What really happened yesterday

Saturday 3 January 2009 9:30am

The correct date did show above yesterday's post, but just to be sure.

My brother rang at 9:30 yesterday morning and said he was coming to visit. He's in Melbourne from Switzerland and he goes back today. I put off the plan to sand the table and chairs because it was very unpleasant outside - cold and windy. Brother got a bit lost and arrived 2 hours after the planned lunchtime, so I wasted time again waiting for someone. Still, it was really good to see him. By the time he left, it was nearly pub time.

I am going to be more disciplined this year. More productive. I have done well the last couple of years to get my life on track and be truly independent. I have decided to take a course to become a civil celebrant this year. It may provide me with an income from here instead of having to travel to Melbourne every day. It's also something I can continue to do after I turn 65. I want to do funerals, not weddings, although I'll do both courses and maybe another one that is offered for life celebrations (although I'm not sure I could do pet funerals).

So, what will I do today? If it warms up later, I might get on to the table and chairs. Otherwise, I think I'll make sure I'm ready for work on Monday and I'll do a bit of music practice.

Wasted holiday

Friday 2 January 2009, 8:45 am

I have to start with the date and time because I am in Australia and I notice that what I had happily posted as the first day of 2009 was flagged as having been posted on the last day of 2008. That's a big difference.

I have whittled away my 2 weeks holiday without doing very much at all of what I had hoped to do. Granted, there was Christmas to do, and I did go into work one day, and J didn't come and finish the ceiling in the lounge room, but I could have at least done some writing. That's what happens with holidays - plans of getting things done melt away and doing little or nothing feels good.

I will do something today. I will get out into my backyard and sand down my outdoor table and chairs so I can give them a good coat of beeswax. Then my neighbour is coming around with a chainsaw so we can turn a stack of old fence posts into firewood.

And who knows - maybe J will turn up!

It is just after 12 noon on this first day of 2009. This is my first foray into the world of blogging apart form the occasional hit when I am researching some topic or other.

I live alone in a small country town. Mostly, I find it refreshing but I sometimes miss having someone to talk to at the end of the day, or discussing my plans for tomorrow with someone, or sharing thoughts and opinions on the input I get from the world at large.

Someone asked me what I have planned for 2009. I said nothing special, but that isn't true, of course. I am trying to get some renovations done on my house now that I have a little extra money. I hope to get an ongoing position at my job, which is currently a 6-month contract. I plan to be a little more disciplined in the creative writing I am doing. I am also seriously considering becoming a marriage and/or funeral celebrant.

I will continue to wish for peace in the Middle East, goodwill between Pakistan and India, and social justice in Africa, but I will not actually do anything about it beyond wishes and words.

I will spend this afternoon as I want this year to continue - in the company of friends and good people.