prayer request

Today I have no story to tell only a request that you please pray for my sister, Desiree, in Australia. I awoke to the sound of a doorbell that indicated a text message from my Dad. It said that my sister, who is a jockey, had been rushed to hospital and that the horse had bucked and reared and fallen on her. They think she has a broken pelvis. She will be in hospital for the next week and may have to undergo an operation today. She’s just recovered from an accident and has been doing really well so this is a setback that she really doesn’t need. Sometimes the world just feels so big.

new bands at koko in camden

The Little Ones, wearing Blood Red Shoes and Pulling Tiger Tail while shimmying to the Rumble Strips. HA! The whole line-up of last night’s NME Tour at Koko, in Camden, in one sentence. *breathe on knuckles and shine them on my chest* The first band of the evening, Blood Red Shoes, nearly blew us straight from our prime balcony spot and in amongst the plebs below. But we stood our ground and suffered the screeching for long enough to welcome the next band which blew us away for different reasons. A happy little, guitar playing man with salsa moves to put any Spaniard to shame (that’s where the dance originated, right?!) and a cheeky smile had us absorbed for their full set. The Little Ones were a bunch of quirky muso’s, playing happy music, that made you wish they would just keep jamming well into the night. The other two bands were ok. Pull Tiger Tail were a fusion of Fall Out Boy and a typical Brit rock ensemble (pick one of your choice) who displayed enough talent not to provoke items being thrown onto the stage. We left halfway through the last band, Rumble Strips. Their folk sound and bad shoes were too much to endure at such a late hour. Despite the severe ringing in my ears, that was still audible as my head hit the pillow and smokey hair, a decent gig with a diverse mix of fresh-faced bands that haven’t “sold-out” just yet.

just some weekend stories

Acknowledging the need to face the rain – necessity being my only motivation to leave the flat this weekend – I pulled on my ugh’s and begrudgingly left to grab a few essentials from the High St and meet Jo and Bron for a quick coffee (before they get offended - this I was happy to do).
While waiting for the bus, a very little lady literally blew alongside me. As she animatedly commented on the foul weather, I listened with amusement as she relayed her weekend’s domestic activities and how she was now forced to leave the house simply to purchase a cake for afternoon tea with her friends. As she spoke, her neat little beret bobbed and her smile was warm enough for me to ignore the cold wind. I couldn’t quite pinpoint her accent – perhaps a hint of cockney in her predominantly Indian enunciation. On alighting the bus, I purposefully sat on a two-seater to continue conversing but, instead, she waved goodbye, bounded to the back of the bus and took her rightful place in the ‘cool kids’ seat. How refreshing our brief encounter had been!
In other news, Mom’s hamster departed for hammy heaven on Friday evening. She lies peacefully alongside 80A’s goldfish, 82B’s budgie and the previous hamsters that passed on. After a distraught text from Mom, it was decided that a blog mention would ease the loss somewhat. Therefore, RIP Sweet Cheeks.
On our way home from Amused Moose comedy club on Saturday night (Happy birthday, Bron!), Fox and I witnessed a cringe-worthy scene that simply could not go un-blogged. A girl, who unintentionally revealed herself to be a musical groupie, sat beside us on the No. 14. She had spotted one of the actors currently in Blood Brothers and proceeded to gush about how great he is and how her friend thinks he is ‘Johnny Depp II”. Fox and I winced and giggled to ourselves as she continued to babble and the awkwardness was enough to engross us for most of the journey. I have such a deep affection for that bus route.
For the next 2 weeks I’ll be trying to pass the time as efficiently as possible while I await Fox’s return from a 3 week stint in Budapest. I feel a tad spare without my “partner in crime” to chuckle at funny people on the bus (among other things).
Anyway, a well balanced weekend to prepare me for a week of possibilities and I’m ready to approach it with a bright attitude to counteract the dull weather…that just refuses to pass.

sidewalk scuffle

It’s that time of the week again when I have bled every source of work dry and I’m left wondering how I’m going to pass the time constructively. So far I have emailed anyone who I know will respond; made a shopping list for the weekend (and planned out meals); thought about doing my assignment and determined I’m “not in the right frame of mind”; disrupted anyone within a 2m radius of my desk and then decided that blogging was the most stimulating of all.
My day started out on a bad footing. As I disembarked the No. 14 bus, while chatting on my mobile to Fox, I heard a lady yelling something behind me but I ignored her as I thought she was just having a go at someone else. The next thing I hear is her saying to the person on her mobile, “Sorry, some girl just cut in front of me.” She then turned to give me a death stare and stormed away in a huff.
I was “some girl”. Hello! All I did was to get off the blinking bus…lady!!! I was so mad. I thought of a million different names to call “Miss Highness of the Pavement” but by that stage she was toddling off in her mean-spirited, huffy way. See, even now, just thinking about it gets me riled up. “Love of Jesus, Rox, love of Jesus…”
It wasn’t so much her reaction that upset me as it was her attitude that, to me, reflected the attitude of a million Londoners on any given weekday morning. There are just too many people in this city. Jo pointed out, last night, that her personal space boundaries have significantly decreased since living in London as she has been forced to become accustomed to having people in ‘her space’ so much of the time; a crowded tube, sharing couches in Starbucks or bargain battling in Primark (okay, maybe that’s just me!).
I had to put some worship music on my WalkmanÒ just to gain control after the sidewalk incident. This city really stretches you to the limits of yourself. If you want to know what you’re made of, London will tell you. I remember, as a child, I would slink beneath the table if my dad ever complained about food in a restaurant. When I returned from my first stint in London, my family nearly choked on their Spur burgers when I was the first to pipe-up to the waiter when I wasn’t satisfies with my meal. A part of me had become tough and no one was going to walk over me.
Maybe pavement-lady has just been here too long. Not only will she disallow people to walk over her, but it seems she has developed an aversion to people walking beside her too.
I hope I never become so tough that I can’t share a bit of sidewalk with a stranger.

all set for a picnic

Summer is here. I know it was “official” about 2 months ago, but tell it to any Londoner and they’ll laugh outright. It seems the grey has opened up to allow the sun to warm the Capital and everyone is happy and smiling again.
I went and bought a picnic set at lunchtime today, in celebration. I really wanted the beautiful one at Huttons, in a wicker basket, complete with spotted crockery and pretty little napkins and a tablecloth. Unfortunately, the price was not as dainty as the goods and my sensible side (ie. a phone call to Fox) redirected me to Waitrose to purchase the set in a practical backpack, that doubles as a cooler box and is good for camping too.
I’m still that little girl having tea parties with her dolls, only now, instead of pretending to be an adult, I actually am one…most of the time.
So, tonight Fox and I are off to initiate the picnic set in Battersea Park. Of course, the napkins and tablecloth are merely for show and can not actually be used to wipe grubby mouths and hands. They may not be the little spotted ones but they’re blue-checked and cute all the same and are merely for showing off in the park. “Look everyone! We’re professional picnickers with a proper set and everything.” We’ll be the envy of all the other boys and girls…I mean, men and women.
Goodbye winter-blues, hello summer fun! Complete with goblets, chopping board, bottle opener and a detachable drinks cooler. A toast: to the many great picnics to come!

how to turn a drab day fab

Second week back in London and all feels back to normal. It’s only Monday and I’m already bored at work; we’ve had about 2 hrs of sunshine since my return; my week has filled up quicker than a toilet cistern; I’m back to consuming approximately 2 chocolate bars a day. Aaah, all is right in the world.
Although I seem to have ended up in somewhat of a routine (gasp!), there are a number of changes looming just over the horizon. Unfortunately, none of them are public knowledge as of yet so you, my blogees, will just have to keep reading. Yes, a meager attempt at creating an air of suspense…
To London’s credit, I did have a wonderful weekend. Friday night, a few of us went to watch Goodbye Bafana – an interesting angle on the Nelson Mandela story. Joseph Fiennes rivals Leo DiCaprio in the “foreigner attempting to do a Safa accent quite well” stakes and I found myself cringing at the accuracy with which they portray life back in the homeland. We are an interesting bunch, hey, my bokkies? Out of the cinema and into Waxy O’Connors for a cheeky few where we ended up being asked to leave because it was closing time. SWEET! And Granny Tagg was still going strong.
Saturday I met up with, recently engaged blogee, Kirsty for a cuppa and a chat in the snooty, yet delightful Wimbledon Village. I then made my way to Zulu’s (ugh!) to watch the Super 14 final. What a match! Commiserations go out to Jo who was most deeply affected by the Sharks defeat. A lazy braai at Fox’s place in the evening, complete with steak and toasties, ended a typical South African day in London.
I managed to coax Fox into watching the end of “The Lakehouse” with me yesterday, by luring him with the offer of a tasty, cooked brekkie (and he wouldn’t even have to leave the couch). The good company was the only consolation for wasting an hour and a half watching Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock attempt to carry a film. Church in the evening, a quick dinner with “the gang” and yesterday was as restful as a Sunday should be.
Although today is pretty bleak, my grey day was brightened by a single, crimson, long-stemmed rose from my thoughtful boyfriend and I remembered that any place is as good as you make it. I really am trying to see all the good that this city has to offer. It’s just hard to acknowledge the sun for all the dreary rain clouds. But it hasn’t gone anywhere; it’s still shining as bright as ever, above the clouds, where only birds and airplanes can see it.

good thai-m in bangkok

I’m going to attempt to write an account of our trip to Thaliand in 15 minutes. That’s how long I have left to sit before I escape to enjoy a weekend of catch-ups and London fun.
So, Aus-Land behind us, Fox and I jetted off to Bangkok and arrived in the country-sized sauna a little before midnight (I’m not sure which country’s time zone that was!). Our hotel was lush but on the doorstep was a city that is dirtier and poorer than most that I have experienced. Ian laughs at my inclination to want to adopt every stray (and the occasional non-stray) that crosses my path, so imagine my turmoil when everywhere I turned there was another mangy, hungry looking mutt. But it wasn’t long before the heat, pollution and the need to prevent ourselves from being scammed by locals tainted my compassion and I began to fade. Not even the magnificence of the Grand Palace and our friendly little tuk-tuk driver could elicit a smile – I needed something icy, cold and liquid. We found refuge in a local shopping centre (they are a different world to the one outside) and I don’t think a slushy has ever been so refreshing. Bliss in a glass.
Spending time with Christina, in her home town, was great and really interesting to interact on her turf. She took us to the market (bargain paradise!), a couple of tasty restaurants and as we enjoyed a ferry ride down the Chao Praya river I glanced over at her and believed her expression to be one of relaxed contentment at being home.
And after that it was time for us to head home too. Thailand is perhaps a little Far East for me.
More pics.

kissing kangaroos and more

I’d be surprised if anyone actually reads this. Do I have any blogees left after such a long term of absence? On the off chance that someone might still be interested I will divulge my activities of late.
As Fox and I boarded flight QF0001 to Sydney, I acknowledged the sense of anticipation in myself that can only come from returning into familiar territory with a fresh sense of self. Having not seen my family for 2 years I didn’t object (much), despite disgusted sneers from fellow passengers, when Fox queue-jumped through Sydney Airport customs. We were greeted by film crews on arrival and just as I was about to reprimand my family for making such a fuss, we heard that Snoop Dog (or was it Puff Daddy?) was expected to arrive that morning too. As baby sister, Kirstin, flew into my arms, I held tightly onto her, as if that one hug could erase the separation that lay between us. She had grown so much. Behind her were Dad and Denise’s smiling faces and I felt numbed by the 24 hour flight and found myself disorientated by how glad I was to see them.
Fox and I spent the next 2 weeks bussing between Dad’s beachfront apartment (that’s the life!), Manly (for you Jo) and the city. Looking back it‘s all a blur of catch-ups with friends, a few dips in the ocean, good food and sleep. From Max Brenner and the Sheaf with Widge, Darling Harbour, the Bridge, Opera House, ferries, kissing kangaroos at the koala park, Hillsong with Den and Kirnie, Belgian Beer Café, Bondi…the list goes on; I fear I may have overwhelmed Fox with a myriad of activities but he still claims that he likes Sydney so I couldn’t have done too much long-term damage.
We took a day trip through the spectacular Blue Mountains to watch jockey-sister, Desi, race. What fun! Fox and I had a good time trying our hand at betting. At the risk of needing to call the ‘Is gambling a problem for you?’ helpline, we decided to leave it there (note to self: check Fox’s PC to make sure he hasn’t started delving into online betting). Des ‘cleaned-pipes’ (as Fox so eloquently puts it) in her race and I beamed as a proud sister should.
A stop-in at Circular Quay Starbucks for a quick catch-up with Sez and Briggs and dinner at Pancakes on the Rocks, with Dad and that was it. ‘See ya’ Sydney!
It seems that this trip came to an abrupt end sooner than most, exaggerated by leaving my beloved family once more to travel home, which happens to be as far as I could possibly go. But there was still Thailand and it wasn’t harsh reality just yet. London could wait.
Click here for pics.