Archive for July, 2010
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
So I’m back at work after 6 days of annual leave. What a difference a week makes!
It took a while but I got my smile back 
Before I went on leave I was extremely irritated and just about everything got on my last nerve. But things started looking up right from last Friday when I got home from work.
I forgot I had a party to go to and reluctantly went.
What a blast!
We danced and had a glass or two of wine and soon work stresses were forgotten.
Saturday was another function that I had forgotten about. I hadn’t totally forgotten the functions – just had the dates mixed up.
By Tuesday I heard from work enough times to aggravate me some more. However that was sorted when I was handed a Southern Comfort with Lemonade drink that evening.
It was so enjoyable that Saturday night I actually asked for another one of those lekker drinks…
Saturday afternoon I ran into a colleague in Kenilworth Centre. “What are you doing here?” I asked, just a little annoyed. Oddly enough, many of my colleagues live between 1 – 3km from me so it’s very likely that I would have bumped into someone sooner or later.
I just didn’t like it!
Inbetween was an exam at UNISA’s computer lab. I studied for that one on the way. However it was very basic and I got through it well enough.
While it lasted my six days of leave were fantastic!
I came to work on Tuesday feeling very much like myself again.
Since I probably won’t be talking leave again until October/November for exams, I will try to:
1. Drink more wine 
. Actually just chill out more at home.
2. Keep my relationships at work more formal, without losing too much of who I am.
3. Find a balance between having fun and working/studying.
Posted in Life, office | No Comments »
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
This blog’s favourite soapie on SA tv was voted most popular in the country at Saturday night’s You/Huisgenoot/Drum Spectacular.
Diaan Lawrenson, Paula van der Lecq, won favourite tv actress and part-timer Terrance Bridget, flamboyant Jerome, won best actor.
Numbers-wise, 7de Laan has around 2 million viewers. Less than Generations and E-tv’s Rhythm City.
The Laan’s viewers have also voted the soapie favourite at the SAFTA Awards earlier in the year.
Well done to all at 7de Laan. And congratulations to Diaan and Terrence as well.
Posted in 7de laan, soapies, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Saturday, July 17th, 2010
I love my cellphone, don’t get me wrong! My cellphone and I are seldom parted.
Information about anything I can think of is at hand within seconds and my music is available to keep me company at work or while shopping, especially at Christmas time.
What I loathe most about my cellphone is the expectation that I have to answer it when it rings.
Regardless of where I am or what I’m doing!
To make matters worse we have SMSes, email and Facebook amongst other things to deal with.
There is no escape!
For instance…
I’m currently on leave. My job is not an essential service. I’m not a nuclear physicist or brain surgeon. I’m not even an Eskom worker.
But Monday, my first day of leave, I woke up at 10am to an email from work.
I first had a long bubble bath before opening the email. As expected the request wasn’t about creating world peace nor defusing a nuclear bomb.
It was so insignificant I asked my colleague to not contact me again unless absolutely necessary.
Tuesday afternoon after a relaxing morning, I picked up my phone only to find a collection of SMSes, emails, phone calls and even Facebook messages – from the office.
Hello…WTF?
I fumed, ranted and then asked them to call me.
My colleague actually laughed! And said she told them I wouldn’t answer my phone.
As if I wasn’t already pissed off.
The expectation was that while on leave I would be waiting for them to call me?
If only that was the end of it.
They called again on Thursday. Told me to keep my phone on in case they needed me.
Fortunately for them they didn’t because I kept my phone on silent and took a nap instead.
Thats not all…
Friday I checked my phone only to discover missed calls and an SMS from my family…
My cellphone is driving me crazy.
Posted in Life, office, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Who said Formula 1 racing was boring?
Me for one!
I used to love it back in the day when the late Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were furiously duelling for supremacy.
Then came the boring years with Damon Hill and co. And watching Michael Schumacher win race after race may have been fun for Ferrari fans, but for the rest of us…a snoozefest.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso briefly brought F1 to life with their duel for the number 1 spot at McLaren.
That was sorted far too soon, because Alonso went to Ferrari!
When Jenson Button, World Champ and all, signed with McLaren, we expected a few more fireworks.
According to some reports, the two are not bestest buddies and so far their rivalry hasn’t really put to the test. Even if they did go on holiday together recently.
But that’s not the case at Red Bull. They have two drivers within 5 points of each other on the F1 log.
And they seemingly chose a favourite. Sebastian Vettel.
The team took the front wing off Mark Webber’s car and gave it to Vettel. This was meant to give Vettel the edge in the race.
Webber however won Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone and apparently quipped something to the tune of “not bad for a number two driver” to his technical team at the checquered flag.
He had more to say on the matter at the press conference.
Nine more races left. This should be fun!
Posted in sport, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Today is the start of my week long leave. I go back to the office next Tuesday.
Unfortunately I wont be going away on vacation.
But instead decided to create a relaxing time at home.
Wednesday I have to take a test at Unisa’s IT Centre in Parow, but even that isn’t a stressful exam.
As for my home relaxation, I slept until 10am this morning! A minor miracle!
Had breakfast of sausage (vegetarian of course), eggs, toast and coffee.
Then it was time for a long, hot bubble bath.
I put the heater on – a rarity – and am on the couch under my quilt, preparing to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
Housework can wait, so can my planned trip to the bank in Claremont. (I got my Google Adsense cheque!)
The rest of the week will include more of the same, but also time with loved ones.
Today is all about restoring what sanity I have left.
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