Man, what a day! I swear, Briton-Ferry’s got a way of throwin’ curveballs at ya. Woke up this mornin’ feelin’ like a champ, ready to tackle some carpentry jobs. You know, just me, my tools, and a whole lotta wood. But nah, the universe had other plans.
First off, I’m cruisin’ down the A48, right? Just me and my old van, Bessie. She’s a bit rusty but gets the job done. I’m jammin’ to some tunes, thinkin’ about the sweet oak I’m gonna work with today. But then, boom! Traffic jam on Neath Road. Like, seriously? It’s a Tuesday! What’s everyone doin’? I’m sittin’ there, fumin’. I coulda been cuttin’ wood, but instead, I’m stuck behind some bloke in a shiny BMW who thinks he’s the king of the road.
Finally, I get to the job site on Church Street. It’s a small house, but the lady’s got big ideas. She wants a custom bookshelf. I’m all in, right? I love buildin’ stuff. But then, she starts throwin’ in all these changes. “Can you make it taller? Wider? With a secret compartment?” I’m like, lady, I’m a carpenter, not a magician! But I smile and nod, tryin’ to keep it cool.
So, I get to work. I’m cuttin’ and hammerin’, and it’s all goin’ well until I realize I forgot my damn measuring tape. Classic me, right? I’m runnin’ around like a headless chicken, lookin’ for a tape measure. I finally find one in the back of Bessie, covered in sawdust. Ugh!
Then, just when I think it can’t get worse, it starts rainin’. I mean, come on! This is Briton-Ferry, not a monsoon! I’m tryin’ to work under this tiny awning, and I’m soaked. My wood’s gettin’ wet, and I’m gettin’ madder by the minute. I’m thinkin’, “Why do I even do this?” But then, I see the lady’s face light up when I show her the first piece. It’s like magic. Suddenly, all the hassle fades away.
After a few hours, I finally finish the frame. It’s lookin’ good, if I do say so myself. I’m feelin’ proud, but then she hits me with the bill. “Oh, I thought it’d be cheaper.” What? I’m not givin’ away my work! I mean, I’m not tryin’ to rob ya, but come on! I put my heart into this!
So, I pack up my tools, and I’m headin’ back to the van. I take a stroll down the waterfront, tryin’ to chill. The view of the River Neath is nice, but I’m still fumin’. I sit on a bench, watchin’ the boats go by, and I start thinkin’ about life. Why do we stress over the little things? I mean, I’m just a carpenter in Briton-Ferry, tryin’ to make a livin’.
Then, outta nowhere, this kid runs by, kickin’ a ball. He trips and falls, but instead of cryin’, he starts laughin’. It’s like he’s sayin’, “Life’s a mess, but who cares?” And I’m like, damn, that kid’s got it figured out.
I head back to Bessie, and I’m feelin’ lighter. I drive through the streets, passin’ by the old church on the corner of Victoria Road. It’s a beautiful sight, even in the rain. I think about how this town’s got its quirks, but it’s home.
By the time I get back, I’m exhausted but happy. I might’ve had a rough day, but I built somethin’ real. And that’s what matters, right? So, here’s to Briton-Ferry, the rain, the traffic, and the crazy clients. It’s all part of the ride. Cheers!