Adam’s Weekly Blog: Touching Base

Howdy there guys, gals and non-binary pals, and thanks for tuning into another weekly blog.

I’m gonna run out of witty openings to these things someday soon I swear…

It was the first frost of the year today and all I have to say is- “Ew”. Adam doesn’t do cold. I think I’m large enough and hairy enough to count as some species of bear, so can I hibernate through this? Not only did I have to wear multiple layers, meaning I was smelling pretty ripe by the time I got to the office from my walk this morning, icy patches on the pavement threatened to Ariel Versace me onto the concrete, and have all the school kids waiting for the bus laugh at me, like some twisted, wintery version of that one scene in Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Still, I’m here, and I’m jazzed.

I figured that the last few blogs have been opinion pieces, and trying to make y’all laugh, so I think this week I’ll give you all a few updates on what About the Town has been up to, as we approach our two year anniversary (I know I’ve only been here four months but still I’m excited).

Last week was the grand launch of our Winter Issue! A record breaking forty pages of festive, and mental health based delight. I’ve contributed to around fourteen of the articles in this mag so I’m feeling pretty pleased with what I’ve contributed this go around. My LGBT+ article and my Lonely This Christmas article are pretty close to my heart, content wise, and I’m so excited to share them with everyone (though it means I’m probably going to have to come out to my elderly relatives, who like to read my work, but that’s weekend Adam’s problem). Plus, with the interactive online launch, you can see yours truly interview Colin from Nutra Kombucha in my first proper journalistic interview, which felt like a pretty big deal at the time. It was great to meet Colin and Margaret and see the kombucha brewery, though I still have yet to try some. What can I say; Lucozade and Lime Pepsi Max got me good? The Winter Issue may only be the second magazine I’ve contributed to, but it marks quite the achievement in my life, as I feel like I’m doing something really great for the people of Skelmersdale and for all the bases we touch with our mental health and wellbeing articles this time around. I celebrated the launch by… playing Pokémon all weekend. Literally all weekend… It’s really good okay don’t judge me!

You might have seen in the magazine, and if you read our newsletters (which you totally should by the way- I’m the one who writes them) that About the Town has some upcoming plans and events. We’re planning a mental health drop in day with Dovewell for January, where you can learn CPR, and enjoy guest speakers and comedians, and socials for young LGBT+ people to come along to, to meet likeminded people, get advice and feel safe and learn about themselves. That, alongside the book club, means that we’re going to be quite the busy bees going into this year… Of course we have our Network Events still, our next one being this Thursday!

Speaking of Office, we’re in a new one. It’s a much easier walk than our previous location, so my feet are very thankful for that, but it’s apparently closing some time by next year, so About the Town is still looking for a forever home. But it’ll come eventually. For now I like the bathrooms, they’re very warm, and I can finally buy Yorkshire Tea, the only acceptable tea, due to my Yorkshire blood. (I am the Half Yorkshire Prince, Harry Potter nyeh!) I have a Batman Mug… It’s pretty sweet.

So yeah, updates…

So the question is, with all this stuff going on, how am I doing?

Well it’s a mixed bag…

On the one hand I’m so happy with the magazine and what I’ve done. On the other, with the move, the stress of the magazine’s launch week, the book club that I’m trying to make successful, the journeys to and from work and all of that jazz, means that I’m being bombarded by a cacophony of demonic voices screeching “yOuR nOt GoOd EnOuGh!” Plus Bake Off and Drag Race UK end this week so that will be two large holes in my life… My inner saboteur is pretty active, her name is Shannon and I can describe her with all sorts of colourful words that, if I say, will not make this blog family friendly or allowed before nine at night. I’ve had her since I was fifteen and I doubt she is leaving any time soon, no matter how many good articles I churn out. It’s why I spent the weekend engrossed in video games and books, to occupy the tumultuous space which is my noggin. True my eyes hate me but its fiiine… probably…

So with that in mind I want to thank you all for the great feedback on my last blog. I had so many lovely messages saying how funny it was and it made me really happy that you all love to hear a Sasquatch man ramble about Spiderman and Hallmark movies. It gave me a push that got me through last week’s mad dash to get the mag together. I appreciate you all for supporting me and it means more than I can really say. I’m still kicking and hope to give you all some great stuff in the run up to Christmas.

 Still, now that the Winter Issue is done with, I imagine things will get chiller around here, pun intended. The spring magazine isn’t arriving until February so I can focus on getting my head together, our upcoming events, and some great online content. We finish for Christmas on December 16^th, so Bev and I should get a good break in there.

Anyways thank you for reading this week’s blog. Next week will be my monthly favourites, where I have some great recommendations and musings on some of my favourite content that I discovered this month.

I’ll sign off for now.

Lots of love from your friendly neighbourhood Adam.