Go play with my pet

Check my pet dartanion out in the side bar. He really likes it if you click on him and play a bit. If he looks hungry click on the "more" tab and feed him.

Why a bat, you might ask? well I am trying to get over a little phobia I have fostered since my formative years...

You know when the grown ups tell you that if a bat gets in your hair it will get tangled in forever? WHY DO THEY DO THAT?

I mean, lets be honest, it really is downright mean. Firstly because if it landed on you it would decide to roll around til it was knotted - surely that would take some doing(?) and secondly because as everyone knows, bats never come too close to people (sonar and all that).

WRONG!!!

I always get mocked when I show any slight timidity (ok, ok, terror and revulsion) toward bats. And the annoying ones will pipe in with (imagine a high-pitched nasal voice) "but caz, you are supposed to be a nature lover. It is not like it would ever touch you".

Amateurs.

I HAVE THE UNFORTUNATE DISTINCTION OF BEING A BAT MAGNET!!!!!

I have had one land on my head once and a few years later on my face while i was sleeping.

What do you think the odds of that actually are? I reckon if i lived in Bumblebee tuna land I would be a queen or something for my frequent associations with the sacred creatures (If you get that reference then you are a true compadre and i will be well impressed!!)

Frikken little bloodsuckers are everywhere!

Trapped

Have you ever had a situation where you are on the verge of something big and you are so excited and you wait and wait....... and then it subsides.

Then you're on the verge of something even bigger and you are SO excited and you wait and you wait and you wait ........ and it subsides again...

Have you ever felt trapped in your situation?

I'm in shape... pear is a shape!

Hallo the people of blogland...

You may remember my new years resolutions (click here for the post) well here are some updates.....

Running:
The running is going okish - 15km on saturday which was great, but then I nearly died on a 5km this morning, so who knows.

Writing:
My article is now online on altvoices.org. Click here to read it... (it is the South African one)

House:
well..... I planted sweet peas! (hey, it's something!!)

OOH ALET: where are yoo??
BATCHFOO the suspense is killing me... come on!

From South Africa with love.....

HVD

Ho ho ho.
No wait that's not right.... well depending... oh never mind.
Happy Valentines Day people.

Yes it is commercialism at its most synister, yes hallmark are opportunistic thieves, yes florists are the worst of the lot as they push up prices just for the day which is actually pretty sickening if you give it some thought, but stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiill!

Any excuse for a date of sorts with my man works for me!

So thanks for those of you who had suggestions and may the plague of a thousand flees be in the undies of those of you who did not (not really... that's a little harsh).

But i have come up with a series of clues and stuff for the band tonight which will lead to a few activities the details of which i shall not expand upon. There will also be a yummy dinner involved, but i'm ordering our favourite meal from our favourite restaurant and getting it as a take away (which i never knew I could do - very Brooke-at-the-Cafe-Russe of me!)

Anyway, i will let you know how it goes.

Now I know many people DESPISE Valentines Day with the hatred of a thousand.. hateful things, so here is some entertainment for you....

"He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a bin lorry reversing."

"It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall."

"John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met. "

"His departure had gone unnoticed, like the full stop after the Dr. on a Dr Pepper can."

"Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left York at 6.36pm travelling at 55mph, the other from Peterborough at 4.19pm at a speed of 35mph."

"Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two other sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master."

Enjoy the day guys

- xxx -

The heat is on (gotta love those 80's tunez)

What to do for Valentine's Day?? WHAT TO DO???

So the pressure is ferocious - like a fat kid on a muchachos chicken burger.

The band completely exceeded all expectations this weekend.... I tried for daaaaayz to get it out of him what he had planned and he juuuuuuuuust about got my hopes down. I reeeeally wanted to go away for the weekend, but by the time the weekend came I was pretty much resigned to the fact that no going away would there be.

WRONG!!! When i got in on Friday I was told to pack.... and off we went. The Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town was the venue.... sooooo larny for plebs like us (they wear top hats and stuff).

It was awesome!! I won't give you aaaaaaall the details, but it was a special weekend and I don't think i'd have changed a thing.

I lie. I would have worn more comfortable (and less amazingly gorgeous) shoes out to dinner as we took a romantic stroll to the restaurant...... by the time we were near there was no strolling and no classiness... shmoo piggy backed me the last little way! It was that bad! Blisters the size of Nantucket (it just sounds apt, ok!). Oh the pain. But the meal was delicious and so was the rest of the evening!

Anyway, back to the dilemma, how do i match a frikken weekend at a shmancy hotel?? (especially now that we are broke).

I dont really want to go to a restaurant. Something else... even at home. But what? He is big on personal touches and effort but i am low on creativity.

Mullet you will be pleased to know that athlete caz fell off the band wagon a little as a result of the romantical weekend innie kaap. (WOULD YOU HAVE LEFT THAT FOR A RUN?? IN DOWN TOWN CT NO LESS? I THINK NOT!) But I did go again this morning so I am now clinging onto the wagon with all my strength!

So if you're reading this I'm guessing you also don't have much work right at this moment. Go visit www.blessthischick.com You can make your own little mini-me for free...

This is me.... I went a little Zulu with the sparkle thing. And I'm not quite thaaaaaaaat blonde. The joy of artistic license.

K bye... don't forget to send me some more ideas!
(tick tick tick)

Prison Break

The long kiss goodnight....

nope. Sorry. no great scandal or intrigue, but you try thinking of a catchy title for a miscellaneuos post.. (and no, i don't know how to spell that word!)



People I have some progress to report... I am officially a jogger. You may remember my humble beginnings a month ago? Today is the anniversary and I have run every second day for 4 weeks. Not too shabby for a luigat like myself. This morning I ran 12km. (TWELVE!)



So I am quite shocked at myself. Shocked and if I may say so very impressed. Sure I'm not the speediest... and some might call me more of a shuffler than a jogger(those same some might want to rethink their hospital cover...), but I feel a massive sense of achievement for making it this far. I also feel a massive sense of pain in my right knee, but that's just the price of being a hardcore athlete! :)

Ok now onto more urgent matters... I NEED HELP (not that sort!) You see Saturday is my 1 year wedding anniversary (EEK!) Does ANYBODY have any idea what a good kind of gift would be?? HELP! Suggestions!?!?!???

Also, I have volunteered to organise Valentines Day... any suggestions for a romantical evening on a tight budget. Lets have some creativity here people!!!

Swamp thing

Work has been CRAZY!!!!!

CRAAAAAAZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

For the elderly among you the signs on the doors below read "management" and "employees"

I have been swamped and that is why I have abandoned you!

Silicon valley

Well big kudos and many happy returns to those who have happily returned to Blogland (Batchfoo at long last, the Nat and even loserille!!!!) A hearty welcome to you all!

On Friday I had to go into the varsity and I had to ask the computer centre guy a question and so he smiles kindly, understandingly and says "Are you a first year?"

GOSH! HECK!

Needless to say I batted my practically grey eyelids at the pasty white, acne covered computer nerdish young man, sighed and, smiling back kindly, broke it to him that I am, alas, a 7th year.

And for all you awful cynics (rory!) I choose to believe that the reference to my youth was as a result of my running efforts, blonde hair and tan and absolutely nothing to do with my complete lack of IT savvy.

Pirate's keyboard

You'd think I'd be over my corny little pirate joke by now.....

...no such luck

Clenching my teeth

So remember in my previous post i mentioned my jaw was tightening up? Guess who had to geet off to mediclinic last night? Yes, Helourine did - bitten by a black widow. SCARY! But she's alright now. I digress: me too!
The jaw she was a-tightening and the collar bone muscles they were a-tensing and my doctor friend advised me that tetanus is not a thing to be trifled with (mmmm... trifle!)
I had to go for an immunoglobular thingie! It was hectic. My bum is still burning!
Have no fear, fair blog readers... I shall live. But it was a little scary. Lockjaw for goodness sake!!!

Fortieth post - yay me!

Greetings people,

Welcome back to blog world Alet!
Batchfoo where are yooo???
If it weren't for the Meegyn aka Pinky, I would be feeling decidedly neglected.

No matter.

What's news??

I had a fantabulous weekend which included a cruise on a catamaran. We saw sharks and we swam... disturbingly, in that order!!! Thinking back it was a little psycho, but everyone else was doing it......... Never mind, all my limbs remain in tact and it was awesome! So utterly Cape Tonian of us.

PROGRESS REPORT FOR NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS:

RUNNING: Went for run number 4 today. That's one every second day since last week tuesday. Quite proud of myself I must say. Haven't skipped one yet, even though I savaged my foot on a piece of fence and I am certain my jaw is steadily tightening up!

WRITING: Busy with the article for altvoices.org soon. As soon as it's up I'll punt it!

HOME-IFYING THE COTTAGE: Bought such cute paper lantern things for our porch. Beyootiful.

STAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW: Went to the traffic peeps to find out about outstanding fines. Only two which came to R300.... ok, there should be another for R800 - but they dropped it. So i have written letters pleading my case.

All in all getting a diary has changed my life.. I am an organised sort now. I feel so self righteous!! haha

peeeee eeeeeeeee argh

What is so difficult about differentiating East London and P.E.??? THEY ARE THREE HOURS APART! It's so constant "Oh so did you go home to PE for Christmas?". "Carolyn comes from PE" NO SHE RUDDY WELL DOES NOT! PE is the UGLIEST CITY ON THE COAST. Industrial scab. awful awful awful.Really, it's right up there with people calling me caroliiiine. WHY?! AAARGH!

Which reminds me.....

How do you know if you're a pirate?

You just AAAAARGH!

Holly dayz

I’m so sorry. Where are my manners!? I didn’t even tell you about my holiday.
Well it was great. Saw some of my journalism mates which was fantastic. Went to plett… first holiday as married types. Quite interesting camping with the inlaws…………….

Anyway……

Also went to East London. Was good.

Much chilling did happen.

LOWLIGHTS of the holiday:

BLUDDY VODACOM BARRED ME TWICE. PSYCHOS! (it's best I don't even start on that again... read here what I am on about

HIGHLIGHTS of the holiday:

Some in my hair, yes.

Saved a life
I have a particular affinity for esio trots. I’m not entirely sure why, but I love them. There was one on the N2 and naturally we stopped and I shotgunned getting to save it. Which I did. We named him A’tuin (pronounced ‘Attain’).

Crikey
I was showing the band some of my favourite places in the whole world – Morgan Bay, Haga Haga etc and on the way back we passed a snake in the road. Naturally we reversed at full speed, hopped out the car and tried to catch it (they can’t move very fast on the tar). As the band tried to grip its tail it reared up and hooded! YEBOYES! It was a cobra. Sssssssssscary but sssssssssssssoo cool!

HALLO PEOPLE OF THE SOUTH!

Happy happy et cetera
WEll I'm baaaa-aaack.
Sorry it's taken so long, but hey, I've been busy.

I am sad to have to tell you all that we are going to have to mourn the passing of DMW caz... for those of you who have no idea what that means, click here.

No more DMWness. Adios to the inevitable bulge. I am a fabulous tanned blonde now (Batchfoo you right - way more fun)

I have entered the 2 Oceans Half again this year and Coach Rich (my athlete dad) has me on a strict training programme. So far I am having 100% success (ok so far there has only been one run and it was all of 2km, BUT STILL!!!)

Tomorrow is 3km... I'm trusting you guys to hold me to it. (And for the hardcore athletes among you who may be scoffing at my seemingly meagre efforts.... sod off!) :)

Anyway, among my other new years resolutions:

• complete the half marathon which is on 7 April (86 sleeps - EEEEEEEK) and stay fit after it

PROGRESS: have entered and gone for one short run.

• get my A into G and get writing properly

PROGRESS: have made contact with the editor of altvoices.org and am busy with an article for them. Also get another travel feature published.

• start making our house a home

PROGRESS: have received nice Christmas presents which are helping this aim and am working on some ideas

• don't get another visit from the sheriff of the court to deliver the warrant for my arrest

PROGRESS: on Friday I visit the traffic department and settle all depts

I'm sure I'll add some more in a while, meanwhile it is up to you, my faithful readership (aka Batchfoo and OOH ALET to hold me accountable!)

Fare thee well, adios amigos

Ho Ho Ho all,

Today is my last day at work (THANK THE LORD!!!) so adios for now, I will post again in the next weeks, but not as regularly, so if I don't see you, have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS.

All my lovings
caz

Looking back on 2006

Hi faithful readership...

At this time of year people seem to scramble to set new year's resolutions and goals. Lose weight, get fit, etc etc, but how often do we stop and reflect on all the great blessings of the year that has passed. Even the tough things, in retrospect, were usually for a good reason.

Check out this new blog togodsglory.blogspot.com. People send in their stories about great stuff (big or small) that God's been doing and it gets posted on the blog. I think it is a great idea. Lets support it and make this one work!

I'm sure we can all think of one great blessing at least!

When the band's away, the jack russels will go TEKERE

So the band is away... not even within cell phone reception.... The house is clean, but the bed is cold.

Quick background (necessary for the story which follows):

The band and I have 2 jack russels - Zac and Zebu (Zac's neice/wife)

I am the wicked stepmother... Zac and I butt heads big time... he actualy thinks the band is his! But i know that the band probably only even named Zac "zac" because subconsciously even waaaaaaaaaaaay back then the band loved me and zac is of course Caz-backwards....

So the band left at 4am on Saturday morning and after the departure I couldn't find Zac. So I went to bed (What!!? It was 4 in the morning). At 9.30 I awoke and still no zac to be found.....uhoh!!!

I searched and searched and called and called and eveeeeeeeeeeeentually found him at the gate of our farm (well... the farm where we stay) still waiting for stef. (Maybe he is more dedicated than me!)

Anyway, I think he was just doing it to show me up, little so-and-so. So since then, now that I am the big cohuna at home, the ultimate authority, what I say goes (etc etc) Zac is like an evil little step son flaunting his rebellion... BRAT. He creeps onto the couch, he got hold of my BRAND NEW sunglasses (luckily the damage was negligable or there would have been castration!!!!) and he was unusually and suspiciously friendly when I was wearing light pants and he had been playing in the mud.

Anyway, last night was the ultimate show down.

One vienna, one vegetarian and 2 dogs

So I broke the offending pseudo meat in half and made them beg like granny's dogs (have they no pride???) and then tossed them each their half.

Zac breathed his in in milliseconds and before Zebu had even registered, (she really is the Jessica Simpson of dogs - pretty, sweet and veeeery spacey) Zac had grabbed hers too!

Well that was it. I lost my cool. It was me or the dog. No more (semi) nice step-dog-mother-type!

"Drop it Zac" I growled at him.

"Nope" he taunted me with his eyes.

So I grabbed his mouth and started to open it. He wasn't giving up without a fight. And as we wrestled, he laughed at me (with those eyes). Until eventually.....VICTORY!!!!!!

His mouth opened, the sausage popped out and Zebu aka Jessica was awarded one times slobbery vienna bit.

"Puleez" I said triumphantly. "I've caught crocodiles with my bare hands do you really think you scare me??"

"You may have won the battle" he growled "but the war aint over til the jack russel howls".

On the subject of all things canine....

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your car (whatever make or model, not fussy), hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me.
Call 07898 342547 and ask for Daisy, I'll be waiting....

And on a deeper note:
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said,

"Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here,
and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough."

And what's up with their stupid beer boep rodent meerkat thing?

Now in a prior post I made a fleeting reference to grey hairs... I reeeeally didn't want to have to elaborate on this, but regrettably i have been left with no choice.

I recently discovered several silvery bits in my head. I discovered them on Friday night... mere minutes after receiving an unpleasant sms from my bank.... coincidence? I think not people!

Dang Vodacom. Dang them to an eternity of being put on hold and listening to BACKSTREET BOYS call waiting music. "I don't care whhhhooooo you are, don't care where you're from, don't care what yoooo did as long as you love me"

Of course the more discerning individual will have picked up that in the chorus of that song (which plays on repeat) Vodacom customer "care" yodles on that they in fact DON'T no less than 3 times! SUBLIMINAL MESSAGING PEOPLE!

Of course, in my case the chorus could be altered to something alone the lines of:
"I don't care that we stuffed up your banking details,
I don't care that we added bogus charges amounting to over 6 grand to your account,
I don't care that you expressly forbade us to debit your bank account with this ludicrous figure,
We'll do whatever we dangwell please anyway, yeah yeah yeah-haaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaa"

Vodacom - Keeping you in touch! (with your bank manager? with your therapist???)