Checking in...

We made it to Queensland. I can't believe we have been here a week already. Think I'm almost over the jet lag. I've spent most of my first week sitting under the aircon or driving in airconditioned cars to shopping malls with aircon. I have to say in light of that it really is remarkably cool in Brisbane.

Right now I'm drinking an icy cold Irish Cider (Bulmers to be precise), smelling the start of a charcoal braai outside and it feels a bit like home. Except the cider should be Savannah.

I just thought I'd check in and say howzit. I'll be back with a momentous no 100 post later in the week!

In the words of Truman - Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Goodnight!

One step at a time!

Our last Saturday in South Africa has arrived. Too quickly. I'm lying in bed contemplating all that needs to be done and being the Mistress of Procrastination I've decided to blog instead. My readers need to be entertained... am I right?

I've been meaning to tell you about our trip to the Drakensberg. I love the mountains. One of my favourites places in the world is the beautiful Berg. We stayed at a place called The Cavern which coincidentally is my Dad's most favourite place in the world. I have to say that those 4 days were the most relaxing of all my time here. We ate, drank, swam, played tennis, ate, drank, had massages, played darts, table tennis, ate, drank and we even played lawn bowls for the first time in our lives (my parents kicked our asses).

So all fun and games until Monday morning. My dear husband-to-be decided that we should do what The Cavern call a Long Walk on our last morning in the Berg. I thought he meant with my Dad and even promoted it. My Dad was still a little tender from the stomach bug he'd picked up the day before so regretfully declined the request. I tried to suggest the short walk instead but he looked so disappointed that I agreed to go with him on the Long Walk.

1 minute up the first hill I realised my mistake but being the stubborn girl I am I wasn't going to admit it. 3 1/2 hours later after walking in brain boiling heat (I kid you not I heard the bubbling), begging water off my fellow walkers when I forced them to stop for a break yet again and weeping behind my sunglasses at the madness of it all - we finally made it to Cannibal Caves and I was prepared to spend the rest of my days in that cool heaven.

Lots of water, a cup of tea and some crunchies later I was able to coax my weary bones back down the mountain. I arrived back at the base to wild applause and congratulations - from my parents sitting under the shade of a large tree sipping on icy Savannah ciders. It took 4 1/2 hours in all. Hey, I made it. Bring on the next one!

Time to dragged myself up and face some shopping, then lunch with the ladies.
Catch up later!

Press the pause button please!

My humblest apologies for neglecting all of my loyal readers over the past few weeks. Time has been flying by and now the day we are due to fly away again is almost upon us. 5 more sleeps.

I think I might cry. In public. I don't do that. I'm more of a cry alone in my room- car-shower-kind-of-girl. Something about this trip though is making me feel more emotional than normal and I feel myself welling up even as I type this. Justin Timberlake's Cry me a river is now playing in my head. I'm done for. I'm not even a fan.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm looking forward to our new adventure to the Land of Oz. I just don't feel like saying goodbye to all my family, friends and the familiarities of home again.

There is only one thing I can do. Get out of this house and cram every last minute of the next few days with all the people and things I love. I'm coming to see you now. Are you ready for me?

Cobwebs and memories

I'm a hoarder. I don't like to throw things away especially anything that has even a hint of sentimentality attached to it. This means that I've accumulated boxes, kists and cupboards filled with books, photos, diaries, birthday cards, Christmas cards, letters - remember getting letters delivered to you by a postman that weren't of the bill variety?- and clothes.

I'm trying to sort through things that I can't live without or don't want to and the things that I really need to let go and chuck out. I'm trying to be strong and brave. It is hard. I've pretty much kept a diary since the age of 9 or 10 but some of those have been lost or maybe I'm still going to find them. I did find one from 16years ago - I'd almost love to go back to that time and have the thoughts and worries I had then.

My books. I've got so many. I just gave away most of the books I accumulated in Edinburgh. Now I've got the job of deciding what books get to go with me and what books I need to bid farewell to and give to charity. I'd almost made the decision to only keep books that had been gifted to me or that I don't think I'll be able to replace when I got slammed by a huge wave of nostalgia and couldn't do it. I packed both piles of books back into the box they'd come from and decided to move onto clothes.

Clothes - these need to be sorted into 3 categories: Still wear, will never wear again and hope to fit into again (sigh). I'm exhausted. Trips down Memory lane can be tiring.

So I'm going to have a nap and hopefully dream of happy times. When I wake I may feel ready to tackle the clothes box!

It's lekka to be lekka!

I know I need to write more. I've been coming here lately and staring at the white page on this screen and no words have come. So today I'm just going to write random nothingness. There are Bloggers I rely on to be my inspiration, my many muses and they too have fallen silent of late leaving me to fend for myself in this big wide blogging world. Come back Bloggers, come back.

My week has been quite full yet empty at the same time. Wednesday, the Fiance and I celebrated our 9th year of togetherness with a fancy pants dinner at a restaurant called Pigalle in Sandton. My mouth is watering just thinking about the divine food we ate with gusto. Curried butternut soup, hot rolls, escargot, prawns, steaks, Peri-Peri and glorious wine. They even had Calvados - a french apple brandy digestif we discovered when we were in Normandy. A perfect evening - good food, good service, good conversation and us.

Another busy weekend ahead and then I fly off to Cape Town on Monday. Looking very forward to seeing my mountain and the sea. And my family of course.

I've fallen back into South Africanisms very quickly I'm glad to say. Even using words I never really did before - like Lekka. For my non-saffa readers - quite simply lekka (sometimes spelled lekker)is a word used instead of cool. It is actually the Afrikaans word for sweets. It is a lekka word to use and is quite expressive. It always sounds so genuine and heartfelt.

Have a lekka weekend my friends and readers. Lekka!

Jo'burg Rocks!

So we've been back in Benoni for 5 days now and already it feels like I've never left. It always amazes me that no matter how long I'm away from home for and in spite of the new buildings that appear and other little things that change - Benoni always seems to feel the same. I guess it's because it is home even if someone changes the curtains or plants a new tree in the garden.

The Cumulonimbus clouds seemed to follow us from Scotland for a few days but lost the battle to the African sun and she is now shining in all her finest glory.
Life is good.

Fleetwood Mac, Jagermeister and Jazz!

The last week has been filled with many, many eventful events. Yes, indeedy. Thursday night we ventured out to Glasgow to take a trip back in time with Fleetwood Mac. They were amazing. All of them aged 60 and over - Lindsay Buckingham was on the stage for the whole 2 1/2 hour concert. Seriously loved them! After getting home around 1am I still managed to make it to work for 7am and then head straight from work out for my work Farewell Party. After a few Gins, a few more Cosmopolitans and then unknown rounds of Jagermeisters and various other short drinks I made it, stumbling, home and managed to do this without throwing... away my good name. I was taken care of by my fiance and then served with a hearty hangover curing breakfast the next morning.

Alas it was not over yet. No rest for the wicked they say. That night we headed out to have dinner with some friends. More eating, drinking and making merry. Delicious dinner, clever conversation and then heading out into town to the Royal Oak for a bit of folk and the Jazz club for, well, Jazz. Cold winds, rain, taxi hunting, chips and cheese, coffee, more conversation, walking home in the rain. 4am I finally got to answer the call of my bed.

I'm still recovering... I'm too old to drink and stay out so late. 6 more sleeps till we land in South Africa. I will make it. I'm getting stronger by the hour.

All our bags are packed...

we are ready to go! And if the truth be told, feeling a little sad to say goodbye to the friends we've made here and Edinburgh. What a place!
I can't lie and say I'm sad to be missing the winter though. I'm looking forward to seeing the sun in 11 more sleeps!

A hectic couple of weeks it has been. Packing up our life here into boxes and sending them off to Australia made it so squared away and final. We left our home of the last 2 years and 7 months after a week of making sure everything was where the landlord wanted it and cleaner than when we moved in. We locked up and handed in the keys. And that was it. Goodbye Lower Granton Road! We'll never meet again.

And soon our new adventure begins... if we survive the Farewell Parties.

Two hairy caterpillars

I had a rather adventurous weekend. I did something I've never done before and, honestly, I'm not sure I want to do it again. My wanting to and needing to are more than just two different words.

Saturday I woke determined to stare down the flu threatening to take over my body and confine me to my bed for the weekend. Not on a weekend. I'm more than willing to surrender on a working day but weekends only happen for 2 days every five days.
My darling Fiancé (not sure I'm used to that word yet) had an appointment with Ben - the man who cuts his hair. I had a desire to shop. Little did I know what awaited me.

I've mastered the art of dodging a certain type of Salesperson. All over Edinburgh these people who wake with shiny, white-toothed smiles and think using the line 'Can I see you hands?' is going to work on me. In this swine-avian-dognammit-I-don't-need-to-cover-my-nose-when-I-sneeze-society why oh why would I willingly let you see and touch my hands? You are a stranger with strange hands and I don't talk to strangers.

Saturday my guard was down. The flu had weakened my natural instincts. I made eye contact. A fatal error. His name was Raul. His smile was perfect and the Spanish accent not half bad. I really do have a beautiful name. And my Fiancé (nope not used to it yet) really is a lucky man.
£40 later I now own a bit of the dead sea. And my hands are soft, soft, soft.

Admiring my soft, silky hands I wandered out into the mall and found myself being approached by another Colgate Smile. Before I can say lickety split (I've never said that but next time I might see if I can get it in) I'm sitting in a beautician's chair and preparing myself for Threading. This is an ancient Asian torture technique done using 3 pieces of thin, twisted pure cotton thread which is rolled over untidy hairlines, like my eyebrows on Saturday, plucking the hair out at follicle level. Apparently it isn't as painful as waxing. Apparently. My eyebrows do look good and no longer resemble two hairy caterpillars crawling above my eyelids.

I didn't even cry. I did bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming. When I opened my eyes I had drawn a crowd. Human beings have always been attracted to watching other human beings being tortured, haven't they? We don't want to watch but we still do. No-one came to save me. No-one pulled me from the chair and asked Colgate Smile if she'd gone mad. Nope, tens of women did seem amazed at my bravery. So fluttering my lashes beneath perfectly framed eyes and waving my satin hands I paid and went in search of my Fiancé (I'm getting better at this). With his new haircut, my soft hands and neat eyebrows, we were a striking pair.

Maybe I'll go back in 2 - 4 weeks. Maybe.

A full week.

Heading into my first full week back at work since we got back from Italy. I like to plan it that way - go back in the middle of week so it is only a few more days till you have a weekend. Monday is looming.

Did I mention I got engaged last week? Yup, I did. So going to take something gigantically momentous to beat my last week. I'm still riding on that happy wave so I'm expecting another fabulous week.

Have a good one!

Caldonazzo... Bellisimo!

We arrived yesterday in Trento and were met by my brother. This place, and most especially where he lives in Caldonazzo, is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Mountains and lakes. So peaceful and awe inspiring.

Today I'm feeling a little sad. It is my Oma's funeral and I'd like to be there. It was not to be so I've said a few prayers and my private goodbye. I know she is at peace now. At 94 she has had a good, long life and will be missed.

Tonight we will feast in her honour and toast to her memory and our memories of her.

Waking up to the Ringing of bells...

and another beautiful day in Florence. We spent a marvellous day in Siena yesterday just wandering around the streets and lounging around the Piazza like locals and licking on our Gelatos. I could easily get used to this Italian way of life.

So today we are off to explore more of Florence. I'm going to find David. Then we might go climb a hill to see a spectacular view, have a picnic in the Bobolina Gardens and then watch the sunset over the river while sipping on cocktails - what you all doing today?

And on we go...

Our time in Rome is now coming to a close and it is time for us to head off to Florence for the next leg of our adventure. We've fallen in love with Rome. The Food. The People. The History. Our host at the B&B Baldessini, Francesco, has been outstanding - makes a great breakfast, gives great recommendations and just very interesting to talk to. Without him we would have spent much more money and not seen as much.

Lots to tell you but not too much time so will update again, hopefully, from Florence.

When in...

I'm waiting at Gatwick airport for our flight to Rome! Woohoo! Crazy time of the morning to be up but you got to do what you got to do. I'm actually too tired to write anything remotely sensical so forgive all grammar and spelling errors because I'm on a count down and there is no time to proof read.

Looking forward to arriving in Rome being met at the meeting point (wherever it may be) by Alessandro and driven to our B&B where I'm going to collapse on the bed and sleep. Yup, sleep. Then wake and feast like a Roman! That is our plan for the entire trip - to do what Romans do, when in Rome! So Ciao, Ciao. I'll try write again - otherwise be back in a couple of weeks! Check every day just in case!

Safe Landings!

Lots of travelling planned over the next few months. Many exciting adventures to Lands near and far. One we have never been to before, one we used to call home and one we will soon call home. Fun times ahead. As much as I love to go on holiday and discover new places or see old friends and family I hate flying just as much. Actually, it is not so much the flying part I hate - it’s the landing. No-one understands how I can hate landing so much when that’s the scary part over because you are back on the ground. I beg to differ. On my hands and knees I declare YOU are not correct! Yes, you! So many things can go wrong just as you are about to land or even after you touch down. If you care to read on I’ll name a few for you. The wheels might not come down and the plane will have to belly flop onto the runway and slide to a stop. The pilot could bring the plane down awkwardly and flip over. The pilot could think he is the Schumacher of the runway, the brakes could fail and we could crash. The final one and I’ve seen this on a movie so I know it could happen - a bus containing an explosive device could crash into the plane just when we come to a stop and we will all die in the detonation!

You think I jest? I think about these things, in fact, I dream about these things. I know some of you reading this are married to, related to and friends with Pilots. Prove me wrong! I want proof of The Myth Busters’ kind.

Thank-you!

It has been a very, very hectic 2 weeks. Festival time in Edinburgh invariably brings people to town. We've had cousins and old friends visiting. It's been a blast. We enjoy playing Tour guide. Over the last few years we have built up quite an extensive list of spots we like to go to. We want to give our visitors a locals insight into Edinburgh. An added bonus to this - U2 kindly decided to have a concert in Glasgow for our guests to enjoy and then, of course, there was the World Pipe Band championships. Do we know how to organise festivities or what?

All in all the last 2 weeks have been a eventful, exhausting but satisfyingly successful.

Tired and uninspired.

STOP! Life is moving along so fast. I wish it would slow down. So much to do every day and just not enough hours to get it done. I think I may have wished for this before but dargnamit I'll wish for it again - would someone please invent a remote control that I can use to pause my life?
In the words of Ferris Beuller: 'Life moves pretty fast.If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.'
I don't want to miss a thing.

Chook-a-chook-train to Cuckoo Land

Oh my giddy aunt. I think I may be on the train journey from whatever land where packet scrunching, crisp crunching and lets-have-a-million-kids-under-6-and-take-them-on-a-5-hour-train-trip-to-London type folk inhabit.
I'm grumpy. Oh yes I am.

Maybe I should get them to play the lying down game. Or better yet the lie down and go to sleep for the sake of my sanity game. I'm sure everyone has been on the car trip with their parents and asked them endlessly 'When we going to get there?'
My Dad's classic response was always 'It is just over the next hill.' He thought I never noticed the road was flat and there was nary a hill in sight. With these kids it's - how many stations to go? what are they called?
The one cheeky monkey even stopped the conductor to ask if the aircon was on and if he could turn it up because he was hot. Then he asked him - 'how many stations to go?' 'what they were called?'
Fool conductor said one more station name than Dad had. Dad is obviously not to be trusted so let's ask the man sitting next to me.

Stop the Train! Let me get off!

And so the days go by...

I've been a slow starter to a very fast paced week. Trying to find my rhythm, work myself up to a jog and hope to be sprinting by Friday. Whom I kidding? Have you seen me run? It is a very funny sight.

I'm thinking of lobbying for more hours in a day. I just don't have enough time to get all the things I want to do done. Somehow the relaxing, fun stuff seems to fall by the wayside. When did I slip back into these shackles? I'm in Scotland and I want FREEDOM! Freedom I say!
Things are happening. Things are moving along. Sometimes I just want to lie down.
Speaking of which have you played The Lying Down game yet? It is taking hold of the UK in a most bizarre way. Well, I know it is happening here in the Burgh and I've seen it on GMTV.
'What do you do?' you ask from the back row. A valid question. One must know the rules before one can play such a game.
The rules are rather simple: Lie face down, hands to your side, legs straight and toes pointing to the floor- as if your standing up to attention. The more weird and random place you are lying down in or on the better.
The point. Does there have to be one?

This is my friend Dave. A master at the game.



Go on, Lie Down!

Quietly, quietly we wake to the sun...

Almost Midday and I'm only starting to resemble a human being. Going to bed at 3:30am in the morning might have something to do with that. Living like a 21 year old isn't as easy it used to be. I need a greasy spoon and a chilled vibe today. As fate would have it the one day I wish it was raining the sun has decided to shine. So an adventure into Edinburgh centre is planned. It must be done. Vitamin D should be good for the soul.

Greasy spoon time.

I'm inspired!

I'm feeling so alive! So ready to create. Mentally I'm bouncing off walls! My kitchen wall is now my Idea wall and is going to drive a certain man in my life mad. Once its covered in the brainstorming post-its that is! Multi-Coloured ones! I may even post a picture when it's in full steam so you can all sympathise with him.

I'm also really tired. But my head is in overdrive so even when I sleep it's filled with bizarre dreams that get my mind ticking from the moment I wake.
Things are brewing in my writing life that maybe, just maybe, could let me live a bit of a dream of mine. Too soon to say more but I'm inspired.
Next!

My Niece knows how to move it, move it!

Just had to share this video of my niece Yasmin (and god-daughter I must add) busting her moves at the Bastille Day celebrations yesterday. I might borrow the bum wiggle next time I find myself on the dance floor.
Clearly didn't get this talent from my side of the family. Must be from her Mom's side - though my I-like-to-dance-like-Johnny-Clegg-and-clap-in-time-to-the-music-Dad might protest. Add the bum wiggle next time Dad and you'll get my vote.

I'm getting old! I need a Hobble stick!

I never thought I'd use those words but the way I feel this morning I can only put the blame on age. I feel like an old woman. Hobbled out of bed down the passage to the bathroom. Hobbled to the kitchen to make tea. Hobbled to the lounge. Damn this back pain. I've made it to the chair in the lounge now and I fear I may never be able to stand up again. Thank goodness I type without looking at the keys - moving my head to look at the keyboard hurts! I'm hobble typing.
And today is housework day! Well, secretly I'm not too gutted about that. If only I could get away with not helping. I'm going to have to take some drugs and power on like a good woman though. The Guilt will get me! I'm going to try hobble back to the kitchen now. Wish me happy hobbling. We all become hobblers one day!

6 days of Sunshine!

So I'm back. If you've been missing me hold on to your socks because I'm back in the Burgh. Back to reality. Blah!
We just spent 6 relaxing, gloriously hot days in wonderfully Spanish Seville. Yes, those of you who know me I did indeed say gloriously hot. 2 1/2 years of more cold than hot. More keeping warm than trying to get cool. I'm a changed woman. I now crave the sun. As long as I'm covered in sunscreen, have an airconditioner, cold showers and swimming pools. Those are my conditions.

I'm still getting back into the swing of things so I'm keeping this one short but will post some more on the weekend with maybe a picture or two of the sun. Most especially for the Scots who rarely see it.

If I wrote a book...

what would it be about? I get asked that question a lot. If I knew that surely I would have written my bestseller by now. Oh it will be a bestseller. Why bother otherwise? Of course, the sense of accomplishment would be an added bonus. Fulfilling a dream I've had for a while would make me happy beyond that dream. Ultimately though I want it to be good. I want it to be great. I want it to fly off the shelves and become a classic in my time. These may be the reasons I've not written my book yet. Great expectations and fear of failure.

Bryce Courtenay once told me that the secret to writing a book is 'bum glue'. I paid a lot of Rands to go learn from the Master and the man who made me want to write stories. And that's what I remember most clearly. 'Bum Glue' - worth every cent. Get your ass in a chair, write and do not get up till your fingers are bleeding or you are in danger of developing piles.
I've drifted way off course over the past 2 years. Trying to get back on track with this blog. It's a start but I've got to put in more work. So I'm going to try do just that. You are all the witnesses to my promise to myself. All I ask from you is that you read and I'll take any criticism (and I'm not adverse to a little praise) you have to throw my way.

Sunday Wind Down

Weekend has flown by as usual and don't feel like I've accomplished very much apart from not spending one single penny! Not even one! Easy to do when you don't leave the house!
Most exciting thing that I've done this weekend is watch the Springboks beat the British and Irish Lions! And what a tense game it was! We had a comfortable lead and then all the stars were taken off and the Lions kicked it up to high gear! I spent the last 5 minutes jumping up and down to calm my anxiety! At least I got to burn some calories - but they better not do that to me next week. My heart might not be able to take it!
So heading off to get ready for the week, have a good one chaps!

Why use time constructively when you can watch TV?

I should be blogging. Instead I've watched 2 episodes of Grey's Anatomy (had a cry) and on to my second episode of House. You may recall we were without a TV for a little over a week - fortunately our Sky box recorded my favourites shows. All 2 of them. So I'm playing catch up. I'll catch up with the blogging tomorrow. All things are meant to be equal, are they not? Balance will be restored.

When Alarms don't go off...

it means my day starts very badly. Overslept this morning! I hate that feeling. That panic! That mad rush to get ready and figure out how the hell you are going to make it to work in 20 minutes when it normally takes you an hour and a half.
I did it in an hour. And my boss bought me coffee as a reward for being late (well, not quite how she put it)!

Today I almost lost my right thumb!

It was the Kitchen again. I've told you how it hates me. I was chopping onions. Slippery devils! I'm not sure if I told you but I bought Bruce a Magimix for Christmas. Though he is convinced onions taste different when you use it to chop them I've been secretly using it when he isn't home.Very, very sneaky! I did admit to him one Saturday but he didn't believe me. Apparently when his Dad and him were perfecting the Famous Family Peri-Peri recipe back in Australia they made a revolutionary discovery. Whenever they used the Magimix to chop the onions it gave the sauce a slightly different flavour that they didn't like. So onions were chopped by hand forever more.
Tonight I decide to oblige and use a knife to chop the onions I needed for the mince dish we were having for dinner. The result, I almost lost my thumb! I'm not exaggerating. I used the smaller, sharper chopping knife. Peeled the onions and started to chop. I'm not sure if it is because these onions are Scottish but they are decidedly more slippery than I remember Benoni onions being. Onion slipped away from knife, thumb went under and slice! Shock! Blood. Lots of blood. Cold Water. Pain. Roller Towel, pressure. Less pain. Blood soaked. Dancing around the kitchen holding towel over thumb shouting profanities not befitting a lady! More roller towel and sticky tape to hold it in place (Too much blood and no plaster big enough!). Onions in Magimix. Viola! Easy Peesy!

I'm now discovering how difficult life with an out of action thumb can be! I can type, thank your lucky stars but holding a pen could be hard. Trying to open a can of tomatoes is an endurance test! Even holding the wooden spoon to stir was less effective!
Feeling sorry for me? How long do you think I can milk this for? I will tell you one thing - I'm using the Magimix to chop onions from now on. My opposable appendages depend on it!

Life without TV

We have been without a TV for 12 days now. Normally I wouldn't really miss it but this week I've missed out on watching the Twenty20 World Cup, the Western Province vs. British and Irish Lions game and Bafana Bafana vs. Iraq. I don't profess to be a big time Sports fan but I there are a few things I like to support and this week my lack of TV denied me the opportunity. Getting updates via live sporting websites is too slow and stressful. And I'm convinced my support would have helped WP and Bafana Bafana win. Mark my words with a big tick next week when we get our TV back we'll win everything! My energy is a powerful thing! I think I may have jinxed us.

I must admit I do seem to have got a lot more things done with the absence of the people in the box. Important things like sleeping, housework, blogging, reading and sleeping. I lead an exciting life and in fact I must close of this most riveting blog as I've ironing to do.
Hope this week brings you happiness!

Drag me to Hell!

When was the last time you watched a good old fashioned Horror flick? The kind that made you jump out of your seat and scream - following up with a silly giggle while you rescued the popcorn drowning in your cleavage or mourn the demise of those that reached the floor?
We watched one last night- Drag me to Hell. It doesn't have the greatest storyline but all the stuff that makes for a good Horror is there. Creaking stairs, chandeliers that shiver at appropriate moments, curses, shadowy spirits, rusty gates that clang open and shut in the wind, power failures, torches that work intermittently and let's not forget the angry evil being with the glass shattering, lightening and fire summoning voice. Oh yes and the gross parts are there too - vomiting maggots and such things.
I sound like I'm scoffing but if the truth is to be told on this page today then I need to admit that I jumped, screamed and hid behind Bruce a few times. There are some ridiculous moments but I'll leave you to discover those for yourself.
Give it a watch if you like this sort of thing. There hasn't been a proper Horror film around for a while. At the very least you will be entertained.

Is there anybody out there?

I don't mind writing for myself at all but I'd like to think I'm entertaining somebody. I know of 3 people who read my blog - Miller, Hayley and my Man (said like Denzel Washington would say it). Anyone else?

I'm writing this on a train hoping the wireless internet connection doesn't fail on me and leave me quite literally without words. Just left Darlington station, next stop Newcastle. I'm looking out at green fields with scatterings of yellow flowers (that I'm yet to find out the name of) and enjoying the wee bit of sun shining through my window. I've found my place in the sun.

It's been a good weekend. I think I almost peed my pants laughing a few times. If you ever find yourself in a place called Whitby I can recommend the fish and chips! English style! We didn't get it wrapped in newspaper because we sat in but a tasty treat it was. I don't know how my Dad managed to squeeze in apple pie and custard afterwards but somewhere in those skinny legs lies a bottomless pit. Our poor waiter was subjected to my Sister's flirting and my Dad's sardonic humour but I left him a tip to help him pay to get his sanity back. Oh yes, lots of stairs and hills around town which led my Mom to declare - 'If there really is a stairway to Heaven I'm not going to make it up!'

Have a good week chaps!

In the land of Robin Hood honesty prevails

Finally a little time to blog and because I'm away. I've just been so busy lately. I'm in Whitby in Yorkshire with my Mom, Dad, Sister and her husband. I'm looking out at the rain, sipping on a G&T, my Mom and sister are playing Solitaire (I know it's meant to be a one player game but rules can be broken), Dad and Sister's Husband are talking economics, politics and chances of winning the lottery.

So here's a story that gave me a little faith in humanity. My Dad arrived this morning at Heathrow Airport, hopped on a tube to Kings Cross, then had to catch a train to meet us in Doncaster. He arrived safe and sound we met him with Starbucks and drove to Sister's In-laws for lunch. We alight happily from the motor vehicle and Mom says to Dad 'Didn't you bring your laptop?' I've never seen my Dad's face so white. A panicked search ensued but it was fruitless. Laptop sat alone on a train to Newcastle. Inside the laptop bag were all manner of valuables - Ipod Touch, return tickets to Italy, train tickets to London, passport and the list goes on.
A few phonecalls, a few unhelpful folk and then some very helpful ones and we were told they would try contact train but to call back in an hour and half. A very long wait with a lot of prayers being sent upstairs and good news was received. They had the laptop bag in Newcastle. Some honest soul found it and handed it in. Guardian Angels were smiling down on Dad.

So now we are settling down for dinner - Mom's lasagna! The best in the world! Yummy!
All is well in our world.

Another Saturday Session...

Almost lunch time and I've had a rather productive morning. No hangover this morning and I got breakfast brought to me in bed. Love it!
I then felt quite motivated to go to gym. I haven't been all week and thinking about it now I don't believe I went the week before either. Where does time go?
So we went. Just got home now and I must prepare to watch the rugby and support a South Africa team I don't particularly care for (Stormers rule!) but they can't lose today - South African pride is at stake!
GO THE BULLS!

Saturday Sessions

Saturday! I love Saturday! I don't like waking up to an alarm though. It's wrong. Saturday I should be woken up by the sun. Whom I kidding? I live in Edinburgh, the sun hates us.
Normally it is a case of waking up and not being alarmed up on a Saturday. Alas we have a house guest this weekend. He had to head off to a Highland gathering to go play drums in a tartan skirt this morning. My I-wannabe-a-chef-and-perfect-host man decided to send him off with a Scottish breakfast - minus the black pudding which we forgot to buy. This meant setting an alarm to make sure he woke up in good time to prepare this feast.
My responsibility set the alarm and kick him out of bed. I did - so some good wife points earned by me. I then snoozed for another half an hour before guilt dragged me by my pounding head out of bed. I've mentioned before I'm not a morning person so imagine my glee at being confronted by 2 cheerful chaps with my red wine head still throbbing angrily. Coffee. 3 cups. More wife points earned by me! My next designated duty - make the toast. Easy peesy japaneesy wife points!
We got the skirted drummer out the door in good time to catch his taxi. I got to clean up the kitchen - mega wife points - while Chef patted his belly and watched Super 14 rugby while chatting to his folks Downunder on Skype.
So a rather succesful Saturday so far in spite of the alarmed awakening. Huge wife points earned. And now I get to chill out for a while before my next set of duties call. The quest for wife points never ends!

Can't beat the 80's

I'm sitting watching the NEW Knight Rider as I write this. KITT is awesome! Beautiful! Effects are quality. He now has the voice of Val Kilmer. The new Michael, the son of Michael Knight is pretty, well pretty. I think this might be the start of a great show. Watch this space

Won't compare it to the Eighties Hoff version, you can't beat the Eighties now can you?

Happy Mother's Day!

It’s Mother's Day today! I’m normally quite organized and make sure to spoil my very deserving Mother with flowers and cards but this year I’m very sad to say that with all that’s been going on in my life of late I remembered the flowers too late and she only got a phone call this year. I feel like a very bad daughter. I had the best of intentions but not enough time to follow through on them. Not an excuse I know.

I suppose -and I’m not justifying my lack of gift here- no gift could ever really express how much I love and value my Mother. Like every mother she has had to endure the empty nest syndrome with each of us leaving the nest one by one. Most mothers are lucky enough to have their kids living down the road, in the next town or at least the same country as them. In my Mom’s case, like so many mothers from South Africa, all her kids live overseas. So on Mothers Day there is no-one to take her out to lunch, drop by with flowers and a card or cook her breakfast in bed. My Dad does his best to treat her and we all make the effort to try make her feel special. I failed this year and I’m quite sad about that. My mom sounded down when I phoned her (though she tried to hide it) and I feel like I didn’t do what I was meant to as a good daughter to make her happy on Mother’s Day. So Mom if you are reading this I want you to know I love you very much. I feel very lucky to have had a Mom like you – on top of all the usual motherly qualities most mom’s possess you had a very extra special ones that made you stand out – open-minded, encouraging and mischievous – you gave us all our naughty side. You were the first to stand up and fight in our court. You were the coolest of all the Moms and still are! HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!

Curry in a hurry!

Diet flew out the window last night with a good ol’ curry take-away singing ‘I win again’ to its departing t. I’m trying to coax it back today but it’s slow going. Only got a big D back in as the smell of curry is still lingering around the fridge.

Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!

Another weekend almost passed. Halfway through the month of May already. Time is flying by. The clock at work stopped at exactly 9:45pm on Thursday. We arrived at this conclusion on the basis that it was working on Thursday when the last person left around 6pm. When I arrived at 6:50am I noticed it had stopped. In fact my heart stopped for a second when I thought I’d lost almost 3 hours. We are a clever bunch at my work! The jokes rolled in as each new person arrived and continued for most of the day. ‘I feel like I’m stuck in the same time zone’, ‘Today is going so slowing it feels like time has stopped doesn’t it?’ – you get the picture.
My only attempt at humour came when the young Office lad fixed the clock at around 3:30pm – ‘The last few hours just flew by didn’t they?’
I think I’m the funniest of them all!

My sun, my sun!

I live in the land of the Everlasting Winter. The sun has forsaken us. They say we talk about the weather when we have nothing else interesting to discuss. Maybe so, but they clearly have never lived in the land of the Everlasting Winter.

Monday Musings

Woke up to another rainy day in Scotland but I selected the Beatles on my Ipod and headed out the door to 'Love, Love me do!'
I couldn't start my week off on a bad note - that would set the tone for the whole week. I feel like I’ve got stuck back into my routine bad habits and general laziness since we returned from Paris. So I've decided to set myself some goals - the usual stuff I suppose - and focus my thoughts towards more positive waves.

And with that guess what is all over the 10 o'Clock news - SWINE FLU in SCOTLAND!! YAY!

It's not so late in the evening...

Ahhh! It's not even 8 o'clock in the evening and I'm in bed with my cup of tea. I think it is well earned seen as we don't seem to have been able to get to bed before 11 this week and I've been up at 5!Count the hours! Beauty sleep desperately needed! I feel haggard, ragged and worn out. Someone called me Dorothy today and Golden Girls reruns flashed like a horror movie through my head. Then I realised I had on my red shoes (I love my red shoes) and he fancied himself witty!

Lack of sleep does me no good. So before I let the night get away from me again I'm going to bid you goodnight, finish my tea and read a few pages of my Hemingway before I pass out!
I'll be back on the weekend.

Póg mo thóin

Saturday. And I'm at work. Only for a few hours so not so bad and pretty much just waiting around so I can test a few things and then be on my way. So thought while I wait I would sit here and type up a few of my thoughts. So clever I am!

Been a busy but mostly uneventful week except for last night. I surprised my folk music mad man with tickets to see Sharon Shannon Big Band with Camille O’Sullivan and Shane McGowan. Such a good night! We got jiggy to some seriously outstanding Irish Tunes.

I’m not sure you know who Shane McGowan is. Ever heard of The Pogues – responsible for such hits as Fairytale of New York, Dirty Ol’ Town and Irish Rover? He is the founding Lead Singer. And what a character he is!

I actually almost walked into him on the street outside the venue. I'd just been to the cash machine to- uh - draw cash for boozing and had begun the journey back to join Bruce in the queue. My first thought when I saw this dishevelled guy stumbling out of a pub and fumbling to put his sunglasses on (no, the sun was not shining in Scotland) was that he was going to ask me for a cig. Then as I was walking by, I noticed the expensive leather pants and something clicked my recognition button! When I looked up everyone in the queue was staring in my direction. I mean I know I’m hot but that kind of admiration would have been … a new thing.

By all accounts a night to remember. Sharon Shannon is indescribable. What a musician and so real. You’ll find her on You Tube if you care to see for yourself. While you are there look out for Gerry O’Connor – amazing banjo player and Jim Murray – brilliant guitarist. I could go on and on about last night but don’t want to risk doing a Celine Dion on my faithful readers and as your luck would have it the waiting game is over.

So póg mo thóin!

Paris, je t'aime

So let me tell you about Paris. I love Paris. I'll always love Paris. You should go to Paris. I can't do it justice. Everything about Paris makes me happy. The endless cafe's with people sitting facing the street so they can observe everything. The pastries. The wine. The cheese. The people. The walks along the Seine. The Lourve. The sights and sounds. The Notre Dame. The Gargoyles. The Shakespeare Company Bookstore. The Buddha Bar. Montmatre. The people. The history that surrounds you. It's just Paris. You should go.

Our Kitchen hates me!

I'm convinced! Seriously. Every time I venture in there and stay for longer than 5 minutes to cook or bake anything - I either almost chop off a finger, grate my knuckles, burn myself on the oven, stove, or anything that screams HOT! My darling man says it is because I'm not careful enough and rush in where fools fear to tread. I disagree! I simply think the Kitchen hates me and favours him. I've got the scars and the plaster wrapped around my thumb to prove it. He is bruise, burn, cut and scrap free. And he likes to drink and cook. Yup! He is a regular Floyd in the kitchen. I, mostly, restrict my drinking to when I'm actually partaking of the food I've cooked or watching my gorgeous Master Chef in the making cook a famous dish of his own creation.
I've tried to tell him I should for my own safety be barred from the kitchen and most definitely from participating in any kitchen related activities. I can make tea, coffee, pour him a whiskey, turn on the dishwasher... but I must be quick. His response- he chuckled and said 'Yes Dear'.
All fun and games till I lose a thumb. I'd be screwed if I ever needed to hitch a ride to nowhere or pop a cork off a bottle of champagne. What would ol' Chuckles do then? I mean a girls charm can only get her so far. She most certainly needs a good pair of opposable thumbs for when the going gets a little corky or she ever wants to play the piano again.

I bid you goodnight. Hope tomorrow brings you peace and happiness.

P.S I know I've been gone a few days but I was in Paris for 5 of them. I'll tell you all about that another time. I love Paris.

Hit me!

Yesterday walking up to catch my bus I got hit full on by a runaway billboard. Yup, it was a particularly windy day and I walked, pushing myself into the wind. Head down. Mistake. When I looked up - BILLBOARD - and nowhere to go. Car on one side, wall on the other. I lifted up my right arm in a feeble attempt to protect I don't know what. WHACK!

Let me explain the Billboard - one of those that small shops use to display the newspaper headlines. So if you were thinking one of those big highway boards - I think I'd be dead. Nope it was a wee one. About the height of an oven.
The worst part of it all is rather sad. Nary a small bruise to show off or get sympathy for. I did get sweet retribution in another form though. A lady stood at the bus stop I was heading towards and she did nothing. No shout to warn me. Not even a concerned question in my direction after I got hit. Nothing. I think I spotted a quickly hidden smile. So we get on the bus and as luck would have it alight from it at the same stop. Me first. Then from behind me I hear an 'Oh dear are you ok?'
I turn. Laughing lady is lying on the floor. She fell off the bus. Karma strikes. She was surrounded by people helping her and didn't appear to have broken any bones so I walked on. Smiling. Fully expecting Karma to hit me with a bigger something.

You know what I keep thinking about though - what was written on that billboard?

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. All you got to do is call!

So I'm back again. Watching Fried Green Tomatoes as I write this. Makes me think of old friends and times gone by. I hope when I'm old one day I'm still blessed with the memory I have now. I want to be able to recall the happy times like flicking on a switch. As clear as I can today.

I've been pretty blessed in my life so far in that I've made a few treasured friendships. Some are almost as old as me, some only months old. I get sad sometimes when I think about the friends back in my homeland who I don't get to see or speak to very often. I wish there was a way to keep everyone close. Close to hand not just to the heart. I can't remember who said this first but I'm saying it now - memories are only worth having if you have someone to share them with.
So friends who are reading this, keep close. I've got your secrets safe in my head and I'll remind you of them when you forget.
It is comforting to know that no matter where time takes me I've got a friend there. And right now I've got my very best friend of all sitting right next to me on the couch. Who could ask for more in life?

Late Friday thoughts

Friday night. I just got a telling off for not writing on my blog since Tuesday so here I am. I always do what I'm told. Seriously. So these are my Friday night thoughts. The sun started shining a bit this week. Still wearing my jacket in the mornings and early evenings. I'm sitting with a blanket wrapped aorund me right now. The sun is out during the day though. Shining. Bright. Glorious. I've missed it. Lunchtime is my favourite time of the day now. That's when the sun is shining her brightest and I get to leave my office without my jacket and bake. I'm baking on a very low heat with a slight breeze coming off Arthurs Seat and it is heavenly. I'm not normally a sun worshipper. Mostly I'm a shade girl. Ever watch Dark City? I feel like I've been living there the last few months. Someone finally turned the sky lights on.

It's late in the evening. I'm reaching Yawn level 3. That's where you yawn every 3 typed words, if I get to level 1 then, well, typing just gets dangerous. So I bid you all goodnight. Tomorrow I've a busy day planned but Sunday is looking like a good blog day.

Thank-you Ipod!

My Ipod is the best present I've ever received. I'm not a Morning Person. I just don't do mornings. I function. That's all. Don't ask me questions. Don't talk about matters of importance. Give me coffee. A hug. A kiss. Just don't annoy me and all will be well in the World. Yours and mine.

So picture me – Miss Idont Domornings Licata. It's a family name so I'm stuck with it. Picture me sitting on a bus at 6:30am. Barely a cup of coffee down my throat before I rushed out the door. Next to me a kid- Ipod on and on so loud that the DOOF, DOOF, DOOF is grinding into my irritability like an axe to a tree. A young mother gets on the bus with screaming infant in tow. Now I'm a kid person. I even love other people's kids (guess I have to when I don't have any of my own). But come on people give me a break. It is 6:30am! Behind me a mobile rings. RINGS one of those annoying I-got-a–nokia-but-don't-know-how-to-change-the-annoying-signature-ringtone ring tones. And the Sausage behind me can't find it in her giant handbag. Finally answers it and then rabbits on LOUDLY in a language I can't understand. This annoys me even more – if you are going to talk on the phone on Public Transport at least do it in a language I can understand so I can eavesdrop and paint a picture in my mind of what your life is like. Now combine that with the random PINGING to signal the bus driver to stop. And the school kids who scramble to the back of the bus and then compete to see who can talk the loudest while one of them inevitably has an MP3 player that has speakers and will blare tunes that sound like they are being sung by the chipmunks over all the noise.

Did I mention I don't do mornings? I used to get to work growling, contemplating murder. Now picture me sitting through all of this with a smile, completely relaxed and happy and getting off the bus with a cheery 'Thank-you Driver!'

Notice the white wire running from my ears to my chest. My Ipod has saved me.

Blog by Blog

Been staring at this blank page for a while now. Trying to think of something entertaining to write. I keep getting distracted by cricket, the need for coffee, facebook, other peoples blogs, phonecalls... and then I'm back to staring at the blank page.
So as a means of combating my lack of words today I'm writing about my lack of words. My theory if you get rid of all the bad words, the uninspired, the dull and mundane - the winning stuff must surely follow.
I think part of the problem is that I've been blog surfing. Looking for inspiration but all I seem to be finding today is blog after blog about other people's tragedies, misadventures and general sadness. I'm not heartless, in fact if anything I'm too sensitive and I can almost feel the pain of these complete strangers. Is this the state of the world today? Tragedy and sadness on everyones doorstep. Send me links to funny blogs would you please?
I need laughter. Laughter is indeed the best medicine. I'm going to start the laughing now... join me if you will.... HAHAHAHAAAAAAA HEEEE HEEE HEEE BWAAHAAHAHAAAAAAA

Monday. Monday.

Made it! Monday is almost done. I feel sorry for Mondays. Got a bad rep they do. They're always judged by their name. If I was a day I'd be Friday. Or I'd be Sunday if I could be Sunday Morning. Sunday Evenings - well, they tip too close to Monday again and the association is somewhat depressing.
I'm going to try experimenting a little with punctuation! I'm a tad paranoid about my comma usage. I used to place them happily without thinking about it. The comma went where it went. I don't think I overused it. I just used it. Then someone, I'll call her Kerren (mostly because that's her name), told me about her pet hate. I believe she was facilitating a Business English course at the time. Anyway. She hated commas being misused. How do you misuse a comma I hear you scoff? It can be done. Ask me I'm paranoid now. Thanks Kerren. And I say that from the bottom of my heart. You made me a better punctuator. Yes I know that isn't a word. Did I mention I like to make up words?

I'm trying to make a point. You meet all sorts of folk on this - watch me use a cliche - journey called life. Everyone teaches you something. Tolerance. Patience. Punctuation. Introduces you to a new band, new drink, snails or a book. Get out there and meet people. They make you.

Mommy's Muti

I usually look forward to my Saturday morning. Sleep in a little later. Bruce normally chats to his folks and then one or both of us cooks up a breakfast. Then we just go with the flow. Today. Well, today I'm still sick. My cough-cough-cough-coughing kept Bruce and I awake most of the night. Around 3am I moved to the lounge, sat on the couch and coughed for about 10 minutes continuously. My chest really hurts. Feeling very sorry for myself. Why is it we always want our mother's when we are sick? I do anyway. I want her to put her hand on my forehead to check my temperature. Tuck me in and give me my muti. And then, just have the comfort of knowing she is checking in on me, bringing me flat coke, grated apple and dry toast with marmite. Unfortunately my Mom is all the way back in Benoni so Bruce is doing his best.
We went out and got some anti-biotics this morning. Let the road to recovery begin with the first step. The taking of the pill! Bruce has just brought me a hot toddy so going to drink up and then have a wee nap.

Feeling sick and sorry for myself

There is nothing in the world I detest more than being sick. I just can't seem to shake this cold and flu I've had for two weeks. Now it seems to have developed into Bronchitis. So finally took a day off work. I'm just not very good at staying in bed. I get bored. But this time I can't seem to get out of bed.
Anyone feeling sorry for me yet?

My wonderful Valentine

I had the most romantic day yesterday. Woken up just before 9 to be told a bubble bath awaited me but forbidden from entering the kitchen. Once I'd relaxed in the bath, and dress myself respectfully I was led through to our lounge where he'd set our dining table and placed a single stem pink rose next to my plate. Breakfast started with a cup of coffee and a yoghurt, raspberry, strawberry, cream conconction that was simply devine! Next up he appeared with a tray full of hot croissants - each with different fillings (ham and cheese, smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers, banana, crushed pecan nuts and nutella to name a few). Delicious!
Then I was told he'd booked me into a spa for a manicure and pedicure which would be followed with a hair appointment at my usual salon with Ben my Hairdresser. So by lunch time, I had was looking mighty fine!
We then came home, moved our mattress into the lounge and vegged out watching romantic DVD's. Around 5 I was told to get ready as we were going out for dinner. He took me to an Italian Restaurant up the road from us that we've been meaning to visit for a while. Had a gorgeous meal, some wine and perfect company.
Came home and climbed back onto the mattress and cuddled up to watch the classic Lady and the Tramp.... a perfect Valentine! I'm very lucky to have such a man!

Sunday Mornings!

It's Sunday Morning. Pancake Day! Woke up this morning hankering for some American Style Pancakes!! Alas we are all out of bacon so it is just pancakes with cheese and Maple Syrup - but yummy and very healthy none the less!
I'll reward myself with a trip to the gym later!

Lots of budget planning, life planning and house cleaning to be done today so I need the energy. I like to start my day off on a happy note!

Doesn't time just fly by. Almost 2 years since I last wrote on here. Like an addict in rehab I just stopped.

Now I want to start again.