A Reprieve
Tonight I am writing this post rather than continuing my game of catch up with Downton Abbey. After a week of constant viewing, I am even beginning to sound like Lady Mary; should I deign to clamber on top of a horse and ride it side-saddle, you will know that my conversion is complete.
Yesterday, I remained on target to reach the finale today when I noticed that the warning to the effect that all episodes would be removed on 31st January appeared to have disappeared. I wondered if an extension had been granted or if instead I was already viewing on borrowed time.
I checked again this morning, and, can you believe it, after all those mammoth sessions in front of the television there is indeed now a new expiry date in two weeks' time! I am unable to explain my relief.
Retirement and deadlines simply don't go together. After a career of working to time limits, I honestly have no idea why I succumbed to the challenge. All I can think is that, still slightly intoxicated from the joy of getting my tax return in with weeks to spare, I thought I could run with a far tighter timetable. Instead it became a contest of endurance tinged with pleasure but marred by stress and anxiety.
Now that I have been reprieved with only five episodes left to see, I am going to savour and enjoy them one at a time. My experiment in binge viewing is over and will never be repeated.
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