All is well in a cold, damp and frosty UK. It has been many years since I had a white Christmas. I love them and they really do make you feel warm and festive. My wait will continue as it hasn't snowed yet and it may not do so either. However, the weather being cold makes for a warmer and more festive feeling during the festive season.
This is going to be a quiet and relaxing time. I am finishing work today and will only be back on the 7th January 2008. I guess this is as good a time as any to say, "Happy New Year", for 2008.
So in the true spirit of my blog...
Got to dash but I'll be back in a flash.
My gift to you is the youtube song performed by Michael Buble (Song for you) originally performed by The Carpenters. Please take a few minutes to listen to it? The words are very appropriate.
Friday, 21 December 2007
Monday, 22 October 2007
a warm touch
I think this week I should speak about getting in touch as this seems to be something that we all seem to have to and want to do. These days all you hear is, I must get in touch with…” and if it isn’t trying to make contact with another, then it is trying to get in touch with yourself. I have reached a time in my life where I am no longer going to apologise for not getting in touch with anyone. The reason being, that I am so in touch with the fact that I am not in touch, that the guilt racks me daily. This makes me acutely aware that on a daily basis we just need to think of two people and we have made a connection and if you think that when you touch, you are making a connection – hence, I am getting in touch with dozens of people on a monthly basis.
Now that my mad and unintelligible reasoning is done I think some news from this side of the globe is in order…as usual starting with the weather. The reason I start with the weather is because that was the one issue that everyone questioned me on before I left. I can’t tell you how many times I heard, “it is so miserable there” or “the weather is so grim” and “why go there when it is grey most of the year”.
It is getting colder here now but not as cold as Bloemfontein (now THAT is a cold place in winter). Our temperatures are dropping to about 3ºC and rising to about 14ºC. The rain hasn’t really started yet and if you sit in the office, looking out of the window you are easily duped into thinking it is a spring day. It is only when you open the door to leave the office that the cold hits you. At least I only have to walk from the office to the car and when I get home, the parking is underground, so a quick dash to the lift means that I don’t really get the full impact of the weather.
Work is progressing nicely. I was made permanent last week and am now a full employee, contributing to a pension and death scheme – isn’t that a great way to start. The parameters have been set for my job and I am quite excited and optimistic at the opportunities.
From the end of this month, the cash flow should be better. This affords me the opportunity to follow some of my interests such as theatre, sport and some other cultural things. I am arranging to go and see Madame Butterfly with some colleagues and there is a Yoga class I want to begin. I have also been invited to play Squash with a colleague of mine. Another colleague and his wife have extended an invite to dinner at a seafood restaurant in Leeds. I guess the social life will pick up but I need to keep the reigns on a bit.
Other than that, I am drawing in my free time, reading quite a bit. For those of you who enjoy reading books with substance, try Kite Runner. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My next book will be Icy Sparks – so if you have read it, your comments are welcome.
For now however…I’ve got to dash…be back in a flash.
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
A bout and winter...
Nothing quite says Winter like a little bout of Cold and Flu. This is where I am at the moment. My mind is saying, "life's great," and my body is saying, "yeah right!".
It isn't as bad as you may think and I am probably making more of it than I should but at the end of the day I will get over it. For those of you who have been lucky enough to experience sub-zero temperatures you will appreciate that winter in South Africa isn't all that bad. Saying that, winters in the UK aren't always that bad either. It is dark, damp, overcase, misty, rainy, grey, dull and maybe a little cold but if you can see through that, you will just love the UK. This is especially important if you want to live here and have come from a climate where the sun bakes the earth, the cicadas sing and the tyres on your car are almost melted by the hot tar. It goes without saying that I just love the British weather and I can hear you saying, "get that white jacket on him and ready the electrodes...clear..." Nothing beats waking up and looking out over a misty morning and feeling as though it is the middle of the night when in fact you are an hour late for work...that starts at 9am.
It isn't as bad as you may think and I am probably making more of it than I should but at the end of the day I will get over it. For those of you who have been lucky enough to experience sub-zero temperatures you will appreciate that winter in South Africa isn't all that bad. Saying that, winters in the UK aren't always that bad either. It is dark, damp, overcase, misty, rainy, grey, dull and maybe a little cold but if you can see through that, you will just love the UK. This is especially important if you want to live here and have come from a climate where the sun bakes the earth, the cicadas sing and the tyres on your car are almost melted by the hot tar. It goes without saying that I just love the British weather and I can hear you saying, "get that white jacket on him and ready the electrodes...clear..." Nothing beats waking up and looking out over a misty morning and feeling as though it is the middle of the night when in fact you are an hour late for work...that starts at 9am.
Friday, 21 September 2007
The winter months...
The week is, at last, over. Carla made it through her birthday unscathed. She also made it through her first week of work semi-unscathed. The only thing that was an adjustment was getting up earlier and the initial tiredness. We have been living past each other this week. She has been exhausted, I have been exhausted and yet we are still going strong.
I think it is expected that there will be those weeks where you just don't have the energy to make convrsation or be interactive. I think that will be forced to an end with the arrival of my mum. It goes without saying that we tend to enjoy games such as Scrabble, Rumikub, Jenga and possibly a few others and we will likely be occupying ourselves with some of those in the evenings.
For those of you who haven't looked out of the window yet - Winter is here in the UK. It has literally changed overnight and it is raining, the temperature has dropped and the sky has become rather bleak. This is not to mention that the sun is only coming up at about 6am. This is the run up to a cold winter. For those in sunnier climates, your runup to summer is on its way.
I think it is expected that there will be those weeks where you just don't have the energy to make convrsation or be interactive. I think that will be forced to an end with the arrival of my mum. It goes without saying that we tend to enjoy games such as Scrabble, Rumikub, Jenga and possibly a few others and we will likely be occupying ourselves with some of those in the evenings.
For those of you who haven't looked out of the window yet - Winter is here in the UK. It has literally changed overnight and it is raining, the temperature has dropped and the sky has become rather bleak. This is not to mention that the sun is only coming up at about 6am. This is the run up to a cold winter. For those in sunnier climates, your runup to summer is on its way.
Monday, 17 September 2007
A full working week
To let you all know - Carla has a job. I left for work on Friday morning and wished her luck for an interview. I came home and congratulated her on getting the job. So, one day before her birthday, she has joined the working world. Not a moment too soon either, she really was going to rip out her hair from all the domestic duties I loaded onto her. I guess that means my holiday is over and I will have to start doing washing, cleaning and cooking.
My boss has returned from a trip to Australia and although he walked into the office at 9.30am his sense of time says that it is actually 12am - so he looks a wreck. A trying week lies ahead and the amount of work that has to be dealt with is immense. I love the challenge.
Tomorrow will be a "Happy Birthday" to Carla and then on Saturday a big "Welcome" to my mum who will be visiting for two weeks. Her trip is well planned and timed. It can be coincided as a scouting trip too, in order to see where their next abode will be.
For the die hard South Africans out there, you must be so impressed with the outcome of the SA vs. England rugby game on Friday night. I had a colleague lay down the challenge early on when he said, "may the best team, England, win". By half time I responded with, "did England arrive, or is SA playing on their own?" his come-back to that was, "just warming up". I enjoyed watching him eat his words at the end when I said that they should maybe try warming up before the game, as opposed to during it. Another colleague of mine wasn't too perturbed - he feels that England didn't do too badly, "they came second".
My boss has returned from a trip to Australia and although he walked into the office at 9.30am his sense of time says that it is actually 12am - so he looks a wreck. A trying week lies ahead and the amount of work that has to be dealt with is immense. I love the challenge.
Tomorrow will be a "Happy Birthday" to Carla and then on Saturday a big "Welcome" to my mum who will be visiting for two weeks. Her trip is well planned and timed. It can be coincided as a scouting trip too, in order to see where their next abode will be.
For the die hard South Africans out there, you must be so impressed with the outcome of the SA vs. England rugby game on Friday night. I had a colleague lay down the challenge early on when he said, "may the best team, England, win". By half time I responded with, "did England arrive, or is SA playing on their own?" his come-back to that was, "just warming up". I enjoyed watching him eat his words at the end when I said that they should maybe try warming up before the game, as opposed to during it. Another colleague of mine wasn't too perturbed - he feels that England didn't do too badly, "they came second".
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
An Indian Summer to remember...
In South Africa there is no such thing as an Indian Summer but there is an equal amount of confusion when I mentioned a Monkey's Wedding to a Brit. This year the UK is experiencing a wonderfully late Summer. It is nearing the middle of September and the weather is just beautiful - not hot, just beautiful (20 - 24 degrees C).
There has also been this feeling of excitement in the air as my mum has decided to make a flash visit to see us in Leeds. I don't know who is more excited, me or her. Carla and I have been rather quiet on the social front and making friends is hard when you limit your social life around a wallet that looks like the dusty bum of an ethiopian. Carla's birthday is coming up, so I am looking for a present that will be just right but also something she wants and needs, without feeling like a blender, a pair of knickers or some facial tissues. I need to think of something special and my initial thought is to take her to a comedy club and enjoy an evening out.
Anyhow, as you can see - all is well. We are just settling in. Life has started for us here and soon we will be fully integrated.
There has also been this feeling of excitement in the air as my mum has decided to make a flash visit to see us in Leeds. I don't know who is more excited, me or her. Carla and I have been rather quiet on the social front and making friends is hard when you limit your social life around a wallet that looks like the dusty bum of an ethiopian. Carla's birthday is coming up, so I am looking for a present that will be just right but also something she wants and needs, without feeling like a blender, a pair of knickers or some facial tissues. I need to think of something special and my initial thought is to take her to a comedy club and enjoy an evening out.
Anyhow, as you can see - all is well. We are just settling in. Life has started for us here and soon we will be fully integrated.
Friday, 24 August 2007
That little ray of sunshine
As you may have seen Summer is coming to an end. This raises that all to worrying question - where am I going to be going for my sundowners and after work drinks? It is essential that I plan ahead to ensure that my (currently non-existent) social life doesn't come to a grinding halt. Here are some useful tips on what to do to find that all to important place to go, when the end of season looms.
The first thing you need to do is lightly pepper your friends and colleagues about the places they are currently into. They will very likely respond with their Summer hang-outs. This will give you an idea of what is hot, what is not and the type of music and environment to shift to. It is so important that you don't give your friends a culture shock by introducing them to a metal bar when Jaz has been their thing for the last few months. In Winter you want something cosy and warm but that doesn't mean dark and dusty. It may play in your favour to go on a Saturday walkabout. This Saturday would be perfect as it is a long weekend and a workout on Saturday would mean a well deserved rest for Sunday and Monday.
So, what to do? Most importantly, do you indulge straight after work or do you tend to go home first. That will give you the search area to concentrate on. Make sure you have some "emergency cash" in the back pocket and a pair of comfy shoes on your feet. Set off in a structured manner and literally just enter where devils fear to tread. It is sometimes in these places that you find exactly what you are looking for. You may want to have a drink. This gives you the opportunity to speak to the staff, check the quality and quantity of the beverages and the prices charged. Now that you have finished your drink, move on to the next place.
You may want to make notes considering that you now see the next place to enter. You may want to have a drink. This gives you the opportunity to speak to the staff, check the quality and quantity of the beverages and the prices charged. Now that you have finished your drink, move on to the next place.
Don't forget to take...
Try to remember where you have been and continue on your way (as you can see I am a cheap date and by round two I am already on my way to find a dance floor). I probably will end up looking like grandad dancing up a storm but hey...the drinks will continue flowing and by the time I am expected to do a report back - all the places I have been to will be a distant memory and will need to be explored by all and sundry again.
Have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend...
The first thing you need to do is lightly pepper your friends and colleagues about the places they are currently into. They will very likely respond with their Summer hang-outs. This will give you an idea of what is hot, what is not and the type of music and environment to shift to. It is so important that you don't give your friends a culture shock by introducing them to a metal bar when Jaz has been their thing for the last few months. In Winter you want something cosy and warm but that doesn't mean dark and dusty. It may play in your favour to go on a Saturday walkabout. This Saturday would be perfect as it is a long weekend and a workout on Saturday would mean a well deserved rest for Sunday and Monday.
So, what to do? Most importantly, do you indulge straight after work or do you tend to go home first. That will give you the search area to concentrate on. Make sure you have some "emergency cash" in the back pocket and a pair of comfy shoes on your feet. Set off in a structured manner and literally just enter where devils fear to tread. It is sometimes in these places that you find exactly what you are looking for. You may want to have a drink. This gives you the opportunity to speak to the staff, check the quality and quantity of the beverages and the prices charged. Now that you have finished your drink, move on to the next place.
You may want to make notes considering that you now see the next place to enter. You may want to have a drink. This gives you the opportunity to speak to the staff, check the quality and quantity of the beverages and the prices charged. Now that you have finished your drink, move on to the next place.
Don't forget to take...
Try to remember where you have been and continue on your way (as you can see I am a cheap date and by round two I am already on my way to find a dance floor). I probably will end up looking like grandad dancing up a storm but hey...the drinks will continue flowing and by the time I am expected to do a report back - all the places I have been to will be a distant memory and will need to be explored by all and sundry again.
Have a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend...
Friday, 17 August 2007
Moving into warmer waters...
It is with great delight and without any shame, that I can say these next words. I finally had my first shower in three months. By now you know that the reason is purely because there wasn't a drop of warm water in sight and my body just doesn't bode well with frost bitten water drenching my body and forcing my extremities to seek shelter.
My mood has altered and I am now trying to make my way through three books. The one is the story of The Zodiac serial killer who was never captured and made his debut in the 1960's. The next book is some really light reading, for a bit of a break from murders and serial killers and is called "It's broken, that's why it's called a break up" and then finally a book on how to do Yoga. I think that should broaden the mind a bit. I have never really been one to enjoy just one thing at a time, so three books creates just the right amount of variation.
The weekend is upon me and I am planning to do...absolutely nothing. This week has been quite taxing - so will take it easy and read, watch movies and play some boardgames. Oh, I will also be showering with hot water on the hour - just to enjoy the fact that I can. Also, to remove the built up dirt from the last three months.
My mood has altered and I am now trying to make my way through three books. The one is the story of The Zodiac serial killer who was never captured and made his debut in the 1960's. The next book is some really light reading, for a bit of a break from murders and serial killers and is called "It's broken, that's why it's called a break up" and then finally a book on how to do Yoga. I think that should broaden the mind a bit. I have never really been one to enjoy just one thing at a time, so three books creates just the right amount of variation.
The weekend is upon me and I am planning to do...absolutely nothing. This week has been quite taxing - so will take it easy and read, watch movies and play some boardgames. Oh, I will also be showering with hot water on the hour - just to enjoy the fact that I can. Also, to remove the built up dirt from the last three months.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Still water runs deep - but cold water tix me off!!!
So here I am wondering if anyone will read this...if so...fantastic.
This morning I was ready for a steaming hot shower. I have not had one in over three months and since moving into the apartment the boiler has been on the fritz - so still no hot water!!! I am not able to have the mythical cold shower that everyone is so eager to steer you towards, "for health reasons". Instead, I opt for a bath with the legwork of running back and forth to the kitchen with kettles of hot water, boiling water on the stove and adding that to the brew. Yesterday all was supposed to have been fixed and my delight at feeling warm (note: NOT HOT) water pouring through the taps was enough to send me to Nirvana. I decided that it would be bet to turn it off and give it till the morning to heat up.
I leapt out of bed this morning with the thought of a hot shower in mind and to my deep dismay I found that not only was the water not warm, it felt as though it was pouring out in ice chunks. My mood went from a light blue, fluffy and happy one to a dark and sour mood in one foul swoop.
The legwork behind me, mood subdued and work ahead of me - I am facing the day smelling like a daisy and working hard at keeping things looking up.
This morning I was ready for a steaming hot shower. I have not had one in over three months and since moving into the apartment the boiler has been on the fritz - so still no hot water!!! I am not able to have the mythical cold shower that everyone is so eager to steer you towards, "for health reasons". Instead, I opt for a bath with the legwork of running back and forth to the kitchen with kettles of hot water, boiling water on the stove and adding that to the brew. Yesterday all was supposed to have been fixed and my delight at feeling warm (note: NOT HOT) water pouring through the taps was enough to send me to Nirvana. I decided that it would be bet to turn it off and give it till the morning to heat up.
I leapt out of bed this morning with the thought of a hot shower in mind and to my deep dismay I found that not only was the water not warm, it felt as though it was pouring out in ice chunks. My mood went from a light blue, fluffy and happy one to a dark and sour mood in one foul swoop.
The legwork behind me, mood subdued and work ahead of me - I am facing the day smelling like a daisy and working hard at keeping things looking up.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
My first blog...
So this may be a way to communicate quickly and to those who wish to communicate in return. I seem to sporadically send general emails to people, receive some responses and then reply individually and then...there...is...radio...silence and finally Stealth Mode. I hope that this will allow you to post some comments to me and for me to keep you up to date on what's hot, happening and new in the life of...well...me!
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