Another mad busy week here at CS HQ with a to-do list as long as your arm, feeling slightly overwhelmed most days to straight out frazzled!
So since we last got together, in case you missed the last post, I’m going to be performing on a Triple-Bill at the Brighton Fringe Festival! So I’ve been working on a set that I’m now refining for stage.
It’s been well over a year due to COVID restrictions that I’ve performed live and yes I’m extremely nervous. However, I’m very much looking forward to this experience and a little anxiety is a good motivator sometimes.
I’m back at Uni too, so my head is buried in reading and assignments for the next 2 years.
I also launched the Podcast finally! You can listen here: Intro Episode
While this is going on, I’m still working on Online Learning HQ and it’s impending launch.
Join me for a Virtual Coffee Date on Sunday morning where I’ll go into more detail about this.
Prioritising is hard when there’s so much to say and do, isn’t it?
Mmm, nothing hits the spot like the first gulp of coffee in the morning.
Hope you all had a great week! So what have you been up to? Please do share with me here
Been a very strange week, weather-wise. Since I had my son, I’ve not been able to stand wearing things like turtle-neck sweaters. Used to love them! Now, I feel like I’m being strangled if I wear anything like that around my neck. Weird, eh? Quite hardy to the cold however I’m cold!
The sudden realisation that I’m getting old is depressing.
Back to school for everyone last week, some sense of normality is returning and I’m seeing more events planned, more people out and more road traffic. Which means more assholes out and about.
Your car is equipped with an indicator light as standard. Yes YOUR car too. I’m not psychic, shouldn’t have to play “guess which way the dickhead is going”.
I have really missed kiddo, yet it wasn’t as grim as I suspected. Because I have been thankfully distracted by many resources available, such as masterclasses and webinars. In fact this coming week, I’m double booked all week on two free training workshops! Luckily one is recorded so I can access it after I’m done with the other.
These are specific to Online Learning HQ so I can ensure its success as we’re nearing the launch of our first digital course.
Smashing my way through every resource available right now as from May, I’ll be even busier with University. Going back as a postgraduate, working towards a Master’s Degree.
Why do I do this to myself?
In terms of Comedy, it’s too soon to say yes I’m going back on stage because venues still haven’t fully re-opened. I’m seeing people booking nights, selling tickets, advertising their gigs and yeah it’s great, but: not while there’s a pandemic.
The amount of work that they’ve done to get that gig ready would be wasted if for any reason we’re plunged back into another National Lockdown.
Of course, I understand their desire to perform! Their passion and enthusiasm? Yeah totally get that, as I’m the same! But: to a point, regarding comedy. I’m not in a rush to perform in a venue full of strangers after we’ve been told for over a year to stay home away from everyone.
My ego just isn’t big enough to want to put anyone at risk.
I’d hate the disappointment of having to reschedule all over again.
So now, I’m concentrating on CSHQ as a whole, via this website and building the online learning branch.
Join me again next week for a virtual coffee date!
Back on the 3 in 1’s just for convenience… I ain’t judging you!
Since the last coffee together, we had the Easter Break, some of Europe went back into Lockdown as the U.K. is starting to come out of it.
There’s been a couple of high profile and celebrity deaths, it’s also snowed here for the first time in April since 1984! I remember the day well as I was going to hospital to have my tonsils removed.
I will address the Sarah Everard story eventually. I’m still processing it and the aftershocks it has caused. Every time I try to finish my drafted thoughts on it, I just can’t finish it because you can’t finish a story like that. How do you just write ‘The End’ to such a tragic story? I’ll figure it out no doubt, just not right now. However, please do get in touch if you feel you’ve something to add or just want to vent your thoughts.
Lu Williams, Virtual Coffee Date #1
Schools reopen tomorrow and boy, will I miss my child terribly. Many people are so happy for their kids to return having gone stir-crazy yet my son really is my best mate so I’m going to really feel his absence.
It does feel strange, venturing back to some semblance of normalcy after a year of restrictions. And if I’m really honest, I’m not looking forward to it. I noticed my local shop getting busier and people not keeping 2 metres away in the queue and it unsettles me. I realise just how much I dislike anyone in my personal space, now and it can be quite anxiety-inducing.
Having already been through such an emotional rollercoaster of a time, I’m taking stock just how much my mental health has been tested.
On the plus side, I live in the hope that soon my wingman and I can travel again. I’d love to know your holiday plans, so please do tell me in the comments!
Join me again next week for a virtual coffee date!
It is a little uncomfortable when it has been neglected, as I collect what I can into a McDonald’s paper bag destined for the bin. The seatbelt restricts me no matter what height level it is set at and I notice it’s always worse when the weather is warmer. The gentle breeze slips in through the window as I wait, engine off in the car park. Ooh peace.
As I wait enjoying the silence before the schoolyard screams as the concrete block releases its people, before the stereotypical dad comes swerving in, in his souped-up tinpot of a car that’s unnecessary to rev as much when he lives within walking distance of the school. As I wait for his glare which I meet confidently every day until he looks down defeated again. I laugh inwardly, remembering the only time he mouths off is when he drives away. Ooh big man.
The field surrounding the greying concrete block pops its greenery, birds flocking looking for worms or dropped crusts from packed lunches. The gauge reads 17 Degrees Celsius yet it feels warmer. Ooh it’s hot.
We texted earlier, I know how his day went up until lunchtime. I’m nervous now, silently praying nothing happened in the last hour.
The heavy black metal doors swing open and out pour the uniformed souls of varying ages, heights, genders, races, creeds. Some race to their parent’s cars with big smiles, some skulk off to the bus stop. Some just mill around looking lost while others play fight and chase each other. Ooh banter.
The minutes pass by, where is he?
We’re all looking for our kids, but what do we really see? Do other parents feel the pang of nostalgia at their bygone schooldays? Do they look at other parents in silent judgement? Does anyone notice the irony in a big girl calling an even bigger girl “a fat bitch” for no apparent reason? Why doesn’t anyone call out that sly little sod tripping people over? Am I parallel parked in a parallel universe here ? Ooh it makes me mad!
And then, I see him. His eyes meet mine over his mask through my windshield. I see him. Tall, smart, purposeful in his stride. Wary of crossing moving cars to get to me. His discreet wave. He opens the passenger door, greets me cheerfully and puts his bag in the footwell. I greet him back and we hug in the car. I don’t want to let him go but I can’t sit there all night. He fills me in on the blanks of his day, as people drive off towards home for the evening. Ooh what’s for dinner?
Course, I haven’t seen them… I was too focused on him. It’s only evident it people left as we are the last car in the car park.
Many years ago, when I first got into writing online I had a very short stint as a contributor here
As I’d just became a mum at the time I had to stop as I just couldn’t commit to the extra writing I needed to do, however I found the articles I’d written and while they appear to be more recent, I know they are over 12 years old!
It’s incredible to search up and still find my articles even though it was a little harder as they were published under the completely wrong pen name 🤦🏻♀️ 😂
I’m still incredibly grateful to site author Paolo Nascimbeni for the opportunity to write for a professional and thriving online magazine and for keeping my articles on the site after all this time.
If you’re heading to the Campania region of Italy check this post out for a beautiful historical landmark you can visit:
A good chunk of my day is taken up by the morning routines of tidying up, sorting out the pets, school runs then the evening routines of cooking, cleaning and chilling with child
Then of course I’m developing my Consulting business and services.
Got the usual family and friend stuff going on so yes I’m active on Social Media too, catching up with people, engaging in groups and following my favourite content
As mentioned on my At Home with Lu page, there are a few things I’ve “bought” into that have helped me personally in various ways.
These “treats” have improved my image, confidence, well-being, creativity levels and have saved me money all while contributing to various causes, such as mental health and the environment.
Firstly, did you stumble across this while browsing online? Do you want to blog? If you don’t have a WordPress account yet, click here to get started.
Want to earn some extra pennies just for answering a few questions? click here
Here are some of my favourites!
For those needing to focus: stay focused with me and let’s turn out focused time into adorable trees! Download Forest using the link below and enter 3WKYMPSSG
Imagine you decide to donate £7.50 per month to a worthwhile cause; now imagine as a token of gratitude and commitment to helping everyone, you’re sent a chance to take a moment to pause…
According to the charity MIND, every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. Does that one in four get the support and respect they deserve? Well maybe a monthly donation will help ensure no one has to face a mental health problem alone. For more information, click the link below:
Unless you’ve been living in a cave since November 2019, globally we have all been restricted in one way or another. As an avid wanderluster always looking for something ‘different’ I share with you my referral link should you be looking to have a stay/vacation somewhere:
Sticking with money for anyone looking into Cryptocurrency: now there is so much information when it comes to Cryptocurrency however in doing my own research, I’ve found Wirex to cover all my crypto needs in one place.
For creatives and stationery lovers: I found these subscription box services which send monthly boxes created in collaboration with guest artists containing exclusive items. Not only does that put the artist in the spotlight, for every 4 boxes sold, a tree is planted as part of the Tree Aid initiative!
For those who want to help their community and minimise food waste: As a Volunteer Digital Ambassador for Olio, of course I have to mention their app, where you can safely share food, essential household items and more with your neighbours, all for free! Interested? Click the link below:
For those who want a pamper or beauty treat: my not-so-little sister referred me to Glossybox as she thought her big sister could use a “pick me up”
I actually felt guilty initially for trying it out which in itself just showed how much of a “pick me up” I really needed. So I’m paying it forward with my referral link below:
