Self-sufficiency Within Reach.

Good morning Brisbane, I've just taken my spot among the sleepy-eyed on the 5:13 once again. Today is judgment day in one regard, my performance today will be heavily judged. I'm running the shop today right from opening until around 12:30pm. I will have to do everything unassisted, but I think I'm ready.

I'm going to have to move non-stop today and go out of my way to impress these guys. However I did receive my roster for the next month so that's a good sign. Also yesterday marked the first time since 2007 that I received a wage, is that four years? I thought it was three. Everything is flooding back to memory, what a journey.

I realized the other day that I've pretty much achieved everything I set out to do this year. I've got my depression under control, I've got a great social life, I'm doing wonderful things with Amnesty and I have a job. Pretty much the only thing that I didn't get round to was getting off my medication. But I'll be going back to my GP soon and perhaps we can lower the dose again.

Oh and I still haven't found a partner yet, but that shouldn't be a goal per say. It's not a chore I can just tick of a list: wake up, go to work, find girlfriend, go home. That's something that'll just happen and I have been meeting a lot of people. I'm happy for now though. :)

Later today I'll be meeting with ARTillery's main graffiti artist to discuss the enormous mural he'll be painting for us. We may need to organize a fundraiser in order to buy the necessary paints which will apparently be in the vicinity of $500. Yikes.

Then tonight mayor Graham Quirk is throwing a dinner for Amnesty International to celebrate its 50th anniversary. That's a really nice gesture and it'll be brilliant getting to hang out with everyone, as we don't really get to see each other all that much.

Well I'm at Auchenflower and should do a mental checklist of everything I need to do to have the shop running efficiently today. In the span of a week I've gone from being a bit unsure about this job to being accepting of it. It's not that hard and it will bring in the money I need. In a couple of months I should be completely self sufficient. I can't believe how close I am to being off Centrelink. It's not that I hate Centrelink, they've been a massive source of assistance, but the goal has always ultimately be free of them. That's their goal too! Ha. Okay then, I'll be off. Love you all.

Andy Scott