World Of Winfield

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Another Year Without Escaping This Damn Stupid Country

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It’s easy to have a downer on the country that you live in – see all the fucking stupidity that goes on, of which thanks to our government there is sufficient. I’m pleased that I’m long past the point (by about two decades) where I thought Britain was the best country in the world, though perhaps it was the best country in the world two decades ago? Yet it is easy to go on holiday somewhere, say Albania, fall in love with the place and remark about how much better life seems away from Britain. The weather, the food, the … Continued

I Want A Holiday…But…

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September is one of my favourite times of the year for a holiday – balls to going to the Mediterranean in July/August during heatwave season. September is still hot, October can be hot, or at least very warm. It’s also that final opportunity to get some sunshine before the gloom of the northern hemisphere winter sets in – like the summer wasn’t gloomy enough. I was reminded today of my most recent holiday to Ibiza, 5 whole years ago this weekend, which seems insane. The last year we could go on holiday I went to Albania in early-ish October which … Continued

Longer Term Goals

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I’ve recently found myself being in plodding mode. You probably know that mode, it is very easy to fall into where you are just doing life stuff, going from day to day, week to week, everything is reasonably fine but there isn’t any progress towards goals. So I’ve started thinking about longer term goals. Where do I want to be in 5 years time? What would success look like? What do I need to do to achieve this? I’ve narrowed it down to 3 main goals: Be living in my own flat in London (actual London – not Harrow). Become … Continued

Halfway (ish) Review of 2021 Goals

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Well I’ve been a bit miserable and grumpy this last few weeks – and this has happened a few times since England lost in the final of Euro 2020. Not convinced that is the causation – it’s probably more a combination of the lack of sunshine, needing a break/holiday, being a bit bored at work, being alone more than normal, sadness/hopelessness over world events like in Afghanistan, drinking too much – I quite enjoy wallowing in misery at times, which is why I watch football. It’s weird, nothing has changed in my life from when I was answering, “really good” … Continued

A Summer Of Some Fun Not In London

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Sometimes I know how to start a blog. Most times I do, actually. Yet I find myself in this weird linguistic limbo right now – I’m writing about the fun I’ve had and the places I’ve been since restrictions were removed, yet I’m also feeling a reluctance to plan more fun. I wonder if it is partly to do with covid and the lockdowns, perhaps the rising cases have subliminally put a break on me – though I think more likely I’ve just run out of steam from my “I MUST DO STUFF” post-lockdown phase. Besides, I’m done with having … Continued

Being English: It’s Complicated

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I’ve been wanting to write an article on my nationality and my relationship with it in the post-Brexit age of increased English nationalism for some time – and with England in the final of Euro 2020, the time has come. There was a time when I’d watch every England game, hand on heart singing the national anthem. Nowadays, I start tournaments almost kind of begrudgingly though I quickly get into being an England fan once more as my negative associations with England as a country temporarily fade. Yet I still cannot help but feel that although I’m excited for the … Continued

James Went To The Lake District

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It looked like I would have to eschew foreign holidays again this year, so myself and two of my closest advisors decided a couple of months back to book a staycation, and the Lake District was a fairly clear choice of preference. We booked a cottage on Airbnb that was pretty much in the sticks, near the west of the Lake District. I didn’t need to look at any other properties as soon as I was sent the link, my response being, “BOOK IT NOW” – 3 double bedrooms, a very large kitchen, a large living room, a huge garden … Continued

James Went To Matlock

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I had contrasting responses to the end of the two main lockdowns – as the first lockdown ended I was still very subdued and I think somewhat shaken out of living – it took weeks until I ventured to a pub or restaurant. This lockdown, I ended with a flurry of activity – drinking out on both Tuesday and Wednesday evening (which is rare for me), then a staycation in Matlock for the weekend. Why Matlock? The reason for the staycation is that when our Vacuum of Integrity announced the roadmap out of lockdown, we realised that it would be … Continued

The Most Pointless Staycation Ever

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A couple of months ago, my employer, who I normally hold in very high regard, advised that staff couldn’t carry holiday over into the new year starting 1st April. Meh. I still had 5 days left to take. We were in the middle of the worst phase of the covid crisis – everything was still going to be closed no matter when I took the holiday. I wouldn’t be able to go to a pub let alone another country. We’d also just had a sudden stratospheric warming event in early January so the likelihood was spring would start cold, so … Continued

Things To Look Forward To

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I’ve been peak miserable this week. Emotionally defeated, mentally exhausted – physically exhausted too. Lockdown and being on my own for the best part of 3 months has finally broken me. Well…temporarily. Weirdly in the first lockdown, peak misery hit after a couple of months – and the same has happened this time. Though it is compounded by the strictures that I’ve put myself under, with no alcohol, no cake, no chocolate, no fun – as well as no face-to-face human interaction (bar occasional 5 minute chat with my housemate). It’s kind of been like groundhog day for the last … Continued