Chalk & Cheese (2)

There’s an uncomfortable déjà vu feeling associated with my last two weeks here at work.   Perhaps this is due to being exactly in the same position, fulfilling the exact same duties, as this time two years ago.  That was the previous time where I refused to extend my contract and stay on.  That period of ‘retirement’ lasted about five months before I capitulated to a request to return.  To be fair, Franki (my Manager),  is very tolerant of the manner in which I manage my small team of people.  He also knows the job isn’t a cushy number: this Engineer has to work for a living rather than time-serve.  Between you and me, he’s already asked me when I might possibly be able to return (but don’t tell Kik, my long-suffering Wife).

Kik, my rock and foundation.

The work tends not to leave me much in the way of a quiet few minutes to write any blogs.  I guess that’ll change when I ‘retire’ shortly.  And therein lies a little quandary. We’ve gotten used to being paid as much as they are prepared to pay and our travel lifestyle is going to suffer.  Let me see if I can explain it.

In the last year we’ve been to the UK (twice), Japan (twice), New Zealand (once), Perth (three times – don’t laugh as it’s a four hour flight away) plus other short trips to Tassie, Canberra and Cairns.  Now, out of the blue, I’ve also been asked to perform a role above my martial arts pay-grade which means Kik and I have to travel to Japan again towards the end of this year (this I’ll explain in another blog).  Not that we are extravagant, but all of this travel doesn’t come cheap.  Although Kik has a personal investment income it is not sufficient to carry on the jet-setting lifestyle.  What to do?

Well, let me dig my heels in right now and outright refuse to act my age and ease back gracefully.  There’s only one thing I can do.  Work at the desk for 6 months then sit on my tractor for 6 months.  Chalk and Cheese.

(From R to L)  Kik, Jenna (my Daughter) and Natalie (Jenna’s friend) on the farm.