December ramblings

Have achieved one of my life goals, strange as this may sound, have purchased three (3) pairs of Levi 501s, 34" (waist) x 38" (legs), two (2) in dark blue denim, and the other one in black - one of the first pairs of jeans in black :o Ever!!! ;) Gave in to the urge, for I can see that they will fade rather well over time, and I do expect to be using the pairs for quite a few years ... When they arrived, it was a total 'Goldilocks' moment - tried the 1st pair of denim, it was rather 'snug'; put the black pair on, could not do up the top button; but the 2nd denim pair was tight, but fitted well - does mean I really, really need to lose the extra bit around the middle ... Of course, a lot of this was to do with the nature of the material, for since getting (and washing) them, they are now settling down a lot more :) Ironically, the day after they arrived from the USA, I got a text message from Mother, saying that she was flying off to see Pete in Dallas, leaving tomorrow, and did I want any jeans?
All in all, happy now ...
Sometimes it can just be good to have money to spend on such extravagences ;) Of course, I do have three (3) other pairs of jeans (+ the 32" x 38" 501s, but there is no avoiding them being too small) that I will need to work around/with, but I am sure that I will manage ... The Wranglers are good for weekend/work wear; the R M Williams can be my good/dressy pair; and, the Levi 559s are good to just have around so as to have backup, as it were?
Lashed out on the Steam website, and bought a game called 'FTL : Faster Than Light' - pleasantly engaging, as there is not a lot of action, but having to negotiate with the realtime concerns caring for ship and crew is enthralling. But still am feeling my way through the rules and mechanisms on how to play, so that can be an adventure too! Did not come with any player manual, nor does there seem to be one available online ... a different style of play to be sure. Actually, bought another game 'Portal 2' but when I went to download the game, it suggested a huge amount of space - like 100GB, or something 'ridiculous' so have not completed that one just yet ... Mind you, I still have like $200 left on my modem ... and it will need recharging soon - 13/01/13? Sheesh, there is always something, hey?
Well, in more recent news, my stars were quite positive for today, and I just got offered HD, from 02/01/13 - 20/01/13 :) Just need to parley that into some other success, but what fun it shall be! Will make for an interesting time, as it is really just a reward for being a 'good' boy, as it were? Having some sort of set goals/project to work to/for, e.g. training other people, seems to be more immediate/appropriate ... Also today we had the 'Frontline Forum' with Pam, sitting down and discussing what the input from the floor can provide to the RD. Seems the two (2) main issues were the nature of OHS breaks - 5 minutes every 25 minutes - and the ambiguity with working outside of scheduled hours - where RTW people are feeling good, so work a little more, so that when feeling not so good, can take some of that accrued flex in lieu of using UPL. Anyway, not that I contributed much, but it was good to sit down with some of the others and thrash out a few things, especially Pam's estimation of some of the significant changes that are due to come our way - e.g. all be APS 4s, doing more involved/complex work tasks :)

20/12 Well, the 'eve of destruction', 'it's the end of the world as I know it, and I feel fine', as that band used to sing, waiting for 12/21/12 to begin, and my greatedt plan revolves around sitting out the back with a bottle of whisky, watching the stars fall ... Jorge is off to go blow shit up in Libya, via Bosnia, and I really do not think that I miss it too much ... maybe I am getting old? Anyway, they are gathering at La La Land (or some such), but instead I am flitting home on the train, sitting in 1st Class, typing this ... soon there will be nobody left to invite me out - people do that apparently, just give up on you ... Right, that can be the 2013 plan - more socialising, interaction(s), and sociability ... well, shall see, along with so many other things, e.g. fitter, healthier, hsppier, etc. Problem is, I am not too badly done in any of those areas - might look like I have Berri Berri, with my rotund tummy, but I still (only) weigh 80kg, have skinny little arms, and so it goes on ...
Really do need to sit down and plan these things out, however - what needs to be done, when to be achieved by, develop plans of management/strategies ...
Might set myself up with a 500k achievement plan - surely not too excessive in light of having 12 days in which to do it? Especially if I get myself organised and go ride down to Lorne (and back)? Other directions are to revisit the NW (Steiglitz) and SW (Moriac) locales? Need to get in there and explore my maps again, see what the opportunities are, and then just go 'exploring' - what is happening in Bannockburn, or Teesdale, to name but a few of possibilities ... and then there needs to be a 'few' rides on the Trance, or else we will get ride of it - use it, or lose it!