-The other side- 

"The journey continues"

Well here we are... December 2010, time for some more rambling and reminiscing.

Growing old gracefully.........???????????????????? I try to integrate this concept into our lives, but find it near impossible to achieve this state. I have shaved the beard off after 28 years. Everyone tells me I look so much younger. I feel I look like a walrus. 

No matter how hard I try all weight seems to migrate forward to the belly region. No matter how much I diet / exercise it stays. I lose kilos of my arms, legs and butt but my stomach refuses to shrink. People congratulate me on my magnificent beer belly (All paid for Maaaaaaaaaate!!!!).

I DON'T DRINK BEER. In fact I hardly drink. Maybe a bottle of red once every 2 - 3 months. I've cut out doughnuts, chips, pies, deep fried foods, lollies, and biscuits. No soft drink unless it's diet stuff. In fact every food that tastes fabulous but is exceedingly bad for me is off the list. SIGH........................ I have learnt to love vegetables and fruit.

Bran is my constant breakfast companion, a healthy lunch of noodle / fish and veg. Dinner, a nutritious mixture of whatever, and I'm expected to be graceful.

We now have 3 mini schnauzers.

We exist to serve. I was tempted to get a fourth, but my wife threatened violence. She does love them but four................................ I DON'T THINK SO!

As I get older it amazes me that my mind can function with a clarity that takes my breath away. Things that seemed important 15 - 20 years ago have been relegated into the, ' I don't need this garbage' drawers of my mind. My focus seems to have narrowed considerably, which may be a good thing. My wife seems to think so.  

Planning and focus. I am a creature of habit. Wake at 6.30am, bathroom, shower and breakfast. Break that order and things become blurred. If you see me on the way to work in the morning grimacing and seeming to curse all and sundry it may not be you. Even though you just cut me off without indicating, on a wet road, in bumper-to-bumper traffic, it is probably the fact that I did not have my required time in the little room that has caused my lapse in consideration towards your obviously greater need to get in front of me by 10 seconds. The fact that I’m unable to cross my legs whilst in the front seat of my car has probably added to my unreasonable frame of mind and you should consider the finger sign as a pro-active statement to where I wish you to go.

I'm constantly being looked at in a pitying way by the younger, hipper members of our extensive niece / nephew / friends network.  Whispers of, "They don't have cable. They don't even have Wii", seem to invade my peripheral consciousness from time to time.

"HELLOOOOOOOOOOO", most of the shows I saw when they originally came out. Quality programming ???????????  I think not. Why do you thinks it's called the 'IDIOT BOX' As for Wii, give me a break.  The outdoors, brought inside for people who don't want to be outdoors. Am I missing something here? How real is that?

There is enough recycled tripe now without me paying good money for more.

 Whenever I get time, the dogs take me for a walk - both my doctor and my vet have told me this is a good thing, as we can all stand to lose a little weight. 

My beautiful wife has expanded her talents into lots and lots of other areas. The computer stress I used to feel regarding her business has disappeared completely. I have been successful in delegating all these functions to her. In fact the only time I am likely to experience her dulcet voice in this regard is when I hear the words,” What are you doing on MY COMPUTER?" , as I sheepishly stop looking at all the jokes her friends have sent (the primary purpose of e-mail). Her desk resembles the control deck of the Star ship Enterprise and woe to anyone who disturbs the force (OOOPS - different movie)

 When relatives / friends have computer hassles, she's THE ONE. A friend of mine rang and asked me to explain the mysteries of E-bay (a complete unknown to me). I'm not stupid, a quick handball to her and she amazed him with her knowledge, insights, and probably fixed any dietary  / personal problems he had as well. She now does teddies, jewellery, re-borns, and pincushions ........................... whatever takes her fancy.

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