Dalia Sofer - The Septembers of Shiraz

With my new spare time I am going to read some books. I am extra motivated as I have just finished a beautiful novel, and I feel that I have rediscovered the wonder of literature.

The Septembers of Shiraz is about a Jewish family who live in Iran at the time of the revolution. It is simply written. Easily accessible I would say, but rich and vivid all the same. I really feel like I have been on a journey with the family. They keep popping into my head as I go about my daily business. I was reminded of the revolution in Iran. Not that I forgot about it; it just seemed like a historical event that happened, ended, and I suppose my disaffected brain just passively accepted it. A consequentless occurrence.

The book has made the revolution seem incredibly human and close to me. I remember now that it was brought about by people, it was wanted, and that it changed Iran massively for the whole population. Particularly when many of them realised that the change was not what they had expected.

I feel very small and insignificant when I think of all the historical events that have taken place and changed the world into what it is today.

Time Wast ed/ing

I have too much time on my hands. I can feel my productivity slipping away from me, my brain is slowing down, sleep seems so appealing all of a sudden. Maybe I will spend the next four months just catching up on my sleep; getting my mind and body prepared for the turmoil of employment.

I have spent the last year dreaming about this moment, that my current occupation would stop, and now that it has occurred, I am suddenly panicked by the expanse of time that has just opened out in front of me. Punctuated only by opportunities to spend money that I have not got.

The guilt of time wasting is starting to set in, creeping up from my toes, this sinister lethargy is going to eat me up. Less that 48 hours after commencing my break, I want to go to work!!!!!!!