The 5 Minute Coffee Corner: August #2

I don’t know about you but I’m surprised I’m even in one piece writing this and haven’t melted. I feel horrific. I am somebody who loves heat – craves it in fact. I love the sun, love heatwaves, love when it’s too hot to function, and I usually relish the fact that the climate is something other than rain.

But this is too hot, even for me. Trying to work in my spare bedroom office, window open but no breeze coming through, whilst the sun pours and practically sets me on fire is too much to bear. It reminds me of when I lived in Seville in a flat with no air con, where I had no energy but to lie on the cold floor because it was just too warm for me to function.

I shouldn’t complain as I know there are storms on the way, just in time for my 30th birthday on Sunday (and if you hadn’t guessed, that’s why this week’s featured image is champagne rather than coffee!) I adore champagne and intend on guzzling it at any chance I get for at least the next week!

Thanks to Bozza putting us into a form of lockdown, I had to cancel the garden gathering I was planning and looking forward to, and accept that my 30th, like so many other peoples’ this year, was going to be spent in my house doing nothing. But miraculously, after spending some time having a pity party for one, we managed to find a campsite in North Wales, and with the support of a super-enthusiastic bestie, four of us are off camping this weekend and it won’t be a disaster after all. We’re even planning to climb Snowdon on Saturday – something that’s on my 30 by 30 bucket list but that I didn’t expect to actually tick off in time! I’ll be waking up on my birthday on a lake in the middle of a beautiful valley and starting the day off with some SUP yoga on the lake and a glass of champagne for breakfast. Not quite the crazy sesh I was planning, but still so welcome right now. I can’t wait to get away!

Anyway – that’s my life update. Let’s stop jabbering on and get to it, shall we?!

Reading

Big Magic

I haven’t been reading much lately as I took on some extra work with my side job, so every waking minute for the last two weeks has been taken up with some form of work. However, this book kept popping up everywhere so I figured it was time I paid attention to signs that I clearly needed to read it, and I bought it. It’s already helping me manage some big life decisions that are happening right now (more to come on that one!) and I’m enjoying it so far. I’ll report back next week when I’ve finished it!

Watching

Love on the Spectrum

OK, hear me out. I know some people get a bit funny watching shows like this, and believe that they’re almost prodding at people with disabilities, but I assure you, this is just the most heartwarming programme. Like The Undateables, the show is based around people with learning difficulties looking for love. I can’t shout loud enough about this show, it will make you laugh, cry and be grateful for the things in your life that you take for granted. I’ve just finished the series and really was moved by it.

Also – a guy on the show, Mark, is hands down THE most beautiful soul I have ever met or known of in my entire life. He is just so pure and good-hearted, he’s a delight to watch and I think we can all learn something from him. He makes me cry with his pure goodness, and I’m almost crying again writing this just thinking about him. GO WATCH IT!

Listening

Exile – Taylor Swift and Bon Iver

I mentioned last week that Taylor Swift’s new album Folklore was what I’d been listening to and a week later, I’ve still been listening to it non stop and absolutely love it! I also mentioned that the song capturing my attention was exile featuring Bon Iver, and I can confirm a week later that it is definitely my favourite song on the entire album (although it’s hard to choose as there are some really great ones!). It’s such a beautiful song and I love the sound of both Taylor Swift and Bon Iver together, it’s an amazing collaboration. Check it out!

Weekend in Paradise – Jamie Webster 

Ah – what a song! My mum’s friend told me about this guy and this song when she heard a song by Gerry Cinnamon and realised the similarities. I adore Gerry Cinnamon and Jamie Webster has exactly the same vibe – I love it! This song is fun, catchy and feels like a breath of fresh air to listen to – check it out! I can’t wait for more of his stuff!

Word of the Week

Gauche

(pronounced gōsh)

Did I mention I’ve been listening to Folklore? In one of her songs (The Last Great American Dynasty) Taylor uses the word ‘gauche’ and I thought it sounded nice, and was intrigued what it meant. I’ve heard it before but never really taken the time to learn what it meant. A definition of it is:

lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward; crude; tactless:

There you go!

That’s all from me this week. Next time I speak to you I’ll be 30, probably having an existential crisis and wondering what the hell I’m doing with my life. Or, I could just be the same me, just 30 instead of 29. We’ll see!

See you next week!