Storage

We slide into autumn and the sea level swells. I go to Taylor's with Robyn where the water all but obscures ships on the horizon and draws back so far it feels like there's a tsunami on the way. It's fun riding in on the waves but I'm careful not to go too far into the foaming waves. Taylor's is good place to end a hectic work week. We've been teaching the same units in English so if we go off sick we can easily pick up someone else's load, as well as preparing work for hybrid learning, as well as teaching classes where there are higher than normal absences. It's super busy and stressful. I stub my toes at Robyn's and limp for the next two weeks.

Kahu gets Covid so he and James have to isolate for a week at home. Used to be longer but the country was shutting down. We have rapid antigen tests now and can use these to determine Covid or not status. Reasonably accurate as we administer these ourselves, or not. It's a guess as to how many people are willing to do this as they need to keep food on the table and/or are asymptomatic so don't bother testing. So I drop off a food box....Mum food from the fridge and fresh veges. 

Bertie settles in with Jorge with Tina. Is this a good thing? On Monday we begin hybrid learning which means all our juniors are doing the same lessons on computer. We stand in front of them and facilitate, no direct tuition. It feels easier and the pace has calmed down. Phew. 

Meanwhile I get a friend of a friend to tile the ensuite splash back. The first of a backlog of finishing off jobs. And I tackle garage storage by making a collage of images from the internet to get ideas. A job for Pete and Zeban. I start to feel more in control as rent comes in and I start to stockpile money to get this last stage of the house done. The extra cash starts to take the pressure off; at the same time the cost of living is going up and people at the lower income end can't keep pace with inflation so struggle to put food on the table,

I have grey swim after grey swim. But the water is refreshing and cleansing. Thursday comes and Eat My Shorts practises in the living room with the doors open to avoid Covid. It's St Patrick's day and Bertie's birthday.