I bought an iPad. It is really cool! My old laptop has been pretty temperamental for a while now, so I thought it was time to upgrade. This was a big step for me, coz I have always been slow to take up new technologies. I resisted buying a cellphone when they were first becoming popular... then kept the same phone for several years, while others were upgrading at the slightest whiff of a new model. I remained staunch and mildly cynical. Well, we got by just fine for quite a few years with just an old landline at home, who needs a cellphone!
So my new iPad isn't just an iPad, it represents more than that. I have stepped out from behind my cynical spectacles and have decided to embrace a bit of technology instead of holding stubbornly to my old ways. It represents a change in my attitude, from being stubborn about change, to just giving it a go coz it might just improve my life somehow.
There's always a balance... some people are like Steve Job's lap dogs... dribbling all over his pants whenever he persuades you that his latest product is the saviour of the universe, while others, like I used to be, would see everything new, even sliced bread and colour tv as self-indulgent and unnecessary spawns of evil.
Hang on... my latest talking cat iPad app has downloaded. I really need that. Great!
Meeow to you too, my pixellated friend.
So time will tell how useful new technology really is, or if it is just cluttering up my attention so that I miss the point of why i'm even on this planet. But one thing I know is that 'new' doesn't mean 'bad'. I need to let that small-minded attitude go. Conversely, 'new' doesn't necessarily mean 'better'... I need to guard myself from becoming too materialistic... 'New'just means 'new'!
Meeeow
Ok, here I come, stop bugging me.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Homo Ner
A year ago, I bought my first home. It was an exciting time and I am extremely proud of myself, that I saved hard for a few years and managed to do it all by myself, without any help. Apart from God, and the experts, who hooked me up and made it really easy. If you know me, then you know how important it is that I did it all by myself. Something to do with my personality type and all that independant stuff...
Anyway, I thought I would reflect on owning a home for a year. It certainly has been interesting, with the earthquake damage, leaky roof and cracked gib, doors and window etc... But it's all fixable, and I didn't get any liquefaction, so I got off lightly. I'm on the "Urgent List" for roof repairs, so in 15 years time when EQC get back to me, all will be good.
The thing I have probably enjoyed the most is being able to do home improvements. Jim the Tool Man. No, not Jim the Tool. Before I bought a house, I was insanely jealous and had so much built up frustration coz I knew I wanted to do lots of home handyman stuff, but I couldn't! Well 12 months ago, the home handyman beast was unleashed on this poor, unsuspecting one bedroom mansion.
On the day of possession, I ripped out the carpet and underfloor heating unit with Dad, Will and Carl. The next morning, the new carpet was installed. That afternoon, I was installed. The house still smells of fresh paint at this point. I put new thermal lined curtains in. I painted some stuff. I tried, and semi failed at sticking down some new flooring in the kitchen. Will fix that one day ;). I got under the house and installed batts, and plastic sheets for a moisture barrier. I removed lots of rubbish from under there too. I built a deck last spring, including a mommoth working bee over the entire Labour Weekend. Ironic. Had some help with that thanks Carl. I planted 2 hedges. I modified and painted the awning over the back door. I positioned two home made planter boxes, filled with potting mix and planted two large trees. I shifted a timber fence and hung two six foot gates. I built a new fence. I layed pavers, and stone chip for my neighbours walkway to her door. I put concrete in some potholes in the driveway. I turned off the water to the surrounding 5 units and put a pipe under my house with a new tap on the back of the building. Then I turned the water back on and it hasn't leaked to this day! I installed a small irrigation system in the back yard. I put in another downpipe on the back of the house. I put batts up in the ceiling. I installed a hotwater cylinder wrap and lagged the pipes. I think that's it! Plus I moved in and made the home all homely.
I have plans to convert the loft into another bedroom / storage... that's exciting.
Plus I managed to fit a job and social life somewhere in the middle of that! Well, a semi-social life...
So, what does that all mean? Well, it shows me that there are seasons in life. There was a season to work hard and save a deposit... even though I was busting to be home handyman! I couldn't, because it wasn't the right time to do it. But now it is! YEHAAAA
You might have a burning desire for something in your life, but you have to do the ground work. You have to do your time and get prepared. But be encouraged, because when your time comes, you will unleash fury! Be patient. It will happen at the right time. And when it does, you won't be able to control yourself and you will be a tornado of good times!
p.s. I only need 12 more pageviews to reach 1000 views on this blog! Will you be the lucky shopper?
Anyway, I thought I would reflect on owning a home for a year. It certainly has been interesting, with the earthquake damage, leaky roof and cracked gib, doors and window etc... But it's all fixable, and I didn't get any liquefaction, so I got off lightly. I'm on the "Urgent List" for roof repairs, so in 15 years time when EQC get back to me, all will be good.
The thing I have probably enjoyed the most is being able to do home improvements. Jim the Tool Man. No, not Jim the Tool. Before I bought a house, I was insanely jealous and had so much built up frustration coz I knew I wanted to do lots of home handyman stuff, but I couldn't! Well 12 months ago, the home handyman beast was unleashed on this poor, unsuspecting one bedroom mansion.
On the day of possession, I ripped out the carpet and underfloor heating unit with Dad, Will and Carl. The next morning, the new carpet was installed. That afternoon, I was installed. The house still smells of fresh paint at this point. I put new thermal lined curtains in. I painted some stuff. I tried, and semi failed at sticking down some new flooring in the kitchen. Will fix that one day ;). I got under the house and installed batts, and plastic sheets for a moisture barrier. I removed lots of rubbish from under there too. I built a deck last spring, including a mommoth working bee over the entire Labour Weekend. Ironic. Had some help with that thanks Carl. I planted 2 hedges. I modified and painted the awning over the back door. I positioned two home made planter boxes, filled with potting mix and planted two large trees. I shifted a timber fence and hung two six foot gates. I built a new fence. I layed pavers, and stone chip for my neighbours walkway to her door. I put concrete in some potholes in the driveway. I turned off the water to the surrounding 5 units and put a pipe under my house with a new tap on the back of the building. Then I turned the water back on and it hasn't leaked to this day! I installed a small irrigation system in the back yard. I put in another downpipe on the back of the house. I put batts up in the ceiling. I installed a hotwater cylinder wrap and lagged the pipes. I think that's it! Plus I moved in and made the home all homely.
I have plans to convert the loft into another bedroom / storage... that's exciting.
Plus I managed to fit a job and social life somewhere in the middle of that! Well, a semi-social life...
So, what does that all mean? Well, it shows me that there are seasons in life. There was a season to work hard and save a deposit... even though I was busting to be home handyman! I couldn't, because it wasn't the right time to do it. But now it is! YEHAAAA
You might have a burning desire for something in your life, but you have to do the ground work. You have to do your time and get prepared. But be encouraged, because when your time comes, you will unleash fury! Be patient. It will happen at the right time. And when it does, you won't be able to control yourself and you will be a tornado of good times!
p.s. I only need 12 more pageviews to reach 1000 views on this blog! Will you be the lucky shopper?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)