I usually concoct one of these ramblings after an overseas volunteer assignment which, for obvious reasons (no international travel), has not happened for many months, so: just thought I'd get in touch and wish everyone a -
VERY 'MERRY CHRISTMAS'
--- and here's to a much better 2021.
OK - with all international travel curtailed for the foreseeable future: obviously there have been no overseas volunteer assignments. Also: that aspect of my lifestyle is probably over anyway as, rumour has it, they cannot get travel insurance of folks over 80 years of age! Plus: with COVID-19 still impacting international travel: there are no options to be a tourist outside Australia. I know only two people who contracted the virus: both in America: my sister's granddaughter in Utah and a friend in California. My home state of Western Australia locked down: outlawed gatherings, closed borders and hunkered down. It has been really tough on some businesses but the end result was really minimal impact resulting in just 9 deaths state-wide (compared to 820 in Victoria). Actually, the impact on me personally, apart from no travel, was zero.
I've never really understood the relevance of celebrating anniversaries and events, but they are ingrained in our respective cultures. For instance: the huge 'celebration' for 01/01/2000 was a year early as there was no year '0'; and why is there no major 'celebration' of February 29th … it only happens every four years? COVID-19 curtailed a planned surprise party with 50 people for a friend who turned 90 and my 80th year on the planet whispered by. Bob Hope summed it up on his 100th birthday when he was asked the secret of old age, he said: "Waking up every morning"!
Thank you for the kind comments on the last rambling blog - even some inferences from masochists requesting MORE detail!
My walking (60+ kilometres/week - about 37 miles - taking at least 12,000 steps every morning) continued with some periphery occurrences. For instance: I set off around 4am in the dark, and sometimes come across 'bodies' (of either gender) lying in the gardens of the casino as I stroll through before dawn - I usually creep up to them to see if they are still breathing, then just wander off when I detect 'life'. There is a bench seat on the lawn facing the river - one morning I could vaguely see someone sitting on the seat; as I got closer, I could detect movement. Then: it became apparent that it was a woman sitting on a man's lap and there was some rhythmic up-and-down motion going on. As I got closer and they became aware that I was approaching, the 'motion' stopped. I could not resist, I called out as I passed: "Good morning, just be aware that the reticulation sprinklers are about to come on." Sort of like a directing a hose at rutting dogs? One morning, there was an aboriginal woman splashing around in one of the several lakes, and she happened to be naked. Perhaps using the lake to perform her morning ablutions? She became known as the: 'Black Mermaid'. Flocks of hundreds of white cockatoos arrive in the gardens as summer approaches (then disappear as the weather cools). One morning they were taking off from the gum trees and flying en mass over me - squawking like crazy - and I felt something hit me on the chest. I wondered for a second if I'd been shot. But, I'd learned something that morning: birds can poop as they fly! As COVID-19 struck: the casino and all restaurants closed and it was eerily quiet; although: a side effect may have been to inject several million dollars back into the economy, rather than lost to gambling!
Still doing monthly newsletters for the Business Centre (several versions are circulated locally, nationally, and internationally) and reviewing books on Amazon. I get links for regular free books to review from 'Hourly History' and 'Captivating History'. Plus links to cheap and free books on BookBub and Pixel of Ink - have reviewed coming up for 1,400 books to date, all free. During COVID-19, I produced extra newsletters for the business centre that were dedicated to enduring, surviving, and then emerging, from the shut-downs, and strains on businesses to endure. Was also asked to be one of the judges on the annual Business Awards for a range of categories.
The keyboard on my laptop was getting somewhat hit-and-miss with some keys not operating at all - making it rather challenging to keep working and in contact - had to purchase a separate keyboard (USB connection) to take away on the last assignment to keep functioning. Had a replacement keyboard fitted that was OK for a while: then IT started playing up with some keys not working, again. Had to wait for another keyboard to be supplied from Japan, then that one was fitted! Then: that one lasted less than a year ….then the new keyboard died, then the screen was just black; all most annoying! Was told by the boffins that that it was "too old" - at seven years! Thinking of not getting a laptop .....
As I flit around differing cultures: most are amazed that I live alone, as they tend to live in community arrangements with extended families. I've pruned cooking down to a fine art and can cook my dinner in under 15 minutes. A few years ago, I decided that I was eating lunch purely out of habit and stopped. SO breakfast is: a bowl of muesli (with dried fruits and assorted grains), add a drizzle of honey, a scoop of yogurt, topped with fresh chopped banana, strawberries, and blueberries (in season). A coffee and a biscuit or two around mid-morning, then my one-course dinner.
There are some personal, peripheral effects from the cancelling of international flights and, consequently, no volunteer assignments. My 'cost-of-living' increases (electricity, gas, fuel, food) and I keep running out of duty free rum so have to pay full price for Captain Morgan rum to indulge in my nightly rum and coke as I nibble on some nuts… oh: the indignity!
With no travel (no overseas volunteering or even being a tourist) - I got involved in other volunteer activities. Joined Probus (an offshoot of Rotary for retired people) and became responsible for keeping the branch website up to date. And with U3A (University of the Third Age - an international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community - those in their third 'age' of life). After just a few months: was elected onto the U3A local branch committee, became responsible for arranging a guest speaker at the twice a month meetings, involved with the 'philosophy group' and volunteer a few mornings a month in the state head office processing memberships, fees, course enrolments and payments.
ANYWAY - stay safe ---- and here's to a better 2021--->