2021 is here, and with it, all of 2020’s baggage because time is a human construct and events don’t cease for arbitrary milestones. Except for man-made events, like the inauguration of President Joe Biden and, more importantly, the end of Trump’s wannabe tyranny. It wasn’t clean, and it certainly wasn’t pleasant; the fascist’s parting gift was to incite an angry mob to overrun their capitol building, taking innocent lives in the process. President Biden certainly has a divided country to contend with. That being said, though, I’ve never seen a politician (besides perhaps Obama) with an outlook on life that’s more promising or full of hope. I suppose the thing that remains to be seen is whether he and his administration can manifest those ideals into tangible change. Personally, I believe in Biden. And that’s an incredibly refreshing feeling.
But that’s America. That’s a country all the way on the other side of the world. Things here in the UK aren’t as promising. Our death toll continues to rise and our leadership continues to apologise, look pitiful and then continue to make the same mistakes which directly results in more death. Infuriatingly, all it took was for Boris Johnson to bow his head in shame for many people that I know to suddenly feel sorry for him. Nah. Where I’m from, apologies don’t mean anything unless you actually pledge to change your behaviour and not repeat your mistakes. In fact, I’m pretty sure that apologising and looking pitiful only to continue your abhorrent behaviour is a common manipulation tactic. Schools won’t be any safer just because Boris is sad.
Okay, sorry. Political segment over. But if these monthly posts are to document my life as it happens, then the state of the world directly affects that, no?
Personally, this month – I’m going to be 100% honest with you, a lot of it has been me replaying a bunch of storylines in The Elder Scrolls Online for Xbox, as you can’t transfer saves from PC. And I’m loving every second of it. For more on what I’ve been playing on Xbox, visit my sister blog.
Other than that, though, I finally bit the bullet and subscribed to Audible so that I could listen through the Wheel of Time series. I’m a big lover of fantasy fiction, and the only thing that’s stopped me from reading that series until now is the price of all the books together. I’m fussy; I never want to have to wait to continue a series that I know is fully released. That, and I’m worried that I’d forget important details between book acquisitions.
The thinking behind getting an Audible subscription is having more time to read, as I’ll be able to do so while walking to work, a not-insubstantial commute. In the same vein, last year I often found myself watching Youtube on my phone before falling asleep, which is the time I once reserved for reading; now, I’m reading at night once again on top of listening to audiobooks. My nightly reading is currently reserved for re-reading The Saga of Darren Shan… again… but this time for the purpose of talking about it in my new video series, which you can find right here. I’ll also be discussing the Wheel of Time novels as I go through them, and whatever comes after.
So yes, my life is as introverted as ever. I’m at the start of a week off and I fully intend to spend it gaming, reading, writing, recording and editing. The ongoing pandemic doesn’t leave me much of a choice outside of this, but again, besides the occasional meetup with friends this is probably what I’d be up to anyway. Regarding the pandemic, though, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There’s vaccinations, and while they’re not being rolled out to the general public just yet, you’d better believe I’ll be in line as soon as possible. It’s been a harrowing 10 months, and there’s a few more to go yet, but when we’re all vaccinated and it’s safe to go out again, I’ll be making efforts to see friends more often. I’m not suddenly going to become an extrovert, and I’m not going to beat myself up for who I am, but if this past year has taught me anything it’s not to take social occasions for granted.
And that tyrants are ephemeral.
Perpetually Perturbed 