My used Victa Lawn Mower died on me again – second time in about 2 months. My lawn mower repairman said it was a blown heat gasket – would take a few days to replace…meanwhile my lawn gets a reprieve. They suddenly have an extra few days before I mow them down. My neighbours wont be pleased – it is easily 6 inches tall now. What the heck – I did try. I mowed about 20% of it before it died on me, about 2+ hours ago. Didnt touch the nature strips, so that’s not good either. A recently mowed lawn is a very gratifying sight – one which I will continue to be deprived of for a little longer. I get all dusty and dirty and on a day like today (26 deg) I get rather sweaty as well. The satisfaction after the job is done however, is nearly always worth it. It is nearly as good as completing a long run. I dont sweat quite as much as I do when I do my long runs – but it is the sheer feeling of having completed a task with very tangible and visible results. Even if the lawn is half infested with weeds. You see weeds, when mowed, can look pretty neat and tidy too. All you need to do is make sure it is evenly mowed. Alas this satisfaction has to be put on hold for a few more days. Hopefully I find time to do it before Theresa and Kiddo return from Malaysia… 

This was taken back in Oct 05 – on a Sunday afternoon somewhere in South Melbourne. After church, we took a train to the city and from Flinders Station, took a tram there. Typical beach activities – people fishing on the pier, joggers, lots of people walking their dogs, roller-blading and families just taking walks together. I think it was around 3pm. If this was KL, we’d probably be in some shopping complex somewhere, just walking around and window shopping. Either that or a snooze at home after catching repeats of EPL games. Life in Melbourne would be truly great only is there were more relos around. I think this is what we miss the most. Kiddo loves to be with her cousins, especially the northern one (Penang la). We are more or less alone here in Melbourne. Sure, there are other relos around – Theresa’s uncles and auntie, some old friends, etc. I dont know though if they have their own activities on weekends and if our dropping in for hours on end would be a problem with them. Actually even in Klang we hardly drop in relos’ place except for dinner on Sunday nights with Theresa’s parents. I guess it is just a question of getting used to a different set of weekend activities. Again, I am reminded of my mother’s frequent quipping of “kuan si teoh ho” (just get used to it and it’d be fine). Given a choice, which would you get used to – walking along the beach with fresh air and great relaxing outdoor atmosphere or strolling in a shopping complex amidst crowds of shoppers? I guess it is a question of tastes but in my case – either would do, as along as there are family and friends there with me. Actually I am partial to this outdoor version…