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

[butterflydreamin]

Hi Koh,

I thought you would appreciate this:


Phone call today: Hello, Mrs B. I am calling from the Australian Taxation Office in Canberra. Can I confirm you phone number is xxxx xxxx. Congratulations, you have been selected to receive a $7000 grant.

My reponse at this point - I hang up. Cause it is a scam.

2 mintues later: Ring, ring. My husband answers. Hello, Mr B. I am calling from the Australian Taxation Office in Canberra. Can I confirm you phone number is xxxx xxxx. Congratulations, you have been selected to receive a $7000 grant.
...
My husbands's response, "Do you realise I work for the Fraud Office".

Caller response: Slight pause and then, "Nice talking with you, have a nice day, Bye".

Priceless!!

Have a great day - I am still chuckling over it...

[Sapphire]

Hi Koh,

I hope you enjoyed your time in NZ... how could you not for such cheap fares?

You are almost a 'local' here in Australia now!

Butterfly - loved your post!

Saph

[Kohinoor]

Hi there,

Specially to Embee, Diana, BD, and Sapph
BD, loved your story - sheesh there seem to be SO MANY scams around these days. Good to hear hubby was right on top of them....

And Chch - well, it'd break your heart !! The place is still quite a mess. Potholes and bumps in many of the city's roads, roads closed (specially around CBD), and houses demolished or threatened to be.

My Sis is counting her lucky stars - yes, there is work to be done on her place (it is brick veneer, and the whole veneer needs replacement as the bricks are marginally unstable - and her chimney is no more). But, when looking around, there are many in far worse shape.


On the flip side though, Mum is great and we had an awesome 4 days. Lots of reminiscing, driving, coffees, and family time. I take my hat off to Sis as she visits Mum pretty much daily, and looks after other things for her (e.g. arranging sale of her house, bringing Mum little gifts, taking her out, etc) For you Sis -

We drove in the country (Mum wanted to visit Loburn - where her Mum was born - then on to Oxford where we had a great lunch - didn't even need dinner....). It was a lovely drive, with snow-covered mountains as backdrop - we don't see too much of that in Australia.

Oh, and I was rocked to sleep on my first night - a tiddler of an earthquake (around a 3?) then, the following morning, it sounded like an express train coming up the road !! Everything shaking, and I recall thinking THIS could get serious !! Went on for about 10 seconds - then nothing. It was a 4, but quite shallow.

I didn't get to experience any more (though Sis did tell me there was another small one through the night a couple of nights later - I slept right through it, so no worries at all to me


And now, I'm about to fly back to Brisbane - the project I've been working on wanted me to take a week off - and, just a few minutes ago, I found out why !! In short, it is axed....


Hmm, I wonder what the Universe has in store for me next ????

Time for a Judith Beck comment methinks :-


Oh well !!!

I'll be in touch - whenever....
Hugs to all,
Koh

[butterflydreamin]

Hi Koh,

I hope that the job situation rectifies itself soon....when they say one week off, do they mean there is no position to return to? I hope not.

All the best

Butterfly

[chillichic]

Hi Koh
Just dropping in to say i hope all is ok with you on the job front. And with you of course.
Thanks for being a great support on our diaries..
Go well
gaylene

[Sapphire]

Hi Koh,

That should read "Oh Koh". My heart sank when I read your words when things were looking on the up for you.

My fingers are crossed that something else comes your way and soon. I know how unsettling things get during an influx of change and uncertainty - hang in there our very special friend.

I am happy that you spent some quality time with your Mum and family. Sounds like the break was a good one despite the rocking and rolling of ChCh.

Take care
Sapphire (taking a wild guess at what the emoticon could be)

[Kohinoor]

Hi BD, Gaylene, and Sapph,

Thanks for your kind thoughts - yeah, it sucks a little, but really, I am gonna be OK. Our path into property started about 12 years ago, and, even if I never worked again, we'll be OK - truly.

Thank you for caring though - it means a lot to me

Right now, I am "putting my name/record out there", and the Company that had taken me on have paid me a further week as a Thank You - and, in that time, I hope to come up with :-

NEXT !!!

Let's see what happens eh? I've been contracting for 12 years now, and have lived through "2 week renewals" and even "Sorry, that's it for now" on a few occasions.... So I really am at peace with "What will be".

As I said to Mrs Koh - "Hey, we could sell up everything, buy a Winnebago, and go doing that 'Grey army camping thing' - can't recall the real name, but I'm sure you get the idea"

Or, back to NZ - that could work too - really, I have lots of choice (makes it harder in a way - when there is only ONE move possible, there's no need to ponder, eh?) But we do have choice - soon enough, I will be charting a new course to "Next"

Just today, I made contact with old workmates, one or two who might have "another option" in their new environments. Time will tell.

For now, I finish up mid next week where I am, and am then free to become someone else.

Lemme see now - George Clooney - nah, I'm far better looking - that would be a regression Maybe Brad Pitt - naahhh - he's too young and silly..... Next !!! Ah, got it - I'll become Sean Connery - the age is about right, he doesn't look too bad, he has a licence to kill (and I have JUST the victim in mind - unless we get to have another election really quick..... )

Smack !! Back to reality....

Thanks girls - lovely to see you here and looking out for me,
Hugs,
Koh

[Erra]

Good to hear you're sounding up about it all, Koh. I felt a little worried for you there, as I have parents and friends who face the same circumstances, and I really think it is cruel that we find our forebearers having to face trying times with financial uncertainties. I will spare you my 'goverments and corporates are swine' monologues. I have a feeling you could offer a just and intensive discussion that only encourages me!

It's good to hear you have a 'bright side', and the gift of being able to share it with others.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Erra,

Hehe, thanks for the chuckle :-

I will spare you my 'goverments and corporates are swine' monologues. I have a feeling you could offer a just and intensive discussion that only encourages me!

... and I have a feeling that you are dead right !!

I hear you re your elders facing hard times - frankly, I have NEVER seen things the way they are today. What does it all mean? PASS !! I'm not smart enough to be able to add value to that (though I do have a few "pet suspicions" )

They say there is a Depression about every 3 generations (and there was talk of one in the 1990's - which threatened a little - think "Paul Keating and the recession we had to have" But NOTHING like THIS !!!

Ah well - NEXT !!!

And thanks to you for caring for me, Erra - as I said, though, I'll be OK, even if I have to take a few decisions I may not have chosen previously. It won't be "the end of the world" for me, though I imagine it might seem like that for others of my age who might be struggling..... I'd love to be Warren Buffett right now, and be able to be a benefactor - maybe some day, but not yet. So, for now, I'll just keep on doing the best I can,

Hugs,
Koh

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

Aww, I just HAD to share this - it is a bunch of words (about singing, but it could be about ANYTHING) that just seemed to make so much sense to me today - 'cos, I've been there (and so, most likely, have you) :-

A part of me wanted my singing and playing to be perfect. Even though there is nothing like perfection in the world—none of us can agree on the perfect song or singer, let alone much else—some aspect of my mind had set the bar so high that there was no way I was going to reach it. And when I flubbed, that same mind beat me silly. I realized what I was doing.

You can’t really learn much when you’re in chains. I took a deep breath. I relaxed. I let the chains drop. I remembered that the goal is to sing and play and learn, and to have fun as I did so. Yes, I had lots to learn. But beating myself for my efforts wasn’t helping. At all.

Dan and I talked for a while about how we judge ourselves harshly. It’s a learned behavior. We all have it. Try to learn anything challenging and new and you’ll see what I mean. A part of us is trying to please our inner critics — parents or teachers, family or friends, or even ourselves. We’re trying to learn, but when we don’t meet those invisible high standards and those invisible voices in our head, we lower the boom on ourselves. That doesn’t help. No wonder so many people give up on their goals, dreams and intentions.

How much does that echo what we see on here? Pleasing our "inner critics" - beating ourselves up when we don't quite "make it" in a new endeavour?

It is so, so human !! We always tend to strive, don't we? And expect ourselves to be "top notch" at our first endeavour at anything (well, maybe not all of us - but we'd LIKE to be good at whatever we try, yeah?) It doesn't always work out....

What's the next move? I'd suggest re-reading those bolded bits (above), have a think about the significance of the words, and have another go !!

Koh

[butterflydreamin]

Hi Koh,

I think the term you were looking for is 'Grey Nomads'. I like your Sean Connery idea - he has universal appeal. How is your accent?

Sorry to hear about your job situation. I have thought about contracting a few times but at the end of the day, I get to work 10kms from home (something I am so grateful for now I have a little one), in stable employment that offers lots of variety (and frustration in equal measure because I supervise people....), have lots of leave accrued and they offer me a stack of flexibility because I have made a good name for myself. I might earn more, but I would travel for 4 extra hours a day for it. So not worth it. Esp at this time in my life and when I hope to have another bub after I finish my cohen's journey (and they give 3 months maternity leave).

All the best with the new plans

BD

[butterflydreamin]

Hey Koh,

Did you realise that you have now posted over 10,000 posts!!!

WOW

Talk about taking your role as a cheer squad, supporter and all round good guy seriously.

On behalf of us on the forum, I would like to thank you for your dedication and wisdom.

All the best

Butterfly

[Kohinoor]

Hi Flutterby,

Did you realise that you have now posted over 10,000 posts!!!

Thanks for letting me know - no, I hadn't noticed.

I guess I just do what I do, when I think it is needed. That number sounds impressive though - 10,000 - can I have $1 for every post please? It would do me nicely.....

Funny, I don't think of myself as being a "prolific poster", and, if you take the fact that I have been a member of this forum for around 4.5 years (or roughly 1600 days) then that equates to about 6 posts per day on average !!!

I guess such a huge number comes with longevity... and, at my age, that seems to fit

Anyway, BD, thank you for pointing it out - it is a nice number, and a bit of a milestone for sure !!

Hugs,
Koh

[chillichic]

Dearest Koh
So many many thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement.
Today i had a read through my diary and if you were a stranger reading this you would think..she wouldnt deviate and why would she.
I cant understand it myself so why would anyone else begin to it.
Just gotta get out of this Danger Zone and into "THE ZONE"

KOH you serve us all so wel and just to say you make a difference in our lives with your wonderful positive encouragement.So thanks Koh.
Go well
Gaylene

[Kohinoor]

Hi Gaylene,

Thanks for stopping by !! Yeah, I was one who was surprised to have seen you "struggling".... I had you picked as one-to-go-the-distance with few problems. But then, we never really know what's around the corner. And it does seem that one little mistake can escalate if not "nipped in the bud" quickly.

Still, your struggle has led to a huge revelation - that "Danger Zone" - hopefully others can learn from your struggles. And, the other thing that has happened, is that MANY have "leant a hand" and shared their thoughts, encouragement, and love in your Diary too. Gotta love that, eh? Here's hoping your struggles cease for you soon


And me? Well, the phrase that has been singing in my head has been "The time has come" the Walrus said..... and it seems my time in Sydney is up - "Time, gentleman, please".... "OK, mate - I'm going!!"

So, yes - I am sorting/throwing/packing 12 years of accumulated stuff and shoe-horning it into my car. Lucky I have a smaller car, as it means a lot of baggage will be thrown - even some "nice to keep" stuff that I haven't looked at in YEARS !! De-cluttering time....

One nice result came from my landlady. Her family had bought this house 3 years back, then tried to sell again a yeara ago. Seems they have finally sold it (for less than they wanted - a sign of the current economic climate) and will rent a place in the next suburb from December. She offered "a place there for me" if I needed to return to Sydney - awww... I thought that was quite sweet of her.

For now, the Universe seems to be pointing me back toward Real Estate, but from a different angle. Hmmm !! I am aactually feeling a little bit excited about the future. It won't be easy initially (a whole new learning curve - like Cohens?) and may well need divesting a couple of our places, to create funds to "go again in another way".

One of my mantras has been "You can't change direction in a parked car" - so, the selling of something to allow a change of direction won't deter me.


My "change" is likely to slow things on here a little too. Asy isn't around much these days, so I'm the "Diary Approver". If your Diary doesn't get Approved too soon, don't worry - it won't disappear, and you can go on using it. I'll clear another "log jam" when able to....

Good luck to all of you. I hope to pop in sort of regularly, but certainly not as often as in the past. Keep on doing yourselves good, and keep on looking out for each other too - you all seem to be REALLY GOOD at doing that, so I'm convinced this place will still "Rock on".

And no - I'm not leaving, but I won't have so much "free time" from here on - back in Brisbane there are many other calls on my time....

Hugs,
Koh

[Sapphire]

Hey Koh,

Well you have demands from Mrs Koh in Brisbane on your time. I am sure she keeps a "list" of chores for you to do when you are in Brisbane.

I along with the other lovely ladies wish to thank you for all your support - over 10,000 posts is amazing. Well done.

I wish you and Mrs Koh all the best for the future. Change is good - look at all the options

I am sure you will be back on here soon enough and even with limited time will make a positive impact on all our lives.

Sapphire

[butterflydreamin]

Hi Koh,

Well the universe clearly had a new plan for you and a new direction and I believe that it is going to fit you just brilliantly. I think in 12 months time you will look back with gratitude for the change in direction. You sure have built up a nice little karma bank in my opinion, so I am hoping that life will be sweet for you.

I hope that the universe is truely kind to you and your family. If it throws you a few curve balls, just remember that there are plenty of us on this forum that would love to support you the way that you have supported us. Maybe a few little grandchildren cherubs will be in your future......

All the best

Butterfly xxx

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you all know that I made it back safe and sound to Brisbane.

And thanks, Sapphire and Butterfly, for your lovely words I hope to still be able to comment somewhat regularly. But, time will tell, eh?

Meanwhile, you two are inspirational stalwarts on here. Both have faced a long journey from the very beginning, but face it you have - with courage and determination.

Sapph, you are mere days away from receiving your Cohens Diploma with Honours - and, BD, I've got $10 riding on you to emulate Sapph's walk (you're already SO FAR through it now - the pointy end awaits, then Refeed soon after - go girl....).

Rock on,
Koh

[Embee]

Wow Koh, I have just caught up on what's been happening with you, certainly been an eventful few weeks!!
Firstly big congrats on your 10,000 posts, that is a fine achievement and speaks to how much support you have offered so many on here over the years, so very much appreciated

Sorry to hear about the job situation but with your positive outlook I am sure things will work out in the long run.

"You can't change direction in a parked car"

Love your mantra, might have to adopt in as one of my own

Wishing you and Mrs Koh nothing but the best in life and sincerely hope it all works out for you.

[butterflydreamin]

Hi Koh,

So glad to hear that you are back in Brissie safe and sound. It is a long drive.

I am sure your wife is glad to have you back - you are obviously a very strong couple to maintain the distance that you have to manage while you worked in Sydney. I admire you for it.

Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, your $10 is safe and is a good investment. There is no way I am not going to finish this journey. For me it is not an option because I am NEVER going back. I will happily emulate Sapphire's walk but it won't be in such a fine outer shell as hers. She is a stunning lady. This forum provides so much wisdom that it will help me greatly in maintenance land. I fully expect the maintenance journey to be more difficult to navigate than the weight loss portion. I have loved the black and white nature of the weight loss portion. Maintenance seems to introduce some shades of grey!

I am hoping that if you don't get a chance to update us often, it is because you are enjoying your life. That would make us happy.

All the best in your new adventure

Butterfly xx