On Reading And Listening To Stories ....

Journal: 27 October 2020

I just finished listening to the AMERICAN GODS Audio book, by Neil Gaiman. 

I have read the novel before, twice, but it was still such a joy listening to the story, especially since I have forgotten a lot of the wonderful bits and nuances,  scattered all over  the novel.

I am also currently re-reading the Harry Potter series, and I am now in Book 5 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I have read the previous books,  and this current one, possibly around five or six times, and am still delighted everytime I read it.

Whenever I am alone, and I ponder on the level of happiness I have in my daily life, I find myself being grateful for these books, that they bring me to such state of joy. 

Even the anticipation of reading or listening to to them at a later hour, brings a smile to my lips.

I have decided recently to stop subscribing to my Audiobook service, as the cost of listening to one book each month, is much more than buying the same type of books in our local bookstore. 

I felt it would be better to support our local book shops, and satisfy my listening time ( usually when I have to do regular chores) by listening to podcasts or classic audiobooks that come with our family’s music subscription service.

I still had one more credit left in my Audiobook Service account, and I decided to purchase - THE NEIL GAIMAN READER audiobook which has twenty seven hours of listening bliss. 

Perhaps, I would re-subscribe in the future,  if there is a particular audiobook that I would really want to listen to.

I started appreciating audiobooks when I decided to subscribe to the service, to listen to the adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s first few volumes of THE SANDMAN Graphic Novel, and it was hard for me to stop ever since. 

But, as I mentioned, I shall, right after I finish this current book. I have placed my account on pause, and will unsubscribe once the GAIMAN READER is finished.

From that time, I will feel less guilty in purchasing books in our local bookstore, knowing that I am not spending too much.

I do however recommend, for those that can afford it, to subscribe to your audiobook service, and of course, to keep on buying books at your local book shops, whether new or used.

I can only share my own moments of happiness when I am reading (or listening) to stories, and wish the same for everyone.

Sierra

Journal: 21 Oct. 2020

Sierra. She brought light into a cloudy day yesterday.

It was a typical Tuesday, waking up to a cool springtime morning here in rural New South Wales. I was getting ready for the tasks to be done for the day, when a message from a niece popped up on my phone, welcoming the newest addition to the family, a 5.2 pound baby girl named Sierra.

She is the first “grandchild”,  among the immediate family of my wife, and the first also, even with my own side of the family. 

As my eldest son puts it, the first of a new generation in our immediate family.

Suddenly, the cloudy morning just seemed to be brighter, and all my worries of things to come melted away. Even concerns about being born in a middle of a pandemic seemed to disappear. 

All that is left is the joy and wonder of a new life, a new wonder, a new hope for all that is important in our lives.

It is unfortunate that any plans of visiting baby Sierra in the coming holidays will be quite impossible considering the overseas travel restrictions imposed on the world.

Still, hoping to see her soon via video calls bring us excitement in the coming days.

Life is indeed a mystery. Each day brings worries … concerns and anxious moments. But it also brings nuggets of delight, and surprises, and smiles.

Blessings like Sierra help us go on with our lives, despite the obstacles and difficulties we face each day.

My Journal.

Journal: 19 Oct. 2020

Today, I decided to write my journal entries, as if they’re going to be published for public reading. And perhaps I will put it in my “Shoplifter” blog. Or maybe not. I haven’t decided yet.

Why this sudden decision?

I did think about this, I remember, months or years ago, but just never had the courage to post personal matters about my life, for public reading. 

Tonight, I happened to read the latest entry in Neil Gaiman’s blog, and admired how beautiful he writes about his everyday life, and  this idea crept up once again in my mind.

And here I am.

Does this mean that I would be writing more mundane things, and less personal ones, since I plan to share it with others?  Maybe…. or maybe not…. let’s see how it goes in the coming days.

One thing that I am looking forward to, is that I would need to put in more effort in the way I describe the normal, everyday things that are going to happen in my life.

And hopefully, the dear readers who stumble into my blog, would appreciate the way I tell my story… the story of my day that had just passed.

Everyday Life in words.

I read a feature article yesterday, about a column written by a writer who is in her senior years.
I liked the way she wrote about everyday occurrences in her column, taking particular notice of how she observes things she encounters in her daily life, with words meant to be read by her readers.

It occurred to me that it would be nice if we , or I in particular, wrote my journal entries with the intent of writing it for the general public. 
I was wondering how it would compare with the normal way I write, which is of course more personal, and probably vague, since I do not expect anyone to read it, aside from my family, once I am gone, and they have managed to find it.

I thought I would give it a try, and perhaps even post these journal entries in this blog, with some editing of course.

I make a mental note, that I should bring my small notebook all around the house, or when I make the trip outside the house ...
(Note that this is written during the Covid19 Pandemic, where everyone is advised to stay at home, except for essential trips) 
....to purchase groceries. 
This way, I can jot down bits of stuff that I can then include in my journal.

I believe I have written too much (in my journal) about things that are  going on inside my head…. my fears… hopes… prayers… and I should also focus on what is happening around me… how the weather is getting colder… how the days are getting shorter, and how darkness sets in a lot sooner as winter is approaching.

I hope that when I do get these pieces posted, that there would be at least one reader who would appreciate the new way I look at everyday life, and how I will try to put it in words.