Why do we like roller coasters? Part 2

As the end of our holiday hits home I can look back and smile. There were times when I doubted we would make it with our sanity intact. Almost two weeks ago…

It happens in threes. 

My rego expired. Seriously a friendly policeman told me not only that my rego had expired, my plates were cancelled. As it turns out my rego was overdue by 112 days. I learnt I needed to surrender my plates, get my car towed, then a new road worthy and new plates.

A friend gave me a lift… and he gets a flat tyre. True!

And it starts to rain… Unbelievable right! 

Don’t get me wrong, the much-needed rain is beautiful. I love it. Normally I am happy to run around outside and do a silly happy dance. But… did the week of rain needed to start as Bill was changing the flat tyre and I was all dressed up for work, looking professional and all, waiting for an Uber to take me to a meeting with my new client. I did not want to be late nor look like a drowned rat. And no umbrella…

Que music… Van Morrison singing “Days like these”.

My week started well with me feeling super organised… and feeling pretty satisfied with myself. I had a tight schedule of back-to-back meetings Monday to Wednesday. Seriously 15 meetings (combination of personal and work) in 11 locations in three days. This sounds horrendous. However, it includes a couple of after hours trips to the boat, dentist and physio etc.

Consequently, all down-sizing activities had to take a back seat this week as work started to ramp up. It was week two with one new client and week one with another… And I am attempting to fit a week’s work into 3.5 days. Why 3.5 days, that will be revealed shortly.

Then lady luck totally abandoned me. 

My super organised plans were shattered Monday afternoon, while I was in a one-on-one meeting with a client and there was a knock on the door. Unusual! It was too early for my next client. I answered the door, fully expecting it was someone running late for a meeting. I opened the door to see the security guard from the front desk who politely asked me, “Do you own a Prius?” “Yes I do!” I replied. “There is a gentleman who would like to talk to you”. It was a police officer, who went on to tell me my rego had expired and the rest you know

“Man!”… My inner voice starts, “Great, just what I need!”

I had to let that thought go as I had no idea how I was going to fit this situation in and not blow my schedule. And I needed to bring my full attention back to my client.

At the end of the day I organised a tow truck to pick up my car and deliver it to my mechanic. Ironically, as the tow truck driver was offloading my car from the back of his truck I saw a sign on my mechanic’s door that I have never seen before, “Free towing under 20kms”. The journey was 18.5 kms. I hear faint twangs of Alanis Morrissett playing in the background. Even so, I had told myself not to get frustrated about the whole week because… well, the week was pretty much back-to-back meetings, and nothing was going to change no matter how inconvenient being carless was going to be. So, “get over it quickly” was the only realistic path forward that would not ruin my head space.

A glass of rose’ (actually two) and some dim sum at our favourite Chinese at Portside left me feeling mellow enough to work out the logistics of getting around over the next 3 days.
Somehow it all came together with Ubers, using Martin’s car for most of the after-hours stuff and the help of our friend Bill, who for his efforts gained a flat tyre. 

I clearly survived the week.

However, it has taken a lot of mental effort to stop being anchored in the story and every event that has pissed me off. The inconvenience of the car event pales into insignificance compared to three key events. The boat and two celebrations.

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It has been Seven weeks since writing my first post titled, “Why do we like rollercoasters”, I can honestly still say fitting in boat renovations and full-time work and downsizing can be compared to being on a roller coaster. The work on the boat was only meant to take three weeks and it has now been 11 weeks. We have days that we really have to work hard not to let our feelings ruin the rest of the day / week or whatever else we need to channel our energy into. We were told, definitely she would be back in the water on Friday (17th). Alas it was not to be. The new date became Wednesday (22nd). Again missed, the next absolutely definitely date is today. Fingers crossed. I think we are on our 8th, absolutely definitely “that is the launch date”!!!

More importantly…

Our frustration of the week prior to our holidays and the associated boat issues seem a long time ago. They simply melted away.

Que music, Kool and the Gang singing “Celebration… 
Celebrate good times, come on
Let’s celebrate
Celebrate good times, come on
Let’s celebrate and have a good time…

We had two weddings in two countries in 48 hours. 

The 48 hours and subsequent time with family and friends can only be described as overflowing with happiness, tears (of joy), much dancing, bubbles and more bubbles… Simply – pure – joy!

Wedding number

One of my school girlfriends got married on Thursday afternoon. I have known Jeanine for 43 years and Mark for 10 years. From the very beginning, I knew he was a keeper and I’ve loved watching their relationship grow and the joy they bring each other and how they complement each other. 

Side note: I have no idea how it has been 43 years as I feel time stands still when you are with great friends. I also feel everyone I like is my age and everyone I don’t like (not that there are many) are the age they deserve. 

Anyway, back to Jeanine. I feel like we are still kids (maybe a little wiser) but kids never-the-less. We were busted wagging religious education together. My dad was taking the class. That’s a story for another day. I love that it is not how often we catch up but the quality of time we have when we are together, and I love low maintenance friends. I’m so happy for you Jeanine and Mark

Wedding number two

The second wedding was in New Zealand between Martin’s eldest daughter Helen and Grant.

I loved watching the day unfold, and the energy grow, seeing the old friends and new gather, conversations bubble away as connections are made. Reconnections unfold with stories of last 7, 10 ,15 or 30 years.

The drinks flowed, as did the energy levels and anticipation. Grant looked happy and relaxed. No sign of prewedding jitters. 

The music changed, we turned to wait for the bride. 

One of the many highlights was seeing Kezia (Helen’s sister) appear at the end of the aisle carrying Helen and Grant’s daughter Riley. She put Riley (20 months) down and whispered in her ear. “Where’s daddy?” To which Riley spots daddy at the end of the red carpet and half runs perfectly down the aisle to the waiting arms of her father. 

Another highlight was seeing, Martin Lloyd and Carol (Helen’s mother) walk their daughter down the aisle. They were both radiating. To be expected, during the course of the ceremony, there was laughter and tears. 

I loved watching Martin, travel through these emotions, being in the moment and the happiness that comes from being connected with family and friends. It is the reconnections and new friendships that come together like this that make the roller-coaster of life worthwhile.