21.6.2026 Sunday - Father's Day

Today starts like a typical Sunday for a couple who has been married for more than three decades - we go market shopping (for fish and a pumpkin; for tonight's dinner). But instead of the usual breakfast at a kopitiam, Sam and I go for a hit of pickleball first. Until she got hungry, about an hour later. 

Today is Father's Day, there isn't a great deal of fuss - I don't encourage these types of celebrations. They are so fake. I appreciate that my children wish the best for me, and do their best for me when I ask for help. And that's enough. 

I rarely ask for help, what I'm able to manage without troubling them stays with me. I don't usually complain, there's no need cloud their day especially if the problem has gone away. Perhaps after a long time has passed, I might talk about it if I feel there is a lesson to be gained by recollecting a problem or situation or a person's behaviour. 

 

20.6.2026 Saturday - oral exam

19.6.2026 Friday

18.6.2026 Thursday - managing one's own time

Some of our friends said yes, only to rescind when the time comes; citing work commitments and family duties - my first reaction is anger at their lack of accountability. On thinking further, I decide that perhaps they simply do not have control over their own time; they have bosses and spouses to take into account, and that I am the fortunate one, having Sam to collect me for a late morning swim and a nice lunch after that. 

17.6.2026 Wednesday -

 

16.6.2026 Tuesday - some projects are for training

These are some sketches from our conversation about a housing project, with Fiona and GW - I said I know how to detail the stairs so now I'm recording it on sketches before I forget. These are also useful for someone to take on to produce CAD drawings and model in 3D. We have many people on this small housing project, too many for the fees earned. However, I see it as a way to learn to work with other people; it trains your temperament and your management skills. It also hones your own skills while learning from others more experienced and finally, these projects are good for training our young team members. 
 

15.6.2026 Monday - so it seems that Wednesday is a public holiday

 I should relax and not worry about internal deadlines - once I have assigned the work let them decide when and how to deliver.