Froosh. Stuff.

I have a plan. Well, a strategy. Or something like that. So begins the rambling.

Currently we live in the middle of fscking nowhere aka Doreen, Victoria. This is not surprising to us, we bought the house. But we bought it when our life was quite a bit different, then it took far too long to build, and we came to resent it … it is not home, it is just a house.

We need to leave. For the following reasons (and more):\

• Social: we actually have friends now, and are getting out to see bands, exhibitions, and more
• Time: I spend 3+ h0urs a day travelling to/from work. The boy spends over an hour travelling each day, and doesn’t live near enough to school friends to make visits feasible
• Financial: bad financial decisions, Tessa not being able to work productively (travel and expenses make it almost a zero-return effort)
• Resentment: We can’t forget the ill-will generated during the build

So we have this plan. It goes something like this:

1. clean up the house and yard so that we can pitch it as a ‘clean slate’ – we’re in the middle of a huge development area, so if we can provide a house 80% done, someone can “make their mark” and their home without the hassle of building
2. rent in Brunswick, Carlton, Northcote, or somewhere similar – maximum 30 mins door-to-door for me to/from work on public transport, 10 mins or so each way for the boy
3. live happily ever after

But there is a problem. I’m lacking a tactic, a short-term technique. This will take some capital, some dosh, moola, folding stuff. I dont have it. I can’t seem to hold on to it long enough.

I am heading into despair, watching every payday come and go, yet making no headway. I have debt, stupid dept, large debt. In addition to the mortgage. Servicing that debt is preventing the saving, and preventing (thankfully I think) new debt aka temporary capital.

This wont be a problem once the house is sold, as we’ve had a substantial capital value increase in the house and land since we bought it nearly 4 years ago. We’ll clear the mortgage and all our debt and still have a substantial investment amount, we’ll be able to pay rent up front, bonds, etc easily.

But we cant do that today. We’re stuck in the mud. Slowly sinking. Going mad.

Ingredients:

• 200g dark or milk chocolate chopped roughly
• 200g butter chopped roughly
• 4 eggs
• 1 Cup of castor Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups of Plain Flour
• ¼ cup of Cocoa Powder

Method:

1. Preheat oven to moderate 180C. Brush a shallow 20*30cm tin with oil or melted butter. Line the base with baking paper extending over the 2 long sides of the tin
2. Melt the chocolate and butter over the stove or in the microwave. Stir until well combined and leave to cool slightly
3. Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla extract together with a wire whisk until combined and sugar has started to dissolve.
4. Add Chocolate mixture to Egg mixture and then gradually sift in flour and cocoa. Stir until just combined
5. Pour into tin and bake for 45 – 50 minutes – can be under done if you prefer a more soft centre
6. Allow to cool completely in the tin before refrigerating for 2-3 hours at least or until set solid.
7. Cut into small squares to serve
8. May be decorated with white chocolate for a special treat

It would have to be the two hottest days this year that a visit to the rooftop became necessary…

After the large dust-devil or whatever whooshed past yesterday, I went up to investigate today. Yes today, even th0ugh it’s 38C (100F) in the shade and much much hotter up on the dark-tiled roof.

The damage is not extensive, but it was inevitable – the landlord has not done any maintenance or repairs to the roof in a very long time. We do however have a wide open hole in one of the ridges and a broken regular roof tile (apparently where one of the ridge caps landed).

Oh, and now the weather report suggests it will rain tonight…