So after my other half kindly pointed out that I have been on maternity leave now for just over a week and have done nothing nor achieved anything, we had a little discussion about finding myself something to do while I sit around the house with my swollen feet, not to mention what to do for the rest of my 39 weeks leave.
I've decided to start a fish blog - not just my tanks but a collaboration of all my research I do on here, on other websites, from books and magazines - possibly in the future I will look at doing video tutorials. I won't say too much because I feel I have some fantastic ideas.
It makes sense as when I'm not doing the essential things in life, I am reading my fish books and gaining knowledge that doesn't go anywhere constructive especially as I am not at work selling fish. Along with the help of you guys as proof readers (hint hint) I think I could make a good crack at it.
On a similar note - after some encouragement from others members, I thought I could make a start with one of those iconic "You know you're a something when.." - Just for a giggle. I'll post below what I have started and if anyone has any other ideas, please do add and I can amend the list. Input is greatly appreciated!
You know you're a fish-keeper when...
you read this list and almost every line is true about you.
you watch your fish more than you do your television.
your Christmas card list involves the staff at your LFS too.
you have no qualms when it comes to just dunking your arm into your tanks to pick out that annoying snail or dead leaf.
your first response to "What would you like for your birthday?" is "A giftcard to (insert LFS here)".
your other half knows that "It's me or the fish" would never work with you, as the first and the last time it was said you packed their bags for them.
the towel you have next to the fish, specifically designed to dry your arm after it has been into the tank, is always damp.
you mention to your other half that you need to go shopping and they immediately assume you mean your LFS.
you set your alarm on your day off to feed your fish the same time as you would on a work day.
you spend more time and money on water for your fish than you do yourself.
you can't decide between doing that essential DIY project in the house or expanding your fishroom.
you go away on holiday and find it extremely hard to sleep without the sound of several filtration systems and running water.
your other half's sole purpose in the car home from the LFS is to protect the fish with his/her life and make their journey home as stress free as possible.
you pay more attention to your fishes nutrition and diet than you do your own.
you have some money left over from payday and the first thought is what upgrade you can make to your tank.
your fish has just spawned and the first thing you do is take pictures on post on TFF.
the mouthful of fish water you have just ingested from the siphon doesn't phase you in the slightest.
your hands are in the fish tank more than the kitchen sink.
you plan your holidays and road trips to include as many fish stores as possible.
your furniture is positioned around your aquariums, not the aquariums around the furniture.
you've bribed the kids with sweets and/or money so they don't tell your other half about your new purchase.
you give advice to the staff at your LFS.
your other half knows exactly where to find you if you're not at home nor at work.
you'd rather clean your tanks than your house.
your kids have commented how you seem to love your fish more than them.
you've called into work sick as you need to stay home for a fish emergency.
you know everyone at your LFS by their first names.
you shop at fish stores more than clothing/food stores.
your freezer has more fish food than food for you.
your LFS knows you by your first name.
you spend more on your fish than you do yourself.
you spend more time preparing the fish food than you do your own.
you have a fish or something aquatically related as your background on the computer/mobile phone.
you moved out in the first place just so you could get more fish tanks.
the first thing you do when you arrive home is greet the fish instead of your other half or kids.
your electric company send you Christmas gifts for being such a good customer.
your neighbours have made enquiries as to what exactly do you 'grow' with those intense lights.
you are known to all your non fishy friends as "the fish guy/girl".
you ask your relatives to look after the fish while you go away on holiday - they can expect pages of directions on what to do and how much to feed, emergency contact numbers and intricate instructions on how 'Bubbles' likes his food this way.
you put your fingers through your hair and find fish flake.
you can't grow so much as a weed in your garden, but your planted aquarium is the talk of the town.
you would rather get power filters than power tools for your birthday.
you baby talk your fish.
you're buying several different species of fish at a LFS and the employee asks "What size is the tank?" - your response "Which one?"
the only books you own are about fish keeping, fish biology and anything aquatic.
you convince your other half to have a clean out and to de-clutter, then conveniently place that new tank into the new found space.
your day to day diary is full of dates of water tests and water changes.
customers at your LFS start to believe you work there.
your bedtime reading material is Pratical Fishkeeping.
you have to move buckets and water change equipment just to get into the shower.
you tell your other half you are expecting a delivery and they say they will put it safely next to the aquarium.
you have at least one subscription to a fish magazine.
you have www.fishforums.net as your homepage and spend more time checking your notifications there than you would do on any other social media site or even your personal email.
the first thing you do when you log onto the computer is check TFF.
So there we have it, sorry it's a bit lengthy. I got carried away.
Hope you enjoy and please do comment!
I've decided to start a fish blog - not just my tanks but a collaboration of all my research I do on here, on other websites, from books and magazines - possibly in the future I will look at doing video tutorials. I won't say too much because I feel I have some fantastic ideas.
It makes sense as when I'm not doing the essential things in life, I am reading my fish books and gaining knowledge that doesn't go anywhere constructive especially as I am not at work selling fish. Along with the help of you guys as proof readers (hint hint) I think I could make a good crack at it.
On a similar note - after some encouragement from others members, I thought I could make a start with one of those iconic "You know you're a something when.." - Just for a giggle. I'll post below what I have started and if anyone has any other ideas, please do add and I can amend the list. Input is greatly appreciated!
You know you're a fish-keeper when...
you read this list and almost every line is true about you.
you watch your fish more than you do your television.
your Christmas card list involves the staff at your LFS too.
you have no qualms when it comes to just dunking your arm into your tanks to pick out that annoying snail or dead leaf.
your first response to "What would you like for your birthday?" is "A giftcard to (insert LFS here)".
your other half knows that "It's me or the fish" would never work with you, as the first and the last time it was said you packed their bags for them.
the towel you have next to the fish, specifically designed to dry your arm after it has been into the tank, is always damp.
you mention to your other half that you need to go shopping and they immediately assume you mean your LFS.
you set your alarm on your day off to feed your fish the same time as you would on a work day.
you spend more time and money on water for your fish than you do yourself.
you can't decide between doing that essential DIY project in the house or expanding your fishroom.
you go away on holiday and find it extremely hard to sleep without the sound of several filtration systems and running water.
your other half's sole purpose in the car home from the LFS is to protect the fish with his/her life and make their journey home as stress free as possible.
you pay more attention to your fishes nutrition and diet than you do your own.
you have some money left over from payday and the first thought is what upgrade you can make to your tank.
your fish has just spawned and the first thing you do is take pictures on post on TFF.
the mouthful of fish water you have just ingested from the siphon doesn't phase you in the slightest.
your hands are in the fish tank more than the kitchen sink.
you plan your holidays and road trips to include as many fish stores as possible.
your furniture is positioned around your aquariums, not the aquariums around the furniture.
you've bribed the kids with sweets and/or money so they don't tell your other half about your new purchase.
you give advice to the staff at your LFS.
your other half knows exactly where to find you if you're not at home nor at work.
you'd rather clean your tanks than your house.
your kids have commented how you seem to love your fish more than them.
you've called into work sick as you need to stay home for a fish emergency.
you know everyone at your LFS by their first names.
you shop at fish stores more than clothing/food stores.
your freezer has more fish food than food for you.
your LFS knows you by your first name.
you spend more on your fish than you do yourself.
you spend more time preparing the fish food than you do your own.
you have a fish or something aquatically related as your background on the computer/mobile phone.
you moved out in the first place just so you could get more fish tanks.
the first thing you do when you arrive home is greet the fish instead of your other half or kids.
your electric company send you Christmas gifts for being such a good customer.
your neighbours have made enquiries as to what exactly do you 'grow' with those intense lights.
you are known to all your non fishy friends as "the fish guy/girl".
you ask your relatives to look after the fish while you go away on holiday - they can expect pages of directions on what to do and how much to feed, emergency contact numbers and intricate instructions on how 'Bubbles' likes his food this way.
you put your fingers through your hair and find fish flake.
you can't grow so much as a weed in your garden, but your planted aquarium is the talk of the town.
you would rather get power filters than power tools for your birthday.
you baby talk your fish.
you're buying several different species of fish at a LFS and the employee asks "What size is the tank?" - your response "Which one?"
the only books you own are about fish keeping, fish biology and anything aquatic.
you convince your other half to have a clean out and to de-clutter, then conveniently place that new tank into the new found space.
your day to day diary is full of dates of water tests and water changes.
customers at your LFS start to believe you work there.
your bedtime reading material is Pratical Fishkeeping.
you have to move buckets and water change equipment just to get into the shower.
you tell your other half you are expecting a delivery and they say they will put it safely next to the aquarium.
you have at least one subscription to a fish magazine.
you have www.fishforums.net as your homepage and spend more time checking your notifications there than you would do on any other social media site or even your personal email.
the first thing you do when you log onto the computer is check TFF.
So there we have it, sorry it's a bit lengthy. I got carried away.
Hope you enjoy and please do comment!
