Hanging around...

Going to a birthday party tonight for a French couple that have made Pretoria their home. She is a student at UP (An Afrikaans university - brave women) and he's a computer geek but quite a nice one - can actually have a conversation without switching over to binary code... I met them trough the 'young man' recently and this whole 'relationship' I'm having with him is, well, for lack of a better word, enlightening. (I think...)

You see, he's turned out to be a rather intelligent and worldly wise little man. He's nearly twenty one, works four different jobs to support himself and pay for his studies (does this on his own, no help from parents, loans or bursaries), works as an AIDS councillor at an organization for gay folks in Pretoria, is well read, speaks four different languages, the list goes on... At twenty one I was a walking hard - on, that's all I was interested in, and spoilt rotten - my parents were paying for my studies and I got a generous allowance every month, had a car of my own, a house of my own and partied away every single day.

What changed? Now I'm responsible, but it took me nearly twenty years to get there... All I'm really trying to say is that I'm really enjoying his company and attentions. Still not sure if I'm 100% ready to commit to someone new though...

Hope y'all have a really great weekend!

TTFN

Why I watch Rugby...

Do y'all understand now?

TTFN

Weekend Fun.

The weekend was so needed and yet, I'm knackered this morning... Probably my own fault as I did not take the time to rest a bit and last week was HECTIC crazy at work. Can't wait for middle of June when we have a public holiday again and I can take a long weekend. But in the meantime, will have to make a point of taking it a little easy.

Friday evening I went to dinner with a few friends and enjoyed our usual spot tremendously. HEAT is a 'family friendly' restaurant that caters for a customer that does not want to be rushed trough his meal - I'm a bit of a local there...

Then on Saturday it was Rugby Semi Finals at Loftus in Pretoria and I went to go and watch the game - yes, I'm quite the butch little number if I wanna be. I've always been a Shark supporter but they did not make it to the semi's so I'll support the only South African team left in the race - and they won, so this weekend it's Finals, again at Loftus. Will see if I can get tickets, they are pretty scarce...

Then yesterday T and I went for breakfast, went to the Roof Market at Rosebank. She was looking for a painting and I was dragged along as the 'gay friend with an eye for decor'. Not intending to buy a thing - the house is full enough, I decided that I'll only get some delicacies at the deli (pun not intended) as they have a stunning selection if olives, stuffed pepadews, cheeses and cold meats. This was for dinner on Sunday evening as the young man was coming over for a visit.

Well, we ended up eating all sorts of fun little nibbly bits in the bedroom, and then made a nice platter for ourselves to enjoy afterwards... Great, fragrant blue cheese, olives stuffed with garlic and olives stuffed with blue cheese, pepadews stuffed with feta, rare roast beef, great Camembert cheese and a freshly baked fresh loaf. Stunning... Really enjoying my time with the young man, he's intelligent, well spoken, soft hearted and in general just a really great guy. Don't know what's going to happen and not over thinking it too much. Will see what happens and just go with the flow.

So, that was my 'boring' weekend. Really need a little bit of a rest...

TTFN

Normal...

So last night I'm having a ball of fun at Rocky Horror and then I get home... As I'm a Facebook/Voyeur.com addict (Think I've admitted this before.) I quickly log in to 'check' and my aunt (My Mom's sister - we have a very special relationship - long story, will tell it one day.) has left a note on my wall...

Lately she's been really busy writing the nicest things on her updates about how we should treat others, love unconditionally, be ourselves regardless, smile, be happy etc etc. Really profound stuff. And then she writes on my wall that at our last Family Festival in September last year (a yearly get together of family for a weekend) Dawie, who at that stage was already really sickly and weak, told her that he would lay down his own life for me at the drop of a hat if it could save mine... I remember him saying this, and at that stage I dismissed it as 'just talk'... Now she tells me that her inspiration for all her 'words of wisdom' come from this specific incident, and that he was (her words) 'a stunning friend/partner'.

And here I am 'dating' again and starting afresh. I did not sleep a wink. I'm tired, emotional and a complete wreck today. How dare I just go on with life if Dawie meant so much to me? How dare I think that I could ever replace him?

I'm a mess...

Gawd - think I should start taking those 'happy tabs' again!

It's astounding, time is fleeting...

So me and young man are going out to watch the 'Rocky Horror Show' tonight. I've been to this specific show before (It's the second run at the theatre) and it really is worth it going. Dawie and I went together about 5 years ago...

Sure, the characters aren't as good as Tim Curry in the movie, but that's to be expected, and it really is fun when you all get to do the time warp together with the cast... Gawd - us 'gurls' love a good moment of drama and big arm movements!

When I was young (Back in 1920...) a friend had a Rocky Horror party and I dressed up as 'Frank N Fruter' - not looking completely dissimilar to Tim Curry in the picture on the right. As my car was 'non functional' that specific evening I 'borrowed' my sisters VW Beetle Bug and we piled into the car and drove off to the party. Later (Much later and quite a few bottles of liquid refreshment later) we decided to go to the local gay bar in Pretoria for a few more drinks. It was pouring with rain and me and 7 other friends piled into the Beetle.

As we drove down the hill in Waterkloof (A very posh upmarket area of Pretoria) I lost control of the car and slid into the front lawn of a rather imposing mansion on Lois Ave, coming to a halt just in front of their front door. As we started bailing out of the car (nobody got hurt, we were going very slowly) the owner of the house came rushing out to see what was going on. Now, try and imagine his face when he looked at me - mascara running down my cheeks from the heavy rain, a 6''4 man in suspenders and a leotard and a VERY LARGE wig being ruined by incessant rain... It took some convincing from our side for him not to call my parents. I did however have to explain to my sister the next day why her Beetle was not quite so pristine anymore after being 'parked' in the yard all evening. She just won't let me live that one down, btw.

So, tonight I'm on a 'date' - what fun, and this on a Tuesday evening. I'm such a rebel me...

TTFN

Winter is here!

And mummy is NOT a happy camper! I don't do winter very well. It a miserable time of the year. Part of what I loved about Kenya was that winter was all of three weeks long and it was never really that cold (I know my Kenyan readers will disagree, but see it from my point of view.) . This morning it was 1 (1, I ask you!) outside the car on the way to work. Pretoria (where I live) is always a few degrees warmer than Joburg (where I work) and this was in a dip on the way. Fine, it's a perfect 22 in the car and my buns are nice and toasty from the seat heaters, but it looks cold outside and it feels cold outside, so I'm miserable. And then I'm trying to lose weight this time of the year...

There are advantages to winter in South Africa - great winter fruit, sleeping under the goose down duvet, hearty stews and hot puddings with warm custard (Oh wait, trying to lose the pounds so that's out!), cuddling (miss Dawie...), nights in around the heater (miss Dawie still...), my doggies in their pj's - too cute for words, Mom's pancakes, Mom's vegetable soup (Heaven!!!), Woolies's smoked haddock chowder, etc, etc.

So, hold onto your loved ones, cuddle up under a warm blanket and enjoy the cold weather. I, on the other hand will be cuddling up to my dogs with the gas heater blaring in the corner...

Warm thoughts to all,

TTFN

Losing the odd pound...

So this is the last weekend that I'm allowed to just stuff stuff down my throat... Yes, as of Monday I'll be on my new fitness and health regime...

So, I have a personal trainer. I've had one session with her already - her nickname is Hitler, and I going to empty the cupboards off all the offending goods this weekend. Don't worry - not putting it in the bin, I'll eat it all! (Just kidding!) If there are no sweet treats in the house I cannot eat them. So it's going to be rice cakes and cottage cheese now - how very exciting!

Hitler - a short ULTRA fit little black lady has the bedside (treadmill side?) manner of sand paper but at least she's not intimidated. I'm about double her weight (if not more) and double her height so she could easily have stood back for my 'bitchy little disposition' but she does not back down - which is what I pay her for. The fact that I could not turn the steering wheel on my way home was apparently not that important to her... We will see how well this lasts but I have three (!!!!) sessions a week with her, so hopefully we will be able to see our feet in a couple of months... (It's not that bad, but it feels that bad! I can see my feet - I have mirrors.)

So, here we go from Goodyear Blimp to ... well, I don't know but at least my 'healthy lifestyle' is on the move.

Quit smoking - we've been having it,

Lose the weight - we should be having it,

Get fit - Hitler will be having it!

Hope y'all have a really pretty weekend!

TTFN

Thursday's little bit of wisdom/stupidity!

Had such a lovely evening with the young one, we talked, laughed, ate Thai food and generally just got to know each other a little better... And then my mind starts racing all over the place again and starts wondering if it's too 'soon' to start seeing someone again? Or what kind of future would a relationship with someone HALF my age have? Or, or, or...

Then, after thinking about this for a little bit I thought - just enjoy it sweetie! I cannot possibly know what tomorrow holds for me, or where I'll be next week. Yes, I can plan stuff and have a pretty good idea, but at the end of the day nobody knows for sure, so let the moment be exactly what it is at that moment. Let things slide and just be myself...

So that is my wisdom for today. No Witty commentry or snide remarks or 'bitchiness', just:

'LET IT BE'

I'm gonna try...

TTFN

Movies...

Tonight we (Me and young man) are going to the movies. Gonna watch the 'Wolverine' movie - directed by a fellow Souf Efriken - Gavin Hood. We're a proud people us Souf Efrikens - we like it A LOT when one of our own make it... So, even if I'm not a big Sci-Fi/Sci-whatever fan, I will go and watch the movie - besides, I might just get to cop a feel somewhere during the night. (Oh Shit - did I say that out loud...) Won't really do it - but I'm not made of stone I'll let you know!

Besides - Hugh Jackman plays the lead - WOOF! (No pun intended... Do Wolves even go WOOF?) Anyway, I digress.

This will be our first social outing (me and young man's) so it should be quite interesting. I'm a little uncertain as to how to approach it but I'm sure I'll be fine. He knows about my history (Told him about Dawie etc) and he also knows where my head is, so it should all work out fine. I must admit here that I have not 'dated' in YEARS so this is all a bit daunting...

Well, enough drivel and insecurity - time to take the bull by the horn(s)...

Hope y'all have a productive day.

TTFN

PS: I know I sound all confident and self assured but I'm actually a very shy and withdrawn boy, so keep your fingers crossed that I don't cock it up royally!

And on a lighter note...

Failing at the 'pretending' bit, but one can only but try...

Another day...

So last night I'm in the most excellent mood (Traffic was a breeze, had some stunning Thai noodles for dinner and got a call from a friend I have not spoken to in a while) - watch a bit of Ugly Betty, laugh, and then it's the episode where Molly informs Daniel that she has cancer and she needs her space. I duly cry myself to sleep after this and then it starts raining - honestly, how melodramatic can one queen become... Maybe it was just a little close to home.

And on another note - I met a very nice (YOUNG!) man. Not ready to go into another relationship but enjoying the attention. Did I mention he's YOUNG? Very young - twenty years younger than I am... Can I hear you say 'pedophile'? Just chatting at the moment and he is wise beyond his years, which I'm really enjoying. I miss talking to someone on a more than superficial level and he's a great conversationalist... (OK fine, I'll stop trying to justify it!)

My poor father is going moggy - he went to the Post Office and signed for my new Credit Cards - they duly sent me a text informing me that they were collected and I stopped them, thinking it's some sort of scam. He them tries to use them (WTF!) and nearly gets arrested for fraud... Did I mention my dad has 'Alzheimer's light' and we have the same initials? My poor mom is devastated but I just reassured them that I'm here for them and we can sort this out too. So when exactly do parents become children again?

Just a few random thoughts from me today - no specific order and completely 'allovertheplace'.

Hugs and hope y'all are well,

TTFN

Honest Scrap... FINALLY!

Tamaku 'awarded' me with this little thingy, and I promised him I would get to it soon, so here goes... (Better late than never - and THANKS T!)



Apparently I have to post 10 things about myself and then award it to someone (7!) else... I will be leaving up here for anybody to post on their blog's if they feel so.

As for the ten things people should know/not know about me :

1. I'm a total Facebook addict. There, I've said it. And no, it's not under my blogger name...

2. At the moment I look like a Telly Tubby - put a purple tri-angle on my head and you would not be able to discern me from Twinky Winky (or whatever his name is), but this is being addressed. This happened after quitting smoking and with Dawie's passing - I'm a comfort eater. (Damn, another confession!)

3. I love my latest car A LOT and I drive it like it's stolen. I'm on a first name basis with the traffic department in Pretoria for all the speeding tickets I get, so this is a monthly 'budget item'. Not good... Pescy little camera traps!

4. I work. I know, it's hard to believe, but yes, even I have to earn a living. Who knew!

5. I'm a bit of a fussy eater. For one thing, I don't eat Guava. I also don't eat Guava... (Souf Efrikens will get the joke, not so sure of the rest of the world.)

6. I don't camp. My idea of 'roughin' it' is a lodge without aircon. If God intended us to sleep on the ground he would have given us a lot more padding. Oh wait - maybe I have this all wrong - see no 2.

7. I'm a little sarcastic sometimes - maybe even a little today...

8. I love my family a lot but they also drive me nuts - how that is possible I will have to figure out one day. Now, I just accept it. How fascinating!

9. I am unable to sleep in pj's. So, even in a hospital environment I will be nekkid under the sheets...

10. I'm a sucker for a puppy/dog. I will ignore everybody and go straight to the dog when arriving at someone's home. Cats, not so much though...

There, really random and the 'best' I can do right now...

Have a pretty day y'all!

My new boyfriend - Superman.

I know it's probably wrong, but this really tickles my 'slightly' warped sense of humour... How can this be a toy for children?

Anyhoo - a little update. Packing Dawie's stuff away was therapeutic and it actually helped me write another (short) chapter in my book of life. It was tough but so necessary. Fascinating. That's my new word - fascinating. Anything 'crappy' happens I just go ' How fascinating'.

Also had time to fix the new panel heaters in the bedroom and living room areas of the house - winter approaching rapidly and today's daytime temp are as low as 18C - not very pleasant... Nights set to go down to zero in Jozie (work) and about 5 in Pretoria where I live. Winter - my least favourite season!

So, time for me to catch up with my 'blogger buddies' across the world as I've been a bad little blogger for quite some time now. Feeling better now...

Hope y'all are well,

TTFN