Week 17/2025: A week off

Week of 21 April 2025

This year Anzac Day fell in the same week as Easter.

A lovely week off

I was one of those fortunate people who was in a position to take annual leave on Wednesday and Thursday to give me a ten-day break between Easter Friday and the Sunday after Anzac Day.

In past years I might have decided to go into work because it would be quiet, giving me space to get a lot done.

But the work would still be there. And opportunities for long breaks are rare, so I put myself first.

It was a good decision.

I wrote, I made photos and I explored the city.

It was a good week.

Until . . .

. . . I hurt my back bending down to pick up my water bottle on Saturday morning. That’s really messed me up.

Summary of the week

Habit tracker

• Go outside & exercise first thing (7 days): 5/7
• 15 minutes morning exercise sequence (7 days): 6/7
• Hip exercises (5 days): 5/5
• 2 walks or bike rides or a combination (6 days): 7/6
• Long walk (1 day): 0/1
• Walk 8,000 steps (7 days): 7/7
• 9.00 shutdown & dim lights (7 days): 7/7
• Evening routine (7 days): 7/7

And some new habits

• Fill my water bottle in the morning (7 days): 7/7
• Carry a notebook with me when I walk (7 days): 7/7
• Mid-day journalling (7 days): 3/7

What did I learn this week?

The word ‘rhythm’ is derived from rhythmos (Greek), which means ‘measured motion’.

For two-syllable rhythm, there can be rising rhythm (iambic)—Da-DUM Da-DUM Da-DUM (the cat sat on the mat)—and falling rhythm (trochaic)—DA-dum DA-dum DA-dum (Jack and Jill went up the hill.)

There’s also spondee, which is where both syllables are stressed. DA-DA. I don’t think that’s very common. The word ‘brainstorm’ is an example.

There’s more, and we don’t need to go there.

What did I notice this week?

Construction House (with the giant rubber plant) in Bathurst Street has been renamed Max Angus House. (Here’s some information about it from 20th Century architectural photographer Thomas Ryan.)

When? (A few weeks ago, I’m informed.)

Max Angus was the artist who made the mosaic on the building.

It looks different. Have they cleaned it?

What was the best thing this week?

Having a week off work.

What am I reading this week?

• Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

What am I watching this week?

• Resident Alien
• Doctor Who ‘Castrovalva’
• Doctor Who ‘The Well’

What am I listening to this week?

• 90s workout and party playlists on Spotify
• Mikelangelo The Lost Recordings