There aren’t many advantages to being made redundant.
But after a decade of eating my mistakes, weight loss is undeniably one of them. Never having to work Saturdays again has its curious merits too.
But above all, an unplanned summer spent outdoors in sleeveless shirts, tailored shorts and matching caps – all very tasteful if not a tad dated – rank up there with payday.
Someone once said: “Unemployment makes early rises of us all” … which trust me is no misnomer.
After exchanging early morning pleasantries with face-painted, briefcased-clad, suited and booted neighbours scurrying to city desk jobs, I too scurry off towards my chez away from chez in search of frivolity and enlightenment.
That moment when the sun peaks over the mountain top illuminating splendid size-5 footprints crisscrossing dewy, lush, hallowed green fairways on a discreet southeast London golf course. It’s not just for shepherds anymore.
Those first few nerve-racking holes when the anxiety of life’s realities are surpassed by the magic of er, Callaway Kryptonite, if you will.
Common interests are the foundation of a long lasting relationship, just ask Scotty Cameron. As if a putter needed some self-obsessed worshiper.
That fiery rush you get from a perfectly lobbed sand wedge like some cheeky non-conformist at an AA meeting.
Murmurs of faint praise and yet it thunders in my ears.
But this ain’t no walk in the park. A crimson blemish could all but pass for a scar following a prickly incident with spiny leaves of a holly bush. An untimely shank into a neighbouring field of dozing heifers reminds me to pick up some milk on the way home.
Between duck hooks and three puts, this time off serves up a prime opportunity to just punch out for the day until life presents its next challenge. Insurmountable pleasure meets lashings of pain with a pinch of naked self-serving pity … just as nature intended.
I’m not sure where my story ends, but short of a graphic in HD choc full of pithy insight, I think you’ve just captured the start of it.
Good for you girl. Sounds like you deserve the break. Have fun and enjoy life until it become serous all over again.
Like your outlook. One basic line I use when I approach the game is this: If you’re not looking forward to your next shot, you’re playing the wrong game. And just to taunt you, I’ve written a golf novel Blind Guys Break 80, which you might like. It’s a great game because–unlike childhood–you can CHOOSE who you want to play with. I will also recommend a great book that was written many years ago: On Learning Golf by Percy Boomer.