'Tas been a big week and I haven't had much chance to check in. Kicked a few goals and came short on a few others, but feeling like I'm winning at the game of life, as I sit to write.
Stan - I look forward to the finished inventory. For every crappy thing you counted, I look forward to hearing at least one good thing that came of it. Half measures avail us nothing.
We've had a shocker of a week weather wise over here, and my work pace outside had to slow somewhat... so instead found myself inside until about 3 and then tearing about in the arvos/evenings trying to catch it all up. Have been doing some family tree stuff during the days, which led to some interesting break throughs and kinda got a bit obsessive for a while there. It is hard to stop striving once you have a few break throughs...
Like, it gets easier - and you don't want to stop doing what you're doing cos, it's working, and you are enjoying the results!
Yep - the grogs like that. So is life.
Managed to get the Kombi motor in, out and in again. I think I mentioned that was this weeks big task. Went down to find the dam pump throwing tantrums tonight - so will have to play with that tomorrow (and practice some more swear words).
Had 6 quails and a rainbow lorikeet delivered for care this week. Mumma quail was run over and the chicks need raising. Made me feel appreciated when the folks trusted me to try and care for them. The lorikeet was in a real bad way and I woke to find none of them had made it through the night. Very sad. Another reminder of how powerless we truly are. Doesn't matter how much you read, say, do, pay, pray - in the end, what will be, will be and we have to accept life on those terms. As my kid says - That is just the way the cookie crumbles.
Had an old mate ride 5 hours to come and work his mechanical magic this week. How nice was that? When he left EVERY vehicle on the place was purring. Shame, I didn't think to get him to check the pump - but it's a rare day EVERYTHING runs right, isn't it? Got to give thanks for the fact, I now have a reason to drag my aging butt down to the dam and swear all I like at something that doesn't have a heart tomorrow. Sure beats getting all grumpy with folk who have done nothing to deserve it, just cos I'm bored. I can do that... I wish I didn't but, it is one of my shortcomings, and when I (humbled) asked for this to be removed, it was suggested that if I make sure I have a productive outlet. Ever noticed how much an agro head can get done when they channell their anger into activity? Stacks.
I have a cat on heat here at the moment. I never liked cats much, but my daughter loves them. So we have a cat. I've come to like this cat. Maybe I do like cats afterall... sort of rubs off, when you hang with other people who actually care about something, I guess. You start seeing good in things, you never noticed before, and I've found cats are kinda fun - especially when they sneak up on the dogs and pounce on their heads when they are sleeping... and we don't have the mice problem that all the neighbours are talking about... so yeah, I think I've learned to like cats. AA works like that too, I think.
School holidays officially end here in about 20 mins. I'm a bit sad about that. I have really come to like my kids. They both entered the world squwarking at me and demanding this, that and everything else - but they sure have grown into nice people. I have really liked hanging out with them, and its been really nice having a holiday at home together... watching DVD's in the heat of the day, cooking, swimming and having them work beside me. I dunno where they got their brains from, but they sure have turned out smart. I feel like I've learned a lot from them and I love the way, they'll have a go at anything. Courageous, just kind of naturally. I hope they don't lose that with age.
Well, that's enough nattering from Nic. Best go. Hope you all have a great day whereever you are. All the best.
One tip I learned while working as a fitter was - if anything mechanical goes wrong : hit it with a hammer. Sometimes it will free a blockage, usually it will achieve nothing, but it will always make you feel better. As they say, violence is the last resort of fools, but it usually works.
40 in the shade? I bet Rick and Phil would just love to be there right now (just seen the blizzards on the telly). The 5 degrees Centigrade here seems not so bad. Try being nocturnal - sleep through the heat and work at night when the temperature is more mid twenties.
It must be amazing to make friends with your kids. You must be very proud.
Shame about the little birds. It must have been very disappointing, if not heartbreaking waking up to find them that way, especialy for the youngsters. Did you make a pie?
Work here is manic because there is a tax filling deadline at the end of the month. So many people leave it till the last minute and everything has to be done under pressure and quickly, yet still has to be accurate and complete. Only 8 days to go and next weeks appointment book is solid - even got two jobs to do this afternoon and evening (Sunday). The money is good though and when it is all over I have a month at school in the relative warmth of Sicily.
Went to a really good AA meeting yesterday. Small group late at night in the centre of London. Interesting and intelligent people, with a sense of humour. That is going to become my regular /home meeting from now on. Talked in the cafes for hours after the meeting about everything from the theory of relativity to consolidating group accounts to how the world is run by women to .... (best not said in public but very very rude).
Gotta go and put the kettle on cos I need a cup of tea before I go to work
Bye for now
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Back the bid for the Olympics anwhere else but London
I agree with Stan, but if the hammer dosen't work, get a bigger hammer! Seems to be the trick that the engineer at work uses.
Best wishes,
Chris.
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
Nooooo I didn't make a pie!!!! Ya funny turkey. Fair dinkum!
Glad to hear you found a home group. I miss mine, but am still in touch with some members via email - so that's okay. It was good to just have that regular place to just chill and laugh. This board is good value though - it's great to be able to just check in and relate at any time of the day/night.
Speaking of relativity, you made me smile with the memory of Em2 discussions. Only our dyslexic mate Einstein ever seemed to know how it all worked I think... certainly gave us all something to strive for, or at least milk the brain cells a bit, while we try to work it out.
Work sounds busy. I respect anyone who has the patience to juggle numbers all day. I did some books for a community centre for years and they absolutely drove me nuts! Everytime I allowed an hour it would take me 6 (chasing 20 cents backwards and forwards) and then if I allowed a night, it would be done in 20 minutes! Dunno how you budget your time in that business...
Took your advice and saw the kids off to school this morning, fed all the critters and then went to bed. Woke just before they got home again and I feel GREAT! Missed all that mid-day heat... and then headed down to discuss matters with the dam pump.
Mmm. Seems the thing will have to go over to the official "Pump Dude". Has me baffled. It's firing again now, but it's running like an old loco only temporarily, and keeps fouling up the plug. Maybe he'll have a bigger hammer. In the meantime, I got the kids to help me haul buckets of water up for the critters. They left the house pump on yesterday arvo, so the tank is now empty. I think they'll remember to turn the house pump off now...
Cabbagehead - I keep wondering... How is it that someone actually collects skulls? I mean... I wouldn't imagine they would be abundant, or pop up in second hand shops or the like... Where do you collect them from exactly? I remember reading that in the early 1800's they would remove the skulls from those who had been hung and make "death masks". Did they do that in England too? I imagine so. So, do you collect copies, or actual skulls? It is a kind of intriguing hobby...
I will go now and see what else is happening about the board - but before I do, I will go make a coffee and laugh about Stan's world - where women run the show....
Ha ha hee hee ho ho hoooooo (ooh hurts!) ha ha ho ho hee hee hee
