Discomfiting

I’m big on re-designing when I feel unsettled. I think. I decided to completely re-do Twisted Sockster, because I wasn’t happy with how it looked the first time I re-designed it. So there you go. Only one post so far, because brilliance takes time. Ahem.

On being unsettled. Neil mentioned, over the phone, that he doesn’t feel settled in back home, and doesn’t know if he will, after being away for six years. Six years is a long time, I reckon, and he also mentioned that no one seemed to go out any more. He went to The Station with his sister and the place was quiet. His mate B— is getting married next year to his long time girlfriend. I imagine many of his childhood and university friends have changed a lot, too.

So will he settle in? We agreed that he would probably feel better once he finds a job and (consequently) eases into a routine. Irons are in the fire.

I’ve been in Singapore for something like six weeks now with no jobs on the horizon, full-time or temporary. I’m not settling well, either. My days are spent reading and snacking, or computering and not eating (I’m working on remembering to eat), and going for jogs or walks in the evening. I’ve made a total of one amigurumi duck (it’s still lacking wings), made and lost one wrist cuff, a second cuff has been stalled in mid-stitch, the sewing machine is fixed but I don’t want to sew on the floor amongst the cat hair, I’ve been to the bead shops and so far I’ve made one pair of earrings (I really like them), and I listen to the radio.

The designer in Xiamen says he’s too busy to finish laying out the September - October What’s On Xiamen, and since I haven’t been able to harangue him, this issue is going to be late. By at least a week, by my estimate.

Not working much is really frustrating! It’s fun for a few weeks, but it’s lost its charm. I need something. I’ve been considering what options I have. Craft like mad (I’m already mad, so this won’t be hard) and hope someone buys my duckies (unlikely)? Try to score a paid blogging job (well nigh impossible)? Come up with some harebrained scheme to sell stuff on eBay (my stuff is kinda crap)? Write a book about low-budget English magazine start ups (hahahahahahahahahahaha)?

• 28 Aug 2006