Koh's blog - "Not the Nine O'Clock News"

[Annabelle Joy]

Lucky you, Koh. You've just come back and now you are on your way home again. I hope you and Mrs. Koh have a lovely Easter together.

AJ

[louise41]

Have a good easter, I hope you get some time for rest

[Sapphire]

Hi Koh,

Wishing you a Happy Easter.

Stay safe and we all look forward to your return next week.

Sapphire

[jlou]

Glad we have turned on some nice weather for you Koh!

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

Again, I seem to neglect my own blog - so sorry, but thanks to you lovely ladies who have wished me well. Easter was great, and (to save $$) I drove up - $200 return instead of $800 on a last-minute airline flight - made sense to me.

All the rain driving back was a little un-nerving - but at least it was "patchy", so I got a break to just enjoy driving every so often. I couldn't believe how QUIET the roads were - I'd heard of a 16Km queue at Bulahdelah around early afternoon on the Tuesday (26th Apr). Fortunately, I held off leaving Brisbane until 13:00 (1pm), so, even though I caught the news of "massive holdups", everybody (and their dog) were already home when I came through - and Bulahdelah took me all of 5 minutes to traverse. (Whew!!)

The rain slowed me a little, so I didn't make it to Syd until 00:30 (11.5 hours instead of the usual 10.5) But, that's OK - I wasn't in a hurry, and had to (several times) drop my speed to 80Kmh because of heavy rain.

Anyway, "I'm ba-a-c-c-k!" once more, and popping in where/when I can. Other stuff is still not resolved though - but hey, life moves on, taking me toward where I am meant to be (I must have some harsh lessons to learn?)

Feels like that right now..... or, maybe I am over-dramatising.... I'm in better shape than many, financially, but in FAR worse shape than I was just two/three years ago - at times, I feel like shouting "Stop the world - I wanna get off"

I should know soon if the water is about to recede, or not. Keep fingers crossed for me, hey?
Koh

[louise41]

My fingers and toes are crossed for you Koh

[MissNix]

Originally Posted by Kohinoor

at times, I feel like shouting "Stop the world - I wanna get off"

I know this feeling well! But hey.. these things that come out and test us, give us the opportunity to tap into our inner (Lorna Jane) WARRIORS and show the world just what we are made of... rite?

Fingers and toes crossed for you sweet Koh.
xo

[Sapphire]

Hi Koh,

Fingers crossed for you with the challenges you face making you want to get off the carousel. Sorry - it doesn't slow down and you must navigate through the obstacles and find your horse and get back on and when back on - hold on tight.

You slowed down to 80km in the rain I wish I was in your car. When in Qld for Easter I went to Byron Bay for a day and it was raining and there was NO slowing down by my sister or any of the other drivers. I held on tightly and there were nail marks indented into the arm rest when I was gripping tightly! I was shocked and scared!

Sapphire

[Kohinoor]

Hi there,

Well, tonight, this ol' puppy has a smile on his face.... I learned today that all of your crossing fingers has helped me big-time - and the waters are going to recede very soon....

Who knew that being older can help so much.

Seems that, since I have reached the magic age of 65, that I am now entitled to take my Superannuation as a lump sum !! I didn't know that.... but, gee, I am SO GLAD I know now !!!



Thank you, Universe - and thank you to all the friends who have been on my side over one of the HARDEST patches I can recall in at least 10 years !! It won't be tomorrow, but within the next few weeks, things will be (once again) shining brightly in my little corner of the world.

At least, this revelation will allow me to give the "mental figure" to the Bank that has proven to be of no use to me, despite my long history with them. Some Banks just don't deserve customers !!! The best this lot could do is to watch as my current situation unfolded, and watch the clock until they can take "Mortgagee in Possession"...... (end of June)

But now, it's gonna be "TSHAKKAAHH" - take that !!! (Thanks, Greeni).

No, NOT the house !! Take the small amount of money that you wouldn't lend me to help me in hard times that weren't of my making - and watch me as I unwind my involvement with you !!!!

I'm not going to rush to do it (specially if it costs me more to do so). No, I'm going to treat you, as you have me - shabbily !!! I will make my move in MY time, on MY terms, and I will wish you luck as I leave you - NOT !!

Thank you, to all my friends - and no thanks to a bank that gives people "not a break" in tough times, despite their advertising the opposite
Koh

[Annabelle Joy]

Good to know that things are looking up for you Koh. There aren't many benefits of getting older so good when you discover one of them. I'm with you on banks, have seriously considered storing gold under the bed as an alternative, not that I'd have much gold to store.

AJ

[louise41]

Koh I am so pleased that things are turning around for you. I know what it feels like lifted when a big financial burden/worry is lifted and I hope that everything goes according to your plans (and even better) because you really deserve it!

[Sapphire]

Hi Koh,

Very happy that this turn of events can now change your life around.

Sapphire

[Embee]

So glad things have turned around Koh, hope things continue to look up!

[mcpsych]

Good news koh
take your lump sum
keep it in something convertible
when the crash comes (and it will come) look to your own comfort and having anything barterable ( food, clothing, machinery,oil /petrol etc)
money is just a method of storage but will be worthless
don't rely on precious metals either- they will hold no value for the ordinary person
personally- I aim to do this as I can, time may notbe on my side but it won't be for want of trying
again- look to yourself and your family first mate
good luck

[Sapphire]

Oi Koh - bout time you did a post on here!

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

Thanks for your good wishes... Well, isn't it funny/strange/scarey the way things unfold now and then....

That recent revelation certainly came "not a moment too soon" (in fact, learning it even sooner would have been better - but hey, reality is what it is, not the way we'd like it to be).

So, what's been happening in my world?

Well, on 30th June, my contract finished up... Not overly earth-shattering (I was kind of expecting it, as I had already been "checking my options" in other areas - and they knew that.... ) They were wanting to cut my wage AGAIN - from "the impossible" to "the ridiculously impossible" - and there ain't no way that was going to work - so, bye bye !!

And yet, I did think their "timing" was a bit strange, as my friend and associate had retired just 3 months earlier, and I was the remaining "senior" (in knowledge, as well as in years). So, I thought "Hmm, that was strange!" - but it didn't overly upset me, as I was already looking for "the next opportunity". The writing had been on the wall for the last few months.

Well, as things happen, on the very night that others were toasting me re my departure (30th June), the wheels were turning.... and possibilities presented themselves that would be VERY acceptable to me. Thank you Universe, once more !!

So, WHERE does that leave me? Right now, I don't know for sure, yet I do know that those who were knowledgeable of my worth had already "gone into bat for me" in a whole NEW situation. And it is one that just ticks all of my boxes (including the return to a wage commensurate with MY WORTH !! )

I won't know the answer until the end of July (as higher-ups still need to approve "the spending of money" - situation normal). If it DOES happen, they will want me "on board" straight after that. If it doesn't, then it is up to me to chart my own course toward "whatever's next?"

It's exciting, it's scarey, but it is eminently manageable !!

Worst situation is that Mrs. Koh and I will "sell up", buy a Winnebago, and join the grey nomads who seem to just have a ball in the warmer parts of Australia - so, Broome/Darwin in Winter, anywhere else in Summer !! Can't be that bad. I'll just have to be sure I get a laptop with Wireless so I can keep in touch with this place, eh?

Wish me luck for 27th July !! I like what I do already, and have done. The chance to do more of it sits well with me. But, in the end, it is not my call,

Koh

[Embee]

Sounds like exciting times ahead Koh

I hope that work situation works out for you but if it ends up being that Winnebago idea ... well it sounds like bliss to me!! Following the sun and warmth around this beautiful country!

Whichever way I hope it all works out for you!

[Annabelle Joy]

Sounds like the options for the future are all good Koh. Having travelled round Australia with a caravan some years ago I can vouch for that being a great life. I hope that the work option does eventuate for you as that is your first choice. However, I think you will find if it doesn't that the retirement option is very enjoyable and it probably won't be long before you start to ask yourself why you worked for so long.

AJ

[Sapphire]

Oh Koh - I am so excited for you and as you say the universe will deliver what is needed - whether that be 'work' or 'rest and play'.

If you did join the grey nomads and go to Broome each year I can visit you as I go to visit my folks each year. They pack up their van and head out of the frosty South West to the warm sun, white beaches and relaxed lifestyle of Broome. In saying that they socialise so much more whilst holidaying than when at home. They are different people and so much happier.

It appears to be the season for 'change'. I too am hoping for a change and am attending an interview today - so fingers crossed for all those hoping for a change in their life. I hope the moon, stars and planets are aligned for all of us.

Saph

[bells25]

All the luck in the world for the 27th beautiful KOH!!!

And if it does work out that you will "sell up" and buy that Winnebego, think of all the happy Cohenites around Australia who would love to finally meet you and offer to 'put you and Mrs Koh up for a few nights' !!!!

I am sure it will all work out.......the universe will provide! You deserve to be happy KOH!!

Love Bells xxx