Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m a shoemaker, right? Just your average bloke in Howick, NZ, slinging shoes and fixing soles. But today? Today was a wild ride.
I woke up, sun shining through my window on Picton Street. Thought, “Hey, today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was anything but. First off, I spilled my coffee all over my workbench. Like, come on! I need that caffeine to function. My tools were all sticky, and I was already late for my first customer.
So, I dash outta my place, and the streets are buzzing. You know how it is on Moore Street, right? People everywhere, kids running around, and I’m just trying to dodge them like I’m in some sort of obstacle course. I swear, if one more kid bumps into me, I’m gonna lose it.
Finally, I get to my shop on Cook Street. It’s a cozy little spot, but today it felt like a sauna. I’m sweating like a pig, and my first customer walks in. This lady, bless her heart, wants her heels fixed. But they’re like, ancient. I’m talking about shoes that probably walked the first steps of Howick. I’m thinking, “Lady, these are beyond saving.” But I smile and say, “Sure, I can work my magic.”
While I’m working on those relics, I hear a commotion outside. I peek out, and there’s a bunch of kids playing rugby on the street. I mean, c’mon, it’s Cook Street, not a bloody field! I’m half tempted to run out and yell, “Hey, this ain’t the All Blacks practice!” But then I remember I was a kid once too. So, I just shake my head and get back to the shoes.
Then, outta nowhere, my mate Dave pops in. He’s got this wild look in his eyes. “You won’t believe what just happened!” he says. Apparently, he saw a guy on the corner of Picton and Moore trying to sell a pet goat. A goat! In Howick! I’m like, “Dude, are you serious?” He nods, and I can’t help but laugh. Only in Howick, right?
After that, I finally finish the heels. The lady comes back, and she’s stoked. “These are amazing!” she says. I’m grinning ear to ear. That’s the best part of my job, you know? Making people happy. But then, just as I’m about to close up for lunch, I get a call from a guy who wants a custom pair of shoes. He’s all, “I need them by tomorrow!” I’m like, “Mate, you’re killing me!” But I can’t say no. Gotta pay the bills, right?
So, I rush over to the local market on Howick’s main drag. I’m looking for the best leather. I’m sweating bullets, and I’m pretty sure I’m gonna have a heart attack from all this running around. I grab some leather from this stall, and the guy tries to upsell me. “This is premium stuff!” he says. I’m thinking, “Yeah, mate, but my budget’s not premium.”
Finally, I get back to the shop, and I’m knee-deep in leather and laces. I’m cutting, stitching, and cursing under my breath. I’m so focused, I don’t even notice the time flying by. Before I know it, it’s dark outside. I look up, and the streetlights on Cook Street are flickering on.
I finish the shoes just in time. I’m exhausted but pumped. I call the guy, and he’s like, “Wow, you actually did it!” I’m thinking, “Of course I did! I’m a shoemaker, not a magician!”
As I lock up for the night, I take a moment to breathe. The streets are quiet now, and I can hear the distant sound of the ocean. Howick’s got this charm, you know? It’s a mix of chaos and calm. I love it.
So, yeah, that was my day. Full of spills, thrills, and a goat sighting. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully, no more goats.