Monday 13th November 2017

So just what I didn’t need… the car has started playing up.
I went to training tonight and getting into the car afterwards I noticed that the engine management light was on and the car was juddering when accelerating.    Seeing as I only just got the car serviced it was unlikely to be air filters but I did wonder if it could be a blocked fuel injector.  However, normally a good rev will clear that, at least for a time even if the fuel is dirty.  But no… it didn’t work which means it probably needs to go to the garage.
I really could do without this, this month.  The last few months have been expensive and I probably need to tighten my belt a little.  It didn’t help buying my Montante… but  I still don’t regret it.
I could also do without the stress.  Life is going generally well but I do feel a little overwhelmed right now.  I need to cut back on a few tasks.  What with tournaments, book edits, blog posts, the climb and school dues to do, I’m starting to feel a bit burnt out.  I’m already saying that I can’t wait for the Wessex League to be over.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy it… it’s just I feel like I’m constantly preparing for yet another competition.
Obviously, if you said to me, “well don’t do it,”  I would disagree.  Which for me is a sign of being a little burnt out and not fed up.
I know a lot of elite fighters say they feel like they can’t be bothered with fighting the week after a major competition.  I think the hype and mental concentration means that we burn through a shit-tonne of adrenaline and feel run down as a result.
Only today am I starting to feel a bit normal.  I still don’t feel I’m fully sleeping, but I’m waking up feeling less tired.  Of course, I have another competition this weekend so I’ll get to feel it all again next week.  I feel this constant exhaustion is what’s driving my malaise.
But the added stress about the car has got me worried about what I do if it’s something serious and expensive.  I suppose missing Bucklerthon on Saturday wouldn’t be the worst thing – it’s not fighting with my core weapon – and given my leg still hurts to walk on after the beating it got at Wessex Reading, I could do without any additional bruises.
I’m just thankful that I don’t have many expensive Xmas purchases to make this year.
Secretly I hope that I could get a deal before Xmas but that’s looking unlikely.  And after all, that deal is not supposed to bankroll a few expensive months but buy me my island 😉
So I’m left very much feeling like I need a bit of a break:  a break from swordfighting, a break from the mountain of tasks.  Heck, I know I’ve been away twice in the last month or so… but I really could do with a holiday.  Except that would cost money that I don’t have, and if I did, would be going on the car repairs.
If you want to follow more of my journey, then be sure to check me on my social channels.  Likewise, if you’d like me to expand on any point mentioned above, please say so in the comments.

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