Some Regrets

No Regrets For Me tagged me for one of those meme things a while ago and I’ve finally got round to it. I did something like this a while ago but time has marched on and answers are different.

1. Where was I ten years ago?

I was living by myself with my dog in a very old little termite ridden house in Spotswood, a suburb away from me now. The Spotswood of Spottiswoode Hotel fame and also the location and name of the movie starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, Russell Crowe, Toni Collette, Ben Mendelsohn and Dan Wyllie made in 1992.

I was footloose and fancy free and was too dumb to know it. I was ridiculously serious. I fell in and out of love at the drop of a hat but never deeply. I read far too many books for any man to ever hit the standard. I was deeply unhappy with the direction of my life and mostly happy with my own company and that of my dog, Mighty. Despite this I seemed to spend much time in gay clubs with friends where I felt like an utter tourist and being harassed by straight friends to straighten up and settle down.

I followed the beautiful musical notes of a pipe dancing on the gentle summery breeze at Williamstown Beach at dusk on a lazy summer evening. So began one of my many on-off love-hate relationships that only ended with his untimely death a few years later.

2. What is on my to-do list today? (Being the end of the day, this is for tomorrow)

- Getting my daughter out the door. Then myself.
- Making a dozen or so phone calls.
- Staff meeting.
- A waxing appointment.
- Organising my mum’s discharge from hospital.
- Settling her in at home.
- Attending a mediation conference I’m convening – and solving all the problems of the world.
- Chasing up people to come to my birthday drinks on Saturday – I’m certain they’re all going to opt out for Grand Final parties.
- Coffee with a good friend.
- Another meeting.
- And probably another one.
- Plus some letters.
- And some filenotes.
- Cleaning the house when I get home before my daughter arrives.
- Entertaining her and coaxing her to eat SOMETHING for dinner. She’s gone from a lovely dumpling to a string bean since she turned 3.
- Bath time.
- Storytime and bedtime.
- I might read a book – but not likely.
- I might get on the exercise bike or do some pilates – but not likely.
- I’ll probably have a glass of shiraz viognier and go to sleep before partner gets home.

3. What if I was a billionaire?

I’d do what would make me and my family happy which would account for a small amount of that money. And the rest would be for good deeds. My brain is mush with all that needs doing right now, so I’d entrust it to my partner. He knows what I want and he’d love the responsibility.

4. Five places I’ve lived.

Greensborough, Neerim North, Northcote, Collingwood, South Melbourne. Never left Victoria.

5. Bad habits.

Being too logical in an argument. Only ever serves to be called “cold” and “unemotional” by the person with whom you have the dispute.

I think I’m prone to ridiculous and unnecessary bouts of swearing in my writing at times when words are failing me.

Girlfriend hates it when I pop my lips making a vague bubble popping sound. Seriously. She goes absolutely mental.

Just asked partner. He says “You always have to win an argument!” I ask “You mean I always have to win an argument or I always do?” “SAME THING!” he yells.