Doing Errands

My day off, where I would lie on the couch and watch endless YouTube left to my own devices, it is true. I mean, where else are days off for? I ask you?

So, Sam is sending me on errands.

"There are things that have to be done."

So, I am off to the petshop to get fish food and dog treats.

"It's free public transport," says Sam. "So, you can catch the tram."

Sam doesn't know any better, as he doesn't drive, but the tram stops right outside the pet shop, so it seems like a good idea. And, I like tram travel. It's relaxing. There is something nice about doing it in the day when you have all the time in the world. And it's good for the environment.

There are also a number of opshops and specialty record shops on the way, so it all sounds like a pretty good idea.

There is also the kitchen tap on the list. It has seized up and no longer swivels, easily, without it moving at the base, which will only lead to leaks in the end. We got it from IKEA and Sam worked out it has a 10 year warranty, so that has to go back, but possibly not today, considering the work that has to go into detaching it from the sink and water mains etc. That could be a job for tomorrow.

"And when you get back you can sweep the back yard," says Sam.

Er? Um? we'll see about that.

So, I'm off, out into the day.

Now, are my headphones charged? Best I check. I can't have the people I might meet out there encroaching on my bliss.

I shopped at numerous shops, second hand record/DVD shop and opshops and food shops. I bought a couple of old DVDs. I found myself standing next to my cute as hell next door neighbour, Tommy, in a Northcote bakery. I got on and off trams. I walked up the last bit of High Street to the pet shop, rather than catch a tram. I looked for a not-seen-lately friend’s hair salon, but it has gone. I wondered if that was happy for Con? Possibly not. I bought the dog treats and the fish food at the pet shop, which was my main aim. I stopped and took photos of wall art and graffiti. The sun shone. I walked the last few blocks home.

There is so much freedom to be felt being out and about on a sunny day, especially without a car and places to park to worry about, and a tram network to jump on and off. I don't think we realise how, quite so much.