The worst in 7 years

It was supposed to be the worst storm in 7 years to hit Cape Town. We were told to stock up on canned food and batteries. It hit at about 17:30 on Saturday and it was big like an ant is big in a microscopic world would be... Make no mistake, it was a vicious storm that went on for a whole 20 min and the rain was non stop sheets of water. The waves were huge and we watched them break right over the breakwater into the harbour. At the end of the day, there was alot of rain and some foam in Granger Bay. These Capetonians know how to exaggerate. There was a much bigger storm my first year in Cape Town which was only about 5 years ago. It is however at times like these, where I truely feel the presence of God. Not when the sun is shining or its nice out there, but when its storming and the water is gushing down and the sea is choppy and the water are huge. That is when I realise the power and might of God.

Friday Therapy

I did some Friday retail therapy today.  Went out to get some "work" clothes for my new job.  Something like a long sleeve shirt, and a short sleeve one, and shoes.   Maybe another pair of pants.  I came home, very successfully, with a waistcoat, a bamboo steamer, and a shirt from Hang Ten.  Clearly I achieved all my shopping goals.  So tomorrow I have to go again and try to stick to what I need.  Its this new job that's got my head spinning.  I am still very nervous about it.  At least its Friday and tomorrow we have haircut and shopping to look forward to.  I think this is the only facet of the gay gene I inherited.  The shopping part, but then I hate shopping centres, so I am back to square one again!!!

For Tristan

The other way.

A day In Cape Town

This is more of an update as to what is happening.  Its a grey and dreary day in Cape Town, but I am feeling quite good.  My head has stopped pounding from the sign post, I have signed and sealed a new job starting on Monday (now I think I should have taken another week off),  I have an amazing boyfriend that makes me feel really good and has so much faith in me, and I live in Cape Town!!!!  Of course there are a few things that are still not fixed properly.  Lucca's ear is still very bad, both actually, and he might need to be drugged for a few days.  I have put on weight, and need to get motivated to go to gym again.  I constantly think about a looming house hunt and move (which, if you know me, you know puts me in an instant depression).  I think the best thing to do is to go shopping.  Shoes maybe... actually I HAVE to go shopping for shoes, but for work, so its not even fun!!! 

For Suchi

If you still read my blog, we have a saying here in South Africa:

"Wathint' Abafazi Wathint' Imbokodo...."

That translates to:

"You strike a woman, you strike a rock..."

Keep on doing your good work.

An ass bumpes his head...

I was on my way this morning to send my signed contract to my new employer, and stopped to draw some money. Thinking about the new job and about various other things, I didn't notice the sign post and hit my head against it. At first I thought I was being hit in the face, with a rock. After realising what had happened, I felt very stupid and started blaming the open door of the car I was trying to avoid and therefore flattening my face on the sign post. Later on, after a conversation with Tristan about my job and salary, I started thinking that maybe this was symbolizing me hitting my head against a brick wall AGAIN with another dead end job. It is on secret that I am a little sacred of this job and this made me even more worried. The universe was telling me I am hitting my head again, Tristan was making me aware of one or two things about the new contract. So am I making another mistake? Well only time will tell but I am positive about this and I think the doubt comes from the knock against my head, and its is throbbing like a bitch! I think I have a concussion...

Reflecting time

These few days I have had off, has forced me to reflect on my life, my job, my career and my ability to do the job.  I have a job offer at the moment, that seems very good.  The salary should be quite good, promotions should be easy, shaping my career will be very worth it, the company is fantastic and well know, and the product I will be selling is really good.  The problem is the job function.  I am scared shitless to start something now, at the TENDER age of 32, that I have never done before in my life.  A job I have no faith in that I can do, although everybody around me seems to think I can.  What do I do.  Do I go for the safe, always JC option, or do I take on the challenge and entertain the possibility that I might fail and it might not work, but at least I have tried and at least I have worked my brain.  It is such a difficult decision, because I am so scared of the future.  I will keep you updated as to what my decision is.  Bad or good!

Wise Chinese sayings

From the wise Master Oogway:

Yesterday is History

Tomorrow is Unknown

Today is a gift, that's why its called the Present

Tristan and Matrix

Saturday night. Bed time. One bottle wine later. Tristan and Matrix.

Update on Lucca

So I have to take Lucca to the vet on Monday for a biopsy that has to be done on his ears.  The vet is going to put him under, and then first look to see if there is anything in his ears, and if he cant find anything, he will do the biopsy.  As usual I am a little nervous, coz Lucca doesn't like vets, and he is hyper sensitive to anaesthetics.  I am sure he will be fine but I have to worry as his "dad".  Tristan, he is not playing on my feelings, he is really bothered by those ears, and he is my baby.... 

On the Job front

So there is just time for a very quick update on my situation.  I went for a very energetic and exhilarating interview today with a tour operator in Somerset West.  They were so impressed with my presentation that they practically offered me a job on the spot.  They have to just work out salaries and stuff and will get back to me next week.  I also got a call from a company I have been to for interviews in the past two weeks, and they also offered me a job.  By next week I will have two job proposals I will have to choose from.  The thing about the job interview today, made me feel alive again and I felt extremely upset about my previous job, where I was grossly under utilised.  These people today were hanging on every word I was saying and treated me with the respect and admiration my level of experience deserves. 

I am feeling very excited about my future and am happy I have a (two) job offer on the table.  Off to bed now next to my gorgeous man!!!

First day

So today is my first day of being at home, because I have no job.  Its sort of interesting.  On the one hand I feel like I am on holiday and I spent more time with my dogs.  On the other hand, I am stressing my ass off because I need a job so I can pay my bills at the end of the month.  I have spent the past day and a half doing a presentation for an interview.  Everybody here please hold thumbs for me.  I am not sure what to do with myself.  All in all, its not a good thing.  I need a job!!!

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

GIVE   GET

GIVE   GET

GIVE   GET

GIVE   GET

Forgive & Forget (Benita wins!!!!)

Today's riddle:

E   E   E   E

E   WIN   E 

E   E   E   E

Dark Night

There is a saying, (from that ever wise man - Batman) 'the night is always darkest just before the light'. If this is the case, then I am expecting one hell of a bright flash when the sun rises again. Yesterday and today has been very trying. I found out yesterday that my company was in fact not closing down, they are just retrenching me, due to financial constraints. I realise its a business decision, but that doesn't make it better. I feel like crawling into a hole and staying there for a while. Naturally, I don't have another job yet, so after today, which is my last day, I am at home waiting for some good news, as I have applied to something. So it is very appropriate that today is so misty that you can't see in front of you. That is how I feel today. I can see this other job right in front of me, but it is not clear and I can only see it when I get right up to it. If I make a mistake here, like on the road in the mist, it can cause me to make an accident and crash!!

I love metaphors.....So needless to say, I might not be posting so often for the next few weeks, as I will not have access to a computer.

And now it is off to search for a job, while I waiter in Manhattans again, at age 32....God sure knows how to humble a bloke!!

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

THOUGHT AN

An Afterthought

Today's riddle:

GIVE GET
GIVE GET
GIVE GET
GIVE GET

Crap

Its a crap ending to a crap day. I am deleting emails, copying files and doing stuff to clean my laptop, because I am not coming into work tomorrow. Its crap and I hate it!

Lucca's ear

I am a little worried about my oldest (dog) ear. He has had these dry tips for a long time, and the vet assured me its nothing to worry about. Problem is now that he has developed a sore on the left ear tip and it is getting bigger and it is irritating him more and more now. Yesterday I got home and my entire kitchen was redecorated with red blood spats on EVERYTHING. Washing machine, oven, doors, floor. It was like little sprays of blood, and the wound on his ear was open again and he had blood all on his neck. Clearly it opened and he shook his head, coz he does that constantly at the moment. This is however a superficial problem. I know my dog very well, and he has been through ALLOT. He is extremely sensitive and at the moment he is not in a good frame of mind. He is used to having me around all the time. I used to leave him alone for work, but was there right after work, and took him for walks everyday. Now I spend much less time at home, and when I am at home, it is only to sleep, so I get home, and we go straight to bed. He doesn't get to see me as much at all anymore, and I don't go for as many walks with them. I realise my House is not perfect and it is not bright and cheerful, but it is still my house, and I still live there for the next few months, and I want to spend more time at home and with my dogs. I know I sound like a pathetic queen about his dogs, but it was Lucca who was there for me through everything I have been through, and I am his protector and only "alpha dog". I will see what the vet has to say this afternoon.

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

Jack in a box

Today's riddle:

THOUGHT AN

Flagging issues

My cousin posted something about flags on his blog, so I decided to chirp in and give my 5c worth. When it comes to the flag, I am pretty clear cut about my opinion. I think the new flag is very pretty. Its a nice design, very African, which we all are, and really colourful. It is however, NOT a national flag. It does not represent the nation, nor can it be taken serious as an international symbol of our freedom. Apart from the few white people with their guilt feelings, there is not much buy in to the new flag. Its just not sophisticated enough. As for our old flag, I understand that there is a hell of a lot of negative feelings towards the flag, because of what it represented (apartheid era). However, this is the one and only flag I grew up with. This is the flag that I knew and learnt about in school. This is a flag with meaning, purpose and a history. It was embraced by people, even the oppressed, who only had an issue with it after we got democracy. This flag had National status and was very sophisticated.

Do we need a new flag? FOR SURE. As much as I love the old flag, I realise that the bastards in charge turned the flag into something vulgar and obscene by using it as their symbol of oppression. There has been too many killed or hurt in the name of the old flag. We can not go on with that flag, and build a harmonious, collective nation.

Is the new flag IT? HELL NO. I think the new flag was chosen in haste and we need a flag that will firstly unite us all, and secondly give us pride to watch it fly in any country overseas. Also it must have some sort of sophistication to it, and some sort of history and meaning. Not just a colourful, African art work.

Lost friends

This is to say goodbye to a friend, who even though she is not here anymore, will hopefully still read this. Thanks for making the last few weeks bearable here, and I hope you are happy and successful where you are going. Never change who you are or how much you fart!!!!

Mensa or Mense

Friday's riddle:

MARY

+MARY

Summary

Today's riddle:

Native decoration

Thought I would as a swan song to my belly ring, sport some ethnic jewelry.

Weekend walkabout

This weekend walking is becoming a regular thing, and I am liking it. Fair enough I am a little unfit and huff and puff a little, but with scenery like this, how can you not want to walkabout. We walked from Rhodes Memorial along the mountain towards Woodstock and found our perfect city retreat. One day we will own that nice house in the middle of the city, set in a nature reserve. As usual the boys loved the walk and I hope we will be doing many more beautiful walks in nature.

The Olympics and a Fat belly

So I am lying here in bed watching the Olympics with the sound turned down, coz Tristan is still sleeping, and I cant help but look at all these well toned, extremely fit athletes competing in their various sports and doing so well and looking so good. This of course after I was called fat twice last night. So needless to say I am feeling a little less than gorgeous today. I think I will make my way to gym.....and spend the entire day there. It is amazing how we are so body conscious and aesthetically programmed, no matter what we say to others, that a little remark about how our body shapes have changed still does make us feel crap, even if it is just for a little while, and even if it is just a little crap. Yea, I think I am going to drag my whale-blubber-body out of bed and spend the whole day at gym, and have celery for lunch.

Birthday Time

Happy 33rd birthday my cousin (for yesterday).

Road Trip

Yesterday we did a road trip back from Mossel Baai, after the funeral and after the packing up of the house. It was a very emotional day for everybody there, and even I battled to be strong as I was missing my gran. We packed little Attila (my corsa bakkie) full of furniture to be brought back from Tristan's grandfather's place, and set off for the road back home. We didn't speak much as I think Tristan is still trying to digest the whole situation, but we drove through these fields upon fields of Canola flowers. They were beautiful and glowing yellow in the sun between the green fields. Barring having to stop every 70km to adjust the load on the back (actually only the blanket covering everything), the trip went fairly well and Attila did very well with the heavy load. As we got to Cape Town, we were greeted with one of the prettiest sunsets this year. Tristan is exhausted today, and I think it is all emotional exhaustion. Rest easy my babe.

Mensa or Mense

Tuesday's riddle:

CHEESE

Blue Cheese

Today's riddle:

MARRY
+MARRY

After the service

So we spent the morning in two services for the oupa, and now we are having lunch at the point. Its amazing how a funeral can bring up previous things in your own life. I missed my gran this morning and thought about her often today.

Slow day

I cant believe how this day is dragging out. Its only 9:00 and it feels like I have been here for about 6 hours already. Maybe its because I am not going out on calls at the moment, due to the situation in the office. Staying in the office is not my favourite thing, and sure as hell is helping nothing to make my brain work better. The amount of cups of coffee and tea I have drunk in the past two weeks are unbelievable. Everybody else here still have work to do, that keeps them busy during the day, but for a sales rep....THERE IS NOTHING TO DO!!!! I think I am going to start developing "migraines" or "stomach bugs" so I can sit at home and loose my mind, rather than being here loosing my mind. At least tomorrow and Thursday I am out of the office, but its not a happy trip. We are driving down to Mosselbay for the funeral on Thursday. Its time to shine and make my "ray of light" designation a well deserved one.

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

3 OUT
2 OUT
1 OUT

Outnumbered three to one

Today's riddle:

CHEESE

As promised

I am adding a category to my earlier post Gymology as promised to Tristan:

The Hotty:

This is the guy who goes to gym, coz he wants to gym. He thinks he needs to bulk up or cut or get a six pack, but the fact of the matter is, he is perfect the way he is. He wonders around gym, completely clueless of just how hot he is, and how many others notice the same thing. He takes gym sort of seriously, but doesn't let it rule his life. This is the kinda gym bunny I like....

A Good Life

I am sorry I never got to know him, coz he sounds like a really nice oupa. I am sure he lived a great life and I am sure you had a wonderful few years with him. I am sorry I never met him, but I can imagine the eventful life he had. Flying a plane in the war, watching Cape Town and Mosselbay grow from little fisherman's villages to the cities they are today. I am sorry I never got to see him, but mostly I am sorry for your loss, and as much as I say here, or anywhere at anytime, it will not make it feel better or hurt less. Just know that I will carry you through this, with my prayers, and pray that this time goes by with less pain, remembering what a great, full life your grandfather lived.

Mensa or Mense

Friday's riddle:

COVER

COVER HEAD COVER

COVER

Head for cover

Today's riddle:

3 OUT

2 OUT

1 OUT

A walk in the clouds

We went walking in the mountains near Kalk Bay today. It was magnificent. All four of us (Lucca, Leche, Tristan and I) were very excited as we love walking in nature and we love the mountains. We walked for about 2 hours and after about an hour both of us started complaining of those darn knees. Found the Spes Bona forest and walked through there. The walk was high up and the scenery was fantastic. On the way back to the car, we were in the shadow of the mountain and after about walking with no shirts on, we quickly remembered it was still winter. Lucca started complaining because he was freezing and before long, secured himself a cosy spot in Tristan's arms. Where I want to be now. This sunday was a good one, ending off with pies and the tea.

Call Centre Staff

If you HAVE to have a call centre, then at least have people who have mastered the art of that mystical language we call English. Don't have quota personnel that cant even come down from the tree yet, let alone speak on a telephone!!!!!! VODACOM SUCKS!!!!!

Gymology

I have recently been very lazy to go to gym, as the only inspiration for gym, usually walks away and does something far away from me, so I cant always see him (yes its you Nana). Needless to say when I do drag myself to gym, I end up sitting at a machine (in between reps) staring at the different people at the gym. The different stereo types that frequent the gym are amazing.

The Bodybuilder:

This is the guy that is usually in his late 30's up, who is so big, that he can not walk through a door without turning sideways. Still at gym every night, putting every single free weight on the bench press machine, gets a crowd gathering around him, and then does two reps while huffing and puffing very loudly....

The Trainee Bodybuilder:

AKA the bodybuilders bitch. This is a younger version of the above, but not yet as big. In fact, they are normally not big at all. They have one part of their bodies that are big (usually arms) and that's it. Follows the BB around like a lapdog, doing everything they tell them to not even questioning why and how.

The Model/Actor/Waiter/Health freak:

These are my favourites. They are usually very good looking (sometimes way too good looking), and as dumb as a sheet of paper curtain. They call everybody "bru" and talk incessantly about their boring weekend at Fashion Cafe and the amount of "chicks" that were after them (your Mens Health boy Tristan).

The Trendoids:

The latest sneakers, the trendiest vests, the cutest gym shorts, or newest tracksuit pants, all designed to look like they have worn them for years and have been in them the whole day. Joburg hair, prancing around gym doing nothing but chat to other trendoids about their latest acquisition of the best piece of real estate in the city centre. YAWN!!!!!!!

The Fags:

Of course they are there, and for them there is a whole sub-section that I am not even going to delve into now. They come in different forms, shapes, and trends, but are all there for the same reason. Trying to bulk up and muscle up, so that they look very straight, and hopefully bag a straight guy in the process.

Its amazing how these different types of gymers get forces into this confined space, and get along, but outside in the real world, they all want to avoid and kill each other. This is what I think about while I have to be training and getting a six pack to compete with Tristan's developing one....

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

STAND
DO YOU?

Do you understand?

Today's riddle:

COVER

COVER HEAD COVER

COVER

Working with woman

Before I start this post, I need to make it clear that I am by no means a chauvinistic, woman-hating, pig (sit down Bruce). I just speak from experience, my experience. I have always maintained that I prefer female bosses to male bosses, purely because, well, female bosses aren't offended, or scared of me being gay....Believe me, it happens. However, in the past 6 months, I have changed my tune slightly. The hypotheses is: Female bosses are better than male bosses, providing that the environment in which they rule, are dominated by males. The minute you have a bunch of woman working together, you have chaos. I have never experienced backstabbing, bitching, falseness and the likes, as I have with my current job. I am the only male, amongst 5 females in our company. They ALL talk to me about each other, but when they talk to each other, they tell each other that I said things about them. Also, they are unbelievably bitch and snappy and change from being your best friend one day, to biting your head off the next for asking them to pass the stapler. Then there is the week a month where all of this female hate and backstabbing intensifies, and then there is no way that any sane man can work with that. But the best part is when they decide to exercise their right to be a working mom. They fall pregnant, get UBER bitchy for 8 months, leave for 4 and come back half day, for more money, and still taking days off because of their children. Woman are unproductive when they mate.... This has made me believe that maybe 'someone' was right when they said they believe woman should stay at home and look after children and cook, and leave the office work to men. Again, I don't dislike woman, I just think that the ones I work with now, has jaded me a little.

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:






Reading between the lines

Today's riddle:

STAND
DO YOU?

Have you ever...

Have you ever just had an all of a sudden change of heart and felt like you want to sit in a corner and just cry....Have you ever felt like you want to disappear and come back in a few days time....Have you ever felt like things are getting so difficult that you want to crawl under your bed and never come out again....Have you ever felt like crying for no reason at all. Just cry for hours and hours and hours.....Oh, neither have I then....

Supper

Had a really good supper with some friends last night. Food was good as usual and the conversation was very interesting and at times enlighten. As with this particular ex party couple, the conversation turned to addicts and addictions, and one of the ex party goers was speaking about how the program they are in, doesn't speak about or mention drugs being bad, its more about the relationship you have with it, and your addiction to it that is dealt with. I have a bit of a problem with that (time for me to get onto my soapbox). There is nothing that anybody can say or do that makes drugs ok. It is an evil thing that destroys lives and kills people. The effects of drugs not only ruin your life, but also that of those around you. You might think you are shit cool when you are out of your mind, and you might think it is ok and people like you, but the reality of it all is.....you are a tosser. You act like a bastard, you think only of yourself (but not hard enough coz you are busy killing your braincells and your body), and in fact you are the furthest away from cool, that you can ever be. And by the way...just because EVERYBODY is doing it, and EVERYBODY thinks they are shit hot, doesn't make it so.....

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

E

MORE MORE

MORE MORE

Ready for more

Today's riddle:

Harvest of Hope

So we have started getting fresh, organic veggies from the Harvest of Hope project. Every week, on a Tuesday, we get a crate of veggies and it costs us R85 (this week the crate contained: Bunch of carrots, bunch of radishes, bunch of beetroot, bunch of parsley, bunch of collard greens, bunch of swiss chard, two heads of broccoli, one head of collie flower, about 10 small potatoes and some sage). These come from the townships surrounding Cape Town. Grown by the residents of these townships and collected by the Harvest of Hope project and then distributed to LOADS of people around the city. This is a fantastic situation. We get fresh, organic veggies every week, and the township residence have jobs and are business owners. EVERYBODY wins. There are of course issues with this system as with everything. Firstly, you cant choose your veggies, you have to take what they give you. Secondly, nothing is marked, and for a child of the 2000's, this is an issue for me, as I don't know what anything looks like. I know what the packet says, and that's what I buy. Thirdly, because the veggies are all organic, there is nothing sprayed or injected to make them last forever, so they start wilting after 4 days. That however just means that they are fresh and REAL.

Thank you citizens of the many shacked communities around Cape Town for supplying me with grade A fresh, chemical free veggies every week!!

Mechanics of Relationships

Why can being with someone and loving someone not be easy. Why do we have to battle through this endless mine field of trip wire, that could ignite an entire lifetime of burns. What do you do, do you just run through them as fast as you can, knowing you will trip them all off but hope that by running the effect of the tripwire will miss you. Or do you carefully tip-toe around the tripwire so you don't set anything off, and thereby go through the entire field on your toes always balancing and always scared you are going to fall. Do you turn your head away from the blast every time you set off a wire, in the hopes that if you don't see the blast, it cant hurt you. What is the right way of dealing with these wires. Maybe it is just the chemistry of working together to get the perfect mix of how to handle them. Something that both of you would be happy to do when you do encounter a nasty tripwire. The problem lies in what is the perfect middle ground. I might have set off a tripwire again, and true to my form, I ran through it as fast as I can, hoping that on the other side, I was out and it was off and done. Well, its a very long process this loving someone. And these darn tripwires sure don't make it any easier.

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

REVIRD TAES

Backseat Driver

Today's riddle:

E
MORE MORE
MORE MORE

Feeling crappy on Monday

Well Friday came and went by very uneventful. No D day after all. Weekend was nice as usual except it was our 3 month anniversary. Other than that, there was nothing exciting that happened. Today I am feeling a little sick (fluish) again and feeling very crappy both mentally and physically. I am in two minds about what the future holds for me. Where I will be in a months time. Slept alone again last night and I think that really adds to my bad mood. So that brings us to Monday morning. At work, trying to find something to do, hanging in limbo, thinking about 5 000 000 things at once, and I cant come up with one real good answer. Oh I forgot....did bake cookies this weekend...but they didn't come out too lekker.

When I am feeling like this, I always find that the smallest things bother me and make me more upset and force me to think and rethink my life, and that is CRAP!!!! There is nothing wrong with my life at the moment. Yes there might be one or two things that are unsure for the future, but all in all it is not that bad. I hardly have to beg for food everyday, and once I get food have to go and sit under some bridge and eat it. I have a house, loving dogs, that sometimes drives me insane, a stunning boyfriend, and I have food to eat everyday, and I wake up everyday. I know this sounds like a commercial for some self-image guru, but its not. I have to keep on reminding myself everyday what is important, or I will forget. I just don't like Mondays!!!!

Mensa or Mense

Friday's riddle:






Leftover


Today's riddle:


REVIRD TAES

D day

So its Friday and that means its D day. I hope they don't stall and forget to phone me. Things are getting a little hairy in the office, and to top it all...It looks like me cousin is going to stay in America. That means I will only see him once every few years....It sucks!!!

Its time for coffee, and not the blue Jacobs, the real thing. From the coffee machine upstairs.

Mensa or Mense

Yesterday's riddle:

CHAWHOWHORGE

Who's in charge

Today's riddle: