Tuesday, May 12, 2009

I'm not the Evening Standard but...

In the manner of the Evening Standard I just want to pause this blog for a few moments and say 'I'm sorry'. I'm sorry for not visiting all my favourite blogs in the last month (a list so long it takes about a month to get through). I'm sorry for not posting more regularly and for losing my funny. I'm sorry for not commenting on your blog or posting on your forum or not posting on my own blog.

Now I think I'm supposed to say that I promise I am going to change. I promise I'll try, anyway. Thing is, I've been away a lot. A lot a lot. Last week it had been 24 days away out of 36, this week it's up to 26 out of 45. It's rubbish. I always wanted to travel for business but I've changed my mind. Where have I been? France, Turkey, Canada, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and now I'm stuck in Bahrain's airport at 1am waiting for a flight in which I hopefully have a whole row to myself, unless I pissed off the desk clerk and she's shoved the rest of the flight into those seats.

I've been away so much that Charlie no longer misses me, although I do get a mighty hug. I've been away so much that my garden is growing without me and my peas are dying because I keep forgetting to ask the Frog to water them.

I've been away so long that all of the spud's books are new to me again and I can in fact happily read three goes of 'The Little Engine That Could' without my mouth drying out from all the repetition of the sentence 'and the good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain will have no toys to play with or good food to eat unless you help us'; a sentence which trips off the tongue rather like a sack of potatoes off the top step of a ladder and is repeated enough times in the book to make one wither up completely. I take this moment to say 'I'm sorry' now to my Mother whom my brother and I reputedly made read this story to us 5,000 times. I'm sorry Mum, I had no idea.

I've been away so much that I was out of conditioner for a month without noticing because it had been that long since I washed my hair at home. I've been away so much that I forgot where I put my favourite shoes and even that I had bought new ones.

OK, they're calling my flight - that's my tune folks, I'm sorry, but I'm off.

15 comments:

jaguarish said...

Maybe you should change your blog subtitle to "making myself mental..."

Mad Man Writing said...

Sparx - Nice to have you back - at least for a while - such a jet setter!

Tara@Sticky Fingers said...

We totally understand and you shouldn't beat yourself up about it.
We'll just talk behind you back for a bit and then everything will be OK!
Seriously though, this blogging lark is hard work. I too have so many favourites that I just can't get around to them all AND do my job AND be a mum AND remain sane!
You just do what you can and make sure it always stays enjoyable and never a chore.
Happy travels x

Michelle said...

I'm so glad you chimed in to say that! I agree with Tara that you should do what is enjoyable and not make this whole blogging thing a chore. I will always come back to your blog because I love your writing and sense of humor. Also, it's fun for me to have a cyber-friend with an exciting career that takes her all over the world.

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

I'm sorry you have to travel so much. Ack, besides, blogging is for fun, not for stress. Don't worry about how often you get on here, because whenever you do it is always entertaining, one way or another. We'll see you when you can get a chance to sit down and catch up.

Maternal Tales said...

It's ok - we'll still be here for you. It's a funny thing travelling - I used to do it for my work too (before children) and loved it, although after a while I missed home, my friends, my cat and it wasn't so much fun. Now I'm at home and my husband is constantly travelling - but he's been doing it so long that all he wants to do is be at home - and sometimes people don't believe him! Anyway, deep breaths and try to enjoy yourself if possible x

Anonymous said...

You are never EXPECTED to blog! It is certainly a pleasure for the rest of us when you do, but it should never be a chore! I can imagine that the traveling gets old after awhile - I hope you get a break from it soon!

(And I'll save you a trip over to my place . . . Briar Kiley is here! I may be biased, but she is perfect!)

Anonymous said...

Have you lost your funny?! Sorry, but I hadn't noticed. You're funnier than me anyways. At least, intentionally funnier than me :-)
Fyi, I've taken the consequences of my blog habit and implemented a full stop of reading new blogs. Although finding new blogs has become my hobby (alongside walks on the beach, and puppy dogs), I simply can't keep up anymore with the blogs I already read! It is a full time job dammit!
Come back to us on your own time. When your peas are watered, and you're ready.

Anonymous said...

That's quite a moving post Sparx. I'm sure we can all forgive you!

cynthia said...

No need to apologize. We've all been or will be there with you (feeling like the absentee blogger) at some point for one reason or another. I'm a fan even though I don't always have time to comment on your blogs.

Oh, and I share your feelings about "and the good little boys and girls on the other side..." I can not read this sentence without yawning halfway through it.

cactus petunia said...

I'm in the same predicament as you, but I don't have a good excuse. Unfortunately, I have been right here, at home, and unable to accomplish a friggin' thing.

I just keep repeating my mantra: "this too, shall pass."
It will, won't it?

Sparx said...

Hi everyone - I'm going through my blogroll and dropping in on everyone at the moment, hope to see you all soon!

Anonymous said...

Ahem, an appropriate time to let you know you're tagged!

Lisa Houghton said...

Just to let you know I feel your pain. Travel is not fun when it's for work - I've been there. A conference room is a conference room, whether it's in the Four Seasons or the local Travelodge. And there's nothing especially glamorous about sitting in yet another boring airport waiting for a delayed flight when you'd love nothing more than to be cuddled on the sofa with a glass of wine.

Jen said...

I agree with the others, blogging shouldn't be a chore, although at times it does feel that way. Take all the time you need. I hope you get to hang out at home with your guys soon!