2024 Week 33: Belated Update

I forgot to write last week before going overseas.

Quite a few things had been weighing on my mind all of last week. I've already written about one of them, which is Pets Hideout being in stasis due to regulations. Now there's nothing wrong with the status quo if you're just looking for "passive income". But it's not enough for me because I seek new challenges and growth. Take that away and the project ceases to be fun. 

After that I was banking on the book publishing project as my next raison d'etre. I really enjoyed sifting through the massive pool of copy and picking out the best pieces, and I would have loved to cohere them into a "Best of" book, but after meeting the editor I learnt that was not what she had in mind. Instead, she was looking at mainly interview-type content with just a couple of pieces to beef up the sections. So apart from perhaps the odd bit of research, it seemed like the bulk of my contribution is over. 

I have a separate opportunity to lay out some e-books, which I don't mind doing, but I know it would not scratch the itch I have. Which makes me think, is there something wrong with my desires/expectations?

God knows life would be much easier if I could be content with the bounty I undeservingly receive: lots of free time, a few respectable gigs, a bit of spending money. I wish that I could be satisfied with spending that money and time on books, shopping, cafes, holidays. But I've tried, and I just don't get very much out of the consumption cycle. So unfortunately I am stuck deriving happiness from solving problems and analysing information, which, well... sounds like work.

Ugh. Spent 3 years trying to find a life outside of work, but all roads still lead to work. Failure?

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MON: first book publishing meeting & a lot of life advice/food for thought from Braema (her first words for me were: "I read your CV... and sorry, but you seem lost.") T_T

TUE: bring Miaou to the vet to get his nose looked at. Did some blood tests and learnt he has hyperthyroidism, possible heart disease & high blood pressure. Gosh. Wondering if the past paralysis episodes were Feline Arterial Thromboembolism... but if so, he recovered from them super quickly.

WED: went for interview at gym/yoga studio, turned down immediately because it's unsocial hours. Collected Jill, changed SGD to VND, did yoga

THU: JB outing with dad to eat durians and buy mooncakes and other crap. For durians, we learnt there is no point going beyond KSL really. Enjoyed the day out.

FRI: gym, then "WFHDL" i.e. Work From Hai Di Lao with Jon. Surprisingly conducive place to work, and we weren't the only ones with laptops lol.

SAT: chores before leaving home and mooncake tea time at Fulton.

Sunday to Wednesday I was in Hoi An and I'll write that up separately.