About (everything)

It’s 42.

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

What you’re curious about is probably below. If not, send me a note at [email protected]

About the Blog

Did you ever make time to stop and think about why you do the things you do?  I know that there have been times I have been too preoccupied to really pay attention to anything that wasn’t right in front of me.  Like when you think you’ll just have one Tim Tam and all of a sudden the whole packet has gone…  (For the record, I prefer to slam my Tim Tams with coffee).

I bring this up because a lot can happen while you are going with the flow and not paying attention.  And at the end of the day you are:

1. asking where the day went, or
2. what you achieved, and maybe
3. whether any of it matters.

This blog explores the question that has plagued philosophers since before the ancient times: what makes a life worth living?  Like them, I think it comes from getting good at things that matter, or in their terms, the development of virtue.  This isn’t an esoteric or analytical investigation; it’s just me, trying to figure out why I get out of bed.

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About Alexandria Blaelock

I’m Alexandria Blaelock; writer and philosopher.

I was the happy recipient of a kidney transplant on Melbourne Cup Day (1 November) 2011. A momentous day for me, but slightly disappointing to miss all the excitement over the photo finish – was it Dunaden? Was it Red Cadeaux? (It was Dunaden). Given that the race is locally billed as “the race that stops a nation” I shouldn’t be complaining that I missed it because I was having a life-saving surgery should I?

I am a Stoic in the ancient philosophical sense – I believe a happy life grows from reducing unhappiness by rational thought, self-control and grit/strength/courage. It proceeds through the thoughtful, practical and active application of “goodness”, not empty words or tokenism. It relies on the development of virtue (or excellence), starting with the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.

Right now, I am attempting to live a virtuous life by focussing on the cultivation and appreciation of beauty, pleasure, friendship, wisdom and wealth.

Sadly this does mean I spend a lot of time reasoning with creatures that:

• don’t speak English, and
• possibly don’t have the capacity for rational thought.

You can contact me at [email protected].

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About the Books

When you’re busy, taking care of your home takes too much time and energy, leaving you tired and discontented at the end of the day. Minimally Viable Housekeeping translates business effectiveness and efficiency techniques for the home. So you can spend more time doing the things that make life worth living.

Advice on managing wealth usually means sacrificing things that make life worth living. Holistic Personal Finance shows you how to manage your money according to the life you want. You can enjoy lattes, lunches with friends, and a prosperous tomorrow.

Buying clothes seems easy, but getting matching ones that fit you and your lifestyle and share washing instructions is more difficult. Build Your Signature Wardrobe shares a plan for buying the right clothes at the right price for the right life. So you always have something to wear that makes you look and feel confident.

Cooking for friends and family can be as terrifying as organising an international peace summit. Stress Free Dinner Parties offers a simple step-by-step plan for getting it all done. So you can relax and enjoy the party too.

About Letters from my Library

Letters from my Library is a monthly newsletter about my writing.

The Small Print

Copyright

Public Domain and Creative Commons images used in this website are linked to their sources and credit their creators.

All other content, images, and text Copyright © 2019 Alexandria Blaelock.

Permission is granted to reproduce book covers and descriptions to share with others. All other rights are reserved.

Disclaimer

As a kidney transplant recipient, I will from time to time comment on medical topics, procedures and treatments.  Please note that I am not qualified to provide medical advice, and any medical information I provide must be reviewed with your medical team in light of your particular circumstances.  This information and my comments represent the opinions I have formed on the basis of information available to me in my jurisdiction, and may not be applicable to you in your place of residence.

Disclosure

I am a member of the Amazon Associates and Book Depository Affiliates programmes. If you buy something using one of my Amazon or Book Depository links, I may receive a small commission from your purchase price (though this does not affect the price you pay).

See my Privacy Policy for more information.

Another Disclosure

For the sake of my friends and family’s privacy, I refer to all

• Women as Katy in memory of the What Katy Did books by Susan Coolidge – I loved her as a child and I thought she would make an excellent best friend.
• Men as Toseland, from The Children of Green Knowe by LM Boston. I adored this series as a child and still have the full set that I reread periodically.