Balance

Planning ahead is really not what is at the core of Sexyloops, I think. If you knew the number of times I get a message from Paul every year: “Hey - a client rescheduled, so I’m heading down lake for three days. I’ll have no internet, so can you post this and this FP and keep Facebook running?” “Yes, Paul - of course I can..” I’ve really wondered what would happen if I said no? But the nice thing about this is that usually a little conversation follows. I think I’ve said it before, strangely enough these days it’s more often about fitness training and me training too hard. But that’s because I’m in the no pain, no gain segment of middle aged men in mid life crisis.

That all might change now that Paul has his new Starlink internet connection - then again, probably not.

But there are benefits to being in your prime as well. I have two children and a full time job. I have only so much vacation time and a recurring discussion on our 4545 miles long message thread is Paul asking when I come over. Travelling that far is pointless unless it’s at least two weeks. And that’t two weeks + in 30 degree humid jungle weather (and two weeks with Paul’s socks - on a small boat).  And two weeks taken out of the family holiday calendar. And I thrive best below 20 degrees. In fact, I can’t stand it when it’s too hot. Well, I will go at some point, of course.

Back on track - when the kids were younger, nearly all vacation time was spent with them. For very good reasons and this is very far from me complaining. In fact, it’s me being grateful, even if they roll their eyes when we visit church no. 11 in three days and stop to have a look at every stream.

I have always had a week here or there, usually in Norway. It’s conveniently close and offers a lot. Me being in my prime they’re older now, 14 and 19. They have their own wishes for holidays and vacations. And in some way, they even don’t require our presence. I still want to bother them with churches and castles, but it’s just easier to spend a little more time on my own.

So now, in my prime, I can actually plan a ahead and get away a little more. Planning ahead is a requirement, because “Hey Pauline, I’m going to Sweden for 6 days next week…” just doesn’t cut it. Isn’t it strange how good one gets a planning ahead as soon as it involves fishing trips?

For a long time it’s been a week long trip and a weekend away here and there. By my own choice.

In 2024 I have a week booked in Scotland and one in Norway (I must tie flies, especially small ones for Scotland - planning ahead again). A couple of weekend trips too (needs detailing at this point) and even just the daily fishing is much, much easier as the kids are now doing everything that they do that don’t involve us.

Family-fishing-holiday-work-balance… To all of you with family not yet in your prime, it gets easier.

Have a great weekend!

Lars

PoD: From a weekend trip along the coast with a friend. The boat loaded with tackle and tents and a couple of night spent like that. There’ll be a couple of those as well later in the year.