We went on top of Mt Wellington the first day in Hobart. The last time I was here, it was right in the middle of winter with rain and strong winds. The wind is still very chilly, but it wasn’t foggy this time round, so we get treated to a view of Hobart city. I was in Tasmania many years ago with friends while at uni. We rented a campervan and saw quite a bit of stuff and even with my terrible memory, I still recall some of the scenes and sights of places I went to those many years ago. It was a good break from the regular activities.

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Have been pondering about how we spend money these days. I subscribe to a few websites that show daily deals or bargains of stuff that have been reduced in price. Sometimes it allows me to pickup something I’d want or need but would otherwise not buy at full price (like a dog brush for Alfie for when he’s older and starts shedding). Also saw some games that I could have picked up for cheap ($3 to $5 for the full version of the game) but I don’t even have enough time for some of my current games, let alone games I used to play, so I’ll not spend more on unnecessary stuff.

On this trip, I think there were a few areas we could have saved on, but it mainly involves food and grocery items. We do a bit of cooking everytime we travel and for a little time and effort, you get the same or better value compared to dining out. I need to setup a travelling kit, which would consist of a smaller chef’s knife (I have a spare Victorinox knife I got a while ago which would fit that role), basic seasonings like salt/pepper and a small bottle of cooking oil. Too many times we have gone to places where they only offer horrible serrated knives where you literally have to hacksaw an onion just to cut it.

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More things happening later this month. A few trips to the airport, cousin and husband going to Perth to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary. Getting friends to and from the airport, as I have another friend visiting at the end of September. A planned outing to the tulip festival with a good friend and his wife just to get some nice photos.

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Heh, just want to take some time to chill this weekend before getting onto routines again starting next week.

Easier to post pictures of food. Was just looking back at some blog posts and there was a point in time where all I did was post food pictures. Here we have home made buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and lemon rind topped with maple syrup and butter. On the side is strawberry ice cream and fresh berries. The weekdays are just a cup of coffee and maybe a slice of toast with peanut butter, so definitely a plus when one gets to indulge over the weekends.

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It just feels like my brain is degenerating these days. I’m dissatisfied with the state of things. I’m merely consuming stuff around me and not really producing anything of note. I remember the time I’d make photobooks, do a website redesign, or think up creative ways to do other things. These days I’m just bogged down, like hitting a brick wall constantly. It’s been a long while since I’ve felt like I’m doing stuff but not getting ahead anywhere. Also haven’t been writing enough. I should do it more often, it keeps things in perspective.

Had planned to get back on track financially by September, but it still seems that money is going out faster than it is coming in. Still paying off the credit card bills for furniture and other miscellaneous house items. The goal was to get my expenses back under the 4 digit mark, but the first utility bills have arrived and winter isn’t the time of year that you save on gas and electricity. Heh, the other goal was to start earning side income. Got side tracked with the house, work, guests, studies, running and maybe a whole other assortment of reasons/excuses. Will try to rectify that shortly. I do think we have to make our own time, otherwise nothing gets done.

Getting into the habit of studying again. Heh, accounting can hold my attention span for an hour at most, then I’d prefer to go play Starcraft 2 with friends online. Since I’m living further from everyone now, it’s just easier to login to a game and socialise from there. Need to express my inner geek a little more from now on.