7 hours and countingTuesday, October 31, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Where did all my single friends go?
I have found myself in an odd situation. I love socializing but the life I have led over the last 7 years has meant that I am sitting here tonight ACHING to go out and have a few drinks and dance and relax and socialize but have NO ONE to do it with.
When I was in high school and at varsity I had many many friends that I would do just this with. Not one weekend went by without a something happening till the wee hours of the morning. Then I got knocked up and married and THAT became my whole life for 6 years. I have completely lost contact with 99% of those friends (and only have myself to blame for that) and replaced them with equally good married or single-parent friends.
Don't get me wrong... They are great friends but it means that when I have a free weekend (kids with their dad) and want to go out on a Friday night I will have to do it alone...
Lady-B - at home with her family (husband and 3 sons) and enjoying some rare quality time with them
The Empress - out on a date with Mr S
Theater-girl - single, but has some function happening at the theater and can't go out, as much as she would like to
Adumski - well... Still working on that one... Never comes to any event I have invited him to, and so have got to the point where I am about to stop asking
Yummy-D - at home babysitting his daughter while his wife visits her ailing mother (now this one I can't fault)
Ms C - let's just say she is more of a homebody and really does not enjoy the club/pub scene much at all
Now I have found myself single again and desperately in need of building my circle of single friends... Somehow... hmmmmm. Bit of a catch 22 though because you need to be socializing to meet new people in the first place.
Anyway, on a cheerier note. I now have my tickets to Jordan in December in my hot little hands. It turned out a bit more expensive than expected as I completely overlooked the fact there people are traveling for pilgrimage at that time of year and the airline I wanted to fly with (one of the best and cheapest) - Qatar Airline - is fully booked. So have managed to secure myself place on an Emirates flight at twice the price. Oh well. I am still bloody excited though. Cannot wait. Leave 26 December 2006 and back 8 January 2007.
When I was in high school and at varsity I had many many friends that I would do just this with. Not one weekend went by without a something happening till the wee hours of the morning. Then I got knocked up and married and THAT became my whole life for 6 years. I have completely lost contact with 99% of those friends (and only have myself to blame for that) and replaced them with equally good married or single-parent friends.
Don't get me wrong... They are great friends but it means that when I have a free weekend (kids with their dad) and want to go out on a Friday night I will have to do it alone...
Lady-B - at home with her family (husband and 3 sons) and enjoying some rare quality time with them
The Empress - out on a date with Mr S
Theater-girl - single, but has some function happening at the theater and can't go out, as much as she would like to
Adumski - well... Still working on that one... Never comes to any event I have invited him to, and so have got to the point where I am about to stop asking
Yummy-D - at home babysitting his daughter while his wife visits her ailing mother (now this one I can't fault)
Ms C - let's just say she is more of a homebody and really does not enjoy the club/pub scene much at all
Now I have found myself single again and desperately in need of building my circle of single friends... Somehow... hmmmmm. Bit of a catch 22 though because you need to be socializing to meet new people in the first place.
Anyway, on a cheerier note. I now have my tickets to Jordan in December in my hot little hands. It turned out a bit more expensive than expected as I completely overlooked the fact there people are traveling for pilgrimage at that time of year and the airline I wanted to fly with (one of the best and cheapest) - Qatar Airline - is fully booked. So have managed to secure myself place on an Emirates flight at twice the price. Oh well. I am still bloody excited though. Cannot wait. Leave 26 December 2006 and back 8 January 2007.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Doing the touristy thing...
I have lived in Cape Town all my life, and one of the things that we Capetonians tend to do is take our beautiful surroundings completely for granted. However, having kids you get to enjoy some of the things you never took time for... let me explain.
On the weekend we had absolutely glorious weather. Now my normal weekend routine would be shopping and groceries and maybe some gardening and movies. However this weekend I decided to pack the kids and show them some of the sites that I haven't been too since I was a kid myself. So off we headed to Simon's Town (a quaint little naval town). Our first stop was Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony... and believe it or not this is the first time in my (almost) 29 years that I have been there. Here we were joined by a busload of German tourists. Unfortunately it was a little windy, but when did that ever stop a determined mother :)
After our commune with the little birds in their tuxedo's we headed back into the town itself and took a nice long walk along the main road stopping at some quaint bakeries and antique shops and all the typical beachy/tourist traps. This was followed up by a delicious meal at Bertha's - hmmmm calamari and kingklip. Here we were joined by no less than 2 busloads of Japanese tourists.
From here we took a scenic drive over the mountain to Noordhoek and then around the famous Chapmans Peak. This is a particular road that I used to travel often... when I needed a break, just to get away look out at the ocean and just chill. Unfortunately the vegetation in this area was destroyed in a massive fire a few years back after which the road was closed for a long time due to dangerous rock falls. After various rehabilitation efforts and massive nets were erected to catch these boulders, the road was reopened as a toll road. This was the first time since then that I actually drove on this road again. And it is still one of the most beautiful drives to do in the world.
This takes you in to Hout Bay and here we were greated with the site of a pod of Southern Right Whales playing in the bay. So we pulled off the road into one of the picnic spots and just stood and watched them for ages. What spectacular creatures. Then into Hout Bay for the most incredible ice cream you ever did eat.
Now THAT was the way to spend 6 hours in Cape Town.
On the weekend we had absolutely glorious weather. Now my normal weekend routine would be shopping and groceries and maybe some gardening and movies. However this weekend I decided to pack the kids and show them some of the sites that I haven't been too since I was a kid myself. So off we headed to Simon's Town (a quaint little naval town). Our first stop was Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony... and believe it or not this is the first time in my (almost) 29 years that I have been there. Here we were joined by a busload of German tourists. Unfortunately it was a little windy, but when did that ever stop a determined mother :)
After our commune with the little birds in their tuxedo's we headed back into the town itself and took a nice long walk along the main road stopping at some quaint bakeries and antique shops and all the typical beachy/tourist traps. This was followed up by a delicious meal at Bertha's - hmmmm calamari and kingklip. Here we were joined by no less than 2 busloads of Japanese tourists.
From here we took a scenic drive over the mountain to Noordhoek and then around the famous Chapmans Peak. This is a particular road that I used to travel often... when I needed a break, just to get away look out at the ocean and just chill. Unfortunately the vegetation in this area was destroyed in a massive fire a few years back after which the road was closed for a long time due to dangerous rock falls. After various rehabilitation efforts and massive nets were erected to catch these boulders, the road was reopened as a toll road. This was the first time since then that I actually drove on this road again. And it is still one of the most beautiful drives to do in the world.
This takes you in to Hout Bay and here we were greated with the site of a pod of Southern Right Whales playing in the bay. So we pulled off the road into one of the picnic spots and just stood and watched them for ages. What spectacular creatures. Then into Hout Bay for the most incredible ice cream you ever did eat.
Now THAT was the way to spend 6 hours in Cape Town.
Appreciate the little things
One day...
The father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son... How was the trip?
It was great, Dad.
Did you see how poor people live? the father asked.
Oh yeah, said the son.
So, tell me, what you learned from the trip? asked the father.
The son answered:
I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end…
…We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond
…We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
The father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son... How was the trip?
It was great, Dad.
Did you see how poor people live? the father asked.
Oh yeah, said the son.
So, tell me, what you learned from the trip? asked the father.
The son answered:
I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end…
…We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond
…We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Alive and Kicking (almost)
I have tried three times now to start this post... but my brain is simply not putting any coherent thoughts together. I have been ill for the last week and my head still seems to be suffering some side effects of the lack of nutrition. I have had a throat infection which has made eating almost impossible - however the doctor seems to have a sadistic side and prescribed the biggest bloody tablets he could find... two of them twice a day.
I have snippets of many things that I would like to tell you all about, so I am just going to let them be told in the way that they spill out onto my keyboard this evening.
I am the proudest mother in Cape Town this week. My daughter (grade 1) was awarded a merit award for artwork that was entered into the eisteddfod. A beautiful drawing of a flower. This time of year also starts getting very very busy with them. They have school concerts and galas and fetes and and and... I have completely lost track of what is happening to the point that I am writing EVERY SINGLE thing up on a calendar in the kitchen (something I really should do more often).
Irish is well... we are in contact every day even though we only get to see each other about once a week. I spent the day with him on Saturday again, visited with him mom... boy the stories she has to tell of her days as a doctor in the military and the things that used to go on at base. We took his 'son' Codi (a BEAUTIFUL red-and-white Siberian Husky) for a walk - or at least he took us for a walk... what a lovely animal. Irish loves him to bits and he (the dog) seems to have taken a liking to me as well. Add puppy-charmer to my resume. I have hunted the net looking for a picture that would do some justice to show you just how beautiful he is... but alas.. none to be found. I am just going to have to take some of my own and post here.
Oh, he (Irish) has also invited me to join him at his companies year-end function. Read what you will into that (or the fact that I have yet to invite him to mine... hmmmmmmm).
On other news, I noticed yesterday that posters have started going up around town for the LIVE concert at the end of the month. My tickets are secured (and safely locked away for the last month) and seeing these posters has really started to get me excited.
My brain is now completely on the fritz. See you all on the otherside of sanity.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Fun Friday
Girls Night Out (and no! this is NOT me)...
The other night I was invited out for a night with "the girls". I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, "I promise!"
Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down way too easily.
Around 3a.m., a bit worse for wear, I headed for home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hall started up and cuckooed 3 times.
Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I Cuckooed another 9 times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible conflict with him.
(Even when totally smashed...3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos=MIDNIGHT!)
The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, and I told him "Midnight". He didn't seem concerned at all. Whew! Got away with that one!
Then he said, "We need a new cuckoo clock."
When I asked him why. He said, "Well, last night our clock cuckooed 3 times, then said, "Oh shit.", cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another 2 times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted."
The other night I was invited out for a night with "the girls". I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, "I promise!"
Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down way too easily.
Around 3a.m., a bit worse for wear, I headed for home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hall started up and cuckooed 3 times.
Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I Cuckooed another 9 times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible conflict with him.
(Even when totally smashed...3 cuckoos plus 9 cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos=MIDNIGHT!)
The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, and I told him "Midnight". He didn't seem concerned at all. Whew! Got away with that one!
Then he said, "We need a new cuckoo clock."
When I asked him why. He said, "Well, last night our clock cuckooed 3 times, then said, "Oh shit.", cuckooed 4 more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another 2 times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted."
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Roll on Weekend
Now THIS is the type of weather forecast I want to see before EVERY weekend.... ROLL ON SUMMER
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
New Years Abroad
Up to now I have not mentioned my planned holiday to Jordan at the end of the year as it has been on-again-off-again planning. I started planning this holiday a few months ago and no sooner had I got some details together and the Israel-Lebanon 'thing' started. So I decided to hold off all plans until things settled down again. That happened and planning resumed only to hear the same day that the American embassy in Damascus was attacked. So on came the breaks once more.
HOWEVER, things have been very quiet, for a few weeks now at least, and I have decided to throw what little caution I had to the wind and go for it. It is not everyday that an opportunity like this presents itself and I am going to take it.
A very close friend of mine, one that I have known since high school days, is currently teaching in Amman, and I will be staying and traveling with her. She has worked in a few places already (including Japan and Casablanca) and has always said that I must come and and stay with her, but until now I have not actually taken her up on this. This will also be my first long holiday away from the kids (they will be staying with their father for 2 weeks) - excluding a 5 day business trip to Copenhagen last year.
Here are the plans so far.
Leave Cape Town on the morning of 26 December, aboard the ONLY airline that flies to that area of the world out of Cape Town (all other are ex- Johannesburg). After a 13 hour flight I will be overnighting in Doha (Saudi) and hopefully will be able to see some of that city before departing for Amman at noon the next day for a 2 hour flight to Jordan.
Then, spend a day and a half in Amman before traveling to Petra. A 2 day pass will give us ample time to walk the sites (possibly some horse / donkey riding) and take in the history of the place.
From Petra, travel up to the Dead Sea, and see in the New Year - I still cannot believe we are only 2 months away fro 2007 (I have only just got used to it being 2006). Spend my first day of 2007 soaking up the salt water and mud and shedding all the stress of the previous year gearing up for the new one.
Then a quick boarder crossing into Syria and up to Damascus (one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world) - oh the history, the culture, the art, the silver and of course the leather. I am going to be in shopping heaven. Giving ourselves about two and a half days to 'do' Damascus before heading back to Amman for my last day or two.
I then await the pleasure of the 15 hours in a confined space for the return flight. At least this time it will only be a 2 hour stopover before the long haul to Cape Town.
I AM SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED I cannot contain it any more.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Unexplained fevers and sleep deprivation
Today I am exausted... my mind is no longer functioning correctly... and any form of coherant speach is not to be expected.
I have had (almost) no sleep in 3 days now. Why? because at this moment I have 2 sick children with absolutely NO explination of what is wrong.
It all started on Wednesday with my son (3yrs) complaining about not feeling well. Seeing as he is only in creche and won't miss anything by staying away, I left him at home with the nanny for the day. By the time I got back from work he had a raging fever - so off I dash to take him to the doctor. Full checkup and NOTHING... no ear infection, no throwt or lung infection, stomach is fine and no visual signs of meningitis (phew)... just a fever and a headache. And that is how it has continued since with him. Okay during the day, but at night a soaring temp and fever-shivers. The only course of action I can take is trying to cool him down and keep him dosed up on Ponstan and Panado.
But, wouldn't you know it... as soon as he is showing signs of getting better, my daughter (7yrs) comes down with what seems to be the same thing. Again, off to the doctor to do a check up and set my mind to rest that there isn't something more sinister going on, and again the same outcome. NOTHING.
While there the GP indicated that they had seen a number of similar cases over the last few days... unexplained fevers and headaches. The only idea being that it is some kind of flu virus doing the rounds in children and adults (which does not bode well for me...)
What all this has done to my sleep patterns is throw them into complete disaray... have you ever tried sharing a bed with two sick, feverish, restless children who insist on cuddling with mommy when they are not feeling well... in the infamous words of Faithless - "I can't get NO SLEEP"
I have had (almost) no sleep in 3 days now. Why? because at this moment I have 2 sick children with absolutely NO explination of what is wrong.
It all started on Wednesday with my son (3yrs) complaining about not feeling well. Seeing as he is only in creche and won't miss anything by staying away, I left him at home with the nanny for the day. By the time I got back from work he had a raging fever - so off I dash to take him to the doctor. Full checkup and NOTHING... no ear infection, no throwt or lung infection, stomach is fine and no visual signs of meningitis (phew)... just a fever and a headache. And that is how it has continued since with him. Okay during the day, but at night a soaring temp and fever-shivers. The only course of action I can take is trying to cool him down and keep him dosed up on Ponstan and Panado.
But, wouldn't you know it... as soon as he is showing signs of getting better, my daughter (7yrs) comes down with what seems to be the same thing. Again, off to the doctor to do a check up and set my mind to rest that there isn't something more sinister going on, and again the same outcome. NOTHING.
While there the GP indicated that they had seen a number of similar cases over the last few days... unexplained fevers and headaches. The only idea being that it is some kind of flu virus doing the rounds in children and adults (which does not bode well for me...)
What all this has done to my sleep patterns is throw them into complete disaray... have you ever tried sharing a bed with two sick, feverish, restless children who insist on cuddling with mommy when they are not feeling well... in the infamous words of Faithless - "I can't get NO SLEEP"
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
New Discoveries... Meeting the Mother... and taking it as it comes
Meeting the mother.... hmmmmm, yup... I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Irish on Sat eve IN MY PAJAMA's. Now here is a looooooooong story, but the highlights are as follows:
Irish was heading to my place for a movie and ... On the way he stopped to get take aways at Canal Walk... and then his car (BMW diesel) had a problem with the DDsomething (I'm NOT a car person). So being the good Samaritan type, off I head to assist.
Anyway, to cut this even shorter... we got a call from him mom for him to go help with something, so a quick stop at her house on the way to mine and I have the pleasure of chatting to her in my pj's. Now luckily my pj's are the kind that look somewhat like a nice track pants and t-shirt so I could get away with this.
Anyway, Irish has subsequently informed me (with a slightly shocked expression) that she actually likes me... it appears this is quite an achievement. Just call me the mommy-charmer :)
I seem to have a way with mothers, they all seem to think that I am sweet and innocent and trust their sons with me. Little do they know...
As for a progress report however, we have agreed to just take things as they come, no expectations of a particular outcome.
And now on to the new discoveries.... all thanks to Irish :) and in no particular order as they are all FANTASTIC
discovery no. 1:
ThinkGeek.com every geeks one stop shop for everything from lightsabers, t-shirts, plush toys, games, etc etc etc etc. This has already given me hours of browsing fun, and here is the link to my WishList. I have accumulated items to almost $300 and even though I will probably never ever get round to ordering them it is still a list of my favorite finds.... so far
discovery no. 2:
The Quote Database (aka bash.org)... anyone who has ever been on IRC or mIRC will appreciate this one. It is updated daily by fellow irc'ers with their favorite quotes or snippets of conversations had. Again, HOURS and HOURS of fun. As a start I suggest looking at the latest additions, but be warned... once you start you can't stop
discovery no. 3:
A decent ROCK show on the Radio... about bloody time is all I can say. I had the joy of listening to Barney Simon this week, standing in for the regular Mo G, on the breakfast rock show. All this on Radio 2000 (99.1 or 99.5 FM in Cape Town) of all places. WOW. But be warned... apparently it is between 6 and 9 am, however when I tuned in this morning I was woken by gospel. Now, I have nothing against gospel music... but when I am expecting Nickleback or Prime Cirlce or Parlotones it was a rude shock. They do however seem to continue the rock theme for most of the day as I discovered yesterday when driving home.
Irish was heading to my place for a movie and ... On the way he stopped to get take aways at Canal Walk... and then his car (BMW diesel) had a problem with the DDsomething (I'm NOT a car person). So being the good Samaritan type, off I head to assist.
Anyway, to cut this even shorter... we got a call from him mom for him to go help with something, so a quick stop at her house on the way to mine and I have the pleasure of chatting to her in my pj's. Now luckily my pj's are the kind that look somewhat like a nice track pants and t-shirt so I could get away with this.
Anyway, Irish has subsequently informed me (with a slightly shocked expression) that she actually likes me... it appears this is quite an achievement. Just call me the mommy-charmer :)
I seem to have a way with mothers, they all seem to think that I am sweet and innocent and trust their sons with me. Little do they know...
As for a progress report however, we have agreed to just take things as they come, no expectations of a particular outcome.
And now on to the new discoveries.... all thanks to Irish :) and in no particular order as they are all FANTASTIC
discovery no. 1:
ThinkGeek.com every geeks one stop shop for everything from lightsabers, t-shirts, plush toys, games, etc etc etc etc. This has already given me hours of browsing fun, and here is the link to my WishList. I have accumulated items to almost $300 and even though I will probably never ever get round to ordering them it is still a list of my favorite finds.... so far
discovery no. 2:
The Quote Database (aka bash.org)... anyone who has ever been on IRC or mIRC will appreciate this one. It is updated daily by fellow irc'ers with their favorite quotes or snippets of conversations had. Again, HOURS and HOURS of fun. As a start I suggest looking at the latest additions, but be warned... once you start you can't stop
discovery no. 3:
A decent ROCK show on the Radio... about bloody time is all I can say. I had the joy of listening to Barney Simon this week, standing in for the regular Mo G, on the breakfast rock show. All this on Radio 2000 (99.1 or 99.5 FM in Cape Town) of all places. WOW. But be warned... apparently it is between 6 and 9 am, however when I tuned in this morning I was woken by gospel. Now, I have nothing against gospel music... but when I am expecting Nickleback or Prime Cirlce or Parlotones it was a rude shock. They do however seem to continue the rock theme for most of the day as I discovered yesterday when driving home.
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