We only ever exist in 'today'

Everything I had in mind for myself, and everything I still I do, seemed so far away to be concerned with at the time. When you're in high school, it's all about 'what will you study and what would you like to be when you're done?' you never get depressed and answer, 'I'd like to do this, but most likely case is that I'll hate it half way through and drop out and probably get a job through someone I know because he coincidently needs someone right now and I have bills to pay.' you smile at the question and the prospect of it all and enter a sort of daydream at time of explanation. Then when you're outta school and studying perhaps - if you managed to get there so far.... Your friends and family all talk about when you're older what do you want to have in your life that'll that'll prove you've made it as far as being happy goes? And at what ages doing what? And we all say the exact same thing, as if by some genetic inheritance, we are all meant to yearn after the same eventual style of life and process it takes to get there. We respond by saying, 'I'd like to be in a job that I do well in and enjoy, potentially successful at, happily married to my best friend and kids even. I'll have done all that I wanted to do, like see other places in the world, and you know, nice home, pets and the rest.... We actually smile while we say this... As if it's some beautiful wrapped package deal that we are just waiting to receive when we're ready to. There's no shuddering at the thought, no anxious feeling of, what if no one wants me, or the dr tells me I'll never be able to have children, or my job isn't great enough to really even cover the bills let alone have a great house. Not even one of these thoughts cross our minds at the point in time that the plan evolves in ours minds and starts being discussed among others. And why is that? Why is it that no one goes, flip.... Well that sounds a little over ambitious dontcha think? You're basically saying you're going to have it all!? No one tells you that your little fairy tale idea of how things pan out, never pans out that way, women start extending their age of when they'll be married, they downscale their number of kids in mind if they even know they can and still want them at all.... Their dream home will never be their dream home - fact. And they develop allergies and can't have any fucking cats and there isn't a big enough yard for any dogs. Wow, depressing.. Welcome to real life. PS, we didn't wanna ruin your day dream, but now that you're here and shit's a mess... Well, um.... Surprise!!!! I guess the sad thing about all of this, is that for a long time we all say one day, or later, or some day.... But even though there is so much life left to live.... This already IS the some day, one day, later part.... And Jesus! didn't it creep up out of nowhere.... Coz trust me I'm not sitting here now, still, and going someday I'll be this and have that and and.... Ok maybe a little, I'm not thaaat old yet. ;) But.... My smile isn't as big as is was when I said it in high school, and my daydream isn't as mesmerizing and cloud nine feeling as it was when I was fresh out of school. So yeah, it's sad that our smiles should start to disappear, but rather that than the dreams change to less just in order to wear a smile in the dream.... I suppose it'll be different for everyone.

 

Brakes

So it took a while, but at long last ...... white brakes. As my luck would have it, they were only available to me a little later than the time I actually needed them for. Why is it that Murphy takes a sick pleasure in creating such scenarios. Anyway, it didn't matter because there's be plenty opportunity for me to roll out with a piece of the missing puzzle finally in full view of everyone, and not just my mind's eye... Well few things have happened since my bike building escapades started... and lets just say that for some time now, I've pretty much been left to my own devices when it comes to fixing, sorting and building. Trust me... this is the fun part! Until such time that you are a tad confused about how to add this new part to your already-in-motion bicycle. Well long story short, I have half of the front brake on (well its half complete) and have not yet done the rear. I was first trying to figure out how how the hell just to remove the old brake - which bolt to unscrew... hmmm... it took a good few minutes, a cup of tea and relooking at the bike all over to discover that I in fact just needed to untighten the allen key in the frame. Well didn't I feel like an idiot then....? At least I was alone.............. (Sometimes that's not depressing, and actually reputation saving), haha....though I have just hereby, ruined that save. :/ Sweet, so out with the old and in with the new... brake on, grease all over my friggin hands from the headset. I don't love that. Keeps happening. Loose headset, too tight headset... well... left to own devices I said = dirty girl hands. Anyway so now I'm stuck at the part where I need to slide a wire through another little section and clamp that shit.. but the fitting makes sense on the old brake... the new one is different, and different means I'm not sure how to tackle it. I'm thinking about taking it to a bike shop to just fit them, but then I'd be giving in... and I don't give in until I honestly believe I can't do it........... 

Here's a little glimpse anyway :) PS - just shorting pink brake pads. soon though... 

6 in 1 aint fun

What is it with 6 pack milk packaging and it just....not..... being strong enough to hold all the milks???! FFS Not once, ever, in my history and existence of milk purchasing, have I ever been able to carry the milk box by the designated finger place holders from shelf to car. Packaging FAIL. I'm sorry, but if you're going to group all 6 cartons together so that we get our measly R2.00 discount as opposed to buying them all separately, make sure the average individual can carry that shit to the boot of his/her car. And not just make it there, but also with a smile on their face, not a panicked oh-my-fuck-this-shit's-bout-to-tear look whilst you have no free hands coz you're carrying other packets, a handbag and car keys! And God forbid the packer will put this 6 pack of milks in a packet.. noooooo, this is designed for packetless carrying. Well, I'd like to debate that falsely implanted misconception by way of a demonstration. Next time I have milk on the list, I'm going to document that shit. Could Parmalat PLEASE design stronger packaging for their milks... else leave the friggin cartons, all loose, we'll pay our R2.00 extra, and the packer will pack that shit in a packet! Problem solved.

Sincerely
I refuse to cry over spilt milk...

....what he said..

Once in a Blue Moon....

Birthdays.... the one day that no matter how little a role you may feel in life and to others and in general... it's the one day that you are reminded or if not reminded, the truth is instilled that you are special to a lot of people for many different reasons. When you put a lot of hype around things, it's easy to be disappointed... it's amazing how with no hype at all, how much the effort of others and the care and time people take to still make sure you feel like it's your special day... I am so grateful to those people, unexpected, albeit very welcomed...... love you all.

On Sundays...

Natural Discontent

People are strange. Fact. We have an idea in our minds about how we want things to look, feel and be, and as soon as we come close to having it the way we have theorized and reasoned in our minds, by then we have already thought of all the new ways it could be better. So by nature, we are just always in search of something better, never entirely satisfied, and constantly change our minds. Don't all these elements within, elude us from ever feeling somewhat 'happy' then I wonder... And if so, if everyone just wants to be happy, why do we do things that bring about the opposite? ie seeking more out of everything. Why not go further rather, and understand that yes, I will most likely change my mind, yes I will in time want more and different perhaps and in that.... allow yourself to feel the contentment in what you have, as it is now. So that for now you can feel happy. All you want is vintage vintage vintage for the house you buy one day which isn't far from now, its all about finding the right place and making that step... so you collect items that you would want over the time that you have been living elsewhere. So now you find your dream house and you find that the furniture you have is no longer what you want, you have a completely different idea in mind now, ans are 100% in love with that idea. So now what? Did you waste time collecting all those pieces? Did you waste money? Did you waste.... in general.. Or did you not 'waste' anything.... coz during that entire time, it never felt or was a waste until now when you finally knew it wasn't what you needed anymore, in which case, you have played the perfect human role of 'strange' and changed your mind... which you knew you could potentially do.. soo.... in essence, no remorse or regret should be harbored or is worth harboring........ if you understand. Understanding goes a long way, and I think in almost every case in life if you understand something, you can better deal with the things that change or occur. That said, understanding doesn't affect emotion toward something. Disappointment, regret, all those things still exist, I guess it just changes the way you handle it. All I wanted was a white Audi A3, no other car mattered, I knew what I wanted.... or did I? Coz now all I want is an SX2000. So in theory we don't 'know' what we want our bicycle or house or whatever to look like and be forever.... but we do know now how we'd like it now... Guess Im trying to tell myself that I understand..... and So I get that people who aren't happy with what they have now, will never be, because they already possess that bigger better theory when they reach their goals.. We need to learn to be happy now, with what we have now. Coz that's all we have and know. The future.....we dont.

I won't shop til I have this bag! Too cool..

Yes

Making a new cd for my car is one of my favorite things to do.

:)

Profound

When life throws ya lemons...

.........make lemon meringue? Haha, well I did, and damn glad I did. :) I had always been a little nervous of this one, what with having to use 'the rind of a lemon' and such. What a load of crap, I hate recipes that set you up to fail. I hate anything that sets you up to fail. So I steered clear, until yesterday when I realised, stuff that, I feel like it and this recipe doesn't consist of any rind nonsense, so I'm gonna give it a go. It was quite cool - I had a minichef kitchen happening. I was making supper, dessert and a cup of tea all at once, yes I multitask... and yes only things I wish to multitask. Otherwise I don't.. Like watching my favourite series and texting. That just isn't gonna happen. Coz you see...... my eyes, they do not multitask. Sooooo about 1 hour ago, I tasted this little baby and shared it with my fellow tasters and it was ridonk! And that's a good adjective for those not familiar with the term, though I'm pretty sure if you're not from the dark ages, you do.. Here's a peak at what I managed to whip up. ;)

When life's not peachy... - raspberry

When things are awry... I bake. Not to eat my baked goods myself! ..........ok, well maybe I taste them a little... :) It's something that for me provides great distraction and sincere enjoyment. I don't know why, because I absolutely love cooking, but for me there is something 'sweet' about the challenge of baking something and it turns out amazing. That and it makes my home smell warm and comforting, which goes a long way right now too. Anyway....I made this the other night just from my head really coz I didn't have enough ingredients to make it a big crazy ass one, so I just made a berry tart how I know a berry tart to be made. It tasted ok to me, mom and stepdad loved it! So I guess it wasn't all bad then. But watch this space, I will show you more... coz well, why not. And these ones will be of recipe type, only coz I'm not a chef, and with baking there aren't always shortcuts and off the cuff styles that work. haha.

Raspberry pie

"I've got a crush on you...."

Hmm, nice..

Infectious soul

I live for myself and I live for today. Because what if there is no tomorrow, or what if tomorrow just never arrives. So what do I want now..? And if nothing else mattered......... what decision would I make today based on what I felt like doing, achieving, seeing, experiencing... now? Go overseas? ok.. Go again... ok... further my studies... ok.. Dance in front of a massive rig for international concerts every time they're here. ok...Do I love the band? Maybe... Do I love music - it's what get's me through each day with a smile despite anything that might be causing the opposite. So I will. Do I necessarily want to do things alone....? No. Do I necessarily want to go with people who just 'can'... well... No. Not ideally... But would I be going and experiencing that thing and doing that thing that I want to do in my life.. Yes. So then.. I've made that decision - to be at peace with the people are part of my life's ride, regardless if they're the ones I want there for every single moment or not. The ones I do are there too for a lot of them. But everyone who's willing to jump in the backseat and come along for the trip... the ride.... the bite to eat... So that me, myself can be able to fulfill that bucket list I so sincerely hope I get through, is welcome. I knew when I came back from Europe, I'd come back with a full heart, and so with that, I solid mindset.... and I'm living for 'me' every day... so I can smile a lot...... despite anything that might be causing the opposite. So cheers to me, hoping life works well that way. :)

Switzerland

There are few words but many pictures I have to show you the beauty that is... Switzerland. I promise you right now, if I could live anywhere or at the very least retire somewhere out of South Africa... Switzerland would be my choice. Though we didn't stay and explore Switzerland itself as a country, we had the best experience one could ask for, which was living it up in a log cabin at the foot of the Swiss Alps. Take every postcard you've seen and imagine it x1000 - you're still nowhere near... so Lauterbrunnen was where the Topdeck site was situated, and this was a stunning little village where you can see nothing beyond the mountains. We had our first real party eve, which was just literally about dancing.. we danced til we couldnt anymore. It was a little bar and dancefloor with wooden beams and drink coasters singed my thousands all dangling form the roof... it was such a 'tour feel' vibe, we all just had stated getting to become friendly with one another, having only been in Paris before this, so was a cool way to come together for sure. The one crazy part was when I had decided I'd had enough it was shower time, and to shower in Lauterbrunnen at our camp site..... it's 50 euro cents for 3 minutes of hot water. So I left my cabin, upstairs and into the changing rooms and showers - all communal for the girls and got ready to shower, only to find that the machine to activate the hot water only takes a 50 cent piece, no change for 1 euro. fuck. So being surrounded by half drunk females coming to the bathroom and others just not really interested in my sad story, (coins were hard to come by believe you, me) I decided to take the brave step and put the cold tap on... yip.. first night in the Swiss Alps - 1x ice cold shower. Thank God it was Summer.. Else there's have been frozen bits for sure. Hahaha.

Oh Swiss love, so many cool things to tell, but yeah, I don't have all the time to put it here. Some pics to give an idea...

Beautiful scenery every direction you look

Picture taken from my log cabin

In the village of Lauterbrunnen

Swiss Alps!

The topteck busses all stationed at our campsite

The Bread and Cheese Fondue! Was de'lish.. tasted like it has wine in though... haha, might have been a sneaky recipe.. :)

Genius! hahahahah