My stitching corner

This is my stitching corner. As you can see, I at times have a view out the window. I keep the blind closed when the neighbours are home... it's a kinda psychological wall I prefer to have up - they seem less THERE when it's closed. Heremia is up for inspiration. That wall is the 'display' wall of sorts because there's a nice spotlight pointed at it and my newly framed projects go there. Warpony was displaced by Heremia and Heremia, in turn, will be displaced by Golden Ice once he is finally done.

At the moment Golden Ice is being neglected. Still. I sent off the 1st of the 2 horses for framing. It'll only be ready on 4 Feb... late for mom's birthday but I'm sure she won't mind TOO much. If I finish the 2nd one soon and send it for framing it might be ready in time for G's mom's bday.

After I've finished the 2nd horse, I have a tiny bit of metallic thread stitching to do on a small bookmark, and then I have a small purse to make. G's mom gave it to me for (if I recall right) Christmas last year, and it's been waiting. I think it may just queue-hop and jump ahead of Golden Ice.

I must say that this past while of being at home, even while G works, has made me extremely reluctant to go back to work. I know I have to, but it really seems even less appealing than it ever did. It makes me very eager for the end of 2009 when I'm in my home-stretch of working here and can think seriously about resigning.

G and I went through a bit of Aus immigration stuff last night. We'd chatted to Sis's bf (who has a visa to emigrate to Aus), and he was telling us about the application procedure, what we'd have to add to the application such as skills assessment/police clearance certificate/medical report. Ugh, a bloodtest. Not looking forward to that (yes, I'm already feeling squeamy about that!) but I'm really excited and amped to DO THIS!

Most of the 'application stress' is on G, but I'm sure I'll be more than 'stressed' by having to prepare stuff to move.

As we are 5mb away from being capped this month I will post this and leave it at that... To Be Continued!!

Christmas contemplation

Why do things have to be difficult. Sometimes you really just don't need things to be difficult... they don't HAVE to be difficult, but they just are.

Tomorrow is xmas eve. The tradition in my family* is to wait up until midnight on the dot and THEN open presents. It has been that way ever since I can remember, and when I was small it was a serious ordeal, getting through the DAYtime, to be able to stay up late; midnight would take its precious time in getting there. It has been like that the past few years, it's remained a tradition. It's been kept up, even after dad died, after me and sis got boyfriends (and now husband!), but this year, I'm not sure.

<* family = mom, dad, sis and me>

It actually makes me a bit emotional, thinking about it. It usually is at mom's place, but this year, mom's more 'busy' than usual. By busy, I don't mean busy in the conventional sense. She's rather... unfocused... I don't want to go into detail, but she's overwhelmed by stuff sometimes and can't focus on what is REALLY actually important/priority. It leads to clutter at home, and her being distracted and stuff GENERALLY being a crisis/chaos when it really is in fact nothing at all. So she's not keen on xmas eve. I've said we'll have it our place this year (like last year), so that she doesn't have loads of cleaning up to do. She said, however, that she wasn't really feeling up to the 'xmas mad show', ie festivities. We also have (since I started going out with G) had xmas lunch at his folks' place (cos their tradition is opening gifts 1st thing in the morning), and then boxing day lunch at my mom's place. That way we get to open gifts at mom's on xmas eve, then we get to open gifts at G's folks on xmas morning and have lunch there, then a '2nd' xmas lunch on boxing day with my mom. So in that situation, there's no rushing between the 2 places, cutting short a lunch/brunch with either because of having to go to the other place. Also, it sort of cuts out a bit of driving when the roads are probably maddest.

But now, it seems that it is a no-go. Xmas eve, mom sms'd me saying she doesn't think she'll come.

I don't know why it upsets me. I'm not crying... but I feel... hollow. It's almost as if things are really (again) falling apart. Mom isn't focused, and things go wonky (stuff at home, the house/garden etc), and sis complains and fights with her. Sis doesn't help at home at all (she's always had an attitude of not wanting to help because a) she can't be bothered and doesn't even think of offering to help... doesn't notice that you may even NEED help... and b) if you ASK for help, she's got this attitude of it being a HUGE undertaking, that if she did even 1nanometre more work, she'd be bearing the entire workload (which is so far from the truth it's actually pretty lame and her 'tone' as she says that kinda thing really pisses me off).

So we have mom, not 'coping' in a way, and sis, not helping but complaining and fighting.

And then there's me. The whole situation drains me. Mom's not in a state to sort herself out, and anything I try to say or do (like encourage mom to do stuff herself - a person can't 'rescue' someone in this situation... it's a behaviour-change issue), is completely cancelled out by sis's negative input and complaints and criticism. And then mom calls out for help and encouragement... which I find so hard to give, because the things she prioritises (to sort out) are completely pointless and DO NOT SOLVE ANYTHING...

I feel like I'm talking myself into a circle. Downward spiral. I don't know what to think about it. The only solution I can see is that mom GETS HERSELF OUT OF THAT SITUATION. Puts her goddamn foot down and kicks sis to the kerb... because sis is in a way 'sponging'... and then takes charge and sorts herself out from the ground up. I can't buy mom a new house. Even if I did, there's so much junk and STUFF in the house she has that she would never be able to move in time. I can't explain. It's a problem that I can see but can't put into words... I dunno.

I'm tired. I'm actually now not feeling very xmas-spirited either. It's not the same. Why can't things be normal? Why... can't... my family... be normal...

Why.

Ex-jeweller

The saga of the ex-jeweller gets more complicated as time goes on.

Basically, he didn't finish the rings in time. He phoned G the weekend before the wedding (while G was at his bachelors!), to say the ring is ready for fitting. We didn't contact him, because it's ridiculous and unacceptable that wedding rings not be finished and ready AT LEAST a week before the wedding, ESPECIALLY since we first approached this guy in August. We decided that we would give the ring that was meant to be mine to G's dad to drop off at the jeweller's place, *at his dad's leisure*, and his dad would tell him that the wedding has passed and he can keep the rings.

We also decided that we'd use my engagement ring + G's dad's wedding ring (which no longer fits him but happens to fit G perfectly) as the rings for the ceremony - that way we use special rings and there's no mad rush to find a replacement in 1 week.

This moron tried to phone G at 4pm on the wedding day (!) to say that the ring is ready to be fitted. Gee, thanks, dude. That's really erm, useful to us... thanks (?).

According to G's dad's email after dropping the ring off, this guy was apparently VERY upset that we didn't have the proper wedding rings for the ceremony. He apparently told G's dad to tell G to contact him when we got back so that something could be arranged (ie we still pay for those rings, no doubt). Needless to say, G didn't phone him back.

About a week after we got back from honeymoon, this guy phoned G, basically to find out whether the rings are still happening, and G told him, "sorry, look, you didn't finish the rings in time, we've made another arrangement, we're no longer interested in this any more". He got so upset with G on the phone, basically saying "you should have kept reminding me of the wedding date, how am I supposed to remember all these things in my head????". Dude, that's why the fuck you TAKE NOTES. The whole damn point of wedding rings is for them to be used as WEDDING RINGS on the WEDDING DAY.

We thought that was the end of the saga. Sadly, not.

He phoned G this afternoon: what is happening about the rings, are we going to take them, the whole thing could have been handled better (no shit, sherlock!), etc etc. G told him that the rings weren't finished in time, that we're no longer interested, so this guy starts saying that we 'used' the ring (the ring that was to be my ring) and then gave it back after the wedding... that there was 'stuff' on the ring which proves it was used, and that I wore it at the wedding but gave it back. G told him it wasn't, and he persisted and so G repeated that it wasn't. He repeated, so G asked him "are you saying I'm lying?" he says "no, the ring was worn at the wedding"... G says "are you saying I'm a liar?" then he says "yes, the ring was worn at the wedding and given back". G, at that point fed up with such immaturity (and surely insanity?), told him to piss off and hung up on him.

What is wrong with this guy? Clutching at straws, for sure. Maybe he made no money this year (would serve him right, if he does business in this manner!) and he has no money for christmas?

Dude, that is the way the world goes. You fail to deliver, you don't get paid. It's a WEDDING RING, you make it in time for the wedding SPECIALLY if the people approach you 3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE, you've REASSURED them that these rings 'won't take long at all to make..' and you've told them to come back in a month. Also, dude, TAKE NOTES. If you measure the people's fingers, WRITE IT THE FUCK DOWN so you don't have to KEEP CALLING THEM to try the damn rings on every single goddamn weekend. Oh and if you say you'll call someone back? CALL THEM! And finally, if someone has told you they no longer need your services... back off GRACEFULLY, don't fight like a petulant child when you were CLEARLY in the wrong.

What a damn ass-hat. Hopefully this is FINALLY the end of THIS saga.

How weird

This has been a rather interesting past while. >>> warning LONG BLOG POST<<<

Ok... first of all - the story about the bird.

A guy came to fetch something from me (from hbbm). The receptionist called me and I took the parcel to the frontdesk... and saw the front door open but the guy crouching near the door. He called 'there's a baby bird here' and I went to see what was going on. True enough, there was a baby bird - a baby witogie/Cape White Eye. It was just sitting by the front door, calling out, while its parents were calling and calling at it. I suggested we leave the bird there because he obviously was learning to fly, but the guy refused and said "I can't be cruel, this is the middle of the city" so I got a paper-box and we put the bird in it. I put the box aside, helped the guy and reassured him that I'd take care of the bird.

A while after he'd left, I popped my head out the front door, because I could still hear the bird's parents calling for him. They were perched on the branches closest to the front door, staring intently at me, calling very loudly. They seemed to know that I was the one who took their baby into the building. I went back in, still hearing them calling. I decided to take the box outside and let the baby bird out as there was far more hope for him in the care of his parents than with me hand-feeding him, living in a complex with cats etc. Plus, the whole reason he was on the ground is because his parents are trying to egg him on and encourage him to fly, much like an antelope mother makes her calf stand and run very soon after birth - survival behaviour.

I took the box outside, and crouched down by the door, opened the box to take the baby bird out. I hadn't even scooped him up yet, and one of his parents had flown down to about a metre away from me, waiting with an insect in its mouth. No fear, just politely keeping its distance, but so definitely waiting for its baby to be returned. I put the bird down on the porch, put the box inside and stood in the doorway to watch. He bumbled around a bit... but his parents were very much in attendance. They kept encouraging him and urging him to try and fly. The one instance I saw him plop off a bar of fence and onto the step, he'd hardly even touched the step before his parents both flew down to check on him and as soon as they saw he was fine they buzzed away, to keep encouraging him.

I kept peeping out the front door afterwards to see how he was doing and he was still there, hopping and buzzing around. I heard chirps from the tree outside the front door when I left at the end of the day, so I reckon he managed to get up there in the end.

Work finished yesterday. Thank heavens. It nearly killed me.

Usually on the last day of work, we get pizza (cos one of the bosses' birthdays is near to the end of the year). For the last 2 years, we closed at 1pm. This last day of work, the pizza was scheduled for teatime (10am), so everyone assumed we'd close at 1 again (if the pizza was at 1 we'd assume we'd close at 5). So everyone rushed to get their work finished ready to leave at 1. But then, we all got an email from the bosses, saying that the internet usage has been high and not work-related and that we mustn't use it anymore. And no one was told when we were closing. 1pm came and went, and still nothing. So it seems that they were 'punishing' us for using up the internet. In the end, there were only 4 of us left (excluding the bosses) as everyone else left early, in a sense 'rebelling'. The people left? Typist, accountant, admin assistant (me) and a guy whose last day it was so he didn't HAVE anything to do. The receptionist left at 3 because she was getting a lift upcountry at 5pm so she HAD to leave then. So I was receptionist until the end of the day. Boy was I pleased.

How mature is it, to 'punish' the staff in this way? Way to go, ending the year on a 'positive' note. Only at probably 4:30 did the boss/es find out that no one was left but us 4... so presumably the rest are going to be shouted at next year. That would only be fair, seeing that the bosses were being childish.

I've been rather comtemplative of late. One thing that I've been thoughtful about is hbbm. He is seeming very old nowadays... and it bothers me for some reason. He recently had a minor surgery, and has been complaining about the discomfort related to it every now and then. He's 70 now, and it appears that he is getting old and is also feeling his age now too. I'm not sure whether it's because of dad's condition etc that it's making me feel strange, but I feel almost anxious/uneasy for hbbm. It may be because everything related to what happened to dad I've sort of put away in a mental vault, never thought about (not sure whether it's voluntary or involuntary).

I counted, and I have officially 237 working days next year. Yay!

On the emigration-side of things, G and I are looking to apply early next year. The application process takes about 15 months, by that time G will be finished with his work commitments and hopefully we will be ready (pretty much) to leave. The application itself seems pretty straightforward, just the practical stuff that will be tricky, such as packing our stuff, getting it all treated, finding a place to stay, getting our stuff sent over, etc etc etc. We are so keen to move though, even though it'll be a seriously hectic change.

I will definitely miss Dude :(

It's quite late now. I'm rather tired - so I'll say "to be continued" and publish this post.

I'm tired

... the sleep-bedtime style tired. Which is expected as it's 3 mins past midnight right now. 1.5 days left of work.

I had been meaning to write a deep-thoughts post, but it's so late now that all my brain is saying is ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Maybe I'll blog it tomorrow as hbbm's not at work until 12th Jan. I will, however, be busy for the week 5th - 10th Jan as our LURVELY receptionist has taken leave (which I only hear about today). Boy is my 'sick of work' feeling back as strong as ever.

I will say this now though: I hope that 'Spud' is fine. A tiny baby bird, learning to fly, in the middle of the city. I will elaborate next blogpost.

*night!*

At work

I'm quite bored now.

Work has been quiet lately, things are all being wrapped up for the end of the year closing.  I've been working on invoices and stuff (the usual).  Hbbm's been busy but is more mellow these days.  I think he's feeling his age, to be honest.

Being bored at work, as always, gives me time to think of all the things I could be doing.  I've begun stitching again (at home, not at work), and Golden Ice is so beautiful that I want to stay home all the time and work on it.

The only other "problem" (due to being bored at work!) is that I've happened to find a cross-stitch kit which is quite pretty, and has wording on it which is very special.  It is called Apache Wedding Blessing, and it was encorporated into our service for the wedding.  I'd like to stitch it and frame it, to be hung in pride of place in our home.  I could add the wedding date to it, and maybe our names too, to personalise it.  Since I'm blogging via email, the pic I attach will probably come at the end of this post.  The kit is from Janlynn Corporation.

I will blog about the wedding some time, it's just that it was such a big thing I don't want to just type up bla bla quickly about it.  Let me just say everything went perfectly.

Tonight G and I are resuming our exercise schedule.  We haven't 'worked out' for such a long time now, and it feels a good time to restart it.  I am feeling fighting fit now, with excess energy ready to be put to good use.  It's great what a good long holiday can do for a person.

I know it's an old topic of grumbles of mine, but right now I actually feel (a bit only!) sorry for the woman next door.  Her kid (brat) has begun to have THE WORST TANTRUMS in the history of mankind.  They last for the most part of an afternoon, every afternoon.  It sounds as if he stands in the middle of their unit (open plan kitchen/lounge like ours), and BELLOWS.  That kind of wail/cry/yell/howl/bawl/bellow that makes your head vibrate and gives you a headache after a while - I remember it from when I was really small.  She shouts at him in response "TRISTAN I SAID STOP IT!", which he does not take notice of in the slightest.

Of course, we get to 'enjoy' it along with them.  It really is bullshit that because of their cigarette smoke we have to keep our back door and windows on the garden-side of the house CLOSED, AT ALL TIMES (unless they are out which is when we grab the opportunity by the balls and FLING our door+windows wide open, only to have to run to close everything up again on their return), which doesn't even help because the smell still comes in.  And now, yay, our kitchen window on the opposite side has to be closed too because of their tantrum/fight noise spilling out their kitchen window and deafening us.  Charming.  What is a person honestly to do.  The woman is struggling, but there's only so many afternoons in succession that one can listen to LOUD music (to drown out the neighbours) as soon as one gets home.  I really feel that if only they didn't smoke, things would be (a bit!) better.  If we actually got a chance to use and enjoy our garden once in a bloody bluemoon, their tantrums and noise wouldn't be quite as bad.  But it's just salt in the wound - no, you cannot use your own garden, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE YOUR INDOOR LIVING UNPLEASANT TOO!!  YAY!!!!!

Ok, enough ranting for now.  There are happy things going on too.  Despite the above seeming like a rant, I'm not ANGRY and raging about it.  It is however quite... accumulatorily draining having to live with a situation like that.

I need to buy more RAM.  Before I do, G and I are going to swap RAMchips to try work out whether it is in fact my laptop or the RAMchip that is faulty.  I hope and pray that it's not my laptop, because it doesn't bode well for the future.  I want to carry on scanning photos from G's family and my family albums.  That will be a truly exhausting task if I have to work on 512mb RAM.  I tried, and it nearly was the end of me.  I got to scan some pics with 1.5gb RAM, and it was bliss in comparison.  So hopefully the RAM scenario will be sorted out soon.  It really is a colossal task, which I'd like to tackle and try finish as soon as I can.

I think I had better call this a blogpost and press 'publish'.  Til next time ^.^

Ahh, back

It has really been a while since I blogged last. I'm on the other side of a very large event, and everything is fantastic :D

I don't want to go into detail right now as I'm quite tired (it IS Friday, after all!), but just felt like clocking in here and mentioning that I have been stitching and will put up a recent pic of GI sometime.

Until then - toodle-dooooo!!!!

EEEEEEEEEEK

Right now I am SO IMPATIENT I could burst.  I'm sitting at work, waiting.  I could be at home, packing or tidying up or ANYthing, but I'm stuck at work, waiting.  I'm waiting for invoices to come in so that I can send off the 3 bundles of invoices (separate jobs).  The thing that sucks the most is that HBBM is out at a meeting and when he comes back he'll have a lot of work to give me, and probably then all the invoices will come through.  I can't do it all at once so I'm super-frustrated because I COULD be doing the invoices NOW and be free to do work when he gets back.

There really isn't that much left to do.  Last night I cleaned the fishtank - the tank really looks spiffy again.  I will NOT skip algae-scraping again, because the previous clean really didn't look clean at all, simply because the glass was all algae'ed.

Clipped Dude's nails last night.  Shame, it was the hottest night, the little blanket we use to hold him is also quite warm too and he got so hot.  I just had to clip his nails though because he was starting to stick to the blanket which covers the back of his cage (and which is flipped over to cover his whole cage at night).  Although he will be staying at his grandparents while we're away, and they have birds and would be mindful of him, I don't want to risk him getting stuck and silently panicking and hurting himself.  Things like that can happen so quickly so I just wanted to be sure he won't have a problem.  He really is such a sweetheart.  I gave him such a nice neck-scratch last night, he REALLY enjoyed it.  My sweet Little Dude.

Things are pretty much all on track.  The dressmaker just has to phone and let me know I can fetch the dress.  Tomorrow is my fake-tan, Friday is my manicure etc... then it's RELAX and BE EXCITED.  We do have to pack and make copies of all the NB documents and stuff.  I think the only thing we have to do still for the wedding is make a seating-plan board.  Oh and G has to prepare a speech (I don't think I'm going to - it's too excruciating for me to talk in 'public' even though it is family+friends).

EEEEEEEK I can't believe it's HERE AND NOW almost the day!  Not much time left, and then we're jetting off overseas!!  So exciting.  I've stuck ALL my Chembros' music on my ipod... not that the airline has no entertainment etc, but still.

Eeek!!!!

I will blog more if I can think of anything.

Nearly there!

This is just a 'holding' post, things have been busy lately (obviously) and I'll be silent for the next 3 weeks or so... SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!!

So much

... has been happening since I last blogged!

For one thing, we got our forex. Thankfully before this whole mad crash of the dollar. We also went to customs to go fetch Atlantis Bey V. And Strapless has arrived! They are both truly stunning. My little herd is complete!

Yesterday morning G and I went to the jeweller's place to check out the rings. Mine is done, but I want to ask him to 'lower' the millgrain-ridge a bit, and also fix up a flat edge which shouldn't be there. G's ring does not fit, despite the fact that the jeweller made it 3/4 of a size bigger since the last time we met with him. G's fingers must have been swollen cos of the hot weather, so the jeweller's going to resize it again.

I had my hair cut yesterday. I now have a few wispy bits, perfectly suited to the hairstyle I'm going to have. I haven't had a fringe for about 10 years now, and it's strange - a fringe is so frivolous and impractical, and yet it LOOKS nice. I think I might keep it but make use of clips!!

Yesterday afternoon we had a meet with the 'wedding party' to discuss logistics. G and I have to make up a list of what was discussed and decided.

This morning we were up early again to have a dressfitting. The bridesmaids' dresses are complete, my dress is going to be ready during the week. So exciting!!!!!

This afternoon I had a hair&make-up trial. I looked totally different, I'm really pleased with the result! Let me just leave it at that and give away no more clues! I am however feeling burny-eyed/puffy/sleepy because I'm evidently not used to make up and my eyelids feel a bit ... well unhappy is too strong a word... but just not 'normal'. But, the wedding is a once off thing so I will soldier on ;)

I'm so tired though, been on the go so much this past while and no 'downtime' really. I really want to sleep late just once - but it's unlikely until after the wedding.

Anyway, as I'm sure ANYone could guess, I REALLY don't feel like work AT ALL...

Click and grow my city

http://kitton.myminicity.com

Horses!

After OCD'ishly checking the track and trace site for progress on the parcels almost the whole day, after work on Thursday I checked the postbox and voila, both parcel notes were there.

Atlantis Bey V has been held up at customs as they aren't able to assess his value - obviously he looks more expensive and they aren't sure what to charge me for customs duties.

Wintersong and Rugged Painted Lark were ready for collection though, and I phoned the post office on Friday to find out what their hours were - they close at 17:30. Such a pity I'd not brought the note with me to work, so we popped by at home to fetch it. We got into the post office at exactly 17:25. They weren't to friendly about it but dammit, there was still a WHOLE five minutes til closing, so they did help us after all. The box had been opened by customs and taped up - they'd bashed it a bit. We popped by the shop afterwards to buy stuff for Syndicate, then we came home and I was able to open the box and wow - the horses are STUNNING!

Here are pics - I tacked up Rugged Painted Lark to see how it fit and he looks good both tacked up and untacked. Wintersong is so lovely.






Sat morning we were up early, to meet with the cake-lady, fetch our passports and go see the jeweller. The rings aren't ready yet, which is a disappointment. His communication isn't all that great, because admittedly things like designing wedding rings etc take time and need to be fitted before being finished, etc etc, but he hasn't got hold of us to let us know what the progress is, nor has he said anything about it when we've tried phoning him. I don't expect to be kept up to speed to the second, but it'd be nice to know when phoning to find out how it is going and being told that we can come by on Saturday that it's not finished, but still has a bit of work to be done. Then at least we don't have these excited expectations. Anyway, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and we will wait and see how the rings are once they've been completed.

S, L and I went for a dressfitting that afternoon, and I have to say that they look STUNNING! Their dresses are pretty much 100%, I'm going to fetch them on Sat. My dress is pretty much done, it's my sort of final-fitting on Sat, and I should be able to collect the dress during the week after. SO EXCITING! I just need to break my shoes in first.

Oddness

Just some weird news: G and I took a drive to the nearby mall, to get milk + carrot cake because his mom was going to pop by to pick up the materials to make the favours. We'd come to a stop at a robot, and I was dreamily looking out the window, thinking about the honeymoon, when there was a 'doof' sound and my head and the headrest connected.

It was weird, there was this sound and it seemed like time slowed enough for me to only realise once my head was banged against the headrest that we'd been bashed from behind. I think I automatically asked G "what was that?!". Somehow, we'd been bashed from behind by a large bakkie, driven by 2 very dark rasta-like dudes. They just sat in the bakkie, unmoving, obviously in quite a bit of shock.

I was (and still am now) a bit out-of-it because of my cold/sinus so I was slowly/calmly surveying what was going on. G got out and we both saw that this bakkie's front bumper was bashed in by the Audi's back bumper. The Audi's bumper wasn't dented at all (yay expensive car quality!!). G started asking the guy to move the bakkie back, like hellooooo, you just bumped another person's car, you have to get out and talk to them and exchange details. But these guys were evidently not quite aware of what to do next. The guy driving was very dumbstruck with shock, and his friend was a bit more aware of his surroundings! G was getting VERY angry because these guys were so 'elsewhere' and weren't actually talking to us really... just sort of elsewhere (dunno how else to describe it).

Luckily 2 other guys drove past and kinda pulled over saying "hey guys!" (seeming to be friends/acquaintences with the rasta guys) and kinda woke them out of their siesta/daze. I took photos with my phone of the two cars' bumpers as they were, also got a photo of the back registration plate. Seems these guys weren't able to brake (hence bashing us), and somehow they weren't able to start their bakkie and reverse. G asked the guy to, but he mumbled something about the clutch. At one stage they tried to move their bakkie back but it just rolled forward again, against G's bumper a 2nd time!! Man, that is so roadworthy! Anyway, I doubt either of them have drivers' licenses, but we exchanged details after G pulled away and reversed into a parking place alongside the road, and they started their bakkie and drove into a parking bay ahead. Their bumper is bumped in a bit, G's bumper luckily doesn't really have any damage. I think it looked worse because it was dusty and the dust was smeared off by the other guys' bumper, but there is a small line/scratch here and there.

Here is a pic of the 2 cars:



So a rather weird occurrence for the day. I really think that more expensive cars' materials are able to withstand stuff better than cheaper cars, making the initial outlay worthwhile as the car ages and more 'life' happens to the car. Hopefully in Aus we can buy a similar car :D

What else is news... I have a really clangy head from sinus. I hope it's not becoming infected, else it'll mean more medicine etc which is TERRIFIC because my medical aid benefits for the year are used up. Yay. I've taken some sinus med but *sigh* it doesn't seem to have worked yet.

Wedding plans are on track! The bridesmaids and I went to a dressfitting on Sat, and their dresses are almost complete! They should be ready next weekend. My dress is going to be assembled for me to try on next weekend, then I think that's it - 1 final try and then it's done! I can't believe it... so quick :D So exciting! EEEEEKKKK!!!!!!

Things are all on track methinks. We're meeting with the ministerdude on Thurs, we met with the decor people on Thursday past, and we met with the musicians on Sat past. The music is awesome. So cool - live music! The decor people set up a demo table for us, and it looks stunning. Simple, not too hectically decorated, basically the tablecloth+cutlery+crockery+glasses and serviettes, with a bouquet in the centre. And yet, it looks great! So exciting TOO!

I might already have mentioned but Gem Twist arrived and is gorgeous. I've put them all back into their boxes except for Gem Twist because his box is all smoky - there's a reason they mention "smoke-free home" in the listings! Wintersong and Rugged Painted Lark have arrived in the country, they still have to go through customs, and Atlantis Bey V has arrived and come through customs. Probably will be sent to a post office soon. Can't wait! I also bought Strapless - I gave up on the online shop I'd been waiting for a reply from and bought her from the same person who sold Wintersong and RPLark. Sadly I didn't know she had Strapless too else I could have bought all 3 at once and saved on shipping but ah well, can't win every time!

This is a pic of Gem Twist and Milton showing off in style:



I received the LocoRoco umbrella and it is so awesome and cute and funky and cool! YAY!! Lucky I had the track+trace number because I've still not received the parcel note for it yet! The lady I collected it from at the post office says she knows/thinks the guys just throw away the notes and never deliver them! I've also got the bag and strap/screen cleaner, as well as an inflatable LocoRoco and a media kit (which includes a t-shirt!), but I'm probably going to get those after the honeymoon (a friend in the US got them for me!). So exciting!

In the saga of the labels/addresses etc, there's new stuff afoot. Now, guess who has to make NAMETAGS. Names printed on stickers, to be stuck on everyone's chests at the party. Me. Yay. It really baffles (and enrages me too!) that this whole thing is just so... unexplained. Like G's mom remarked "it's almost as if you're not worth being given instructions!". Exactly. It's just "this must be done... get someone to do it" and 'this' gets given to me. And as they think of more things that they hadn't thought of before, it just gets tagged on to what I am doing/have done. It's EXACTLY that I'm not worth them actually sitting down with me and going through what needs to be done. "We are having a party on 28 October, this is the list of people we're inviting, we need you to: get their contact details, create envelope labels, stick invites into envelopes, label envelopes, stick stamps onto the envelopes, make namestickers for everyone... by x-day of x-month, X is who you have to get hold of for any information". It just pisses me off and I doubt it needs to be said that I CAN'T BLOODYWELL WAIT until the 28th of October is bloodywell over and done with. Even if it means that the next while RUSHES PAST and we are in too much of a hurry with wedding stuff, this shit at work is just demeaning and I resent it.

This weekend has been BLISS - the neighbours have been away which means we haven't been woken at 7am to hear "it's POTTY TIME!!". It's been delightful! Can't wait until we have our own place one day and the neighbours aren't JOINED TO US BY A WALL! Oh and I'm also looking forward to having an actual garage. The other kids in the complex have decided it's fun to ride their skateboard things (not quite a skateboard) around the poles of the carport. Around G's car. Between the poles and G's car. Between G's car's front bumper and the plantbed. It's so annoying because it's this constant flitter of activity RIGHT outside the kitchen window which is distracting, and also because it's a constant anxious-querying thought in our heads every time we look up at the flitter of movement like "bumped/scratched/scraped/touched the car?". Also it's almost like a disregard of 'territory', because although the complex is in its nature a shared-space sort of arrangement, it doesn't mean that any tom dick or harry can hang around and touch/lean on your car, or hang out by your front door etc. So it's similar to having a front lawn with a low fence or no fence and kids playing on your lawn.

Ok this post has become very long and rambly. Blame it on sinus! YAY I have an excuse to ramble on! Yay :D

I'm really itching to work on Golden Ice again. Time is so limited now, not so much for me but definitely for G. He has so much homework/overtime to do. I'm looking up at Heremia above me on the wall, and she looks so vivid. Damn, I don't want to be tempted to work on Golden Ice now! I have to finish these 2 horses for the moms. I think once I've blogged this I'm going to try finish the 1st one. Maybe even start on the 2nd but I'll see how far I get. This is a pic of the one, but it's not up to date:



And I'm getting better at making chopstickable sushi! We found nice chopsticks and this is a pic of the first sushi we ate using our new chopsticks (these are my ones):

Pointless

Right now, I'm at work, and I don't want to be at work.  Who ever feels like being at work.

Once again, it's invoices time.  And once again, I've made a mess-up.  Great.  Somehow, months and months ago, I typed a 4 instead of a 2.  So the figures don't tie up.  I won't go into much detail but it sucks.  It just is impossible for me to do these invoice-things withOUT making a mistake in SOME or other way.  And so anyway I've been working at this one particular job's set of invoices and it's all been alright, been hurrying as much as possible to get them out ASAP.  But there are mistakes.  And hbbm keeps spotting mistakes.  It's so frustrating.  I never said I was an accountant.  No, I'm not managing the company's finances, or balancing the books or whatever, but I never said I was an accountant and did invoices.  But I do invoices.  Or I try hard to do invoices but somehow, I just don't seem to understand WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON.

It feels great, trying to do this work and FAILING at it, every time.  And it feels wonderful to have your boss say (matter-of-factly, not even angrily!) that he has no confidence in your work and that he must check it every time cos there are always mistakes.

Earlier on, he came to me 15mins before he had to leave for a meeting, dictated a letter and gave me some reports to copy, print certain pages onto blue dividing-sheets, print some pages on letterhead and then bind them.  It was a MAD rush but I managed and he was only a bit late (not my fault).  But he comes back after his meeting and I'd "messed up" with the blue sheets and put them in the wrong order (or something, I don't know).

So yeah, a nice, USEFUL day all round.

I dunno... I feel so useless... like, I'm not good at anything really.  Something simple like TYPING stuff like these invoices etc... I just can't do right.  I'm not a QS to understand what I'm doing, I'm not an accountant to understand what I'm doing.  By appointment letter I'm a receptionist, by payslip I'm an admin assistant, but what am I really?  I don't know.  I hate it.  I suck at it and I just don't feel like I'm any good at ANYthing right now.  Insecurity mayhaps?  I just... I feel so discouraged.  From having tasks to do which aren't fully explained, trying to do them despite not really understanding, and failing every time.  No, there's no time for it to be explained until I understand, or it's stuff that I wouldn't understand, not being a QS or accountant.  I'm blabbering now.. I don't care about this stuff.

Hbbm is in a meeting now, I'm not sure whether he's going to be out of his meeting before 5.  Part of me is hoping he won't be so that I can go home and lick my wounds by playing my new Chembros album...loudly.  Part of me is hoping he will be so that this FUCKING SET OF INVOICES can be sorted out and SENT OFF!!!

ADSL woes

*sigh* it's the 23rd and we've used 90% of our 2nd 1gb (our cap is 1gb but we can up it to 2gb). The sadness that is capped internet.

I got a parcel note in the post earlier - methinks Gem Twist has arrived!

I've made payment for Wintersong & Rugged Painted Lark - they're being posted off tomorrow - YAY!! The LocoRoco umbrella is on its way and should be here soon. Atlantis Bey is due to leave the US shortly. So much excitement!!

The bridesmaids and I are going for dressfitting on Saturday. Can't wait for things to START now... we've basically only got October now...

Saturday morning we're meeting up with G's folks hopefully (that reminds me, I must sms his mom to suggest it) to design the favours. And we need to buy ribbon for the confetti baskets.

Work was very odd today. I got ragged for not making my boss tea because I'm supposed to 'look after him' when the tealady's not at work. The typist took tea and coffee into his office for him and the boss, and I got such 'grief' from him for not making tea, and he was saying (jokingly) that he's thinking of phoning G and telling him that he mustn't expect any tea, that I 'wouldn't give him tea even on his deathbed!'. Thanks hbbm. The simple reason for my not bringing you tea is because I'm not watching the time, waiting for 10:30 to come. Firstly, because ever since I started working at the co 4+ years ago, I NEVER GOT TEATIME. So 10:30 would come and go without it registering (I gave up wanting a teabreak and ended up rushing to the kitchen to make a cup of tea/coffee at random times when the phone was quiet). Even now, 10:30 comes and goes without me noticing because I've been conditioned not to have any 'expectations' associated with 10:30. Also, I'm usualy BUSY with stuff YOU GIVE ME TO DO. So that's actually 2 reasons why I sometimes slip up with making tea for you. So anyway, the typist shared with me the fact that he complains to her and the accountant that I don't make tea for him. Gee, thanks. That's great. Terrific. Thanks.

Also weird today was (haha) the fact that the office area near me and the receptionist is being recarpeted. Haha, because they spent the entire morning laying down THE WRONG CARPET. The smell of the adhesive was horrendous so it was almost comforting to know that our distress wasn't in 'vain' but that there was 'payback'! They took the carpet up and put down the correct ones quickly enough though, and I must say it's looking good. Can't wait for our area to be done because the dark brown old rotten mat that's there at the moment is horrible and deserves to die a painful death... it's really hideous!

Tomorrow is a public holiday. I'm so glad. I want to sleep late and STITCH! We're having sushi for supper so tomorrow night will be 2nd night of sushi (we use half an avo and half a 200g pack of smoked salmon at a time). Yum!

Ok I'm going to go attend to the sushi rice now - that's all for now!

Bebopalula!!

Office Space - lately at work I've been feeling so much like the guy in that movie. Well, before he broke out of his cubicle-life at least.
I don't know whether anything is physically wrong, apart from being very very unfit (again)... but I suppose it would affect my psychological wellbeing...

I know for a fact that I'm slowly but surely dying of boredom at work!!! This past week has been a serious ordeal simply because I've had very little to do. Hbbm has been away and I've been working on address label stickers. W00t!! I'm so bored and as I sit here now, typing this, looking out our window at the tree, sky, fence, plants, outdoors, I really really wish that I could just NOT go to work. It's one of those stunning, windless, warm evenings, today has been gorgeous. The neighbours were away most of the afternoon so we were able to have the back doors open (no cigarette smoke spoiling everything).

I cleaned the fishtank earlier... 1 more clean before the wedding, the next is only after the wedding! (monthly cleans)

Yesterday we went to the jeweller and showed him my ring - he's going to make the wedding ring's millgrain match the millgrain on my ring. We also went to the post office, to fetch a parcel! Milton and the palomino Morgan mare & foal (and the saddle+bridle) arrived! So exciting! They're really gorgeous.

Here's a pic of them all - Prancer I got when I was about 14 or so.



I'm waiting for Gem Twist to arrive, and then after a while the Locoroco umbrella (yes, I finally found it - online shopping for the SUPERWIN!!) and the Chemical Brothers' Brotherhood CD should arrive! Really can't wait.

My Locoroco phone charms arrived this week too - went to fetch them during lunch-hour. They are very cute! Such cheerful things :D

I've also decided that I'm going to buy those other horses: Atlantis Bey V (which is on its way in the post right now), Rugged Painted Lark & Wintersong - I'm just waiting to make payment. And for Uncalled For and Strapless (see previous post for all their stunning pictures!) I'm waiting for a postal quote before I make payment.

SO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!! Yes it's a SPLURGE but hell... a person's gotta cash in once in a while!

heeheehee!! As each arrives, I'm going to post pics on here. I can post a pic of the Locoroco umbrella, CD & phone charms in the meantime, to keep this a happy multicolour post! Brace yourself:



hmmm... what else is there to blog about right now.

Wedding things! We've arranged the time+place to meet with the decorators, the ministerdude and the musician/s. G's outfit is complete, hopefully the bridesmaids and I are going to go for dressfitting on Saturday. G and I've formulated an email with info for everyone who has RSVPed, we've booked Sydney Opera House tickets. The photographer is going to meet up with us about a week or so before the wedding. My fake-tan appointment is booked... I've made an appointment with a dermatologist to make sure I have clear skin on the day... I've decided on a french-manicure... basically the most important thing now is for the dresses to be made.

Our list of To-Arrange is as follows:

* Forex (after we get our passports back)
* Seating plan (we've already mapped it out but it's not set yet)
* Menu / seating plan / other stationery
* Favours (we have to finalise the design)
* Ribbons for the confetti-baskets
* Dentist/hygienist appointment
* Copy all documents and stuff like itinerary etc
* Arrange payment for everything on the day/arrange for things like cake-stand to be handed back
* Buy stuff for inside the favours

I have to meet up with (a) hairdresser to discuss hair cut and highlights for the wedding
We have to also ask the (nice!) neighbour if she minds popping into our place every 2nd or 3rd day to feed the fish.

That's all I can think of right now - my list isn't complete but that's what's on the cards for the next while. We will have to meet up with everyone closer to the date to finalise proceedings and stuff on the day.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lemme leave this blogpost as it is, it's quite large already. I will most probably think of more stuff but hopefully it can wait for another post!

Excitement

I got my LocoRoco CD on Saturday. G and I ended up grinning the whole way from the Post Office to the jewellery shop. It's so funny and happy!

I really can't wait for my other stuff to arrive, I'm waiting for Gem Twist, Milton and Palomino Morgan mare & foal Breyer model horses as well as the dressage saddle & bridle to arrive. Also waiting for the LocoRoco phone-charms to arrive! Can't wait!

I've also found these 2 gorgeous Breyers that I'd like to get:

and then there's Atlantic Bey V:



I'd also like to get Wintersong:

and Rugged Painted Lark:



It's so exciting! Yes it's a splurge, but I've been saving and being 'conservative' a long time and feel it's time for me to actually indulge a little bit. I suppose I've been saying that a bit now - but the stuff I posted about previously (LocoRoco bag/umbrella/PSP pouch) are not available anymore, probably not going to become available again. Breyer model horses, however, are here to stay!

What is news... not much. Dude is now more manly grown up bird than ever before. Everything in his cage is to be courted and flirted with, from the perch to the nibbleblock. He won't eat it, he just wants to court it and flex his muscles and impress it. *sigh* Dude that's not what I bought it for.. it's FOOD!

Things are pretty much on track with wedding plans. Work is too boring right now for me to feel like making a list... but it's pretty much on track.

Now my inspiration to blog has faded. At least it's past 3pm.. but eeek I so badly hope that there's a parcel/parcel note in the post box for me later!!

Stash!

I've been doing a bit of online shopping (splurging)... I think it's about time since everything has been geared towards saving for the wedding and honeymoon.

Work has been so unbelievably dull lately, so I've been checking out ebay.  It's quite fun - there isn't much I'm looking for but I've found a Breyer horse I've been 'wanting'  for the past 10+ years (at the time I saw it first I was 14 and it was a case of ONE DAY IN MY DREAMS).  The model is Gem Twist.  Also bought Milton, a dressage saddle & bridle (yes, I know neither Milton nor Gem Twist were dressage horses!) and a palomino Morgan mare and foal from an online shop.  Really excited - they should be on their way now as I type.

On ebay I found a set of 6 keyrings (LocoRoco), as well as the LocoRoco soundtrack.  I'm basically looking for any LocoRoco merchandise as I saw some pretty funky stuff while googling.  I've seen:  an umbrella, a PSP pouch, a carry bag, keyrings, keyringthing+screen cleaner, inflatable LocoRoco (very big!!), a beanbag, footrest/chair, stickers, soundtrack CD (and other CDs)... a guide book with stickers, notebooks/addressbooks (not sure - the text on the site was in Japanese), little stuffed toys, PSP skin... that's all I can remember right now!  I'd love all of these... but they are nowhere to be found really.

I can't wait for Locoroco2 to come out... :D

I've also 'splurged' musically:  bought the Chembros' albums (they were on 1/2 price sale) and also their brand new Brotherhood album (the one I'm getting has the bonus disc with Electronic Battle Weapons).  I REALLY cannot wait for it all to arrive..................

Things are on a go-slow regarding the wedding.  The main things are now sorted - I had the fake tan (it looks really good, very natural and subtle!)... now it's just the finer details (like discussing with everyone what exactly we require)... and dressmaking.  A lot still to do but there are 56 days left... time is ticking!

I'm so tired right now.  It's Casual Day today, so I'm wearing jeans and takkies.  It's one of those beautiful days outside, but as per NORMAL I'm irkedly cooped up at the office bored out of my mind.  I really wish I could just... GO HOME EARLY... open the back door, take a couch out into the garden, crack open a nice cold coke, pour out some chips and have some chocolate.  Just soak up the sun... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH like that'd ever happen!

%!@#&@*&~!# stupid work!!!

Welcome to the BoreDome

Right now I am exceptionally bored.  I am having one of those Office Space moments where you wonder "what the f- am I doing here".

It's lunch time, and I'm having cottage cheese on toast - again.  It's the same every day.  I'm not complaining about having cottage cheese on toast many days in a row, I'm just fed up and sick of having the same DAY every day.  It's the same every day:  bored, lazy, disinterested workday, same old dull lunch every single day, home and then catch up on some fun stuff if possible in the evenings.

I am so sick of the dullness, the same boring non-existence at work.  Where the bosses don't give a fuck (except when something is bothering them personally), where no one actually enjoys their job, or wants to be there.  Sick of getting phonecalls about shit I DON'T CARE ABOUT!  Honestly, I really couldn't care less if invoices never ever happened ever again and all the companies working on this project didn't get paid.  Woopdefriggindoo!!

And honestly, why should I care about this, if our bosses don't actually care about us (robots/workers/employees).

Example:  when I got here 4.5 years ago, the fax machine was a decrepit piece of shit.  It had to be serviced about every 6 months, it took 1hr&10mins to send 9 pages.  It was only replaced about 2 months ago, despite numerous complaints and problems.  Yet things like a table or photocopier squeaking must be attended to INSTANTLY because the sound bothers the boss too much.  Or we now have to use the photocopier/printer downstairs to print anything A3 because A3 print jobs make the print-queue slower... so the boss complained.

GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!  The print-queue is slow... it doesn't take 15mins!  The microwave is busy dying (has been for about 6 months AT LEAST), it takes about 15mins to do anything remotely like warm food and it makes the most horrendous noises I have ever heard coming from a kitchen appliance, but it isn't being replaced.

Anyway, enough of that.  I actually don't care.  I'm sick of having to come to this place and having to pretend I give a damn.

I guess that's my point for this post:  I'm tired of trying to pretend I give a damn.

Powerless rant

I don't really know for sure what it is exactly that I'm feeling.  I will just let my thoughts run now and see what I find.

I am angry.  Or at least that's the closest I can describe it.

Two of my colleagues leave on Friday, another leaves the end of next month.  I feel so restless because of it because now that they are leaving, they feel freer to share with the rest of us the crap that they had to put up with.  It's not very pleasant.  I have ranted about it here in the past, but apparently one of the bosses was talking to a potential re-employee (he left a few years ago) and basically going through the staff list, listing everyone's faults, along the lines of "x doesn't know what she's doing, y doesn't have a clue, z just blabla" blabla dissing everyone.  Apparently he disses us to clients, co-working company's people, etc.  Another colleague says "don't think that any of us is spared of that 'treatment' by him!".

So now they are having interviews.  And for some reason that just makes me feel so angry.  The false-civility, treating them like normal people, when in reality we all don't *get* treated... we just aren't really there.  The fact that we are so not-there that the boss can just in a fit of anger and frustration threaten someone's job, without actually GIVING A F&&K that it is a person that he's getting angry at.  It's a goddamned person who would actually, when you get down to it, LIKE to enjoy their job!!  But no, that's only part of it.  The fact that your needing time off after an OPERATION is so begrudginly acknowledged/allowed, or like the one occasion: a pregnant colleague tripped down some steps, nearly bashed her head open on a sticking out bit of ex-wallshelf (the metal bracket) and the only response the one boss had was "she's been here, what, since the beginning of the year? she should look where she's going!".  A) she's pregnant, you septic goat-testicle, and B) how bout just asking "are you ok?" maybe if you feel like it add "you should be more careful!".  Asshat.

Anyway, I'm sure I've ranted about all of that before.  But right now I feel so angry and fed up (again).  This makes me feel so restless and itching to bash them across the faces with a brick and yell at them and kick them and jump up and down on them and kick them into the dirt.  Or something.  Something that feels satisfying.  Not the greatest sentiment/mood/state-of-mind but that's what I feel like.  And then I'd say "toodle-doo, *@&#^&$^&$!" and leave.

But realistically I shall go make myself a cup of tea and keep calm.

Unexpectedly relaxed weekend

Apart from my laptop crashing quite a few times this evening. Going to run a memtest next time I'm on. It just bluescreens and that's it.

Friday evening G and I watched Darjeeling Limited. It was a very strange movie. Completely opposite to what I'd expected. Thursday evening we watched Enchanted which was brilliantly entertaining. I LOVED the curtains with the dress-panel holes!

Yesterday morning we popped in at S's work to drop off the visa application forms. Just a couple of things we must send through to accompany the application but that's ticked off our list. We had brunch with G's folks too and then we walked around while G's dad shopped for shoes for the wedding. He was successful too, and G's mom and I both laughed and shared the sentiment of "if only shoe shopping was that simple!!". We also went into the music shop and I picked up The Cardigans Live in London DVD. I'd phoned the day before to find out whether they had it in stock and also how much it is, and the lady had kept it aside for me. I also bought the Chemical Brothers' Push The Button. The other albums are on their way (online shopping rules), so in a few weeks' time I will have all the Chembros' albums! I've also added the Loco Roco soundtrack to my wish list... something completely frivolous and indulgent but the game is just so insanely adorable!

G and I hung out at the mall for about an hour while we waited for my nails appointment: I'd made an appointment (a sort of trial run) for a nail-do for the wedding. Basically the lady gave my nails a file+paint and also put extension/false nails on my little fingers so that I could see whether I'd like them for the wedding. I don't. HAHAH, they are SO WEIRD, typing with them now feels very odd. I just can't get used to the slight change in sensation and they don't look so good to me. It looks as if the finger under the nail is too large and is pushing at the nail making it bulbous. I really love the french manicure though, so that's what I'm going to have on the day!

After the 'manicure' G and I bought ribbons for the wedding car. I also splurged a little and bought some manicure tools (emery board, buff+polish stick, cuticle sticks and some clear nail polish). I think it's about time that I indulge in a little self-TLC. Things are so hectic with wedding preparations that I feel quite cosmetically (health&beauty) neglected. It's surprising how revitalised something like a good filing and painting of your nails can do!

Friday morning (apologies for chronologically hopping around!), G and I went to the attorney to sign the marriage contract stuff. Then we went through to visit the wedding venue. Had a very good 'brainstorming' session with the co-ordinator. So many things to think about and decide on and plan. YAY!!

I also got to work on the little horse cross stitch. It really doesn't take that long to do, just that it's such intense work that it actually gets exhausting. The stitches are small and it's over 2 so I become temporarily shortsighted after a while of working on it. After the 2nd one, I don't think I'm going to do any more over-2 or small count cross stitches again.

Yay, it's nearly payday! And, unrelatedly, hopefully the washmachine will have finished shortly! It's bedtime!

Hectic week/end ahead...

and it's gonna become busier and busier as the wedding day draws nearer.

Success!

Just a report back on those boots I mentioned in my previous post: I phoned the shop. They cost R4500. There goes that idea!

Today G and I went to the HUGE mall nearby at about 1pm. We got home again at about 7pm. Somewhere during the afternoon we had lunch so it wasn't as if we went shopping for 6 hours straight. It was a very fruitful shopping trip.

G found a shirt for the wedding and some jeans. I found 2 t-shirts, 2 pairs of pants, 4 pairs of track/pyjama pants and a 2 pack of vests. AND we found vacuum bags - we've been looking for them for months.

I feel very much more inspired now. New pants which I can keep for at home/going out, instead of just jeans. I will keep those black pants for work (that reminds me - I have to sew the buttons back on some of them - tumbledrying evidently weakened buttons' stitching). I just wish that they weren't pants needing ironing. I HATE ironing but *sigh* what must be done must be done!

I saw boots like the ones I had my eye on, but they were cheap ones (for a few hundred) which wouldn't last more than about 6 months if I were lucky. Not worth buying because the excitement at having such nice boots wouldn't outweigh the disappointment when they inevitably break. And yes, 'break' is the word I use here because if the cheaper boots give in, they are not repairable. Decent, well made ones you can get restitched or re-heeled (what's the right word?). One day, I will have boots like that.

G is currently playing Patapon. I had the PSP out yesterday afternoon and played a bit of Patapon. Then I switched over to LocoRoco (man I love that game!) and played for HOURS and eventually 'finished' the game! Yay!!!

Odd day today

Today I feel so unbelievably restless and unsettled.  G is having problems with his net so we're hardly able to chat during the day.  Somehow that makes me feel unsettled, as if I'm cut off with the outside world.  I feel it helps us keep up to date with what's going on with each other during the day.  Also it is useful for just ranting into because both G and I have stuff we NEED to just offload about, such as DUMB COLLEAGUES!

At this very moment, the receptionist is busy cleaning.  Gawd knows why, she's just got a bee in her bonnet this morning and has got a little bowl of water, a scourer and some general purpose cleaner and has scrubbed the entire cupboard, her desk, her keyboard, the printer, dunno what else (I've been overhearing her cleaning so I can only identify the items by sound).  I saw her cleaning the printer - cleaning it with a SCOURER!  And SOAP!  So that the surface is all matte with a soapy layer like you apply when cleaning a kitchen counter or something.  That's gotta be good for it!  Presumably she subjected her keyboard to the same treatment.  You gotta wonder sometimes.  I just... don't care... can't be bothered to tell her that it's not such a good idea.  She doesn't listen anyway.

G and I watched Stardust last night.  SUCH a good movie!  Fun and lighthearted entertainment... I thoroughly enjoyed it!  Tonight we're going to watch Little Miss Sunshine.  When we went to the movieshop last night to take the movies out, their system had 'lost' our details.  Apparently if you don't hire a movie once every 5 months, it deletes your info which seems a bit dumb considering that not everyone gets to or feels like watching a movie every single weekend or even month!

I've printed out a calendar for the next 3 months and pencilled in all the things we have to do.  The next few weekends are going to be very busy!  We're going to pop by at a ribbon shop and someone who hopefully will do my nails.  We're also going to the mall nearby so I can take a closer look at some boots I've had my eye on.  Calf-high leather boots.  I'd really like a pair but I am seriously doubtful whether those would be even remotely reasonably priced.  A similar pair in the US costs $200 which is +-R1500, but I doubt a good pair like that would cost anything less than R4000!!!!  HAHA so yeah, it's more a shopping trip to see the real price so that I put that idea out of my mind!

Dude is so cute and such a sweetheart.  I took him out of his cage last night and let him have a bit of playtime.  Clipped his nails as well - while he was sitting on my finger I fiddled around with his nails and clipped a bit and at first he was a bit annoyed because it was as if I were biting his feet myself (budgie to budgie behaviour) but then he seemed to realise I was doing something not as a budgie and he sat quite still and seemed tense but kept calm.  I gave him a neck scratch afterwards and must have accidentally caught one of his quills (baby feathers) under my nail and tugged it because he gave quite a squeak and jerked away - but still sat quietly and let me hug him and give him more head scratches.

I read up on the Aus immigration/quarantine website yesterday that they are now allowing pet birds in from NZ subject to strict quarantine and analysis.  Hopefully in the next while (before we move) they will allow other countries to bring in their pets.  I'm going to check back regularly... if we aren't able to take Dude I will be MOST upset because he's really like 1 of the 3 members (excluding the fish!) of our family.

3 people at the office have resigned.  2 are going the end of this month and the other the end of next month.  I'm not surprised.  Just this morning the typist told me what the boss had said of the messenger guy "if he doesn't go around this office every day checking that none of the lights have blown, he won't be working here for much longer!"  Shit like that REALLY demoralises everyone because although they might not hear it to their faces, they can sure as hell SENSE that type of sentiment and attitude.  Hell *I*'ve even had that type of thing said to me by that boss.  I don't recall the details (thank heavens) but I do recall being threatened that unless I sorted it (some mess-up) out, my job would be at stake.  Charming.

Anyway, enough for now - I have work to do (yay *rolls eyes* so interested in it right now)...

~*~

High school reunion

Apparently there's going to be a high school reunion for my matric year sometime next year.  I read about it on Facebook a while ago and recently checked on the group again.  Reading the Wall comments everyone is pretty much feeling the same way I suppose - "10 years have passed?!?!?!?".

One thing that made me go ! was someone's comment saying "yes! and we must bring our hubbies and wifeys and kiddies!".  If you think about that for a second, you'll realise why I'm so ! about it.

There were approximately 150 of us in the year.  If you double that it's 300: student + partner.  And if you were to include 'kiddies', estimating that I'm not alone in my childfreedom and that some classmates have probably popped out 4, you could say there'll be 2 kids per couple.  SO that totals 300 adults and 300 'kiddies'.  It sounds horrible...

Firstly, all that a reunion is really is a parade of how successful everyone is now, how lovely they still look, how well they have (haven't) aged, how great their partner is and how cute/clever/etc their children are.  To me, that doesn't sound like a great deal of fun.

Add to that 300 kids.  I don't think I need to go into detail here.  300 kids.  If the adults behave themselves (hopefully they have grown up a bit since matric), there will be 300 kids running around the entire time.

I dislike it enough when I'm forced to be surrounded by kids by being seated near the kiddies section in a restaurant, so I am not *willingly* going to go surround myself with 300 kids...!

Ugh.  No thanks. 

Sushi

As you can see, sushi has become a regular meal for us! The california rolls (uramaki) came out better than expected! The 2nd pic is pretty much "the usual" when we make sushi for supper.

Excerpt from Letter of Notification of Appointment of iPod

I hereby notify yourselves that I shall heretofore become thereby frustrated whereby I shall with immediate effect anull my interest therein, whereby I shall hereinafter go postal, which, on behalf of myself, I trust is acceptable to yourselves.

The aforementioned iPod, without which I would go postal, is hereby appointed as maintenance manager for my sanity.

Wedding to-do list

I thought it'd be good to type up the 'to-do' list, so that a) I can see what still needs to be done and b) it'd be a record of where we were at this point with all the planning.  There are 88 days left!

August

Nails/tan/beauty treatment

Travel insurance

Contract

Exercise!!!

Favours

September

Visas

Forex

Vows & ceremony

Ring cleaned

Seating plan

Menu, cashbar, canapes

Menu, seating plan card stationery

Music

Transport to wedding

House-sitting/someone to feed the fish and water the plants

Confirm everything with everyone!

October

Get rings made

Hair highlighted

Make-up trial

Sound equipment

Meet photographer & decorators to finalise details

Buy favours-contents

Make copies of all vital documentation for honeymoon

Go to dentist and hygienist

Arrange payment and return of items hired

 

Apart from the above list, G still has to sort out outfits with the bestman, we have to chat with his parents and my mom about proceedings, have to book some things to do on the honeymoon.  We've already booked all the flights, the hirecar, accommodation as well as a tour-card.  Also, I have to buy nice clothes - suitable for an Aus summer!

 

SO MUCH STILL TO ORGANISE!  So exciting!!

 

*disclaimer:  I'm blogging via email, so the layout of this post might be WONKY.  I will have to patch it up some other time.

Inspired

I have been reading old posts on S's blog - reading about her wedding preparations and stuff and I'm inspired!

Yesterday we went to visit 2 jewellers. We've picked out ring designs but aren't 100% sure which metals we'd like but I think we're sorted now!

The first jeweller was recommended by my boss's daughter who got married last year sometime. He seems nice enough and gave us quotes for different metals for the ring designs we have chosen. We were intending to go to a factory-shop place (set of factory shops - not quite a mall!) afterwards, but decided against it because it was the last Saturday of the month (after both paydays!). Apparently this place is busy enough on a NORMAL Saturday so we decided instead to go visit another jeweller who was recommended by an ex-colleague.

This guy looked at the other guy's prices and told us that they were wonky - also when I told him I was considering platinum because it won't scratch, he told us that platinum isn't as hard/scratch-resistant as it's made out to be (it's a sales-pitch). He gave us prices for both our rings in white-gold (18 and 9ct for mine and G's respectively) and they are much better than the other guy's prices. So it seems we have found our jeweller!! I'm so relieved. He says he can make them in 1 day for us, so we aren't in a rush now to get them made. It would be nice to get it done and ticked off the list asap but it's good that we don't have a cut-off rushrush date.

So it now seems that everything is on track. The huge things have been organised, now it's smaller things which must take place closer to the time. The invites have (99%) been mailed off. The bridesmaids and I went to meet with the dressmaker. She said if we wanted we could use this next month as a get-fit/lose-weight month so that she can take our measurements again. It's all so exciting! And I probably mentioned about 5 times already but I have my shoes and jewellery sorted!

It's 21:35 now, and G is busy playing an 'escape game'. Dude is chattering away to himself and the fish are chilling in the tank. Altogether a happy home :D This weekend has been rather relaxed - after we met with the 2nd jeweller, we went for lunch at a nearby restaurant. It was empty apart from us for the first while - we'd evidently 'beaten' the lunchtime rush - but after a while other people came in as well.

After a YUM lunch, G and I went for a stroll on the beach across the road. It was GORGEOUS on the beach, the wind was icy but otherwise it was really relaxing and so enjoyable to be there with nothing 'on the cards' to be done that day which we should rather go do than waste time on the beach. We usually end up doing 'necessary' stuff (like meet with jeweller/wedding plan/stuff like that) and then spending the rest of the weekend doing chores and wasting the rest of the time sitting on the internet. It was so nice to get out of the house and be 'timeless' for a moment! I hope that we can do more of that kind of thing from now on - wedding-rush is on track so we should have time!

Anyway that is all for now - last week was really stressful and I'm so glad it's over! I am going to re-count the days left til my last day at work here... I really can't wait O.o

GI Joe!

Strange bossman

Hbbm is funny at times... I think he is becoming more soft as he gets older.  Apparently he used to be very scary and would shout at people a lot (including in front of people in a meeting in the boardroom)...

Yesterday was an example of his oddness:

He called me into his office saying "... I've got a problem... there's some brown on the screen... dunno... how to get rid of it or something?"

It was the stationery/background of the email he was replying to.

"ahh, so nothing sinister... I was just worried".  At least he found the reply button this time!

He also has a biscuit on his table next to his keyboard... it's from Friday teatime.  Yum. %-)

A bit later on, he called me into his office to ask me to help - he's got himself into a bit of a loop.  He'd evidently replied to a sent item instead of a received item and merrily emailed himself!

And then, the best bit:

He appeared at his office door (perpendicular to my desk), and showed me his trousers stitching had come apart below the one pocket, saying that he'd have to sticky-tape it from the inside.  He goes into his office, and I hear him moving stuff, probably looking for the stickytape.  He comes back and says "don't come in here now, else you might see something embarrassing..!"... he goes back in, comes out again and laughingly says "just letting you know that there's no lady coming in through the other door, ok??".."ok give me about 3 or 4 mins" and goes back in, closes the door and I soon after hear that RRRRRRRRKKKKKKK sound of a longggg piece of stickytape being pulled and torn.  Eventually he comes out and shows me his handiwork (he seemed rather chuffed with himself)!

Today has been quiet.  I think I overheard hbbm and the other department's not nice boss chatting, and I think hbbm said that he's thinking of retiring because the money just isn't worth it anymore.  He's nearly 70, so that's completely understandable!  I'm really holding thumbs that he retires next year or after, so that I can safely work here until it's time for us to make our moves!

Our wedding + honeymoon plans are coming along nicely!!!  Can't wait!

Contemplation

I think I'm a sensitive, reactive creature. Emotionally sensitive and things affect me which really shouldn't have any impact on me at all.

I will blog about 'usual' stuff now and see if it inspires me to blog more 'thoughtful' stuff hehe... I have so many thoughts in my head right now, and they just don't want to come out!

Things have been busy. The invites are almost 100% sorted - gotta get addresses for a couple of people and then send them off in the post. A few we will hand-deliver. They really do look lovely :)

I have been BORED out of my MIND at work lately. For the most part, all I have been doing at work is filing. I am so bored and frustrated because (as always, where filing is concerned), it is never-ending! Just when I see the end in sight which would be when that dude's filing cabinet is empty, HBBM has urgent (shit) emails to type to people in Mauritius "BLAAAAAAA BLA BLA it's urgent they leave work 2 hours before we do blablabla hold-my-hand-I-can't-TYPE! wahhhh... " and then other work which prevents me from maintaining the upper hand on that filing and then it goes awful again. WHY THE HELL AM I STRESSED OUT ABOUT FILING - jees, is that my sole purpose in life??

All day, at work, I think/mull about the things I COULD be doing at home, useful, NOT-pointless stuff (unlike what I get to do at work)... and every evening, after spending the entire day doing 'nothing', I can't even do those things I had been wanting to do because there's always SOMETHING. Always washing up, or washing, or SOMETHING. Every evening. Same thing on weekends. It's Sunday afternoon now, and almost the entire day yesterday was spent doing chores. So - when is there time to have fun hey? Yes I've griped about this before, but it never changes.

I went through my clothes yesterday, doing a cull, if you would call it that. A long overdue sorting through of clothes. Removing clothes that no longer fit or things I just haven't ever worn in the past CENTURY. It was quite strange. I now have a rather incomplete wardrobe because nothing much is left. It was so strange to dig out the old stuff. Old tank tops, button-t-shirts, quite an assortment of tops basically. They were such a reminder of certain timeperiods, and I felt such a sense of loss. A time which I can't get back, a time which wasn't fully experienced, or not quite fully "lived". Such vivid reminders of particular days, things I would wear with the outfit, feelings and expectations and moods of that time. I guess life is a series of periods, each with their own expectations - and they are rarely fulfilled. Or is it just me? I wouldn't actually know, but it always feels that way.

I suppose it's that problem of reaching +-25 and wondering "so what have I achieved?"... or how much have I grown and changed in the past 10 years. I don't really know. If I think back to those times, in a way, nothing's changed. In another way, so much has changed. I guess I'm still the same person, just living in different circumstances.

I'm not sure what I'm feeling, disappointment perhaps. I guess a person is excited about what is coming, future things, plans, but when they happen, they aren't as huge as they were supposed to be. Being 'grown-up', not that big a deal now is it. Now I get to worry about my hands, how dry they are and wrinkly and stress about how old they are already looking when they really shouldn't! Or how none of my clothes really fit anymore, how they fit me 100% for such a brief time for about 6 months about 2 years ago. It feels so unfair. So when am I going to have that 'carefree' time, where I'm at my best, most beautiful, most impactful, most lovely? Most up-and-coming, perfect? Has it passed already? Why?

I'm so tired. Feel like sitting up on my cliff-top, alone. I'm so sick of ... everything really. Getting home, and there are things to do. Getting home, and hearing the neighbours and their F***ing KID! Like, ENOUGH! ENOUGH damn it. I'm TIRED of hearing them slam their front door EVERY SINGLE TIME they leave or come home. SICK of seeing their car pull up after they've been out, hearing that DAMN CHILD singing BARNEY theme or HAPPY BIRTHDAY...!!!!! Sick of having to constantly be aware of things, like "the washing basket is full/the washing up needs to be done/the bin is full and needs to be taken out/the house needs a clean/things are needed from the shop/the windows need to be closed cos it's dark or raining/my hair needs a wash/my nails need to be cut/WHATEVER!!! I'm so tired of everything now. I'm SICK of doing PERSONAL work for hbbm. Typing up letters regarding the PAVEMENT plants outside his HOLIDAY HOME!!!!! Damn it, damn it all.

I feel fed up... people. I'm fed up with everyone it seems. Mom told me about aunt+uncle, how they fight, argue and taunt each other enough to get themselves into a rage, enough for the one to hit the other because the other challenged them to do it. Their kid stands by and witnesses it. Sick of it... mom not being home, running herself into the ground being OUT of the house when the house needs sorting out and getting into order - she told me how excited she feels when going out on mobile-home holidays and how sad and upset she feels coming home... And people...! I'm tired of it all. I'm tired of how it upsets me. I can't not be affected by it but it's driving me mad. A friend of mine in the US says I should 'change what you can, but things you can't change, forget about'. Easy, it should be. I'm tired.

There's too much to do. I have so much I WANT to do, for fun, recreation, but there's always something else that *should* be done instead. I want to stitch or play games, but I SHOULD go through old magazines and toss them out. I should scan photos in, I should finish the other x-stitches (gifts), I should EVERYTHING. Too much. I'm tired.