Music Monday: Love Story (Taylor’s Version) and the Scheduling Nonsense That Ruined My Life
Jun. 16th, 2025 09:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
badfalconMy most played song last week was “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift, and frankly? The drama was earned.
There’s something about that swelling orchestration, that breathless key change, that full-tilt declaration of "It's a love story, baby just say yes". Apparently, I needed to relive every intense teenage emotion I’ve ever had—on repeat.
42 plays. Zero regrets.
It’s the kind of song that makes you believe in running through the rain for someone. The kind of song that pairs well with being emotionally obliterated by… oh I don’t know… a tennis schedule that shows zero respect for your wellbeing.
Because let’s talk about Tuesday.
Let’s talk about Queen’s and Halle.
Let’s talk about how the tournament schedulers clearly do not care about me personally.
Behold:
13:30 – Ben “Sunshine” Shelton (Queen’s)
14:30 – Jannik Sinner (Halle)
15:00 – Carlos Alcaraz vs Foki (Queen’s)
15:00 – Vavassori/Bolelli doubles (Halle)
That’s four must-watch matches in the span of ninety minutes, across two tournaments.
How am I supposed to choose between Carlos chaos, Jannik precision, Foki flair, Italian doubles magic, and the serve-and-smile energy that is Ben Shelton?
The answer is: I can't.
There will be tabs. There will be streams. There will be suffering.
So this week’s Music Monday theme is tragic love - the love I have for tennis, and the tragic way it betrays me with schedule overlaps that feel like personal slights. Taylor understood. I feel like Juliet on the battlements, except instead of Verona, I’m in front of three screens whispering “baby just say yes” to all of them.
Happy Music Monday. I’ll be horizontal, emotionally shredded, and trying to stream four matches at once.
[Edit to add:]
I regret to inform you that the scheduling chaos is even worse than previously reported.
Over in Berlin, Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini are also playing at 13:30, which now overlaps with Ben Shelton. And then at 15:00, Diana Shnaider is playing as well—at the exact same time as Alcaraz v Foki and the Italian doubles team.
So to recap, my updated Tuesday viewing choices include:
- Ben Shelton (Queen’s)
- Sara Errani / Jasmine Paolini (Berlin)
- Jannik Sinner (Halle)
- Carlos Alcaraz v Foki (Queen’s)
- Vavassori / Bolelli (Queen’s)
- Diana Shnaider (Berlin)
I’ve gone from mildly overwhelmed to actively oppressed.
I am but one gay with a playlist and a dream. This is scheduling violence.
Brief ponder on autistic social trauma
Jun. 16th, 2025 01:13 pmkiyaAfter a conversation bit Saturday (and then another conversation later Saturday) I got to pondering that my default manifestation of deep-seated social trauma is always at least partly some flavor of "I am faking all this (and if anyone notices they will hurt me)" and now I'm wondering if at least some of that 'I am faking this' is rooted in dysphoria issues as much as it is neurodivergence because if I'm historically incapable of feeling authentic as myself I can't expect anyone else to see me as real either.
(no subject)
Jun. 16th, 2025 08:49 amturpsIt was Kayleigh and Lucy's wedding anniversary on Saturday, so I've been on cat and tortoise watching duty while they've had a weekend away at a fancy spa hotel. They're back today though, so the last cat visit will be this morning.
They've also decided to get two new kittens. I suspected they'd get another cat after losing Aeriel, but not this soon and certainly not two of them. Thankfully, they're not arriving until the end of the month, so my pet sitting duties have been pretty simple.
James starts his annual leave today, so between that and his usual days off he's not back at work for a fortnight. We can't afford to go away this year, but will be having day trips out on some of the days.
Over the weekend, we saw How to Train Your Dragon, which I enjoyed. Went for walks at the country park, the beach, and yesterday, Beamish again. Though, yet again the place was really busy, so once we'd done our walk we just left, going against the tide as many many more people were queuing to get in. Even the staff were surprised how busy it was, but I guess between it being a lovely sunny day and Father's Day, people just wanted to go somewhere nice.
Pauline invited us to tea, so we'll be going there later. First though, it's class this morning, the first one for a fortnight. As it's getting warm already, I suspect I'll be scooping my sweaty self off the floor once it's finished. Then, after class finishes, we both have a check in and weigh on Rosie's fancy scales. It's unofficial as we've both technically graduated the programme, but it'll be nice to see where we're at and have a talk.
I mentioned we had a beach walk, well, it was a cold, foggy day that day, but that meant the dolphins came into Roker bay. I stood watching them for ages, there was such a big pod, and they only left when word must have got out and lots of boats came into the bay. ( a couple of photos )
They've also decided to get two new kittens. I suspected they'd get another cat after losing Aeriel, but not this soon and certainly not two of them. Thankfully, they're not arriving until the end of the month, so my pet sitting duties have been pretty simple.
James starts his annual leave today, so between that and his usual days off he's not back at work for a fortnight. We can't afford to go away this year, but will be having day trips out on some of the days.
Over the weekend, we saw How to Train Your Dragon, which I enjoyed. Went for walks at the country park, the beach, and yesterday, Beamish again. Though, yet again the place was really busy, so once we'd done our walk we just left, going against the tide as many many more people were queuing to get in. Even the staff were surprised how busy it was, but I guess between it being a lovely sunny day and Father's Day, people just wanted to go somewhere nice.
Pauline invited us to tea, so we'll be going there later. First though, it's class this morning, the first one for a fortnight. As it's getting warm already, I suspect I'll be scooping my sweaty self off the floor once it's finished. Then, after class finishes, we both have a check in and weigh on Rosie's fancy scales. It's unofficial as we've both technically graduated the programme, but it'll be nice to see where we're at and have a talk.
I mentioned we had a beach walk, well, it was a cold, foggy day that day, but that meant the dolphins came into Roker bay. I stood watching them for ages, there was such a big pod, and they only left when word must have got out and lots of boats came into the bay. ( a couple of photos )
should you choose to accept it
Jun. 14th, 2025 10:54 pmsmilebackwardsPut down my book list for a hot second to finish watching some things.
Ghosts (US) (season 5) - This is such a silly fun show! I know like 1 person that watches it and yet to have been going for five seasons it must have some popularity somewhere.
Doctor Who (season ?? - this 2025 one) - I didn't even know this season was airing until I saw a random news article. Finale was recent so ( spoilers )
Leverage Redemption (season 3) - My comforting revenge show.
Mission: Impossible - I'm having such an unexpected moment with the Mission: Impossible franchise? I wasn't even going to go see the new movie but then I did and I enjoyed it a lot which reminded me that I enjoyed the other movies so I rewatched them all and they're ridiculously fun. I love Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation best but watching all of them is so interesting because it's like okay the first movie is much more of a spy movie, the second movie is I don't even know, like I would love to know what direction John Woo was giving to Dougray Scott because he was fully insane in it, then we get JJ Abrams MI3, and then Ghost Protocol with the Russian prison escape and the Burj Khalifa, Rogue Nation gives us Ilsa, honestly they're all fun to me. I spent the last like 2 weeks watching these and reading fic and here's a fic rec list if anyone's interested.
Also a couple weeks ago was![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
vidukon_cardiff (Bristol)! As always, live-watching and Discord commenting on hundreds of vids with other vid-loving people was great and I've got a whole new docket of shows and movies I'd never heard of to add to my watch list. I didn't make a vid for Premieres this year which was a little sad but someday I will vid again!
Ghosts (US) (season 5) - This is such a silly fun show! I know like 1 person that watches it and yet to have been going for five seasons it must have some popularity somewhere.
Doctor Who (season ?? - this 2025 one) - I didn't even know this season was airing until I saw a random news article. Finale was recent so ( spoilers )
Leverage Redemption (season 3) - My comforting revenge show.
Mission: Impossible - I'm having such an unexpected moment with the Mission: Impossible franchise? I wasn't even going to go see the new movie but then I did and I enjoyed it a lot which reminded me that I enjoyed the other movies so I rewatched them all and they're ridiculously fun. I love Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation best but watching all of them is so interesting because it's like okay the first movie is much more of a spy movie, the second movie is I don't even know, like I would love to know what direction John Woo was giving to Dougray Scott because he was fully insane in it, then we get JJ Abrams MI3, and then Ghost Protocol with the Russian prison escape and the Burj Khalifa, Rogue Nation gives us Ilsa, honestly they're all fun to me. I spent the last like 2 weeks watching these and reading fic and here's a fic rec list if anyone's interested.
Also a couple weeks ago was
vidukon_cardiff (Bristol)! As always, live-watching and Discord commenting on hundreds of vids with other vid-loving people was great and I've got a whole new docket of shows and movies I'd never heard of to add to my watch list. I didn't make a vid for Premieres this year which was a little sad but someday I will vid again!Things I did today
Jun. 14th, 2025 02:57 pmscriggleI dropped off some equipment (walker, shower chair, etc.) at the Masons. They loan donated medical equipment to anyone who needs it.
I went to the No Kings protest in my town. Turnout was great. I was talking to one of the volunteers and she estimated there were over 500 people. Although I have to say, where are the young people? Probably 95% were 40+. And of those most were 60+. I talked to one group and they told me they protested the war during the 60s & 70s. If there were more than 50 people in their 20s, I'd be amazed.
I also stopped by the Farmer's Market (first one of the year) and bought a half pound of divers scallops. I'm going to simply sear/pan fry them for dinner.
I have successfully made Italian pastry cream. Go me! I have frozen puff pastry shells to bake and fill.
Not something I did today but I had been looking for something to plant where a blue spruce used to be. The spruce blew down in a micro-burst probably 15 years ago now. I wanted something that would be pretty but wouldn't get huge. So last week, my nephew and his wife got me Japanese Maple for my birthday.
( look at the pretty little tree )
I went to the No Kings protest in my town. Turnout was great. I was talking to one of the volunteers and she estimated there were over 500 people. Although I have to say, where are the young people? Probably 95% were 40+. And of those most were 60+. I talked to one group and they told me they protested the war during the 60s & 70s. If there were more than 50 people in their 20s, I'd be amazed.
I also stopped by the Farmer's Market (first one of the year) and bought a half pound of divers scallops. I'm going to simply sear/pan fry them for dinner.
I have successfully made Italian pastry cream. Go me! I have frozen puff pastry shells to bake and fill.
Not something I did today but I had been looking for something to plant where a blue spruce used to be. The spruce blew down in a micro-burst probably 15 years ago now. I wanted something that would be pretty but wouldn't get huge. So last week, my nephew and his wife got me Japanese Maple for my birthday.
( look at the pretty little tree )
Hypocrisy epidemic (religious topic)
Jun. 12th, 2025 01:28 ammxcatmoonI've wondered a lot recently: how can these evil, hateful people who literally want "others" dead call themselves Christians. How do they not see their hypocrisy?
I found this video to be informative and explained a lot.
I found this video to be informative and explained a lot.
Shelf status
Jun. 11th, 2025 08:32 pmazurelunaticThree shelves (10' length, more or less) have been assembled, put up on the north wall, and filled to great effect. This emptied 1 entire Billy (with slight double stacking). We therefore need bookends.
The empty Billy is now in the living room, with the top few shelves embookinated and various plastic craft-adjacent boxes on the lower shelves. This is making a significant dent in the chaos by my desk.
The shorter bookshelf is currently at the end of the hall, for lack of a better place to put it. I expect that if it stays there long, I will start racking up another set of incredible bruises, and I still don't know where the one on my right arm CAME from. (I remember that I walked into some corner on my sleepy and unstable way to bed and then went "well, THAT'll leave a mark!" but do I remember what that something WAS? No more than I remembered what things I'd rammed into when I was taking Drama in high school, and my legs were forever dotted with black and blue marks.)
Today after work, Belovedest has put up all the standards (upright rails) on the south wall, embracketed them with however many brackets we currently have, and has started to assemble board pieces into full length shelves.
Coincidentally, today I also got a notification from the hardware store that they are shipping the backordered brackets.
There is onefree-loving* free-standing bookshelf remaining in the room, where it is cheerfully getting in the way. I suggested a different method of assembly which neither requires turning the boards lengthwise nor doing the assembly behind the Billy, which suggestion was well-received.
Eventually there will be enough Shelf in the media room that some of the things taking up floor space will be able to go on them.
Today I roused in the morning long enough to feel bleugh, then woke up in the afternoon feeling competent to Lounge. Still craving bacon at intervals.
* My high school freshman Biology class had a crucial typo in a sentence about free-living organisms. We reacted about how you'd expect.
The empty Billy is now in the living room, with the top few shelves embookinated and various plastic craft-adjacent boxes on the lower shelves. This is making a significant dent in the chaos by my desk.
The shorter bookshelf is currently at the end of the hall, for lack of a better place to put it. I expect that if it stays there long, I will start racking up another set of incredible bruises, and I still don't know where the one on my right arm CAME from. (I remember that I walked into some corner on my sleepy and unstable way to bed and then went "well, THAT'll leave a mark!" but do I remember what that something WAS? No more than I remembered what things I'd rammed into when I was taking Drama in high school, and my legs were forever dotted with black and blue marks.)
Today after work, Belovedest has put up all the standards (upright rails) on the south wall, embracketed them with however many brackets we currently have, and has started to assemble board pieces into full length shelves.
Coincidentally, today I also got a notification from the hardware store that they are shipping the backordered brackets.
There is one
Eventually there will be enough Shelf in the media room that some of the things taking up floor space will be able to go on them.
Today I roused in the morning long enough to feel bleugh, then woke up in the afternoon feeling competent to Lounge. Still craving bacon at intervals.
* My high school freshman Biology class had a crucial typo in a sentence about free-living organisms. We reacted about how you'd expect.
a sanctuary safe and strong
Jun. 11th, 2025 05:01 pmpensnestI did the cardio/toning class on Monday, and ventured back to Tough Yoga yesterday morning. I did everything (mostly on easy mode, but hey), and after lunch I was so exhausted I fell asleep.
My arms and inner thighs are still muttering at me, but today, I did useful work in the garden for a couple of hours. Something—I assume very hungry caterpillars—having eaten my lovingly cultivated kale and cauliflower plants, I bought defenses for them, and have planted the three extra kale plants I grew originally, plus seeds for kale, broccoli and Everlasting Spinach (we shall see), and thefour eight ten red cabbage plants I picked up at the garden centre when purchasing the hoops and nets. Also a copious amount of hoeing, outright weeding, and put a couple more attempts at mange touts into the ground. There have been half a dozen or so peas on the m-t plants, but this is not a useful quantity.
Tonight, I go to the first evening of Drawing class!
My arms and inner thighs are still muttering at me, but today, I did useful work in the garden for a couple of hours. Something—I assume very hungry caterpillars—having eaten my lovingly cultivated kale and cauliflower plants, I bought defenses for them, and have planted the three extra kale plants I grew originally, plus seeds for kale, broccoli and Everlasting Spinach (we shall see), and the
Tonight, I go to the first evening of Drawing class!
the blattlach were mediocre, but the blintzes were good
Jun. 8th, 2025 11:17 pmjadelennoxFor reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture, I made a GF variant of Emma Goldman's blintz recipe this morning. (It's because for reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture, I happened to have farmer cheese in the house.)
When I went looking for something snappy to turn my blintzes into a post, the first quotation on wikiquote is from a newspaper report after her arrest:
I feel sure that the police are helping us more than I could do in ten years. They are making more anarchists than the most prominent people connected with the anarchist cause could make in ten years. If they will only continue I shall be very grateful; they will save me lots of work.
Anyway I am not an anarchist by any measure whatsoever, but I have generally found reading Emma Goldman to be informative and fulfilling (My Disillusionment in Russia is gutwrenching and honestly I think keyboard warriors should read it). Her wikiquote page is so chock full of evergreen statements that I can't even cherrypick anything else to quote. But how about this one?
The very proclaimers of "America first" have long before this betrayed the fundamental principles of real Americanism...the other truly great Americans who aimed to make of this country a haven of refuge, who hoped that all the disinherited and oppressed people in coming to these shores would give character, quality and meaning to the country.
You can make blintzes vegan, too, if you use banana instead of the egg and flip the blattlach very gently. That can be potato or blueberry blintzes, although I've seen a recipe for blintzes with cashew cheese.
In conclusion, blintzes! Mine had strawberries.
Dream surrealism
Jun. 8th, 2025 10:47 pmkiyaLast night's sleep was Bad in complex ways (I woke up at 6, tried to get back to sleep and did not until after 7, and then had to be up at 8:30 for church service). But that meant I woke up in the middle of a dream and thus remember some bits of it.
( Just a few remembered snippets, mostly because I remember them from telling KJ this morning. )
( Just a few remembered snippets, mostly because I remember them from telling KJ this morning. )
Update on RL, mostly downer so feel free to skip
Jun. 8th, 2025 06:49 pmmxcatmoonJust a few updates, feel free to skip as usual (maybe just writing it down will help some).
( Updates... )( Updates... )
( Updates with political and mental health stuff... )
I do have a couple of ideas for drabbles... maybe I'll manage to write one or two after all...
( Updates... )( Updates... )
( Updates with political and mental health stuff... )
I do have a couple of ideas for drabbles... maybe I'll manage to write one or two after all...
just loosen your belt two inches
Jun. 8th, 2025 01:34 pmpensnestI cooked a big breakfast this morning: chipolata sausages, bacon, black pudding, mushrooms, grilled tomato, fried egg. The meat products all came from our local butcher, and were so tasty it was hard to decide which should be my final mouthful*
Why the big breakfast? Beast is off—just now, in fact—for a concert this afternoon, so he won't need to be fed until the nice people who invited his chorus ply them with cake.
* I like to eat 'rotational', ie mouthfuls by turns, but make sure to save a tasty morsel for the last bite. Beast eats in a columnar style, devouring what's on his plate from least favourite to tastiest by eating all of each ingredient before moving on to the next. I suppose a case could also be made for eating in the same way but starting with the favourite.
Which way do you eat a plateful?
Why the big breakfast? Beast is off—just now, in fact—for a concert this afternoon, so he won't need to be fed until the nice people who invited his chorus ply them with cake.
* I like to eat 'rotational', ie mouthfuls by turns, but make sure to save a tasty morsel for the last bite. Beast eats in a columnar style, devouring what's on his plate from least favourite to tastiest by eating all of each ingredient before moving on to the next. I suppose a case could also be made for eating in the same way but starting with the favourite.
Which way do you eat a plateful?
(no subject)
Jun. 8th, 2025 01:14 pmturpsIt was a nicely productive day on Thursday.
Started with an early trip to the tip to get rid of a huge bag of garden waste and a couple of bulky but broken electrical items, so it was good to do that bit of decluttering. Plus, the tip shop was closed for a delivery so no chance of buying more stuff to fill those new gaps*g*
From there we called in to see my in laws for a bit, then it was onto the hospital as James had a physio appointment. Unfortunately, his appointment was for 11am, which is a horrible time in terms of parking, and we had to circle the whole site for nearly 30 minutes before a lovely lady pointed to a free space in one of the car parks we'd already gone through three times.
Each time he goes to physio, I expect James to be discharged, but nope again. While his elbow break has healed beautifully, he's lost muscle in his shoulder and still can't bring his hand to his mouth without propping his arm on a surface, or bringing his mouth down to his hand. So, more exercises to do at home, and he's back in a month, and will apparently need to keep going until that muscle is back.
Left the hospital and headed into town as I had an eye exam booked for 12:30. I only wear my glasses when reading books, but had noticed recently things were getting a bit fuzzier reading without them, so figured I should go for a check-up.
Turns out my right eye has got worse, but the other is still the same. So, new reading glasses for me. But what you don't want while sitting with the optometrist is for her to say, 'well, this is rare and don't worry, but….' Turns out I have a very narrow drainage channel around the iris of my right eye, while increases the risk of Angle closure glaucoma. Everything is fine pressure wise right now, but she gave me a leaflet about symptoms, saying if I get any of those to go straight to the eye infirmary, and I'm now on annual eye checks, which I guess is a good thing.
Rosie finally sent the change of day survey, but along with those came some suggestions to express interest in other options, which sound great if they happen. Included in that, actual cooking demos, well-being walks and various other exercise options. I ticked an interest in all except for badminton, which just sounds like a disaster in the making for me if I tried it.
Then she emailed again yesterday to say the class Monday coming is also cancelled as she's off on annual leave. Which is a shame after also being cancelled this last Monday. But, it can't be helped and as she's getting married later this year, I suspect this is the time Rosie's booked for her hen do.
Yesterday was forecast for heavy rain showers all day, so we decided to go to the cinema. Saw The Salt Path on a 11am morning showing, and really enjoyed it. Left Odeon and went to Subway for dinner, then checked the cinema listings again and saw a screening of Karate Kid -- Legends, was about to start, so went to see that too. The film hasn't been getting good reviews, but I actually liked it, even more so as a load of young teen boys were watching too, and they all started applauding at the end, which made me smile. I also saw the full trailer for the new Downton Abbey film, and I'm looking forward to seeing that later in the year.
Today we've driven to a jumble sale as Cat Lady Kay from Consett Cats had a fund-raising table there, and we wanted to support her. I only bought a book, but left a donation, so it was worth the drive.
This afternoon I intend to catch up here, and feed the tomato plants. Then, more binge-watching of Mobland later. What a show that is, it's got me gripped.
Started with an early trip to the tip to get rid of a huge bag of garden waste and a couple of bulky but broken electrical items, so it was good to do that bit of decluttering. Plus, the tip shop was closed for a delivery so no chance of buying more stuff to fill those new gaps*g*
From there we called in to see my in laws for a bit, then it was onto the hospital as James had a physio appointment. Unfortunately, his appointment was for 11am, which is a horrible time in terms of parking, and we had to circle the whole site for nearly 30 minutes before a lovely lady pointed to a free space in one of the car parks we'd already gone through three times.
Each time he goes to physio, I expect James to be discharged, but nope again. While his elbow break has healed beautifully, he's lost muscle in his shoulder and still can't bring his hand to his mouth without propping his arm on a surface, or bringing his mouth down to his hand. So, more exercises to do at home, and he's back in a month, and will apparently need to keep going until that muscle is back.
Left the hospital and headed into town as I had an eye exam booked for 12:30. I only wear my glasses when reading books, but had noticed recently things were getting a bit fuzzier reading without them, so figured I should go for a check-up.
Turns out my right eye has got worse, but the other is still the same. So, new reading glasses for me. But what you don't want while sitting with the optometrist is for her to say, 'well, this is rare and don't worry, but….' Turns out I have a very narrow drainage channel around the iris of my right eye, while increases the risk of Angle closure glaucoma. Everything is fine pressure wise right now, but she gave me a leaflet about symptoms, saying if I get any of those to go straight to the eye infirmary, and I'm now on annual eye checks, which I guess is a good thing.
Rosie finally sent the change of day survey, but along with those came some suggestions to express interest in other options, which sound great if they happen. Included in that, actual cooking demos, well-being walks and various other exercise options. I ticked an interest in all except for badminton, which just sounds like a disaster in the making for me if I tried it.
Then she emailed again yesterday to say the class Monday coming is also cancelled as she's off on annual leave. Which is a shame after also being cancelled this last Monday. But, it can't be helped and as she's getting married later this year, I suspect this is the time Rosie's booked for her hen do.
Yesterday was forecast for heavy rain showers all day, so we decided to go to the cinema. Saw The Salt Path on a 11am morning showing, and really enjoyed it. Left Odeon and went to Subway for dinner, then checked the cinema listings again and saw a screening of Karate Kid -- Legends, was about to start, so went to see that too. The film hasn't been getting good reviews, but I actually liked it, even more so as a load of young teen boys were watching too, and they all started applauding at the end, which made me smile. I also saw the full trailer for the new Downton Abbey film, and I'm looking forward to seeing that later in the year.
Today we've driven to a jumble sale as Cat Lady Kay from Consett Cats had a fund-raising table there, and we wanted to support her. I only bought a book, but left a donation, so it was worth the drive.
This afternoon I intend to catch up here, and feed the tomato plants. Then, more binge-watching of Mobland later. What a show that is, it's got me gripped.
The Shelves
Jun. 7th, 2025 09:20 pmazurelunaticI got the standards and brackets for that shelf system, and we are currently at Home Depot, after buying what I sincerely hope is the right configuration of board feet for eight shelves. It's secured to the roof and we're using surface streets.
It's too close to bedtime to start on repair plating the 8 foot boards to the 2 foot boards, probably.
It's too close to bedtime to start on repair plating the 8 foot boards to the 2 foot boards, probably.
Booksta, Canva, and Cozy Chaos
Jun. 7th, 2025 12:14 pmbadfalcon(or: how I stopped trying to be a serious reviewer and started having a good time)
So… I’ve accidentally fallen back into Bookstagram.
Not in a strategy kind of way. Not with spreadsheets or goals or carefully timed posts. Just in a “I was messing around with Canva one evening and made a cute graphic, and then another, and then suddenly it had been six weeks and I’d somehow rejoined booksta?” kind of way.
It’s been weirdly lovely.
I didn’t start with a plan. I still don’t have one. But somewhere between experimenting with templates, playing with fonts, and figuring out what felt like me, I started noticing a little style creeping in. A colour palette here. A favourite font combo there. A vibe. It’s still evolving (and I love that), but it’s been surprisingly grounding to watch it slowly take shape.
And the biggest shift? I’ve stopped worrying about reading the “right” books. No more pressure to keep up with the latest releases or write reviews that sound a certain way. I’m just reading what I actually want to read. Posting when I actually have something to say. Ditching the mental checklist and leaning into the messier, softer side of bookish life.
It’s not perfect. It’s not polished. But it’s fun. And that’s something I didn’t realise I’d been missing.
Booksta, but make it cozy chaos. Honestly? I’m kind of into it.
So… I’ve accidentally fallen back into Bookstagram.
Not in a strategy kind of way. Not with spreadsheets or goals or carefully timed posts. Just in a “I was messing around with Canva one evening and made a cute graphic, and then another, and then suddenly it had been six weeks and I’d somehow rejoined booksta?” kind of way.
It’s been weirdly lovely.
I didn’t start with a plan. I still don’t have one. But somewhere between experimenting with templates, playing with fonts, and figuring out what felt like me, I started noticing a little style creeping in. A colour palette here. A favourite font combo there. A vibe. It’s still evolving (and I love that), but it’s been surprisingly grounding to watch it slowly take shape.
And the biggest shift? I’ve stopped worrying about reading the “right” books. No more pressure to keep up with the latest releases or write reviews that sound a certain way. I’m just reading what I actually want to read. Posting when I actually have something to say. Ditching the mental checklist and leaning into the messier, softer side of bookish life.
It’s not perfect. It’s not polished. But it’s fun. And that’s something I didn’t realise I’d been missing.
Booksta, but make it cozy chaos. Honestly? I’m kind of into it.
