Wednesday, October 30, 2013

My First Storm

I experienced my first storm today. And no, I wasn't born today. It was my first time DRIVING in a storm. As you guys know, I'm a learner driver... Well, I've been driving for over a year now, but I still consider myself a learner driver. Its just safer that way, okay. And I don't envision myself getting rid of the learner sign any time soon (or ever) *covers face with left hand*. For some of my "quirky" learner driver tales do check out: "Diary of a learner driver" and "Taxi Drivers vs Learner Drivers".

Anyhoo, to get back on point - my first time driving in a storm!

I was expecting a lovely warm day with blue skies and sunshine through to the late afternoon today (sounds like a weather report hey... Haha). I was really looking forward to one of those after all the dreariness of late and had planned a walk and everything! My phone weather app said today was to be 27 degrees Celsius and the radio said 32 (and kept saying it after every news report on the head of every hour!)

So, we're sitting in the office busy getting along with our work. Sun is shining brightly and I'm optimistic about going for that walk later on. Then, gradually the weather starts to change. The bright sunlight is no more. The sky is dull. The office is dark. I'm so glued to the computer screen that I don't realize just how dramatically the outside environment has become until the other lady mentions it to me and I look out... It looks like the middle of the night! And this is at about one 'o clock in the afternoon.

I'm like, "yoh!" and get back to work. The other lady leaves about 13:20ish pm to run some errands. About 13:30 pm the boss comes to reception and is like, "yoh its pretty scary hey". Then asks me how far along I am with the work (tomorrow is the deadline for submission). So I tell him about half way. He looks outside... Then tells me I'd rather leave now, "it looks like its going to storm badly".

I look outside, it looks like night, but with an eerie orange tint to it - freaky.

So I'm like sure, "okay, thanks", close up the office and get my stuff. By the time I do all of this its about 13:35 pm. Just as I step out of the office the rain comes down. I dart to the car and it starts to come down heavier. I get into the car, start it and leave. As I come to the first robot a few paces away from the office it starts to POUR!

I reach the mall and the rain is just flooding down. I can barely see so I drive super slow. At this point I realize that, "Hey! All these cars have their lights on! I need to put my lights ON!" And so I do, except, it doesn't seem to make a difference to me! So I'm not sure if they're really on even though the panel thing with the speedometer and what not has lit up. So I start moving the "stick" around to see if the lights really are on. I messed with the indicators and bright lights until deciding that this was far more dangerous than driving without lights. And decided to go on faith that the lights were on. 

As you drive pass the mall there are a series of little roundabouts/traffic circles (whatever those evil contraptions are called). You've got to yield to oncoming traffic already in the circle and only when the way is clear can you go on your way. At one of these I have to come to a stop. There's a long line of cars queued up to get into the mall on the left. I inch forward trying to get a gap in to go pass. I even put my right indicator on so that people can see I do NOT wish to turn left into the mall, but rather go on out of the little traffic jam. I'm inching slightly forward trying to get a gap and after one car moves there is a bit of a gap so I think I can get through. But, alas, a driver, in their huge SUV zooms by, blocking the road! I just do NOT understand selfish drivers! They still had to join the queue and wait behind a few other cars before entering. What harm would have been done if they just gave me a gap to go through? *angry face*

Eventually I make a gap for myself and go through. Get pass the mall and what not and as I head onto the highway I start to hear sounds that sound more like little bangs than the hard gush of heavy rain against the car. I realize its now hailing. Thank goodness nothing major, just little hailstones. But its enough to make me more scared. It becomes even more difficult to see anything beyond my dashboard. I drove at a speed of 80 on the highway! Off the highway I was driving about 40/50 - battling to see. Praying the whole time that I get home safe and don't knock anything or anyone.

Going up the Mountain Rise stretch I begin to contemplate puling over somewhere. Maybe at Northway Mall, to just sit out the storm 'cause I was really terrified about being unable to see a thing. But I think about having to find the turn off to get off the road... And then maneuvering through the narrow spaces of the parking lot and the crowd of cars to get through and even park when I can barely see and decide against it. Also, if I just keep at it I should be home soon. 

I regret the decision when I continue on and the car in front of me, whose hazards I'd been using to keep me on track, start to disappear. But, there's no point in changing my mind now. Rather journey on and get home. I probably ended up on either end of my lane a good few times. I just went super slow so that if there were any cars in front of me that I failed to see I'd have enough time to brake. I followed the cars lights in front of me when I could, especially when turning, as I couldn't see the turn offs! When there were no cars in front of me I had to just go on wild guesses, random judging and memory... I miss located a speed bump, but luckily I was driving so slowly it didn't do any harm. Going down another road I didn't see a car parked off on the side of the road (which I really wish people wouldn't do!) and I had to swerve out of the way at the last minute (and I'm more than grateful for that last minute!)

When I enter the road just before the final road that leads to my house, I realize that the main reason I can't see so well, is not because of the bad weather (well not entirely because of the weather), but because the car is misted! I felt like such an idiot! I'd been suffering all this time when I could have seen at least 40% better if I'd had the demister on! I was so terrified about driving in the rain I didn't think to think about mist. 

I got home, parked the car and watched the hail continue to come down from the safety of shelter. I was still shaking from the whole experience. But, once I got over that, I was pretty chuffed with myself for making it through my first storm. *smiles all around*

A few minutes later... It stopped storming... If I'd left work at the usual time I would have missed the storm on either end (it started storming again later. Actually stormed like two or three more times and stopped - maybe even four times...). But, I can't really complain, how many bosses would let their employees off early so that they could miss a storm and not have to drive in it...

And, seen as that didn't work out, I did get the experience of driving in a storm/bad weather... And I now know to check the demister! 

How I felt while IN the car
How I felt after I got OUT of the car

Monday, October 28, 2013

You Can't Hurry Love

I watched "Runaway Bride" (Julia Roberts - sigh) last night, so I now have this song (You Can't Hurry Love) stuck in my head. And as it seems to go with many old songs today, there are multiple covers of the song. I can't choose a favourite. But there are three that I've heard and quite like so I'll just share them all and leave it up to you decide which you like best.

This is the Dixie Chicks version (which is apparently the Runaway Bride version).


... Phil Collins...


And... The Supremes (the original version of the song, written and produced by the Mowtown production team)

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Just my luck

First I get a pasta with a strand of hair baked into the cheese! NOW, I get a burger with a strand of hair on the bun! Seriously, HOW lucky am I?! *annoyed look*

Earlier this year I posted a piece: "One hairy pasta coming up" - basically, I was enjoying a meal at Panarottis when I happened upon a strand of long hair BAKED INTO the cheese topping of my pasta. I've mostly gotten over this incident - needless to say though, I haven't had a pasta dish at the local Panarottis since...

Then today, I get a hair on my bun! (Ha ha - yeah laugh). So I go to McDonald's and order the Grand Chicken Spicy Hot burger medium meal. I eventually get my meal. I open the burger box and look inside (I
have a thing of having to look at and sniff my food before eating it - may seem gross, but good thing hey!)And what do I find - a hair on the bun! So, I'm pretty grossed out and am like sooooo... what should I do... Knowing full well that I do NOT plan to feed that vile meal into my constitution!

So I go up to the counter. I try to get someone's attention. This proves a difficult task. Eventually I'm like, "HI! Sorreeeee" to the cashier in front of me. And she finally pays me attention. I show her the burger. She's kind of lost. Looks to a lady shouting around behind her and is like "customer complaint" and shows her the burger. The shouting lady just shakes her head (while still shouting) and says something quick and soft and is back to shouting. The cashier puts the burger back down onto the counter next to her and goes about her business. Guaranteed, they were extremely busy, but a manager or someone could have made it a little quicker and seen to me. But, I had to instead stand there and wait. And wait. And WAIT!

I was pretty starving, so I was really NOT in the mood for this and was losing patience. So I slid the burger in front of me and started taking pics of it (thinking, WHY THE HELL did I NOT do this first?!) (the pics are unidentifiable - I blame the BlackBerry camera and the bun). But, this clearly was the right thing to do. The cashier looked at me from the side of her eye while taking orders. Then she slipped away with the burger to the back. Next thing another lady appears and the cashier shows her the burger and hands it over to her. This lady looks at it. Moves the offending hair around. Then goes to the back and shows it to everyone. I see them all looking at it. Trying to figure out what the hell that is and how the hell it got there.

She's in the back for a bit... I'm busy straining my already strained eyesight to see what's going on back there. She eventually notices me "watching" and so asks "is this yours?" I nod yes. She calls me to the side. She then goes on to tell me that this "hair" is actually wheat germ. And not in fact hair. She goes on to show this to me. Moving it around and what not, showing me how the bun is a wheat germ bun and so the wheat germ looks like that, and see when you turn it you can see it looks the same... Its wheat germ not hair. That bit of wheat germ was just longer than the rest.... I looked at her skeptically...

It is possible that it really was wheat germ and she was telling the truth... But, I just don't buy the story. They seemed to all be speculating in the back there and in shock until it was noticed that I was watching everything. She made it clear to me (more than once) that it was NOT hair, but wheat germ... (pretty much explained it to me like I was a child that was having difficulty understanding something as simple as 'A B C') But she would give me another burger...

Not so sure if I was really given another burger... Or if they just replaced the top bun or just swiped off the offending "wheat germ" - I tried to see, but couldn't get a good view this time. So one of those things hey...

Just to note -  it is my right as a customer to complain about unsatisfactory food. I wasn't complaining because there wasn't enough sauce in my burger, or it wasn't juicy enough, or the bun just didn't look perfect to me... No. I was not just being "fussy". I was complaining because there was something that looked very much like hair in my meal, and it definitely was NOT mine!

Guys, just be cautious when eating out. You never know what you're gonna get... And always exercise your right as a customer!

Sharks win ABSA Currie Cup final



© Gallo Images



Sharks win the Currie Cup whipping Western Province with a score of 33 - 19! Suffice to say, all us KZN folk are more than thrilled, especially so having beaten the lads in their own back yard! Western Province may have beaten us at home 3 weeks ago, robbing us of the chance of a home final, but alas, we won the game that mattered!

So I may be a little late on this in the online world (and the world of Sunday papers') but I'm still ahead of the week day papers right? SO that counts for something, ne? (I hope).

I'm not going to get into the nitty gritty because quite frankly, as much as I love the game of rugby, and our guys in black and white, I simply do not understand all the technicalities of the game. And whenever I think I might just be catching on, the rules of the game change (yet again).

So I'm just going to go into the basics (which is basically stating the obvious) and for more info there's a gazillion articles already published, and more to come this week...

The Sharks went into this game as underdogs and with everything counting against them. The fans were min with Western Province coming out in full force and ready to boo our boys in black and white at every chance. They were below Province in points... Basically, unless you were a Sharks fan, you had it pinned that Province was going to win this one. And even as a Shark's fan it was more just blind loyalty and hope that we would bring the cup home.

Patrick Lambie put the first points on the score board with a penalty. And Charl McLeod scored a beautiful try which was converted by Lambie to bring the score further along. However, Western Province made a comeback with their own converted try by Damien de Allende. They managed to pull another 2 penalties bringing their half time score to 13 with the Sharks at 19 thanks to a few more penalties by Lambie and a drop goal.

All in all  Province managed to pull in a couple more penalties that brought them up to 19. McLeod scored 2 tries. Lambie scored 5 penalties, 2 drop goals and 1 conversion. Lambie did manage to get us on our feet quite a bit by missing 3 penalties and a conversion. It was really annoying that he missed those, but seen as we won I'll give him some grace - he did manage to score when it mattered most and he redeemed himself with the 2 drop goals. so we forgive you Lambie, but please work harder so this doesn't happen again.

For some history...

Picture taken from the Sharks website of the Sharks after the 1990 Currie Cup win with the trophy.

The Sharks won their first Currie Cup in 1990 beating Northern Transvaal (I'm thinking these are the Blue Bulls) 18 - 12. This was their first win in years of strife and toil at Currie Cup level rugby - finally building their team and bringing it up to A-level. "That 1990 victory was the catalyst for further Currie Cup success, as McIntosh set about ensuring continuity that culminated in Natal being labelled the “team of the ‘90s” a decade later" - according to the Sharks website (which you can check out for more interesting info on the Sharks Currie Cup history: http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/general/content/currie-cup-history)

The Currie Cup itself is named after a dear bloke from Glasgow, Donald Currie. Strangely enough the first Currie Cup trophy was given to a cricket team! Who would have ever thought! I found this piece of info on the SA Rugby Stats website: "When the first foreign cricket team came to South Africa the following year, Sir Donald gave the captain, Major Warton, a cup to present to the team that played best against the tourists, with the intention that it become a floating trophy for inter-provincial competitions. This was the first Currie Cup."

"When the first overseas team to tour South Africa stepped ashore in 1891 they carried with them a particularly precious bit of cargo. Among the bags, boots and balls was a golden cup given to the British Isles squad by Sir Donald Currie, owner of Union-Castle Lines, the shipping company that transported them to the southern tip of Africa.

The gold trophy was donated by Sir Donald Currie in 1891 before the arrival of the touring British Isles team. Sir Donald was clear with his instructions — “hand this trophy over to the team in South Africa that gives you the best game” and after a spirited display, Griqualand West became the first ever holders of the Currie Cup.

The Currie Cup trophy was donated to the rugby board and it became the prize for the Currie Cup competition. To this day the trophy remains the holy grail of South African rugby." (Courtesy of SA Rugby Stats).

For more info on the history of the Currie Cup: http://sarugbystats.co.za/currie-cup-history/

Its all rather strange and super interesting info, I will be sure to read up more on it at some point. But for now -  THE SHARKS WON!!!! SHARKS FOREVER! BLACK & WHITE - NOTHING ELSE MATTERS! WOOHOOO!!! :D

                                                          

Monday, October 21, 2013

Little coffee shops in obscure alley's

Lavender - the lower level dining area

I've lived in Pietermaritzburg all my life and there are so many awesome places here and nearby that I've NEVER been to and others that I never knew even existed! Lavender is one such place.

We went to Lavender for the first (and only time) a few weeks ago. A lady from church had been asking us to go out for coffee for ages and we could just never find the time, so we finally just made some time and did it. And it was awesome. She's an absolute treasure of a lady and may the good Lord bless her kind soul for treating us that rainy, but lovely, Saturday mid-morning. Anyhoo, this is not a post about the awesome lady from church, its about the coffee shop she introduced me to!

Lavender is just on this little street called Gough Road which is just off Wembley Road (not far from entrance 2 of the Royal Agricultural Show Grounds) (in Pietermaritzburg obviously). If you don't know the place, you will NOT be able to find it. I found that out the hard way. I'd taken hapdash directions to the place and had an idea of its surrounding whereabouts, however, I ended up at the banking complex as I could find no signs. The lady we were meeting had to come find us at the banks and take us to the place. 

We entered through the back, so I didn't exactly get the most picturesque first impression of the place. And it was super cold and rainy. The lady pushed a wooden rolling gate open and let us into the yard. The first thing you see is a plastic sheeted room with a tin (or aluminium) roof. You've got to push through a slit in the plastic to get inside. The inside is a small little room with dainty tables and chairs and just enough room to maneuver around. There is however an upstairs room (or rooms) which I did not get to see as we remained on the "ground floor" at which we entered. 

I love obscure, little known about places but, these places tend to have a set clientele... And when you're a new face (especially when its two Indians coming in with a Coloured lady) people are bound to stare (as we experienced, I bring it up because it happened, not as a speculation). 

However, once you settle in and get a bit used to the place (and ignore the stares from other patrons) its quite a comfy place. And a good place to get away from the crowds - which is something I ALWAYS strive to do. 

I had the "house" cappuccino and my sister and I shared a slice of cheesecake. The cappuccino was pretty much as a cappuccino usually is, nothing super amazing about it or anything, though it was pretty neat that they had chocolate chips in it. I sure did enjoy that. 
A Lavender cappuccino with chocolate chips - yum
The cheesecake was so-so. It was neither the worst, nor the best that I'd had. Though the base had a bit too much coconut than I could handle (I hate desiccated coconut) and I think it was lemon rind that was used as a sort of garnish on the top and just added a not so grand taste to the cheesecake.

All in all, this quaint little place may seem rustic at first, but you warm up to it and I certainly wouldn't mind going there again. I will definitely not be having the cheesecake again though - been there, done that... I would love to try out the other stuff on the menu though, and maybe a go at a meal...

Another reason to go back  - the staff are extremely friendly and welcoming (might be 'cause we went with a "regular", who knows... *shoulder shrug*, will have to see) and the service is pretty good too - a rare thing to come by these days.

(Photos taken from the "Just Lavender" website)
PS: Not too sure on the name, the website says :Just Lavender" but I know it as "Lavender" so I retained the name I was given. Also from the website, it seems that they are more than just a coffee shop... For more check out their website: http://www.just-lavender.co.za/index.html 

Monday, October 14, 2013

Drained (does that suffice for a title/post?)



I'm hoping the picture will say it all and thus save me from having to really say much. But, we know how I am, once I start there's no stopping me... But, my eyes can barely make it so I'll make it short.

It's been a long day, but not overly so, yet I am feeling extremely drained. 

I haven't blogged in a while, and its not for a lack of anything to blog about. I keep getting ideas and they keep piling on top of each other. I first didn't have any internet, then computer issues, then time... And I'm still using this ancient desktop of mine as I have yet to get a charger for my laptop - using this desktop is pure torture! (But I guess I should be glad I have something, what would I do if I were completely computer-less *horrified look*)And now I'm super tired for some strange reason. I'll definitely try and get round to putting forth something more worthy some time this week...

For now, I hope you have all had a lovely, well that's kind of pushing it for a Monday hey so lets make it good, Monday and start to the week. 

Hope you have a splendid and productive week :)

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

What gives you the right?!

"Give me your phone or I'll kill you."

Sounds a bit violent hey... But, if you're a South African these words come as no shock to you. It's something you fear every time you step out your front door. Or sometimes even in your own home... Maybe not those EXACT words, but you get my drift... Sure, you think it happens to 'other' people, but not me... But you still live in fear... You walk around with caution... You tell everyone else to be careful and you're always on the look out... The sad fact is that this IS a reality for us. Its something you have to carry with you every moment of the way. And if you forget, you're gonna be reminded...

My sister was held up yesterday. In the middle of town, right at the City Hall. Surrounded by people. She was waiting for her boss to pick her up and a black guy stuck a gun to her side and a knife to her stomach and told her to "GIVE ME YOUR PHONE OR I'LL KILL YOU!" She gave him her phone. He then walked away. She started to walk across the road. I'm assuming it was to get as far away from the guy as possible. He turned around and came back to her. She continued to walk across the road with oncoming traffic. He goes up to her and asks her to give him her laptop too. (She was holding a folder in her hand containing documents - its a big folder about just larger than A 4 size and is sort of synthetic leather. So I guess it could have been mistaken for a laptop). She continued to walk across the road and told him that its just documents she does not have a laptop. And for whatever reason, he decided to believe her and leave her be...

There were crowds of people all around, and no one did a thing. They just watched it happen. I know its not their fault that it happened. And there wasn't much that they COULD do. I know, I myself am a complete scaredy cat and a coward, I would never jump into a situation like that, and obviously don't expect anyone else to. They would just put themselves in the line of fire too instead of really helping much. Its a guy with a gun AND a knife, WHAT CAN you do?! But, someone could have maybe screamed and distracted the guy, or called someone, or maybe taken a photo of him to at least identify him later on... But no one did a single thing?!

Okay, so, I know, that might be asking a bit much. There's a reason why I didn't write this post last night when I found out - I was too angry. I needed to calm down. Yesterday I was livid at every person who just stood there and watched and did nothing! Today, I can understand it. And see that they can't really be blamed for their actions (or inaction). I would very likely do the same. There is no point in getting involved if you're only going to make the situation worse. (And you're most likely just praying the bloke gets it over with fast and doesn't notice you!) BUT, not even one person thought to at least go to my sister afterwards and check if she was okay! After the guy had left and it was obvious he wasn't going to come back, just go to her, gently and visibly (you obviously do NOT want to catch her off guard or sneak up on her or anything after what she's just been through), and be like, hey I saw what just happened I'm sorry, are you okay? Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do or anyway that I can help? Do you maybe want to report it... or SOMETHING!

But yeah...

This guy was brave enough to do what he did in public... And knew full well that he could get away with it...

This just makes me so sick! The fact that there are so many people out there just like him who feel that they can do as they please and take what they what! As if they have a RIGHT to it! As if they're entitled to it! Even though they didn't put in all the time and effort to earn it! (unless the time and effort it took to plan out the theft and then carry it out counts...)

I am so completely angry about this whole situation! Just this year alone so much has happened! A few months ago Sahil's brother was held up just outside his campus by two black guys with a knife and gun. They took his phone and all his cash. A couple weeks later his cousin had her earrings ripped off her ears just outside her place of work (she works for the police in Durban). A few weeks later their house was broken into and wiped clean. A few weeks ago my sister's boyfriend was held up at a garage in Johannesburg when he went to fill petrol. A guy tried to steal his cell phone and refused to let it go and started screaming for help. The people standing nearby heard and came at his screams and looted his boot. All in all he lost over R 12 000 worth of stuff.

WHAT is this world coming to?! I know that it's not just our country. (Sahil had this talk with me trying to calm me down in my rant about crime in South Africa, telling me that its pretty much world wide. America has serial killers and rapists and people who go on killing sprees. Other countries have bombings and terrorist attacks and a wave of other stuff...) So, yes, I know, its not just South Africa. As much as my rage is towards South Africa at the moment. But, for now, given the recent incident(s), I think I can be forgiven for keeping my discussion to South Africa...

The thing I will never understand is WHY. WHY do people do this?! HOW can you just go out and take something that does not belong to you?! Something that someone else worked hard for?!  Why can they not just go out and work for themselves?! Do an honest day's worth of work and live a decent life. HOW the hell can people be so selfish?!

I am just so sick of people taking what they don't deserve and doing as they please! I have to live in fear because of these selfish pricks! I've got to drive with my windows rolled up. I can't wear jewelry if I'm going into town - oh you don't want to 'tempt' them! I've got to be fully aware of my surrounding at all times. If I go to get take out food I feel guilty that I actually have something to eat. I also have to hold on tight to that food if I actually want to eat it.

Its all just too much!!! I can't take this anymore! And, what gives them the right to do this to me, or to anyone. What gives them the right to make us feel this way... To basically have us living as prisoners in our so called free country?! (And yes, I used 'them'. I'm othering them and I do NOT care!)

WHAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT?!