Reviewing 2024

I do not really set rock solid yearly goals but there are definitely flexible guideline I sort of have in place. It has always been more about being ready for opportunities as they arrive.

If work was busy, I would do as many hours as I could could then if it got quiet we would take off on some sort of adventure.

This scenario seemed to roll out again in 2024 and we were able to fit in a long term goal of mine to ski in Japan.

Japan was fantastic and as usual we squashed way too much into a 10 day trip.
We started off in the south of Japan visiting one of @consciouscats friends and introducing her to parkrun, this also got us our 5th parkrun country. After Miyazaki in the south we flew up to Sapporo in the north and skied the Rusutsu Resort, before checked out the ice festival and spending the last few days in Toyoko for another parkrun, Disneyland and lots of other Tokyo tourist sights. It was good to get back to work for a rest.

Probably the biggest thing that I did in 2024 was quit work. I was hard giving up a good paying job, I really miss the big well organised projects but more and more I was needed to do all shift covers at factories with no support.

I am more than capable of handling all the dramas of a major breakdown on an known machine or production line but it gets draining, dealing with constant problems and pressure. So much so I pulled the pin and called it an early retirement. It was just after the start of a new finical year which helped not having to pay too much tax.

I am not sure I am official retired just yet but I am definitely having a break for a while and tackling a lot of unfinished projects around the house. Not sure if I have enough stacked in my superannuation to be fully retired but I suppose it all depends on how cheaply we can live. I am pretty sure I could easily pick up another job if I have to, I might even try something completely different for a change we will just have to see how 2025 unfolds.

With more spare time I have been able to focus more on hive and that has definitely helped push my account along. It is so good having a hobby that helps learn different online skills and actually makes a bit rather costing a small fortune.