GORDON LIGHTFOOT | Culture
PRESSURE RELEASE
An Upper Hutt dad was spotted roaming his property curiously this weekend after successfully waterblasting his deck and immediately needing something else to do.
35 year old father of two, Matt O’Connor, received a brand new Karcher waterblaster from Mitre 10 for Christmas and has since described the experience as “deeply grounding” and “possibly the best thing he’s done all year”.
Matt started the morning with the tangible goal of waterblasting the deck. This was the deck that had not been cleaned properly since “maybe before the kids were born”, but was brought back to life in just under two hours.
“There’s something about seeing the grime lift off in real time,” Matt said, pausing to admire his work. “You don’t get that kind of feedback at work. Or at home. This just does what it’s supposed to do.”
The deck is scheduled to be stained later in the week in what Matt described as “a tasteful kwila colour”, which he did not mention had been pre-chosen by wife Katie.
With the deck complete, Matt found himself pacing the backyard slowly, waterblaster wand still in hand, scanning the perimeter for his next project.
“You start noticing things,” he said. “That fence is looking a bit tired. Driveway’s got some dark patches. Outdoor table could probably use a hit. I’m not saying it needs it. I’m just saying it wouldn’t hurt.”
Matt says the combination of productive noise, visible results and uninterrupted listening time has been good for his mental health.
“Mostly listening to stuff on evolutionary psychology, which is really intersting,” he said. “Couldn’t tell you much about it right now but it’s all sinking in.”
As the afternoon wore on, Matt could be seen dragging the hose further across the lawn, eyes narrowing at the concrete driveway.
“I’m not saying I’ll do it today,” he said. “But I like knowing it’s an option.”
More to come.
