I've never thought of myself as a "catch". Never been one of the "must have's" or high up on the in-crowd list of those being worshipped by adoring males the world over. But I recently ran into an ex from 16 years ago (who kinda ran away when he saw me), and that got me thinking about some of the guys I dated when I was around high school to mid-20's. And considering things from another angle.
There was the bloke who beat up my first boyfriend over me. Even though I had absolutely no interest in him. Funny, but I ran into him about a year back near here - and still see him on the roads now and then, driving his garden services truck. Strange boy, that. Convinced he has healing power vibrating through his hands (a thought planted in his head by the church he attends).
First boyfriend was a bit obsessive too. I seem to remember issues with me having other male friends... but mostly have blanked that bit out.
There was the bloke who didn't want to accept things were over. He'd stand outside the lounge window in the night, staring in at me, my family and whatever new male friend might have dropped by (or even the guy who boarded with us - yes, dated him too at one stage, and he completely broke my heart). I'd get phone calls later on telling me exactly what I'd been doing, and when. Scary stuff. (His mom was scary too - good few marbles short, as was her little Maltese dog.)
There was the Aussie bloke who proposed right after meeting me - actually, two of them. One was in his 70s and the other about 10 years older than me. They kinda proposed within a week of each other, but I was having none of it. They weren't the only proposals in my life - I said yes on two other occasions, but they dumped me (not a happy story, either of them).
Then there was a married bloke who had designs on me - but I don't do that, or anything like that. Not even a thought on the horizon - which is why the other two who made suggestions in that line didn't get a foot in the door either. Unfortunately that first one ruined a good friendship.
That ex that ran away when he saw me? Well he was extremely upset when I moved on a few weeks after we broke up. Another "follow you around and see what you're doing, with who" experience. To tell the truth, I'm slightly amused at the whole obsession thing in retrospect. Though not so amused at the time...
So did these guys think I was a "catch", or did I just attract stalkers?
Truthfully I'm not convinced of either extreme. I'm just me - take it or leave it, pretty much happy with who I am and rather fond of Land Rovers and a particular tall nutty man. I certainly don't see myself as anything out of the ordinary - just another chick on this planet, with her own quirks and view of life. Sometimes way too independent for her own good, sometimes oddly insecure. I laugh, I cry, I get happy, I get sad. I'm good at some stuff, and not so good at others. Just me. Nothing extraordinary. I've certainly never considered myself a "catch". So I guess it was the jealous obsessive stalker thing after all! :-)
Real
No wonder our view of what women should be is so easily messed up these days!
Gorgeous in seconds
Skinny in seconds
And there you have it. I'll stick to being real thanks, even if I'm not perfect.
Gorgeous in seconds
Skinny in seconds
And there you have it. I'll stick to being real thanks, even if I'm not perfect.
One Thing
In light of yesterday's Feed Me post, here's the plan. I can't afford to be overwhelmed by a sense of having too much to do, so I'm going to focus on One Thing every day.
I'll do one me-time thing each day.
I'll do one house-care thing each day.
I'll do one schemes-and-plans thing each day.
And I'll do one car-care thing each day.
Not only does this get me zoned in on finishing the task at hand, but it also gives me a sense of accomplishment once I'm done. The rest of the items on my to-do list simply disappear until another time. I can put all my energy into what I'm doing at that point without mentally moving on to the other stuff already. And I don't have a backlog of any of the above building up. Especially the house-care - it's way too easy it is to get behind on dishes, washing, keeping the place tidy.. :-) One task a day keeps that in check.
I've been doing this for about 2 weeks already. By the time 7pm or so comes I'm done with what needs doing, and can fully relax, give my attention to more pleasurable persuits for the rest of the evening. Put all the work behind me, knowing I've "signed off" on what I set out to accomplish for the day, and can rest easy. Tomorrow is another day, and it will have its own challenges and jobs.
So far so good - I've found it to work very very well, leaving me with a lot more inner peace and confidence than I'd have if it felt like everything was out of control. I'm getting more done in those allotted time spots than I would if I randomly attacked things that need doing. I've got more of myself left to give.
Yeah, I'm probably a bit of a closet control freak after all.. :-)
I'll do one me-time thing each day.
I'll do one house-care thing each day.
I'll do one schemes-and-plans thing each day.
And I'll do one car-care thing each day.
Not only does this get me zoned in on finishing the task at hand, but it also gives me a sense of accomplishment once I'm done. The rest of the items on my to-do list simply disappear until another time. I can put all my energy into what I'm doing at that point without mentally moving on to the other stuff already. And I don't have a backlog of any of the above building up. Especially the house-care - it's way too easy it is to get behind on dishes, washing, keeping the place tidy.. :-) One task a day keeps that in check.
I've been doing this for about 2 weeks already. By the time 7pm or so comes I'm done with what needs doing, and can fully relax, give my attention to more pleasurable persuits for the rest of the evening. Put all the work behind me, knowing I've "signed off" on what I set out to accomplish for the day, and can rest easy. Tomorrow is another day, and it will have its own challenges and jobs.
So far so good - I've found it to work very very well, leaving me with a lot more inner peace and confidence than I'd have if it felt like everything was out of control. I'm getting more done in those allotted time spots than I would if I randomly attacked things that need doing. I've got more of myself left to give.
Yeah, I'm probably a bit of a closet control freak after all.. :-)
Feed Me
I'm sitting here looking at my nails as I type (for a living) - and I've realized I have seriously been neglecting Me. Yes, I've brushed my teeth, washed my hair, put on my make-up and all that. But it's been a while since I really looked after Me.
Why?
Well time is one thing. When you leave for work in the dark an hour after the alarm frightens you awake (having organized a reluctant kid and launched him schoolwards), then arrive home at 5 to do all the things that a home / son requires, there's not that much time to indulge in self.
Add in a truck that HAS to be fixed to replace the car sitting broken in the drive, and my focus has ended up far away from myself. I spent the entire weekend in mechanic-friendly jeans and t-shirts, my old takkies, comfortable but unfashionable fleece top... and not a stitch of make-up on. If my face saw moisturizer it was a miracle, never mind anything else. The nails got their usual car-grease treatment, along with a rip here and a stub there - at the moment they're cut, trimmed - but not fancy. No nailpolish, just functional. I ditched a salon appointment this weekend thanks to lack of transport. I didn't get much time to sit down and relax either.
Then - along with no time and necessary schedule rearrangement - throw in a priorities shift. I've been focussed on a couple of things lately that take up my time, attention, concentration, head-space once I'm home. There's plans and schemes to work through, things to talk about, and I tend to spend most of the evening on both phone and computer. Topping up on a voice that makes me happy and emptying a brain that needs to spill ideas somewhere.
But it's all about balance. And last night I found myself sitting on Olivia's wing, pondering the sunset as the clouds turned golden. In peace and quiet - just a spot of me-time. Because I really needed it.
So I've decided thus: I'm going to budget my me-time like I do everything else. Give it a daily slot, along with the other things I fit into my 24 hours. Totally shift focus for that small period and feed my soul, care for my exterior, and breathe deeply.
I have a feeling I'll be a lot better off for it, able to handle life with increased grace and certainty. Or at least that's the idea. :-)
Why?
Well time is one thing. When you leave for work in the dark an hour after the alarm frightens you awake (having organized a reluctant kid and launched him schoolwards), then arrive home at 5 to do all the things that a home / son requires, there's not that much time to indulge in self.
Add in a truck that HAS to be fixed to replace the car sitting broken in the drive, and my focus has ended up far away from myself. I spent the entire weekend in mechanic-friendly jeans and t-shirts, my old takkies, comfortable but unfashionable fleece top... and not a stitch of make-up on. If my face saw moisturizer it was a miracle, never mind anything else. The nails got their usual car-grease treatment, along with a rip here and a stub there - at the moment they're cut, trimmed - but not fancy. No nailpolish, just functional. I ditched a salon appointment this weekend thanks to lack of transport. I didn't get much time to sit down and relax either.
Then - along with no time and necessary schedule rearrangement - throw in a priorities shift. I've been focussed on a couple of things lately that take up my time, attention, concentration, head-space once I'm home. There's plans and schemes to work through, things to talk about, and I tend to spend most of the evening on both phone and computer. Topping up on a voice that makes me happy and emptying a brain that needs to spill ideas somewhere.
But it's all about balance. And last night I found myself sitting on Olivia's wing, pondering the sunset as the clouds turned golden. In peace and quiet - just a spot of me-time. Because I really needed it.
So I've decided thus: I'm going to budget my me-time like I do everything else. Give it a daily slot, along with the other things I fit into my 24 hours. Totally shift focus for that small period and feed my soul, care for my exterior, and breathe deeply.
I have a feeling I'll be a lot better off for it, able to handle life with increased grace and certainty. Or at least that's the idea. :-)
On Commuting by Landy
Yes, I made it. Eventually. And only slightly shakey on arrival. Mentally making notes all the way of "things to do"...
So here are a couple of observations:
1. Half an hour of turning a key may give one a small thumb-blister. Or at least a sore spot.
2. It takes a while to start and warm up a Landy - or at least this particular Landy. Attempting to close the door will lead to "prairie-dogging" (or "meerkatting" in South African terms) by the neighbours, who are trying to figure out what all the banging is about.
3. The "boiling water trick" may or may not help. Probably doesn't. Will save the boiling water for coffee instead.
4. While starting a Landy, you get to watch the sun rise and the stars fade to the point where lights are no longer required. (And then an hour into work you have to rush out and check that you DID actually switch them off earlier - no pushing that thing!)
5. Don't rush it. The yellow line is your friend! :-) Even if traffic builds up behind you a ways... Leaf springs do, however, transmit every hit of a line marking reflector. Just call them mini speed-bumps.
6. What takes half an hour in the Ford will take an hour in the Landy. So be it.
7. A 6-point turn is required to exit the parking space at home. A 4-point manipulation is required to get into the parking spot at work. Thank goodness for surrounding empty ones...
8. Charl no longer has the oldest car in the parking area. A Landy is HUGE compared to everything around it! It's huge compared to the Freelander that was parked next to it yesterday too. No wonder no-one tried to cut in front of me on the way here, and let me turn where I needed to. :-)
And so on to the working day. The trip home awaits, but a whole lot later.
So here are a couple of observations:
1. Half an hour of turning a key may give one a small thumb-blister. Or at least a sore spot.
2. It takes a while to start and warm up a Landy - or at least this particular Landy. Attempting to close the door will lead to "prairie-dogging" (or "meerkatting" in South African terms) by the neighbours, who are trying to figure out what all the banging is about.
3. The "boiling water trick" may or may not help. Probably doesn't. Will save the boiling water for coffee instead.
4. While starting a Landy, you get to watch the sun rise and the stars fade to the point where lights are no longer required. (And then an hour into work you have to rush out and check that you DID actually switch them off earlier - no pushing that thing!)
5. Don't rush it. The yellow line is your friend! :-) Even if traffic builds up behind you a ways... Leaf springs do, however, transmit every hit of a line marking reflector. Just call them mini speed-bumps.
6. What takes half an hour in the Ford will take an hour in the Landy. So be it.
7. A 6-point turn is required to exit the parking space at home. A 4-point manipulation is required to get into the parking spot at work. Thank goodness for surrounding empty ones...
8. Charl no longer has the oldest car in the parking area. A Landy is HUGE compared to everything around it! It's huge compared to the Freelander that was parked next to it yesterday too. No wonder no-one tried to cut in front of me on the way here, and let me turn where I needed to. :-)
And so on to the working day. The trip home awaits, but a whole lot later.
Hallelujah!
Let all the world rejoice. The kid has just made his first omelette - with step by step instructions from his tutor who stood to the side and let him at it.
It's VERY oily (way too much "glug" and not enough "drizzle" in the pan), but it's edible. And now he can go forth and make his own omelette from this day forward.
One dish down...
It's VERY oily (way too much "glug" and not enough "drizzle" in the pan), but it's edible. And now he can go forth and make his own omelette from this day forward.
One dish down...
Manbag
It's been a weekend of hard slog, but Olivia is running. Or at least she did pretty well on the 2km trip to the shops and back. With slight fear and trepidation I'll take on the commute tomorrow morning, slow and steady, keeping to the side of the road so speedy, irritable, road-rage folk can zip past me - and making sure my toolbox is close at hand. There's a nifty place to store it right between the front seats - makes a good arm-rest at the same time.
This afternoon I was doing a once-over, ensuring I've got everything I need so I don't stumble out the door and forget half of it in the dark.
And I came to the conclusion I need a Manbag.
You know the type - handbags for men. Smart, roomy, and not particularly frilly.
Here's why.
In my handbag at the moment I have:
Camera (in padded carry-case with shoulder strap)
Wallet (or "purse", seeing I'm of the female gender) - with credit cards, business cards, ID book, all that
Notebook (listing a lot of stuff, from our prepaid electricity number, to random phone numbers, Land Rover part numbers, and Olivia's to-do list)
Chequebook in cover (cover needs replacing)
Keys (Ford, front door, 2x LARGE Landy bunches with battery keys attached)
Small hairbrush
One galvanized wheel bolt from Olivia so I can go get the right size socket when I see them
Weighing down the interior side pocket is:
Dentyne gum
Lipstick and lipgloss x 3
Mini flashlight
Extra set of Ford keys
"Feminine hygiene" emergency item
Even smaller notebook (actually pages with "a note from Michelle" printed on - courtesy my mom, years ago)
Pen
Exterior small pocket contains:
Address book
There's a cellphone storage pouch too, but I'm not using it, cos it likes to open randomly and dump my cellphone on the floor - a feat I can accomplish perfectly well without help, thank you.
All this in a normal woman-sized bag. No wonder the bottom corners are starting to pull away from the sides and my shoulder gets sore walking the mall!
Which has led me to conclude I need a Manbag. Or a small backpack. Something that's got storage space, is sturdy and strong, and doesn't mind being chucked behind Land Rover seats or on the floor of a Ford (should that particular beast ever work again).
Not terribly ladylike, I know! But hey - I'm a practical chick. Will keep the ladylike stuff for those rare occasions when I totter around in my killer heels (the ones that look like they come with a matching whip).
This afternoon I was doing a once-over, ensuring I've got everything I need so I don't stumble out the door and forget half of it in the dark.
And I came to the conclusion I need a Manbag.
You know the type - handbags for men. Smart, roomy, and not particularly frilly.
Here's why.
In my handbag at the moment I have:
Camera (in padded carry-case with shoulder strap)
Wallet (or "purse", seeing I'm of the female gender) - with credit cards, business cards, ID book, all that
Notebook (listing a lot of stuff, from our prepaid electricity number, to random phone numbers, Land Rover part numbers, and Olivia's to-do list)
Chequebook in cover (cover needs replacing)
Keys (Ford, front door, 2x LARGE Landy bunches with battery keys attached)
Small hairbrush
One galvanized wheel bolt from Olivia so I can go get the right size socket when I see them
Weighing down the interior side pocket is:
Dentyne gum
Lipstick and lipgloss x 3
Mini flashlight
Extra set of Ford keys
"Feminine hygiene" emergency item
Even smaller notebook (actually pages with "a note from Michelle" printed on - courtesy my mom, years ago)
Pen
Exterior small pocket contains:
Address book
There's a cellphone storage pouch too, but I'm not using it, cos it likes to open randomly and dump my cellphone on the floor - a feat I can accomplish perfectly well without help, thank you.
All this in a normal woman-sized bag. No wonder the bottom corners are starting to pull away from the sides and my shoulder gets sore walking the mall!
Which has led me to conclude I need a Manbag. Or a small backpack. Something that's got storage space, is sturdy and strong, and doesn't mind being chucked behind Land Rover seats or on the floor of a Ford (should that particular beast ever work again).
Not terribly ladylike, I know! But hey - I'm a practical chick. Will keep the ladylike stuff for those rare occasions when I totter around in my killer heels (the ones that look like they come with a matching whip).
Buy a Horse
It looks like Olivia will be a daily drive sooner than expected. After charging the Ford's battery overnight, it started first time - then died.
Tried again - oil cap popped off, smoke coming out of the hole... BIG problems!!! This isn't a simple repair, but rather one massive issue, and the Ford isn't going anywhere soon.
So today I have to get going on Olivia. Her battery's being topped up, my toolbox is out, the bonnet is up, the oils/greases are about to get a look-see and by Monday she has to be on the road. Or I'll be begging lifts off random colleagues...
I had planned a bit of grocery shopping. I am supposed to be at a birthday party tomorrow. I should have dropped off some goodies at the Waterfront too. I have a hundred-and-one things to do that require transport. All of which are not going to happen this weekend. Unless I can make some exceptionally speedy repairs, which is going to require one HUGE learning curve.
So - it's a case of fix car, or buy a horse. Car it's going to have to be (though a horse may be a whole lot less hassle).
Tried again - oil cap popped off, smoke coming out of the hole... BIG problems!!! This isn't a simple repair, but rather one massive issue, and the Ford isn't going anywhere soon.
So today I have to get going on Olivia. Her battery's being topped up, my toolbox is out, the bonnet is up, the oils/greases are about to get a look-see and by Monday she has to be on the road. Or I'll be begging lifts off random colleagues...
I had planned a bit of grocery shopping. I am supposed to be at a birthday party tomorrow. I should have dropped off some goodies at the Waterfront too. I have a hundred-and-one things to do that require transport. All of which are not going to happen this weekend. Unless I can make some exceptionally speedy repairs, which is going to require one HUGE learning curve.
So - it's a case of fix car, or buy a horse. Car it's going to have to be (though a horse may be a whole lot less hassle).
Getting to it
I'm always amazed by just how much I can accomplish when I end up working at home - whether it be for reasons licence-renewal, Telkom or car no-go. Perhaps it's a misguided attempt to prove I am actually working, but I've torn through a huge pile of work this morning and gotten past a mental block that had me at a dead end for 2 days, held up by a "where to now?".
A year or so back I was pondering whether I'd make a good at-home / self-employed / "tele-commuting" worker, or end up distracted by all the other stuff I could be doing. Like fiddling with Olivia, or washing dishes, or sitting in the sun pondering life, or walking a dog/two. The three times I've ended up working from home have shown me that not only can I do it, but I tend to put in more of an effort, finishing things off with a flourish that I struggle to do at a desk. (I've done similar stuff sitting with the laptop out on the balcony some sunny afternoons - perhaps it's the peace and quiet?)
This isn't to say I don't get a lot done at my desk, it's rather an observation that I can focus pretty well when I need to. Even if I'm surrounded by home-style distractions.
The only thing I've found difficult today was having the kid at home too, wanting lunch, asking stuff, or simply being in the same space. Yes - I'm doing lunch now (blogging break too before I launch myself at the next big thing). But I've managed to shut out everything else to accomplish what I need to.
So here's one of those route-markers on the journey, work-related. A confirmation that I'm able to do what I wasn't sure I could. Which is a very good thing, considering what I plan for my future.
A year or so back I was pondering whether I'd make a good at-home / self-employed / "tele-commuting" worker, or end up distracted by all the other stuff I could be doing. Like fiddling with Olivia, or washing dishes, or sitting in the sun pondering life, or walking a dog/two. The three times I've ended up working from home have shown me that not only can I do it, but I tend to put in more of an effort, finishing things off with a flourish that I struggle to do at a desk. (I've done similar stuff sitting with the laptop out on the balcony some sunny afternoons - perhaps it's the peace and quiet?)
This isn't to say I don't get a lot done at my desk, it's rather an observation that I can focus pretty well when I need to. Even if I'm surrounded by home-style distractions.
The only thing I've found difficult today was having the kid at home too, wanting lunch, asking stuff, or simply being in the same space. Yes - I'm doing lunch now (blogging break too before I launch myself at the next big thing). But I've managed to shut out everything else to accomplish what I need to.
So here's one of those route-markers on the journey, work-related. A confirmation that I'm able to do what I wasn't sure I could. Which is a very good thing, considering what I plan for my future.
Disaster
Ever had one of those days that you plan so perfectly, nothing can go wrong? And then your car refuses to start (both of them) - and the entire thing goes up in smoke?
Yup, that's what my day's looking like. I have a million things to do at work and I can't get there. The school bus drove right past the kid, so he's stuck at home. Dammit.
I should have the car started within an hour I hope, but this has completely thrown everything out. Deep breaths - trying not to get too peeved.
Yup, that's what my day's looking like. I have a million things to do at work and I can't get there. The school bus drove right past the kid, so he's stuck at home. Dammit.
I should have the car started within an hour I hope, but this has completely thrown everything out. Deep breaths - trying not to get too peeved.
Two Minds
You'd think as a blonde that I only have a half-mind, but in reality I have two. Or at least I'm IN two minds. Which I guess could mean I'm simply lost in thought...
What am I in two minds about? Facebook. Twitter. Blogs. "Social Networking" in all its forms. Those things where your life gets dumped online for everyone to see. I'm not sure I want that amount of exposure.
Which is rich coming from someone who already has way too many blogs, hey!
The thing is I've realized I do value my privacy. That there are details about me I don't want out there for the world to see, Googleable, permanently drifting around cyberspace. That my life offline does not need to end up online all the time (and recently in many ways it hasn't, hence the quieter-than-normal blogging).
That thought had me nearly close down this (and the other 6) blogs this morning too. Nearly - but not quite. Hell, I've gotta have somewhere to say stuff! To show off my photos, to share snippets and random thoughts. And at least one place to rant, anon. I don't think anyone would appreciate being the sole recipient of all that, day and night!
So the blog stays. As does my Flickr account. Other less-known bits may go.
And at the same time I may find myself not dumping as much online as I have in the past. Paring down my cyberpresence to minimal. Not spilling quite as many beans as I have in the past. I don't know yet - I'll see. This may be a "phase".
What I do know is that my time is needed elsewhere in Real Life, that my focus has shifted more than a little lately, and that it's a good thing.
Meantime the Facebook profile I created this morning (minimally) has been deactivated (sorry Marc! :-) ).
What am I in two minds about? Facebook. Twitter. Blogs. "Social Networking" in all its forms. Those things where your life gets dumped online for everyone to see. I'm not sure I want that amount of exposure.
Which is rich coming from someone who already has way too many blogs, hey!
The thing is I've realized I do value my privacy. That there are details about me I don't want out there for the world to see, Googleable, permanently drifting around cyberspace. That my life offline does not need to end up online all the time (and recently in many ways it hasn't, hence the quieter-than-normal blogging).
That thought had me nearly close down this (and the other 6) blogs this morning too. Nearly - but not quite. Hell, I've gotta have somewhere to say stuff! To show off my photos, to share snippets and random thoughts. And at least one place to rant, anon. I don't think anyone would appreciate being the sole recipient of all that, day and night!
So the blog stays. As does my Flickr account. Other less-known bits may go.
And at the same time I may find myself not dumping as much online as I have in the past. Paring down my cyberpresence to minimal. Not spilling quite as many beans as I have in the past. I don't know yet - I'll see. This may be a "phase".
What I do know is that my time is needed elsewhere in Real Life, that my focus has shifted more than a little lately, and that it's a good thing.
Meantime the Facebook profile I created this morning (minimally) has been deactivated (sorry Marc! :-) ).
(un)Finished Thoughts
Ever get to the place where you find yourself never really finishing a thought? Where there's stuff you need to mull, but before you get to a proper conclusion there's an interruption or another thought pushes in? Or where you're so constantly surrounded by noise and chatter that things simply slip away before they've sunk in?
Yup, that's where I'm at lately. And it's driving me slightly nuts. There's things I need to get my brain around, and it's not happening. There's plans to plot, but I'm not finding the path I need. There's dreams to indulge in, but I keep getting a "wake up call".
And when this happens there's only one solution. Peace, quiet, and alone-time. Whether it's handed to me on a silver platter or needs to be wrestled from moments where I find them, I have to do it.
It's not terribly comfortable having half-thought stuff rattling around in the brain!
Yup, that's where I'm at lately. And it's driving me slightly nuts. There's things I need to get my brain around, and it's not happening. There's plans to plot, but I'm not finding the path I need. There's dreams to indulge in, but I keep getting a "wake up call".
And when this happens there's only one solution. Peace, quiet, and alone-time. Whether it's handed to me on a silver platter or needs to be wrestled from moments where I find them, I have to do it.
It's not terribly comfortable having half-thought stuff rattling around in the brain!
Snow and Rainbows
Yeah, I know it's been a bit quiet around here, but the two things occupying my time & brain (man and work) I can't/won't blog about! :-)
So here's a weather-related post instead. Arrived at work yesterday to see a layer of snow on all the mountains around here, with waterfalls streaming down every single gorge in huge white ribbons! Yes, it's been cold. Unfortunately, as is the way of the Cape, by late afternoon the snow was basically gone and I had yet to haul out my camera to get a shot. The one taken with the cellphone camera doesn't do it justice.
Then the rainbows took over!
I saw 5 on the way home, one starkly brilliant against just a little bit of snow over a peak - but stuck in traffic and putting foot I couldn't get the camera out. Steve got a shot of a nearby one. Most were oh-so-fleeting, there one second and gone the next.
Back home I stood in late afternoon sunshine in my bedroom and watched the big drippy raindrops fall through the sunlight until the next large cloud obliterated both sunshine and warmth, dropping the temperature to switch-on-heater levels within seconds.
But while they lasted the snow and rainbows were both beautiful. Awe-inspiring wow-beautiful.
So here's a weather-related post instead. Arrived at work yesterday to see a layer of snow on all the mountains around here, with waterfalls streaming down every single gorge in huge white ribbons! Yes, it's been cold. Unfortunately, as is the way of the Cape, by late afternoon the snow was basically gone and I had yet to haul out my camera to get a shot. The one taken with the cellphone camera doesn't do it justice.
Then the rainbows took over!
I saw 5 on the way home, one starkly brilliant against just a little bit of snow over a peak - but stuck in traffic and putting foot I couldn't get the camera out. Steve got a shot of a nearby one. Most were oh-so-fleeting, there one second and gone the next.
Back home I stood in late afternoon sunshine in my bedroom and watched the big drippy raindrops fall through the sunlight until the next large cloud obliterated both sunshine and warmth, dropping the temperature to switch-on-heater levels within seconds.
But while they lasted the snow and rainbows were both beautiful. Awe-inspiring wow-beautiful.
Rethinking the Noodles
It just struck me forcibly (I'm sometimes a bit slow on the uptake) that I don't look closely enough at my food labels.
You know that whole "poison pet food from China" thing that now appears to have gotten into farmed fish, chickens etc too? Well, being vegetarian I didn't give it much mind. And my dogs are on Pedigree, which is apparently "safe".
But just scrolled through a blog and read about issues that go way beyond meat. From juices and food colour to all sorts of other bits. Which is kinda scary.
I mean - how often do I really take a good look at the "Made In..." label? Things like 2-minute noodles - random example. Who knows what's in those things, and where half the ingredients have come from!
And how many times do I closely examine the ingredients list at all? I'm not sensitive to much, so don't do nearly enough label-reading.
Late last year I started making a serious move toward organic, locally-grown foods and not eating anything unless I knew what was in it. That petered out slightly in favour of convenience, but I think I need to take another good hard look at my diet, at what we're sticking in our faces - and where it comes from. Not just randomly grab things off shelves when shopping, but do this one with thought and advance planning, working toward keeping my body as healthy as possible from the inside out. Perhaps chuck the noodles altogether...? I do know how to make pasta by hand, veggies grow well in pots - and that's looking like a whole better option right now!
You know that whole "poison pet food from China" thing that now appears to have gotten into farmed fish, chickens etc too? Well, being vegetarian I didn't give it much mind. And my dogs are on Pedigree, which is apparently "safe".
But just scrolled through a blog and read about issues that go way beyond meat. From juices and food colour to all sorts of other bits. Which is kinda scary.
I mean - how often do I really take a good look at the "Made In..." label? Things like 2-minute noodles - random example. Who knows what's in those things, and where half the ingredients have come from!
And how many times do I closely examine the ingredients list at all? I'm not sensitive to much, so don't do nearly enough label-reading.
Late last year I started making a serious move toward organic, locally-grown foods and not eating anything unless I knew what was in it. That petered out slightly in favour of convenience, but I think I need to take another good hard look at my diet, at what we're sticking in our faces - and where it comes from. Not just randomly grab things off shelves when shopping, but do this one with thought and advance planning, working toward keeping my body as healthy as possible from the inside out. Perhaps chuck the noodles altogether...? I do know how to make pasta by hand, veggies grow well in pots - and that's looking like a whole better option right now!
In conclusion
After this weekend's activities, I've come to a few conclusions - actually, one for every leter of the alphabet, so settle in with the popcorn.
a) I need a waterproof jacket.
b) I need winter clothes - very soon.
c) There's something about the International terminal at airports that makes one sleepy. As if you've been travelling for days. When all you're there to do is pick up random folk coming in on international flights! The Domestic terminal doesn't do that.
d) People-watching is fun! Except when they're watching you... :-) OK - that could be fun, but depends on who's doing the watching. Dodgy businessmen are out, cute Aussies are in.
e) I'd forgotten how cold Cape winters can get - and it's only just starting (see points a and b).
f) A heater in the car would be nice. As would a bit of waterproofing to prevent the carpets from becoming soggy. And an effective defrosting system so you don't have to travel & wipe, facecloth in hand.
g) It's still as fun to run through rain as it was when I was a kid - especially when you end up splashed knee-deep by unexpected puddles. It's simply funny when you've run to retrieve an umbrella, run back to those who need it, and then the rain stops - leaving you completely drenched and dripping, and them pretty much dry.
h) It's also very cold running through rain. Particularly if you've been at it all day and your toes/jeans haven't been dry for the past 12 hours.
i) Heaters are good. So is the kind of drink that requires a kettle. Soup's good too. But I really wish I had a fireplace.
j) It's pretty hard to see anything when the rain's bucketing down and the windows are steaming up thanks to slightly damp occupants whose combined temperature after running for the car exceeds that of the vehicle's exterior. Which is probably why there were a few rather bad accidents about. Fortunately none involved me.
k) I still hate the N2 at night. Alone. And especially in dodgy weather at midnight.
l) Sports matches are unpredictible. Don't assume one team has won when there's still a minute of the game left. And if you're a Sharks fan, don't start celebrating too early.. :-)
m) There's something to be said for sending the kid off on sleep-overs.
n) Heavy metal sliding gates are no match for gale-force wind (thank goodness it didn't hit the car when it fell).
o) Decent Italian pasta rocks. Even more so when you throw on extra parmesan and chili.
p) I will not have to buy dark chili-choc for a very long time. Then again - you don't exactly get it here easily.
q) I'm not the only one with itchy feet and a hankering to go places, see things.
r) Goods trains make very effective alarm clocks.
s) My neighbour really, really needs to fix that squeeking fanbelt. Before I sommer offer to do it myself!
t) Sometimes you need a nothing-day. Without guilt, without plans, without feeling you need to fill it up.
u) It's quite possible that the thinner you get, the colder you get. Unfortunately for my frozen toes I ain't done yet.
v) There are many, many idiots on our roads. Most of them are likely to self-destruct if they keep driving like that, leaving the roads safe and peaceful for the rest of us.
w) I need to get out to the bush. Soon. It's been too long.
x) There's one man in this world who does very good things to my insides. And no, I'm not elaborating in cyberspace (so there :-) ).
y) On a wet day it's easier to spot Land Rovers than birds. But both are possible, if you try hard enough. Those looking for birds will not see Landies, and vice versa.
z) There is some very, very strange stuff on the internet.
a) I need a waterproof jacket.
b) I need winter clothes - very soon.
c) There's something about the International terminal at airports that makes one sleepy. As if you've been travelling for days. When all you're there to do is pick up random folk coming in on international flights! The Domestic terminal doesn't do that.
d) People-watching is fun! Except when they're watching you... :-) OK - that could be fun, but depends on who's doing the watching. Dodgy businessmen are out, cute Aussies are in.
e) I'd forgotten how cold Cape winters can get - and it's only just starting (see points a and b).
f) A heater in the car would be nice. As would a bit of waterproofing to prevent the carpets from becoming soggy. And an effective defrosting system so you don't have to travel & wipe, facecloth in hand.
g) It's still as fun to run through rain as it was when I was a kid - especially when you end up splashed knee-deep by unexpected puddles. It's simply funny when you've run to retrieve an umbrella, run back to those who need it, and then the rain stops - leaving you completely drenched and dripping, and them pretty much dry.
h) It's also very cold running through rain. Particularly if you've been at it all day and your toes/jeans haven't been dry for the past 12 hours.
i) Heaters are good. So is the kind of drink that requires a kettle. Soup's good too. But I really wish I had a fireplace.
j) It's pretty hard to see anything when the rain's bucketing down and the windows are steaming up thanks to slightly damp occupants whose combined temperature after running for the car exceeds that of the vehicle's exterior. Which is probably why there were a few rather bad accidents about. Fortunately none involved me.
k) I still hate the N2 at night. Alone. And especially in dodgy weather at midnight.
l) Sports matches are unpredictible. Don't assume one team has won when there's still a minute of the game left. And if you're a Sharks fan, don't start celebrating too early.. :-)
m) There's something to be said for sending the kid off on sleep-overs.
n) Heavy metal sliding gates are no match for gale-force wind (thank goodness it didn't hit the car when it fell).
o) Decent Italian pasta rocks. Even more so when you throw on extra parmesan and chili.
p) I will not have to buy dark chili-choc for a very long time. Then again - you don't exactly get it here easily.
q) I'm not the only one with itchy feet and a hankering to go places, see things.
r) Goods trains make very effective alarm clocks.
s) My neighbour really, really needs to fix that squeeking fanbelt. Before I sommer offer to do it myself!
t) Sometimes you need a nothing-day. Without guilt, without plans, without feeling you need to fill it up.
u) It's quite possible that the thinner you get, the colder you get. Unfortunately for my frozen toes I ain't done yet.
v) There are many, many idiots on our roads. Most of them are likely to self-destruct if they keep driving like that, leaving the roads safe and peaceful for the rest of us.
w) I need to get out to the bush. Soon. It's been too long.
x) There's one man in this world who does very good things to my insides. And no, I'm not elaborating in cyberspace (so there :-) ).
y) On a wet day it's easier to spot Land Rovers than birds. But both are possible, if you try hard enough. Those looking for birds will not see Landies, and vice versa.
z) There is some very, very strange stuff on the internet.
Through blowing gale
Today was a stunning day - beautiful, hot, perfect. By 4:30 all that was changing. A gale force wind started up, and there's such an onslaught of cold fronts approaching that we are expecting snow and a maximum of 11 degrees C on Sunday! Already the birding trip for tomorrow has been cancelled, and it probably won't happen on Sunday either. If that's the case, a refund better be in order.
Meantime though there are folk to fetch from the airport, 45 minutes into the headwind. It's a road I avoid during the daytime if at all possible, and absolutely detest driving at night - but it's the only way there and back, so will put foot, keep an eye open for any stone throwers / hijackers / spike-across-road stretchers and general dodgy types. Quick dash there and back home again.
(Funny how on the nights when you have to stay up late you get tired really early - and vice versa!)
The rest of the weekend? Well it's unlikely many outdoor activities will be taking place. It will be a good one to cuddle up in bed as late as possible, with only the eyeballs poking out the top of the duvet. And to eat comfort food. And stay indoors pottering and dozing. I'll see how it goes - with the birding trip off suddenly everything's up in the air. I may need a weekend after the weekend.. :-)
Meantime though there are folk to fetch from the airport, 45 minutes into the headwind. It's a road I avoid during the daytime if at all possible, and absolutely detest driving at night - but it's the only way there and back, so will put foot, keep an eye open for any stone throwers / hijackers / spike-across-road stretchers and general dodgy types. Quick dash there and back home again.
(Funny how on the nights when you have to stay up late you get tired really early - and vice versa!)
The rest of the weekend? Well it's unlikely many outdoor activities will be taking place. It will be a good one to cuddle up in bed as late as possible, with only the eyeballs poking out the top of the duvet. And to eat comfort food. And stay indoors pottering and dozing. I'll see how it goes - with the birding trip off suddenly everything's up in the air. I may need a weekend after the weekend.. :-)
And Friday
Things have been quiet here recently, nê? Yup, life happens.
I was off sick yesterday. Months of slog without a break finally got to me it seems. I spent the entire day dozing and not eating a thing, and feel a whole lot better this morning. Still not hungry, even after a day on orange juice and water, but forced some food down 'cos I know I'll be hungry by 10 at this desk if I don't.
Yesterday was perfect be-sick weather - cold, rainy. Today the sun's out again, and although it was bitterly cold this morning it's going to be a very nice day. Tomorrow I really hope it will be too...
You see I'm going on a pelagic trip. Birding on the open sea. Which in itself could be chilly on a good day, but if we end up with a typical Cape winter's day it's going to be freezing! Probably not going to be eating anything tomorrow, for fear of hurling, so this body's going to just have to suck it up and deal.
Meantime it's back to the grindstone here. Landed running. As usual. Loads to do, deadlines to meet, things to adjust, all that stuff. I'm not paid to sit and twiddle my thumbs.
But hey - it's Friday. And it should be a good one.
(the view from the commute - on arrival)
I was off sick yesterday. Months of slog without a break finally got to me it seems. I spent the entire day dozing and not eating a thing, and feel a whole lot better this morning. Still not hungry, even after a day on orange juice and water, but forced some food down 'cos I know I'll be hungry by 10 at this desk if I don't.
Yesterday was perfect be-sick weather - cold, rainy. Today the sun's out again, and although it was bitterly cold this morning it's going to be a very nice day. Tomorrow I really hope it will be too...
You see I'm going on a pelagic trip. Birding on the open sea. Which in itself could be chilly on a good day, but if we end up with a typical Cape winter's day it's going to be freezing! Probably not going to be eating anything tomorrow, for fear of hurling, so this body's going to just have to suck it up and deal.
Meantime it's back to the grindstone here. Landed running. As usual. Loads to do, deadlines to meet, things to adjust, all that stuff. I'm not paid to sit and twiddle my thumbs.
But hey - it's Friday. And it should be a good one.
(the view from the commute - on arrival)
All quiet on the home front
Yup, that's what happens when you spend your days working furiously, and your nights experiencing the joys of a lekker fast internet line and a slap-load of bandwidth. You end up with minimal blogging. Add in a few hours of simply sitting with a silly grin on your face and a warm glow - or add in a day not feeling too well in spite of grin/glow - and again, minimal blogging. Tomorrow may be worse on the blogging front, as I need a day in bed to get better before I get worse.
So have a photo of the sunset instead! :-)
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So have a photo of the sunset instead! :-)
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Blogging Telkom: 2
First blog from our new DSL line! Yup indeed - some independent contractors arrived today, spent about 3 hours gluing a line around my house, installing and testing my nice little ADSL modem thingy, and now both my son and I are online. At home. At last. If that kid says he's bored now, he's going to get a snotklap.
Oh, and we finally have a home phone - but only one person has the number so far.. :-) The rest will be getting an email with all our new details shortly.
So.. the whole Telkom thing. Well I got a call on Monday saying "we have you scheduled for a Tuesday install", so I told the friendly lady that "um, excuse me, but your guys were here on Friday...?" Nope, she says, no record of that.
Oh dear - what if those were crooks who dropped by to scope out the stealables? Well I got hold of the Telkom Direct shop I'd ordered the line from, and they confirmed that it WAS actually Telkom blokes here on Friday, which is a relief. And she was very helpful in giving me a few other bits of info I was after too.
So this morning the line went in with only one other minor hitch - I'd asked that they give me some notice so I could dash through from work. They ended up waiting for me again, 'cos they didn't. Ran into my boss arriving as I was leaving too, and she commented "that was a short work day!" - but I did go back later.
Being the nice person I am, I made the two blokes coffee and helped them put the line in (also kinda keeping an eye on matters). Chatted, joked, hung around - and once they were sure all was well they left.
At which point I decided I'd probably go get a phone and a network cable for my computer. Already have another one for the kid. So dashed off, got that, plugged in the phone, made my first call on my new line!
Tonight I figured out the modem, got my favourite Expert to help me with which internet option to choose, and now we're online! Voila!
So far so good... And perhaps the Telkom numbered posts will now die a sudden death? Watch this space. It's Telkom - anything can happen.
Oh, and we finally have a home phone - but only one person has the number so far.. :-) The rest will be getting an email with all our new details shortly.
So.. the whole Telkom thing. Well I got a call on Monday saying "we have you scheduled for a Tuesday install", so I told the friendly lady that "um, excuse me, but your guys were here on Friday...?" Nope, she says, no record of that.
Oh dear - what if those were crooks who dropped by to scope out the stealables? Well I got hold of the Telkom Direct shop I'd ordered the line from, and they confirmed that it WAS actually Telkom blokes here on Friday, which is a relief. And she was very helpful in giving me a few other bits of info I was after too.
So this morning the line went in with only one other minor hitch - I'd asked that they give me some notice so I could dash through from work. They ended up waiting for me again, 'cos they didn't. Ran into my boss arriving as I was leaving too, and she commented "that was a short work day!" - but I did go back later.
Being the nice person I am, I made the two blokes coffee and helped them put the line in (also kinda keeping an eye on matters). Chatted, joked, hung around - and once they were sure all was well they left.
At which point I decided I'd probably go get a phone and a network cable for my computer. Already have another one for the kid. So dashed off, got that, plugged in the phone, made my first call on my new line!
Tonight I figured out the modem, got my favourite Expert to help me with which internet option to choose, and now we're online! Voila!
So far so good... And perhaps the Telkom numbered posts will now die a sudden death? Watch this space. It's Telkom - anything can happen.
Offroad
Any vehicle is an offroad vehicle if you try hard enough...
Commuting to work, the traffic crawl tends to start just before my turn-off. I'm really glad I don't have to go through Stellenbosch to get to the office! But it does mean that my turning lane sits empty while I'm way back in the queue.
So I go offroad. Hit the verges and travel through the grass with one wheel on the last of the tar, past the line of cars to my turn-off. A bit of mild off-roading... :-)
Yup, when I drive, I DRIVE. Much to the dismay of those who think shock absorbers should never be shocked (yes, you dad!).
About a year ago I took the passenger door apart to see what was up with the locks. I found an immense amount of yellow-red dust in there, the same shade as my grandparent's farm. And I remembered I'd done a bit of unofficial offroading there too!
They live outside Pretoria along many a dirt road, including one very corrugated one that just about rattles your teeth out your head unless you either take it so slowly that they're more like speedbumps or at such a speed that you're likely to overshoot the turn and head off into the veld. The road dips through river-bed crossings and climbs steep hills. Coming off of that there's about 1km of total farm road to get to the house, and if it's rained there are the usual road-dongas to negotiate. Which means you head offroad and through the bush - avoiding thorn trees and rocks. After about a week there you tend to get rather proficient at hitting the road in the dark at speed, simply swerving left or right at the good points, rattling over the cattle grid and onwards. Offroading in a Ford Sierra. Which kicks up dust, which then gets stored in the doors and discovered 3 years later.
Funny then that my official off-road vehicle has yet to go off-road.. :-)
Commuting to work, the traffic crawl tends to start just before my turn-off. I'm really glad I don't have to go through Stellenbosch to get to the office! But it does mean that my turning lane sits empty while I'm way back in the queue.
So I go offroad. Hit the verges and travel through the grass with one wheel on the last of the tar, past the line of cars to my turn-off. A bit of mild off-roading... :-)
Yup, when I drive, I DRIVE. Much to the dismay of those who think shock absorbers should never be shocked (yes, you dad!).
About a year ago I took the passenger door apart to see what was up with the locks. I found an immense amount of yellow-red dust in there, the same shade as my grandparent's farm. And I remembered I'd done a bit of unofficial offroading there too!
They live outside Pretoria along many a dirt road, including one very corrugated one that just about rattles your teeth out your head unless you either take it so slowly that they're more like speedbumps or at such a speed that you're likely to overshoot the turn and head off into the veld. The road dips through river-bed crossings and climbs steep hills. Coming off of that there's about 1km of total farm road to get to the house, and if it's rained there are the usual road-dongas to negotiate. Which means you head offroad and through the bush - avoiding thorn trees and rocks. After about a week there you tend to get rather proficient at hitting the road in the dark at speed, simply swerving left or right at the good points, rattling over the cattle grid and onwards. Offroading in a Ford Sierra. Which kicks up dust, which then gets stored in the doors and discovered 3 years later.
Funny then that my official off-road vehicle has yet to go off-road.. :-)
Just numbers
There's a horrible trend lately for the price of everything to go shooting up. From one week to the next, my son's favourite cereal is suddenly 3 bucks more expensive per box. Milk up by a Rand or more (though still less than inland). Bread... well I just put the things in the basket and forget the price. We gotta eat. Last Friday night I came home with 5 bags of "only the essentials" groceries - and R500 poorer. Where does it all end?
If you want anything these days, it's going to take cash. And likely more than less. I've had that brought home as I start fixing up Olivia. It's the little things - a tool here, a bolt there, a container of oil or degreaser... and before you know it you're wondering how you ended up spending all that cash. It simply leaks out.
It's very tempting to adopt the "just numbers" attitude. It's all just numbers on a computer somewhere that wax and wane, that come and go. OK, it actually IS all just numbers - but you still have to ensure the numbers coming in at least balance out the numbers diminishing.
I've been playing with numbers this past week in my dreamings and schemings. Represented by "cold, hard cash" (yah right - it's paper, mostly, or pixels on a screen), it's a matter of doing sums, figuring out where to plug this in and where to put that. How it all flows together so somehow you end up with more than you started with. Sometimes a very difficult dance to tread when everyone wants a piece of your numbers.
But I'm getting there. Baby steps (frustrating as those can be), at least to start. And once the numbers are crunched and the loose ends pulled together, we'll see what kind of numbers I end up with.
If you want anything these days, it's going to take cash. And likely more than less. I've had that brought home as I start fixing up Olivia. It's the little things - a tool here, a bolt there, a container of oil or degreaser... and before you know it you're wondering how you ended up spending all that cash. It simply leaks out.
It's very tempting to adopt the "just numbers" attitude. It's all just numbers on a computer somewhere that wax and wane, that come and go. OK, it actually IS all just numbers - but you still have to ensure the numbers coming in at least balance out the numbers diminishing.
I've been playing with numbers this past week in my dreamings and schemings. Represented by "cold, hard cash" (yah right - it's paper, mostly, or pixels on a screen), it's a matter of doing sums, figuring out where to plug this in and where to put that. How it all flows together so somehow you end up with more than you started with. Sometimes a very difficult dance to tread when everyone wants a piece of your numbers.
But I'm getting there. Baby steps (frustrating as those can be), at least to start. And once the numbers are crunched and the loose ends pulled together, we'll see what kind of numbers I end up with.
Stormy Nights
I once wrote a song. Called it "Stormy Nights". Only song I ever wrote, but hey - I guess that was my inspiration for this lifetime! :-)
Anyhow - last night at about 11 the wind came up. And a serious spattering of very heavy, hot rain. The wind hasn't stopped, it's only gotten stronger - but now it's cold too. The rain's coming down at near-horizontal angles, interspersed with sunlight. We're back to Cape winter!
With my bedroom right under the roof now it's great to lie in bed and hear the rain. Provided it's not keeping you awake at night of course. Last night was hectic though. I've mentioned the howling wind gap thingie before. I think now it may be a combination of window and door - screeching at the window, low moaning at the door. Enough to give you all sorts of weird dreams about creatures in the night (nope, escaped that last night thankfully).
Driving to work today it was more than a head-wind, it was a head-gale! I'm so glad I spent the weekend outdoors, enjoying the weather while it lasted. Getting stuck into the Olivia stuff that would have fell by the wayside if it rained. And simply enjoying breakfast in the sun.
Here's last night's sky, which Steve saw too.
Anyhow - last night at about 11 the wind came up. And a serious spattering of very heavy, hot rain. The wind hasn't stopped, it's only gotten stronger - but now it's cold too. The rain's coming down at near-horizontal angles, interspersed with sunlight. We're back to Cape winter!
With my bedroom right under the roof now it's great to lie in bed and hear the rain. Provided it's not keeping you awake at night of course. Last night was hectic though. I've mentioned the howling wind gap thingie before. I think now it may be a combination of window and door - screeching at the window, low moaning at the door. Enough to give you all sorts of weird dreams about creatures in the night (nope, escaped that last night thankfully).
Driving to work today it was more than a head-wind, it was a head-gale! I'm so glad I spent the weekend outdoors, enjoying the weather while it lasted. Getting stuck into the Olivia stuff that would have fell by the wayside if it rained. And simply enjoying breakfast in the sun.
Here's last night's sky, which Steve saw too.
Happy Mother's Day!
My day started really early with an SMS from my dad, who delights in the 8-hour time difference when it comes to waking you up early on a Sunday morning in the dark.. :-)
An hour later another message from the second man in my life, who I'm delighted to hear from at any hour, day or night, and who gives me the warm fuzzies in a big way.
And shortly thereafter my son strolled in with a box of chocolates he'd bought (with his own money! that's a first) and a hand-made card that made me laugh.
Having thus heard from the three men in my life, my Mother's Day is done! :-) And it's on to washing, dishes, feeding the starving hordes (or at least a teen with an apparent tapeworm) and sorting out the cars in ways big and small.
There's one particular job today that I hope I survive - crawling under the Ford and doing the gearbox oil. Last time I tried the car moved rather dangerously and threatened to roll onto me, so I decided to leave it. Today I have no choice, it MUST be done. It has to be good to go for some serious driving next weekend at odd hours of the day and night. Got a few Olivia jobs too, including possibly cleaning off the engine (which, to be nice to my neighbours, may require some careful placing of a plastic basin to catch the oil slick) so I can check what's going on under the crud.
Yup, that's Mother's Day in my little household. Ceremonies over and life goes on! :-) Which is precisely the way it should be. A Mother's Day is simply that, a day filled with all the things a mother does.
An hour later another message from the second man in my life, who I'm delighted to hear from at any hour, day or night, and who gives me the warm fuzzies in a big way.
And shortly thereafter my son strolled in with a box of chocolates he'd bought (with his own money! that's a first) and a hand-made card that made me laugh.
Having thus heard from the three men in my life, my Mother's Day is done! :-) And it's on to washing, dishes, feeding the starving hordes (or at least a teen with an apparent tapeworm) and sorting out the cars in ways big and small.
There's one particular job today that I hope I survive - crawling under the Ford and doing the gearbox oil. Last time I tried the car moved rather dangerously and threatened to roll onto me, so I decided to leave it. Today I have no choice, it MUST be done. It has to be good to go for some serious driving next weekend at odd hours of the day and night. Got a few Olivia jobs too, including possibly cleaning off the engine (which, to be nice to my neighbours, may require some careful placing of a plastic basin to catch the oil slick) so I can check what's going on under the crud.
Yup, that's Mother's Day in my little household. Ceremonies over and life goes on! :-) Which is precisely the way it should be. A Mother's Day is simply that, a day filled with all the things a mother does.
Mystified
Why do I get the sudden urge to go running at the most unsafe hours of the night??? Especially when the easiest route would be through an industrial area. Perhaps it's my lazy-butt body's way of making sure I never actually do it..! :-)
::update::
Well to hell with my lazy-butt body. I don't live in a secure complex for nothing. Although I'm not at all a runner, sometimes you just gotta run. (Note to self - that's why they make "sports bras"...!)
::update::
Well to hell with my lazy-butt body. I don't live in a secure complex for nothing. Although I'm not at all a runner, sometimes you just gotta run. (Note to self - that's why they make "sports bras"...!)
Front-seat ponderings
Needing some peace and quiet about an hour ago, I headed off to go sit in Olivia and think. Which can go either way, quite frankly.You can get all inspired and enthusiastic, clear the head, sort out the world's problems and still get back in time for lunch.
Or you can start to realize you know next to nothing about Landies, and are hardly worthy of owning one, fiddling with one, or driving one. Made even worse by walking to the shops and being overtaken by a gorgeous blonde in a stunning shorty Defender. These things happen.
On the other hand there's the sterner stuff, the determination to get it right - dammit - in spite of feeling like a lost fart in a perfume factory when it comes to fixing that 8-page list of things that need it. I'm kinda vascillating between the two today. Almost overwhelmed by the list, yet knowing I have to do this, and do it fast.
(and then one hears a vehicle going by that sounds considerably worse than either one of one's own... and feels a lot better.. :-) )
This weekend there are a few car things I have to get done. On both Ford and Landy. I've found a nearby supplier of Landy parts at a decent price, but anything requiring cash is going to have to wait for a week. Instead I'm focusing on the stuff I can do now, without having to have spares on hand or new tools or expert opinions. That, I think, I can manage.
I'll earn my way to Landy-owner worthiness, come hell, high water, or rivers of grease.
Swimming upstream
While my many neighbours shouted at the rugby game and played Bles Bridges (oops) Ge Korsten this afternoon (we seem to have moved on from De La Rey today - and now I know why, thanks to my favourite Expert - 'tis the local team's scoring song..) the complex over, I - who have neither access to the channel showing the rugby, nor a particular urge to watch grown men cry - have been scheming and plotting, planning and delving into Olivia.
And thinking.
Again.
Sometimes I probably do way too much of it.
But anyhoo... moving along.
For the past .. let's say... 10 years, I've felt like I'm constantly swimming upstream. Making absolutely no headway yet struggling constantly in life. A lot of it has been financial, but it's not just that. It's been a "gesukkel" (struggle - though the Afrikaans just says it better) in nearly every aspect of life to make headway.
Until about 6 months ago. Perhaps I've grown up, or found direction, or just started to stand up for me. But little by little things are changing. Small steps every day toward a new strength and purpose that has me doing the scheming, plotting, planning and delving - and which, slowly but surely, is starting to show results.
Although there are days where I still feel like I'm getting absolutely nowhere, the truth is I'm getting somewhere - at last. It's still going to be a struggle to make it to the point I can see on the horizon, and I know I'll face a lot of pretty tough stuff too, but I'm getting there. Every small success spurs me on toward more, makes me more confident in who I am and what I can accomplish, helps me realize that there is an inner strength that's not going away - and that I have every chance of reaching my goals.
Swimming upstream may wear you out on occasion, but it also builds muscles, knowledge of how the stream flows, and wisdom to navigate the turns. Bit by bit I've been gathering these, bit by bit growing and learning, and now I'm starting to draw it all together and make things happen. Which is a very good thing. At last.
I know that the next year-and-beyond is going to be a proving ground for me. I'm determined that I'll come out the other end not only stronger and more sure of my place in the planet's flow, but much much closer to what I dream of. And what I dream of is so worth fighting for. Even if it means swimming against even harsher currents.
What doesn't kill you makes you strong.
And thinking.
Again.
Sometimes I probably do way too much of it.
But anyhoo... moving along.
For the past .. let's say... 10 years, I've felt like I'm constantly swimming upstream. Making absolutely no headway yet struggling constantly in life. A lot of it has been financial, but it's not just that. It's been a "gesukkel" (struggle - though the Afrikaans just says it better) in nearly every aspect of life to make headway.
Until about 6 months ago. Perhaps I've grown up, or found direction, or just started to stand up for me. But little by little things are changing. Small steps every day toward a new strength and purpose that has me doing the scheming, plotting, planning and delving - and which, slowly but surely, is starting to show results.
Although there are days where I still feel like I'm getting absolutely nowhere, the truth is I'm getting somewhere - at last. It's still going to be a struggle to make it to the point I can see on the horizon, and I know I'll face a lot of pretty tough stuff too, but I'm getting there. Every small success spurs me on toward more, makes me more confident in who I am and what I can accomplish, helps me realize that there is an inner strength that's not going away - and that I have every chance of reaching my goals.
Swimming upstream may wear you out on occasion, but it also builds muscles, knowledge of how the stream flows, and wisdom to navigate the turns. Bit by bit I've been gathering these, bit by bit growing and learning, and now I'm starting to draw it all together and make things happen. Which is a very good thing. At last.
I know that the next year-and-beyond is going to be a proving ground for me. I'm determined that I'll come out the other end not only stronger and more sure of my place in the planet's flow, but much much closer to what I dream of. And what I dream of is so worth fighting for. Even if it means swimming against even harsher currents.
What doesn't kill you makes you strong.
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Blogging Telkom: 1
I'm going to start numbering these posts already (and give them their own label), 'cos I know this ain't the end of it...
After yesterday's call that I'd get "one hour's notice" before Telkom pitched to put in my DSL line, I got another call at 3 today to say "we're here - how do we get in?" I told the guy to wait, I was 15 minutes away, rushed out the office and home.
Only to find that my son had let them in, they'd fiddled, muttered something about "wrong instructions" (how much clearer can you get - PUT IN THE DARN DSL LINE?), or "back on Monday", which of course my son chose not to hear clearly so can't repeat, and left! Well before I'd made it home. Of course they weren't answering their phone and the message I sent has gone ignored. It is, after all, Friday afternoon.
To say I was slightly peeved would be a terrible understatement. But for once in my life I'm not willing to take crap. I'm dropping by my Telkom office tomorrow to put a word in Quintin's ear about this - he who wrote down my details, promised a reference number, and has yet to deliver.
So one more weekend on the SIM card / Vodafone access. And Part One of what I'm sure will be a saga...
If only Telkom were as organized as their vehicle-mounted tool kits.
After yesterday's call that I'd get "one hour's notice" before Telkom pitched to put in my DSL line, I got another call at 3 today to say "we're here - how do we get in?" I told the guy to wait, I was 15 minutes away, rushed out the office and home.
Only to find that my son had let them in, they'd fiddled, muttered something about "wrong instructions" (how much clearer can you get - PUT IN THE DARN DSL LINE?), or "back on Monday", which of course my son chose not to hear clearly so can't repeat, and left! Well before I'd made it home. Of course they weren't answering their phone and the message I sent has gone ignored. It is, after all, Friday afternoon.
To say I was slightly peeved would be a terrible understatement. But for once in my life I'm not willing to take crap. I'm dropping by my Telkom office tomorrow to put a word in Quintin's ear about this - he who wrote down my details, promised a reference number, and has yet to deliver.
So one more weekend on the SIM card / Vodafone access. And Part One of what I'm sure will be a saga...
If only Telkom were as organized as their vehicle-mounted tool kits.
The smell of deadlines in the morning
There's an Aussie saying I really like, something about working "flat out like a lizard drinking". That's what Friday looks like in my corner of the world - OK, in my corner of the office. Which is basically all the world I'll be seeing for most of today anyway.
It's a trend - I seem to be stomping out fires every day, running from one to the next. There's a lot of writing that needs doing! :-) Although it makes the day fly by, it can get overwhelming at times. I'm still playing catch-up on many things, having to start writing documents for products and services I have yet to see or use! Makes for interesting times, and a sharp learning curve. At least the brain's working properly - though it may need a service soon.
But 'tis Friday. With any luck I'll have a DSL line at home by tonight. First deadline of the day done and distributed. Marvellous sunshine outside. The prospect of some super Olivia work being done this weekend. Many good things to be happy about. Plans in the offing, schemes starting to bear fruit. A few back-of-the mind daydreams to sustain my imagination and give me the warm fuzzies. So far, a very good Friday.
And now on to the rest!
It's a trend - I seem to be stomping out fires every day, running from one to the next. There's a lot of writing that needs doing! :-) Although it makes the day fly by, it can get overwhelming at times. I'm still playing catch-up on many things, having to start writing documents for products and services I have yet to see or use! Makes for interesting times, and a sharp learning curve. At least the brain's working properly - though it may need a service soon.
But 'tis Friday. With any luck I'll have a DSL line at home by tonight. First deadline of the day done and distributed. Marvellous sunshine outside. The prospect of some super Olivia work being done this weekend. Many good things to be happy about. Plans in the offing, schemes starting to bear fruit. A few back-of-the mind daydreams to sustain my imagination and give me the warm fuzzies. So far, a very good Friday.
And now on to the rest!
1 month 2 days
That's how long it will have taken for Telkom to install DSL at home. From ask date to install date - provided they turn up tomorrow. I guess on the grand scale of things that's not too bad at all. I just hope I don't have endless hassles with what happens after the line is in...
Watch this space.
Watch this space.
Itchy Feet (again/still)
I've got a serious case of the itchy feet again today. The "why am I sitting at a desk when I could be out in the world?" thing has kicked in big-time, and all those old thoughts are surfacing again. The ones that say you don't actually need a good few thousand in the bank to be living a life of adventure. The ones that say you don't need to conform to society and work 8-5 either (or in my case 7:30 to 4:30), following the herd. That there are broader horizons to explore, experiences to delve into, and other ways of living than the Commute, the Job and the Stable Home.
These itchy feet can be mighty frustrating sometimes.
And yet they're also inspirational. I have a goal in the back of my mind, something I haven't discussed in depth with anyone but am slowly and steadily working toward. Getting itchy feet is a reminder to keep focus, to direct my energies toward the place I want to be, the life I want to live. I may need to bide my time for a bit, but not forever.
I know when my plan kicks in I'm going to get flak from some, especially those who like to tread the society-prescribed "success" road, moving up invisible ladders and accumulating toys. I know exactly who is going to give me the hardest time, and I'm ready for them! :-)
In the meantime I'm surrounding myself with images that remind me of what I want, keeping the mind bent toward that destination, putting in the subtle effort behind the scenes to achieve my goal.
And scratching my feet.. :-)
These itchy feet can be mighty frustrating sometimes.
And yet they're also inspirational. I have a goal in the back of my mind, something I haven't discussed in depth with anyone but am slowly and steadily working toward. Getting itchy feet is a reminder to keep focus, to direct my energies toward the place I want to be, the life I want to live. I may need to bide my time for a bit, but not forever.
I know when my plan kicks in I'm going to get flak from some, especially those who like to tread the society-prescribed "success" road, moving up invisible ladders and accumulating toys. I know exactly who is going to give me the hardest time, and I'm ready for them! :-)
In the meantime I'm surrounding myself with images that remind me of what I want, keeping the mind bent toward that destination, putting in the subtle effort behind the scenes to achieve my goal.
And scratching my feet.. :-)
The Magazine
No-one was looking so I thought I'd take a peek. I sidled up to the magazine, checked the vicinity, and opened it - just a small corner. "Oooh, that's nice!" I thought, so I opened it up a little more.
Those angles, that body, a perfect glistening skin - you can see he's put work in! They've made sure to catch every angle, at least 4 pages of awesome images, and one double-spread. Forgive me if I drool, but that is one very, very good-looking...
Oops, someone's coming. Over to the Ladies' Magazines rack, and stick this one inside something tame. Just in case.
Oh, here's more! They've really captured the power of this one, with close-ups and everything. And a little dirt to emphasize how rugged the other one is. I like that. And Oh.My.Goodness - how does he do that? I'm examining it from every angle - I've got to go try that myself and see if it's even possible. Perhaps if I strip everything off I can get it right?
Now we're at the how-to's. I can use this info! I'm speed-reading, trying to cram it all into my head before I stick the magazine back on the shelf.
Even the classifieds make my mouth water. Those teaser thumbnail photos make me want to find a magnifying glass somewhere (wonder if this shop stocks them?) - but I don't think I can afford what they're offering. Not even the gadgets, though I wouldn't mind trying them out. It's mere window-shopping, and wipe the drool away.
Time to go - first put the magazine back, then return the "safe" one to where I found it, and perhaps no-one will notice. After all, chicks shouldn't be reading this stuff! Land Rover mags are for men only! :-)
Those angles, that body, a perfect glistening skin - you can see he's put work in! They've made sure to catch every angle, at least 4 pages of awesome images, and one double-spread. Forgive me if I drool, but that is one very, very good-looking...
Oops, someone's coming. Over to the Ladies' Magazines rack, and stick this one inside something tame. Just in case.
Oh, here's more! They've really captured the power of this one, with close-ups and everything. And a little dirt to emphasize how rugged the other one is. I like that. And Oh.My.Goodness - how does he do that? I'm examining it from every angle - I've got to go try that myself and see if it's even possible. Perhaps if I strip everything off I can get it right?
Now we're at the how-to's. I can use this info! I'm speed-reading, trying to cram it all into my head before I stick the magazine back on the shelf.
Even the classifieds make my mouth water. Those teaser thumbnail photos make me want to find a magnifying glass somewhere (wonder if this shop stocks them?) - but I don't think I can afford what they're offering. Not even the gadgets, though I wouldn't mind trying them out. It's mere window-shopping, and wipe the drool away.
Time to go - first put the magazine back, then return the "safe" one to where I found it, and perhaps no-one will notice. After all, chicks shouldn't be reading this stuff! Land Rover mags are for men only! :-)
In praise of the licence office
I bet you never expected me to say that the Department of Transport driver's licence office is doing well, especially with the recent hassles, now did you! But they are - at least here in Somerset West.
You see, our car licence office is seperate from the driver's licence office, which makes a HUGE difference. Even with the eNatis system issues, it took me a mere hour from start to finish to acquire ID photos, fill in the forms, do the eye test and fingerprinting, and get my licence renewal in - with receipt granted. It's going to take another 3-6 weeks before they issue the new one, but my licence will be valid for 3 months after the expiry date (in 2 weeks time), so we're good to go.
On the way out I walked past the Department of Home Affairs once-a-week office... the queue stretched all the way out onto the street and down the block. I'm very glad my passport only expires years from now.
So Somerset West office - you rock! Well done! Two of your staff could be a little friendlier, but good on ya for getting us through the system quickly and smoothly.
You see, our car licence office is seperate from the driver's licence office, which makes a HUGE difference. Even with the eNatis system issues, it took me a mere hour from start to finish to acquire ID photos, fill in the forms, do the eye test and fingerprinting, and get my licence renewal in - with receipt granted. It's going to take another 3-6 weeks before they issue the new one, but my licence will be valid for 3 months after the expiry date (in 2 weeks time), so we're good to go.
On the way out I walked past the Department of Home Affairs once-a-week office... the queue stretched all the way out onto the street and down the block. I'm very glad my passport only expires years from now.
So Somerset West office - you rock! Well done! Two of your staff could be a little friendlier, but good on ya for getting us through the system quickly and smoothly.
Loading..
Imagine if life were like a PS2 game (my son's has been "loading..." for about 6 minutes to get to the next level). If you walked to your front door, opened it, and saw "loading world, please be patient". You could be late for school and you'd still have to wait!Or if you got there, opened the door and it said, "You are Dead. Please go back to the stairs and start again".
Or - even worse - "Windows has caused an error in *unkown* and will now close. Whatever life you thought you had will be deleted. Please return to the womb."
Eish..!
Purpose
Someone should install a special lightbulb in showers that glows when you get a great idea - and then use that to power the nation. A much more reliable source of energy than Eskom!
Funny how much inspiration can strike in a single shower-session. Last night, case in point. I've been pondering some ideas and plans for a while, but it's all been going around in circles. No direction to be found, simply treading water while I slowly bang my head on a wall with what seems insurmountable obstacles between me and where I want to be. Within 5 minutes of hot water pelting onto me, I'd not only sorted out that issue, but a couple more too! A few things have happened recently that have given me a renewed focus and determination to follow certain paths, and now I have a Plan. OK - there's still details to work out, and my lazy butt to get off (action required). But it's a start.
I may need to start taking showers on the hour every hour! Keep that flow going.
Now I just need to figure what to do about the other thing that hit me in the shower.. But more on that later, perhaps. We'll see (hell, I can't bare ALL now can I!? :-) ).
Funny how much inspiration can strike in a single shower-session. Last night, case in point. I've been pondering some ideas and plans for a while, but it's all been going around in circles. No direction to be found, simply treading water while I slowly bang my head on a wall with what seems insurmountable obstacles between me and where I want to be. Within 5 minutes of hot water pelting onto me, I'd not only sorted out that issue, but a couple more too! A few things have happened recently that have given me a renewed focus and determination to follow certain paths, and now I have a Plan. OK - there's still details to work out, and my lazy butt to get off (action required). But it's a start.
I may need to start taking showers on the hour every hour! Keep that flow going.
Now I just need to figure what to do about the other thing that hit me in the shower.. But more on that later, perhaps. We'll see (hell, I can't bare ALL now can I!? :-) ).
Monday.. again?
I have just one request. Please can we start the week on a Friday sometime? Today has hit and hit hard. Just when you think nothing else can happen, something does (ever been on the phone to someone and they walk into a shoot-out?).
Fortunately I have less than an hour left at work. After which I get to brave traffic with my noisy wheel and timing-out rattling engine, head home to a kid who has probably reckoned he won't make lunch cos the slave will be home soon to do supper (and will start asking for it the minute I walk in), and then get to do it all again tomorrow.
Hopefully on a bit more sleep than I had last night - was a pretty rough one with much head-sorting and decision-making going on between the weird and scary dreams and the lying awake in the dark.
Days like this happen. Usually on a Monday. I guess it's just par for the course. Deep breath, and on with life's the only way to go.
Fortunately I have less than an hour left at work. After which I get to brave traffic with my noisy wheel and timing-out rattling engine, head home to a kid who has probably reckoned he won't make lunch cos the slave will be home soon to do supper (and will start asking for it the minute I walk in), and then get to do it all again tomorrow.
Hopefully on a bit more sleep than I had last night - was a pretty rough one with much head-sorting and decision-making going on between the weird and scary dreams and the lying awake in the dark.
Days like this happen. Usually on a Monday. I guess it's just par for the course. Deep breath, and on with life's the only way to go.
Dangerous
The trouble with reading LRO magazines is this - you suddenly start getting brain over-drive. All sorts of ideas, questions, what-if's, thoughts, all churning around in the grey matter soup until the 5-day headache you're still dealing with only gets worse!
I'm just getting started on sorting out Olivia, there's a good few pages of to-do's on my list, but it's very very easy to get carried away. Or so I'm learning. There are many things I have to do, more that I want to do, and a couple that would be awesome to do. Then there are the things I haven't even considered doing - and thus the LRO-reading comes into play.
They love to feature reader's Landys, ones that have been sorted out in ways that I haven't even heard of (not that that's too hard to accomplish, with my minimal knowledge). Add in an awesome resident expert (my go-to) with even more ideas and is it any wonder my head feels close to exploding?
Solution? Write everything down. Ask in little pieces. Think first, before asking. Chuck asking some things altogether. And read copiously just in case the answers are right there in front of you.
Then take a long break away from anything Landy and a few deep breaths so you can cease feeling overwhelmed.
I'm just getting started on sorting out Olivia, there's a good few pages of to-do's on my list, but it's very very easy to get carried away. Or so I'm learning. There are many things I have to do, more that I want to do, and a couple that would be awesome to do. Then there are the things I haven't even considered doing - and thus the LRO-reading comes into play.
They love to feature reader's Landys, ones that have been sorted out in ways that I haven't even heard of (not that that's too hard to accomplish, with my minimal knowledge). Add in an awesome resident expert (my go-to) with even more ideas and is it any wonder my head feels close to exploding?
Solution? Write everything down. Ask in little pieces. Think first, before asking. Chuck asking some things altogether. And read copiously just in case the answers are right there in front of you.
Then take a long break away from anything Landy and a few deep breaths so you can cease feeling overwhelmed.
Poison
There's a first time for everything. Last night it was my turn to have hate-mail show up in my inbox. Not to the extent that Peas has had to deal with, but still nasty.
These things happen I guess...
These things happen I guess...
Red vs Blue
It's sometimes quite amusing living in close proximity to a bunch of other people. Take tonight for example.
The Reds are playing the Blue Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria in the Vodacom Super 14 rugby. It's near the end of the whole tournament, so there are high stakes.
Now on one side I have a very quiet neighbour and his wife. But when the sport kicks in I literally don't need a TV. I hear him whooping and carrying on, whether it's rugby or cricket. I can almost tell the score by his shouting, if I stand in the bathroom and lean out the window a bit.
On the other side is an Afrikaans family, abundant with kids. Tonight they've fired up the braai, hauled out the beer, and have another 4 cars of equally-procreative friends over. I've just heard an "Oooooooo...." from them - I guess something not-so-good happened.. :-) About an hour ago the kids were running around screaming, the braai was wafting the aroma - nay, stink - of what smells like dodgy meat over the wall, and De La Rey was blasting forth while the men gathered around the fire. (There's a whole other post about what impact that song's had recently, but I won't go there yet) Now the meat's been deserted, there's not a peep out of the kids and no-one outside. The rugby's on!
And I'm amused.
Oh dear, there goes De La Rey again...
Between both neighbours (and perhaps the lot across the road who seem to be hunkered down in front of flickering screens too), I really don't need access to the sport channel to know whether we're winning or losing. I can just open my window and get the whole spiel, live. Without having to watch it.
Now, I wonder if I should churn things up a bit and scream for the Reds... ;-)
::update::
Good thing I didn't - final score: Blues 92, Reds 3....!!!
The Reds are playing the Blue Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria in the Vodacom Super 14 rugby. It's near the end of the whole tournament, so there are high stakes.
Now on one side I have a very quiet neighbour and his wife. But when the sport kicks in I literally don't need a TV. I hear him whooping and carrying on, whether it's rugby or cricket. I can almost tell the score by his shouting, if I stand in the bathroom and lean out the window a bit.
On the other side is an Afrikaans family, abundant with kids. Tonight they've fired up the braai, hauled out the beer, and have another 4 cars of equally-procreative friends over. I've just heard an "Oooooooo...." from them - I guess something not-so-good happened.. :-) About an hour ago the kids were running around screaming, the braai was wafting the aroma - nay, stink - of what smells like dodgy meat over the wall, and De La Rey was blasting forth while the men gathered around the fire. (There's a whole other post about what impact that song's had recently, but I won't go there yet) Now the meat's been deserted, there's not a peep out of the kids and no-one outside. The rugby's on!
And I'm amused.
Oh dear, there goes De La Rey again...
Between both neighbours (and perhaps the lot across the road who seem to be hunkered down in front of flickering screens too), I really don't need access to the sport channel to know whether we're winning or losing. I can just open my window and get the whole spiel, live. Without having to watch it.
Now, I wonder if I should churn things up a bit and scream for the Reds... ;-)
::update::
Good thing I didn't - final score: Blues 92, Reds 3....!!!
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I'd rather be...
It's a stunner of a day. Autumn has gone on holiday briefly, leaving us with peak temperatures in the summer range, although it was still chilly and surface-damp this morning.
Not the kind of day one can lie abed, especially when there's a long to-do list waiting. Yes, traditionally this is my rest day, but there are many ways to rest, and mine is a "doing something different from the other days" working rest this time around.
I was up at around 7, before the sun had even peeked over the mountains. While the mood lasted I tackled a load of house tasks before breakfast. Gave the dogs some attention, aired some bedding, re-arranged a couple of things indside and out, and the rest of the day can now be spent outdoors enjoying the marvellous weather.
I will be getting my hands dirty a little on my Landy (I wasn't that attached to my long nails anyway...), but also taking a bit of time out later on to simply be still and let body and soul catch up to each other again.
This week I've somehow found a new enthusiasm for things that I'd let slide, that had been put on the back burners. I've got a plan, a timeline, an attitude that says "it's about time you got this one sorted". I've been doing some hard thinking too on what I'm willing to give up to achieve my goals (like sleep, perhaps), and how I can go about putting rather large dreams into motion. Although there are times I sit thinking "I'd rather be...", I'm starting to pour my energy and attention into each task I'm involved in, as I'm doing it, give things my full attention and do them properly - leaving me less frustrated and more productive in many ways.
Today I'm "lus vir die lewe" (ready to tackle life), energized and feeling more than a little driven to get stuff done. Which means it's time to publish this and get going. Before the day passes by.
Not the kind of day one can lie abed, especially when there's a long to-do list waiting. Yes, traditionally this is my rest day, but there are many ways to rest, and mine is a "doing something different from the other days" working rest this time around.
I was up at around 7, before the sun had even peeked over the mountains. While the mood lasted I tackled a load of house tasks before breakfast. Gave the dogs some attention, aired some bedding, re-arranged a couple of things indside and out, and the rest of the day can now be spent outdoors enjoying the marvellous weather.
I will be getting my hands dirty a little on my Landy (I wasn't that attached to my long nails anyway...), but also taking a bit of time out later on to simply be still and let body and soul catch up to each other again.
This week I've somehow found a new enthusiasm for things that I'd let slide, that had been put on the back burners. I've got a plan, a timeline, an attitude that says "it's about time you got this one sorted". I've been doing some hard thinking too on what I'm willing to give up to achieve my goals (like sleep, perhaps), and how I can go about putting rather large dreams into motion. Although there are times I sit thinking "I'd rather be...", I'm starting to pour my energy and attention into each task I'm involved in, as I'm doing it, give things my full attention and do them properly - leaving me less frustrated and more productive in many ways.
Today I'm "lus vir die lewe" (ready to tackle life), energized and feeling more than a little driven to get stuff done. Which means it's time to publish this and get going. Before the day passes by.
Self-therapy
Quite unexpectedly this week I had something dug up from way into my subconcious, an attitude and decision that goes back at least 15 years if not more, that has languished forgotten way below everything else but affected me in ways I hadn't fully realized or remembered.
Yet suddenly it resurfaced. I'm not going to go into details here, but it gave me a few rather restless nights, and one nearly sleepless one. I was tempted to bury it for another 15 years, to simply ignore the issue and let it slide again, do my usual response and carry on as if nothing had happened.
Except it had. Somehow this one needed airing, thinking about, and sorting out. Now.
I don't know why I put it off for all those years. Why I avoided sitting still and working it through until I had direction, closure and a solid road ahead. Although it may be one of the hardest things yet to do and still scares me deep down more than a little, I've sorted it. I've dusted it off, examined it closely, spotted the holes, the why's and wherefore's and sent it on its way. Choices made, attitudes adjusted, every angle and scenario thought out and confirmed - I'm strong enough for this one after all, able to face what I feared, look it in the eye without flinching.
A whole lot cheaper than paying someone to listen to me... :-)
Yet suddenly it resurfaced. I'm not going to go into details here, but it gave me a few rather restless nights, and one nearly sleepless one. I was tempted to bury it for another 15 years, to simply ignore the issue and let it slide again, do my usual response and carry on as if nothing had happened.
Except it had. Somehow this one needed airing, thinking about, and sorting out. Now.
I don't know why I put it off for all those years. Why I avoided sitting still and working it through until I had direction, closure and a solid road ahead. Although it may be one of the hardest things yet to do and still scares me deep down more than a little, I've sorted it. I've dusted it off, examined it closely, spotted the holes, the why's and wherefore's and sent it on its way. Choices made, attitudes adjusted, every angle and scenario thought out and confirmed - I'm strong enough for this one after all, able to face what I feared, look it in the eye without flinching.
A whole lot cheaper than paying someone to listen to me... :-)
Gym se Voet!
(if you don't understand the heading, ask your nearest South African - there's sure to be one close by)
I spent the whole of Tuesday working on Olivia. Mostly climbing on her and reaching up to bolts way above my head. Then a bit of wrestling with things that had rusted together, and pulling on stuck stuff. Crawling on teak roofrack boards on my hands and knees, and a slight bit of heavy lifting.
Needless to say I was stiff the next day! Even turning over in bed that night picked out all sorts of bruised bits and scrapes I hadn't seen. I'm still noticing cuts on my hands at odd times.
But there's nothing like working the muscles to get them back into use again after they've siezed up - even if your legs wobble in near collapse while you're at it (I never realized how many stairs we have!).
Tonight it was back to sorting out the last few struts that need to come off. I finally had an extra pair of hands (bribery does wonders), but they still took some doing. And this weekend will be more of the same. I'm on a roll - I'm doing as much of the "free" stuff as I can, while I can.
Who needs gym when you have a Landy!!!
I spent the whole of Tuesday working on Olivia. Mostly climbing on her and reaching up to bolts way above my head. Then a bit of wrestling with things that had rusted together, and pulling on stuck stuff. Crawling on teak roofrack boards on my hands and knees, and a slight bit of heavy lifting.
Needless to say I was stiff the next day! Even turning over in bed that night picked out all sorts of bruised bits and scrapes I hadn't seen. I'm still noticing cuts on my hands at odd times.
But there's nothing like working the muscles to get them back into use again after they've siezed up - even if your legs wobble in near collapse while you're at it (I never realized how many stairs we have!).
Tonight it was back to sorting out the last few struts that need to come off. I finally had an extra pair of hands (bribery does wonders), but they still took some doing. And this weekend will be more of the same. I'm on a roll - I'm doing as much of the "free" stuff as I can, while I can.
Who needs gym when you have a Landy!!!
Brick Wall
Funny how some days just deteriorate. One small disaster leads to a quick downhill slip into "having a bad day".
Yesterday was just such a day... though not at first. It only kicked in around 4.
Between unintentionally p'ing someone off, the car giving me such hassles that I didn't think I'd make it home, traffic a nightmare, and then coming home to find that my son's cellphone had been stolen while at school, add in struggles with Olivia, cluelessness as to precisely what was going on in the Ford that's giving me hassles, frustration at not being able to fix that back wheel (though I can describe the issue in detail), and suddenly discovering we're out of milk. Some of them are relatively small things - but you add them up and suddenly it feels like a storm.
Every so often I get the impression that I can fight as much as I like, but I'm getting nowhere.
When a day like this strikes there's only one thing to do. Head out to Olivia, haul yourself up on to a wing, lie back and watch the stars come out in peace and quiet. Oh, and have a good cry. That always helps.
Hoping today won't feel like I'm constantly hitting myself against a brick wall, getting nowhere, swimming upstream and all that...
(wonderful cellphone-quality pic of the view from Olivia's bumper)
Yesterday was just such a day... though not at first. It only kicked in around 4.
Between unintentionally p'ing someone off, the car giving me such hassles that I didn't think I'd make it home, traffic a nightmare, and then coming home to find that my son's cellphone had been stolen while at school, add in struggles with Olivia, cluelessness as to precisely what was going on in the Ford that's giving me hassles, frustration at not being able to fix that back wheel (though I can describe the issue in detail), and suddenly discovering we're out of milk. Some of them are relatively small things - but you add them up and suddenly it feels like a storm.
Every so often I get the impression that I can fight as much as I like, but I'm getting nowhere.
When a day like this strikes there's only one thing to do. Head out to Olivia, haul yourself up on to a wing, lie back and watch the stars come out in peace and quiet. Oh, and have a good cry. That always helps.
Hoping today won't feel like I'm constantly hitting myself against a brick wall, getting nowhere, swimming upstream and all that...
(wonderful cellphone-quality pic of the view from Olivia's bumper)
Monday-Monday(Wednesday)
All these public holidays are confusing me. It feels like Monday, but it's Wednesday - and I have to remember to put out the garbage for collection tonight. There's still only me and one other here, so it's quiet.. but... lots to do! Roads/commute hell! Car driving me nuts. Still.
It's misty/rainy outside today - after a beautiful day yesterday winter's kicked in again. Last night saw a cold front move in on the most incredible sunset, so it's back to the cycle of heat and cold, rain and shine as the seasons change.
Meantime I sit here with a lot of work wanting my attention, and all I want to do is go get back into sorting Olivia! It's the one thing that might actually get rid of the stiffness that's setting in... though it probably won't help the bruises any.
It's misty/rainy outside today - after a beautiful day yesterday winter's kicked in again. Last night saw a cold front move in on the most incredible sunset, so it's back to the cycle of heat and cold, rain and shine as the seasons change.
Meantime I sit here with a lot of work wanting my attention, and all I want to do is go get back into sorting Olivia! It's the one thing that might actually get rid of the stiffness that's setting in... though it probably won't help the bruises any.
Dirty 'n Sweaty
I'm between home-style jobs at the moment, taking a little break while some penetrating oil ... well... penetrates.
But it's another very busy day here! Car day. Or rather, Landy day.
Last week I made a huge to-do list with the aim of getting Olivia sorted out, just the way I want her, and the very best she can be. Today I started on that to-do list.
I'm working my way from the top down, so the past few hours have been spent wrestling with a rooftop tent. I may be on the short side, but I did manage to single-handedly get the darn thing off. Found some interesting stuff in it.. :-)
Next up is the roofrack - which necessitates spot-light removal too. I'm stripping her down to the basics, then working back up again, and it's no easy task. She's been through a lot so there's quite a bit that needs doing. It's going to take time, effort and probably a good deal of cash - but I've started at long last.
This is the kind of stuff I love. Wrestling with mechanical and other inanimate objects. Figuring out what needs to happen where, impressing even myself with my marvellous innovations (like using a mattress to get that tent off the roof, via the bonnet...). Though I admit occasionally I dazzle myself with stupidity too! But these things happen.
I had nails earlier today. I had a clean shirt and jeans. I smelt sweet and looked good. Now, not so much. There's at least one scrape that decided to bleed, the nails are gone, and there's bits of grime all over the place. I'm sweaty and dirty and pleased as punch :-) Yeah, I'm weird.
And so on to the next big task! Which surely won't be as physically hard as shifting that tent.
But it's another very busy day here! Car day. Or rather, Landy day.
Last week I made a huge to-do list with the aim of getting Olivia sorted out, just the way I want her, and the very best she can be. Today I started on that to-do list.
I'm working my way from the top down, so the past few hours have been spent wrestling with a rooftop tent. I may be on the short side, but I did manage to single-handedly get the darn thing off. Found some interesting stuff in it.. :-)
Next up is the roofrack - which necessitates spot-light removal too. I'm stripping her down to the basics, then working back up again, and it's no easy task. She's been through a lot so there's quite a bit that needs doing. It's going to take time, effort and probably a good deal of cash - but I've started at long last.
This is the kind of stuff I love. Wrestling with mechanical and other inanimate objects. Figuring out what needs to happen where, impressing even myself with my marvellous innovations (like using a mattress to get that tent off the roof, via the bonnet...). Though I admit occasionally I dazzle myself with stupidity too! But these things happen.
I had nails earlier today. I had a clean shirt and jeans. I smelt sweet and looked good. Now, not so much. There's at least one scrape that decided to bleed, the nails are gone, and there's bits of grime all over the place. I'm sweaty and dirty and pleased as punch :-) Yeah, I'm weird.
And so on to the next big task! Which surely won't be as physically hard as shifting that tent.
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