There's a perception doing the rounds out there that the challenge can leave you unhinged. You hang out with all these fellow bloggers for 26 days and when it's all over you are like the old guy in Shawshank Redemption who is so institutionalized once he comes out of jail he hangs himself from the bedroom of his seedy digs.
I don't hold with the unhinged notion at all. Just yesterday I was taking my pet snail Cedric down to the snail race meet, when some of the punters started asking me how I was coping post challenge. One of them proceeded to tell me Cedric was actually a slug. I told him he was a snail but his shell had been pulled off by an over zealous child. More racers crowded in, gibbering at me and holding their mollusks in my face. They proceeded to inform me under the General Snail Racing Code (Subsection 11a) a shell is an important prerequisite to racing and to be divested of the aforementioned shell is to be given an unfair advantage. The fight that ensued was most unpleasant and ended with Cedric being snatched by a Frenchman.
Other than the unfortunate scene at the snail race, I have been suffering the ill effects of a cold this week. My boss seems to be a germaphobe so every time I see him I growl in a low voice, get my nostrils to twitch, splutter and make jokes about why it was prudent to wear a green pullover. I am pleased to say I have been left to my own devices for much of the week.
I think I got off topic which was did the challenge leave me deranged? I believe not but can only question whether the advent of the Tungsten Carbide drill is responsible for the ongoing upheaval in the Middle East. Poncing off with your fancy friends in Barnsley indeed...
In other news I am wondering if Sue has finished the challenge yet and how come the A-Z police didn't apprehend her and march her down to Blogging Room 101 for a meeting with a hungry little rodent. Here's to hoping your post A to Z existence is better than mine.
Glad to know you're not deranged (I think). Life post A-Z certainly needs a bit of getting used to.
ReplyDeletehmm dunno Dee - I was on the threshold back there..
DeleteSee this is exactly why A-Z fell flat w/ me this year. The whole perception of the 'A-Z Police', of which I was apparently a member, as a helper to the hosts. I saw a lot of snarky comments in posts about 'I know I've missed a couple of days, hope they don't kick me off'. I won't be participating next year.
ReplyDeleteOh wow JoJo - how did you get roped in for that? I was sorta joking; didn't know they were sooo strict.
DeleteI hope you recover soon. I enjoyed your posts, David. CONGRATULATIONS on finishing the challenge. I know it's not easy. That's why I haven't done it in three years. Then again, I can say that about some other things. But this is supposed to be about you. So, you did great work with interesting and amusing animal posts. Now get some well deserved rest.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
lol Robyn - now what would that be?? Aw thanks. Enjoyed it really :)
DeleteOh dear. Poor Cedric!! Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon. Have a good weekend! :D
mmm thanks Daisy - it was a stinker
DeleteYou sound like you came out of the challenge completely unscathed! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes Patricia. Am as unscathed as a big unscathed thing - sorta
DeleteI'm impressed by your stamina in completing the challenge, David, and also pleased that it doesn't seem to have affected your state of mind too much. A bit like someone who watches a marathon and thinks "Next year, I'm going to have a crack at that" I am now pondering the wisdom of having a go at the challenge next April. Plenty of time to prepare, right?
ReplyDeleteExcellent Mark - well this was the third year and it was become easier. But not as easy as I always think it's going to be.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you came out of that crazy month unscathed. ;) It was a lot of fun though and your posts were always funny so if that left you a little off in the head, it was well worth it. We all need a little funny in our day.
ReplyDeletewell Jean did want to keep it lighthearted eh. Glad I succeeded :)
ReplyDelete