Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a carpenter in Epsom, NZ, is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was anything but.
First off, I’m cruisin’ down Manukau Rd, and I hit a pothole. Like, seriously? Who’s in charge of these roads? I swear, it felt like I was in a war zone. My coffee nearly flew outta my hand. I’m cursing under my breath, “Get it together, Epsom!”
So, I finally get to the job site on Greenlane West. It’s a sweet little bungalow, but the owner, bless her heart, is a bit of a handful. She’s all like, “Can you make it look like a Pinterest dream?” I’m thinkin’, “Lady, I’m a carpenter, not a magician!” But I nod and smile, ya know? Gotta keep the peace.
I start measuring stuff, and then it hits me. I forgot my tape measure. Classic move, right? I’m like, “Great, just great.” So, I dash over to the local hardware store on Epsom Rd. It’s a small place, but they’ve got everything. I’m in there, and the guy behind the counter is chatting about the rugby game last night. I’m half-listening, half-trying to find a tape measure. Finally grab one, pay, and head back.
Back at the site, I’m ready to roll. I’m cutting wood, hammering nails, and feeling pretty good. Then, outta nowhere, the neighbor’s dog bolts through the fence. This little furball is zooming around like it’s on a sugar high. I’m dodging it like I’m in the Olympics. The owner’s yelling, “Baxter, come back!” I’m like, “Dude, I’m just trying to build a deck here!”
After that chaos, I finally get into a groove. I’m nailing boards, and it’s all coming together. Then, I hear this loud crash. I whip around, and the neighbor’s fence has collapsed. I’m thinkin’, “Oh man, this is gonna be a whole thing.” The neighbor comes over, and he’s fuming. I’m like, “Bro, I didn’t even touch it!” But he’s not having it.
I try to calm him down, but he’s all worked up. I’m just standing there, thinking, “This is not in my job description.” Finally, I manage to smooth things over. We agree to split the cost of repairs. Phew!
By the time I wrap up, it’s late afternoon. I’m exhausted but happy with the work. I stroll down to the local café on Epsom Rd for a well-deserved coffee. The barista knows my order. “Flat white, right?” she says. I nod, and she hands it over with a smile.
Sippin’ my coffee, I can’t help but think about the day. Epsom’s got its quirks, for sure. The mix of old houses and new builds is wild. And the people? They’re a trip. You got the retirees on one side, and the young families on the other. It’s like a sitcom waiting to happen.
As I’m sitting there, I see a couple of kids playing footy in the park across the street. They’re laughing, having a blast. It hits me—this is what it’s all about. The chaos, the unexpected stuff, it all makes life interesting.
So, I finish my coffee, head home, and think, “Tomorrow’s another day.” Epsom, you crazy little town, you’ve got my heart. Even with the potholes and barking dogs, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.