One day at a time

Since my last blog entry, I’ve been through a strange Christmas, took a trip to World Pride in Sydney and travelled over the ditch to the land of the long white cloud. This was the first Christmas with none of my parent’s generation still alive, so my usual trip to see my elderly aunt or call home to talk to my father did not happen. I did have a family Christmas and spent the day with my cousin and some of her family, but I avoided the traditional get-together held on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) as it was going to be a very occasion with two extended families coming together. I spent that day with my best friend instead. In February, Sydney held events to mark World Pride and I went up there to meet up with one of my friends, who was there with some of his friends. There were some particularly highlights, namely the performances at the opening concert by Shelden Riley, Casey Donovan, Jessica Mauboy and the Minogue sisters. I also enjoyed watching the Mardi Gras parade, even t...

 Spendings three weeks off work over the Christmas and New Year break. In the second week and enjoying the weather, it’s warm enough for shorts and t-shirt during the day with a nice cool breeze. The building site has closed down for the holiday period so I can enjoy my balcony without any construction noises, but there are still plenty of traffic noise. Had a very nice Christmas Day and Boxing Day, although I haven’t done that much with my time off.

The end of 2020 came and went, and 2021 is much the same. There is the promise that 2021 will be better than 2020, with multiple vaccines against COVID-19 being approved and Brexit finally settled (in the most part). I expected to have a quiet week, but it has been quieter than planned due to on-going issues with my food intolerance, which has planned up virtually every day this week. I did manage to got shopping further away from home and I travelled by train (only a couple of stops and there were very few on the train) as well as going for a drive back to where I used to live closer to the city. My relatives in the UK are now under Tier 4 restrictions (which are basically lock down) with only essential shops open (although they seem to have an odd definition of essential) and no-one allowed to mix in the house. I was impressed by the London firework display organised by the BBC although I'm saddened by some of the comments posted under the video on YouTube, unfortunately racism c...

 Not a relaxing week, with lots of driving and seeing relatives and friends (next week is going to be my down time). Finally heard officially that I didn't get the promotion, but I will get the opportunity to act in a higher position in the new year. My director rang me on Christmas Eve, so not the Christmas present I was hoping for, but it wasn't unexpected. Wednesday I brought my aunt up to my place to meet the cat (who was terrified by the meeting) and to hand her over to my cousin, who she was going to be staying with over the next few days. I was delayed getting down there but it all came together. The only other issue was that I managed to get sun burnt on my  head (which is very uncomfortable). Christmas Day I went with my friend to a Christmas dinner put on by some of his friends and had a nice time. Boxing Day will be spent with the family at one of their homes. My dad had a busy Christmas Day, with visits from his friend Gwen and my sisters for the exchange of gifts ...

 Although it was a short week, it of course got very busy on the last day. I had been waiting for something to be approved by another part of the department so I could then get a message approved to send out to the businesses. Which naturally occurred just hours before I was due to go on leave, thankfully I was prepared, even though it was a bit of rush (hopefully there were no typos in the message). Work has finished for me until the new year and it looks like we will finally be able to return to the office sometime in January or February. Still waiting to hear the outcome of my interview for the position (promotion) in my team and the longer it takes the more confident I become that I didn't get the position. On the upside, at least on this occasion I was  able to get an interview (the two previous attempts, that did not happen), so maybe I have got better at applying for positions. Had my second Christmas meal, with friends at their home. It was a very nice spread, with col...

Bought Oscar a new ball toy

Saturday, I had lunch with Campbell on Puffing Billy, a steam train service. It was very good although Campbell was late arriving again. Monday I had Christmas lunch with my aunt and cousin in Hastings. It was enjoyable and the trip there and back uneventful. Boxing day I was supposed to be going to my cousin's place but got a bout of diarrhoea. So looks like I'm staying home instead.

Had my first Christmas lunch of the year at my friend Terry's place, good food, a little to drink and very good company.

Had a pleasant time with my aunt & uncle for Christmas lunch. The drive back was tying, driving through heavy rain and bird strikes.