Shorter posts, links, or thoughts. No schedule, not heavily considered.
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My Shadow
You do not know me. I do not know all of me. What you read here is not me. It is a small part, a feather plucked from my plummage. Sometimes it is shiny and bright, the dazzling blue shimmering in the sun. Sometimes it is dull and brown, a soft down of comfort. Occasionally…
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Honesty and trust
One thing that has continued to take me by surprise, despite the overwhelming evidence that suggests it shouldn’t, is how many benefits there are to being open and honest in your relationships, building a trust that makes so many other aspects of the relationship so much easier. What that really means is being honest with…
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A box of valentine
Whilst it may be Chaucer that popularised the notion of romantic love being celebrated today, it seems that social expectation has taken hold and placed us all at the behest and behemothic budgets of a massive industry. Cards to buy, chocolates to order, flowers to be delivered, candlelit dinners to be enjoyed, discrete Ann Summers…
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No Excuses
It’s too easy for me to avoid and put off things I know I should do. I’m not sure why that is, why my willpower diminishes at odd points of the day and with little to no warning. Some days I’m buzzed up and feeling good and getting things done, which in turn helps me…
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Daily Personal Bandwidth
How much energy should I expend on what? How much is my time worth? With finite resources available these are questions I find myself far more aware of these days, both in my personal and professional lives. An example: I’ve recently been having issues with my internet connection at home. Sky are my internet provider and…
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On Dating and Poly
Poly Means Many: There are many aspects of polyamory. Each month, the PMM bloggers will write about their views on one of them. Links to all posts can be found at www.polymeansmany.com. One advantage of being non-monogamous is that you can go on dates even if you already have a partner or two, how great…
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My Mac Apps
Someone I know is getting a MacBook Air tonight and as I was pulling together a list of ‘suggested apps’ for her I realised it’s been a while since I posted about what I use so I thought I’d just share it all with you. I know, I know, you can thank me later… Admittedly…
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Less is less
I remember when I moved into my current home. I was recently divorced and starting over, so I only had a few items of furniture and a few boxes of possessions, most of which was bound for kitchen cupboards or wardrobes. I’m never been a sentimental hoarder; we moved around a lot and got pretty…
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Snow joke
Last night we had some snow. Chaos is the word that sprang to mind. A couple of hours of heavy snowfall turned Glasgow to virtual gridlock. From an appointment in the city centre (more on that later) it took me almost 1hr 40mins to get home, for a journey that would normally take 20mins tops.…
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Bandwidth
Bandwidth How much energy should I put into a problem? How much is my time worth? Sky are my internet provider. They’ve been ok aside from some quirks when I switched over (top tip: Sky routers really don’t like it when you change the SSID) but occasionally I get a little drop out here and…
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Resolutions in the poly world
Poly Means Many: There are many aspects of polyamory. Each month, the PMM bloggers will write about their views on one of them. Links to all posts can be found at www.polymeansmany.com. Over the last few years I’ve shied away from making any New Year resolutions. However the fact remains that as the calendar year ticks…
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Wandering
A photo posted by Gordon McLean (@gmclean) on Jan 1, 2015 at 3:31am PST A crisp winter morning, low sun, blue skies and an iPhone 6 for a camera. I wandered for a couple of hours, about 6.5 miles all in, pausing for a couple of cups of coffee here and there. It was aimless…
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2015: A year for failing
Resolutions get some flack. I understand, after all why does an arbitrary date mean that it’s time for change? Thing is, sometimes people need something to latch on to, a hook to hang their hopes on. Maybe that’s all New Year is, a placeholder, a line in the sand, a marker round which to base…
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2014: A short review
[insert cliche about how quickly the year has gone] [time flies like a banana quote and reference]* I started the year running. I ended it with ITB and being told not to run. I need to stop setting goals that might fail, they don’t do me any good. I took a short online course on…
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Make your own
Originally written and posted on Uborka. ‘Ssshhhhhhh, you’ll wake mum and Dad’ My sister was born when I was 7 and a half years old – back then that half was very important – so as her big brother it was my duty to induct her in the ways of Christmas. By then I…
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Keeping busy
Keeping busy The last few weeks at work were a bit manic, somewhat stressful, and long. Oh so long. I struggle to switch off at times like these but, as I’ve mentioned before, it does mean that I drop into a mindset that keeps me busy busy busy. I finished up for the holidays on…
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One to revisit
It’s a quick cycle when the ills hit. Tiredness reigns, my emotional capacity drops and I do my best to keep as much back for myself and for the people that are important to me, but work drains me more than I like. Even realising this I dragged into futile discussions and arguments. Maybe next…
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Christmas is coming
Poly Means Many: There are many aspects of polyamory. Each month, the PMM bloggers will write about their views on one of them. Links to all posts can be found at www.polymeansmany.com. The end of the year is approaching and so once again those of us in non-monogamous relationships start to look at our shared calendars…
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The other man
Sitting at the window, I first saw him as he walked past. A young man wearing the air of success and confidence matched by his well fitted dark suit, crisp white shirt and black tie, he paused to check the menu then walked in and sat down. He’s still there now, no more than 6…
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Pausing to give thanks
Thanksgiving is a big deal in America; what started out as a way to mark a good harvest has turned into a celebration of the good things people are thankful for. Thanksgiving isn’t, historically, exclusively American, and I do like the aspect of it that asks you to pause and take stock of the good…