Cheering the hell up

I realise I've been a bit mopey for, well, most of my life when I actually come to think of it. I was going to say something specifically about the last few months - probably best to start small, baby steps and all that. So here are some really cheerful things that happened to me recently:

My assistant kite launcher - a tiny child, just beginning to grasp the concept of sentences, decided he wanted to help me launch the kite. Not sure of what to say, I put him at one end and me at the other. Foolishly, expecting too much, I said 'Ok, on three... One, two, three, go!'. It was later pointed out that that is 'After three' anyway. The small child wouldn't have got it anyway, as he counted with me 'One, two, three, four, FIVE!' and launched on five. The result was a slightly challenging launch angle for Rob, but an entertaining half hour as I tried both to watch the child didn't get hit, and make him feel like he was involved. Eventually I carried him back to his parents, but when I was halfway up the hill it occurred to me I was carrying a small child, and I didn't know exactly who his parents were... It could have looked very bad, but luckily I had guessed right.

Going to America - The sandwiches were my second-favourite bit again, with the cheap clothing coming in a close third. If anyone suggests my favourite bit was actually the cheap petrol prices, both I and Braunwin will probably stop talking to them.

Getting off the ground for the first time with my kite - Not deliberately. The Saturday in the US had some serious wind. It took me by surprise, I must say. I'm not dead though.

Trying a really big kite - See this picture. I was able to fly this thanks to the kindness and advice of its owner, a German lady who I think was called Kat. It's on the shopping list, (or possibly the 5.0, but the 6.3 is very nice...) now all I need is 6 months rent free to clear debts and save up the money.

A work thing - I got within 0.5% in September on the company's sales budget. Sometimes something is only exciting to you though.

Someone else's work thing - Braunwin got her orchestra sub job. She'd probably prefer me to stop posting about her life, but I was delighted. I know I'd mentioned it to a few people too, so I hope they're pleased also.

A washing machine - I hate going to the laundrette's, so I was pretty stoked to see a new washing machine installed in my building. I was at first under the impression that washing was free, and have since discovered it's a pound sterling a wash. But that's still one-sixty cheaper than the laundrette, and it's nearer my flat too!

Enthusiasm for my new hobby - seems to be shared by more than one of my friends. People are buying mountainboards and kites here and there, which is excellent news, as I'm always happier doing something with company, and I think both board and kite are great fun, together and on their own.

If you want to take up power kiting or mountainboarding and you live in the UK, I recommend Kiteworld in Clacton. they seem to be cheaper than everyone else. I can give limited advice on what makes a good kite to start on, but the guys at AirMonkeys know a great deal more than I do.