hackett.life
This is the 700th post on my tiny, insignificant blog! Over the last few days, I have found myself pondering life and my place in the world. I have read books and articles, watched YouTube videos and meditated. Finally, I have concluded that I need to very firmly put the past behind me and move forward through the rest of my time here, one day at a time.
My wife and I took some time to crunch the numbers regarding my work as a driver. When taking everything into consideration – fuel, wear and tear, time etc – my hourly rate was coming in at under £5.00! You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out what happened next.
I kind of liked having longer hair. Needs must, I suppose? That’s it though, I’m not going to have another haircut in 2021!
Due to upcoming work specs, I will have a haircut and a beard trim in Canterbury this afternoon. I’ll post a before and after shot upon my return from the barbershop.
Just call me Frank Martin! I will hopefully be starting a new gig this week, being a freelance delivery driver! Although the eponymous Mr Martin delivered, “no questions asked”, I will be making deliveries within my postcode area, so maybe a few hours a day, job and finish.
Now, I’m not new to this line of work. I recently worked part-time as a freelance motorcycle delivery driver, dropping premium motorcycles across the UK. For reasons that are still not clear to me, that work ended abruptly. Still, I like regular income, so pulling in money from several different gigs each month suits me and gives me the flexibility I need to pursue my passions – writing and photography.
It should be easy, I just have to remember to “not look in the bag”!
I’m having a bit of an off day today, time to meditate for an hour, methinks!
I might start to use this little fella as part of my branding? Based on the Schwa book from the early 90s.
I have been wracking my brain to figure out the best way forward with the MotoYeti project. I created MotoYeti, intending to develop a motorcycle blog, specifically a blog about motorcycle racing.
So, Karta and I will drive down to Lydd to meet up with Andy Ibbott this afternoon. Andy has kindly agreed to let me have a copy of his new MotoGP Riding Techniques book for me to read and review. I will post that review at a later date as MotoYeti. I have an idea for a business brewing in my mind, which could benefit several people and maybe even some investment.
Today, though, will be a chance to get back to a race track and watch motorcycles ridden at speed, which is always a joy to behold.
The time has come for me to make a stand. From Monday (12th April), I will get back to doing some freelance work in PR and web development, along with bringing one or two of my blogs back to life. Rhona is throwing everything she has at Pumpkin Cakes, so I will be helping to market that business for her.
I am deep into developing a new website for the rebranded football club; I am the secretary. That is going to need at least another three weeks of work to finish. The most important item on my agenda, though, is taking care of my son. He and I need to get out and do more in the way of exercise. It will be good for both of us. That is all.
I have decided to start using it again. I’m not proud of it, but I need to tap into every resource at my disposal in my search for creative work. Along with the other social media channels, Instagram will be a way for me to funnel traffic to my website. If you can’t beat ’em – join ’em! Who knows, I might even become an influencer?
I need a day job. I’ve been looking into various roles. The top of my list is the relatively chilled out fruit picking job. I will make enquiries with the 350-hectare berry farm (that’s in the next village) on Tuesday.
Karta in his favourite place. He is the best thing that I have done so far in my life, I love you son.
got a beard?: Beard Oil: What is It and How Do I Use It?
Karta and I took a ride to the skatepark in Aylesham. It was the first time he had ridden his scooter on a ramp since December 2020. Roll on spring and warmer, drier days.
I didn’t realise just how much I would miss my wife. She is away on an orientation course as part of her new job in the telecoms sector. She only went away yesterday, but already that feels odd to me. If I go away, the daft thing is that I don’t feel the separation anxiety as much.
So, it’s just Karta and me for the week. This is the last week of term for mainstream schools, and so Karta will be finishing up his latest round of homeschooling on Thursday. I hope to make plans to meet up with friends and get out into the woods for some needed exercise and fresh air.
As for me, well, I have plenty of chores to keep me busy, plus I am going to make time to sit at my desk and write posts for this blog every day. Today is, after all, the day when lockdown restrictions are eased a bit more. We are now allowed to meet outdoors in groups of up to six people from two different households. Outdoor sports venues are reopening, which includes the football club that I am involved with.
That’s all I have to say for now, stay tuned for a lot more going forward.
JP
For the first time in many months, I find myself alone at home; this is rare.
So, what did I do with this slice of freedom? I cleaned the house, listened to some music and watched a few YouTube videos. Is that constructive? I don’t know, but anyway, it has all lead me to sit down and spew forth some words of encouragement and reflection.
I’m trying to decide if I should remove the work-related section of this site and open a separate page? It could make things a little easier. I’ll think and come up with a plan.
I’m having another crisis as a wave of doubt about approaching my future endeavours consumes me. I need to continue to narrow my focus when it come to thinking about what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Here’s the rub. I have doubts about my ability to do certain things, specifically writing about certain subjects and topics. I have dipped my toe into several different subjects, and for a while, I became quite good at some of it. Writing about motor racing is a prime example. I became good at it, mostly because I allowed myself to become completely immersed in it. But I always felt like an imposter, an interloper who didn’t have a right to b there among some of the best journalists and writers in the world. That held me back and caused me to make mistakes.
Recently I’ve been coming up with all kinds of ideas for blogs and websites. I’ve even gone as far as creating newsletters and social media accounts for them. What the fuck am I doing, and what is the point? I’ve spent some time pondering these questions and have concluded that I have to look at those things in life that bring me the greatest joy. So I did that. It’s quite a shortlist; here it is.
Over the next few days and weeks, I will decide how to move forward using this list as a guide. The first thing will be ‘trimming the fat’ by closing down the things that are a huge time suck. By paring down and pulling my fingers out of the pies of distraction, I will gradually start to get back to the things that really matter to me.
I received a text message from my doctor offering me the flu jab. All I had to do was walk in and get the shot. From getting the SMS to having the injection was under 10 minutes! It helps that I live next door to the surgery.
Just a quick update about my proposed trip to Nordkapp in Norway next summer. The summer solstice in 2021 is on Sunday 20th of June. With that in mind, I will be planning to arrive in the area by the 19th with a view to staying nearby for up to three days. Also, I am planning on crossing the English Channel via Eurotunnel, so I’ll be looking to make that booking in Janauary.
So far, my plan is to drive into Europe and up to Amsterdam for the first evening. Day two is then a drive over to Wolfsburg in Germany for a visit to Autostadt. The next stop will be Copenhagen for a couple of days, followed by a drive to Stockholm in Sweden. We then drive north through Sweden for a few days, before we pop out the top and into Norway.
I’m still working out the return leg of the journey, but we will stay in Norway for most of the trip back down. Other things that I am working on are items for the roof-box, such as a second spare wheel and fuel canisters. We will be staying in a mix of B&Bs, motels and hostels. All of our accommodation will be low rent, although I will make sure that we stay in decent hotels when visiting larger towns and cities – for security and a good night’s sleep.
That’s all for now. Stay safe.
I cannot understand how and why there are so many people still out and about, apparently going about their business as usual. I have had to work for a few days and that took me out into the world. Driving has been a problem, huge amounts of traffic etc, I even got stuck in a jam for ten minutes. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?
I have to do one more day of driving tomorrow (Monday), after that I will be staying put at home and only venturing out for food shopping, walking for exercise and to collect Karta’s new Xbox. Things will get worse if we don’t follow the advice being given by the government.
One of my pet hates, people in big SUVs that sit in traffic with their foot on the brake pedal! I mean, what the actual fuck?! The light is blinding. Just put the fucking thing into neutral and pop your handbrake on. I bet if I sat behind them with my full-beam on they would soon be jumping up and down, and losing their shit about being dazzled?! Rant over.
Today is our 16th wedding anniversary. We were married and then had a huge fancy dress party to celebrate. Samhain, Calangaef or Halloween – whatever your preference – is a very special time of year for us; we’re still going strong, so here’s to the next sixteen!
I have too many digital files and folders scattered across several devices and the internet cloud. Following the recent passing of my father, I have started to take a look at some of the difficulties my family will have trying to locate all of my digital assets once I am gone.