I woke at 5am, cold from my balcony doors being open to air out the room. I pulled my second doona over me, my winter doona, which really doubles as back support during summer for sitting up in bed and watching TV, and gazed at the ceiling. There was shadowy light across the roof of my bedroom, but I could still see how the ceiling looked beautiful with its new coat of paint. I was somewhat pleased that I hadn’t asphyxiated from the paint fumes, I was pleased that I didn’t wake up dead, if you know what I mean. It is always a bonus. I drifted back to sleep almost immediately, in the cool stillness of the night.
Balcony doors open, or not, it was the first time this year I had to engage my winter doona. Balcony doors open, or not, it seemed early in the year for that, usually that doesn’t happen until late April, early May.
No, I’m sure our climate isn’t changing.
I was awake at 7am. The first thing I did was pull the doona back off my face and gaze towards the ceiling. Lovely. How beautifully finished is that? How long did that take? I don’t know, I can’t remember. I’m glad it is done now, so nobody can say, you still haven’t got that fixed.
I sat up in bed and typed on my computer until Shane left. Online news, photo editing, writing in my blog… well, writing a piece that could be in my blog.
I got up with the idea of going to go visit mum. But, as we know Shane leaves late, 9.15, or so, and by the time I had this realisation it was already pushing 10am.
They should call with work today. He said he’d give me a call early in the week, after all.
I had a shower straight away, might as well give visiting my mum every chance. I made coffee and prepared my breakfast.
In the end, I didn’t visit mum. I have to get going earlier to visit her. It was pushing 11am by the time I was ready to leave. It takes half an hour to get there and she has lunch at midday. There just wasn’t enough time, in the end. I felt bad.
How long is it since I saw her last?
I sat at the kitchen bench and read my (name of system) notes and read online news and chatted to Sam and listened to the builders next door crashing and bashing. The renovation is coming along, but bejesus they are noisy today.
I ended up editing photos, for a time, that will surprise one and all. I kept catching myself, after which I sent myself back to study my manuals. But, reading my notes, those manuals, continues to send me to sleep, sadly. I keep trying to read, but somehow, I end up getting distracted.
I need to go to work and use the system for real.
Early in the afternoon, Jack calls to ask me how far I am willing to travel.
“Oh… um… most places.”
“Is Mentone too far?”
“Oh… um… Mentone?” Fuck me! “Oh, no, I guess not… um? Er?”
“It is one day per week for 6 weeks.”
“Oh… um… yes, what time do I have to get there in the mornings?”
“I don’t know that.”
“Yes… sure.” Why am I saying sure? First job, I shouldn’t say no, too fucken far buddy. But I don’t.
“We will, of course, fit other jobs in around that.”
“Okay, sure.” But the midday of the week kind of breaks is up.
“It will start 28th March.”
And here I was thinking I might be starting tomorrow.
The problem, of course, is that one day a week on a Wednesday precludes any full time work during that period. I was kind of thinking full time work.
Oh shit! What the hell am I going to do if I am only going to work one day per week until May? That is no exactly going to pay the mortgage.
I started to panic. What am I to do?
Anthony called. Why is life so unfair? Why is it so hard? “Where is my TattsLotto payment?”
“Of course, I agree,” said Anthony. “We’ve invested enough, surely in Mr Adams?”
“Exactly.”
“When is it our turn, I ask you?”
Mark called, they have been really busy with the restaurant, working 24 7. He had a whole new staircase made for $700. That’s Hanoi for you. I should have gone with them, setting up a new hotel in Hanoi now that would be exciting.
I think I was getting a bit housebound. I think that I was worrying about what the hell am I gonna do? What if I run out of money? What the hell happens if I don’t have enough money to pay my mortgage? What happens then?
“What are you doing for dinner babe?”
“Nothing yet. Do you want to meet up for dinner?”
I walked in to meet Sam after work, to clear my head and get fresh air.
“Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes.”
“Ready to leave right now.”
“Yes.”
“No dilly dally?”
Intake of breath. “No, I’m shocked you would say that.”
“Then move!” said Sam.
Of course, I had to turn off my computer and put it away and I had to find shoes and socks and my wallet and my phone and my key and my glasses case, but other than that I was ready to leave. Big smile
He walked towards my place and I walked towards him, both of us walking on our usual route home to my place.
We met in the treasury Gardens, just across from the Princess Theatre. We walked to Grattan Street for Nasi Lemak. It was very spicy.
“Ridiculously,” said Sam.
And he likes spicy food, so if he said ridiculously, then you know it is.
We sat outside, there weather was lovely. The day faded gently into the evening.
We came home and watched TV a fascinating program about the world of Manta Rays, in Australia, Stradbroke Island to Lady Elliot Island and the Maldives.
Sebastian arrived with silver beet and some gluten free produce for Shane. He complained that he’d eaten a sausage with gluten in it. He’d asked the vendor if it was gluten free and the vendor had said it was. But a few hours later Sebastian realised the vendor had lied, or was mistaken. Sebastian said he didn’t feel well.
Shane arrived home sometime after that.
Top Gear was on at 10pm after the cricket finished, right when Nana Sam was making noises about going to bed. I told him we had to watch Top Gear in bed and that he’d like it. He didn’t. He whined until I turned it off at 11pm and we went to sleep.
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