The Gentle Chapter

How I pass the Time (DP#35)

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Reading and writing are my two favorite hobbies to indulge in. As I have mentioned in a previous post, I am thankful for this new opportunity to blog and read productively since I used to be addicted to less meaningful forms of passing the time.

One example was videogames. Now, do not get me wrong, I still love a good videogame, and I do still get enjoyment out of them, but I am glad I am no longer feeling the gripping compulsion to play them. Between the Xbox, Steam and Switch, I have quite literally put in THOUSANDS of hours into this hobby. Not to mention, thousands of dollars collectively into purchasing the consoles and games themselves. I enjoy watching people play games more nowadays particularly in the background when I am doing the more productive things. That being said, give me a good cozy game, I will be all over it when I have the time and motivation! Videogames will always have a place in my soul.

Crocheting was up there but I have also taken a step back with that. The last plushie I made was this past summer, I made a cat my cousin commissioned from me for a birthday present. That is kind of the downside I have noticed when a hobby turns into a job: you sometimes only get motivation to do it when you are getting paid. The urge to complete a project just for fun, slips away from me.

Besides these choices, I enjoy listening to music, watching YouTube videos of various topics, being out in nature, taking photos and cooking/baking.

30 responses to “How I pass the Time (DP#35)”

  1. Samana Avatar
    Samana

    Writing is my fav too

    Reply
    1. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
      Ashley Kittrell

      It is so refreshing and liberating!

      Reply
  2. observationblogger Avatar
    observationblogger

    I, of course, love reading and writing too – not only because they expand my command of the English language, but also because they help me feel less alone. My other favourite past times / passions are sports and gym (the social interaction), watching movies, eating at restaurants or cooking, and travelling when I can. I did like playing video games a lot too. I have great memories of a FPS 2003 game called ‘Delta Force Black Hawk Down’. That remains my favourite of any. I also played Call of Duty 4 multiplayer a lot. I still have it.

    Reply
    1. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
      Ashley Kittrell

      That is very true! I enjoy seeing all new perspectives when it comes to books and online communication through writing. I never really got into sports myself, but I do enjoy attending an MLB game from time to time.
      I have played a bit of COD but I prefer more laid-back video games now lol I do not like most interactions I had with people online.

      Reply
      1. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        I confess…I couldn’t be more of a sports nut. Right now, though, I’m laid low with the flu, which I somehow managed to pick up at the gym two days ago. I honestly can’t even remember the last time I had the flu. Anyway, I stayed home yesterday and ended up watching all four of the Wild Card MLB games, squeezing them in between reading this awful book and studying a bit of Spanish. I doubt today will look much different until I’m well enough to get back to the gym.

        Remember how I told you I wanted to go to the US for a pilgrimage? Well, my dream is to attend one baseball game in every MLB stadium in a single season—including visiting the Field of Dreams set in Iowa. That’s the ultimate goal. You mentioned you go to MLB games sometimes – so which team do you usually watch, and how long does it take you to get there?

      2. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Oh no! I hope you get to feeling better soon. The flu stinks man. Ever since I got covid, any time I get the flu now, it knocks me on my butt.
        That is a lofty goal! Good luck! I watch the Texas Rangers or the Houston Astros. I have seen a couple college games as well. The stadium the Rangers play at is in Arlington, which is only about thirty minutes from us, with good traffic that is.

      3. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        Thanks for your well wishes. I’m still feeling a bit sniffly, so I might need to put off returning to the gym. Funny you mention COVID—when I first felt that unusual shortness of breath (something I’d hardly ever experienced before), my immediate thought was that COVID must be the culprit, really “knocking me on my butt,” as you put it.

        That’s cool you support both teams and being so close to the Texas stadium. When I win the lottery, I’m going on my pilgrimage ;-P
        The other US pilgrimage I want to make is to visit all the landmarks associated with Bob Dylan’s momentous career scattered across your country

      4. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        I am glad it isnt Covid though!
        I would only go to the Astros games when they have away games in Arlington as their arena in Houston is way too packed with traffic so good luck when you do your pilgrimage with Houston lol

        That Bob Dylan tour would be sick! I do not know too much of his story, but I imagine it is pretty extensive in America.

      5. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        I did actually go the gym when I said I wouldn’t. I’m feeling a lot better although strangely still a bit sniffly. I think I did get (and still shaking off) a strain of COVID. It struck my respiratory system, which makes me think it was COVID since I never had breathing issues with a regular cold.

        Managing through the traffic in Houston sounds like a nightmare. I would only use Public Transport – is that any less stressful in Houston?

        Re. Bob Dylan – I have been an avid fan since I was a young tacker. He is by far my favourite music artist and even someone who I’ve always considered a mentor and prophet of sorts through his art.

      6. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Ugh yeah it could be COVID or maybe a chest infection or something. I am glad you are feeling better though. Do you take any medication that helps the symptoms?

        I have never rode any of the public transportation in Houston lol Anytime we drive through it, we pick the path of least resistance. That being said, it is such a big place with lots of cultural things to see and entertaining things to do. You may enjoy your time so much more when you do not have your own vehicle to pay for parking, so you have that going for you!

        I can see that. My knowledge and experience with his life and music are very slim. My parents listened to a few of his songs. Did you see the biopic with Timothee Chalamet?

      7. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        I don’t like taking medication unless it’s absolutely necessary and temporary. I took some panadol when it got bad.

        I used to drive plenty in Australia, but haven’t since I moved to Colombia. The public transport system here is pretty good if you can travel in low peak hours – which thankfully I can.

        Yes, I saw the Dylan biopic with my kids. It was pretty good (I prefer hearing the original Dylan) and as usual Chalamet was his usual brilliant self. I love him in the Dune movies. Did you see it?

      8. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        I am the same way with medication, they honestly stress me out with all the side effects. The number one thing I do take is Dayquil and Nyquil. That saved my life when I had COVID lol

        Having the ability to drive when there are less people is such a blessing. We have a train system here in DFW that is pretty good, I have taken it myself from time to time. The day passes are pretty reasonable.

        Nice! I honestly have not been too big on movies these recent years, but I did see scenes of the movie. Timothee is for sure a good actor. I did see him in Little Women though and he was fantastic.

      9. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        Our family was taking Ivermectin (as a prophylactic) during COVID which I think did the trick. I wish I’d never taken the vaccines, but it was all but mandatory. The wider population were under some form of mass hypnosis thanks to the fear spread by the draconian authorities and press. Colombia was so strict on the COVID restrictions, unlike what occurred in Texas if I recall. I don’t think my kids went to school for almost 2 years.

        You take Dayquil and Nyquil everyday? Are there no consequences from long-term, continuous use?

        We have just one train in Bogota which passes a few blocks from my house. It takes people out to the small towns in the savanna for work. It converts into an astronomically expensive tourist train on the weekends. lol That’s cool you have the affordable day passes where you are.

        Wow, I haven’t seen ‘Little Women’, but certainly heard of it and the book of course. I didn’t even know Chalamet was in it. He’s also one of the most likeable actors I can remember from interviews. Such a sweet kid.

      10. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        My family took ivermectin and it seemed to help them. Texas was still shut down here as well. The shots were mandatory for certain jobs which is why I never got any. I was wearing masks at the beginning but then we started avoiding places that required it lol

        I only take them when I am sick or feeling sickness coming on. Heck no lol If I took them every day, I would get nothing done since they knock me out.

        That seems cool! If it constantly running or only for certain times? It would be unfortunate to miss the train lol

        I haven’t read the book, but the movie was pretty good.

      11. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        Apart from the leak itself from Wuhan, the draconian enforcement of vaccines and quarantines, the suppression of Ivermectin and other prophylactics, and the suspension of information about them remain, in my opinion, among the most impactful wrongs against humanity ever seen. It’s remarkable you managed to avoid the vaccines – well done! You’re my new heroine, lol. Many have moved in droves to Texas from California and New York because of their handling of the COVID pandemic. You Texans and your response were envied by not only millions of Americans but also large swathes of the Western world.

        Regarding the train here – it only runs at designated times for designated workers during the week. On weekends, it’s just for tourist – suckers.

        I’m currently reading The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide by Douglas Adams. My next book (can you believe it!) will be Little Women, which appeared as the second book (amongst hundreds) on the Classics of English Literature shelf in the library yesterday. Woohoo! I’m going to update my Goodreads profile now. Yay.

      12. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Oh it was an atrocity! Once I figured out the higher-ups were practicing for the pandemic and the shutdowns, I stopped caring what the media and government was saying lol the fact China was barricading people in their homes and elderly people were forced to die alone was despicable. There were a whole lot of people even here that were petrified in fear. I have always had the mindset of if I die, it means it was my time, so I was never afraid of it like the cabal wanted me to be and I think that is why so many people down here were so nonchalant and anti-lockdown. Not to mention, all those who would have lost their businesses and livelihoods if they did listen.

        Ah I see lol Tourist suckers lol

        Ooh I love the Hitchhiker’s Guide series!!! Such a fun read. I may have to re-read and review on here. What luck! Hopefully you enjoy Little Women as well! It is always so satisfying finding good books to read.

      13. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        The whole handling of the COVID pandemic was a farce, and the phenomenon of mass formation was genuinely frightening. I’m glad that, in time, clearer heads prevailed and exposed just how corrupt the authorities, pharmaceutical companies, and big tech were — and still are. Only with hindsight, years later, have they begun lifting restrictions and allowing genuine freedom of information. Yeah, you folks in Trump heartland really were a shining beacon for the rest of this crazy world. I’m still deeply concerned about corporate stakeholdership and the dangers of succumbing to a modern consumer mindset — its growing intrusion into our ability to simply live our own lives is alarming.

        As for The Hitchhiker’s Guide, I’ve got just two weeks to get through over 700 pages — that’s probably going to require more reading time than I’m used to! My biggest problem is that reading tends to put me straight to sleep, hehe. I do hope you revisit the book one day and maybe even write a review — you’re an expert at that ;-P ‘Little Women’ after that! As I already alluded…I’ll be going left to right through my bookshelf (alphabetical order by author), which could very well take me the rest of my life to finish — and I’m not exaggerating. Cheers!

      14. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Agreed! The whole fact at the bottom of most news broadcasts, they were continuously scrolling the number of deaths that were attributed to COVID. It was fear mongering to the highest degree. Also, the social damnation of anybody who couldn’t just use this time as a vacation who HAD to get up and open their business so their families could have food on the table. The gall of neighbors turning in their neighbors and family with family. Absolutely demonic.

        I wish you luck with the reading!! You got this. Luckily that series is a good one that should keep your attention. I understand the drowsiness of reading for sure. I tend to pause and do something around the house when I begin to fall asleep. Ooh you have some great reading goals! That is fun and good luck with perusing your whole shelf!

      15. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        The phenomenon of mass formation — as discussed by psychologist Mattias Desmet during the pandemic — can be seen as a precursor to totalitarianism. As you highlighted, people seemed overly sensitive to the suffering of COVID-19 victims, yet often ambivalent (or unaware) of the vast collateral damage caused by lockdowns: children going hungry in developing nations, parents losing jobs and livelihoods, and millions worldwide enduring delayed or cancelled medical treatments.

        Perhaps the starkest impact among those fully absorbed in the dominant narrative was their detachment from their own psychological and physical well-being — or that of their children. It somehow became acceptable to separate children in classrooms and playgrounds, and to mandate masks for them — even though they were statistically the least vulnerable and least likely to spread the virus — while adults, far more at risk, could often gather freely at workplaces or ballgames.

        Mass formations of this kind have been observed before, notably in totalitarian regimes of the early 20th century — Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia among them — where large populations became willing to sacrifice what was most dear to them with little reflection, convinced of their moral righteousness.

        On a lighter note, I’m really enjoying The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s witty, absurd, and wonderfully refreshing after all the serious English classics I’ve been reading. I might need to request an extension from the library! And yes — that’s a good tip about shaking off drowsiness while reading by doing a quick chore or two.

      16. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        The lockdowns definitely felt totalitarian, so I agree with Mr. Desmet.

        How the children in schools were treated were probably some of the worst parts of the pandemic. Isolating those who already may feel isolated from their parents, and classmates as it is, now they cannot even see or hangout with their closest friends. Not to mention, when schools were not in session, struggling families had to find alternate forms of childcare and food for their children. It was like everyone forgot how schools are not just a place of learning, but comfort and necessity. Not to mention, the fact everyone is now at least one or two grade levels behind due to the joke of electronic learning. Ah yes, an elementary school child is definitely going to be able to pay attention with their game consoles and pets are in the same vicinity all the time. It was a joke.

        You definitely saw some WWII mentalities in quite a load of people for sure. It was terrifying.

        I am glad you are enjoying the book! The movie was just as good in my opinion, one of my favorites.

      17. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        That’s what infuriated me the most – that they made the children (the most vulnerable) suffer above anyone else. I presented a video in my blog of my daughter getting the jab and yelling hysterically. That’s when I realised all this draconian nonsense was of the most insidious kind.

        I didn’t know the book was made into a movie. I’d love to see it after I finish the book given your high praise.

      18. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Oh gosh. That must have been difficult to sit through. I am very happy my niece was not born at that time. Lord knows, I would have lost my mind if they jabbed her in the hospital.

        They just made the first part in a movie unfortunately, but it is quite hilarious, and the casting was perfect in my opinion.

      19. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        Here’s the link to my daughter’s jab and it’s not pretty:
        https://observationblogger.com/2023/02/28/here-is-what-the-covid-vaccine-for-young-children-looks-like/

        Re. the Hitchhiker movie – is this the one?
        https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371724/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520hitchhiker%27s%2520guide%2520

      20. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        Ugh I hated that so much. Again, I am sorry yall had to go through that. Such a travesty to be forced to endure that.

        Yes, that is the very movie! Lol it looks corny because it is. One of my favorites though.

      21. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        I’ll be on the look out then for the movie since I’m enjoying the book a lot – although it’s five books in one. An extension will be required.

        I noticed you are churning out book reviews like hot-cakes…Yummy ;-P
        How many hours do you read a day?

      22. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        I can imagine! That sounds like a Stephen King thickness of a book lol

        I try to make it a habit to read 2-3 hours per day. Maybe not all in one sitting, but collectively. Every minute that goes by, builds up fast especially when you are enjoying what you are reading.

      23. observationblogger Avatar
        observationblogger

        It’s a crazy big book indeed (containing 5 of his Hitchhiker books in just 1 book arghhh!).

        What’s your favourite Stephen King book? I remember reading ‘Christine’ when I was a young lad.

        You’re definitely an avid reader — and that’s so commendable, given how obsessed most young adults are with social media these days.

        There’s no baseball today, so I will try to dedicate more time to reading the book.

      24. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
        Ashley Kittrell

        You got this though!

        Honestly, I have not read too many of his books due to the language and subject matter, but one of my favorites is probably ‘Cell’. It was something about a weird frequency going through the cell phones, turning people into violent zombie-like creatures. I have seen way more of the movie adaptations.

        I appreciate that. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely have my moments where I get way too involved still with social media, to where I have to pull myself away from my phone. It is a trap lol

        Have fun reading!!

  3. VGC Reviews Avatar
    VGC Reviews

    I really relate to your journey with gaming—thousands of hours and dollars invested, yet now enjoying it more as background entertainment.

    Reply
    1. Ashley Kittrell Avatar
      Ashley Kittrell

      Yes! In a way, it is a bit sad because I did genuinely get so much enjoyment from video games obviously, but it does feel like a part of growing up a bit and just realizing you have changed. Also, it feels better on my wallet no longer spending all that money on entertainment lol

      Reply

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● About Me

Hello! I am Ashley and I simply love to read, and hope you do to!
I am currently 28 years old and living in the state of Texas, USA.

My favorite genres to read and review include romance, fantasy, mystery, and many subgenres of those as long as it is clean. I mainly get my books from my Kindle Unlimited membership, but I also found myself checking out library books on Libby as well.

As you can see, I do not solely post book reviews, I also love posting daily prompt writing, as well as stuff that is going on in my life currently. That being said, my passion is reading and reviewing books to my heart’s content, so hopefully that is something you are also interested in.

I do have a Goodreads where you can follow if you desire (no pressure!) I also have a StoryGraph, of which you can follow me here.

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