Thoughts and reflections from the past week or so from my own financial independence campaign.
Progress on my goals
Boat plan
So all the excitement last weekend was met with a dog who is happy to jump onto the back of other people’s boats and scale sheer mud banks but won’t willingly climb three steps to board our boat.
Bugger.
This weekend I’ve modified the steps into a kind of steps/bridge hybrid. We’re going to train him on the mum-in-law’s staircase for a bit before re-attempting the boat boarding.
Turns out there was a training burden involved. Who knew?
While it was disappointing, Lady SierraWhiskyMike and I did manage to road test Mario Kart 64 on the boat.
Distractions and detours
Christmas time is coming and now I need to work out what everyone wants.
My brothers and sister have aborted Christmas gifts this year. I think it’s gotten to the point where everyone’s sick of giving and receiving tat. Independently, most of my immediate family have switched to a lifestyle of reduced consumption, which is a pretty big development.
It’s also silly season, with all the forced fun corporate socials coming up.
Actually, that brings me to a good point.
My relationship with alcohol
I like beer and whisky, particularly dark beer and the American bourbon whiskies.
However, I really don’t like that it’s the main ingredient in every social event ever.
I also can’t drink lager anymore. Not sure what it is, but I always, without fail get into a bad mood if I drink lager in any amount. It’s not cool for me or for others around me. I’ve had enough of it, and I now actively refuse lager unless it’s low alcohol or alcohol free, like Becks Blue or Brooklyn Brewery Special Effects.
I can see why people go teetotal!
Society here in the Channel Islands is essentially based on drinking. There isn’t a lot to do here in winter. But, I’m starting to rethink how much of this behaviour I should go along with.
Moderation is probably the key.
Non-FIRE goals
My guitar rock god quest (AKA learning to play)
Paranoid went fairly well, but this week I need to keep on it and improve my timing with some metronome exercises.
I’m usually OK, but my third and fourth fingers are a little clumsy, so we’re working on a few simple exercises to increase my dexterity and control on the fret hand.
Lady SierraWhiskyMike thinks it’s starting to sound good. There are loads of mistakes still, but at least the few songs I can play are now starting to sound like what I was trying to play.
Progress!
Fitness
One run, one gym session focusing on pull-ups/ dips/ sprints, and one mediocre swim this week.
However, I also had a sneaky choccy bar while sawing the new dog boarding device, so that probably undid some of the work!
Final thoughts
I’m disappointed that we haven’t transitioned onto the boat yet.
On the other hand, I can’t really stress my dog out, or he’ll never get with the plan.
So I guess I’m going to have to learn patience. Damn it.
My financial independence campaign continues!
