This is the penultimate post in this series, the second to last nurturing activity, and I’m trying to work out whether I think it’s gone quickly or not. And I don’t just mean trotting out the usual ‘ooh well I just don’t know where this year’s gone to’ phrase, I mean has it actually goneContinue reading “My 40th year – March (month #11)”
Author Archives: Paps
Covid Culture
‘I’ve got wine, is that OK?’ Katie asks me, holding a glass of red up to the screen. I laugh. ‘Of course!’ She laughs too, and I think how different the start of this interview is to the previous one, where she started crying before she’d hardly said a word. ‘So I’m in a uniqueContinue reading “Covid Culture”
Project Ruth
‘Is this when you want a really horrible camera angle?’ Ruth laughs, looking down into the camera that shows her face and a beamed ceiling. She’s in the same kitchen as she was for our first interview, and yet again I picture her little country cottage nestled in a picture perfect Cotswold village, surrounded byContinue reading “Project Ruth”
Greenpeace and gourmet takeaways
‘My gosh, that is such an interesting question,’ Abi says, when I ask her how the last 18 months has been. ‘Weird. My life has never been how I planned but this, well, this is super weird.’ It’s November 2021, and Abi’s in a prolonged lockdown in Auckland. ‘It started just after my 40th birthday,Continue reading “Greenpeace and gourmet takeaways”
Introspective action
‘WOW. So.’ Martin looks thoughtful, a small smile creeping onto his face. ‘Yeah. A lot’s changed.’ He pauses. ‘When we spoke last time, in May 2020, I was still living in my house, I was still married, I was working from home, it was sunny, and everything Covid related was a novelty.’ Fast forward toContinue reading “Introspective action”
Loss, life and muddy shoes
How’s the last 18 months been for you Dylan? ‘Shit.’ He laughs, then I laugh, but it tails off. ‘Yeah, it has been a bit crap.’ he says. ‘My best mate went into hospital with a surprise liver transplant. So that was November all through to about March, with her recuperation, and in February myContinue reading “Loss, life and muddy shoes”
My 40th year – February (month #10)
February was all about time with the girls; I spent a lot of time with my friends this month. Not particularly planned, per se, it’s just how it ended up and it’s done wonders for me. Last winter me, Emma, B and Sarah booked our spots for the Kepler Track over Waitangi weekend and promptlyContinue reading “My 40th year – February (month #10)”
Residence Relief
Holy shit. Holy shit. Holy shit. I stared at the email. Your application for a 2021 Resident Visa has been approved. Holy shit. ARRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH. My insides flipped. I looked again, just to be sure. Really? I’d been waiting so long for this I wasn’t quite sure it was real. Oh but it was. I’m nowContinue reading “Residence Relief”
My 40th year – January (month #9)
January was pretty hectic, and given I was away for half of it, I was wondering what activity I could do to nurture and support myself this month. Time ran away with me in the end, and I didn’t really do anything specific. But, I did move house which turned out to have way moreContinue reading “My 40th year – January (month #9)”
The Paps Life 