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Going deco

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Not a SCUBA reference which is strange for me. I’ll come back to that at some point. No, today is the day of the festive festooning of the old homestead. The cats are excited, boxes that must be investigated and, of course, ‘sat in’ added to the smell of cooking. Clearly they believe this is a good day.

The annual trip into the attic (technically bi annual as the Halloween decorations are up there too) has been undertaken. It’s been a week of ladders since I cleared out the gutters too. My hands are covered in welts as my dust allergy kicks in. What larks. After 30 not so grumpy minutes the tree is up and resplendent now the real fun begins. Is it me or is the best bit wrapping parcels? Mind you I can obsess. I did once wrap a teddy-bear so that it was teddy-bear shaped and the recipient (my uncle) said he had no clue what it could be. How we laughed. Those were simpler times. Nothing too challenging in the first tranche mostly fully square, boxed and books….although there was that one package. Can’t say too much.

Jabbed Three, the unwanted sequel.

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Today its finally time for my COVID-19 booster shot. I’m good with that. Call me controversial but as we’ve had vaccine records for years and need proof of vaccine for say, holidays abroad etc., I’m good with having a record of my jabs too, not that we can travel too far anyway.

I’ve had various reports from friends and family that this is a nasty jab and will make me sick or just fine and will cause no issues so I’m planning to do exactly what I did last time. I’ll take a paracetamol before I go and one before bed. I’ll let you know what happens.

(Next door’s cat just wandered into the house. He lets himself in through the cat flap. Quite a chilled old boy and always hungry. He helps himself to food too. apparently I’m neither interesting not threatening and he’s gone back to eating from my cat’s bowls.)

So a couple of hours ago a kindly nurse (by which I mean a suitably qualified medical professional) stuck a needle full of Pfizers finest in my arm. I was made to sit and wait for 15 minutes before leaving the vaccination centre which was not the case after the Astra Zenica….except if you were driving…which I wasn’t on either occasion. 🤔 I suppose I should add that I walked there in the pouring rain and was soaked to tne skin from the hip down as I don’t own waterproof trousers. Let’s see if I catch a cold on this one.

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The morning after the jab before. Great night’s sleep. Heart rate up a little due to a late meal. Vaccine site sore as you would expect and I’m fine.

Down the rabbit hole

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So Folks, I chose to retire. I’m not a 30 something entrepreneur I’m just someone who joined the ‘great resignation’ here in 2021. Decided I’d had it with my job one way and another and left. Now I want to say right away that I loved my job and I worked with some great people but I had that nagging feeling that it was time to move on. No harm, no foul.

Up till now I’ve been very good getting on with all those little tasks that you leave until you have time only you never have time except that now I do. Then I went down the rabbit hole. Apparently there’s this thing called YouTube and people make videos and post them up there so you can watch…. bear with me… I’m planning some travel with my new found spare time and I start ‘researching’ travel kit etc. Now I do actually know what real research is it was a part of my job and I still do proper research but this ……

I found the EDC community… and the minimalist travel community… and the…. oh, you get the picture. The Chromecast is an amazing gadget and you can cast YouTube from your phone to your TV. (No, I don’t own smart TV I have other things to do with my cash). Well, I discovered that it is perfectly possible to watch eight hours of video about other people’s packing habits, luggage, travel tips, favourite mini torch…. and to do this for several days before realising that what you are doing and wake the hell up.

Anyway I now have some amazing luggage and everything I could possibly need for a weekend away or a trip around the world. To be honest it has also lead to a huge clear out. We have a one in one out policy in our house so there’s been a lot of elderly kit making its way to the charity shop. I’ve been fortunate to have a birthday in the midst of this and some very obliging friends have contributed to the upgrade. I suppose for anyone who finds this that the expectation could be that I should now let you know about my travels and adventures in Retirement-land.

My kitchen table

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I guess many people have spent a lot of time at their kitchen table over the past year or so. Here in the UK we have been advised or compelled to stay at home over the past two years (wow that long) or so. The great unlocking is due soon if out politicians are to be believed. You will each have an opinion as to whether that is a good thing. Personally being an old fart I’m now fully 5G having had my vaccinations (yes, you will have opinions on that as well) so whatever happens the research shows that I’m less likely to get a serious dose of COVID-19.

Contemplating my navel, as I’ve been off work with anxiety and stress for damn near six months, I have come to the realisation that there is more to life than work and as I approach a big birthday I’m seriously thinking about not going back to the nine to five. OK kids this is reality, when you get older things get paid off. I’m in a situation where I have a debt free life style. Oh, I still get to pay for utilities and food etc but I own my place, car etc. and in reality I’m free to come and go as I please. If you want advice on early retirement go look up some of the young gurus and seek their advice. As to me I’ve realised, maybe later than I could have that this is my time. There are various plans afoot over the coming weeks and months and, if you want to join me, feel free. If you are of an age, welcome. Lets put these young ones to shame. My lovely wife will be along for the ride some of the time and not for other bits so If I switch from me to we please forgive me. This is my blog. It has no purpose beyond my amusement. I’m making no promises over regular content and absolutely no excuses over views expressed. This is for fun. Come along for the ride, you may enjoy it…..or don’t.