A word that strikes fear in the hearts of South Africans. A word directly related to Eskom in our brains, and fodder for many excellent jokes.
But what about this? 5 minutes of planned blackout, tomorrow - 1 February (hey, where did January go??) - at 6:55pm (in this time zone). You're done with work by then. Switch off the computer and lights on your way out. Give up Isidingo or 7de Laan for one day. Hold off on cooking supper. Just switch it all off for 5 minutes.
Eskom's been moaning again about our power useage, saying more blackouts before the weekend. How about we give them one from our end? Show them that we can really do without their power for at least 5 minutes?
Consider yourself challenged.
One question...
... why is airport tax currently equivalent to NEARLY HALF the ticket price??? I think I'd better book that ticket before it gets any worse...
To-do's
After yesterday's disastrous end, I've hit today with a nice long to-do list. And I'm powering my way through it.
If there's one thing I've learnt in life, it's that activity is a whole lot better than inactivity. Once you have a sense of purpose in place you can literaelly do anything. It's when you lose track of your dreams, your goals and your vision that you start running into trouble.
A while back I decided to adopt a "water off a duck's back" attitude. I'm not letting things get under my skin. I don't take barbs and difficulties to heart. Sure I may in the moment feel like collapsing, but I'm going to bob right up again and keep paddling in the right direction. I can't tell you what a difference that's made in how I approach life! Office gossip? No thanks. Rumours of hate-speech? Not my problem. Life in general trying to kill me off? It can try, but it won't succeed.
So life goes on today. And goes on well. It's a day packed with activity and ambition, research and planning, work at work and work after work. But also a little me-time to refuel the tanks. Balance - that's the key.
Right now though - on to the next item on my to-do list. Onward and upward.
If there's one thing I've learnt in life, it's that activity is a whole lot better than inactivity. Once you have a sense of purpose in place you can literaelly do anything. It's when you lose track of your dreams, your goals and your vision that you start running into trouble.
A while back I decided to adopt a "water off a duck's back" attitude. I'm not letting things get under my skin. I don't take barbs and difficulties to heart. Sure I may in the moment feel like collapsing, but I'm going to bob right up again and keep paddling in the right direction. I can't tell you what a difference that's made in how I approach life! Office gossip? No thanks. Rumours of hate-speech? Not my problem. Life in general trying to kill me off? It can try, but it won't succeed.
So life goes on today. And goes on well. It's a day packed with activity and ambition, research and planning, work at work and work after work. But also a little me-time to refuel the tanks. Balance - that's the key.
Right now though - on to the next item on my to-do list. Onward and upward.
Photoblog: Wildlife
Although I'm not at all fond of things with more than 4 legs, there is a beauty in even spiders, if you're brave enough to look closely.
Struggle to Survive
Warning - brutally honest, salary figure-laced, distraught and discouraged post ahead. Leave now if you don't need to read such stuff!!! Unless you're looking for someone to bestow your recent lotto winnings on... :-)
I'm not sure I should blog this, but consider it a route marker on the journey... a blip in the timeline that is now.
I've just exited the first staff meeting of the year, clutching my updated salary information for 2007. And feeling physically ill. I thought we would survive this year. More than survive - thrive. But my already-meagre salary has been dealt another few blows - sudden taxation on the "free" housing (which takes a third of my salary before I'm paid, is based on a percentage of my earnings not how big the place is, and is not maintained - oh, and married couples get to split the cost where I'm slammed with the entire amount), contributions to the (seldom used) medical aid unexpectedly doubled, and the 6,8% across-the-board increase eaten up by other charges that get deducted without my knowledge or permission.
Basically, where I once saw R(edited) in a good month (about the same as I started out with 11 years ago), I'll now be seeing about R(edited, but a lot less) - and I'm terrified. We cannot survive on that at all. It barely covers food for the month. We were sorta making it last year, only because I paid my son's schooling annually in advance (can't this year) and dug into credit limits for everything else. Now I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. I'm tired of fighting to merely exist. I'm tired of worrying if we'll make it past week one of each month. I'm tired of watching yet another thing break down and wondering where I'll get cash to fix it. I'm tired of seeing others buy expensive toys and plough cash into stuff I could never dream of.
I've started this year off working after-hours for extra money - baking things to sell to hungry colleagues & students, generating orders for food items etc. But suddenly it looks like it's not going to be enough. I'm not prone to swearing (much), but SHIT this is bad. Other than that month a few years ago where there was only enough food in the house for my son for 2 weeks (not for me), this is the worst it's been.
"So quit whining and find a new job!" I hear you say. That's the aim, but the timetable was set for the end of this year, not now. Giving me a chance to either get my own business stuff running well enough to live on, or find something that will cover rent, travel to work (unneeded at the moment), schooling (currently receive a discount and a partial payback, kid walks there and back) and still keep us alive. Then there's the problem of my having many skills, but specializing in nothing well enough to be paid decently for it. I suddenly feel like I've hit rock bottom, and hit it hard.
Of course, the perverse Daily Guru then popped up in my inbox, full of cheer and light, stating:
Is it any wonder that many of my nightmares involve money?
Off to have a good cry and hope I can find some light in this bloody dark tunnel... Perhaps things will look better in a couple hours - and I can delete this.
::update::
And MORE perverse happy stuff just keeps flowing in, smacking me upside the head:
* Chief Happiness Officer talks about working a sucky job for a year ('cept I'm not in it for the money - hmm.. maybe I am, 'cos I'm trying to save by staying!)
::light-in-tunnel update::
OK, one good cry, one piece of most excellent chili-chocolate and some sustainance later, and my make-a-plan brainspace is starting to function. I've maintained that I keep getting kicks in the rear, making me uncomfortable enough that I'll blerry-well go DO all the good stuff I've been threatening to try, all those brilliant ideas rattling around in my semi-blonde head. (And just had to answer a phonecall for another order that will bring in a few more pennies) It's a matter of sucking it up, soldiering on, and MAKING things happen. Not just sitting back and woe-is-me'ing. YES, it's going to take hard work and sacrifice. YES it's going to mean a shuffling of priorities, less done in some areas and more in others. But there's one thing I know - you get only a couple of chances each day, a couple of choices. Once your hours, minutes, seconds have ticked past they're gone for good. It's now or never, and NOW it's going to have to be.
So I'm sitting with some more of those plans (after tonight's parent-teacher meeting, while the brownies are baking), setting out concrete steps to start on the road to where I want to be. Trawling the job websites, I know what I don't want. I need to finalize in my head what I DO want, visualize it and then go for it. Take the darn risks, and trust.
Here's to being knocked down! And getting up again.
I'm not sure I should blog this, but consider it a route marker on the journey... a blip in the timeline that is now.
I've just exited the first staff meeting of the year, clutching my updated salary information for 2007. And feeling physically ill. I thought we would survive this year. More than survive - thrive. But my already-meagre salary has been dealt another few blows - sudden taxation on the "free" housing (which takes a third of my salary before I'm paid, is based on a percentage of my earnings not how big the place is, and is not maintained - oh, and married couples get to split the cost where I'm slammed with the entire amount), contributions to the (seldom used) medical aid unexpectedly doubled, and the 6,8% across-the-board increase eaten up by other charges that get deducted without my knowledge or permission.
Basically, where I once saw R(edited) in a good month (about the same as I started out with 11 years ago), I'll now be seeing about R(edited, but a lot less) - and I'm terrified. We cannot survive on that at all. It barely covers food for the month. We were sorta making it last year, only because I paid my son's schooling annually in advance (can't this year) and dug into credit limits for everything else. Now I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. I'm tired of fighting to merely exist. I'm tired of worrying if we'll make it past week one of each month. I'm tired of watching yet another thing break down and wondering where I'll get cash to fix it. I'm tired of seeing others buy expensive toys and plough cash into stuff I could never dream of.
I've started this year off working after-hours for extra money - baking things to sell to hungry colleagues & students, generating orders for food items etc. But suddenly it looks like it's not going to be enough. I'm not prone to swearing (much), but SHIT this is bad. Other than that month a few years ago where there was only enough food in the house for my son for 2 weeks (not for me), this is the worst it's been.
"So quit whining and find a new job!" I hear you say. That's the aim, but the timetable was set for the end of this year, not now. Giving me a chance to either get my own business stuff running well enough to live on, or find something that will cover rent, travel to work (unneeded at the moment), schooling (currently receive a discount and a partial payback, kid walks there and back) and still keep us alive. Then there's the problem of my having many skills, but specializing in nothing well enough to be paid decently for it. I suddenly feel like I've hit rock bottom, and hit it hard.
Of course, the perverse Daily Guru then popped up in my inbox, full of cheer and light, stating:
FIND THE GOOD SIDE TO EVERY SITUATIONI'm trying, I really am! It just seems that the more I do, the worse off I get. I simply don't know what next anymore. I'm battling forward, and just going backwards.
You cannot have the success without the failures.
Any experience can be transformed into something of value.
Everything depends on the way you look at things.
In all of your adversities lies the seeds of equivalent advantages.
In every defeat there is a lesson showing you how to win the next time.
What are stumbling blocks and defeat before you
can be stepping stones to victory if you remain determined.
View your problems as opportunities.
When it's dark enough you can see the stars.
Is it any wonder that many of my nightmares involve money?
Off to have a good cry and hope I can find some light in this bloody dark tunnel... Perhaps things will look better in a couple hours - and I can delete this.
::update::
And MORE perverse happy stuff just keeps flowing in, smacking me upside the head:
* Chief Happiness Officer talks about working a sucky job for a year ('cept I'm not in it for the money - hmm.. maybe I am, 'cos I'm trying to save by staying!)
::light-in-tunnel update::
OK, one good cry, one piece of most excellent chili-chocolate and some sustainance later, and my make-a-plan brainspace is starting to function. I've maintained that I keep getting kicks in the rear, making me uncomfortable enough that I'll blerry-well go DO all the good stuff I've been threatening to try, all those brilliant ideas rattling around in my semi-blonde head. (And just had to answer a phonecall for another order that will bring in a few more pennies) It's a matter of sucking it up, soldiering on, and MAKING things happen. Not just sitting back and woe-is-me'ing. YES, it's going to take hard work and sacrifice. YES it's going to mean a shuffling of priorities, less done in some areas and more in others. But there's one thing I know - you get only a couple of chances each day, a couple of choices. Once your hours, minutes, seconds have ticked past they're gone for good. It's now or never, and NOW it's going to have to be.
So I'm sitting with some more of those plans (after tonight's parent-teacher meeting, while the brownies are baking), setting out concrete steps to start on the road to where I want to be. Trawling the job websites, I know what I don't want. I need to finalize in my head what I DO want, visualize it and then go for it. Take the darn risks, and trust.
Here's to being knocked down! And getting up again.
Photoblog: End of summer?
Is summer over already? Perhaps it's all this car's fault - collecting a wedge of autumn in its wake:
Varietal Vagaries
So there I was - standing in front of rows of wine bottles (happened to pass by on my way to other things in the shops), and it strikes me. I have absolutely no clue how to decipher from the many varieties what tastes good and what doesn't!
Thing is this - I've never been a wine person. Although I live smack-bang in the middle of an awesome wine region, the last time I tasted wine was when our class went to go see how it was made back in Tech days (I've always loved the smell of a winery in grape picking/squashing season). And I certainly didn't like wine then. OK, except for Delheim Pinotage Rose, but can't quite remember why.
Hmmm - correction. Previous statement is perhaps not entirely true - I had a miniscule sip of a few types recently and didn't like most of them. And a mouthful of dry red (or so) which I also didn't like that much but could swallow if required (provided it came with dark chocolate).
But then I did find one or two I could live with - white wines more sweet than dry, one with a wonderfully distinct apricot aftertaste (which even an uneducated palate such as myself could appreciate), and another that was labelled "naturally sweet light" (ie had been watered down with grape juice and had minimal alcohol). When it comes to champagne I prefer the sweet JC le Roux to the expensive dry stuff.
So there I was - standing in front of the wine section, looking at labels. And thought I'd throw it out to the general public. I know it's a case of each to his own, some like it so dry your gills curl up, others prefer Gewurztraminer (like me - see I know one!!! :-) ) and things that don't dehydrate your mouth.
But what makes a good wine? What's the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, and those just labelled Red or White? What's up with Merlot and Bordeaux, Port and Chardonnay? I realize ageing in oak can give a certain taste, and many of the bottles have descriptions that include fruits, herbs or what would normally be scents. Some are drink-right-away, others are leave-for-a-bit. Then you get the stuff in boxes (which I understand is not a good thing). But again, I have a totally uneducated palate. That said, I may not know much, but I DO know South Africa produces some of the best.
Consider this a virtual wine-tasting session! Spill it - enlighten me. And if there's not enough room in comments, feel free to drop me an email extolling the virtues of this or that. Heck - if you're in the area, go show me! :-)
Thing is this - I've never been a wine person. Although I live smack-bang in the middle of an awesome wine region, the last time I tasted wine was when our class went to go see how it was made back in Tech days (I've always loved the smell of a winery in grape picking/squashing season). And I certainly didn't like wine then. OK, except for Delheim Pinotage Rose, but can't quite remember why.
Hmmm - correction. Previous statement is perhaps not entirely true - I had a miniscule sip of a few types recently and didn't like most of them. And a mouthful of dry red (or so) which I also didn't like that much but could swallow if required (provided it came with dark chocolate).
But then I did find one or two I could live with - white wines more sweet than dry, one with a wonderfully distinct apricot aftertaste (which even an uneducated palate such as myself could appreciate), and another that was labelled "naturally sweet light" (ie had been watered down with grape juice and had minimal alcohol). When it comes to champagne I prefer the sweet JC le Roux to the expensive dry stuff.
So there I was - standing in front of the wine section, looking at labels. And thought I'd throw it out to the general public. I know it's a case of each to his own, some like it so dry your gills curl up, others prefer Gewurztraminer (like me - see I know one!!! :-) ) and things that don't dehydrate your mouth.
But what makes a good wine? What's the difference between Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, and those just labelled Red or White? What's up with Merlot and Bordeaux, Port and Chardonnay? I realize ageing in oak can give a certain taste, and many of the bottles have descriptions that include fruits, herbs or what would normally be scents. Some are drink-right-away, others are leave-for-a-bit. Then you get the stuff in boxes (which I understand is not a good thing). But again, I have a totally uneducated palate. That said, I may not know much, but I DO know South Africa produces some of the best.
Consider this a virtual wine-tasting session! Spill it - enlighten me. And if there's not enough room in comments, feel free to drop me an email extolling the virtues of this or that. Heck - if you're in the area, go show me! :-)
Epiphanies
I'm starting to wonder just how many ephiphanies one can have in a single lifetime. I feel like I've been bombarded with them recently.
Just to poke a thorn in a couple of sides - perhaps it's since I came off coffee and my mind cleared up that it's been able to see clearly now the caffiene is gone? :-) (An aside - I can't drink coffee anymore! Tried, one mouthful later spat it out. Just can't! Still smells good, just can't swallow it.)
Nevertheless - most of these ephiphanies are such that I can't blog about them, but I've had inspiration and lightbulb moments coming at me thick and fast. From the interpersonal to the work-related, from mundane to way-out-crazy, it's like puzzle pieces falling into place. Granted, a puzzle that's mostly sky-blue without a pattern in sight, but they seem to be interlocking without much effort on my part and blowing me away in the process.
It's actually pretty cool, and I think it's adding to the deep-down contentment I find myself living with. A sense that I'm doing OK, heading in the right direction, and don't need to fear for the future. That life need not be led conventionally, nor societal expectations always conformed to. And that no matter what crazy steps I take in any direction, I'll survive it.
And survive it well!
So those ephiphanies? Bring them on. Keep them coming. With enough lightbulb moments I might actually get a clear view of the road ahead. But if not - the fun's in the journey, and I'm here for the ride.
Just to poke a thorn in a couple of sides - perhaps it's since I came off coffee and my mind cleared up that it's been able to see clearly now the caffiene is gone? :-) (An aside - I can't drink coffee anymore! Tried, one mouthful later spat it out. Just can't! Still smells good, just can't swallow it.)
Nevertheless - most of these ephiphanies are such that I can't blog about them, but I've had inspiration and lightbulb moments coming at me thick and fast. From the interpersonal to the work-related, from mundane to way-out-crazy, it's like puzzle pieces falling into place. Granted, a puzzle that's mostly sky-blue without a pattern in sight, but they seem to be interlocking without much effort on my part and blowing me away in the process.
It's actually pretty cool, and I think it's adding to the deep-down contentment I find myself living with. A sense that I'm doing OK, heading in the right direction, and don't need to fear for the future. That life need not be led conventionally, nor societal expectations always conformed to. And that no matter what crazy steps I take in any direction, I'll survive it.
And survive it well!
So those ephiphanies? Bring them on. Keep them coming. With enough lightbulb moments I might actually get a clear view of the road ahead. But if not - the fun's in the journey, and I'm here for the ride.
I wonder...
Jen put an idea into my head that soaked with me in the bath a bit, and now I wonder...
I seem to have turned into a bit of a travel advisor lately. Random folk online who find my blog, or friends dropping by this area, or just stuff mentioned in passing. In the last few months I've found a lot of info for quite a few people. Each wants a different kind of focus, so I've done info-digging in many different areas.
Jen mentioned something about doing it more formally (just in passing), and I got thinking. How many families come to Cape Town and don't know where to find kid-friendly activities? How many can't find kid-friendly accommodation? Is there a market for a "Kids in Cape Town" type guide book and website, a constant flow of info for families? I wrote an article once on cheap and free kid's activities in my town - but with a bit of research and brainstorming that could easily be extended to the Cape region within a couple hours of the city itself. The creative ideas are popping up in my head - and I forsee a bit of a toss & turn before sleeping tonight! :-)
But I wonder... I wonder if I could fill a niche? Or has it already been filled and I just don't know about it?
Time for some more digging!
I seem to have turned into a bit of a travel advisor lately. Random folk online who find my blog, or friends dropping by this area, or just stuff mentioned in passing. In the last few months I've found a lot of info for quite a few people. Each wants a different kind of focus, so I've done info-digging in many different areas.
Jen mentioned something about doing it more formally (just in passing), and I got thinking. How many families come to Cape Town and don't know where to find kid-friendly activities? How many can't find kid-friendly accommodation? Is there a market for a "Kids in Cape Town" type guide book and website, a constant flow of info for families? I wrote an article once on cheap and free kid's activities in my town - but with a bit of research and brainstorming that could easily be extended to the Cape region within a couple hours of the city itself. The creative ideas are popping up in my head - and I forsee a bit of a toss & turn before sleeping tonight! :-)
But I wonder... I wonder if I could fill a niche? Or has it already been filled and I just don't know about it?
Time for some more digging!
Working Life
Here's two things that have been going through my head about work lately:
* Heirarchy - been wondering about this whole "I'm more important than you" thing. Why do I have to respect someone just because their job description and salary say they're more important than me in the food chain? We work the same number of hours - sometimes I work more. We put in the same effort in our area of responsibility - though I may spend less time in meetings, and more time "getting my hands dirty" (ie working). Yet we're paid on vastly different scales, and I have to be subservient while they get to do whatever the hell they want to! Strip away the title, and there's very little reason to respect them. I guess this one goes across the board too - we're each given a certain number of hours in the day, and generally work "working hours", from the CEO in a large corporation to the janitor who sweeps the basement. Yet somehow society deigns that one is way more important than the other, a more valuable human being, and the other can be treated like trash. It's a completely artificial situation, and it doesn't make any sense to me at all. Unfortunately these revelations are not making me a very good employee... :-)
* Deadlines - I often find that I work better on a project if I have the time and space to sit with it a bit. Yes, there are timelines to getting things done, and sometimes I have flashes of brilliance that have me meeting them with aplomb. But other times inspiration comes slowly and takes pondering. For example, I'm working on a website at the moment, one I had hoped to have done within days - a week at the most. But it's taken longer than that as I sit and develop the backbone. The layout, the way it looks on screen, the behind-the-scenes structure of links and files, the coding that gives it functionality. I could do it all at once and have it up and running right away. Instead I've taken longer than I had hoped to, yet come out with things I wouldn't have thought of had it been online before now. OK - you can always tweak stuff, but it's a whole lot better to have it going well before you stick it out there for the world to see. I'm finding more and more that a bit of staring off into space, "doing nothing" is where the creativity builds, where the elements of a project fall into place, where lightbulbs go off. But having said that, there's some things I need to go implement immediately...
::update::
* Stress - I find I'm a whole lot less willing these days to take on stress. I'm irked by noise, by bother, by everything being urgent. In my ongoing quest for Serenity, the stress thing ain't helping. I used to thrive on bustle and busyness, urgency and rush. No more. The more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not willing to let it take over my life or affect my way of being. Perhaps I'm getting old, or just finding Me, but I really don't need it in my life. (Another reason I've become not the best employee? :-) ) I'm on a mission to find a stress-free life to match my inner calm, and the fewer feathers I get ruffled on the way there, the better.
I've been sitting with all these thoughts, formulating a Plan lately. As Baldrick (Black Adder) would say, "I have a cunning plan..." 'cept I hope mine are a bit more cunning than the ones he usually came up with!
* Heirarchy - been wondering about this whole "I'm more important than you" thing. Why do I have to respect someone just because their job description and salary say they're more important than me in the food chain? We work the same number of hours - sometimes I work more. We put in the same effort in our area of responsibility - though I may spend less time in meetings, and more time "getting my hands dirty" (ie working). Yet we're paid on vastly different scales, and I have to be subservient while they get to do whatever the hell they want to! Strip away the title, and there's very little reason to respect them. I guess this one goes across the board too - we're each given a certain number of hours in the day, and generally work "working hours", from the CEO in a large corporation to the janitor who sweeps the basement. Yet somehow society deigns that one is way more important than the other, a more valuable human being, and the other can be treated like trash. It's a completely artificial situation, and it doesn't make any sense to me at all. Unfortunately these revelations are not making me a very good employee... :-)
* Deadlines - I often find that I work better on a project if I have the time and space to sit with it a bit. Yes, there are timelines to getting things done, and sometimes I have flashes of brilliance that have me meeting them with aplomb. But other times inspiration comes slowly and takes pondering. For example, I'm working on a website at the moment, one I had hoped to have done within days - a week at the most. But it's taken longer than that as I sit and develop the backbone. The layout, the way it looks on screen, the behind-the-scenes structure of links and files, the coding that gives it functionality. I could do it all at once and have it up and running right away. Instead I've taken longer than I had hoped to, yet come out with things I wouldn't have thought of had it been online before now. OK - you can always tweak stuff, but it's a whole lot better to have it going well before you stick it out there for the world to see. I'm finding more and more that a bit of staring off into space, "doing nothing" is where the creativity builds, where the elements of a project fall into place, where lightbulbs go off. But having said that, there's some things I need to go implement immediately...
::update::
* Stress - I find I'm a whole lot less willing these days to take on stress. I'm irked by noise, by bother, by everything being urgent. In my ongoing quest for Serenity, the stress thing ain't helping. I used to thrive on bustle and busyness, urgency and rush. No more. The more I think about it, the more I realize I'm not willing to let it take over my life or affect my way of being. Perhaps I'm getting old, or just finding Me, but I really don't need it in my life. (Another reason I've become not the best employee? :-) ) I'm on a mission to find a stress-free life to match my inner calm, and the fewer feathers I get ruffled on the way there, the better.
I've been sitting with all these thoughts, formulating a Plan lately. As Baldrick (Black Adder) would say, "I have a cunning plan..." 'cept I hope mine are a bit more cunning than the ones he usually came up with!
Late Saturday Night...
My son and I have just got in from a night out - unusual for us, we haven't done it in ages! He received some free movie tickets for Xmas, and wanted to see "A night at the museum", so off we went. (He also wanted supper at the Spur, but I'm on a strict budget..)
The movie was pretty good. We both enjoyed it - and the tyre scene had me curled up laughing (yeah I know, easily amused). Ben Stiller does a great job in comedy. We hung around until the last of the credits to check out how many animators had been involved - 48, plus specialists!!!
And then, getting into the car, I realized I had no lights. Shucks. One small glow on the non-bird-damage side (still no headlight units in stock anywhere), but nothing else. I drove home very carefully by the light of a half-moon, with emergency lights flashing. Back here it seems I have manual brights - so it may just be a fuse this time (holding thumbs).
Found something else when we got home - two large frogs! They've discovered the slight dripping from the hot-water heater (geyser to us SAfricans) overflow, and in the heat of recent days seem to have found that's the place to be. We saw one a few nights back, and they're a good sign. Shows our local environment is not quite as damaged as I'd thought, though frog-song has been in short supply in recent years.
Now it's just gone 11pm. I must be getting old - I'm past tired. In my late teens and early twenties I would have just been getting started, but now this old lady needs all the beauty sleep she can lay her hands on. So it's off to bed for the both of us.
The movie was pretty good. We both enjoyed it - and the tyre scene had me curled up laughing (yeah I know, easily amused). Ben Stiller does a great job in comedy. We hung around until the last of the credits to check out how many animators had been involved - 48, plus specialists!!!
And then, getting into the car, I realized I had no lights. Shucks. One small glow on the non-bird-damage side (still no headlight units in stock anywhere), but nothing else. I drove home very carefully by the light of a half-moon, with emergency lights flashing. Back here it seems I have manual brights - so it may just be a fuse this time (holding thumbs).
Found something else when we got home - two large frogs! They've discovered the slight dripping from the hot-water heater (geyser to us SAfricans) overflow, and in the heat of recent days seem to have found that's the place to be. We saw one a few nights back, and they're a good sign. Shows our local environment is not quite as damaged as I'd thought, though frog-song has been in short supply in recent years.
Now it's just gone 11pm. I must be getting old - I'm past tired. In my late teens and early twenties I would have just been getting started, but now this old lady needs all the beauty sleep she can lay her hands on. So it's off to bed for the both of us.
Dreams & Fears
Having just woken up about 10 minutes ago, I'm still left with traces of last night's toss-and-turn dreams scattered through my brain. I thought it was the heat (though a bit cooler last night) and the single irritating early-morning fly that made for a rough night, but as more bits of dreams are remembered, I can blame them more than circumstances!
And by picking them apart a bit I realize that deep down there are a few things that I'm afraid of.
As is the way of dreams, they were very mixed up - odd situations, people and events in places one wouldn't normally find them. But the undercurrents were there - fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, a feeling that I won't get something right, issues with home and interactions.
Instead of brushing them off today as middle of the night randomness, I plan on digging a bit into the why behind the dreams. To find out just what it is I'm insecure about in one situation, why I keep dreaming of throw cushions for my lounge (yeah, weird! :-) ), and why it is that one person who features regularly in the restless dreams never speaks, never interacts, keeps their distance, yet always makes me feel inadequate.
Geez - what a start to the weekend! :-)
While I'm picking this stuff apart, I'm trying to build in the positive thoughts, the goals, the good dreams. It's a way of crafting an attitude that deals with the subconcious issues and erases the bad.
But first - breakfast. No-one can think well on an empty stomach!
And by picking them apart a bit I realize that deep down there are a few things that I'm afraid of.
As is the way of dreams, they were very mixed up - odd situations, people and events in places one wouldn't normally find them. But the undercurrents were there - fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, a feeling that I won't get something right, issues with home and interactions.
Instead of brushing them off today as middle of the night randomness, I plan on digging a bit into the why behind the dreams. To find out just what it is I'm insecure about in one situation, why I keep dreaming of throw cushions for my lounge (yeah, weird! :-) ), and why it is that one person who features regularly in the restless dreams never speaks, never interacts, keeps their distance, yet always makes me feel inadequate.
Geez - what a start to the weekend! :-)
While I'm picking this stuff apart, I'm trying to build in the positive thoughts, the goals, the good dreams. It's a way of crafting an attitude that deals with the subconcious issues and erases the bad.
But first - breakfast. No-one can think well on an empty stomach!
Feed your Face
I've found myself noticing some interesting things lately...
My American friend (who was here over the holidays) complained that he can't find healthy food back home. My Australian friend confirmed it (having spent some time in the USA studying) - and I remember how long I searched to find non-instant oats to make my own granola (unsuccessfully). American friend is having to go on a very strict healthy-eating plan to aid in some serious medical treatments he needs. He was worried he wouldn't find what was required easily.
That got me eying some of my USA magazines I have lying around - like Better Homes & Gardens. And I've noticed how much of the food is completely pre-processed. "Making something from scratch" doesn't involve individual ingredients, rather pre-made this and pre-made that, mixed together in a combination other than the one recommended on the box. (Before my American readers crucify me, remember this is my view - from far away. Your reality may be different!)
I've also noticed a number of articles online recently about the serious health issues many Americans are facing - and how these are taking over countries that usually have pretty healthy lifestyles as American influence spreads. France is fattening on McDonalds - Coke is the "drink of choice" from affluent neighbourhoods to the poorest slums across the planet.
Farming has taken on a different hue too - monoculture leeches from the environment, requiring crops to be fertilized and sprayed and modified until there's very little of the original left in it. Then it's transported so far across the globe that by the time it gets to your table there's hardly any taste or nutrition left. Many farms are devoted to providing animal feed - lower quality foods that end up in the meat that is eaten, along with whatever's been pumped into the animal to produce more muscle and less of everything else.
To tell the truth, it concerns me. I don't want to plug my body full of things that will do more harm than good (I refuse to eat meat, but I'm not compromising on veggies either!). I don't want to support practices that are only helping destroy the planet. And I worry for the human race, plagued with disease, pollution, and all manner of ills (which are really all our fault!).
This year on my to-do list is a seriously hard look at what goes into our bodies. My veggie garden is already doing well, and we'll be eating close to the earth for quite a few things. I've started noticing packaging and labels on what I buy. I've avoided fresh things out of season and steered toward organic locally-grown. There's more that must be done, and a lot still to learn.
I can't cure the world's ills, but I am going to make sure I care for my son and myself in the best way possible. We're cutting out the processed stuff, learning about where our food comes from and keeping it real. We've never been a fast-food family, but everything we do is getting a good hard look-at. We're taking responsibility this year for what fuels our bodies, and not simply absorbing whatever comes along.
Now go check this out.
My American friend (who was here over the holidays) complained that he can't find healthy food back home. My Australian friend confirmed it (having spent some time in the USA studying) - and I remember how long I searched to find non-instant oats to make my own granola (unsuccessfully). American friend is having to go on a very strict healthy-eating plan to aid in some serious medical treatments he needs. He was worried he wouldn't find what was required easily.
That got me eying some of my USA magazines I have lying around - like Better Homes & Gardens. And I've noticed how much of the food is completely pre-processed. "Making something from scratch" doesn't involve individual ingredients, rather pre-made this and pre-made that, mixed together in a combination other than the one recommended on the box. (Before my American readers crucify me, remember this is my view - from far away. Your reality may be different!)
I've also noticed a number of articles online recently about the serious health issues many Americans are facing - and how these are taking over countries that usually have pretty healthy lifestyles as American influence spreads. France is fattening on McDonalds - Coke is the "drink of choice" from affluent neighbourhoods to the poorest slums across the planet.
Farming has taken on a different hue too - monoculture leeches from the environment, requiring crops to be fertilized and sprayed and modified until there's very little of the original left in it. Then it's transported so far across the globe that by the time it gets to your table there's hardly any taste or nutrition left. Many farms are devoted to providing animal feed - lower quality foods that end up in the meat that is eaten, along with whatever's been pumped into the animal to produce more muscle and less of everything else.
To tell the truth, it concerns me. I don't want to plug my body full of things that will do more harm than good (I refuse to eat meat, but I'm not compromising on veggies either!). I don't want to support practices that are only helping destroy the planet. And I worry for the human race, plagued with disease, pollution, and all manner of ills (which are really all our fault!).
This year on my to-do list is a seriously hard look at what goes into our bodies. My veggie garden is already doing well, and we'll be eating close to the earth for quite a few things. I've started noticing packaging and labels on what I buy. I've avoided fresh things out of season and steered toward organic locally-grown. There's more that must be done, and a lot still to learn.
I can't cure the world's ills, but I am going to make sure I care for my son and myself in the best way possible. We're cutting out the processed stuff, learning about where our food comes from and keeping it real. We've never been a fast-food family, but everything we do is getting a good hard look-at. We're taking responsibility this year for what fuels our bodies, and not simply absorbing whatever comes along.
Now go check this out.
Welcome to Hell
(this was yesterday's post - until we lost internet...)
Imagine if you will a 35 degree C day (for you Farenheit folk - it's hot). Imagine a wind blowing that doesn't cool things down but only makes it worse - hot enough to evaporate half the sea I'm sure. Add to that a hall with an asbestos/tin type roof, no insulation and no aircon. Throw in mere smidgens of windows high up that are impossible to open.
Then imagine yourself placed in that building for an entire day, ordered to not go anywhere (other than lunch), but fortunately given an internet connection (eventually) to keep you amused.
Welcome to hell.
Yup, that's my day in a nutshell. We've had stifling heat the past few days, but I hear we're going to have to get used to it. Global Warming ain't that funny anymore (and we add to it by running the aircon full blast of course). Nights are an exercise in balance between staying covered up sufficiently to deter munching mozzies, and uncovering enough to evaporate any bedtime heat buildup (and not of the good variety either). Though I haven't yet resorted to dunking my curtains in water and re-hanging them (cooling by evaporation). Days are dragging-about energy-sapping shimmery hot. The poor kid trudges up a large hill with a very heavy backpack in awful temperatures at lunchtime every day - but aha! I have a plan. I greet him with a big glass of juice laced with half a tray of ice. Mealtimes are reduced to cool, light and whatever doesn't require cooking. And I'm sure I've had about 3 litres of water to drink already.
So tonight we go swimming. The kid's got no homework, and when that sun sinks we're going to hit the campus pool. Remember night swimming as a kid? Lying at the bottom of the pool, staring up through all that water at a milky-misty liquid moon?
For now though I'm joining the panting wandering dogs in seeking out the coolest corners of my house.
_____________
And now today's post...
If yesterday was bad, today was worse. My brother reports 44 degrees in Cape Town! Fortunately I informed the boss I was moving back to my office (which was a necessity - I had too much to do to stick around the other building), and went back to where the aircon functioned.
Unfortunately the day culminated in a heated debate (literally and figuratively) in the boardroom, just under the eaves of the top floor. 2 hours of aircon hadn't even made a dent in the heat by the time we arrived!!! Now it's home to NO aircon, hardly a breath of wind, mid-30's heat still going strong and no urge to do anything about dishes or supper. I think I'll join the birds under the sprinkler instead.
Imagine if you will a 35 degree C day (for you Farenheit folk - it's hot). Imagine a wind blowing that doesn't cool things down but only makes it worse - hot enough to evaporate half the sea I'm sure. Add to that a hall with an asbestos/tin type roof, no insulation and no aircon. Throw in mere smidgens of windows high up that are impossible to open.
Then imagine yourself placed in that building for an entire day, ordered to not go anywhere (other than lunch), but fortunately given an internet connection (eventually) to keep you amused.
Welcome to hell.
Yup, that's my day in a nutshell. We've had stifling heat the past few days, but I hear we're going to have to get used to it. Global Warming ain't that funny anymore (and we add to it by running the aircon full blast of course). Nights are an exercise in balance between staying covered up sufficiently to deter munching mozzies, and uncovering enough to evaporate any bedtime heat buildup (and not of the good variety either). Though I haven't yet resorted to dunking my curtains in water and re-hanging them (cooling by evaporation). Days are dragging-about energy-sapping shimmery hot. The poor kid trudges up a large hill with a very heavy backpack in awful temperatures at lunchtime every day - but aha! I have a plan. I greet him with a big glass of juice laced with half a tray of ice. Mealtimes are reduced to cool, light and whatever doesn't require cooking. And I'm sure I've had about 3 litres of water to drink already.
So tonight we go swimming. The kid's got no homework, and when that sun sinks we're going to hit the campus pool. Remember night swimming as a kid? Lying at the bottom of the pool, staring up through all that water at a milky-misty liquid moon?
For now though I'm joining the panting wandering dogs in seeking out the coolest corners of my house.
_____________
And now today's post...
If yesterday was bad, today was worse. My brother reports 44 degrees in Cape Town! Fortunately I informed the boss I was moving back to my office (which was a necessity - I had too much to do to stick around the other building), and went back to where the aircon functioned.
Unfortunately the day culminated in a heated debate (literally and figuratively) in the boardroom, just under the eaves of the top floor. 2 hours of aircon hadn't even made a dent in the heat by the time we arrived!!! Now it's home to NO aircon, hardly a breath of wind, mid-30's heat still going strong and no urge to do anything about dishes or supper. I think I'll join the birds under the sprinkler instead.
Budgeting
New to 2007 is an attempt at budgeting! Yup, you heard me - I've never actually worked off a budget before. Why? Well it's simple. It's taken all our monthly income (and more) just to buy food basics, fill up the car tank once and cover things like school fees, car repair and clothing replacement (not cupboard-stocking - just replacing the stuff that falls apart or gets horribly outgrown). My budgeting has been merely to stick most of my salary in the credit card account, use the remainder in the cheque account for cash withdrawals, and get any medical aid refunds paying out into savings (not that we've used a doctor in years.. but it's the thought that counts, occasionally).
This year it's a different story. With R50,000+ needed by August, a Land-Rover Guinness World Record trip in April (petrol! repairs!), dad coming out for a month's visit in March, an excursion/adventure in May/June, Camino to walk in Sept/Oct (with child-care at home to sort out) and a business to get up and running a.s.a.p. it's taking some thinking.
But it's also taking no thinking - strangely enough. I've found that simply expecting to be able to do it, noticing the opportunities that come along and being open to receive has already done some amazing stuff. This week alone I've had a few surprise chances to negotiate business (over and above the day-job that pays most of our food each month) - and that R50,000 is looking doable!
Add to that a definite plan to stash cash, a further paring down of already frugal spending, and we're not only going to get out of our deep dark financial hole, we may end up a lot better off than expected.
I wrote something in my journal last night that I'll hint at here. It's a year of gifts. I've found great joy in giving to others, and delighted in receiving too. The more I give, the more unexpected gifts seem to turn up at my doorstep. And not just the kind of gift you can unwrap. An open heart, willing to love, has found me at peace with others in a way I've never been. A recognition and respect of the spark of fellow-humanity in those around me has led to being better treated myself. Open doors to my home have led to open doors back into the world. Sharing who I am without reserve (well, usually.. :-) ) has seen it reciprocated in deep and valuable friendships. And a whole lot more.
OK, so I'm a bit off the budgeting theme - but when have you ever known me to stick to the point? :-)
As the first payday of 2007 approaches, the list of things to buy and acquire is immense. But this time around I'm not throwing "numbers in the bank's computer" around willy-nilly. There's a plan in place, a mastery of what I have to work with, and a budget. Control-freak? Perhaps. But it's going to give a very large step in the right direction, and a base from which to build one awesome future. For all of us.
This year it's a different story. With R50,000+ needed by August, a Land-Rover Guinness World Record trip in April (petrol! repairs!), dad coming out for a month's visit in March, an excursion/adventure in May/June, Camino to walk in Sept/Oct (with child-care at home to sort out) and a business to get up and running a.s.a.p. it's taking some thinking.
But it's also taking no thinking - strangely enough. I've found that simply expecting to be able to do it, noticing the opportunities that come along and being open to receive has already done some amazing stuff. This week alone I've had a few surprise chances to negotiate business (over and above the day-job that pays most of our food each month) - and that R50,000 is looking doable!
Add to that a definite plan to stash cash, a further paring down of already frugal spending, and we're not only going to get out of our deep dark financial hole, we may end up a lot better off than expected.
I wrote something in my journal last night that I'll hint at here. It's a year of gifts. I've found great joy in giving to others, and delighted in receiving too. The more I give, the more unexpected gifts seem to turn up at my doorstep. And not just the kind of gift you can unwrap. An open heart, willing to love, has found me at peace with others in a way I've never been. A recognition and respect of the spark of fellow-humanity in those around me has led to being better treated myself. Open doors to my home have led to open doors back into the world. Sharing who I am without reserve (well, usually.. :-) ) has seen it reciprocated in deep and valuable friendships. And a whole lot more.
OK, so I'm a bit off the budgeting theme - but when have you ever known me to stick to the point? :-)
As the first payday of 2007 approaches, the list of things to buy and acquire is immense. But this time around I'm not throwing "numbers in the bank's computer" around willy-nilly. There's a plan in place, a mastery of what I have to work with, and a budget. Control-freak? Perhaps. But it's going to give a very large step in the right direction, and a base from which to build one awesome future. For all of us.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
0
comments
|
Labels:
dreams,
family,
goals,
single parenting,
the journey,
work
Gratitude
I hate tearing up during work hours! But that's what happens when one of the big bosses stops by unexpectedly to only say thank you for putting in a lot of behind the scenes effort. It's a good feeling to be appreciated instead of passed over. It somehow gives me just that little bit more endurance necessary to get through the day with a smile on my face, and service to our customers my first priority.
Thanks boss!
Thanks boss!
Greasy
OK, so I have two cars. Friggin'Ford and Olivia - and both of them need work!
My regular mechanic has up and sold his business to do something or other completely different, and I haven't found a replacement yet. But I reckon (and it's this attitude that gets me in trouble, more often than not - across the board!) if anyone else can do it, there's a good chance I can too! It may take more time, more effort and a steeper learning curve, but I'll get it eventually.
Driving home from a brief foray into hunter-gathering (ie bought cheese, peanut butter and marmite at the local KwikSpar), I realized that along with Olivia's to-do list, FFord's developing one all it's own.
There's the bird damage from just after Xmas - still have to find someone who stocks an entire headlight unit (just thankful I've stopped running over and into dead stuff). The exhaust pipes and silencers of both vehicles need to be replaced. I need to figure out how to remove the stripped screw on the Ford's air filter so I can check whether that's where the rattle is coming from - I'm not convinced it's the viscous fan at all, and won't go replacing expensive parts until I know what the issue is. The gears have been difficult recently and are getting more so - I foresee a gearbox overhaul coming up, as the lubricants are all fine. Apparently there's wear-and-tear backlash on the diffs (again, I'm not convinced, I think it's an ongoing loose nut issue on the wheel). The rubber sealant around the hatchback needs attention. There's a dodgy water pipe above the starter motor that is causing problems when it drips under pressure - and while I'm at it, need to look at corrosion around that area. The bonnet opening cable is starting to fray - new one needed. (Actually - the entire car might need overhauling.)
The list is endless! And daunting...
You know what would be really nice? To have parts-on-delivery, an unlimited credit with an auto supply company, a couple months to fiddle (with no need to have to drive anywhere until it's all done) and a large covered area to take things apart in. I could quite happily get stuck in to all things car, grease up to my armpits, swearing at the stuck bits - if I only had loads of time and parts-cash handy. Failing that, weekends it will have to be. Trial and error - with hopefully not so much on the error side.
My regular mechanic has up and sold his business to do something or other completely different, and I haven't found a replacement yet. But I reckon (and it's this attitude that gets me in trouble, more often than not - across the board!) if anyone else can do it, there's a good chance I can too! It may take more time, more effort and a steeper learning curve, but I'll get it eventually.
Driving home from a brief foray into hunter-gathering (ie bought cheese, peanut butter and marmite at the local KwikSpar), I realized that along with Olivia's to-do list, FFord's developing one all it's own.
There's the bird damage from just after Xmas - still have to find someone who stocks an entire headlight unit (just thankful I've stopped running over and into dead stuff). The exhaust pipes and silencers of both vehicles need to be replaced. I need to figure out how to remove the stripped screw on the Ford's air filter so I can check whether that's where the rattle is coming from - I'm not convinced it's the viscous fan at all, and won't go replacing expensive parts until I know what the issue is. The gears have been difficult recently and are getting more so - I foresee a gearbox overhaul coming up, as the lubricants are all fine. Apparently there's wear-and-tear backlash on the diffs (again, I'm not convinced, I think it's an ongoing loose nut issue on the wheel). The rubber sealant around the hatchback needs attention. There's a dodgy water pipe above the starter motor that is causing problems when it drips under pressure - and while I'm at it, need to look at corrosion around that area. The bonnet opening cable is starting to fray - new one needed. (Actually - the entire car might need overhauling.)
The list is endless! And daunting...
You know what would be really nice? To have parts-on-delivery, an unlimited credit with an auto supply company, a couple months to fiddle (with no need to have to drive anywhere until it's all done) and a large covered area to take things apart in. I could quite happily get stuck in to all things car, grease up to my armpits, swearing at the stuck bits - if I only had loads of time and parts-cash handy. Failing that, weekends it will have to be. Trial and error - with hopefully not so much on the error side.
Heaven is...
This (camembert, green fig preserve and crackers)
..plus this
...plus this
..plus a little of this
..overlooking this
..with
...while
..all without moving from my chair.
..plus this
...plus this
..plus a little of this
..overlooking this
..with
...while
..all without moving from my chair.
The Time is Right
This is very freaky, and unfortunately very correct. Warning: you can never un-know something, and knowing this one will wreck you for life! :-)
Hail Monday...
It's just gone 8:00 on Monday morning, I've been at work for 15 minutes, and already I'm brewing a headache and the tingling start of sore shoulders.
This is the week my slog of the last few months comes to fruition - all our students arrive back, bringing with them the "life" of this place (which includes noise, stress, cash and the end of peace & quiet.. :-) ). I'm still chasing down missing ones, processing new ones, locating people who should have been in touch a month ago.
Even writing this is a mission - I've had 4 people needing help during the last paragraph alone!
And thus said... it's forward to the day. If you don't hear from me again, send a rescue party with lots of dark chocolate....
::update::
OK, so it's still a day that is one long manic-attack - but I do have to admit it's nice to meet the students I've worked so hard for. To see them in person after talking on the phone or by email, to recognize them from their pics (and surprise the heck out of them by calling them by name), to see them settle in - that's cool. Noise, rush, stress or whatever, I can honestly say I've done my best in getting this lot here. Hope it will be the first step in the right direction for them.
This is the week my slog of the last few months comes to fruition - all our students arrive back, bringing with them the "life" of this place (which includes noise, stress, cash and the end of peace & quiet.. :-) ). I'm still chasing down missing ones, processing new ones, locating people who should have been in touch a month ago.
Even writing this is a mission - I've had 4 people needing help during the last paragraph alone!
And thus said... it's forward to the day. If you don't hear from me again, send a rescue party with lots of dark chocolate....
::update::
OK, so it's still a day that is one long manic-attack - but I do have to admit it's nice to meet the students I've worked so hard for. To see them in person after talking on the phone or by email, to recognize them from their pics (and surprise the heck out of them by calling them by name), to see them settle in - that's cool. Noise, rush, stress or whatever, I can honestly say I've done my best in getting this lot here. Hope it will be the first step in the right direction for them.
The Quest for Pants
Having recently lost enough weight that my work clothes don't fit me - at all - anymore, I've had my eye open for a replacement pair of work pants every time I traipse past the shops. One that can tide me over for a month or two, 'cos I ain't done losing weight yet.
I don't know what it is with fashion and clothing shops lately, but no-one seems to stock a simple pair of tailored beige or black pants that:
* don't sit so far down your hips that most of your underwear sticks out
* don't have frayed edges as if they've forgotten to finish them off properly
* don't come with a million baggy pockets, pull-up-and-tie sides or strange fastenings at waist level
* aren't made for stick-straight teens with absolutely no womanly curves
* aren't 3/4 length (doesn't suit me at all)
* won't go out of style within mere days
* aren't made of some snarky artificial fabric
* don't cost the earth (see "tide me over for a month or two")
On the latter point, I found two perfect pairs (minus the need to take the bottom up a bit - apparently I should be shopping in the "petite" section! who knew...). One beautiful linen pair was on sale for R200, the other was HALF-PRICE for R395!!! Neither of which I'm prepared to pay for. However perfect they are. (I have similar issues with shoes - wanting good quality comfort, but not at the sacrifice of half my salary)
I'm starting to wonder if I should just revert completely to skirts - perhaps wrap-skirts that don't depend quite as much on your waist being exactly the same size as your hips....
I don't know what it is with fashion and clothing shops lately, but no-one seems to stock a simple pair of tailored beige or black pants that:
* don't sit so far down your hips that most of your underwear sticks out
* don't have frayed edges as if they've forgotten to finish them off properly
* don't come with a million baggy pockets, pull-up-and-tie sides or strange fastenings at waist level
* aren't made for stick-straight teens with absolutely no womanly curves
* aren't 3/4 length (doesn't suit me at all)
* won't go out of style within mere days
* aren't made of some snarky artificial fabric
* don't cost the earth (see "tide me over for a month or two")
On the latter point, I found two perfect pairs (minus the need to take the bottom up a bit - apparently I should be shopping in the "petite" section! who knew...). One beautiful linen pair was on sale for R200, the other was HALF-PRICE for R395!!! Neither of which I'm prepared to pay for. However perfect they are. (I have similar issues with shoes - wanting good quality comfort, but not at the sacrifice of half my salary)
I'm starting to wonder if I should just revert completely to skirts - perhaps wrap-skirts that don't depend quite as much on your waist being exactly the same size as your hips....
Hopeless!
I've just dashed down to our mall to get the weekly goodies that keep body and soul together, but one small incident while there made me realize a horrible thing!
It happened like this: I popped into Wordsworth Books to check if they had something I want, and behind the "maps and travel" case I had to step over a bloke sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by various maps of South Africa. On the way back I nearly stepped over him again, but in a snap decision stopped and asked, "Going anywhere interesting?". "Yup", says he, "just trying to find out where!" I pointed at the rack behind us filled with international guide books and told him, "It's not like you don't have a choice!" - but he reckoned he wanted to start small, with stuff in the area.
At which point I was already flustered and blushing thanks to being bold enough to talk to a stranger - and not even one I was "trying to pick up"!!! So I kinda threw in one more comment and buggered off...! Face probably still aglow.
Which made me realize that as much as I put on a show of bravado every day, I'm still really really shy. And too shy to pick up guys, for sure! I mean, this was just a few phrases exchanged with some bloke who looked like your average done-working-for-the-week business type, though I'm not sure I've ever seen a businessman type sitting crosslegged on the carpet in a shop. More like an "computer geek during the week, 4x4 on weekends" type of guy. And although I definitely wasn't doing any picking up, I thought afterwards I should have stuck him for a coffee and discussed where to go in the area (never hurts to meet new people!).
So that's my big mall lightbulb moment. I'm hopeless at picking up guys (I may be equally hopeless at being picked up! :-) ). I'm even hopeless at simply chatting to strangers. I'm too shy. I blush too easily. I get all flustered and stick foot firmly in mouth. I only think of the right thing to say when it's too late.
Like I said, hopeless.
It happened like this: I popped into Wordsworth Books to check if they had something I want, and behind the "maps and travel" case I had to step over a bloke sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by various maps of South Africa. On the way back I nearly stepped over him again, but in a snap decision stopped and asked, "Going anywhere interesting?". "Yup", says he, "just trying to find out where!" I pointed at the rack behind us filled with international guide books and told him, "It's not like you don't have a choice!" - but he reckoned he wanted to start small, with stuff in the area.
At which point I was already flustered and blushing thanks to being bold enough to talk to a stranger - and not even one I was "trying to pick up"!!! So I kinda threw in one more comment and buggered off...! Face probably still aglow.
Which made me realize that as much as I put on a show of bravado every day, I'm still really really shy. And too shy to pick up guys, for sure! I mean, this was just a few phrases exchanged with some bloke who looked like your average done-working-for-the-week business type, though I'm not sure I've ever seen a businessman type sitting crosslegged on the carpet in a shop. More like an "computer geek during the week, 4x4 on weekends" type of guy. And although I definitely wasn't doing any picking up, I thought afterwards I should have stuck him for a coffee and discussed where to go in the area (never hurts to meet new people!).
So that's my big mall lightbulb moment. I'm hopeless at picking up guys (I may be equally hopeless at being picked up! :-) ). I'm even hopeless at simply chatting to strangers. I'm too shy. I blush too easily. I get all flustered and stick foot firmly in mouth. I only think of the right thing to say when it's too late.
Like I said, hopeless.
Nothing New
The thing about the blogosphere is this - anything interesting happens and everyone starts to say the same thing, or variations thereof.
Earlier this week, there was hardly a blogger not on about the iPhone. Though I prefer this post to any other I've seen yet.. :-)
Yesterday, South African bloggers got their hands on the latest Eskom boo-boo - more rolling blackouts and load-shedding, and it ain't even winter yet. With weekend blackouts promised, we'll either have to fire up the braai or go invest in one of those one-plate gas stove thingies before they're sold out (again).
The day before (and continuing), a lot of folk are Flickring pictures of Comet McNaught. Which, granted, is a big deal! Bigger than DSTV in my books.
So there's really not a whole lot I could add. Other than that sites like this one are catching my eye more and more... And THAT will need a whole lot of blogging, different from the blogherd!
Earlier this week, there was hardly a blogger not on about the iPhone. Though I prefer this post to any other I've seen yet.. :-)
Yesterday, South African bloggers got their hands on the latest Eskom boo-boo - more rolling blackouts and load-shedding, and it ain't even winter yet. With weekend blackouts promised, we'll either have to fire up the braai or go invest in one of those one-plate gas stove thingies before they're sold out (again).
The day before (and continuing), a lot of folk are Flickring pictures of Comet McNaught. Which, granted, is a big deal! Bigger than DSTV in my books.
So there's really not a whole lot I could add. Other than that sites like this one are catching my eye more and more... And THAT will need a whole lot of blogging, different from the blogherd!
So it begins!
This is the face of a brand-new highschooler (and yes, I know - he refuses to stand up straight...). School officially kicked off for the new students at 7:30 this morning. He has to be there by 7:25, so had worked out he needs to leave by 7:10 and be up around 6. Being prone to liking my sleep, my alarm is set for 6:20 - so he had to make do with that.He's walking to school - it's not right down the road like his primary school was, but rather about a half-kilometre or less from our house. Carrying a heavy backpack with every single book in it's a good thing it's downhill! I'm hoping he'll find a lift back up after school.
Got a couple of "klagtes" (gripes) about the school though. They've been short on info-supply (and I thrive on info). They didn't let parents know to accompany their kids on the orientation day - fortunately mine wasn't the only solo kid there, and he coped very well. The rule book they sent is printed on one side of each sheet only - missing most of the information completely, so we have no idea what half the stuff needs to be. I don't know what time school ends each day, nor have I seen a year calendar from them to say what other events are expected from us. There hasn't been a meet-and-greet for parents to get to know the principal, the teachers, the office staff, the other parents. Then again, the primary school didn't do that either, and 7 years on I still didn't know half the parents from my son's class.
However my son has coped remarkeably well so far. On orientation day he won an "Uber Grade 8" gift bag, has already started to make new friends, sorted out all his own form-filling, and - for the first time in his life - COVERED HIS OWN DARN BOOKS last night! :-) YAY, no more of that for me! :-) He left this morning actually eager to get to school for the first time in I dunno how long. He reckons it's going to be quite good, and is showing signs of attempting to do well this year already. Though he has mentioned he may consider following Mandy's example and bunking regularly (thanks Mandy for sharing your ideas on how! :-) ) - I told him he's welcome to, provided he can still pull in straight A's. In other words, he's not bunking.
This morning it was quite the thing to watch him stride off down the hill, a very different kid from the one I first saw off in Grade 1. Twice the size, definitely the teen.
Watch this space - it's a whole new era.
Comets and Owls
We finally saw Comet McNaught! Around sunset we went outside and peered hopefully at the western sky, to no avail. Thought the horizon clouds were in the way, so went back inside. A little while later I glanced out my bedroom window - and there it was, in all it's glory! Amazing...! Unfortunately this isn't the best photo, 'cos I really need a tripod and a camera that can handle that level of dark, but there she is. My first comet spotted.
While comet-seeking, we found 3 white eggs (empty) under a nearby pine tree. A bit of Googling, a peruse of the bird book, and it was confirmed that there are Cape Eagle Owls nesting in our pine tree. One of the three eggs was kicked out unhatched and broken, the others are hatchling-empty. Probably a few days old, so we're looking forward to seeing and hearing baby owls soon.
While comet-seeking, we found 3 white eggs (empty) under a nearby pine tree. A bit of Googling, a peruse of the bird book, and it was confirmed that there are Cape Eagle Owls nesting in our pine tree. One of the three eggs was kicked out unhatched and broken, the others are hatchling-empty. Probably a few days old, so we're looking forward to seeing and hearing baby owls soon.
Resolute
Worn out by the impossible-to-keep resolutions you made this year? Then simply ditch them and try these!
Small World
So what happens when there's an undersea earthquake near China that destroys thousands of domain names along with a few bottom-of-the-ocean cables?
Well - things end up being redirected and your internet keeps coming and going, that's what! Apparently servers elsewhere have taken over the load and are showing strain.
Which makes for some pretty frustrating online experiences - just as you start to load something, it disappears. Or hangs. Or logs you out. And it's likely to continue for a few weeks.
I'm amazed how one incident can affect our whole planet - and that's just with the internet thing. When you think about it, we're really just a small ball of rock in an immense universe. What we do today ripples down through time and space, or sideways to others huddled on this hurtling planet. The smallest actions can have quite a big effect!
And while I was pondering this, I started to think about how events have formed the person I am today. What if I hadn't gone to study Food Technology after school - I'd never have worked at Vergelegen as a cheesemaker. I'd never have been made redundant nor ended up here. What if I hadn't turned back to say hi to someone who was checking me out? I wouldn't have met my son's father... and life would have veered off in a completely different direction. There's people I know who have had some impact on me in ways so subtle that I couldn't put my finger on it - yet they've helped to form who I am. Things I've read and seen, experiences I've had - all contribute to who I am this second.
And who I am constantly interacts with those around me - through my daily life, through these words on your screen, and through choices I make. Something I may say or do could send change-waves into other's lives in ways I couldn't imagine.
It's a very small world, if you think about it!
Well - things end up being redirected and your internet keeps coming and going, that's what! Apparently servers elsewhere have taken over the load and are showing strain.
Which makes for some pretty frustrating online experiences - just as you start to load something, it disappears. Or hangs. Or logs you out. And it's likely to continue for a few weeks.
I'm amazed how one incident can affect our whole planet - and that's just with the internet thing. When you think about it, we're really just a small ball of rock in an immense universe. What we do today ripples down through time and space, or sideways to others huddled on this hurtling planet. The smallest actions can have quite a big effect!
And while I was pondering this, I started to think about how events have formed the person I am today. What if I hadn't gone to study Food Technology after school - I'd never have worked at Vergelegen as a cheesemaker. I'd never have been made redundant nor ended up here. What if I hadn't turned back to say hi to someone who was checking me out? I wouldn't have met my son's father... and life would have veered off in a completely different direction. There's people I know who have had some impact on me in ways so subtle that I couldn't put my finger on it - yet they've helped to form who I am. Things I've read and seen, experiences I've had - all contribute to who I am this second.
And who I am constantly interacts with those around me - through my daily life, through these words on your screen, and through choices I make. Something I may say or do could send change-waves into other's lives in ways I couldn't imagine.
It's a very small world, if you think about it!
Back to School
Here in the Cape the new school year is just about to kick off. Today my teen son headed off alone to the local high school for new student orientation. A new chapter in life begins!
I'm amazed though at how things are done these days. It was a prefect that called him up with the orientation and registration details, and who personally delivered a letter with those too. It's the prefects that show them around and do the (rather mild) initiation/hazing stuff (mild, 'cos this is a conservative Christian school and they wouldn't want to offend anyone.. :-) ).
So today the kid's toddled off down the hill to school. Tomorrow is a blank day (probably will be devoted to covering all the books they'll receive today), and then they start school in uniform on Thursday.
High school is supposed to be very different from primary school. Let's hope that carries over into the effort the kid puts into his work too.. :-)
I'm amazed though at how things are done these days. It was a prefect that called him up with the orientation and registration details, and who personally delivered a letter with those too. It's the prefects that show them around and do the (rather mild) initiation/hazing stuff (mild, 'cos this is a conservative Christian school and they wouldn't want to offend anyone.. :-) ).
So today the kid's toddled off down the hill to school. Tomorrow is a blank day (probably will be devoted to covering all the books they'll receive today), and then they start school in uniform on Thursday.
High school is supposed to be very different from primary school. Let's hope that carries over into the effort the kid puts into his work too.. :-)
When the Universe speaks
It recently struck me (rather hard) that I need to come up with about R50,000 before August this year. Which is kinda more than I get out of my salary in an entire year! :-) But this is not a pay-gripe post.
Instead it's an acknowledgement of what happens when you open up your heart, your ears and your hands to what is waiting to fall into your lap. If you will but notice.
This morning it was a colleague, bringing an article from the SAfrican version of Oprah magazine - a personal account of a woman who has walked the Camino. She added a different perspective to many I've read, one that hit a nerve in my head. A good friend mentioned the Camino this weekend too, though we hadn't spoken of it in ages - all indicators for me to keep it in sight. This week a request for 2 months of "spiritual sabbatical" goes in to the bosses - failing their approval, I still have the option for unpaid leave. (All I have to figure out is teencare, but I have a feeling that will work itself out too, all in good time)
The video I posted this morning connected with a part of me that says "why the hell not" to experiencing life while I'm still alive to do so. Awakened those never-really-dormant itchy feet that want to tread the planet while it's still here to see, find the wild places while they're still wild, sit in silence while there is still silence to be found, and marvel at natural wonders before greed crumbles them all. There's still a to-hell-with-it seed in the brain that says my son would benefit much more from exposure to the world at large than a classroom desk, and whispers we will survive taking the risk.
Finally a chat with the mega-boss this afternoon brought out some pretty awesome options to meet my rather daunting financial goals. There are opportunities jumping up to smack me on the forehead wherever I turn.
I could take this all as co-incidence. I could shrug and say "if only I could". Instead I'm opening my hands and saying thank-you for these Universal gifts, a shove down the right road toward dreams I never thought I'd accomplish. It's a shout in my ear that I'm headed in the right direction, a prod in the backside not to give up.
And it's exciting stuff!!!
Instead it's an acknowledgement of what happens when you open up your heart, your ears and your hands to what is waiting to fall into your lap. If you will but notice.
This morning it was a colleague, bringing an article from the SAfrican version of Oprah magazine - a personal account of a woman who has walked the Camino. She added a different perspective to many I've read, one that hit a nerve in my head. A good friend mentioned the Camino this weekend too, though we hadn't spoken of it in ages - all indicators for me to keep it in sight. This week a request for 2 months of "spiritual sabbatical" goes in to the bosses - failing their approval, I still have the option for unpaid leave. (All I have to figure out is teencare, but I have a feeling that will work itself out too, all in good time)
The video I posted this morning connected with a part of me that says "why the hell not" to experiencing life while I'm still alive to do so. Awakened those never-really-dormant itchy feet that want to tread the planet while it's still here to see, find the wild places while they're still wild, sit in silence while there is still silence to be found, and marvel at natural wonders before greed crumbles them all. There's still a to-hell-with-it seed in the brain that says my son would benefit much more from exposure to the world at large than a classroom desk, and whispers we will survive taking the risk.
Finally a chat with the mega-boss this afternoon brought out some pretty awesome options to meet my rather daunting financial goals. There are opportunities jumping up to smack me on the forehead wherever I turn.
I could take this all as co-incidence. I could shrug and say "if only I could". Instead I'm opening my hands and saying thank-you for these Universal gifts, a shove down the right road toward dreams I never thought I'd accomplish. It's a shout in my ear that I'm headed in the right direction, a prod in the backside not to give up.
And it's exciting stuff!!!
All Rawed Out
Being a lekker hot summer day today, the kind where I usually forget to eat or simply eat the fruity type stuff, I decided I'd go "raw food & water" today. I wasn't all that hungry for breakfast, so fruit went down well - plums, litchis, a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, organic white grapes. All good and well, and most delicious!
But that's the kind of thing that digest reallly fast.. and by late morning I was starting to feel very hungry. One apple later, and I realized that when you start telling yourself you're not going to eat something, you START CRAVING IT!!! In a BIG way. If you're going raw, you want cooked - nice cooked, healthy cooked, but cooked. I had visions of roast potatoes, brown rice and lentils, cottage cheese loaf (a vegetarian delight - I guess it goes by "Special K loaf" in the USA). And things in my fridge - camembert and green fig preserve! Even the stuff I wanted to drink doesn't quite qualify.
But I perservered. If one cannot keep to a single day of raw foods, what kind of willpower is that?
So it was a massive salad for lunch, which did - admittedly - fill me up reasonably well. (I convinced myself that green olives are raw, so threw a few in, and dressed it with definitely-raw olive oil, lemon juice and salt)
Mid-afternoon - carrots, whole, sweet, munched out the fridge.
But now it's supper time, and I'm kinda hungry. It's also gotten cold, so soup is sounding very tempting. But soup is cooked, so it's out. Heck, it's only ONE day! Let me stick with the programme!
So I'm filling up chammomile tea. Warm enough - and without sugar or milk it qualifies as almost-raw.
If I were ever to do raw-food on a lengthy basis, it would take some doing..! Instead, I'll go for the occasional cooked-free day, keep plugging in loads of water, and simply stick to a healthy, balanced vegetarian diet. It's what I know, though I'm still learning the best way to go about it (ie more good stuff, less slacking off and eating whatever's around).
Between now and then, here's to tea..!
But that's the kind of thing that digest reallly fast.. and by late morning I was starting to feel very hungry. One apple later, and I realized that when you start telling yourself you're not going to eat something, you START CRAVING IT!!! In a BIG way. If you're going raw, you want cooked - nice cooked, healthy cooked, but cooked. I had visions of roast potatoes, brown rice and lentils, cottage cheese loaf (a vegetarian delight - I guess it goes by "Special K loaf" in the USA). And things in my fridge - camembert and green fig preserve! Even the stuff I wanted to drink doesn't quite qualify.
But I perservered. If one cannot keep to a single day of raw foods, what kind of willpower is that?
So it was a massive salad for lunch, which did - admittedly - fill me up reasonably well. (I convinced myself that green olives are raw, so threw a few in, and dressed it with definitely-raw olive oil, lemon juice and salt)
Mid-afternoon - carrots, whole, sweet, munched out the fridge.
But now it's supper time, and I'm kinda hungry. It's also gotten cold, so soup is sounding very tempting. But soup is cooked, so it's out. Heck, it's only ONE day! Let me stick with the programme!
So I'm filling up chammomile tea. Warm enough - and without sugar or milk it qualifies as almost-raw.
If I were ever to do raw-food on a lengthy basis, it would take some doing..! Instead, I'll go for the occasional cooked-free day, keep plugging in loads of water, and simply stick to a healthy, balanced vegetarian diet. It's what I know, though I'm still learning the best way to go about it (ie more good stuff, less slacking off and eating whatever's around).
Between now and then, here's to tea..!
Fresh from the earth
Remember my goal of eating fresh stuff, as close to picked as I can manage? And that most of it will come from my own garden? Well there's an apparent alternative!
Where I work there's a whole lot of mixed industry taking place on the rather large property. Recently they planted out a gigantic veggie garden that keeps expanding with more rows of mielies and stuff. And the farm manager makes a point of dropping by with little bags of just-plucked produce to sell nearly every day.
This morning it's spanspek (cantaloupe) and cucumbers. Yesterday it was tomatoes (with STEMS - when last did you see that in the shops?) and green beans. Things seem to be producing at a rate! And selling really cheap.
So it seems I'm going to be able to sort out that goal with a lot more ease than I assumed. It's not going to stop me growing my own goodies, but it will help to get things that I can't grow in my garden thanks to lack of space or wrong soil/light conditions.
Off to buy some spanspek...
Where I work there's a whole lot of mixed industry taking place on the rather large property. Recently they planted out a gigantic veggie garden that keeps expanding with more rows of mielies and stuff. And the farm manager makes a point of dropping by with little bags of just-plucked produce to sell nearly every day.
This morning it's spanspek (cantaloupe) and cucumbers. Yesterday it was tomatoes (with STEMS - when last did you see that in the shops?) and green beans. Things seem to be producing at a rate! And selling really cheap.
So it seems I'm going to be able to sort out that goal with a lot more ease than I assumed. It's not going to stop me growing my own goodies, but it will help to get things that I can't grow in my garden thanks to lack of space or wrong soil/light conditions.
Off to buy some spanspek...
Journalling
Right, so I got the journal.. but now I'm trying to figure out how to go about filling it! Which may sound silly to some of you seasoned journallers, but bear with me...
See, the thing is I have a pile of blogs. Those serve as a "diary" of sorts, but of course can't capture mementoes, handwritten goodies, paper-page layout (and the feel of good-quality paper / a decent pen), nor can they tell all my secrets and some of my dreams! :-) (by the way, discovery of secrets was what made me chuck in diary-writing in my late teens - the repercussions were horrific and permanent)
So I thought I'd throw this one out to the general public. If you keep a journal, what goes into it? What does it look like? Do you stick things in until it's bursting at the seams or is it text-only? Do you personalize the pages and the cover? If you're a blogger too - how is your journal different from your blog? How often do you write in your journal, and how long have you been at it? Anything else to share about journalling?
Just thought it would be interesting to find out how others use their real-proper-paper books. Got a few ideas I'll be using for mine, and starting today.
See, the thing is I have a pile of blogs. Those serve as a "diary" of sorts, but of course can't capture mementoes, handwritten goodies, paper-page layout (and the feel of good-quality paper / a decent pen), nor can they tell all my secrets and some of my dreams! :-) (by the way, discovery of secrets was what made me chuck in diary-writing in my late teens - the repercussions were horrific and permanent)
So I thought I'd throw this one out to the general public. If you keep a journal, what goes into it? What does it look like? Do you stick things in until it's bursting at the seams or is it text-only? Do you personalize the pages and the cover? If you're a blogger too - how is your journal different from your blog? How often do you write in your journal, and how long have you been at it? Anything else to share about journalling?
Just thought it would be interesting to find out how others use their real-proper-paper books. Got a few ideas I'll be using for mine, and starting today.
Keep Walking
I got a pedometer for Christmas - something I never would have bought myself, but a useful little gadget (especially for one who is walking a lot, or trying to). I stuck it on my waist for the first time today, as soon as I got dressed, to see exactly how far I really do walk.
To work, around work, and back home turned out to be 1,28km! Not too shabby. Then I took the shorter route after work to see if it was as long as I thought it was. Ooops. Not at all. Shucks. Today, including walk and work, I have walked a mere 3,53km. Not nearly enough!
But it's better than not walking at all I guess.
Tomorrow I'm aiming for further, faster, fitter. Pedometer goes with, to check that I do indeed accomplish it. In the meantime though, I got to do things that pedometers don't measure. Like the dishes.. :-)
To work, around work, and back home turned out to be 1,28km! Not too shabby. Then I took the shorter route after work to see if it was as long as I thought it was. Ooops. Not at all. Shucks. Today, including walk and work, I have walked a mere 3,53km. Not nearly enough!
But it's better than not walking at all I guess.
Tomorrow I'm aiming for further, faster, fitter. Pedometer goes with, to check that I do indeed accomplish it. In the meantime though, I got to do things that pedometers don't measure. Like the dishes.. :-)
Night
Breathless heat
Diamond stars - tiny satellite sparkle drifts overhead
Nightjars in the hedge
Toss and turn
Seek the smallest breeze
Hands above your head / stuffed between mattress and wall / cool cement
Dogs pant and wander
Early-hours smell of rain, relief
Not here yet
Cricketer
A year or so ago we had a cricket plague here in SA. The climate conditions were such that it was perfect breeding for millions of the little black monsters. Apparently Johannesburg International Airport was overrun with them, crawling up the walls, into luggage etc. Locally the roads ran black - there were squashed crickets everywhere.
Post-plague, and we only see them occasionally now. We hear a few now and then, but are no longer surprised by things popping out of the cupboards or creeping into our clothing.
Until this morning...
What is it with crickets and open shoes? There's one in the office and he insists that my toes and sandals look like the ideal home. There's nothing like the insistent prodding of cricket antennae to make one decide the best course of action is to keep feet on bin for a few hours.
And now he's disappeared. Which is even worse. I keep feeling things tickling my toes - but there's nothing there. All in the head.
So here I sit, feet in the air, hoping the darn thing moves out, and quickly.
Post-plague, and we only see them occasionally now. We hear a few now and then, but are no longer surprised by things popping out of the cupboards or creeping into our clothing.
Until this morning...
What is it with crickets and open shoes? There's one in the office and he insists that my toes and sandals look like the ideal home. There's nothing like the insistent prodding of cricket antennae to make one decide the best course of action is to keep feet on bin for a few hours.
And now he's disappeared. Which is even worse. I keep feeling things tickling my toes - but there's nothing there. All in the head.
So here I sit, feet in the air, hoping the darn thing moves out, and quickly.
Men/Women
Nice little gender-understanding debate kicking up dust today in blogworld. Champagne Heathen posted about an inability to understand men. Robert countered with an inability to understand women. Age-old tale, but doesn't seem we've made any progress in spite of evolution or survival of the fittest or millenia of The Dating Game.
Personally, I think women are really easy to understand. Keep us happy, love us (or at the very least adore us sufficiently), give us a cuddle now and then, make us laugh, and that's all there is to it! Men on the other hand... well, EISH! Don't get how their minds work at all. And I'm unlikely to either.
So I've given up trying. I simply shrug and say "whatever" when yet another quirk, another illogical action, another shady secretive something-or-other shows up. I no longer try to second-guess what the heck goes on in their heads, nor what makes them tick.
Men are just men. Some are damn good, others are horrifically bad. Take them or leave them - and leave them be when you don't understand what they're on about. Instead of spending all that effort trying to figure them out, just sit back and let them try figure you out for a change. Much less work! :-)
Oh - and one final thought. Not understanding each other perfectly makes life pretty interesting. Imagine if we "got" each other all the time? How absolutely boring!
Personally, I think women are really easy to understand. Keep us happy, love us (or at the very least adore us sufficiently), give us a cuddle now and then, make us laugh, and that's all there is to it! Men on the other hand... well, EISH! Don't get how their minds work at all. And I'm unlikely to either.
So I've given up trying. I simply shrug and say "whatever" when yet another quirk, another illogical action, another shady secretive something-or-other shows up. I no longer try to second-guess what the heck goes on in their heads, nor what makes them tick.
Men are just men. Some are damn good, others are horrifically bad. Take them or leave them - and leave them be when you don't understand what they're on about. Instead of spending all that effort trying to figure them out, just sit back and let them try figure you out for a change. Much less work! :-)
Oh - and one final thought. Not understanding each other perfectly makes life pretty interesting. Imagine if we "got" each other all the time? How absolutely boring!
"Dumpster" Diving
I admit it - rubbish piles catch my eye, especially if there's something interesting being thrown out. A good deal of our furniture is "found objects", rescued from certain destruction (and the local landfill).
I like to think of it as large-scale recycling.
Today's trip to drop Mandy off at the bus led past a place being somewhat rennovated. And there, out on the pile of junk, was a perfectly-good solid wood bookcase! Well, we were in a rush to get to the bus, so I hoped no-one would get to it first. But it was still there when I drove back.
I think perhaps this is why I have a hatchback car...
I re-arranged the interior a bit, let down the back seats, and stuffed the entire bookcase in the boot. Of course it would be the one day I'm wearing beige and white, but some things are worth having to do an extra scrub on washday.
It's quite a big bookcase, about waist high, and boy do I have a use for it! If you've seen inside my place, you'll know I can never have too many bookshelves. Books are the main ingredient in most of the decor.
Over lunch (it being a sweltering day), I hosed it down a bit. Got the dust off, a few ancient spiderwebs, and gave one of the shelves a scrub. It seems it's spent its last days storing jars and cans of grease in a garage. But it will come right. Tonight it gets restored to its rightful use, and packed with books.
Yay for those who throw away useful things, especially if it's in my path! :-)
I like to think of it as large-scale recycling.
Today's trip to drop Mandy off at the bus led past a place being somewhat rennovated. And there, out on the pile of junk, was a perfectly-good solid wood bookcase! Well, we were in a rush to get to the bus, so I hoped no-one would get to it first. But it was still there when I drove back.
I think perhaps this is why I have a hatchback car...
I re-arranged the interior a bit, let down the back seats, and stuffed the entire bookcase in the boot. Of course it would be the one day I'm wearing beige and white, but some things are worth having to do an extra scrub on washday.
It's quite a big bookcase, about waist high, and boy do I have a use for it! If you've seen inside my place, you'll know I can never have too many bookshelves. Books are the main ingredient in most of the decor.
Over lunch (it being a sweltering day), I hosed it down a bit. Got the dust off, a few ancient spiderwebs, and gave one of the shelves a scrub. It seems it's spent its last days storing jars and cans of grease in a garage. But it will come right. Tonight it gets restored to its rightful use, and packed with books.
Yay for those who throw away useful things, especially if it's in my path! :-)
Huh?
The main part of my job is new student processing, and every now and then an application letter just slays me.
A few years ago it was the one that started, "I, being an inmate of *** prison for the murder of my wife, wish to apply..." Not many top that one!
Today's is a riddle. The application letter ends with "For I am born to succeed in an incorruptible seed". Okaaayyy....
Would anyone care to interpret what, precisely, that means??? Cos I'm clueless.
A few years ago it was the one that started, "I, being an inmate of *** prison for the murder of my wife, wish to apply..." Not many top that one!
Today's is a riddle. The application letter ends with "For I am born to succeed in an incorruptible seed". Okaaayyy....
Would anyone care to interpret what, precisely, that means??? Cos I'm clueless.
Empty House
It's back to just the two of us (and dogs and fish) at home. This morning I dropped Mandy off at the place where a backpackers bus should (hopefully) have picked her up for the next stage of her adventure.
It's been really great having her around - and the house is going to seem awfully empty.. :-) I've gotten used to long chats on the verandah, drink in hand, while the sun went down, laughing until my sides hurt and hearing the coffee machine at work in the mornings again.
I've enjoyed being a tourist in my own backyard too, taking a new look at things I take for granted.
Anyway, last night we were sitting around, enjoying the sunset, and noticed some strange sunbeams in the sky, well after the sun went down. Probably a result of ice-crystals in the upper atmosphere, but they were pretty cool. Here they are:
::update::
She really shouldn't have, but Mandy left me a full tank of petrol, a pamper-session of bath goodies, a JOURNAL (yay!) - and more than a little something tucked away in it toward my Landy Club fees...! I'm completely blown away. I should have paid her for the pleasure of her company, not be getting such awesome prezzies. Wow.
It's been really great having her around - and the house is going to seem awfully empty.. :-) I've gotten used to long chats on the verandah, drink in hand, while the sun went down, laughing until my sides hurt and hearing the coffee machine at work in the mornings again.
I've enjoyed being a tourist in my own backyard too, taking a new look at things I take for granted.
Anyway, last night we were sitting around, enjoying the sunset, and noticed some strange sunbeams in the sky, well after the sun went down. Probably a result of ice-crystals in the upper atmosphere, but they were pretty cool. Here they are:
::update::
She really shouldn't have, but Mandy left me a full tank of petrol, a pamper-session of bath goodies, a JOURNAL (yay!) - and more than a little something tucked away in it toward my Landy Club fees...! I'm completely blown away. I should have paid her for the pleasure of her company, not be getting such awesome prezzies. Wow.
Photoblog: Chicken Crosses Road (sorta)
'cos there's been way too many words and way too few images lately.. :-)
2007 Artful Living
I'm a big fan of comfort. I love tactile fabrics, delicious smells, soft and comfortable things to sink into, and goodies that make you smile every time you look at them. There's a part of me that is artist, creator, home-maker, enjoyer of the world around me. I come with a hint of nostalgia, a love of handmade and old, solid wood and gemstone.
And I've realized my surroundings are way to sparse on the comfort & art factor.
* I've hidden a lot of my photos away. These days they're digital, but I have a few boxes of some lovely stuff that could easily be displayed and remind me of times, places, people and things I loved. I'm not really good at painting and drawing (any more - completely out of practice!), but I can take photos, and it's about time they got put out on show.
* For years I've looked at my home and thought "there must be a way to make it more comfortable, welcoming, easy to live in". Hence a huge bookshelf full of randomly-acquired magazines (mostly from the discount store) with inspiration for at least an entire city. A lot of it I can do without spending a cent. Some I did last night - a mere re-organization of things in the lounge that gave a bit more clean clear space. This year I'm going to get a few of my projects completed - the one wall left to paint in the lounge (already have the paint), the passage parquet flooring that needs a final strip and seal (Zimbabwean teak - have the stripper and sealant), the bedroom that needs to become a self-zone, a place to unwind at the end of the day.
* I'm paring down clothing items (not that I have many to pare down, but anyway) - along with my green living choices, I'm sticking to natural fabrics as far as possible. I love the way they feel and look, so wearing them is going to be as much for pleasure as for covering up the bits that society dictates should be covered. I'm considering doing any clothes replacing at second-hand stores, and going for the nostalgic stuff that never goes out of fashion, but that's only if I really run out of things to wear (or lose any more weight - today's outfit has somehow become a hip-hugger within 2 weeks...).
* Along with my food-related goals, I'm planning to indulge in an enjoyment of cooking and baking as often as possible - not just on weekends. There's something soul-filling about kneading a loaf of good bread or crafting a meal that smells, tastes and looks incredible - and is really good for you too. I'll be spending more time in the kitchen making stuff to sell (finances again), but plan to make it more than a must-do. I'll turn it into an enjoyment of the process wherever I can, and relish the aromas created.
* I already take great joy in my garden - a total stress-relief space with a view to kill for. I plan to spend a lot more time there this year, adding plants I love (grown from slips or seeds collected myself), appreciating the sounds of birds, the smell of flowers and herbs, the colours and textures, the ever-changing view.
* I'm hoping to expand my enjoyment of music into aspects I haven't given much attention to. I've already contacted our local music teacher to supply me with some sheet music - the piano skills are getting rusty. I want to try out a few new artists for listening purposes, and add to my growing collection of files that play as a background to work.
* For the past year I've had a small collection of crystals and objects right here under my computer screen, things that I enjoy looking at that aren't work related. But there are others that are packed away - a vein of opal in rock, a picture made of peacock feathers etc - those need to come out of hiding and be seen again.
* I'm reconsidering journalling. Years ago I kept a diary - now blogging has taken over. But there's something to be said for opening up a notebook to a clean sheet, taking up an actual pen and letting thoughts, words and experiences flow out of its tip. There's more to do with a journal than one can ever do on a computer screen.
I'm trying to add a little bit of creativity and comfort to every day, to surround myself with things that feed my soul and make me happy. So far so good! :-)
And I've realized my surroundings are way to sparse on the comfort & art factor.
* I've hidden a lot of my photos away. These days they're digital, but I have a few boxes of some lovely stuff that could easily be displayed and remind me of times, places, people and things I loved. I'm not really good at painting and drawing (any more - completely out of practice!), but I can take photos, and it's about time they got put out on show.
* For years I've looked at my home and thought "there must be a way to make it more comfortable, welcoming, easy to live in". Hence a huge bookshelf full of randomly-acquired magazines (mostly from the discount store) with inspiration for at least an entire city. A lot of it I can do without spending a cent. Some I did last night - a mere re-organization of things in the lounge that gave a bit more clean clear space. This year I'm going to get a few of my projects completed - the one wall left to paint in the lounge (already have the paint), the passage parquet flooring that needs a final strip and seal (Zimbabwean teak - have the stripper and sealant), the bedroom that needs to become a self-zone, a place to unwind at the end of the day.
* I'm paring down clothing items (not that I have many to pare down, but anyway) - along with my green living choices, I'm sticking to natural fabrics as far as possible. I love the way they feel and look, so wearing them is going to be as much for pleasure as for covering up the bits that society dictates should be covered. I'm considering doing any clothes replacing at second-hand stores, and going for the nostalgic stuff that never goes out of fashion, but that's only if I really run out of things to wear (or lose any more weight - today's outfit has somehow become a hip-hugger within 2 weeks...).
* Along with my food-related goals, I'm planning to indulge in an enjoyment of cooking and baking as often as possible - not just on weekends. There's something soul-filling about kneading a loaf of good bread or crafting a meal that smells, tastes and looks incredible - and is really good for you too. I'll be spending more time in the kitchen making stuff to sell (finances again), but plan to make it more than a must-do. I'll turn it into an enjoyment of the process wherever I can, and relish the aromas created.
* I already take great joy in my garden - a total stress-relief space with a view to kill for. I plan to spend a lot more time there this year, adding plants I love (grown from slips or seeds collected myself), appreciating the sounds of birds, the smell of flowers and herbs, the colours and textures, the ever-changing view.
* I'm hoping to expand my enjoyment of music into aspects I haven't given much attention to. I've already contacted our local music teacher to supply me with some sheet music - the piano skills are getting rusty. I want to try out a few new artists for listening purposes, and add to my growing collection of files that play as a background to work.
* For the past year I've had a small collection of crystals and objects right here under my computer screen, things that I enjoy looking at that aren't work related. But there are others that are packed away - a vein of opal in rock, a picture made of peacock feathers etc - those need to come out of hiding and be seen again.
* I'm reconsidering journalling. Years ago I kept a diary - now blogging has taken over. But there's something to be said for opening up a notebook to a clean sheet, taking up an actual pen and letting thoughts, words and experiences flow out of its tip. There's more to do with a journal than one can ever do on a computer screen.
I'm trying to add a little bit of creativity and comfort to every day, to surround myself with things that feed my soul and make me happy. So far so good! :-)
2007 Green Living
Yup, one more in this series of posts! :-) It being the year of change and all.
For a couple of years now I've been eyeing green and eco-friendly living, and done little things that may or may not be helpful to the planet. It's real easy to coast through life and not make an effort to tidy up your relationship with the earth. It takes a whole lot more effort to live mindfully, to change habits and patterns to fit in with how your surroundings function, to live lightly. This year I want to ensure my impact on the ecosystem that gives me life is considerably less.
* Recycling is being kicked up a notch. I already chuck all my veggie peels etc in the garden (hence random tomatoes in the daisy bushes, potatoes in the arums and cucumbers in the ferns...). The dogs get any food leftovers. But I'm still throwing away way too much stuff. I buy things that come with immense amounts of packaging - layer upon layer of plastics or cardboards that simply don't deteriorate fast enough in a landfill. I want to take a good look at options with less packaging - or ones I can recycle.
* Bulk-buying ties in to the above - not only to help with finances, but to cut down on packaging. South Africa has "outlawed" plastic bags (they're still available, but you'll pay extra for one at most shops) - as a result you'll see shoppers carrying woven bags for their groceries. That helps - but more can be done. I'd like to find ways to do so.
* I'm taking a look at what we eat, and how we eat it. The ideal is of course home-grown, fresh organic, seasonal foods - as unprocessed as possible. But I want to build on something I attempted (briefly) last year. To only eat things whose ingredients I know/understand, and possibly whose processing I can trace or track. In other words, I want to know what's in my food, where it comes from, and what's been added or subtracted to it before it reaches my mouth. I'll be doing more shopping at my local farmer's market, cramming every space in my garden with edibles (and not just in pleasant-gardening seasons such as summer...), seeking out better and more local options for things I can't produce myself.
* Our transport is getting a double-take too. Cutting down on car travel is an essential for our financial issues, and now that I'm walking more I'm sure I won't need to make those "quick dash to the nearest shop" trips. If I do need something urgently, I can walk and get it. However, I'm working on not needing to do that often (see above).
* Electronics have got a big part in our modern lives. All my battery-powered stuff is now running on rechargeables and my lights are all energy-saving-bulb equipped, but we still have power-sucking computers, fridge, TVs etc. It's an ingrown habit already to not turn on a light unless it's absolutely needed (and to turn it off when not needed), but I still have power cords running helter-skelter across the floors. I want to see if there are other options for the many things we use, or if I can find a solar/wind option to ease our power use.
* In the same vein, water use is being curbed. Years ago we used to aim a large pvc pipe from the washing machine outlet to the lawn, moving it around as the drum emptied. It's time to do that again instead of pouring the waste water down the drain. We've lived with the toilet mantra of "if it's yellow let it mellow - if it's brown flush it down" for years, and will continue to do that. I'm looking at rain-water collection for the garden, and ways to save water elsewhere. Some more pondering needed on this one too.
There are many other aspects to living green and lightly, but these are a few that I'm starting with. I can't change the world, but I can change me.
For a couple of years now I've been eyeing green and eco-friendly living, and done little things that may or may not be helpful to the planet. It's real easy to coast through life and not make an effort to tidy up your relationship with the earth. It takes a whole lot more effort to live mindfully, to change habits and patterns to fit in with how your surroundings function, to live lightly. This year I want to ensure my impact on the ecosystem that gives me life is considerably less.
* Recycling is being kicked up a notch. I already chuck all my veggie peels etc in the garden (hence random tomatoes in the daisy bushes, potatoes in the arums and cucumbers in the ferns...). The dogs get any food leftovers. But I'm still throwing away way too much stuff. I buy things that come with immense amounts of packaging - layer upon layer of plastics or cardboards that simply don't deteriorate fast enough in a landfill. I want to take a good look at options with less packaging - or ones I can recycle.
* Bulk-buying ties in to the above - not only to help with finances, but to cut down on packaging. South Africa has "outlawed" plastic bags (they're still available, but you'll pay extra for one at most shops) - as a result you'll see shoppers carrying woven bags for their groceries. That helps - but more can be done. I'd like to find ways to do so.
* I'm taking a look at what we eat, and how we eat it. The ideal is of course home-grown, fresh organic, seasonal foods - as unprocessed as possible. But I want to build on something I attempted (briefly) last year. To only eat things whose ingredients I know/understand, and possibly whose processing I can trace or track. In other words, I want to know what's in my food, where it comes from, and what's been added or subtracted to it before it reaches my mouth. I'll be doing more shopping at my local farmer's market, cramming every space in my garden with edibles (and not just in pleasant-gardening seasons such as summer...), seeking out better and more local options for things I can't produce myself.
* Our transport is getting a double-take too. Cutting down on car travel is an essential for our financial issues, and now that I'm walking more I'm sure I won't need to make those "quick dash to the nearest shop" trips. If I do need something urgently, I can walk and get it. However, I'm working on not needing to do that often (see above).
* Electronics have got a big part in our modern lives. All my battery-powered stuff is now running on rechargeables and my lights are all energy-saving-bulb equipped, but we still have power-sucking computers, fridge, TVs etc. It's an ingrown habit already to not turn on a light unless it's absolutely needed (and to turn it off when not needed), but I still have power cords running helter-skelter across the floors. I want to see if there are other options for the many things we use, or if I can find a solar/wind option to ease our power use.
* In the same vein, water use is being curbed. Years ago we used to aim a large pvc pipe from the washing machine outlet to the lawn, moving it around as the drum emptied. It's time to do that again instead of pouring the waste water down the drain. We've lived with the toilet mantra of "if it's yellow let it mellow - if it's brown flush it down" for years, and will continue to do that. I'm looking at rain-water collection for the garden, and ways to save water elsewhere. Some more pondering needed on this one too.
There are many other aspects to living green and lightly, but these are a few that I'm starting with. I can't change the world, but I can change me.
2007 Health
The year is still young, but I've got a couple of things I need to sort out health-wise this year:
* The walking fell by the wayside for the past 2 weeks in favour of going places, doing things and generally living. I'm a bit out of my routine - but will take it up again within a week. As hard as it was to start, I'm missing it. Got a few other things going into that exercise mix too - only the 8th and already I may need some form of stress relief!
* The diet is getting a re-look. Although I've been vegetarian all my life (bar a few chicken drumsticks at a braai once or twice... hmm.. make that about 10 drumsticks total for my entire 35 years), it's time to up the nutrition. I'm going more vegetarian, and many meals will be vegan. Will be experimenting with things the kid may want to eat too, as he seriously needs it. Adding in foods we haven't tried, growing a lot of my own, and trying to live closer to the earth foodwise.
* Once the work rush is over (mid-Feb), I'm seeking out that eye doc to see if I would be able to have lasik surgery. I nearly did so last year, but pulled out. Time to sort that one out permanently and hope I don't get the bad side-effects. By the time I hit the Camino I don't want to be bothered with contact lenses and junk.
* Will also be heading in for the "full service" checkup - including boob-squashing, various pokings and proddings and all that stuff we love to avoid. I'm supposed to have an annual check-up at the work's expense - I should make use of that, for the first time.
* Mental health also gets a look-see this year. Although I'm still operating from a nice, settled, balanced and generally-happy base, I want to investigate meditation and do some brain spring-cleaning. Ditch the last bad habits, attitudes and self-bashing thoughts.
* What won't be getting attention is my teeth. They'll have to stay as slightly-off as they are (in alignment, not freshness - still not a filling in sight). The expense and time required to fix them is simply not worth it. And they still do what teeth are supposed to.
After many years of being over-charged for medical aid and never claiming a thing, this year they're gonna pay! :-) And I'm finally going to sort out some things I've let slide way too long.
* The walking fell by the wayside for the past 2 weeks in favour of going places, doing things and generally living. I'm a bit out of my routine - but will take it up again within a week. As hard as it was to start, I'm missing it. Got a few other things going into that exercise mix too - only the 8th and already I may need some form of stress relief!
* The diet is getting a re-look. Although I've been vegetarian all my life (bar a few chicken drumsticks at a braai once or twice... hmm.. make that about 10 drumsticks total for my entire 35 years), it's time to up the nutrition. I'm going more vegetarian, and many meals will be vegan. Will be experimenting with things the kid may want to eat too, as he seriously needs it. Adding in foods we haven't tried, growing a lot of my own, and trying to live closer to the earth foodwise.
* Once the work rush is over (mid-Feb), I'm seeking out that eye doc to see if I would be able to have lasik surgery. I nearly did so last year, but pulled out. Time to sort that one out permanently and hope I don't get the bad side-effects. By the time I hit the Camino I don't want to be bothered with contact lenses and junk.
* Will also be heading in for the "full service" checkup - including boob-squashing, various pokings and proddings and all that stuff we love to avoid. I'm supposed to have an annual check-up at the work's expense - I should make use of that, for the first time.
* Mental health also gets a look-see this year. Although I'm still operating from a nice, settled, balanced and generally-happy base, I want to investigate meditation and do some brain spring-cleaning. Ditch the last bad habits, attitudes and self-bashing thoughts.
* What won't be getting attention is my teeth. They'll have to stay as slightly-off as they are (in alignment, not freshness - still not a filling in sight). The expense and time required to fix them is simply not worth it. And they still do what teeth are supposed to.
After many years of being over-charged for medical aid and never claiming a thing, this year they're gonna pay! :-) And I'm finally going to sort out some things I've let slide way too long.
Touristy Things
I'm quite enjoying having a tourist staying over - it makes you look at where you live with new eyes! I've remembered a whole pile of places to see and things to do since Mandy arrived, and also simply let her at it to discover things herself (being the lazy host). I've learnt a bit too - I had no idea we had a backpackers bus service in SA.
Yesterday we headed out to Hermanus, hoping to spot some whales. Unfortunately they've moved on, but we did get to wander a bit, eat a divine lunch of tramazzini (mine was fungi, hers had sundried tomatoes) - drizzled with either jalapeno or habanero sauce. The latter kinda burnt my lips off, even though I added a mere speck.. :-)
Oh, but we DID see one whale. A plastic one.... (and meet Mandy, by the way)
Also found a cool place selling rocks and gemstones, and a few African things. Of course I'm a crystal addict (no, not crystal meth!!! geez... ), so my eye was caught by the raw amethyst and quarz pendants at the African stall, and by small crystally bits at the rock/gemstone place. Including moonstones! My absolute fave, and at R2 a small crystal who could resist. I came home with 5 of them. OK, they're not brilliantly coloured, but they're still gorgeous.
There's one thing I love doing - coming over Sir Lowry's Pass toward the Cape Peninsula. What a view! What a place to call home! Yesterday it was stunning. The lighting was perfect, recent rains have given the mountains a green tinge, and the sea reflected the sparkle of sunshine.
Other touristy things we've done? Well, Cape Point:
First time the kid's been there, and I haven't for years! We've done Vergelegen:
And Spier (meet Greg):
Franschhoek (old graveyards make cool photos):
..and Boschendal:
..even the local nature reserve:
Mandy's explored Stellenbosch, the road out to Betty's Bay and a few local places on her own too (check out her blog for a REAL tourist's perspective).
Verdict? There's a lot to see around here - gotta get out more.. :-)
Yesterday we headed out to Hermanus, hoping to spot some whales. Unfortunately they've moved on, but we did get to wander a bit, eat a divine lunch of tramazzini (mine was fungi, hers had sundried tomatoes) - drizzled with either jalapeno or habanero sauce. The latter kinda burnt my lips off, even though I added a mere speck.. :-)
Oh, but we DID see one whale. A plastic one.... (and meet Mandy, by the way)
Also found a cool place selling rocks and gemstones, and a few African things. Of course I'm a crystal addict (no, not crystal meth!!! geez... ), so my eye was caught by the raw amethyst and quarz pendants at the African stall, and by small crystally bits at the rock/gemstone place. Including moonstones! My absolute fave, and at R2 a small crystal who could resist. I came home with 5 of them. OK, they're not brilliantly coloured, but they're still gorgeous.
There's one thing I love doing - coming over Sir Lowry's Pass toward the Cape Peninsula. What a view! What a place to call home! Yesterday it was stunning. The lighting was perfect, recent rains have given the mountains a green tinge, and the sea reflected the sparkle of sunshine.
Other touristy things we've done? Well, Cape Point:
First time the kid's been there, and I haven't for years! We've done Vergelegen:
And Spier (meet Greg):
Franschhoek (old graveyards make cool photos):
..and Boschendal:
..even the local nature reserve:
Mandy's explored Stellenbosch, the road out to Betty's Bay and a few local places on her own too (check out her blog for a REAL tourist's perspective).
Verdict? There's a lot to see around here - gotta get out more.. :-)
Elevator Disco
This completely cracks me up every time I see it. But it's Friday - and I'm easily amused.. :-)
Photoblog: Family
Blogging and images have been in short supply around here lately! I'll get back into the swing of things eventually. For now though, here's a picture of my son and I, taken on Xmas eve.
(Since then I've ended up about 10 shades browner, and 3kg lighter.. :-) Such is holiday life!)
(Since then I've ended up about 10 shades browner, and 3kg lighter.. :-) Such is holiday life!)
Suck it up
I'm still in holiday mode. I don't want a constantly ringing phone, nor to have to rush through the day working hard non-stop. I don't want people streaming in the door, nor do I want to be running to a fax machine constantly.
Yet this is what January in my office looks like. And February. And November and December. While some lazy sods turn a crisp red next to the sea, I'm slogging.
Today I really don't want to be. Yesterday I wanted it even less - it was a brilliant summer day outside. But I think I've remembered now why we haven't actually been to the beach the entire summer last year - and why it seems we may not make it again this year. Even though we live about 8km from the seashore. In a word - WORK. I rush here, I work hard all day, I go home and collapse (or do all the home stuff I still need to keep up with). Unwilling to face the inevitable traffic jam heading for the waters after 5, or the still-lingering tourists taking up all the parking.
Summer is not a holiday. It's work.
So today I'm trying to convince myself to simply suck it up and knuckle down. Hard to do though. Way too hard....
Yet this is what January in my office looks like. And February. And November and December. While some lazy sods turn a crisp red next to the sea, I'm slogging.
Today I really don't want to be. Yesterday I wanted it even less - it was a brilliant summer day outside. But I think I've remembered now why we haven't actually been to the beach the entire summer last year - and why it seems we may not make it again this year. Even though we live about 8km from the seashore. In a word - WORK. I rush here, I work hard all day, I go home and collapse (or do all the home stuff I still need to keep up with). Unwilling to face the inevitable traffic jam heading for the waters after 5, or the still-lingering tourists taking up all the parking.
Summer is not a holiday. It's work.
So today I'm trying to convince myself to simply suck it up and knuckle down. Hard to do though. Way too hard....
Minus One
One of my guests has just rushed into the office to tell me his lift to Joburg is leaving NOW - so we're down to 3 people, 2 dogs and a fish in a one-bedroom house. Funny how we all seem to have fitted in OK though!
I think hosting a few friends has definitely upped my confidence to get more sociable this year. I've always blamed a lack of space for not having people over, but we've kinda proved that's a non-issue. OK, it would be nice to have a large place filled with the kind of furnishings, decor and "look" I aspire to (which I've never really achieved thanks to lack of funds and other priorities) - but we coped reasonably well in spite of all that. And even the dogs were on somewhat good behaviour.
So here's to planning a few more social escapades for the year ahead, instead of retreating further into my hermit shell.
I think hosting a few friends has definitely upped my confidence to get more sociable this year. I've always blamed a lack of space for not having people over, but we've kinda proved that's a non-issue. OK, it would be nice to have a large place filled with the kind of furnishings, decor and "look" I aspire to (which I've never really achieved thanks to lack of funds and other priorities) - but we coped reasonably well in spite of all that. And even the dogs were on somewhat good behaviour.
So here's to planning a few more social escapades for the year ahead, instead of retreating further into my hermit shell.
All about Me
Found via various folk, here's the first quiz of the year! My results would have been very very different a year ago..
Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com
| Advanced Global Personality Test Results
|
personality tests by similarminds.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
Posts
