Real Life is pink

Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve written on here. And the reason for that is pretty simple: that annoying thing called Real Life has gone and got in the way again. With about 6 weeks left until child number two enters the world, it was decreed that my study was finally to be given up and painted pink. Which is why I am currently sat here in the midst of what appears to be a furniture stacking convention and what smells like… well… paint.

I have always known that when CN2 was on its way I would be forced to give up my last bastion of tranquility and sanity and head downstairs into the pseudo-spare room with Harold and Edith. Basically, the baby either got this room or slept in a tent in the back garden. To be honest, I was all for the tent idea – we’ve got thick curtains, which would probably allow for consistently undisturbed nights for her parents – especially if we pitched the tent right in the far corner of the garden in the patch of thorn bushes. However, after a brief discussion (well, it was more of a monologue, really) the missus made it abundantly clear that if anyone was going to sleep outside it was going to be me. 
Consequently, this will be my last post from this room. Of course, you won’t really notice a difference, save maybe for a greater hint of melancholy in my writing or the occasional extra letter here or there when my son gets hold of the keyboard.

I didn’t surrender without a fight, though. Oh no! Sure, overall the paint was a joint decision, but I got the final say. Hence, my wife looked at all those irritating little colour cards that I’d gone out in the rain and picked up from the paint shop and whittled them down to a shortlist of one. Then I got to choose the paint, go out in the rain and buy it and then apply it to the walls. Ha – I think you’ll agree that it’s clear exactly who is the boss in this household!
Anyway, the paint is “Sweet Sundae 5” as Dulux describe it (or “Pink” as most normal people would say). The tin, which confusingly, is actually made of plastic, advertises the product as being “Low Odour”. Ja right! Currently surrounded, as I am, by a plethora of airborne organic polymers, several pixies and a friendly dragon named Steve, I would beg to differ. Presumably the idea is that these errant molecules will have dissipated somewhat by the time any child attempts to sleep in here.

So farewell, my study. We’ve had some good times together. You’ve got the best view in the house (Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak, the sunloungers next to the pool when the wife is in her bikini and I’m supposed to be working). Your acoustics are second to none for listening to Morten Harket, Jared Leto and Jamie Cullum. You are beautifully cool in summer and satisfyingly cosy in winter.
But now you are pink and you smell. And thus, it is time to move on to bigger and better smaller and worse things. Still, I shall remember our time together with a certain wistful fondness and when CN2 is of a suitable age (say, 6 weeks) I shall explain to her just what sacrifices were made in her name.
I know she’ll understand.

16 thoughts on “Real Life is pink

  1. It was my last encounter with that dragon called Steve that made me give up decorating.

    Or was it an encounter with my son of the same name?

    It’s really hard to recall after too much painting…

  2. I know exactly what you mean. I am currently looking at converting the crawl space above my double garage into my “bastion of tranquility and sanity”. Should be large enough for me and the laptop but, alas, no view.

    A boy and a girl… just like ours. 🙂 Good luck!

    DelBoy’s last blog post was: My 15 minutes of fame (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  3. GAIB: I know what you mean. My head is still spinning.

    DelBoy: Girl? What makes you think that? 🙂

    Stan: Correct. 100% correct.

  4. It is all beginning to make sense.

    You have a (legal) substance abuse problem, first Pratleys and now Plascon?

    Pamela’s last blog post was: Sunday night! (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  5. Aah what a pity the loss of a room is – while of course being an excellent thing to have done.

    Just think – in 18-21 years you’ll have your study back again and you can wall all that horrible pink away behind good oak panels.

    Rob’s last blog post was: Aah prison. The hard life. (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  6. @Pamela: Yes I do. Your point?

    @Rob: You say it like I had a choice. Hmm. Maybe I should start saving for the oak now…

  7. Hey, your new study is probably bigger than your old one (just) and is Oatmeal in colour. Bigger desk too. Not a bad swop. Also closer to the football on TV….

    I think you got a great deal.

    OK OK – you do have to share the room with Winnie, Saur, Neil, George, Black bike, the mini trampoline and a “few” more of CN1’s toys.

  8. I have given up blogging from strange places and rooms. The connection is bad and is frustrating. Good luck to you! Hope the new setting is inducive to creative blatting.

    Emil’s last blog post was: Getting Distance (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  9. Aaaawww… pretty in pink! You may be grumbling now, but I’ll bet CN2 will steal your heart, and you’ll be smitten!

    I’m jealous about the view – I have the two bridges crossing over the Severn instead. Ah well, at least I’m not battling with the wind and the rain, as is the usual weather for CT at this time of year!! 😛

    Helga Hansen’s last blog post was: Go Phish (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  10. @6000’s better half: Yes dear.

    @Emil – I checked for connectivity before I was forced into the move. Er.. I mean chose to move.

    @Helga – Hope you’re above flood level though. And actually, the weather was beautiful today. Just don’t ask about the next 5 days. 🙁

  11. Oh, we’re definitely above flood level!! We command an excellent view of the bridges, thanks to the fact we live on a hill, and all roads out of my village go downhill, which makes bike riding hell on the calves!! There are those less fortunate who live further upstream, around Gloucester way. But then who are the idiots who give the nod for building houses on flood plains?? I’m willing to bet those same idiots don’t actually live on said plains themselves!!

    As for CT weather – lol, it’s at times like this I bet you feel right at home! 😉

    Helga Hansen’s last blog post was: What A Load Of Rubbish! (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  12. Doing your own painting. How novel. There are people to do that sort of thing. If yit was pixies and friendly dragons you were after, let me know. I know a guy who knows a guy.

  13. I’m sure she’s going to understand.

    In fact, as a daughter myself i can tell you, for these small things you do… she will forever look at you as her hero, the strongest smartest man she knows, she’ll look after you, worry about you… and hope to marry a man like you.

    JHBPRINCESS’s last blog post was: Blogging in my pants (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

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