Old Is the New New

I was telling a friend the other night how nice it is when coincidences work together for good.

She replied that she believes good things happen because they’re meant to.

“Look, try an experiment,” she said. “Think hard about somebody you haven’t heard from in a while and see how long it takes them to ring you.”

So I thought about a few people but decided against them because they’re high maintenance.  Eventually I thought of Jessie, a charming little old Chinese lady I used to work with but, as I was a bit tired, I decided not to think Really Hard about her until the next day.

The next day dawned and I’d forgotten all about it.  Just before lunchtime, the Office Chick (her choice of title) came down with a little note to ring Jessie after 8:00 pm.  Jessie had explained to the OC that I hadn’t replied to her last email and she was a bit worried about me.  Jessie is a real champ and I rang her that night to catch up.

Epiblogue: I really hate it when a clearly rational argument is blown out of the water by a badly timed piece of serendipity.

What with the separation and stuff I’ve been wondering about seeing if my old workplace will have me back again.

My present pay is pretty crap and I’m at the top of the tree so to speak and an extra 10K or so a year will take off a lot of pressure.  On the other hand I seem to be on a good wicket in respect of job security and you don’t get that every day.

Anyway, today I was looking at my pay slip and realised I’ve been reading the after tax component and thinking that was the gross.  Turns out I can keep myself in the pink with about 4-5 hours overtime per week which is a lot more doable than sitting in a train for 2 hours a day were I to work in the city again.

Epiblogue: Guess I was just feeling a bit grumpy about some minor nitpicking at work on top of the temperature (30+ deg C) and the relative humidity (around 45%).

On the 3rd March I’ll be here accompanying her.

Epiblogue: ‘Tis the season of festivals when most of my playing is done.

It’ll sound like deja vu for some of you but I’ve quit smoking again and planning on making it for keeps this time. I think the difference this time is I know what’s behind me doing it.

I guess this came to light when I realised the other day that all the significant male role models of my youth smoked. As much as I loved Dad he was a quiet, round-shouldered and introverted sort of man whereas all Mum’s father, brothers and their progeny were well-muscled, gregarious, sporty and they all smoked. 

Given I wanted to turn out like my uncles and cousins I took on the only aspect of their behaviour I could acquire without getting an entire genetic and social makeover.

Epiblogue: Stopping at this late stage, I might not escape the cancers that took my grandfather and uncles, but even the improved abilty of my blood to carry oxygen is making me feel good.

Last night’s gig with Marisa at The Bodhi Tree went rather well and I decided it’s one of my favourite playing venues due to its focus on food rather than booze.

Ditto is Forest Edge in Gembrook which is a newish venue kinda built on the “upmarket Yarra Valley winery” model – big, lots of wood panelling, nicely appointed arty decor, great food and a fabulous view of the mountains.  Armed with the Right Company, I’d go there if only for the food and the view.

Epiblogue: I’m playing at the Forest Edge with Tom this arvo.