The big 42 :: The year of woodturning

Thought I was 42 for most of the year, so rather happy that I am “only” 42 today. Went to the Baxter last night after grabbing supper at Ocean Basket – nice night out. I was thinking, most people retire at 65 and start working at 20, so with 22 working years behind me, I should still have 23 in front of me!

But it did make me think that if I wanted a career – it’s never to late. Unfortunately,  every time I think that something might be interesting to study, the thought of doing it as a career put’s me of it straight away. I think I might find economics interesting.

But really, becoming proficient at a hobby would probably be more important to me. I think 42 should be about wood turning – become really decent at it. I have everything I need to really give it a good go. I think if I can spend and hour or two a day – I should be pretty decent at the end of the year.

Will make a new “color” block and start.

Monday 12 October :: The week ahead

Right, holiday done – time to get back on the wagon. I really want to see variety in my days – so a bit of studying every day and cut down on the TV.  Need to get a diet going – back has been a bit sore lately, I am sure getting the weight down to sub 100KGs would help. Have tried a few diets – want to now try 5 meals a day, but small portions – see if that helps. I am around 113kgs at the moment – would like to see 105kgs by Christmas.

Main job this week is finishing the veg garden – need to get the poles and netting up, beds filled and planted. Have some seedlings ready to go. Get back on the lathe and play with sketchup.

Durban Holiday ::

Just came back from a break in Durban – had a great time. We met up with my wife’s cousin and family from JHB. So they had a car as they had driven down plus we shared a two bedroomed flat.

We used money from the holiday account (basically most of the money we get from website hosting – basically some passive cash) for the flights – was around R2200 each, then R600 for accommodation each. All the rest cost around R1400 – lot’s of meals and a trip to uShaka marine world.

uShaka cost R200 for the day, that ticket also includes the aquarium -well worth it. We arrived just before opening time and had a good 2 hours of no queues – so got in a ton of rides – enough that my bum was a bit sore. I did the highest water slide in Africa – I would say but clenching, but if you didn’t water would be coming out your ears – if you know what I mean.

Went to a resturant for a curry. Was looking forward to some nice fresh nan bread done in a tandoori oven. No such luck, Durban currys, it seems, are traditionally served with sliced white bread. Seriously. I understand the bunny chow – but no nan? On the bright side the butter chicken was great.

After my wife’s sister decided she could not take us the 10km to the airport from their place  – just two months after my wife did the 140km round trip twice taking and fetching her from the airport – we had to decide what to do. Weirdly long stay parking works out as follows – up to 5 days, R625 – 6days and over, R50 per day. Yup. Infuriating. Got the wife to put Uber on he phone – mine phone is so dumb I am smarter than it – parked at my wife’s mom’s house, and gave it a go.

Very impressed – quick and easy to use and relatively cheap. Bugs me that the estimated costs are not the real costs odd, we might not be doing it right though.  So going in R72 became R85 and coming out R72 became R120! Just looked and it seems all sorts of things change the price – including speed. The second guy did drive a bit on the slow side… Oh well, for both rides waited about 5 minutes after hailing, cars where new and clean. Overall, well worth it and will do the same if we need to go to the airport again. Looked at private long stay around the airport R100 per day, seriously I am parking my car, not housing my dog!

The flat we stayed in was nice and quite and had a decent view of the sea – this was Amamzintoti – looking at the local newspaper and that sort of flat could be had for around R600K. Now I have been thinking about selling the house and living at a flat by the sea – so did find it interesting having just that. Couple of things – once the place was painted there is very little DIY jobs needed, so no nagging need to do things which would be nice in a way. Think I would miss having a small outside patch to grow things though – maybe a plan could be made. I would like a garage – to store  a motorbike and fishing and watersports gear. And I think I would want a 2 bedroomed – one for a study/spare room. Would really want a sea view and would want to be near a tennis club. Cabin fever could be an issue in winter.

All in, a great 5 day break that didn’t break the bank – thanks to the “free” airfare.