covid jab #2
I finally got my second covid jab! There was a walk in so I went before work yesterday. This one has actually conked me out slightly - although that might also just be the cold that Martin and Zach have.
The actual injection itself was an experience: it was about 10 seconds from me sitting down with the nurse* to getting back up again! Sit, sleeve up, wipe arm, needle in, needle out, cotton on, off you go! And surprisingly it actually hurt less then any other injection I can remember.
*nurse may not be the right term - injector doesn't sound right though!
tags:
life
permalink | posted by nathan on Thursday, the 26th of August, 2021, during the most productive hours of the day
christchurch and dartmoor
Time for another holiday review! Well, the first week wasn't really a holiday. It was my Mum's birthday, so Beth and I went up to stay with my parents for a week. Josh was there as well, which was nice. It was also Catherine's last full week in the UK before going off to Stanford, so killing a few birds with one stone.
We were still working for the week, which was a bit sad, but had some time in the weekends and evenings to enjoy the coast. Highlights included beach games with Catherine and Caoimhe, a lunchtime swim and a lunchtime cycle, and a night-time beach stroll. We also went to see my Grandma, and my Aunt and Uncle were visiting; they're the last of my family that Beth hasn't met yet, so that was nice! We also went to Prezzo for mum's birthday... The less said about that, the better.
Then I went on to Dartmoor with some friends! We went to do some bouldering and did a good few days of it - we also went on a great walk and just generally enjoyed the moors. Bouldering outdoors is a lot more scary than in a gym!
We stayed in an AirBnB in a Christian Youth Activity Centre, which wasn't as bad as it sounds. The bungalow was pretty secluded and was actually pretty nice; we even had some fun peacock visitors.
It was a really great week of being outdoors, being with friends, playing board games and doing outdoor activities. Highlights included bouldering on Hound Tor (which was 30 minutes walk away, and which we went to multiple times (although the last day in the rain was a bit naff)), coasteering, the 13 mile walk with Tom, and the "rally stage".
tags:
holiday,
life,
climbing,
walking
permalink | posted by nathan on Thursday, the 26th of August, 2021, during the most productive hours of the day
tired
I've been back at work for a single day after a week off and I'm already tired.
I'm not sure what a sustainable way to work is... Plus it's frustrating that it feels like it's stopping me from doing other things: I want to write a post on my holiday, and I just finished American Gods and want to write a post on that too... But I don't seem to have the brainpower.
tags:
life,
self
permalink | posted by nathan on Monday, the 23th of August, 2021, during the most productive hours of the day
parkrun - 14st august 2021 - bournemouth - 23:32
I was at my parents this week, so we went to Bournemouth Parkrun. I ran with Catherine (who is leaving for Stanford on Thursday(!)) for the first 4km... And then she smoked me!
The pace felt hard and I was slowing as we went. I definitely would have gone slower without someone else to run with!
tags:
parkrun,
running
permalink | posted by nathan on Saturday, the 14th of August, 2021, when he should have been getting ready for bed
they came to baghdad - agatha christie
It's another Christie!
This is one of her standalones, more of a thriller than a mystery. As clear by the title, the majority of the book occurs in Baghdad, or other parts of Iraq. Having no idea what Baghdad was like in the 60s, I would have liked a bit more flavour and description; but maybe that's not what you read Agatha Christie for.
The characters, as usual, are interesting and varied, with the protagonist, Victoria, being a spunky, adventurous and bold (almost to an unbelievable amount). The pacing is good, with mysteries and questions driving the narrative forwards. The conclusion has a fair amount of happy conveniences, but they're explained away in the plot somewhat.
I enjoyed reading it, but I think I like the mysteries more.
tags:
books,
christie
permalink | posted by nathan on Friday, the 13th of August, 2021, in an early evening lull