The Temperamental Departure Gates

Ready. Set. Gone. That’s the way of the summer, the way of the holidays and the way of my brain. I recently discovered that my brain had ‘hibernated’ for the summer after I shortened the phrase ‘you are’ into ‘your’. It’s not unlikely that I will do something equally shameful in this blog entry. Feel absolutely free to point it out if I do.

I’m going to write about things coming to abrupt endings for the sheer circumstances that I have found myself in recently. If I’m honest, this year hasn’t been a good one for getting things that are planned, done. Each time we’ve tried to, some issue or problem has stood in the way. For example, we had planned a trip to Bilbao for Easter, but found that a family member was seriously ill and had to rush off to Bangladesh instead. It continued in the fact that the very moment we got through the departure gates to come back from there to England, the relative crashed (medically) and passed away there and then. Now, do you understand my term of phrase, ‘The Temperamental Departure Gates’?

But furthermore, we moved the Bilbao trip forward to summer and went then. This is where I get to the here and now. We are due, in 1 week, to go to Canada to visit my cousin. Don’t get me wrong, this is good news, but just another example of unexpected departure gates. We didn’t know we could afford to do this until a short time ago. To proceed, my friend and I were meant to be visiting Cardiff for an overnight stay but found all the other holidays cost too much, so we settled for going to York for the day instead. We are still happy with that, though. And I understand I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to go to all of these places anyway; I am merely shocked with the suddenness of everything happening.

There are a few not-so-temperamental departures coming up. In 2 weeks and a bit, I’ll be returning to school for the first term. At that moment, everything hobby-wise will decline drastically and my levels of exhaustion will rise inexplicably. Not only that, but the summer will end briefly afterward, plunging everyone into darkness. Anyone feel some negative vibes from me today? I’m preparing for Winter, trying to see the benefits of getting up at 6am when there’s no light. I admit, I’m still struggling. My first exams start in January, just conveniently allowing the Christmas holidays for revision. After that, it’s unspeakably exam-filled. So, if you have anything you need me to do for you, or anything to say, the last 2-3 weeks are all I have to be reliable. What is it they say: speak now or forever hold your peace?

Quickly changing the subject, I’m looking to have a pseudonym (a fake name) for use in my writing publications from now on. Obviously, I can’t disclose what it is once decided, but for now, I’d love to do some ‘market research’. What first and last names do you like at the moment? It can be boys or unisex names, don’t worry. I’ll blog when I blog! Every student, enjoy your holiday! Everyone else, go crazy while you can!


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