Weary efforts
First of all today I’d like to say a quick but heartfelt thankyou to the people who made the little cheer-up message which appeared in the Comments the other day. Especially Aislinn who had previously done an old-school pens-and-paper version of the same thing. You are all extremely kind. I wish I were a national treasure like Stephen Fry, then my emotional peaks and troughs would feel a bit more justified. The more impressive your contribution to the world, the more you can expect to be indulged by the world’s sympathies when things go wrong. But still. Thank you ever so much. I’ll work on becoming a national treasure (on NT) and keep you posted on my progress. As far as I can see, the main national treasures at the moment are Fry, Ronnie Corbett, Brucie, maybe Judi Dench… all people who’ve been around a long time. My predictions for future NTs are Charlotte Church and Adrian Chiles (maybe). That still leaves a gap for an NT who’s around 30 and has mostly appeared on Radio 4. I think it’s there for the taking.
I’m afraid this is going to be one of the blogs that don’t really contain anything other than the information that I am super-tired. I got up early and went to the Passport Office with Kit to get him a baby passport (seriously; even though he’s not strong enough to lift his head up yet, he’d be classed as a threat to national security if he travelled without ID). We didn’t have his birth certificate so I had to re-book the appointment. I fed, and administered medicine to, a very disappointed Kit in a coffee shop while we waited. People looked at me with the usual spectrum of concern, sympathy, amusement and where-the-hell-is-his-mother-I-bet-you-stole-that-baby. So by the time all that was over, I was absolutely knackered and it was about 11am. It’s incredible how many hours there turn out to be in a day, once you start getting up early (or ‘at adults’ times’ as we sometimes say). I can remember when I would barely be awake at 11. I’ve got a sister at uni and she refers to 10.30 as ‘being up early’.
My limbs feel like they’re made of, not lead exactly, that sounds too solid; maybe damp heavy sand.
So if nobody minds I’ll keep watching this match lying down, then have some dinner, then go to bed early. Tomorrow’s blog may be a similarly flimsy affair as my day will be shaped by the important (or, depending on your point of view, absolutely irrelevant) skirmish between England and their traditional rivals Germany. Come Monday, I shall feel less than 98 years old and will be back to business here. I hope you all have nice weekends. Or are already having them. Or, failing that, have plans which might turn things around.
Posted by Rachael on June 27, 2010
You sound about 100.
Posted by Hal on June 27, 2010
Ah yes, bureaucracy at it’s best. I do also like the one about them rejecting photos if you attempt to smile – possibly not a problem for Kit at this stage though.
(yes I’m bitter – they rejected a nice pic so now I’m stuck with my ‘probably a murderer’ pic for the next 10 yrs…)
Oh yes, terrible bit of wife stuff now – had to book train tickets For travel during the match and will need lift to the station at half time – will take longer than half time to get there and back though….he’s not happy! (on the plus side, train is unlikely to be crowded)
Posted by Megan on June 27, 2010
Today was my first day off from almost everything in more than two weeks, though I ended up working on my cinema’s new website from 8:30am. On a Saturday. Not quite as exhausting as dealing with government bureaucracy and infants, but I sorta get where you’re coming from.
Have to get up early again for World Cup (game is at 10am here and I’m watching at a friend’s place). Quite concerned. Seems an octopus has predicted that Germany will win. (http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/293885)
I hope you get some quality not-moving/sleeping time soon!
Posted by Misha on June 26, 2010
(you would not believe how long it’s taken me to find this)
You’re already a national treasure here though we think http://i42.tinypic.com/2gtwvh2.jpg
It’s a real place in Aus.
Posted by Heather Jones on June 26, 2010
I watched that programme about the Biology of Dads on BBC4 the other night. Apparently new Dads (like yourself) have a much lower level of testosterone than previously in order to increase their nurturing tendencies. It probably makes you seem even more cuddly and lovely to the rest of us too.
Posted by Aislinn on June 26, 2010
I’m seeing how long I can push it without a passport, as I’m trying to start saving again after blowing half my last lot of savings on Edinburgh tickets/hotel/travel. So far it’s been five days.
Also, I’m part way through Bullet Points and know you get this a lot, but I’m really enjoying it! (I say that as if I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it; I was.)
I’m glad you liked it and thank-you for the thank-you (if that makes any sense). x
Posted by Rhian on June 26, 2010
Don’t forget it will get easier, it really will. If it’s any help, which it might not be as all babies are different of course, I found we had a period of what I’m already thinking of as the ‘golden months’ between 6/7 months and about 10/11 months. The child had got the hang of sleeping for a good stretch of time during the night time AND still having a decent number of daytime naps. I didn’t realise at the time how much I should have appreciated it, but watch out in case it whizzes by without you realising. Now we have long night time sleeps but lots of rushing about in the day which is wearying in a different way, and if I could get myself to bed at a decent time instead of spending hours faffing about I might feel as lively as the child at 6.30 a.m.
Do you really want to be a National Treasure if it puts you up there with Brucie? Shudder.
Posted by Misha on June 26, 2010
It is amazing how long the day becomes id you get up at quarter to 7 but refuse to let that stop. The pratical upshot is that 8 suddenly becomes a lie in however.
In nice weekend stakes i’m just on the bus home as I type this (ahhh modern technology) froma whistlestop visit to Birmingham to meet Matt Crosby on his twitterman adventure. Really improved my weekend and i’d say goes for a TYSIC too.
Tomorrow. The football.
Posted by Laurs on June 26, 2010
I had typed out a response that was probably a tad too long, but then my computer froze and I lost it all. A sign perhaps!
Anywho, I shall summarise.
Getting a new passport sucks.
England shall win 2-1.
It’s the weather making the nation even more tired than normal- we’re just not used to it!
Posted by Kathryn on June 26, 2010
I’m definitely still stuck in a teenage sleeping pattern, I only got out of bed at 12:45 pm. Which is completely ridiculous. My mother came home and accused me of achieving nothing today. And I still feel like I need more sleep.
Posted by Anji on June 26, 2010
I really should stop using my phone to post comments, my spelling is even worse than normal! The last comment made no sense – it’s the tiredness that does – honest x
Posted by Josh on June 26, 2010
I reckon 3-0 England
Posted by Anji on June 26, 2010
A suiting blog for a weekend. Relaxed but at that point of when the question is an acceptable time to go to bed on a Saturday?!
Ugh passports I have had to renew mine, still with a stupid picture, just 10 years newer. And the cost! Don’t get me started. I too may be old before my time. Happy chilling Mark.