A few comments on comments...

Why is it that we feel so involved with other people's lives? Honestly, we read other blogs and make comments or leave advice to people who we've never met, and at best is most likely never will meet. Why is it that the 'blogosphere' has each one of us so totally spellbound that we feel we have to spend a not unsubstantial amount of our time every day on it? Is it because it's basically that whole little voyeur thing we all have in us? Or is it that we've 'met' people online that have become dear friends, or at least dear acquaintances that share our lives - the joy, the sorrow, the heartache, the happiness... I think it is the latter. Yes, it is sharing a life with other human beings on a totally intimate level without being 'really intimate' - if that makes any sense to anybody. (Having one of those days where my brain is over thinking everything to the n'th degree.)





Some old friends, some new ones and some that have fallen by the wayside as we went along this path. I don't keep a 'blogroll' (glad I spelled that correctly...) on my blog for many reasons, but it's not because I don't want to list these friends, it's mostly because it's not important to me - not important for others to see who I read and what 'blows' my hair back, so to speak. Hey, I'm a voyeur with a conscience after all! *silly smile on face*





When I started this blog it was mostly so I could keep in touch with my loved one/s in SA and so I could share some of my experiences. It has, however, morphed into something all of it's own with a personality and a life - not completely unpleasant but a little unexpected. I'm keeping a diary for the first time in my life, and it all nice and warm and fuzzy. (Oh crap, I'm about to puke! - How soppy can one human being be?) I'm all sentimental at the moment - maybe because there is a mayor change coming up in my life, maybe 'cause it seems I'm putting a very large (and important) part of my life behind me, maybe 'cause I'm just an old sentimental fool. Who knows Who cares really. My main thing now is to make the most of this last little bit of time I have here in Kenya. (Not that I won't be coming back for visits, but that is different...)





So, with that in mind - spending some time with friends at Lake Baringo this weekend (Thursday is a public holiday and I've taken Friday off), planning another trip to Lamu and to Zanzibar, and will make use of every minute to see the people that I want to spend time with. Will be having fabulous, long, extravagant dinners at home, and long expensive lunches at as many wonderful restaurants in the city as I can... Anybody wanna join me?





Hope y'all have a really fabulous day!!





TTFN

It is official...

Yes, it is official. I am relocating back to South Africa by the end of next month... And, to be honest, I'm completely confused. I wanted this - I wanted to be 'home' to look after the hubby and to make sure that he is his own self again. It is my duty, nay, my pleasure to be there for him in his time of need and I'm looking forward to being the man he deserves. After all, love flourishes not just during the good times, but also during the hard times So why am I so sad?

I've learnt to love this country... No, not just this country, but I've learnt to love the people here.

The friendly, totally phenomenal nature of the Kenyan nation makes me feel at home - always. And that is what makes this place so wonderful. In fact, someone said to me a while ago that I'm a Kikuyu of South African Decent - but I think that because I'm so utterly tight with money! Oh well, I saw it as a compliment... I will miss my members of staff that I've learnt to love dearly, I will miss the humour in the traffic in the mornings when the Matatus drive like absolute maniacs. I'll miss the chaos of the city, and the peace and quiet at my home. I will miss the fruit that still taste like fruit - not just 'shiny mudguards' on the outside and watery and tasteless on the inside. I will miss my friends and work mates. Sad? Yes, sad that I have to leave this place and move on to other things, but also glad that I've been able to spend a small portion of my life in this place, and with these people. Glad that I've had the chance to learn from them, and that I've been able to see that joy comes from within...

Ah well, so it is then. ('So is dat dan' - my Dutch uncle used to say!) Now to decide what I'll call my blog from the end of the month? Any suggestions?

Have a pretty day now y'all!

TTFN

Silly (NOT PC) humour...

Not feeling very creative today and also still completely snowed under at work, so all y'all are getting today is something I find VERY funny, but it is a little politically incorrect...



Also saw 'I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry' last night on DVD. Mostly a good waste of a couple of hours - does have a little positive news at the end but it just makes all the stereotypical 'gay' jokes...

Completely forgettable, thankfully!

Now, I hope y'all have a really nice weekend, filled with love, hope and lots of whatever it is your little heart desires.

Mine desires chocolate and my husband. Will settle for a snickers bar...

TTFN

Sometimes I sit's and thinks, and sometimes I just sit's...

And today is a sits type of day, except that I've been forced to do A LOT of work - and it's financial calculations with spreadsheets as wide as the Rift Valley... My brain is a total mess and even my glasses feel that they need a pair of glasses! Braindead I tell you, braindead!

Just thought I'd share that little pearl of wisdom with y'all!

Hope everybody has a really productive day now!

TTFN

Ps: On another note -

Your Quit Date is: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 12:00:00 AM
Time Smoke-Free: 7 days, 12 hours, 45 minutes and 17 seconds
Cigarettes NOT smoked: 151
Lifetime Saved: 1 day, 3 hours
Money Saved: S24.50

The only problem is that now I'm snacking my little heart out!!! Gonna look like old David up here soon...

Life's variety.

I grew up in apartheid South Africa (for those of you who do not know yet!) and was, due to birth, not by choice part of the 'elite white' society. My parents always taught us that all people are equal and that colour/race/sex etc does not a person make, but that we should accept all people based on who they are, not what they are, and I thank them for this insight, because when the opportunity came for me to have a political voice I was in the forefront screaming for the abolishment of that stupid system called apartheid - and thankfully that happened with the first truly democratic elections in 1994.

The reason why I put this down as an 'opener' to my post is that, if I were one of the narrow minded 'biggots' that came out of Apartheid SA, I would have missed out on so much in my life. I would not have made some great 'local' friends here in Kenya, I would not have had dinner last night with a friend from Vietnam, I would not have met such a diverse and colourful group of people in my remarkable life. It's remarkable not because I've made such an impression on the world, but because the world has made such a remarkable impression on me! How can we truly say that we are better or worse than anybody else, or base our judgements of people on something other than their personality? And then, base this judgement of their personality on their background as well. The old saying about having to walk in somebody Else's shoes before you make up your mind is remarkably true... (Remarkable seems to be my word of the day!)

Don't know why I needed to share that, but consider it shared. Let life be your guide and let goodness be the light!

Hope y'all have a pretty wonderful and diverse day!

TTFN

My home country.

This Monday started quite well, sunny pretty day here in Nairobi and all well.

The weekend was really pleasant, spent some time with a dear friend and went trough the National Park that is situated here in Nairobi. Had a nice picnic lunch and duly got a little lost, but that is par for the course. How do you expect me to read a map and look at/for animals at the same time? I'm blond after all, and male, multi - tasking is not part of the package! And no, you could not stop and ask for directions - zebra are not to keen to chat with the average human being type person! Then went to pick up some art pieces that I had re framed, and they look absolutely stunning! Will post those pictures soon, but today's picture is the African Bush.

Sunday was a very calm, homely type of day just spent doing as little as possible. I love days where you just do not have to be pleasant, friendly, clean shaven etc. It does help that I was alone all day and could actually just be... Some TV (Scanned channels for about a minute before it bugged me that there is 'nothing to watch' and switched it off!), finished a new book, and slept some. Made a nice chicken and avocado salad for lunch and just laid around. Spoke to the hubby for an hour (!) on the phone and did not do anything else that required anything more than the minimum brain power. Really nice day!

On another note. I'm really proud of the 'new South Africa' that has come about after the 1994 free elections. Yes, there are certain things that are still not right, but the basics are there and if everybody just plays by the rules (Wishfull thinking!), it should be a stunning place for all people - but then you get 'arseholes' like these. Why do people feel that they have to take everything to the extreme? Hubby and I went to the Pink Leorie festival a few years ago, and it's a stunning event where the whole little town of Knysna opens it's heart to the gay community. People (gay and straight) all run around with long pink feathers and everybody just has a gay old time (pun intended!). So why is it necessary for these religious groups to now make 'threats' against this institution that is about 8 years old? I hope the organisers will take these guys to the constitutional court and get a ruling against them for hate speech!

That's all for today! Hope y'all have a really pretty week now!

TTFN

A Thursday of old movies.

Over the last two evenings I've actually spent quite a bit of time watching TV. I know, I know - it is a device that slowly but surely draws out your braincells and replaces them with green jelly, but my books are read and I haven't had a chance to go to the bookstore yet and get some new 'entertainment' for myself.

To be honest, I do watch a few selected shows but tend to switch on the box more for 'company' in the house during my evenings alone. Flicking trough the channels on Wednesday evening I came across a classic movie (it wasn't a classic at the time, it is now!) which I went to watch with my 'first' crush in 1984 - at the ripe old age of 16... I remember Footloose as being extremely well done with great dance sequences, music and dialog, in general, a wonderful movie. In fact, I remember Ariel Martinez (my first crush) and I went to see it more than once... Watching it now, I was a little disappointed. It's not that it was a weak movie, but what happened in the 24 odd years since then - have I become such a cynic that I cannot enjoy mindless entertainment anymore? Do I need to be over stimulated (Keep it clean guys!) to enjoy myself? At least it was nice to take a little stroll along memory lane again... (I sound as old as the crypt keeper...)

On another front, going to spend the day in the Nairobi Nature Reserve tomorrow with a few friends - making a nice picnic, have a few drinks and in general just relax. Did I mention that the entrance to a fully fledged game reserve is a mere 10Km from my front door? How amazing is that! I love Africa!

Hope y'all have exciting, meaningful, relaxing, thoughtful, boring, lazy, warm & fuzzy (In fact, whatever you want it to be!) weekends,

TTFN

Bush...

I had to post this - thank you Laurie... Best giggle I've had in a looooong time! How this man ever got to be the 'leader of the free world' is beyond me!

Hope y'all have a purdy cool day now...

TTFN

Ramblings.

Have quite a bit to do today and my inbox is so full it seems ever so slightly pregnant, but I just cannot get myself to really get down and get the work done. I have a head office that is annoying the shit out of me, and a Human Resource (said VERY lightly!) department that is frankly just not being very resourceful. Oh well, will not give up on this little fight and will continue to give it my all - but after this cup of coffee...

On another note my car died and is at the doctors (also knows as General Motors) at the moment. None of the little light things on the dashboard come on when you turn the key, so I'm stuck with one of the pool cars. (I know, it could be worse, I could have no car!) But, I like my truck and the size gives you an advantage in the traffic, and this little 'chick 4X4' that I have to drive now is just not so intimidating!!! By the way, the 'chick 4X4' thing comes from D - he's always referred to these little four wheel drive cars as chick 4X4's. (RAV4's, CRV's, Baby Pajero's etc) This is probably the reason he's always wanted to drive one...

The 'trouble' in the country seems to have no end and every politician and his friend have decided to stick their heads in the ground ala ostrich. This time around it's a gang of people called the 'mungiki' - hope I've spelled it correctly. They are basically a criminal gang that has enormous political clout and it seems at the moment as if nobody dares confront these people. It is such a pity, as all it does is go to the international media and they, once again, advice against travel to this stunning country. This is really hurting more than it's achieving... Well, violence begets violence...

I know this post is all over the place but that is how my mind is working at the moment. Read one paragraph at a time and it should make some sense...

D is travelling again this week and spent 13 hours on the road yesterday. Sometimes I wish he didn't like his job as much as he does, but I will not try and force him to do something he does not want to do. It's a long day and he's dead tired at the end of it. Spoke to him last night (as we do every night) and he sounded like the walking dead. Sounds better this morning, but I still worry about him. I am, after all, the last of the great 'warriors'...

Have lots of other things going on at the moment but need to get my head down and start writing this damn report - or sit until the sun comes back up again tomorrow. Hope I did not bore you to death...

TTFN

Smokin'

It's a few days now and my irriation levels are pretty high... You see, I need a fag (And not the nice kind!) NOW, but I've quit at long last and will continue to be strong - I hope!

This is a good thing...

Keep your fingers crossed y'all!

TTFN

I know I've posted this pic before but it funny!

Just a bit of sillyness...

Surely this is a little printing error... Not that I would be completely disgusted if Captain America came along here for a little...

Just being silly, probably as old as the mountains but I thought it funny.

Hope y'all have a pretty day now!

TTFN

I just don't know...

Rather frustrated at the moment. With this whole planning thing going on to move back home, my 'dearest' company is stuffing me around and it's getting to me now. Been very patient - well, as patient as I get, but it's getting too much to handle... Well, not really, but it does feel that loyalty is a one way street, and it ain't flowin' my way honey!!!! Oh well, I've never been a fatalist, so will just climb in with a renewed effort and 'tell' them what will happen. And if they don't respond the way I want them to, I will get out and move to another place. It's not like I haven't got any offers...



On another note, trying to follow the current series of American Idols.




This boy is AMAZING! David A, if I could vote, you would get my vote every time! For somebody so young you have the most amazing clarity and maturity in your voice. I hope you go VERY far.

We only got to see the top 20 show last night, but I see from the website that he is still in, and leading... Well deserved!

Hope y'all have a really purdy day now. I'm off to start a fight with HR! *Big grin*


TTFN


Ps: Laurie, D says you're the sweetest thing!

A weekend, a Monday and other stuff!

The weekend was probably supposed to be quite and relaxing, but allas, it turned out differently. Well, not that this is all bad, but sometimes one needs to just switch off a bit... Anyway, such is life and I did (begrudgingly) enjoy myself most of the time.

Friday night I had a few people over for dinner as a work friend (also 'family') from Cape Town was here and stayed with me for a couple of days. She was the guest of honour and we had a lovely Hungarian Goulash with Basmati Rice and a Chickpea, Feta and Spinach salad. This was followed by Ice Cream, Strawberries and a rich chocolate sauce. Then we opened another bottle of wine, and then another, and then another and then... (You get my drift!) It ended up with a bottle of Wild Turkey being finished and us seeing her off for her 7am flight without bothering too much with sleep. Here I just want to mention, I'm not really a heavy drinker anymore, but my dear friends are, and as the host, had to stay awake for this little episode. The house looked like a bomb had hit it, and the poor housekeeper was kept busy the whole of Saturday morning to clean up after this bunch... (Bless him!)

Did not feel like crawling into bed immediately so just cleaned up a bit and then went for lunch with E at the Yaya Centre. Also got a haircut and manicure and now felt like a new person. Went home, the power went out and I decided - might as well go to bed... Slept from around 7.30 to the next morning around 9! Have not done that in a looooong time.

Sunday was spent just veg'ing in front of the TV and watching one movies after another... The main thing is that I'm missing home. It's been OK to be away from home for over two years now, but with Dawie not really being well at the moment, I need to be there to look after him and to ensure that he gets better. We have a blessed relationship, and here is the man that I want to spend every moment of my waking life with and I'm just not able to get to him quickly enough to take care of him. Yes, the process has started, and yes, it looks like my transfer will take place at the end of next month, but time is now dragging and it's driving me nuts!

It's not that he is not able to look after himself, or that he really 'needs' me to be there (He's quite indipendent), but I need to be there and to be with him trough his difficult time. He has always supported me in every endeavour that I've tackled, and now, during his time of need I'm not able to be there for him just because of my job... It's frustrating! Time must go a little quicker now!

In the meantime my loving parents are looking after him in my absence (It was mom's 66th birthday on Sunday), and my two sisters are there to support him every step of the way. Thank you dearest, dearest family! I do not know what I would have done without you...


TTFN

If this is true...

If this is true, and Robert (The black Hitler) Mugabe has actually admitted defeat, there is hope after all! Foreign investors will return (hopefully) and the country can start it's long road of repair.

This was, after all, the country known in it's heyday as the 'breadbasket' of Southern Africa that exported food to the rest of the region, not like now where most of the population is starving of hunger.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Zim, and I look forward to going there again soon to spend some time at Lake Kariba...

TTFN



AN UPDATE: Sorry all, I spoke to soon...

Another update...

Last night the hubby called me to inform me that our GP asked him to check into hospital today for further tests as she was not sure exactly what was wrong, and that she needed the assistance of a viral expert. It goes without saying that I did not sleep very well. I need to be in SA to support him, not stuck here with mountains of work and no real way of assisting him. Did call my Mom, and she immediately set the wheels in motion to make sure that everything is looked after while he spends time in the hospital. Collected the kids (dogs!), made sure that the house will be looked after, went shopping for dried fruits and treats for boring hospital stay etc etc. (My dear Mother is a real mother -hen sometimes). My dear baby sister (36 years young, will be my baby sis forever) who works for the medical aid that we belong to made sure that the authorizations were done (even thought she works in a different department) and that there would be no hiccup when he checks in this evening. Big sis and hubby offered to cart him to the hospital and make sure that he does not need to leave a car in the lot for the time he's there.

Then, a few minutes ago, he calls me and tell me that the doc has decided that it would not be necessary as she and the viral expert have consulted and that they've decided on a different course of treatment. He would only be required to spend a few hours in the clinic tomorrow, but that they think they know what's the matter, and that they will treat it accordingly. If, in three weeks there is no improvement, he would then need to spend a week in the hospital for further tests.

What I've realized is that, despite me not being there at the moment - and feeling really helpless and stupid, my family will support and stand in for me in my absence. I've realized that my hubby is as much a part of my family as I am, and that we are loved - as a couple. This is rare - really rare. So few gay couples have the 'luxury' of family support on their side, and when it happens so easily and without judgement, it makes the world a better place.

Thank you mommy, daddy big sis (and big sis' hubby) and little sis. You are all really, really special! Love y'all lots!

TTFN