Hi there.
Welcome to a new decade!
I will start this out in pretty much the same way I start out most of my blogs on here that are not designated for publication elsewhere, with an apology. I am so sorry that I have been really horrible at updating you. The only excuse I have is, well, life. Life happened. I think I am going to try and really make it a goal to post something, anything, even if it just is super short. And hey, if I post regularly, then I do not have to make these super long novels each time.
Okay. That’s out of the way, let’s move forward. I am not going to give you a super detailed report of the past two years or however long it has been since I have posted a proper update. Chances are if you follow my Instagram or Facebook stories you more or less have an idea.
So, where am I at now? I am currently in my house in Johannesburg that I have been renting since June of last year. I spent the holidays in Malawi at Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park and am in Joburg for a week now and then am off to Cape Town on Tuesday. Ryno and I will be driving and sharing our trek across on the country on my Instagram stories, so be sure to check them out.
What the heck am I doing with my life? Great question. Let’s aim for a little simpler one. What is going on in my life right now? I am currently finishing up my Masters looking at camera trap deployment and how it influences estimating serval densities. Hence this upcoming trip to Cape Town. I am going to finish up my dissertation (knock on wood) in the office at UCT where my supervisors and colleagues are all based out of. While my focus is 110% on finishing this dissertation, I am also keeping an eye out for my next employment adventure. In the meantime, I have spent most of the past year working as a freelance ecologist, taking odd jobs for minimal payment or sometimes just for the experience of it and working on building up my CV. I do have a few ideas and different directions life can take me after this dissertation is finished, but I think I will wait a bit more before I reveal those to you.
How’s Ryno? He is doing great, currently, he has abandoned me in my office for the couch instead. I know he is going to love this next trip; Cape Town is one of his favourite places. He loves the beach and hiking in the mountains there!
And Diesel? Unfortunately, he is not doing so great. He is my old man at nearly 11 and was diagnosed with liver cancer last year, so I made a special trip out to America to go and see my gentle giant one more time. If you know me, you know how important my furbabies are to me and saying goodbye to my soulpuppy was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am so grateful to my sister and her family for providing the most amazing home for him in his senior years. I am happy I did the trip when I did and that I was able to spend some good quality time with him.
What else? Ummm…… I am having a bit of a brain fart, but if there are any questions you have, feel free to ask me in the comments or just send me a message and I will post them in my next update.
adventureiswild.com 
I read another of your emails first so you have answered most of my questions in this one.
Sorry to hear about your dear Diesel and I know how difficult parting with a loved animal as I had to put my 13 year old female cocker down this past Sept due to cancer, Her name is Hope Fortunately,she went quickly and I miss her dearly.
Take care and be safe.
Frank
I am so sorry about Hope, Frank. She will always be with you in your heart! Animals have a way of touching you deep to the core and I am sure she was a fantastic companion and was so loved.
Thanks Jo. Hope was my companion for 6 years after my wife,Janet, died and helped a great deal to fill in the emptiness.
Warm regards,
Frank