flashman181

They say bad things come in threes. They also say every cloud has a silver lining. Some people talk too much.

The wanderlust of late has been partially sated by some great trips OS with CLP. As such we have a soujourn to Europe planned for October this year having had the return trip to NYC fail in a close 1 all vote . One of the treats befitting us elderly travellers I was looking forward to was a 7 day river cruise on the Rhine. I had the bermuda shorts bought and had even picked out some white socks to match my brown sandals. We had paid $1000 deposit several months ago – circa 2011. Captain’s Log Stardate – January 2012. Ring Ring – sorry your cruise has been cancelled as it has been booked out by a group. Hello – do you clowns understand the concept of a deposit? 1 down

I say if you work hard you don’t play hard – you spoil yourself. With this in mind CLP and me went to Melboring in February for 54th birthday and splashed out on Business Class upgrade on Qantas – already being Qantas Club members, it was a salubrious start to a great few days. Also being fully independent FBTCs we have our own frequent flyer points and I paid for flight down and CLP flight back. Sitting in Qanatas Club on a dreary rainy Melboring day waiting to come home and watching the Channel 9 Cricket Commentary team spreading themselves out we got the first hint something was wrong when CLP called to the counter about 10 minutes befoe boarding due. Flight cancelled. We can put you on a flight an hour later but no business class. Oh and no in flight catering as we are overbooked? What – do I have to sit on the wing or something?? Seat  3C was mine – as I walked pastit  down to 73 D who was sitting in 3C – bloody Thommo. Should have asked for an autograph but not sure he would have spelt it correctly. I now have to stay with CLP/FBTC for another 10 years to make sure I get my share of the points back! 2 down

Plans to celebrate the 10 year sentence with CLP were well advanced with a meal planned for Restaurant 2 in Brisvegas booked last weekend  – in fact it was the degustation menu which runs to a few rubles. Ring Ring – sorry we have to cancel your booking as we have a group in that night. What?  – they wouldnt happen to be a bunch of bloody river pirates by any chance!  However we had some silver lining appear over the horizon in the shape of 1 very noice bottle of Champers delivered to our room in Brisvegas by one David Pugh – chef extraordinaire from Restaurant 2. We have been there before – we shall return. No harm no fowl. 3 down – the rest of the year looks good

What better indicator of a mid life crisis than to enter the Blogosphere world. Mid life crises are a common affliction of men that usually occur strangely enough around the middle of their expected life, if that were the case then I will live to be 108 – we all know that is not going to happen. The CLP(Current Life Partner) and I have a bet on 86. This would be a good age for moi as I always loved Max Smart growing up – and grown up- and aforementioned CLP use to pose a striking resemblane to 99 until bob cuts went the way of the dodo bird. The way the body feels post 86 would be ugly anyway and I will have seen my grandchildren grow up – what is left? So given it it is not a true mid life crisis for the anally disposed amongst us why the current introspection? A sequence of events seemingly unrelated perchance?

1. In 2 days I will cease “On Call” work in Pathology after 35 years. No more disturbed nights, no more big paydays. Retirement is a speck of light on the horizon but my Honorary Personal Financial Advisor disagrees. In fact he laughs so hard he has to sit down. So the work continues for the time being but hopefully followed by a restful night’s sleep – apart from the obligatory toilet visits
2. The CLP and I just celebrated 10 years together. I could retire if I had a sweet wealthy benefactor to cuddle and cajole me through these difficult times.  The CLP is sweet, she is comfortable but not wealthy but she is independent to the point of changing the access code on the Ponderosa monthly. We will be together one day but it wont be next year, or the year after…… need I go on
3. My 3rd Grandson will be born next month having just stood as Godfather for GS 2. These are good things and good times
4. I have a gnawing wanderlust coupled with a complete lack of plan or direction and a strong realisation I am not a lone traveller. Never was, never will be.
5. My youngest daughter has moved out so I am living by myself for the first time in a very long time. It is good, it is bad, it is what it is.
6. I have a significant mortage that I service well and still have a reasonable disposal income. I like gadgets but never use them to their potential before buying the next one
7. I feel old and have for many years. The back is broken, the ankle crippled and the shoulders shot. I play golf for 9 holes, then limp and crawl for the last 9. My handicap reflects … well my handicap I guess
8. I am a pessimist. If the glass is half full I simply want to know which asshole drank the first half and didn’t tell me??

10. I am terrible at Maths

So what does the next year hold? Watch this space