ding dong merrily on high

I see the word "high" has featured in a few posts this week. hehe. HIIIIIGH!

anyway.

Christmas is around the corner and my shopping is done. I’ve bought books for everyone. I’ve actually bought so many books in the last few days I could open a library. My living room has one times big box of books sitting in the middle of it - all by South African authors. It’s the right thing to do :)

I don’t have a big family. In fact, I have tiny family. Suits me (and my pocket) fine, and I also chose not to have a massive circle of friends. So it really is quite easy.

The thing I love about a book is that it can passed on. And I do so suggest that people do this. I make it a rule. I keep very few books unless I know for sure that I’m going to want to read it again. Even then, after reading it twice I will “pay it forward”

The only thing I’m not looking forward to is that I have to work right through. I am off today until Monday, but then back in the office until I go on holiday in Feb / March. Not looking forward to the silence in the office. Then again, maybe I will have time to sit down and write again because I’ve neglected this significant part of my life this year only penning randomness and nothing creative or stimulating.

Anyway – I’m bored of typing now. So before I go do tell me…

How do you all buy gifts, if you do at all?
Do you choose to only buy for the children in the family? (As I see has become a norm in my social circle)
Do you buy for everyone?
Do you balance on the fine line of bankruptcy in order to get the biggest and best for those you buy for?

What will you be doing over the “festive” season?

What ever you’re doing, have fun. Be safe – and happy holidays.

up high

This here little picture was taken when we landed (for the first time) on top of Armstrong Hill.

10 Things I’ve learnt about my pussy.

1) He loves water, going as far as jumping into the shower when one of us is in or sitting on the garden wall when the rain is pouring outside.

2) He eats like a horse.

3) He wants to kill the Christmas tree.

4) Gardens are not for looking pretty and watching things grow. They are for digging holes, eating plants and destroying.

5) At 4 months, the vet has said he is the same size, if not bigger, than most adult cats. And yes, he really is getting big

6) He loves music. When I play guitar he sits at my feet and watches.

7) He thinks I’m his human cat mother. Follows me everywhere.

8) He will only eat pellets. Hates all those fancy cat treats and will not touch fish? Except those in the pond. I don’t get it either.

9) He loves Daz and I – and that makes us feel super special.

10) He looks so gay in the purple glitter bling collar we bought him that we decided to take it off, and leave it off.

so high in the sky

A close friend of mine was able to arrange a helicopter trip around Durban for him, my boyfriend and I on Saturday morning. This was to be my first trip in a helicopter.

Who knew it would also be my last?

When we arrived my very first thought was how the hell are we all fitting into this little flying machine? It looked to me like nothing more than a little toy chopper. A 4 seater we were advised.

I was already nervous. As it is I don’t like being in an airplane and here I was in what looked like an egg. I was able to stay calm as the blades began turning and tried my best to stop my leg from shaking uncontrollably. As we lifted off the ground from Virginia Airport and the ocean came into view I knew then that this was a bad idea.

Now before I continue I want to say this. The views are stunning. Durban is an amazing city with the most beautiful hills and lush tropical landscape – but I hated every minute of being in the air. Every minute.

And so – off we went down the coast – that was beautiful and the only time I was less stressed, and then past the Sun Coast Casino. As we flew along the coast line I was able to open my eyes, just for a second and I tried my best to enjoy the amazing opportunity I was experiencing. Looking to my left as my boyfriend so excitedly pointed out different buildings and my friend in the front half hanging out the window, both of them clearly having the time of their lives I silently prayed that I would find some peace and join in on the fun. I could not though. I just could not. As I’ve said, and am sure to repeat, I was petrified.

From North beach side we continued towards South beach and to the Durban harbor before turning around and heading back towards where we began. ONLY, this was not to be the end of the trip. No. Sir. Reeee. The fucking pilot announces we’ve only just begun.

Well yes. I had only just begun shitting my pants.

(it is pretty though hey?)



We took a sharp left just after the Sun Coast Casino, and as the helicopter did a little break dance mid air we were assured that this was only because the buildings along the promenade disturb the wind, so it causes a wee bit of turbulence.

Yeah. Caused a wee bit of wee in me too.

We then began flying over the Umgeni River mouth and continued for another 15 or so kilometers as the residential areas of Umgeni and then Inanda and then, well, I forget, zoomed past below.

That is when I saw the mountain. YES A MOUNTAIN. Ok, a hill. A very big one. A very big one called Armstrong Hill. A hill I never even knew existed. And so we were flying directly toward the hill when the pilot announced we would be landing on top for a pic nic. After turning around to get the best wind, the chopper lifted higher and then moved over to the top of the hill where we had a nice, soft landing.

I immediately asked where I could find a bus or taxi to get back home to Durban. I appologised profusely but admitted that I was not handling this all too well. He, the pilot, the pilot I would have pushed off that mountain had I not needed him a little later, laughed and asked if I realized I was on top of a mountain in the middle of no where and that I could very well try get down and call a cab, but that it might take a day or two. So reluctantly I sat down and ate the fresh strawberries and blueberries and gooseberries and berries and berries, and croissants and muffins and champers.

Now I am sure you’re all quite capable of guessing how one gets off a high hill when one is in a helicopter. Yip – you kinda just move forward and off and the chopper does a dip, and so do some peoples bowels, before you lift again, leaving behind said bowels and fly off into the clouds once more. We were now on our way back to the airport and I was both joyous and nervous all over again.

By the time we had landed I was a wreck. My hands were bruised from holding onto the bar in front of me so tightly. My leg was still doing the strange hippy pagan dance and I chained smoked like 3 ciggies all at once.

Thank you Quitch, for a wonderful opportunity. I know that Daz loved every minute of it and you completely made his day…….. but the next time you’re offered a helicopter trip you can count me out.

And to my Daz. My love… I promise – you still look 21 (and as gorgeous as ever). Happy 32 BIRTHDAY!!!

I saw the sign

(for the sake of this here blog post, I shall refer to my boyfriend as Richard. I don’t know why, Richard is a perfectly good name I think)

After an unfortunate argument over a very silly situation I found myself asking myself “do I really want to be in a relationship?”

There is a part of me that is fighting for the freedom of going solo. That “me” of some years back who lived alone, and quite successfully so. I could come and go when I wanted, do the things that only I want to do and not worry about whether I’m using too much Thyme on the roast chicken (because you don’t like it, well I do).

The petty, maybe childish me who does not want to grow up? Who does not want to share. Who is greedy and wants you to stop messing with my hair.

Then there is that even larger part of me that knows I’m so madly and deeply in love. Who knows that I don’t really want to be alone – and not just alone, I just don’t ever want to be with out the one person I know I can always count on. Even when I’ve been a bit of a douche bag.

I was taking a walk to a friends house yesterday morning. We were heading down to the beach and as I walked my 20 minute walk I thrashed it out in my head.

WHAT DO I WANT?!?
Should I pick up my metaphorical skirt, kick off the heels and run for the hills?
“Give me a sign!” I was screaming and shouting in my head.

As I was walking, head down – head in turmoil I came to where I needed to cross the road. I was almost hit by a van! It was a plumbers van, on the way to an important job I would assume at the speed he was driving and then I saw it… I saw the sign.

“With Richard you always have peace of mind”

And I was like, wtf? What kind of plumber’s logo is that? And why does he have the same name as my boyfriend anyway and, is this my sign?

It made perfect sense. So I’ve taken it as that. My sign.

I asked, and I got it.

“Baby On Board”

Last night as we were driving to dinner my boyfriend pointed out that the car in front of us had a “Baby On Board” sticker and I should drive carefully.

I had not even noticed it.

I never notice these signs on cars and this got me thinking about why people even stick them there.

Seriously. Is it for their own peace of mind? Does this make the car invincible?

Tell me: if you’re driving down the road and you see someone in front of you with a “Baby On Board” sticker do you drive more cautiously?

Why do you (if you do)?

What makes “Baby On Board” any different to “Grown Up ON Board”?

The sticker should simply say “Drive Carefully” that’s the golden rule.

But still… like I said earlier – I would not notice it anyway.

The thing is that we should always be driving carefully. Whether there is a baby in the car or not. I know this is one of those strange random posts but it’s on my mind and it kinda irritates me. The stickers. Not babies. Those are quite cute mostly.

I’m sure there is probably a true story behind the creation of these stickers, but I personally don’t think it makes any difference to anything.

Just a thought.