What’s happening ‘kats? How are we all doing? Washing behind the ears? Listening to the dulcet tones of Phil Collins (who is playing on the radio as I type)? As I begin to write up this latest muse, I am reflecting upon a week’s worth of activity and it’s a pretty packed week. Considering there’s still a week left to add stuff, I cannot even begin to fathom where this post will end up. Let’s get the obvious one out of the way shall we?

Trump’s Corona Crisis

Trump has Covid-19. So does Melania.

I’m not going to wish death or serious harm upon anyone, though should Trump get quite ill, the experience may encourage him to treat the pandemic with the seriousness it deserves – assuming he’s not faking for sympathy. So far, judging from his publicity-seeking car ride outside hospital, he’s either not treating this matter seriously, or he’s faking.

His supporters will treat this as a rallying cry – namely that Covid-19 isn’t as bad as it’s been made out to be. Trump’s irresponsible behaviour will encourage more of the same, and that will kill still more Americans.

It’s a Crazy Football World

I don’t quite know where to begin here, so I’ll share instead three photos from the opening few games of the 2020/21 Premier League season…

Both halves of Manchester have come in for thrashings at home, whilst reigning champions Liverpool were thrashed by Aston Villa, who struggled to stay in the top flight last season. It’s all rather strange, and there will inevitably be more outrageous results as the season goes by.

As a Liverpool fan, I’m not losing sleep over the Villa game. Among the opponents we dispatched in our first few games – Chelsea and Arsenal. So one freak result isn’t going to leave me panicking that we can’t defend our title. Klopp’s built a strong team and has the presence and ability to extract the best from his squad. I’m not saying we’ll definitely win two titles in a row, but we have a good chance.

Work Work Work…

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be out of furlough and working again, but it seems that I don’t have much time to devote to writing or editing. As I’ve made everyone aware, I published a book earlier this year. I’ve since been editing that book and plan to release a new edition of it, but to make the changes I am making will take time. Finding the time when working full-time is quite tricky. I suppose I could use the time spent on this post editing my book, but after a long day, it’s hard to focus on editing, especially if I’m to do a good job.

Part of the issue is motivation. We’re looking at a total re-write if I am do this particular project justice. I’m not pulling the first edition just yet, but given the advice I’ve received, I’m acutely aware there’s a better version of the story waiting to come out. I want that to happen, and I’m also curious to see how it will change the story – because I can sense that the narrative will shift. It’s impossible for it to remain as it currently is.

When The Awakening 2nd Edition is done, it may not even be called The Awakening anymore. I haven’t delved too deep into title ideas, but we’ll see.

New Neighbours

Over the next few weeks my little suburb will be changing – some neighbours moving on and therefore new faces arriving. We’re quite fortunate – no one is rowdy or difficult in our neck of the woods, though I can’t say I know my neighbours all that well. We did have a lockdown party in the street a few months ago, which was a nice relief from the monotony of it all, but aside from that, we all keep to ourselves and don’t give each other grief. One of out-going neighbours has looked after our cat when we’ve gone away, and their dogs have crept their way into our hearts!

Nights Out

For the first time I’ve had a night out with my work colleagues. It wasn’t anything fancy – a trip to the local Harvester for a chicken burger – but it was about getting to know each other a little more. It was pleasant and relaxing, and here’s hoping we get to do something similar again – as much as I hate to use the word in October, a Christmas do is being planned!

Dreams

I can’t write a Muse and not discuss the curious realm of my subconscious. Lately I’ve had dreams where I was a Formula One driver but racing motorbikes whilst watching a plane land really awkwardly, and then I attended a lavish ball. No, I have no idea why.

To Boldly Go…

It’s no secret that I’m a Star Trek fan and it’s no secret that I enjoy the latest incarnations of the venerable franchise – Star Trek Discovery and Star Trek Picard both rank highly with me. Season Three of Discovery starts in a couple of days, delayed due to the pandemic but finally here! I am very eager to see how Burnham and co will cope in their new environment – though I do have one bone to pick with the producers of Star Trek – Lower Decks, the animated series that premiered recently, has yet to arrive on UK shores. I’ve caught bits and pieces of it and it looks to be a funny-yet-Trek-like show, and I want to see more.