This weekend I encountered my first real challenge of blogging each and every day. It was the first time I would have to write away from home and it took a different way of thinking. For all my previous #oneaday posts I’ve been at my flat in Leeds, with the internet and sat down all relaxed. I can always take an hour or so out of whatever I’m doing to write without worrying about what other people think, but this weekend was different.
As you well know, I was down in London visiting my girlfriend’s family and being with the in-laws is pretty much a full-time exercise when you’re with them; trying to be funny, acting like the good son-in-law, trying not to swear, and generally trying to impress. So sneaking off to write a blog-post about your life with their embarrassing daughter probably won’t go down well. But having said that it needed to be done, so I when the brother and mum went of to buy a microwave, I took my chance and darted off to the bedroom to write (and knock one out).
On a regular day when I’m at home I’d get back to the flat after work, and write whilst dinner is cooking. I can relax and it’s usually finished before the Pot Noodle is done so it’s not like I’m missing out on anything by writing it (except Hollyoaks). But this weekend we were leaving the flat and going down to London. Not only that, but the flat didn’t have internet either (they’ve only recently moved in to be fair).
Firstly, because we were leaving for London early on Saturday morning. Like crazy early. Admittedly not as early as we had hoped, but then my girlfriend had a banging headache, and I had been up late watching the Olympics.
Because we had originally planned to set off at 6am, I figured I’d have to write Saturday’s post first thing. This isn’t something I usually do at all; my routine has been pretty much dictated by my 9-5 job so I’m used to writing in the evening. Plus having to get up at 6ish to write didn’t feel me with excitement.
Because of the early start, spending time with the in-laws and the biggest issue of having no internet access, I had to find another way. So instead of getting up at 6am to write, I wrote and posted my Friday blog as normal, then wrote the Saturday one late on Friday night. We weren’t leaving until Saturday morning so this could work, all I’d have to do was make sure the blog is written before we left, then post it just as we were about to leave. We weren’t getting back till late on Sunday evening but that would give me enough time to write Sunday’s before bedtime.
It all worked out in the end but it left me thinking; what am I going to do when I’m away anywhere for longer than a day?
I’ve got a laptop, so I can certainly do the writing when I’m away from home, that’s no issue. And I guess I can find an internet café so I can upload the post somewhere, so even that’s not so much of a worry. Embarrassingly, what I’m most worried about is having to leave whoever I’m with just to write my blog.
I’m off to the Edinburgh Festival again this year so I’ll certainly be writing from there. Our 5 night stay might only be just me and my girlfriend, but I’ll still feel bad. I know we’ll probably just go to a Starbucks or something and she’ll have a hot chocolate with the cream and the syrup and a chocolate muffin with the sprinkles and the napkin and the crisps and I’ll have a hot chocolate as well, and I’ll be able to write, but I’ll still feel like it’s dragging us down. Like it’s a chore I’ve got to do just, well, just because really.
The good thing about writing when I’m on holiday is that at least I’ll have something to write about. Especially during the Edinburgh Fringe festival. I’ll be able to write brief reviews each day and I’d certainly have stuff to say about the comedians we’ve seen and stories I’ve heard, so on that hand, it’ll be great.
It’s more when I’m away with friends that I’ll start to worry. I’m due to go away on a stag-do this year, probably for a weekend and how many times have you heard about someone sneaking off from a weekend of debauchery to write a blog? It’s pretty unheard of, and I’m already asking myself how I’ll be able to do it. What if I go away on holiday for a few days? What then? I’ll have to make sure there’s internet access nearby (I’ll also have to learn how to ask for an internet café in whatever language the locals speak). I guess I’m worrying about nothing really. Internet cafés are pretty widespread, and I’ll just have to do it.
Part of me though – although still with a tinge of worry – is actually looking forward to it. Up until now the only real challenge I’ve had is thinking of what to write, but pretty soon I’ll not only have to find an interesting subject, but find somewhere to write it too, and find the time to post it as well. That’s what makes this whole exercise so exciting really. I could just say “Oh, I’ll leave the blog until I get back” (and that would certainly be the easier option) but with each passing day the need to continue gets stronger.
But that’s in the future. For now I’m happy writing each day sat in my pants at home.
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