2024s

May 8, 2024 ∞

I went for a jog today

“Yeah, no shit, you run every day” would be the response from those close to me, but actually this is a big deal. I haven’t ran since March 20, which is 48 days, which is the longest I haven’t ran for since 2018, 6 years ago. It was Covid. I’m a late bloomer, but my time was always coming. Bloody cracker time to hit too. Dad was visiting, we had a public holiday bonanza, I had a birthday, work projects were kicking into full gear, weather was awesome. Anyway, it could be worse, and it is for a lot of people, so I won’t whinge. It is what it is, but I want to set the context.

My asthma flared up, having to use a puffer for the first time since 2019, and with it I got nausea, passed out once, headaches, ripping throat, all that fun stuff. I attempted to go back to work once, but that made things worse, then the doc put me on half days, which are about to come to an end. I think the resting has kicked it, and my jog today was a sign I’m ok. I’ll go back to the office tomorrow, finish out these half days, and fingers crossed be in full swing next week.

So the jog was awesome. I knocked off 6.9km at a surprising 5:22 /km pace. It felt comfortable so rolled with it. I went a little further than my planned 30 minutes, typical of me to extend a run to [insert next obstacle here] (it was a cattle grid) when I’m feeling good. Couldn’t help myself. I got through ok, the exertion making me take deeper breaths than usual, which felt amazing with the fresh Autumn air. The muscles are reminding me now that its been a while.

So why am I writing about this and not my stupid bloody fix-it jobs around the house? You’ve committed to fixing something every day for the month and now this? What gives?

Yeah, kinda sounds like I’m getting flakey right? You wouldn’t be wrong. I do that. But I wouldn’t be partaking in Weblog Post Month if I never got Covid and stopped running. I wouldn’t even know what the Fediverse or Mastodon was, or have a website. On a normal week I run 10-20 hours. Injuries and illness give me time back to do the less physical things, explore my nerdy side, tinker in the digi-world.

So here I am, I got sick, I adjusted.

Exploring the Fediverse and creating my digital profiles has been my substitute, keeping my brain active, providing the odd dopamine hit, connecting with new folk. Weblog Post Month in particular has aided my recovery. I chose a topic that would give me my dopamine fix but is also super practical - ticking off something around the house once a day so (hypothetically) if I suddenly dropped dead, friends and family don’t have to deal with all my crap (death cleaning), and living like I’m selling which also encourages getting things done. I’ve been careful not to overdo myself.

So, just like running kept me away from learning about the Fediverse or Weblog Post Month, instead you get this post triggered by running, and not about a new job ticked off. But don’t sweat, for the one person who read this far (hello!), this blogging thing has caught on and I think it’ll stick, no matter my running coming back into my life.

I’m not actually sure about the point of this post. Sorry.

#WeblogPoMo2024

May 7, 2024 ∞

Bunnings and Mitre 10 are becoming my second home

Got a start on the wardrobe in the spare room this afternoon. It’s quite a hefty space (850d x 800w) which is great for storage, but a pain because there isn’t any out of the box shelving fit to size. I’ve built the top shelf and clothes rack so far, without any issues. Still weighing up how to do the lower shelving though. I think I’ll just go with open melamine shelves. All the pre-made stuff is too narrow and costs an arm and a leg.

#WeblogPoMo2024

May 6, 2024 ∞

This is just embarrassing

Crusty broken lower shower seal/water channel needed replacing. Though when I removed it I realised it didn’t need one at all as there’s a lip on the shower’s base that prevents the water from exiting the area anyway. All this thing was doing was collecting mold!

All that was needed was a good scrub.

Becoming aware that I’m ticking off all the easy jobs and the bigger ones like “build pergola” and “fit out cupboards” may span a few days so I’ll consider some deeper reflection writing scattered throughout the rest of the month.

#WeblogPoMo2024

May 5, 2024 ∞

Imperfection wins the day

Colour matching did the trick. Saved some moolah by just painting the patches and not the whole walls. If you look hard you can see where I’ve done the touching up but that’s ok. I’m embracing imperfection. Means I get progress, and if I make it too good any little nick will stand out right? Felt like a 90s throwback so whacked on some Presidents.

#WeblogPoMo2024

May 4, 2024 ∞

Dusty fans

We’ve all got em. I look at this filth every day. Took all of 5 minutes to clean. Lesson learned.

#WeblogPoMo2024

May 4, 2024 ∞

This wee track goes to a nice swimming or fishing spot along the Kawarau River. It is a sheltered nook with a shallow bank, but don’t go too far or you’ll get swept away. Popular with the locals.

#DesireLine #desirePath #psychogeography

May 3, 2024 ∞

Painting.. or not

Turns out I didn’t have any left over tinted wall paint from the previous owner/builders. Now the quest to figure out what colour was used. Internet suggests I chip off a bit to get matched at the store. In the meantime I sanded back the patches and painted some trim (which I did have leftovers for!). Also found more holes 😑 so patched them up too.