Hergest Ridge

Saturday I did some cleaning in preparation for my new, on-site job. Since I’ll be out a lot, I knew that cleaning would be the last thing on my mind when I got home. Instead of the usual procrastination during the cleaning, I set myself a time limit for each area. If all wasn’t done by the end of the alloted time, too bad. The end result was a lot of rushing. Now that’s efficient! I recommend the system to all.

While some areas are not quite complete, I still feel better than the usual “I still have to do this, and this, and that” which inevitably led to “Well, I can’t finish it all now. Might as well leave it for a day I can!” Everything is either done, or nearly so.

As much excitement as a cleaning rundown has to offer, I’ll move on to other subjects.

Just found out about a ‘book club’ where Sam Harris’ “The End of Faith” will be debated. Yummy. There’s an event I’m not likely to miss! I am not sure what would be more exciting, talking with people who agree with Sam, or those that disagree. For the most part, I’m with Sam, but there are details where we couldn’t be further apart. Areas in which Christopher Hitchens and Sam might see more eye to eye.

That’s as exciting as things got around here last couple of days. :)

The on-site part time work starting on Monday has the potential to become a full time position. I did have the option to go full time right off the bat, but am not comfortable selling my company for the very little money I was offered. The current plan, with all its shortcomings does carry a few positives which I’m trying to focus on. First of, I’m working that much harder on my company. The better my company does, the less viable a sale will become under the offer on table. Second positive is the bit of extra money that will trickle in, money I reserve the right to spend on an European vacation later this fall. Between those two points, I can’t complain about the situation. :)

Last night I went to lie down before it was even dark. Didn’t set the alarm to wake me in an hour, because I thought the Beautiful Cynic would call and wake me. She thought I’d call and wake her, and also lied down without setting an alarm. Needless to say, we both woke up this morning in our own beds wondering why the other hadn’t called.

After a decent run of daily postings, I skipped the Friday entry. Anyway, you shouldn’t get used to daily stuff, at least not until I start getting paid to write. :) Today I’m back with three things I want to mention, issues of which most are blissfully unaware. In other words, time for some consciousness raising!

North is not up. North is north, neither up or down, left or right. The geographical description of “Orient” has roots in orientation from the days when east was commonly found at the top of maps. In Australia and New Zeland, maps can be purchased with south at the top, and north at the bottom.

Much of Australia is under heavy water restrictions defined by a scale of 1-8. Residents are only allowed to water their gardens with buckets, and gray water is preferred for doing so. Patrols are out on the streets watching for offenders. If you are caught with a sprinkler on your lawn, washing your car, home siding or sidewalk, etc, your water will be turned down to a trickle. Let’s implement some of Australia’s water conservation methods, before they become law everywhere.

“Kathy, a Liberal six year old, enjoys playing with her Conservative friend Amanda - also six years old - and Socialist Sylvia, whom is turning seven this month.” Ridiculous, right? Yet few see anything wrong with “Kathy, a Christian six year old, enjoys playing with her Jewish friend Amanda - also six years old - and Muslim Sylvia, whom is turning seven this month.”

Six year old Kathy is as much Liberal as she is Christian. She and her friends are too young to have their own opinion on political or religious views. If you must mix religion into the description, the best you can say is “Kathy, of Christian parents.”