Well this afternoon should be fun. I’m attending Tracy and Derek’s wedding.
Of course with an angry stomach it should make things even more interesting. In any other case I’d probably give it a skip, but Tracy and Derek are important to me, so I’m going, come hell or high water.
I’m just taking a little bit of time out this morning to conserve my energy, so I can at least seem remotely alive when I have to welcome and usher guests to their seats.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Euphemisms
Why is it that when ever I’m on holiday I get sick? I’ve been struggling with an angry stomach for the last couple of days. “Angry Stomach” is my euphemistic expression for diarrhoea.
So why didn’t I just come out and say that? why didn’t I just say; I have had a stomach bug and have been suffering from diarrhoea? Well, it’s simple really; using a euphemistic expression takes away some of the grossness of the situation. Sure I’ve laid diarrhoea out in plain sight now, but I’ve only done so to illustrate a point, I could have easily explained my ailment without mentioning it explicitly.
Using euphemisms often soften a hard situation and it’s far more diplomatic than laying it down as it is. Euphemisms can also get the point across in a far more polite fashion. For example, instead of me saying something like “He was fired because he was stupid” I might say “He was subsequently let go due to his inability to meet expectations”. See how I did that? It’s far less brash.
Anyways, what I was trying to say is that I’m on holiday, but I woke up about 20 times due to an angry stomach last night; I am as tired and as grumpy as hell, yet I somehow managed to perform an arms length of chores. While I’m asking questions, why is it that there is always more that one needs to do when one is not feeling well? And I did them all without killing anyone too…quite an achievement if I do say so myself.
So why didn’t I just come out and say that? why didn’t I just say; I have had a stomach bug and have been suffering from diarrhoea? Well, it’s simple really; using a euphemistic expression takes away some of the grossness of the situation. Sure I’ve laid diarrhoea out in plain sight now, but I’ve only done so to illustrate a point, I could have easily explained my ailment without mentioning it explicitly.
Using euphemisms often soften a hard situation and it’s far more diplomatic than laying it down as it is. Euphemisms can also get the point across in a far more polite fashion. For example, instead of me saying something like “He was fired because he was stupid” I might say “He was subsequently let go due to his inability to meet expectations”. See how I did that? It’s far less brash.
Anyways, what I was trying to say is that I’m on holiday, but I woke up about 20 times due to an angry stomach last night; I am as tired and as grumpy as hell, yet I somehow managed to perform an arms length of chores. While I’m asking questions, why is it that there is always more that one needs to do when one is not feeling well? And I did them all without killing anyone too…quite an achievement if I do say so myself.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
House Party
The best thing about being on holiday is that there is no pending feeling or urgency to do anything, least of all having to call it an early night and go to bed.
I attended a braai last night at a fabulous Camp’s Bay house, apparently once frequented by the Ghallager brothers from Oasis.
It was the stereo typical scene of a great house party. Some people were chilling and having cool conversations, while others were dancing to crazy, break-beat music blaring in the background. There were even a few games of pool being dished out with some rather interesting stakes for the losers, like having to jump into the swimming pool.
Whatever people were doing, they were having a good time. I think that’s the beauty of house parties, you’re always able to find your own little vibe and still have fun.
Normally on a school night, when the clock hits 10 I begin to stress, there’s always this anxiety that overcomes me, I begin panicking about having to get home, go to bed and wake up early. So I become a bit of clock watcher and am never able to fully appreciate the evening on offer.
Being on holiday, this stress disappears, I felt great and instead of heading home early as I usually do I was able to stay until the rest of the party fizzled out.
I attended a braai last night at a fabulous Camp’s Bay house, apparently once frequented by the Ghallager brothers from Oasis.
It was the stereo typical scene of a great house party. Some people were chilling and having cool conversations, while others were dancing to crazy, break-beat music blaring in the background. There were even a few games of pool being dished out with some rather interesting stakes for the losers, like having to jump into the swimming pool.
Whatever people were doing, they were having a good time. I think that’s the beauty of house parties, you’re always able to find your own little vibe and still have fun.
Normally on a school night, when the clock hits 10 I begin to stress, there’s always this anxiety that overcomes me, I begin panicking about having to get home, go to bed and wake up early. So I become a bit of clock watcher and am never able to fully appreciate the evening on offer.
Being on holiday, this stress disappears, I felt great and instead of heading home early as I usually do I was able to stay until the rest of the party fizzled out.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Coincidence
I love penguins. I love the fact that they are clumsy as hell, but at the same time they always look terrifically, well-dressed and ready for a black tie event.
Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is quite a spectacular place, within this magnificent setting of rock mazes and tranquil pools lies the habitat for a colony of African Penguins. It seemed almost inconceivable for my overseas friends that one could chill out on one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches and still get to mingle with these little natural socialites.
On this beach though, you can, and you could literally go up to one and hug it too; so as long as you don’t mind being pecked by one of their wonderfully, understated, yet powerful beaks. The combination of natural beauty and wildlife seems just a little too coincidental.
Speaking of coincidences, on our way back into the city, I had an idea to stop off at Olympia Café in Kalk Bay for a bite to eat, but as it so happens another group of my friends, separate from our penguin excursion, decided to go surfing in Muizenberg and they also had the same inkling to refuel at Olympia. Now, usually I would think nothing of it. Two groups of friends converging on one spot – big deal right?
Well get this, the story gets even more exciting. Firstly, neither groups had planned on meeting up, and it’s not natural for us townies, as the locals call us, to venture too far out from the city center, so the chances of meeting up in Kalk Bay were slim.
Secondly, to grasp the magnitude of this coincidence I need to explain the dynamics of our group. In my group, from here in known as Group A: we had an Eastern Cape boy i.e. moi, a Danish girl, a Canadian girl and a Spanish guy. In the other group, now known as Group B: there was an Eastern Cape girl, a Danish guy, a Canadian guy and girl and a cool, chilled out, laid back, surfing Aussie.
I knew everyone from Group B, but oddly enough I know them separately from each other and didn’t even have a clue that, those social circles overlapped. The Eastern Cape girl just so happened to have gone to one of the schools that I had been schooled at too.
I met Danish girl in Group A close to two years ago, as she was living in my block of flats, and met Danish guy in Group B recently through a friend of a friend. However, it turns out that Danish girl and Danish guy are close friends in Copenhagen.
The Canadians in Group A and B live in relative close proximity to each other and my friend the Aussie seemed like the only exception and didn’t have any freakishly, coincidental connections with the rest of the group. At least none that I could deduce, but I’m certain if I had to pry a little deeper something would have popped up.
You’re probably wondering about Spanish guy? I only met Spanish guy yesterday through Danish girl, but conveniently he is friends with another Spanish guy that just so happens to do stunts with my very good friends Dan and Paul. Also, later in the evening Spanish guy meets a Venezuelan friend of mine and the topic of a Penguin beach excursion surfaces. Venezuelan friend quickly puts two and two together and figures out that he must have gone with me, as Venezuelan friend was supposed to come too, but could not, due to work obligations.
Ow my head hurts! All these freakish coincidences just blew my mind.
Overall I had an amazing day, I mean how could I have not? Hanging out with friends and penguins in one of the most beautiful settings in the world; life, it doesn’t really get much better than that. But, honestly there were brief moments where I also felt quite down.
I still get incredibly anxious driving along parts of the M3 due to Lauren’s accident. Every time I drive past the scene, I get shivers down my spine, and yesterday coincidentally as we drove past: Beatle’s, depressing Yesterday was playing. In particular the lyrics “Why Why she Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.” came up as we drove past
In that instant my emotions and thoughts shifted elsewhere. Retreating and concealing the joy I had just previously experienced. I’m sure I became a lot quieter and my passengers must have wondered what happened as in an instant, I had gone from being extremely happy-go-lucky to least sociable in the car.
I miss you incredibly, Lauren. I’ve accepted that you are no longer here, but how much fun would it have been if you had to come on our day out?
Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town is quite a spectacular place, within this magnificent setting of rock mazes and tranquil pools lies the habitat for a colony of African Penguins. It seemed almost inconceivable for my overseas friends that one could chill out on one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches and still get to mingle with these little natural socialites.
On this beach though, you can, and you could literally go up to one and hug it too; so as long as you don’t mind being pecked by one of their wonderfully, understated, yet powerful beaks. The combination of natural beauty and wildlife seems just a little too coincidental.
Speaking of coincidences, on our way back into the city, I had an idea to stop off at Olympia Café in Kalk Bay for a bite to eat, but as it so happens another group of my friends, separate from our penguin excursion, decided to go surfing in Muizenberg and they also had the same inkling to refuel at Olympia. Now, usually I would think nothing of it. Two groups of friends converging on one spot – big deal right?
Well get this, the story gets even more exciting. Firstly, neither groups had planned on meeting up, and it’s not natural for us townies, as the locals call us, to venture too far out from the city center, so the chances of meeting up in Kalk Bay were slim.
Secondly, to grasp the magnitude of this coincidence I need to explain the dynamics of our group. In my group, from here in known as Group A: we had an Eastern Cape boy i.e. moi, a Danish girl, a Canadian girl and a Spanish guy. In the other group, now known as Group B: there was an Eastern Cape girl, a Danish guy, a Canadian guy and girl and a cool, chilled out, laid back, surfing Aussie.
I knew everyone from Group B, but oddly enough I know them separately from each other and didn’t even have a clue that, those social circles overlapped. The Eastern Cape girl just so happened to have gone to one of the schools that I had been schooled at too.
I met Danish girl in Group A close to two years ago, as she was living in my block of flats, and met Danish guy in Group B recently through a friend of a friend. However, it turns out that Danish girl and Danish guy are close friends in Copenhagen.
The Canadians in Group A and B live in relative close proximity to each other and my friend the Aussie seemed like the only exception and didn’t have any freakishly, coincidental connections with the rest of the group. At least none that I could deduce, but I’m certain if I had to pry a little deeper something would have popped up.
You’re probably wondering about Spanish guy? I only met Spanish guy yesterday through Danish girl, but conveniently he is friends with another Spanish guy that just so happens to do stunts with my very good friends Dan and Paul. Also, later in the evening Spanish guy meets a Venezuelan friend of mine and the topic of a Penguin beach excursion surfaces. Venezuelan friend quickly puts two and two together and figures out that he must have gone with me, as Venezuelan friend was supposed to come too, but could not, due to work obligations.
Ow my head hurts! All these freakish coincidences just blew my mind.
Overall I had an amazing day, I mean how could I have not? Hanging out with friends and penguins in one of the most beautiful settings in the world; life, it doesn’t really get much better than that. But, honestly there were brief moments where I also felt quite down.
I still get incredibly anxious driving along parts of the M3 due to Lauren’s accident. Every time I drive past the scene, I get shivers down my spine, and yesterday coincidentally as we drove past: Beatle’s, depressing Yesterday was playing. In particular the lyrics “Why Why she Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.” came up as we drove past
In that instant my emotions and thoughts shifted elsewhere. Retreating and concealing the joy I had just previously experienced. I’m sure I became a lot quieter and my passengers must have wondered what happened as in an instant, I had gone from being extremely happy-go-lucky to least sociable in the car.
I miss you incredibly, Lauren. I’ve accepted that you are no longer here, but how much fun would it have been if you had to come on our day out?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Beat
I had a very eventful day, but the combination of sun and fun have taken it's toll on my creative juices. Instead, I'll leave the details for a more fitting piece of writing tomorrow. Damn I'm tired. Think I may kick back put my feet up and fall asleep in front of the old idiot box...
Monday, March 2, 2009
First Day - First Gear
I’m on holiday! From not having a holiday in 2 years to having 2 holidays in 3 months is a luxury I cannot begin to describe! What an incredible feeling, this is what real living must be like.
Waking up late, coming and going as one pleases and not having the weight of the world on ones shoulders is definitely something I can get used to. Too bad the weather was a bit cruddy. But the thing about the sun not being out though, is that you don’t feel bad for spending it inside in a mall.
I spent some time having lunch and catching up with a dear friend at the V&A Waterfront. After which we spent most of our day lazing around on the couch chatting.
So some may think that I did not make the most of the first day of my holiday, but it was good, it was chilled, it was exactly what I needed. I like to start things slow and finish strong. Tomorrow though I kick things into second gear.
Waking up late, coming and going as one pleases and not having the weight of the world on ones shoulders is definitely something I can get used to. Too bad the weather was a bit cruddy. But the thing about the sun not being out though, is that you don’t feel bad for spending it inside in a mall.
I spent some time having lunch and catching up with a dear friend at the V&A Waterfront. After which we spent most of our day lazing around on the couch chatting.
So some may think that I did not make the most of the first day of my holiday, but it was good, it was chilled, it was exactly what I needed. I like to start things slow and finish strong. Tomorrow though I kick things into second gear.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Blink
It’s strange how some relationships forge. Sometimes you just meet people that you instantly gravitate towards, while other times you spend a life time fighting to form anything that remotely, resembles a relationship.
Recently in friendship I’ve made this instant connection a few times, and I’m rather sad that it is one of these peoples last day here in Cape Town. Desi is going back to Milano today.
I met Alejandro, one day randomly, while at the gym in my block and we started chatting. The next time I saw him; he was with his amore, Desi, downstairs in the courtyard. After only those encounters they invited me out with them.
Nine times out of ten, I probably would have shrugged the offer off, but for some reason I liked them and I felt that I should take them up on it. Three months have passed and the memories that we have shared together have been unforgettable. It’s strange, in quite a short period, it feels as if I have known them my entire life.
Even with some of my other best friends, I knew within seconds of meeting them that they would play a significant part of my life.
In the romance department, I’m still uncertain. I’ve heard people talk about their love at first sight, bolt of lightning, sudden butterflies in the stomach experiences; but in my twenty six years of living, I have felt this less than a handful of times. For it to be relevant though, the feeling needs to be mutual from both parties; and sadly since I seem to be quite unhitched, I guess it means that I have yet to experience it in its entirety.
The probability of me feeling this instant connection with someone again and then have that feeling be reciprocated seems highly improbable; but if it could happen in friendship than why not romance? The hopeless romantic in me remains confident that it could still happen.
Recently in friendship I’ve made this instant connection a few times, and I’m rather sad that it is one of these peoples last day here in Cape Town. Desi is going back to Milano today.
I met Alejandro, one day randomly, while at the gym in my block and we started chatting. The next time I saw him; he was with his amore, Desi, downstairs in the courtyard. After only those encounters they invited me out with them.
Nine times out of ten, I probably would have shrugged the offer off, but for some reason I liked them and I felt that I should take them up on it. Three months have passed and the memories that we have shared together have been unforgettable. It’s strange, in quite a short period, it feels as if I have known them my entire life.
Even with some of my other best friends, I knew within seconds of meeting them that they would play a significant part of my life.
In the romance department, I’m still uncertain. I’ve heard people talk about their love at first sight, bolt of lightning, sudden butterflies in the stomach experiences; but in my twenty six years of living, I have felt this less than a handful of times. For it to be relevant though, the feeling needs to be mutual from both parties; and sadly since I seem to be quite unhitched, I guess it means that I have yet to experience it in its entirety.
The probability of me feeling this instant connection with someone again and then have that feeling be reciprocated seems highly improbable; but if it could happen in friendship than why not romance? The hopeless romantic in me remains confident that it could still happen.
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