I'm not infallible...

Being the oldest of four, being slightly organized when compared to the chaos of most of the world, I am sometimes led to believe that I have it all together.

I have many un-strengths, but usually, a sense of direction isn't one of them until all of a sudden it is a major blooper (anyone who remembers that word? Sure dates me doesn't it, but then I have never been afraid to admit to my real age).

I'll let you find out for yourself in the following blog.

https://theexpatwriter.blogspot.com/2020/07/julia-doesnt-always-know-way.html

As we managed to arrive in time to get served, what could have been a total disaster turned into just another "adventure" à la Julia and D-L. Some friendships have fun going the wrong way!

Being sensible, or….

Not my usual state of affairs, nor mind.

For once in my life having planned something I woke up thinking: really, get sensible – one doesn’t need to go out in the heat, burn up the miles in a train just to end up paying a hotel overnight, all with the goal of “using” pre-paid daily cards.

If that is my only loss due to Covid-19 I can count myself blessed!

It all started well way back a year ago, mentioned in my “Train to somewhere” blog in January of this year.

I purchased, combined with a half-tariff train pass, 20 day cards at a very good price, i.e., one that was even cheaper than buying the same day cards from my community. However, as I planned on using most of them during March and April of this year (valid a year), I hadn’t been too generous with my trips during the winter. How could I know that Covid-19 would come along and upset all travel plans?

That left me with more than half to use in just two months. In June I did manage to use 5 and had a great time, but one also has to remember that one has friends, travels with second parties and the like so I entered July with 6 still left. Break-even point would be 17 as that would be the equivalent of my community cards, but I still have 3 till that point.

As I was free today and tomorrow I had actually even packed a small suitcase with the plan of leaving after my haircut and spending the night somewhere else, thus using two. Upon awakening though and realizing that the weather is to be stormy in all the areas in which I was interested I “woke up”. Why try and use two cards, whilst paying for a hotel room that would be worth more than the two combined when I have so many things to do here at home?

I got sensible, stayed here, did a lot of admin this morning, then called a friend to see if she was available for lunch. No, but wonder of wonders I now know that they have a working, fixed telephone and that I can actually call them without going through the shenanigans of her cell phone (always off), their out-of-the-country phone, his cell phone (half a chance or less) or a message via social media. Oh the luxury – I was very chuffed.

No problem that they weren’t available, I called another of those dear friends whom I haven’t seen in it seems forever and we will have coffee when we go grocery shopping.

I don’t plan on making it a habit but being sensible is working out well indeed… this time.

I would attribute this, if I could, but not quite sure who used or designed it first.