I was walking my dog today, as I do every morning, and walked past a woman whom I've said hello to virtually every morning for a year. As I got close I looked at her and smiled as I said hello, but she kept walking as if I didn't exist. As usual, I wondered, has something happened to make her so distant or is she just practicing a learned but rude habit? You need to understand we live in a semi rural area and almost everyone says hello. Today I remembered

About two years ago, while visiting New York, I was sitting having lunch at one of the two-person tables in the food hall at Grand Central Station. At the table next to me was an attractive woman, and I was a little lost, so I said hello, hoping to get directions ... Nothing ... "Excuse me, can I ask for some help?" ... Nothing. I am sure I must be a pain in the butt some days, as I wasn't going give in that easy ... I was on a mission. Making eye contact and with my best puppy dog face ... "Hi, I'm from New Zealand and I'm lost. Can you help?" Finally she gave in and said sure. The funny thing was, this initial "Ice Maiden" suddenly was deep in conversation, and really friendly. We talked over sandwiches and I asked how long she had been in Manhattan? (Three years) ... Any family? (No) ... Boy Friend? (No). Her next comment knocked me over:

Honestly, all I could do was laugh. She lives in a city with four times as many people as my whole country and she finds it hard ... I smiled and asked cheekily, "Maybe if you replied when people said hello that might help." She blushed and agreed. I always wonder why so many woman do that ... I mean ignore men when they are just being friendly. Is it because hello might lead to being hit on? A request for a phone number or a date? I guess sometimes it will. The funny thing is, she wants a partner, so allowing people to connect might have its advantages. But when I walk my dog in the morning ...

I love my wife: she is brilliant, a beautiful and most incredible person ... She is however a moving freak ... Where some guys might drink beer, watch sports or play video games for fun she likes to rearrange the house. That isn't me in the photo but it's how I feel when any sentence starts with "This weekend I want to ..." because I know the next word will be "rearrange". If she really wants to do something, and I am resisting, that just adds to the challenge, and she recruits her partners in crime, Brenda and the kids. It got so bad that one day when she went away I rearranged the house just to get her back. Ha ha - if you want to see a housekeeper having kittens that is the way ... Didn't work though: on her return Sonya just laughed and made me put everything back. So earlier in the week when she said she wanted to move the kids' rooms, you know I was just overjoyed with excitement. Anyway my real frustration is ... and as hard as it is to admit, she is always right ... a change is as good as a holiday, and the result is wonderful. It could be worse: her friend moves house more often than guys buy new underwear. So after two days we have moved the girls, set up a new office and TV room, and rearranged the lounge so we can better enjoy the view. We even removed the TVs from the girls' rooms (that was never a good idea) and the house is brilliant. She must be wearing off on me ... I guess love does that to you ... It really was lots of fun and the result is so cool. LOL We should be ok for another couple of weeks.

Well we retired our second (backup) appliance last night. Old even for a fire truck at around 30 years, but amazingly on only 60,000 km. As a fire station in a semi urban, semi rural area she has operated on station for the last 8 years as rural fire fighting appliance. I heard someone recently describe her as a "man's truck", a stubborn beast that had to be "driven". Despite no power steering, no engine braking, and the belching of black smoke, she was really great fun to drive. I think it's funny that at times like these I realise how sentimental I am. On one hand she's just a hunk of old metal and tires, but on another she carries years of stories and has served her community well. Seems sad that today she will have all her communication equipment removed and possibly soon she'll be cut up for scrap. There is hope for her though, if all goes well she will get picked up by a rural fire fighting force down south so she could have years of life left in her yet.

Mates and family, they are definitely awesome! The best thing that has come from joining the Fire Service is the friendships that have developed. Last week we had a serious storm that blew a big tree across the road, destroying a power pole and tearing the lines from our rental property. Today two of my favorite people came over and helped restore things. That's Bain up in the basket and Vern down below. We had to spend the day trimming trees to re-thread the line, but it was very cool, we laughed, and I was very grateful. Days like today are also when family rallies around. While we did that Mum and Dad looked after the kids while Sonya visited our sick auntie in hospital. As I have said before I have a deep sense of gratitude for the blessings in my life and this is no more so than with my friends and family. Thank you ... PS You know what's also awesome? Another mate, Danny has just started a website called ... you guessed it ... http://www.youknowwhatsawesome.com/. He is such a funny guy, very entertaining and always notices what's cool in the world. I think this will be worth watching.

Well it's been a good week. The guys got a new version of the software out, I got lots of work done and the dollar has dropped below 70 cents for the first time in almost a year. I'm about to have a beer with the crew, but will finish off the work week with a feel good video about old friends. I have a few people I need to reconnect with and this made me think of them. Have a good weekend everyone.