Day 2 of 100, Thursday, 25th October

I forgot to mention that, after my boss explained about his drivers licence, I checked my own – it, too has expired! So, on top of everything else, I’ll have to try and find a way to renew my drivers’ license – AND I need to have it BEFORE I leave! It takes 6-8 weeks … which would fall in the Christmas time!

On Tuesday I had decided to go shopping on Wednesday; but with my boss’ arrival, that didn’t happen. I had planned to stop at Cell C, as my data would expire on 3^rd November (please, can someone explain to me why data expires? Why is it legal for mobile network companies to steal something I have paid for? After all, the butcher doesn’t take back meat after its ‘use by’ date?).

Anyway, after the news, I decided the first thing I’ll need is packing tape – the best place to get that is Makro. But then, Wednesday morning I had a clearer mind and realized that I don’t have to drive all that way just for packing tape! Yeah, I know – just shows how muddled my mind is, spinning in circles.

So, off I went first thing Thursday morning. I got the data – no problem, shop was still empty. Then I walked a bit further into ‘The Bridge’ (name of the shopping centre) and saw a ‘Game’ store, so I tried them. And I got lucky, too! Got 3 rolls of packing tape and a set of 4 colours permanent markers.

Then I set off to go to Spar and get some groceries – but as I was driving, I couldn’t for the life of me think of anything I should get. Meat, but … I don’t need any tonight. Milk? Would be nice, but not really needed. In the end I gave it a miss and went straight home again.

I decided to start packing. I took some boxes from the garage and went into the spare bedroom. But first … what’s my strategy? Minimalist?

I’ve been thinking about this nomadic life of mine for a long time now. Mostly, since I started really working in this garden. Part of me would like to see it change, improve, grow … basically see the results of my work. But: I also love my job! And, at my age, I won’t get another job … well, sure, I can get another job, but not with the same job-security! And at my age, that is worth more than anything! Especially for someone who no longer has any ambition. I’ve come to the realization that I enjoy being an employee far more than I feel any desire for authority or responsibility! The only times in my life, when I worked at building my own business were either when I was desperate or wanted the status, i.e. pride. I’m no longer desperate and I’ve outgrown the need for status.

It’s not so much the constant change of scenery – it’s the actual moving! So, I’ve been think that maybe it’s time for another clear-out, like I did before I started this job. Get rid of absolutely everything I don’t use … ruthlessly. But … thing is, that would mean getting rid of stuff that survived the first clear-out … the things I decided to keep, which had the most sentimental value. Part of me doesn’t ever want to pack everything again … and that’s really the issue, isn’t it? It’s not that I want to let go, but that I don’t want to have to keep packing an unpacking?

And with this change in business … I would quite happily take every last thing back, which I cleared out, if only I would never have to pack and unpack it. So. Change my thinking … again. I’ve been mentally preparing myself for minimalist … now I can let go of that and be true to my hoarding self!

Except, of course, I will have to pack everything … one last time! Months of working myself towards letting go … even started to sort some stuff … and have already cleared some out, as well.

That’s what I did on Day 2, actually. I started by clearing out the least used closet in the spare bedroom and I took down the curtains. That room is not used, so everything is really dusty. I put some water in the basin … uhm … there’s just a trickle .. better close the basin!

We had no water from 2 in the afternoon! Can’t wash the curtains, can’t wash my hands, can’t clean the shelves … so, that’s it! Nothing I can do.

The neighbourhood watch whatsapp group was buzzing about the water outage, so it wasn’t just me. Rose is a member – I don’t whatsapp. She told me there was no water in the whole area … I had been drinking my filtered water, but by 6 I switched over to tonic water, to keep what was left to make coffee tomorrow morning! By quarter past six, there was still no news, no explanation and still no water, so I called the ‘Water crisis’ number … only to find out that nobody reported the problem until a few minutes ago! And that person only reported her house as having no water – so a plumber was on its way.

Well, if a plumber goes to a household, it’ll take a while before he’s informed that the problem is affecting the entire area – and then he’ll have to investigate, etc. etc. There’s no chance we’ll have water before morning! Good thing I switched over to Tonic Water or I would have to do without my morning coffee!