Man flu this week. And trying to squeeze in writing this along with software demos, networking events and the odd bit of work if all else fails… To be honest the man flu is doable as long as there’s something to keep the brain cell in use. The minute you stop it’s another matter. Like hitting a brick wall. And getting started again after a slump – physically as well as mentally – can be interesting. Interesting as in the old Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times”.

Like now.

Wrote the intro, went to help out at an exhibition, got back and fell asleep for an hour. Don’t feel guilty about it at all. One of the perks of working for yourself. Think I’m wrong? Get over it… Actually you do end up with the twin competing sensations of having slept too long and not having slept enough – which is unfortunate but my problem, not yours. I really do need emojis. Smiley face with tears

Hmm. Talk about trying to get enthused.

What about a beer festival? Long-term readers (thank you Lorraine) will have read about the trials, tribulations and eventual joys of our local fireworks and I’ve been doing that for about (looks up on my Windows Explorer) Eight years! Good grief. I thought it was four or five… Well, that runs itself now to a greater or lesser extent. And we’ve got a music festival so a beer festival seemed like the logical next step. As one does. Well I’d been mouthing it off at the fireworks and one of my newer fellow councillors is in the drinks industry (which I hadn’t known at the time) and thought it was a runner so you rapidly run yourself into put up or shut up territory. So that’s where we are. Next late-May Bank Holiday. Endless scope for future ramblings I’m sure!

Do you actually do any work I hear you cry?

And sometimes I do wonder myself. And looking through the week’s diary I have my doubts! Yesterday over six hours on two pro bono assignments and council business. Today Five hours on a software demo and the exhibition, not to mention the time writing this. Tomorrow running a table at a networking meeting to be followed by my alternate Friday’s research and self-education session. And I’ve made a policy decision NOT to work evenings beyond 22.45 – it’s causing havoc with my hobby time. I can’t believe I’ve written the previous sentence but it’s all too true. Me time had been getting down to the odd five to ten minutes some evenings and leading to immense feelings of frustration as the hobby “stuff” gets further and further behind. The last two “months” had overrun by 20 days and 18 days respectively. Do the maths (American dictionary – this wasn’t in it) – never gonna catch that back up. Overrun by half a month and you’ve only got half a month next time to catch it back. Not likely. Overrun by a month and time for the next decreases to zero! Moral of the story. Don’t work long hours and have time dependent hobbies. Bulging eyes face.

Parted company with a client this week.

Not quite sure if I fired them or they fired me but I am sooooooooooooooo pleased! Have been trying to convince myself for ages that I can get through to them. But I can’t, so now I can stop trying. Bliss. Mind you. Interesting conversation with one of my business coaches earlier in the week: Me – why do I always seem to be knee deep in other people’s excrement (edited there)? Kevin – Isn’t that what you do for clients? Me – oh yes. S’pose so. Hadn’t given that a thought… Bless. Did I mention Die Tochter flung herself out of an aircraft last week strapped to a large Kiwi (bloke not bird)? Rather her than me!

 Never in a million years…