Celebrate the Small Things: pizza

My stomach was insisting I eat and I agreed wholeheartedly. I opened Domino's online and was just about to order when the phone rang. My plans for beer, pizza and watching footy on the box were changed by this phone call.



'Would you like to go out with me?' said a familiar voice.

I was surprised, firstly to hear from her, and secondly that she wanted to see me, but of course I immediately said yes. An hour later I arrived at her place, went inside and waited while she finished getting ready. Although I was on time, and extremely hungry, I sat on the lounge and waited patiently for her. I wondered if she was gong to say anything to me, to continue our previous 'discussion' which had not ended well. She did not.

We drove to Shellharbour Workers Club, making small talk while I fought the distraction of my growling belly. With a sweet white wine for her and a schooner of Superdry for me to accompany my fancy titled pizza we sat, listened to music provided by a guitarist, and made small talk. I kept half an eye on the footy as I devoured my pizza with great relish. All the while I wondered when we were going to talk. The club was crowded but there was sufficient room for the elephant.

With my stomach full and the alcohol doing its job, I was reasonably relaxed and did not push the issue with her. Just after nine we left the club and I drove her and the elephant home. it was there that we finally talked.

I love pizza so I'm thankful to have been able to eat a gourmet one last night. I love my fiance, (although in a somewhat different way) and I'm thankful that the doors of communication are wide open between us and we are moving forward sans elephant. 

I'm just a little disappointed though because I forgot to bring the left over pizza home with me. It's in her fridge.The pizza may be cold now, but our love is not.

Celebrate the Small Things: My Greatest Achievement

The first time I cracked a can of Coke without spilling any of the precious liquid within, I was so pleased with myself, I blogged about it. I have hung my hat on such triumphs of human spirit, but deep inside there has always been the nagging feeling that there is more to life than the mastery of practical skills.

On Thursday, I had afternoon tea with my daughter at The Shed in Dapto Mall, and it was here that I experienced the highlight of my week. Of all the things I have achieved, both trivial and significant, nothing compares to this- which I always hoped and mostly believed to be true- I have good relationships with my son and daughter, aged 20 and 18 respectively.

As I drank Coke and she a chocolate frappe, my daughter said she feels comfortable with me and close to me, and when she thinks back on her childhood, she sees me, spending time with her: going to school events, taking her to gym training and competitions, playing with her, reading to her.

I thought I might have done irreparable harm to her, and to our realtionship as a result of divorcing her mother, but it appears I worked hard enough through her childhood to have earned her love and trust as a young adult. Now if that's not something to be thankful for, then there is no such thing.

Teach them well...not

This long weekend I've watched three games of juniour soccer and one of rugby league. People watching is another sport in which I have participated at the same time, and it has been, as always, quite fascinating.

There is a soccer competition for four and five year olds which is called mini roos. They play four a side, on a small field with small goals, no referees and no rules. They don't keep score either; it's not competitive. The idea is for the kids to have fun. You should see the hacking that goes on as little feet swing wildly at the ball and whatever else is near the ball. At some stage the children will learn that there is such a thing as a legal tackle and an illegal one: there are rules and their are penalties for breaking the rules. The parents at these games are very supportive of both teams, all the talk for the sidelines is positive and encouraging. I wonder how hard it will be for these little football players to unlearn the 'no rules' game into which they are being indoctrinated. 

I also watched an under 14's girls' match. They have rules and referees who enforce the rules albeit inconsistently. The talk from the sidelines is not always positive towards the players, and rarely anything but negative towards the referees. Only those who have refereed know just how hard a job it is. Referee bashing (not physical thankfully) seems to be a sport within sport. Coaches, family, and the players themselves criticize referees often, so players quickly learn to disrespect referees.

There was an incident in today's game in which a player was elbowed in the face. The rules state that this offence is a red card infringement, a send off offence, but the referee merely gave a free kick. The player who was elbowed had to leave the field, but was later able to return to the field. When she was ready to return, the coach instructed her to go after the girl who elbowed her. Revenge.

This is how we teach our children, while we shake our heads at the state of the world, and all its injustice.

Celebrate the Small Things: A Drive in the Country

Ninety nine percent recovered from the man flu, I write light of spirit and relatively clear of head, on this first Friday in winter.

Aside from feeling miserable and sick, the man flu kept me away from my dad, which was a huge emotional bummer. He is receiving chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer. Every other Friday I spend the whole day with him helping him do his delivery job. I do the driving and lifting. As I was unwell, and he has virtually no immune system, I could not risk his health by spending the day in a truck with him. Neither could I even risk spending the afternoon on the couch with him watching the footy, which is something else we regularly do together. I missed him, and at a time when I fear the chemotherapy is not helping, and I may soon lose one of my best friends.

Today, we were reunited: visiting homes and farms, from Bowral in the southern highlands, down to Yass, delivering fresh meat for people's pet dogs. The job is mundane, mostly, but we talked a lot about sport, politics, work and matters of the heart, and I am very grateful for the time with my dad. He needs my help and I am happy to do it. That's what I'm thankful for today.