untitled...

...for words escape me more often than they should. Hey, Linka? :)

Disclaimer: Let me start of by saying that this post does not in anyway reflect upon the commitment, loyalty and general willingness-to-lend-a helping-hand of my dear friends who will be reading this.

Last night I had the girls over. Mere seconds after the doorbell rang for the first time, my home was filed with warm laughter and exclamations, compliments were being passed back and forth and no-one had a smile missing. Ah, the good fortune of having friends for family.

When everyone had left and the house had quietened down the thought occurred to me: When your guests offer to help you clean before they leave, is it ever polite to accept? I'm sure you've heard the conversation many times:

"Jane/John, we'd better be off: Early start tomorrow. Thank you so much for a lovely evening!"

"Oh, it's my pleasure. Thank you so much for coming... And for the wine."

"Gosh, look at the mess we've made! Can't we help you clean up a bit?"

"No, no, it's fine. Won't take me long. I'll do it tomorrow."

"Are you sure? We'll just give the plates a rinse."

(And now for my personal favourite... I heard this a few weeks ago.)
"No, don't be silly. Besides, you know me and my kitchen... I don't like other people messing around in it."

"Well, let's just help you clear the table."

"No, no, don't bother. I don't feel like doing it now anyway."

"Okay, well, if you're sure... Thank you again."

"My pleasure. Drive safely!"

"Bye!"

Polite wave. Front door slams shut.

"Sh!t, look at this mess. How did they manage this?"

But, think about it: What was the alternative?

"Cool guys, thanks! Bob, you get the wine glasses. Susan, could you see if you can get that stain out of the carpet? You'll find the cleaning products in the cupboard under the sink..."

I usually like to start cleaning immediately. There are few things as satisfying as going to bed knowing you have a clean kitchen.

Tomorrow I'm having people over again. Here we go again. My, my...

ingeval iemand wonder

Nota: Ek't my jonkste inskrywing uitgevee, deels omdat GM my bietjie bang gepraat het en deels om ander redes wat ek nie in kode kan wegsteek nie. Arcadia, jy't 'n punt beet gehad. Dankie vir julle kommentaar. :)

Honey, I’m home

The people I were whilst I was becoming myself, aren’t me. They’re friends and relatives, but they were never who I am now. They’ve lived and died and I knew them well. But all that remains of them now are memories, smells and photographs. I can’t deny they existed and I’m grateful to be able to forgive them for what they did wrong and that I can remember what they did right. Everyday and every night I become more of myself and less of them and I always like myself better. I judge better, I think longer before I speak, I know more and… I have more style. :)

And sometimes, not very often, I catch one of my old friends speaking through me again in that rebellious tone.

Hi everyone! I'm back from a lovely long holiday. Hope this finds you well.

Dontclick.it

If you're bored at work like me (or suffer from RSS), this site might keep you entertained for a while.

Happy clicking... NOT!

check(mate)

• Go to bank to get new access password for internet banking
• Update blog
• Get new gym attire
• Go to gym
• Get wrapping paper to wrap X'mas gift for office party
• Sign new lease
• Drop-off new lease
• Phone Claire and arrange to get funding for and buying X'mas gifts for Guguletu orphans
• Design new portfolio - digital, live and hard copy
• Update CV
• Design new business card
• Apply for new job
• Finish freelance work
• E-mail client re: freelance work
• Organise bakkie / trailer for big move
• Get friends together to help move
• Buy pots and pans
• Make X'mas gifts for family
• Find out about photography courses
• Call that guy about kayaking
• Back-up design files and photos to DVD
• Pack
• E-mail Dad
• Call Granny
• Pay bills

I felt inspired by the gift I got for X'mas from Pienk Zuit to share my to do list with you. It doubles as my excuse for not posting interestingly.

Merry X'mas, fellow bloggers, and God bless. (Check)

oil and water okay?

Earlier today one of my colleagues asked a very profound question: "Does anyone know what the petrol price is?" Not a single person in the studio could answer him. Guesses ranged from R6,50 to R7,50. Some tried to Google it. One girl offered: "I know it's going down again soon." Turns out, non of the above mentioned colleague's "digs mates" knew the answer either. Nor did the people he spoke to on the phone last night. Incredible. Engen and friends could be cheating us out of our money a cent at a time, and we wouldn't even know.

Does anyone know what the petrol price is?

arty farty...

The good people from What if the world..., a gallery I've mentioned before, has come up with the most delightful idea: A Neighbour Goods Market, held every Saturday at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town. Fast becoming a trendy hangout in a previously dodgy area, the revamped mill is host to some very artsy (and touristy at times) shops. The market is held in a big ol' shed. PERFECT for X'mas shopping, if you're so inclined. (I won't be doing any X'mas shopping this year. I'm making all my own gifts. I say I do this because I want to boycott commercial overspending, but I'm just really broke.)

...featuring over 50 vendors selling 'all things nice.'

The weekly Saturday market will be housed in a beautiful old sky lit warehouse at the newly refurbished Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock.

Neighbour Goods is as much a source for organic foods and locally produced goods, as it is a meeting point to enjoy community, swap ideas and stories, and become educated about what we buy and eat by going directly to the source. The market has been created along ethical, eco-friendly and organic lines, to offer a wide range of wholesome delicious foods and products from the community of Cape Town.

A friend and I went last Saturday. All things really were very nice... So nice, in fact, that she went home to fetch her husband, so they could spend his money. :)

Some lovely collage pieces for sale at the What if the world... gallery's second space at the Old Biscuit Mill too.