This year was been one of many changes, with some of the highlights being:
- 'Listening' tour. The two (2) biggest lessons that came out of that were epitomised by the two aphorisms: "The kids are alright" & "Leave me alone". Yet, it was a worthwhile tour, for all of that. I wanted to know how people are going & where were they now, some thirty years later - in some cases, it was that long! Some did not want to meet (Ray & TB), some did not reply (Moira & Hugh), one did, but then did not follow through (ManE), caught up with many & even spent some extended time with some. But, I do fear that only one was genuinely happy to see me, in the sense of paying attention to me, rather than just slotting me into their otherwise ongoing existence. Gave money to some (but only one told me what it was utilised for) & t-shirts to others. Accompanying this was family - met David, but not Michelle. Which was unfortunate, as I wanted to give them some money. Saw family & then got remarkably ill - also broke a ceramic cockpit on a 'not an induction' hotplate. There were some crazy times there;
- ABS. Contract ended & I said, 'happy to do more of the same, but offer me something else, something to engage me'. They did/could not & neither could I. I would like to say that there was much to like about it. But, I do tend to not like lying;
- Purchases. Of these, there have been a few, of late. Whilst the 'listening' tour was expensive, I did notice that I tend to earn & save a lot of money, so what other is the purpose of money, if not to enjoy the ill-earned gains? Seriously though, I lashed out on two new bikes (a Trek & a Canyon), as well as a new bed (along with a KS latex mattress - surprisingly smooth). Another 'expensive' purchase was another three bottles of Prunier XXO cognac - to be fair, however, one was for Trent, but he has 'minimised' his alcohol consumption! However, in terms of smaller & yet remarkable purchases, also got a pair of Redback boots & a new Waterman fountain pen, whilst on the listening tour;
- Investments. Well, there was money for the house :) However, most of anything else did not do so well, e.g. super went down (despite some extra additional funds), due to the sharemarket downturn? Also the ETH investments have not gone so well - which has been aggravated by not being able to realise the assets! They wanted POI established by 06/01/23, but then would not allow me to sell prior to that, as POI had not been established. Sheesh;
- Movies. Finally got around to see a few movies, at the Pivotian cinema. Some were quite good - all were a good excuse to go to the movies; and,
- Health. Although the spectre of COVID-19 has receded, it has required more shots - I think I am up to my 3rd booster now! This was particularly evident when I went to Cairns, as the Qld numbers were exploding & Cairns had a bit of an 'anti-vax' vibe to it, so I got another booster! Consequently, have had a few days this year where I have been recovering from vaccines! Also lost a lot of days to gout - indeed, had a massive attack the day after the bikes arrived & so have done very, very little riding! Wonder if it could be psychosomatic?
After leaving the job (ABS), I found this in my stars that next week:
Mountains look tiny in the distance & they also look small once we've climbed them. It's when they loom before us & we have no option, but to start scaling the rocky passes, that they appear huge. As we slowly make our way to the top, they still seem massive. You're reaching the summit of the mountain you're currently climbing. Prepare for a view of your future; it's going to be spectacular.
On that note (& with that in mind), I reckon that the goals/aspirations for '23 can be summarised as: A year of innovation, rather than reinvention; remember the traits, rather than the past; and, be a man, rather than part of a group of men - 'they' are no longer there & need to be (re)found!
