The Adventure of the Island Escape

It was the middle of the night and a piercing scream echoed around the house. I jumped awake and it took me a few seconds to process what was happening. I then realised I'd had a nightmare and managed to wake everyone in the house.

Was this some dream triggered by current events? Well, no. From what I can remember I dreamt I was hiding from my mother in a local bush (no idea why) when I suddenly realised there was a mysterious something already lurking in the bush, hence the screaming.


My sleeping pattern has been somewhat disturbed thanks to a lack of mental stimulation- I may be physically tired and I feel I've been exercising enough but my brain has not been too busy. Too much screen time during the day is probably not helping either.

Other than this though, I'm finding I'm actually quite enjoying lockdown. I read this article this week which discusses how some people with anxiety are finding life easier at the moment and I realised I related to it a lot. There are lots of reasons out forward for this. One that I related to is that I'm very much used to shutting out the world and keeping to myself. It's not healthy normally but right now it's actually quite helpful.

There's also the lack of things to make me anxious. I don't have to worry about challenging things at work. I don't need to rush through my morning routine so I can sit in the traffic of the daily commute. I don't have to worry about social engagements. Hell, I don't even have to worry about trimming my beard so it's reached an unprecedented length for me. Whilst I wouldn't choose to be in this situation and certainly would't want this to be my life for the long-term, it's actually hugely good for me in the short-term.

One activity that's been helping to fill the time is playing the new Animal Crossing game. I played an older version many years ago quite a lot and I can remember taking my DS into school along with several friends- we'd link-up and go and visit each other's islands. I had seen that a new version for Nintendo Switch was being released but I hadn't intended to download it but along came lockdown and suddenly it seemed like a good idea.

For those who don't know, Animal Crossing sees you move to a tropical island and be in debt to the raccoon tycoon that is Tom Nook. There's not really an objective as such, you simply go around the island collecting things to gradually build up a community on the island. It's utterly pointless yet somehow addictive. There's something nice about turning up each day to see what the latest thing is, be that the arrival of a new neighbour or a literal Easter bunny that has inexplicably made eggs grow on trees. It's also really relaxing just to wander around doing a spot of fishing or catching bugs.

Here I am about to take a flight with Dodo Airlines
My neighbours and I celebrate the opening of the new shop
An impossibly large fish I caught with my tiny fishing rod
At any other time Animal Crossing would be a colossal waste of time but lockdown means wasting time has suddenly become quite important.

I've also been watching a film every day and have now completed my scratch-off poster which is about as close as I've come to achieving anything worthwhile for a few weeks. My next film project is to watch all the Best Picture Oscar winners that I've not yet seen which should take some time.


That's it from me for another week but I will be back next week with something or other. Happy Easter, and I hope you stay well and stay at home.

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