making progress
I’m a big fan of lists. Specifically writing them. And then crossing things off them. It really does help me to get shit done.
The idea of me getting my motor bike license has been on the list for a couple of years. Whilst it was only kinda pencilled in, it was on there, maybe half way down, just above learning to sail. I am thrilled to inform you that I have booked in for my 2 day pre-learner rider course for mid July. I am torn between either owning a motor bike or a scooter. Even within these parameters I have a number of half baked 2 wheeled fantasies: a fully reconditioned Italian retro step thru beauty from the 60’s, or a very zippy modern day sports scooter, or some dark creature from Deus with fat tyres. I’ll no doubt just end up with a postie. But I would at least paint it black.
The shift toward a new era of personal transport comes about because I am now car free. I sold the Honda on ebay and got $290 for it. It was due for rego, had no shocks and was riddled with rust. I couldnt justify paying more then it was worth to get it back on the road for one more run about the block. Having never dealt with wreckers in my short driving life, I had only heard horror stories from friends who told of having to pay the wrecker to take the car away, or of receiving pitiful amounts for their hunk of metal. Pretty happy with my ebay sale. It was my first.
I am also on the verge of being smoke free. Until recently I used to have a mild smoking habit that was exacerbated almost entirely by alcohol. I have 3 more chapters of Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking and then it is all over. I’ve smoked tobacco at various degrees of intensity since about age 15, so I’ve had a good dash. Truth is, I’m not enjoying it anymore. When you are the only sad soul puffing down a cigga on a cold windy street out front of the pub you start to think it over. I’ve smoked rollies since 2003 when I revolted against the chemical tang of pre-fabricated dhurris. Even then I had many “smoking rules” that I imposed on myself: no smoking when walking, when its raining, when its windy, inside, near kids, in cars, before midday, when sick, when I can’t get my preferred blend/filters/papers, after a heavy nite of party, during work hours, in a smoking room etc. Couple these self made rules with those enforced by society and I have a strong case to, pardon the expression, bag the fag. Not suggesting it will be easy. I havent finished the book yet and thus am still technically allowed to smoke, if I want. And I do still want to… fleetingly.
Giving up the smokes wasnt even on the list. It just kinda happened.
I’ve been on jury duty for the last 4 weeks. This event will get its own blog coverage in due course but I mention it here because it was the result of a chat I had with a fellow juror that prompted me to enquire about my German citizenship. I was born in Germany and came to Oz with folks at age 3 or 4. Up until 3 days ago I was under the impression that I had no cause to enquire about dual citizenship. Various reports from obviously ill-informed people had me believe that I was ineligible for German citizenship because of a number of factors that I won’t go into here. Anyhow, I wrote the consul an email outlining my history and in true German efficiency they got back to me within 12 hours with a positive response. For a measly $130 and sighting of some documents I can apply for an EU passport. The world has just opened up a million more doors. I am extremely happy and proud to be an Aussie Kraut, and will get the passport shortly to prove it.
As for what else is on the list, I’m still working on it.