Get it together…

August 24, 2023August 24, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Before I embark on the finale there are some things I need to get off my chest. Of course I am talking And Just Like That (AJLT). This second series is determined to piss us all of. Let’s get into it.

We can start with the open goal that was Lisa’s pregnancy story. They had the perfect opportunity to show an accurate portrayal of abortion. According to stats for the USA, the majority of those seeking abortions are already mothers. Instead of having a real conversation about her needs & options, they chose a brief exchange devoid of anyone actually saying the word abortion. The wrapped it up with the usual tv cop out of her having a miscarriage. Given the current attacks on reproductive rights I think this was a cowardly decision. More than ever we need honest, unashamed representation. A show like AJLT should be a natural place to do that.

On the flip side, I loved Charlotte’s drunken outburst. This highlighted an experience many mothers have. Almost every married Mother I know takes on more of the family labour than her partner. The constant need to be on top of every detail of everyone’s life is exhausting. Charlotte’s frustration was warranted & I am so glad she decided to let them have it. Letting Richard Burton into the room after slamming the door was the icing on the cake. As for Rock & their notebook; I’d have been firmly in the suck it up camp.

Now we come to the bit that got my blood pressure soaring. Che. What the fuck was that? Their stand up was woeful. It wasn’t funny. It wasn’t remotely truthful. It had gross gatekeeping undertones & it was cruel. They enthusiastically pursued Miranda with their eyes wide open. Miranda’s boundaries & needs were repeatedly ignored. Che was happy as Larry until their career & ego took a knock. Their self pitying ‘this is who I am’ rant was epically unlikeable. Who you are is an arsehole. Enjoy.

While we’re on the subject, what the hell was Carrie playing at? Her arse should have been up & out that door seconds in. A real friend would have grabbed Miranda’s hand and taken her home. Further more Che’s dinner invite should have been immediately rescinded. If anyone dared to speak to my friend in that manner, never mind so publicly, they’d be feeling my wrath.

Aidan, Carrie & Miranda are sitting in a dark room with blue lighting.

Carrie did slightly mitigate her ‘mistake’ bullshit when she talked about her marriage with Charlotte’s boss. Man alive, though, she’s getting on my wick. Her relationship with Aidan is exactly what it always was. He continues to passive aggressively let her know she will never be entirely forgiven. His ex pops up to protect him, her beloved apartment has to go and all the while I’m screaming STOP. Obviously trouble was looming and it comes with the worst crying scene I have ever witnessed. Seriously, that was some bad acting. I

Aidan is crying in the front seat of a car.

How will it all end? We know there will be a Samantha cameo. I can only hope she talks some sense into everyone.

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Sweet Little Mystery…

August 21, 2023August 21, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

Regular readers might have noticed the downturn in my long form content. There’s a very simple reason for that, chronic illness.

This year has been one thing after another. The last few months in particular have been gruelling. The problem with having chronic conditions is you often find yourself fire fighting. There are so many symptoms, it is impossible to properly deal with everything. You end up addressing the most problematic at any one time. Plus of course it can be hard to get Drs to really investigate many issues. Often they’ll just chalk up to an already diagnosed illness. Sometimes they’ll try to mitigate that symptom & others you are basically told you’ll have to live with it. I always have questions that aren’t answered. Unfortunately I run out of steam to pursue them. When you are always tired & in pain you must pick your battles.

Of course being fat complicates matters. The first response more is usually something about losing weight or questioning my diet. When I fight against that there will be what I call ‘subterfuge tests’. I’ve had more fasting bloods & cholesterol tests than anyone ever needs. After years of Drs refusing to believe anything I tell them, I find it is easier to just go for the bloods & prove myself right.

The last few months have been relentlessly hard. Pain has been consistently more severe. Digestive tract refuses to behave. I’m fainting daily. I’ve had the worst bout of insomnia of recent years, but even when my body eventually gives into the exhaustion; I awake feeling just as tired. Brain fog has punctured my old articulacy. I struggle for words in everyday conversation. I have lists & notes for every little thing. If it isn’t written down, it will never happen. My skin itches, my head hurts, alarming bunches of hair are falling out, I’m breathless, nauseous & anxious. ALL THE TIME.

I have suspected that something was going for a while. I can’t explain except to say that my body didn’t feel like it belonged to me. These ailments have been breaching my outer limits. So, I had some blood tests that revealed elevated numbers. My Gp wanted to test again a few weeks later to rule out a random blip. They came back slightly higher. A new medical mystery was born.

The high numbers are related to my liver function. There isn’t an obvious reason for my liver to be pissed off. I hardly ever drink alcohol, I don’t eat meat or dairy, no signs of diabetes. It doesn’t make much sense. Possible culprits include my missing gallbladder & bile duct complications, covid & no doubt my weight will become a factor too. I await scans & next steps.

All this to say, I am currently operating on a wing & prayer. And I’m not even religious.

If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.

Big Mistake?

August 15, 2023August 15, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

It’s And Just Like That time again. I’m a week behind for reasons. One of which is all the emotions I had over episode 8. It’s just a tv show, but I feel betrayed.

I already expressed my concerns about Aidan’s return. Well, they continue. The whiny baby still won’t step foot in Carrie’s apartment. So, now Carrie is renting Che’s place. Am I the only one who hearing the masculinity so fragile klaxon?

Pandering aside Carrie is slipping into icky habits. All of sudden her only topic of conversation is Aidan. She’s forgotten about her summer plans with Seema & then just assumes it would cool to bring her boyfriend. It’s not kind. Especially when the Seema wanted to share a beach house to avoid staying with married friends. Carrie knows her friend doesn’t want to be a 3rd wheel, it is shitty to pretend she isn’t creating an uncomfortable dynamic.

Two women wearing hairdressers gowns standing outside under umbrellas

Then of course we have the heartbreaker. A couple of weeks shagging Aidan & she’s wondering if her soulmate was mistake. Fuck Off. Carrie didn’t want to settle down and have Aidan’s kids. She didn’t want to move to Virginia. She absolutely would not be living in a house with free roaming chickens. It’s all fine and dandy to reconnect & find themselves more compatible now. However, denying the reality of their previous relationship is just stupid. She broke out in a rash trying on a wedding dress. Carrie was never going to live happily ever after Aidan. Moreover, dismissing her life with Big is just gross. I have no idea what the writers were thinking. Have the new writers even watched Sex & The City? You don’t spend over a decade crafting an epic love story & expect viewers not to be invested.

I was still fizzing over the conversation with Miranda when Carrie doubled down. Her response to Che wondering why her & Aidan didn’t work out first time round was a twist of the knife. ‘I made a mistake’. What was her error? The affair, not marrying Aidan, choosing her dead husband? It’s vile. Also, who asks that question in those circumstances? They both had other lives, let it lie.

If Carrie wasn’t making sick enough, Charlotte was ready to poke my gag reflex. Her whole shape wear, soup diet story line was a fat phobic yawn. The resolution was worse. She saw a fat woman not hating herself, so now she could accept her objectively slim body. Seriously? Do better. Much better.

I know I care too much, but come on! These characters are flawed enough, let’s not make them impossible to watch. Before I brave the next episode I’m off to deal with real life & gain some perspective!

If you like what I do you can support me here or on Patreon.

Catch the wave…

August 7, 2023August 7, 2023 ~ somethinginthewayshemoves

The summer holidays are an excellent time for adventures. I have been embarking upon a few with my little ones. I wanted to share all the fun and of course my gorgeous attire.

A couple of Fridays ago my sister planned an epic day trip. A 6am start, 400mile round trip taking in seafaring disasters, engineering miracles and some of the softest sand Scotland has to offer.

My nephew is pirate mad, so our first stop was at Corpach Basin to see his very first shipwreck. The winding track down to the beach was too much for me, but the boy absolutely loved it. I had a little chill by the canal while they explored & took lots of pics for me.

A little boy looking at a shipwreck on a beach

Back in the car, we drove through the most incredible scenery. The sun was out in force as we made it Glenfinnan Viadict just in time for the train. Well, we would have been if it hadn’t been cancelled that day. The bridge itself is still spectacular and since none of us give a toss about Harry Potter missing the train wasn’t a big deal. The viewing point was again not possible for me. I did find a nice bench with a perfectly good view whilst the boy & his Mummy ambled up rocky hillsides. If you are planning a visit I’d suggest getting there early. The car park was full and we only got in because of my blue badge.

Then it was time for the main event. A little more driving through green mountains to reach Arisaig and the stunning Camusdarach Beach. My clever sister found this treasure. You have to do a mini trek through some greenery, but oh man is it worth it. Soft golden sand, blue sea and a clear view of Muck & Eigg.

Beautiful pale sand beach with view of islands across water.

We were so lucky to get a warm sunny day. I kept having to remind myself I was still in Scotland. My Sis & her boy played football, tennis, jumped waves & explored sand dunes. I watched from my beach chair & read Private Eye when the disappeared from sight. It was one of those perfect days that make me feel oh so lucky.

A beach day calls for comfort. A beach day in Scotland needs to adapt to whatever weather is thrown at you. Hence, I tried out my brand new playsuit. Soft fabric, loungey fit and pockets. With added bonus of making me look adorable. I packed my handy light weight anorak and hoody just in case, but neither was required.

ly is standing on a beach wearing a black playsuit. She has one hand on her hip and is leaning on a walking stick with the other. — Play Suit – Simply Be

This Friday I stayed closer to home, but had just as much fun. My bestie & I decided to take her brood to Glasgow Science Centre. I’m a big fan of the place, never taken a child who didn’t love it. The science centre is the perfect place to entertain a 5 year old and toddler twins. There’s something for everyone and they especially love being able to touch everything.

We arrived shortly before 12 and stayed until closing. Even after 5 hours no one wanted to leave. Particular favourites were the water play area, captaining a ship & disappearing bodies. It’s an amazing place and getting hands on really helps little minds get to grips with big concepts. It is amazing watching my niblings get excited about experiencing new things. I am so happy to be a part of their adventures.

This week I debuted another newbie. This dress was a gift from my Mum, but I picked it. I love the vibrant green and how good my boobs look. Definitely going to be wearing the hell out of this one.