The first day of the winter vacation

 So, woke early, despite it being the first day of my winter break! Yes, I love this time of the year in the UAE. It is cool, the air has a nip in it and is crisp, the shops look lovely and then there is family and a few close friends. (This year will be slightly different though) On holidays I tend to wake earlier than usual, so today it was 4 45am. Hate the day to go by while I am lolling in bed – do not understand how people get up at noon and say, ‘it is a holiday’! Toiletries, morning tea and newspapers devoured, I decided to go to the gym and attempt to be the first one there. As it is just about 7 minutes away, I walked out of the front door briskly at 8.15 (the gym opens at 8.30 only to go right down to the basement and realize that I had forgotten my headphones. I hate to have to return for anything. So up I trotted up again mumbling to myself & a trifle annoyed. Back to the car and off I go. No. Back to the house again and this time from the mezzanine – the water bottle was left on the table when I went to get the headphones. The day was starting to annoy me. Dementia? No. Just getting older or whatever! Justified it to myself as I often do – “everything happens for a reason and I could have met with an accident if I had left at the original time”. So- reached the Gym and presto I was the first one there. Loved the feeling to have it all to myself Clicked a snap to prove it. Looked around in case there was someone working out quietly in some corner, and so pleased to just see myself in the mirrors. Logged into the gym Wi-Fi, put on some great music, and managed an hour’s workout. Felt good – looked into the myriad mirrors again- sucked my stomach in to the best of my ability and congratulated myself on the 2 pack! Still a very very long way to go. On the way back I decided to have a haircut as my hair was annoying me . Free parking! There was a new barber who seemed to be pretty good at his job, but rather inquisitive in his approach and manner. By the time he had finished interrogating me – yes it felt like that- I realized that I had been so busy trying to give him some wrong answers to protect my privacy, that I had not noticed what he was doing with my hair. By the time he swung in with an exaggerated flourish and a large smile on his face – large mirror in hand- to show me the back of my head, the deed had been done. Looked good to me and I was pleased as punch. Finally, a great haircut. Walked out of the saloon looking and feeling much lighter – entered the front door and their faces said it all - according to the family, my hair had been cut badly (as usual) – it was far too short, and I would look rather silly at Christmas. I put on a show of bravado and countered with some talk about my personality and how I would shave it bald if they made any more fun etc but it carried no weight and everyone carried on with their life and I with mine. Just had some tasty home-made Chinese noodles for lunch – my favourite. Now to doze. My hair grows quickly.