BACK to work

Yes, it has happened. The annual shutdown over Christmas is over. A glorious full month; 14 December 2018 to 14 January 2019.

When I was employed as a more senior accountant in previous management positions, leave was a luxury. Usually I would be paid out for untaken leave days at the end of a business cycle. Not going on leave was never a problem for me. I was always fascinated by the elaborate vacation plans of some of my colleagues. They had so much ENERGY. After those holidays, surely another holiday immediately thereafter is required to really relax?

Now days, the leave is compulsory, so I must go on leave. So do I go anywhere? No! Not interested in the slightest. Books, sport and relaxing at home are all I want. My dear wife decided to liven things up a bit this holiday, so we went to a botanical garden for a picnic with most of the girls. I must admit that I enjoyed it despite the dreadful heat wave we were experiencing here in Gauteng.

When I am on leave I only play my chess games, no internet otherwise. A bit foolish I suppose, but my loss.

One thing I do really enjoy, is watching the South African Cricket team play, particularly five day tests (Proteas). I just "veg" out and listen to the various commentators drone on. It certainly can put me to sleep, and it often did. But watching sportsmen perform at the highest levels fascinates me. Trying to puzzle out their planning and overcoming the plans of their opponents is very interesting. This is where the commentators are helpful because their experience and insights allow me to see a level of competitive sport that is (and will always be) beyond my levels of understanding and even comprehension. I have to watch at home, I would not go to watch a live game. Too boring as I lack understanding. So I watched the touring Pakistanis struggling on foreign pitches against a powerful pace bowling attack. Margins of error are so fine and the skillful players are brilliant in their exploitation of such tiny weaknesses. Yes, test cricket is a game for the holidays, from a bygone era. I wonder how much longer test cricket will survive in this modern world?

(one of the world's greatest cricket grounds - Melbourne Australia)

Long leave is definitely a good thing; for example, when I was coming to work this morning, there was a bit of traffic congestion, but my reaction now in January 2019 is vastly different to when compared to December last year, just before I went on leave. I was so aggressive back then, whereas now I am quite calm and relaxed.

So I am enjoying being back at work; I regard all my colleagues as friends, even extended family.

Another year begins, lets hope it is a better one than last year. Last year was good, but the promise of a new year is with us. Enjoy it folks, I certainly intend to enjoy mine.