Enjoying a break

I have good and bad days, as do many folks. 

Although it has been over a year since my relationship ended, part of me misses the affection and playfulness of being with a partner. The other part of me knows that I'm not ready to be in a relationship at this stage. I'm okay with a break.

Having friends to talk to, keeping busy with my hobbies, and putting my thoughts down in this blog have been more than helpful. However, there are some days where I want to be by myself, lay in bed, and do nothing. I want to take a break from doing hobbies and blogging. I simply enjoy doing nothing.

And, it's okay. I work hard. Downtime is okay.

So, I have missed a blog post here and there. I know that there is no need to justify why. I'm good. I just need some downtime for myself now and again.

My ex and his YouTube channel

I feel that I need to get rid of my ex-guy as a connection on LinkedIn. It's good that he was never interested in social media, so distancing myself from him on those platforms after he broke my heart has been easy.

He isn't on LinkedIn much. Neither am I. I go on there once every month or two. Well, in my feed wiht twenty notifications was a post from him. He invited people to look at his YouTube channel where he does book reviews.

My eyes rolled. They rolled hard. I checked one video out. I stopped after a minute.

He isn't the guy I fell in love with. All I see is an insensitive jerk who only contacts me these days when he's horny. He looks sincere in the video. I know better. It's a facade.

It took him a year to post these videos. He actually posted these videos in August 2019. I don't know why it took him a year to promote his channel.

I'm glad that he has a hobby. I simply don't want to hear about it.

Gift cards and crocheting

Over the last couple of months, I have amassed a number of Amazon gift cards. I'm at a stage now where I don't have anything to buy, other than items at the grocery or drug store.

Well, it's time for me to learn a new skill. I have selected crocheting. 

Years ago, a colleague-turned-friend tried to teach me how to crochet. It didn't work. I got all confused.

It's funny. I can do cork (spool) knitting. I can do finger knitting. I can weave. I can't crochet.

I have also tried knitting. I did pretty well, except that I didn't know how to bind off. That's another skill that I need to resurrect.

Anyway, I used some of my gift card balance to get crochet needles. They arrive on Monday. I'm looking so forward to trying out crocheting. I watched a decent YouTube video on crocheting for beginners. I understood it!

See, there is hope for me.

Rest and hobbies

I took Thursday off. I was chilled and tired. I slept. It was all good.

These days, I have been resurrecting my love for sewing. I find it relaxing and a nice way to unwind. I hope to get around to learning how to crochet.

It's nice doing quiet hobbies, especially when the weather is getting colder.

Sewing, and wanting to learn how to knit and crochet

On Sunday, I spent part of my day sewing. I had a few articles of clothing that needed some attention.

I enjoy hand-sewing or using my sewing machine. I find it relaxing.

For years, I have wanted to learn how to knit and crochet. Years ago, I managed to knit a scarf. I simply couldn't bind off, though. I hope to resurrect these projects. I have a feeling that I'll find it relaxing once I get the hang of these techniques.

New year with a new venture

I recently posted a photo of the Toronto skyline that I took this past summer on my other social site. Several friends pointed out how great the photo was, which I appreciated.

One friend, in particular, suggested that I sell the photo to the city. One thing led to another. I have started my own Etsy site. The idea is to earn a bit of money for photos that I have taken.

Anyone who knows me will understand that I am not the entrepreneurial type. If I were, I would be rich and would have quit my regular job by now. Rather, I like sharing my photos for folks to view. If they want to buy them, that's fine. Otherwise, this gig is more to figure out how much interest there is out there to buy pretty photos.

I don't know how lucrative this venture will be. Frankly, it's more of a hobby for me. Still, it's exciting to do something different and set this photo site up. It's a new learning experience. We'll see where this path takes me.

Switches at an arts and craft store

On Saturday, I visited Michaels, which is a chain where you can buy arts and crafts supplies. I am contemplating learning how to knit and crochet.

I was in the clocks and woodworking section. When I was in grade 8, in my industrial arts (shop) class, I made a cork board with a built-in clock. I saw similar motorized clocks with hands and everything.

The store had clock faces made of wood. In my day, I used blue plexiglass for my clock face.

Next to the clock faces was a box that contained thin wooden sticks. They resembled switches, except that they were clearly sanded nicely. I tried how it felt when I tapped my palm. It provided a nice, light sting.

I don't like the thought of having the switch used on me to the point where it draws blood. However, I won't mind giving it a try, just to get some nice pink marks.