Wii or not to Wii

Well after a long spell of wanting to buy one - I took the leap . . . Report back from the work front . . . beer with T . . . Street Kings - Rosario - Proposal / Model - Rangers and Celtic.

(All photo's courtesy of Nina and her trip to Port Nolloth, near Namibia - her home town and she is truly objective about the place [not]. This time all Namaqualand flowers . . . )

Well I finally purchased a Wii and I am well impressed - my living room has been converted into a virtual Wimbledon tennis courts and I have the sore arms to prove it . . . mind you I have also been bowling - hitting home runs - practising my swing and trying to maintain my under par scores - so I have been busy - however I have now taken delivery of a virtual tennis racket / a baseball bat / a golf club / and a steering wheel . . . so look out Bjorg; McEnroe - showing my age now - Tiger Woods - Babe Ruth - Lewis Hamilton . . . . Time will tell . . . not to mention the arms . . .

Well all quiet on the western front - we had a quick meeting on Monday at work . . . all of us round the table and within 5 minutes we had a working agreement - all's well that ends well . . . at the end of the day a lot of the problems can quite simply be ascribed to a lack of communication . . . we have all addressed this and I think we now understand each other and guess what - the major problems we had were caused by a comedy of errors - but clearly data integrity - i.e. we were not entering the information correctly . . . and then to top it all off we were working in GIS and forgot to commit and post our changes . . . so the guys must think - oh-oh that lot again . . .lol

Went out on Friday evening - simply going for a beer but then it turned out T was meeting G and drinks were to be had - well not being one to miss out - I tagged along and needless to say half a dozen later - walked up to Cine - saw Street Kings - the new Keanu Reeves; Forest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie - not bad but in my opinion it tries to be too clever - plots within plots and Hugh Laurie - does not quite make it in my opinion - bottom line - give it a miss! (thumbs down)

Hard at work putting the finishing touches to my proposal for university - sent it to Sam this evening and awaiting her feedback - just to get an objective viewpoint - limited time - and it is just to give them an idea of how you would put something together - it would still be negotiated and it is difficult question . . . oh well here goes - nothing ventured nothing gained . . .

What a cracker again Rangers and Celtic on Sunday - 1 - 0 to Celtic - then 'Gers equalised - then they went ahead - just before half time Celtic equalised - and even although it was Rangers turn to have a penalty - Celtic were awarded a penalty and they ended winning 3 - 2 - a cracker of a game - Setanta - money well spent . . . lol . . .

Rosario's birthday - my niece's little boy - what a cracker he is - all over the place as 2 year olds are - I got him in the bathroom - standing on the bath and he had turned the hot water on - there was face cloth in the sink so it would have over-flowed in another few seconds - very dangerous as he was precariously balanced as it was - let alone burning himself and pulling back and falling . . . needs lots of boundaries which I am afraid to say he ain't getting . . . . now my niece has found a job - working night shift so not sure how that is all going to work . . . even fewer boundaries if you ask me . . . lol - phew - many problems to come I fear . . .

Had a strange and very interesting dream - I am in some large dormitory . . . . lots of people sleeping together - single beds - difficult to describe . . . suddenly I am aware that this person Yvette who used to study at University of Cape Town but whom I don't know but have accepted an invitation to become her friend on Facebook on the Internet (what actually happened Facebook saw we both studied at UCT the same year and probably sent us both emails - I thought she had sent it and thought it might have been one of the girls in my class - I didn't read it properly and clicked on it to accept - Facebook then sent her an email and she eventually accepted - so we don't actually know each other but the wonder of technology somehow joined us / connected us - haven't spoken to her) - anyway weird as it may seem in my dream I suddenly become aware of the fact that she has been trying to get in touch with me via Skype (which is like an Internet telephone set up) - in my dream I still thought that is strange as we don't even know each other why would she try and get in touch with me?? Anyway I am going to phone her back (don't know how . . . but its a dream remember ) but then I realise it is getting late and if I go on to Skype now everyone will be trying to get to sleep and I will be on phone . . . . then suddenly Nina is in my head and she wants me to explain something / she wants clarity on something - what I do? and what this dormitory is all about and how it all works and I seem to remember something about children as well - I don't know whose or who they are ?? and I am afraid that is all I can remember . . . .??? Anyway the weird thing is I send Nina a text and ask her if she is OK and is there anything she wants to know - she comes back says - funny I should ask because she dreamt about me and in the dream she was asking me something but she can't remember what . . . .???? Weird yet wonderful . . .

Received an email from Benita - first really cold day in South Africa - she had on the scarf I bought her . . . . how diametrically opposite could we be - I email her back and tell her really first day of really hot weather here . . . .

All a bit weird as you say but amazing . . .

Work continues to get busier and somehow I ma getting bogged down and exhausted - problems with systems again - lack of information - half the story etc., - but then still having to train people under these circumstances as work has to be done . . . . for the second time in less than a week - I've had to basically go straight to bed on coming home - now I don't about you guys but that is not a good sign - I don't think! Hmmmm!

This Friday evening is the big Hilton Bash . . . and I am going ala Bonnie Prince Charlie . . . lol - watch this space!

Just not Cricket

Wow! All hell breaks loose on the work front - I rant / Senior Manager phones back with rant - we are all ranting . . . lol - wasn't sure I had a job to go back to on the Monday . . . lol - Phew!

Went to see In Bruges - I thoroughly recommend - a black comedy - dark humour at times - but brilliant a breath of fresh air - I thought!

IKEA 21st Birthday (21% discount) - a waste really - not really looking for anything at the moment - lovely layouts - kitchens / lounges etc., !

Lazy weekend - let work get to me more than I should. Looking at some courses again - had some brief feedback now its all guns blazing! Taxidemist??? What a weird film - interesting - Hungarian I think? I'll look it up.

Wii finally twists my heart strings - it's on its way - I like the look of Wii Fit . . . but it is not out yet - but having said that looks like pre-release orders have already bought every single copy available . . .lol.

Setanta continues to grow on me - what with Man U - Blackburn and then the Bundesliga Cup Final and IPL 2o/20 cricket - its got something on all the time at the moment as we speak Porto are playing Benfica - PSV have just taken the Dutch league - I like the fact that it is not just English Premier division . . . sick of that being the only league worth watching - just a pity the Spanish league is not featured but I think that is because of Sky commitments.

Work in Progress . . . .

1 week later

Had a Spring clean - way overdue - threw out futon bed - how relieving - to finally get shot of it - and now being able to move more freely in all sorts of areas. Whistler is very happy - he can get moving around a lot more now . . . . what a difference - ???

Well things are drawing to an end with my current position and a number of people will be affected - to cut a long story short - it looks as if the end of May will be the end of everything - well nearly everything . . . . so an evening is to be held at the Grosvenor Hilton - in the West End - a slap up meal and an open bar will be there to accompany an evening of prize giving . . . so yours truly is going to go the full hog and is considered getting himself kitted out for the evening (a black tie evening) so let us see where we end up . . . . lol - looks like Trish; Kirsteen & I will have to paint the town red . . . so to speak - should be fun.

Well been scanning the Internet and I have now booked for Amy MacDonald and Buddy Guy - both forthcoming events and Friday night went to see Unconquered - a very interesting play that was on at the Tron . . . . - I left work Friday - thought I'd rather come home first - well got as far as the back road to Milngavie and there was a sign in the road " Road Closed " - now I was in two minds anyway as I had the play to go to . . . but I thought - it's silly to stay in town - I could just as well go home first . . . but when I had a road closed sign - I thought - what the hell - who am I to argue with the forces of nature . . . . synchro-destiny as they say - anyway turned out that my usual parking garage (opposite Concert Hall & Cineworld) was also closed - so I was forced to use one further up Sauchiehall street - and then just as I was leaving the car park - who should I bump into but Sonia ??? Now that was fate for you - had circumstances not conspired I would never have bumped into her . . . . and then I went to Waterstone's and would I not bump into someone else . . . weird - don't you think??

I never mentioned Wednesday at work was a very difficult day - why? well things were very frustrating - things were not quite hanging together - then I received an email from a division that I work very closely with - and they were being very pedantic - in my opinion . . . . anyway to top it all I had had a phone call from my agency and I thought wow - they must have something for me (job wise) and it turned out that it was some misunderstanding about pay structures - so it was very dis-heartening - in fact I took it very much to heart and was upset about the whole thing until I decided - what the hell its only money and hell maybe I did mis-understand someone or maybe I just heard what I wanted to . . .when I did this and let go - how much lighter the whole thing became rather than arguing and insisting I was correct - I just said this is what I understood - maybe I got it wrong - who cares - water under the bridge - lets decide how we deal with it now??

Trish is away on 2 weeks holiday in Tunisia - received a text today - another scorcher she tells me . . . .

Went back to Bowling on the weekend took some more photo's of the canals and boats - not sure hat it is but I am fascinated by the water . . . . must be in my blood . . . ???? What a difference some sunlight can make. Even popped in at Magic cycles - a bicycle still very high on my wish list of wish lists . . . Bill from my Monday evening computer drop in swears by Magic Cycles and better still there is now a scheme whereby a company can get a tax break by sponsoring a staff member to cycle to work . . . I will need to investigate this.

I can't believe the football - I wanted Arsenal to beat Liver's in the second leg of the Champions League . . . they totally outplayed them but unfortunately no one to clinically finish-off for them??? An area Wenger needs to spend money . . .but to play so well but to not get a result - Wenger's pain is understandable . . . . And what a finish by Rangers against Sporting - what a finish . . . most of the game might not have been attractive to watch . . . but they are into the last 4 of the UEFA cup - so next round is Fiorentina - a very useful side - not an asy game - hope to get tickets after watching the Sporting game (home leg) at Ibrox . . . .

In a moment of madness I subscribed to Setanta Sports - all I know they have some games that Sky do not have - and tomorrow evening I'll be able to put my feet up and watch Rangers Celtic match - I think there is another game still outstanding after this game though . . . . so a must win for Celtic .... (It turned out to be a classic game - not necessarily the result I would have wanted - but thrilling!)

Tuesday - so it must be Dundee again - and yes that is where I spent the day again - visiting my current favourite coffee maker . . . lol - and guess what - I somehow did not get lost on the way home - so no I did not have drive through Dounne twice today . . . . lol - had a Training session again - was warned before the time - lots of difficult questions - Hey! I can only do what I can do - If I can't answer I can't answer - for whatever reason - I can surely find out for you though and if need be escalate problems to the next level and the powers that be can decide whether or not they have an issue. It was no problem in the end - chaos at times -but what else is new . . .

Came across thinking pictures some really stunning photo's - see what you think . . . .

Went to BCCC and for the first time managed to see how my tablet works - seeing as I only bought more than 4 months ago - interesting - would have to experiment more with it. Suggested we start a wii fitness club . . . lol - I am very interested in buying one now - I've even bought the Sega Superstars tennis game already - console to follow shortly . . . watch this space . . . lol

cya - A

on Safari - in photo's

Safari - Aquila - South Africa

Cape Town in photo's

Cape Town - SA 2008

Birthday celebrations in photo's

Cape Town - Birthday - Big 50

Post party; sunset; Table Mountain; Fish braai

Photo's - starts with Jenny's place and extension she is having done - Table Mountain from Table View (Yep - you know how it got it's name . . .) - two photo's taken from on top of Table Mountain - the first one clearly shows Lion's Head (larger mountain) and Signal Hill - with Robben Island in Table Bay - (other photo in earlier blog of Cape Town harbour through a fissure (also taken on my birthday) and you can just see the coast line - gives you an idea of where the shot of Table Mountain was taken from) - photo 12Bells - roaring fire . . . . V&A Waterfront - please note Jonathan in the photo (Jonathan who? Livingstone Seagull - of course) - a slightly different view of Waterfront - lastly 12 Bells

And so that was the party over . . . . quite some time in the planning – almost a year . . with a few changes along the way, venue etc., - sometimes even by choice . . . but mostly fate have a little hand in everything . . . and slowly quietly leading proceedings.

That was Sat 15 March . . . the next morning I was at Jenny’s place early morning – as she was leaving for Durban that same afternoon – so had I not seen her that morning – we were not sure of when I might have seen her . . . . spent a couple of hours with her Allison and her Dad, who is now staying with her . . . In fact her place is / was in shambles – as she has a Granny or in this case Grandfather flat being built on – this extension is almost as big as her existing house . . . well not quite but one hell of an extension. And there is building sand all over and the South Easter is blowing away sweeping up everything before it – sand everywhere – all you can do is to try and keep it damp – a hopeless task given that wind just dry’s it out again . . . only other option is to place a tarpaulin over it.

Later on in the afternoon met up with Sam, Hud & Jessila for sundowners some of my nicest photo’s across the bay again - almost the same quintessential photo of Cape Town . . . lol . Done very little – went back to Jess’s place and had a bite to eat and then back to 12Bells . . . the next day was my Birthday.

Took Mum & Cathie to Parow-Valley where they were to stay for 2 days – with Maureen. Hud and I went up Table Mountain – free for me on my Birthday and what a day it turned out to be – absolutely stunning almost no wind at all – I had to stop and buy myself a hat which affords some protection for neck as well . . . not a cloud in the sky and amazing weather . . . (see photo's) That evening Jessila; Arran; Elaine; Denise; Johan & Fransie; Stoffel & Mariette as well as Nina came round for a sea food braai (barbecue) – Sam made a sea food pot (potjie) and I attempted to braai some snoek . . . but Johan just took over and I must admit the Snoek (Cape Town delicacy) fish come out lovely. We even had fish spring rolls as well as calamari for starters . . . a roaring success – everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves. Sam & Hud went to bed early - I kept topping up everyone's glasses with red wine - we sat and chatted until around midnight then Johan and Fransie as well Stoffel and Mariette went home. Put some more wood on the fire and Nina and I blethered into the wee hours of the morning – seems there is a new found love in her life – I hope things turn out as she hopes . . . don’t we all – in fact I suppose, for most of us that is life . . .

The next evening was with Morney, Benita and their two lovely kids - Armin (8) and Mika (4) - I had given Armin an All Blacks top and he loved it from the moment he received - he said he was going to sleep in it . . . get on very well with them all and used to work with Morney - went round to his place when Benita gave birth to Armin and we had a braai and sat up drinking and talking a load of rubbish into the wee small hours . . . Benita is a email buddy in that she and I stay in touch but I rarely speak to Morney on line - funnily enough it is the same with Stoffel - get on really well with them and Mariette is an email buddy - they must both be the strong silent alpha males . . . lol - who knows - it seems to work and are all able to stay in touch with each other . . . only recently have I phoned on the odd occasion . . . Anyway braaied at Morney and Benita's - we had sort of a snack braai - you make chicken wings and nibble on that and then braai some steak and allt he time there are different things to eat whilst talking / chatting . . . was lovely and we ended going down the spirtuality route - actually they did - Benita has been saying for ages she has a list of things she wants to discuss with me - just things in general that we've discussed in emails but that somehow you can't really give them their due consideration because its almost a case of having to be with the person to truly be able to discuss and get your point across . . . . there wasn't really time - I had been up once before but they had guest at the time and Morney being such a keen cyclist he had the Argus tour on the nect day - so I knew he needed his sleep and they know sometimes you can't get rid of me . . . well I've been known to ahng around a bit . . . . so we sat outside a lovely cloudless evening - absolutely stunning and as I said intelligent conversation - what more can a person ask for??

Wednesday was retail therapy day for me - I had been given a number of gift vouchers as presents - so I set off for Canal Walk and bought a couple of CD's at Look and Listen - Chick Corea - Return to Forever; Louis Mhlanga; Kenny Burrel; Then off to Exclusive books I bought the Passion Test - its not what your thinking; lastly Musica where I bought a Shakira DVD - so that was me . . . shopping over - This was the day there was a horrific accident on the N1 - which is the main high way into Cape Town - a truck had overturned and a number of people and vehicles had been involved with fatalities - what happened was that the highway was closed for hours - and all the roads were absolute chaos . . . Sam & Hud had been going to do a tour of the Townships but after half an hour had only moved 3 or 4 miles - so they just came home and decided to do that the next day. I had been to the SPur with Nina as I felt I owed her a lunch after all the running around she had done for me organising things - we had a quick lunch and she left to go back to work and I left to pick my Mum and Cathie up - we drove through to Cape Town - we had us an appointment with Eva at Permanent Trust - she looks after my Mum's place in Parow. Cathie had said she was starving as she had nothing since breakfast (I felt a bit guilty - just having had lunch - but I had told them when I was coming - so not sure why they had not been given lunch???) I picked them up about 14h30 and against all the odds we actually made it in time - I walked in to Permanent Trust office at 15h14 our appointment was for 15h15 - just as well - I didn't realise Eva was German - you know what they are like with time . . . . anyway it was good to meet her - have been dealing with her via email for years now there is a face to put with name. Sorted out quite a few things and my Mum has about £3000 worth of maintenance that has to be done - ironically my Mum never even paid that much for the property when she bought initially. But it needs to be done - and rather now before the Cape winter.

This was my last evening in Cape Town and I had booked a table at Bloemendal - which is on one of the Durbanville hills with beautiful views - so much food again - you know its just ridiculous - you've got about seven starters you can try and 14/ 15 main courses - and of course I will be greedy . . . then dessert . . . lol - no wonder when I came back I felt I had had half a dozen Christmases (at least) . . . .

I left the next evening - OK - technically Friday morning 00h25 - well that was the scheduled time - however they over booked the air plane and 2 people got on board with a boarding pass for the same seat . . .lol - needless to say this caused chaos and eventually KLM offered anyone who was willing to give up their seat 350Euro's plus a night in hotel etc., - I was still considering it when someone else jumped up - by this time everyone applauded as we thought that would be it sorted - but of course this persons luggage had to be taken of - so it was about an hour later the scheduled time - and my return trip reminded me how uncomfortable seats in a plane can be . . . which is funny because going I was in between two people coming back I had an aisle seat . . . Iwas in my shorts a t-shirt and my crocs - true to form Amsterdam welcomed me back with European weather - it really started to snow quite heavily when we taxied on to the runway - so much so that we had to go back and have the plane hosed down to prevent ice build up on the wings . . . Glasgow welcomed me with hail - I was freezing in my African gear.

I had had a great time - yes tensions ran a little high at times but I am really looking forward to Bali next year . . . .Yoohoo! The big wedding - Sam & Hud.

Story Continues 2

Photo's - Clifton 4th Beach and then 1st Beach. Our accommodation in Milnerton '12 Bells' - Chapman's Peak Drive with Hout Bay in the background - the Lapa where I had my birthday party


So as I was saying - Aquila was great fun and in all honesty a new experience for me! One which I really enjoyed - having lived in Africa for most of my life but never having been on a Safari - I was both intrigued and because I thought I was not really in Darkest Africa (only on the tip of Africa) - I had my reservations . . . . lol - but as I say it was really well worth it.

Came back and the very next day we were off to Madame Zagara - entertainment - more contortionists and a couple of singers - but very professionally done . . . throughly enjoyed the whole evening - food included . . . mine was meat with a chocolate sauce . . . .

The following evening it was another restaurant - Stardust - basically Arts students - who performed in between courses . . . also good fun - all acted as a good prelude to my actual birthday - the star of the show.

The party was to be held at the Goodwood Sports Club - I went through on Thursday and the woman kept talking about finalising the menu - and I thought what is she talking about - but it turned out (I think it was all set up) they wanted me to use their caterer - which is supposedly a prerequisite for hiring the premises . . . needless to say I had my own caterer and had signed a contract with them - so there was no way I could suddenly say - fine lets use someone else - well they made it quite a long story and the penalty was a plate of food for the person who would have done the catering - which I thought was quite strange i.e. why would someone like that want a plate of food???? Anyway I was at this stage just happy they were allowing me to carry on - as I had visions of at the last moment trying to find somewhere else . . . . which I can assure you I did not want to do!

The whole thing had been planned initially to take place at Big Bay - but at the last minute that was being used for a National competition . . . . and they decided that I could no longer have the booking / venue - argh! Not a problem - I will switch everything at the last minute .... lol.

Anyway Sat night 15 - fast approached and I am pleased to say everything went well . . . could have been more people - but I must admit the majority of people did turn up so all n all - we did not badly for someone who lives in Scotland . . . . I must say that I felt as if I was runnign around when I would have preferred to just have sat back and relaxed more . . .

The food - Brusce's Catering - we had 3 starters and a lamb spit roast as well as a Veggie pot roast and salads / rolls etc., - there were 2 desserts - Malva Pudding & as well as custard and ice cream as well. I really enjoyed the music Boab Tree - thoguht they were outstanding - very Jazzy - quite South American - very pleasant indeed.

My only other comment - could have been because I was running around - was that it was a bit dis-jointed - i.e. not everyone knew everyone else - so there were little cliques - my fault to a degree I suppose ???

Anyway on the whole I thought it was a mild success . . . . lol

That was the first 50 years of my life on this planet . . . . .

My speech:
First I stated that I was very grateful that people who knew me so well and had sahred so many years with me were there - starting with my Mum and of course my sister - as well as Jessila (my ex-wife) with whom I had spent 20 wonderful years - then of course my children Samantha and Arran - and then people like Sharon, whom I was at school with - Graeme my nephew as well as all my friends from Telkom etc.,

I was struck by an analogy for life one morning just before going for a swim - the swimming pool was without a wave and it suddenly struck that that was what life was all about i.e. we come into life and we make waves - which ripple through life and even when you get out of the pool they are still there - so you interact and are part of things you didn't even realise - even although you yourself are not consciously aware of them.

I had bought a book just prior to my party - it was all about the meaning of life - the eternal question and there was a recurring theme - one of Love - which linked in very well with a present I had been given - and I would like to quote from Khalil Gibran

Think not you can direct the course of love
For Love, if it finds you worthy,
directs your course.

Basically I would just like to thank everyone for joining me in seeing the sun set on the first 50 years of my life
and I'd just like to point out that it is all a matter of perception
and rather than seeing this as the end please join me in seeing this as a new beginning - as one thing ends another begins
and so it is with life.