also just because I have a few too many kilograms doesn’t mean I am not active.

Photo by Magda Ehlers from Pexels

We have been fortunate with the weather where I live and I have managed to go for a walk, and hit my step target, for the last 24 days and I want to continue doing that. Nothing like a streak of success to motivate you.

I have spoken on this blog before about dieting and exercise and I have, once again, decided to embark on changing my diet and trying to be better about what I eat while also not completely denying myself nice foods.

Photo by Kenneth Carpina from Pexels

There is no way I am giving up pizza. I can’t have it that often but I can have it sometimes. If I count calories, as I am starting to do again, I can have pizza and stay within my limits. It just means cutting back on food for the rest of the day.

Photo by jamie he from Pexels

I am trying intermittent fasting. As well as that I feel it is important to get away from the idea that food should be eaten just because the clock has clicked round to a specific time. This is easier while not in work – I can eat when hungry – at work it is more complicated. If you don’t eat when on break then it could be hours till the next one.

Photo by Demeter Attila from Pexels

Normal life, or the new normal, is fast approaching as the UK starts to open up. It is not yet known exactly what that will look like but when it happens everyone will have to make an adjustment one way or another.

I know there will be good days and bad days. If I am to stick to intermittent fasting then today (Friday) dinner needs to happen by 1830. However I am also counting calories and as long as I stay under that threshold I will get smaller. When work starts that will be harder. At home I can be tempted by the chips in the freezer – but eating them means cooking – at work they are always available with zero effort. I am not exactly lazy but the extra effort can be enough to go for something else – or nothing.

So I am going to measure everything right down to the square or two of chocolate. I have failed to stick with a diet before, it does get tedious logging it all, but hopefully this time will be different. And no I don’t know why it would be!

I hope you are all doing well where ever you are in the world. Stay safe and I will see you next time.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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The Pod of Productivity

Photo by Felix Mittermeier from Pexels

If humanity is ever able to settle on another world one of the things we will have to deal with is a different length of day. This will be a very small consideration compared to building habitations, or making sure the terraforming torpedo doesn’t fall into the hands of an angry Klingon, but it is still a consideration.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

In the current situation I think we are all considering how long our day is – from a certain point of view.

Star Trek: The Next Generation – Timescape

We don’t have the usual checkpoints of time. There is nowhere we have to be and nothing we have to do. This is both a blessing and a curse. I am sure we have all had days that felt really productive. There are also bad days:

This sums it up!

Productivity experts are fond of saying that we all have 24 hours a day. It is statement designed to illicit the idea that all of us can achieve great things. However it is my opinion that this statement is not all that helpful. Each person has their own foibles and struggles – thus what barely registers as anything to one person could be a big challenge to another.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/sky-earth-galaxy-universe-2422/

In the most basic sense we all have 24 hours, obviously, but not everyone is as capable of putting them to the best of use. Maybe this is me trying to correct for my own shortcomings of productivity. And maybe I am my own worst enemy. Maybe another person would say I, and you, are doing fine. Who is to say? I suspect if you have doubts about yourself as I do about myself you don’t want to seek out another’s opinion.

Mr Grey doesn’t upload often but everything he does is pure gold.

When this lock down started I had grand plans. I was going to write so much – 6000 words a day – it turns out that is beyond my capabilities. To do that would require typing six hours a day. Somehow time disappears on me. I think I have taken a brief pause but it turns out it wasn’t so brief!

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

I don’t work from home in the real sense rather I am being productive with my own projects. Eight hours alone at home is very different to eight hours at a place of work. At work you have colleagues, occasions of downtime, and jobs that can be done while having a nice conversation. At home it is just you and, in my case, a brain that doesn’t always co-operate. So all I can do is try to take this advice myself. If you are staying home at the moment do the best that you can. And try not to judge yourself too harshly.

Of course many people are still working through this period. I want to close by expressing my gratitude to them and say how amazing you all are.

Photo by Giftpundits.com from Pexels

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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Internet Black Hole

https://www.pexels.com/photo/sky-space-dark-galaxy-2150/

Links are what makes the internet. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your point of view, this can lead to a very long session of reading. I spent around an hour today looking at Mythcreants.

Photo by Alex Azabache from Pexels

Mythcreants is a website that has numerous articles about world building -particularity for fantasy and science fiction writers. It talks about tropes and how to create more compelling fiction.

Photo by Startup Stock Photos from Pexels

As today (Thursday) stands I haven’t been doing any creating because I have been reading these articles. I am well aware of the irony of that statement.

If you are a writer of fantasy and/or science fiction this is a resources that is well worth checking out. Whatever problem you are having with you writing, with the exception of procrastination, there is sure to be something here that you will find useful. They also have podcasts that discuss common facets of fiction. I hope you will check it out.

I hope that you are all well and not going too crazy in our new reality. See you next time.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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By the Skin of My Teeth!

I mentioned last week about having a deadline. Well I made it and only just. I am not going to go into detail about the competition as it was an anonymous submission and I don’t want to risk making it known. That might be paranoia on my part but, nevertheless, better safe than sorry. And I was safe but I was almost sorry.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/human-lips-65665/

My competition entry came right down to the wire. I was literally still editing even as the deadline approached. I went to email it. Time was ticking down. And…

Photo by Tim Mossholder from Pexels

My computer, Majel, decided at that moment not to connect to the internet – despite the fact that other devices were connected. The time ticked by and all hope was lost. I had missed the deadline.

Then suddenly there was hope again. The deadline was in a different time zone! I had an extra hour! A reboot later and I was able to submit the work.

That’s good.

I was unable to finish the last run through and spell check – so it was certainly submitted with a few mistakes left in.

That’s bad.

However, spelling mistakes notwithstanding, it is a piece of work I am proud of.

That’s good.

Even if I had missed the deadline I would still have a piece of work to send somewhere so from that point of view it was always going to be a success.

So what have I learned from this? Don’t leave things to the last minute? Well I would hope so but I’m not sure how capable of change I am!

Now for the waiting game. It will be four months until the shortlist and winners are announced.

The waiting game sucks lets see what is on TV.

I hope you are all well wherever you may be in the world. I will see you next time for another post. Have a great night or day depending on when you read this.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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Getting My Tick!

Been Watching a Number of these Videos this week there is some good stuff here

In the style of this video I am making this a two minute job today. (Actually it has been seven owing to a slow computer) The reason for the short one is that I have a deadline! And I don’t want to break the chain of blog posts!

In the grand tradition of underestimating how long something takes I have 1D 16H 51M and 59S to complete a piece of writing. Although by the time you read this that will be down to 23 hours.

So I need to look at that deadline and I will see you next time. I hope you are all keeping well.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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Where the Title Should be!

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I sometimes hear people talk about experiencing boredom on their days off This may well have been exasperated in the present situation as so many of us are stuck at home. For those who lean towards being introverted it is less of a problem. The outside world is best avoided!

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

At least that is what I would have said. Yesterday I found I just had to go for a little walk. I wasn’t doing so well so I took a walk and I feel it made quite a difference. So more walking is good! (Although today is Saturday and I have not been out.)

I would love to be able to tell you I have done loads these past few week but it hasn’t come together. I don’t know why that should be – although I have spent a fair amount of time watching stuff I have also been productive – just in other areas! For instance today I was dealing with emails for 90 minutes!

I think, as hokey as it sounds, I am starting to figure some stuff out about myself. I think I am zeroing in on a conclusion that is just out of reach. Maybe…. we shall see.

Thank you so much to all the essential workers whereever you happen to be. You are wll amazing.

See you next time.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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When Life Feels Overwhelming

This wonderful post expresses exactly how I feel and I wanted to share it with you.

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Introvert in Solitary

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-writing-on-notebook-4144923/

It is somewhat weird being introverted during this time. I do not go out all that much during a normal week, with the exception of work, therefore for me this time shouldn’t be all that different. In fact it should be easy – my lack of desire to leave the house has been replaced with lack of ability.

In the beginning it did feel a little weird not being able to go out but now I have mostly settled to being okay with it. Emphasis on the mostly.

On the whole I am doing okay but I am getting moments of stress and feeling like there are too many thoughts in my head.

https://www.pexels.com/@mehranb

Is this picture a bit too on nose to describe my mental state? Yeah it probably is but I am going to go with it! I am allowed to make disparaging remarks about myself.

I had come to the conclusion that I was mostly stressed because I was having trouble balancing the various facets of my life but it turns out it might be more than that. I now have so many extra hours and it is still not enough.

Photo by Shiva Smyth from Pexels

And frankly that has what has got me worried. I have done 34 hours of my own stuff this week. I am still feeling drained, which I count as different from being tired, and have some aces and pains in my body – but maybe that comes from sitting at my desk all day.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/box-cheerful-color-cute-207983/

Emotions have been a complicated thing for me for a while. I feel I have unsure of myself for a long time. Part of that uncertainly is a feeling of not meeting my goals – now though I know that those issues are not connected with lack of time – it is something else – and I need to discover what that is.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-blank-challenge-connect-262488/

My experience of this unprecedented period is simply one of isolation and an attempt to find what what is wrong with me.

In expressing these thoughts I in no way mean to take away from those who are suffering. I am sure that everyone has been effected – some in big ways and some in small ways – but I think we all need to consider all of our friends and family – from those who just need a quick text message – to those who may need more done for them. Take care of each other and see you next time.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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Cookies!

Photo by Oleg Magni from Pexels

I live in a small flat. There is barely enough room to swing a cat (idiomatically of course) so as you an imagine it is a bit of a difficult thing being within these five walls all the time.

Don’t worry that is the right number my flat is a funny shape.

As I said last week it is only a small amount of time before I go a bit peculiar although it has probably already happened.

One of the problems of being at home all this time is it is very easy to eat poorly – because I have the self control of a monkey at a banana factory – except with biscuits (British) and cookies.

So the solution is not to buy that stuff which is the one I am going to go with. (He said eating another chocolate digestive as he types)

I have at least managed to get a small amount of exercise – both at home and a walk in the park. It is not enough but it is something.

This lock down will continue for quite sometime to come. I think as it goes on I will get more and more used to it and start to get a grip on how to live the way we all now have to live.

Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels

I want to close by saying a massive thank you to all the essential workers. There are so many all around the world who are putting themselves at risk during this time and that is amazing. What they are doing for the rest of us is beyond amazing and beyond words. Thank you.

Stay safe everyone. See you next time.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

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Hello, Mr Flibble

I Can’t Help But Think of This

This is coming to you rather late as the days are all running together and Sunday caught me by surprise – either that or I have the organisational skills of a lemon.

Do not look directly at the penguin.

It is certainly weird not being able to go out – or to be more accurate being very limited in possibilities for going out. And I did go for a walk the other day.

A tree on my walk.

I think my experience of this event is one of learning. I am trying to figure out what to do with this time I have suddenly been presented with. I think I might even be starting to figure out time management but it is a slow process.

I hope you are all well and safe. We will get through this eventually. This is what is meant by: ‘May you live in interesting times’ being a curse.

I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.

I have a Patreon page. I hope you will consider supporting this blog: https://www.patreon.com/unstableorbit

Leave a comment

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