Ash at Home

Very Quick Update

2010-02-02T01:02:00.001-08:00

I have a boyfriend. Yes, I know... I've been down this road before... This one is different. Next week Friday (12^th of February) is our 5 month anniversary, or rather "monthiversary". He is, honestly, the best thing that has ever happened to me and I couldn't be happier. I've also dived into the world of mosaic and have made 8 coasters in total.

That's my update. What? I said it was going to be very quick. I'm snowed under at work at the moment, but I had to sneak a post in.

2009-06-02T11:41:00.001-07:00

I have come to the realisation that the lack of posting is a direct result of a busy life. Ya, seriously!

Ok, so a quick “me” update. I’ve lost 35 kilos! Yes! You heard right. I still have about another 12 to go before I’m totally stoked with my weight, but at least it’s not 35! And if it comes off slowly, then so be it. So the diet of doom worked, and worked well.

The beadwork thing isn’t really happening just yet. This is mostly due to time (or lack thereof) and lack of materials. You actually need a good few things before you can tackle beading effectively, and so at the moment I’m collecting the necessary bits and bobs in order to be able to put together the pieces that I want.

So what else is new? Nothing really, other than I have a wedding to shoot this weekend. Life is still life, work is still work, and (oh for crying in a bucket) I’m getting a sore throat. I’ve just come off of a bad dose of flu; I really don’t want to be going back there. Not just yet anyways.

Oh! Wait! I have a new hair-do. Pic below… Don’t laugh…

Gaming has taken a serious backseat in my life. I don’t really know why, but I guess it’s because I just haven’t been feeling hundreds, and gaming is something that I love to do when I’m feeling good, because it just lifts my mood even higher. That said, I really just haven’t been in the mood to play games of late.

Speaking of games Sims 3 is OUT! *insert wild girly fangirl scream here* I want to buy it… I MUST have it! But I think my PC is going to laugh at me if I bring it home… Quite frankly my pc is in dire need of an upgrade, so I think I’d be wasting my time if I bought Sims 3 now.

Otherwise I'm just carrying on with life... Anyways, that's it from me for now.
Enjoy
x

2009-05-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

Goodness me, it has been forever since I posted anything! I really have become a shockingly bad blogger, but in my defence, I have been sick and as a result incredibly busy.

I came down with the flu about 3 or so weeks ago and it’s taken me a long time, and a fair dose of antibiotics to come right. I’m still not feeling hundreds, but at least I’m mostly there.

So what has been happening in the life of Ash? Well, I can tell you that I feel like I’m going through “the change of life.” Obviously I’m not, I’m far too young for that, however this year I have been feeling like I’ve borrowed someone’s body, and now I’m trying to get used to it. I think all it boils down to is the fact that I’m getting older, and my skin and body is starting to feel that. I’m actually beginning to sympathize with the women who do go through “the change of life” because it’s a scary thing when you’re not sure why the body that you know is suddenly doing strange things.

On the “lifestyle” front I’ve decided to take up two new hobbies. The first is beadwork… or beaded jewellery to be more specific. I will also do other projects like keyrings and ornaments, etc… but the majority of the beadwork that I do will be some form of accessory that I can wear. The second is mosaic. I have yet to start, or even try for that matter, this hobby, but I intend to. My mom and I went to a Craft Workshop this weekend, and it made me realize that I am actually losing my creative side. I find myself rushing through life these days, and actually, I don’t have any hobbies anymore other than gaming. Wait… no… gaming is not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. You could also say that photography is a hobby, but I’m getting paid to do it, so it’s more of a second job than a hobby. Anyways, the point of all of this is that I’m going to start getting creative again.

On the “personal” front I am still single. Yes, I am going to end up being one of those lonely old cat women, but I’m now tired of trying to get the relationship thing right. I can at least say that I tried it… I did fail dismally at it, but at least I tried it.

Also on the “personal” front I’m missing my friend, Fluff. It’s been just over a month now since they left for New Zealand and well… I feel like I’ve lost a limb. A part of me is missing and I can’t function properly without it. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to function properly again. She really was a rock for me, and looking back, I feel that I took our relationship for granted. I guess you never really know what you have until it’s gone. I don’t have regrets, but I would have liked to have spent more time with the person who really was and is and probably always will be closer to me than most of my own family members.

Anyways…

I’ve decided that next year I am going to R.A.G.E. I’ve been wanting to go for as long as I can remember, so next year is it!

Well, that’s about as much as I have for you at the moment.
Keep well everyone
x

I have decided to take up beading...

2009-05-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

... and this is my very first vintage style necklace!

Oh my goodness!

2009-04-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

How long has it been since I updated this thing? I promise, I haven’t forgotten about it… I’ve just kind of lost the will to post in it. Well, that and Facebook has taken over the spare time that I used to dedicate to it.

Facebook is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? Oh, ok… yes it can be a tad evil at times, but… always in a good way :P My newest friend (we’re going to call him “Honung” because he is so "söt" ;P) lives in Sweden and, like me, is a big kid who dreams of adventure in other countries. In other words, he’s a nice, interesting guy who I’m enjoying getting to know.

Other than my newest friend, my other friend, Fluff and her hubby have now moved to New Zealand. I’m sad… and I don’t really know what else to say about that, other than I’m sad.

Jeepers, so much has happened in the past few months that I don’t really know where to start, and well… I don’t think tonight is the night. I’ll do a long catch up one of these days. Promise ;)

x

Struggling...

2008-12-09T00:58:00.001-08:00

I'm seriously struggling to concentrate today. Everything is a distraction...

My family are totally pathetic...

2008-12-09T00:29:00.001-08:00

By all accounts my family are ok. They're not nearly as dysfunctional as some. Sure, my uncle has a drinking problem, their eldest child is an over achiever and their youngest is an under achiever, but overall there are families out there that are actually a lot worse. They've decided this year that travelling the 20 minutes to Toti, to spend Christmas day with their family (us), is too much effort. My uncle would rather sit in his lounge and drink himself into a coma instead of spending the afternoon in our flat, with us. Now bear in mind that I offered to cook a 3 course meal, for which they don't have to contribute a single thing. I am SO pissed off. Let them sit in their house and drink themselves into oblivion. UGH!

Weekend catch up

2008-12-07T23:53:00.001-08:00

I've been incredibly lax when it comes to my blog of late, however, I had a fairly good weekend, so I thought I'd do a quick weekend round up.

Saturday:

I was up at 6:30 on Saturday because we were heading into the Midlands to go hunt down the Tsonga shoe factory, which my mom had seen on her way to Howick. We never found her factory, but we did find another Tsonga shoe store in the Midlands. The prices weren't any cheaper, so we're going to look at Seadoone Mall again because theirs were on special.

Anyways, the trip into the Midlands would have been wonderful but for my mother's idiot boyfriend. I swear that man needs a fat klap up the ear. The entire trip up he was in a foul mood, which meant that anything we said to him was taken as being argumentative or sarcastic. He made the trip miserable which ended, as it always does, in an argument between him and me. So whilst my mother and I had a look around the Nottingham Road Junction, he sat in the car and sulked. I am at the point where I'm going to tell him to grow up. Whatever issue he has he needs to get over it now, find some effing sunshine in his life, and put a smile on his face and grow-the-fuck-up, because I am totally over his pathetic, childish and snotty attitude.

The rest of Saturday was very pleasant. When we got home I had a look at my room and realised that there was no way in hell that G (who was coming to visit that evening) would be allowed to view it in its current state. Don't get me wrong, nothing was dirty, just incredibly untidy. I had books all over the place that I had been using as reference, and shoes all over the floor and papers that I'd not filed yet. The place looked like a warzone. So I did a major clean up, and I mean major. The problem is that I really do have too much stuff for the space that I have. Anyways, after the cleanup of doom I jumped in the shower, sorted out hair and make-up and even had time to sit down and get some PS2 gaming time in.

Hanging out with G is always fun. He has the silliest / funniest sense of humour, and he made me laugh like I haven't laughed in years. He is full of weird general knowledge like where does the word fuck come from? Apparently in the 1600's you had to have permission from the king to have sex, so F.U.C.K. was a document you received – Fornication Under Consent of the King. I kid you not. How he knows stuff like this is beyond me, but he does. He's also more ticklish than I am... I have yet to meet a person who is more ticklish than I am, but he really is. Anyways, he had a good look at my pc, which apparently needs more RAM, a service and a graphics card upgrade. Great... except that I don't have any money at the moment, so it's going to have to wait. He also did a few things to it to make it run smoother. Of course I have no idea what... but my pc is running better than it has in months. So it was a good evening.

Sunday:

Oh my hat, I had a seriously lazy day. My mom made some of my skirts smaller so that I can wear them without them falling off my arse. I'm 19 kilos down by the way. I played some PS2 Magna Carta for a while; we had the most awesome lunch of various goats' milk cheeses, Provitas and fruit; and then I went back to gaming.

And that was my weekend... I hope the G thing will eventually sort itself out. I really like him and enjoy spending time with him. But we'll see where it goes, if anywhere at all.

Dead again...

2008-11-20T03:18:00.001-08:00

My car has died again.

On the way home yesterday I had just made it to Twini hill, when it felt like my tyres suddenly deflated and I was driving on my wheel rims. Surprisingly, my tyres were fine (ok, well mostly fine, they are worn) but something else has happened to my car. That something else is where the details are a little sketchy. It has something to do with my wheel bearings, a CV joint and the breaks. Yes, all of that together. How hectic hey? Altogether it's going to cost around R3000. That's right, R3000 that I just don't have. My mom's bf is going to pay for the repairs, and I'm going to pay him back when I get my bonus. I'm sad and stressed about this, but there is f-all I can do about it. I need a car, so I'm going to just have to cough up the money.

Very quick weekend catch up...

2008-11-18T22:18:00.001-08:00

Overall my birthday weekend was pretty great, with only the odd hiccough.

So, the birthday weekend started on Saturday, however, Saturday was also the day that my friend's dad died. So it was a bit of a sad day. I got an sms asking me to please put my make up on by her house, as she needed to see me. So I jumped in the shower and then made my way over to F's house. After some tears and a chat we got ready and went out. She still wanted to go out to get her mind off her dad.

The show we went to see, Sleeping Beauty and the Little Prick, was... well... it was good, and hilariously funny, but also a complete shocker. It was very risqué to say the least, and the sexual connotations weren't hinted at... they were in your face, literally, in the form of a sewn on set of "accessories" on Nobby the house elf (yes, they did get that from Harry Potter). So it was a good evening, even though there was an underlying sadness there. We also had dinner there. The tickets were R200 each, which included a starter and a main course. The food was very good, although way too much.

After the show we went to Bean Bag and had a cocktail, then went home.

On Monday mom and I went to SARS (I kid you not), to sort out her tax. We were there for 2 hours... But it was ok, it needed to get done, so we just went and did it. After that went to John Dory's for lunch and ate waaaay too much food. My diet actually went out the window this weekend because we really did eat everything that we shouldn't have been eating, including cake. But it was a good day. We ended up doing some shopping, missioned around Gateway and eventually got home around 5:30ish.

In the line of pressies I got some lovely cream and shower wash stuff, a new watch, two Wii games (Super Mario Galaxy and Ratatouille), and a R1700 office chair. This chair is gorgeous. It's a high-back leather chair. It's incredibly comfortable, so my bum and my back are now happy when I'm working at home. Oh, and I also got a hair straightener. It works fantastically.

So ya, that was my weekend...

Thank you to everyone who called and sms'd me :)

It’s FRIDAY!

2008-11-13T22:10:00.001-08:00

I'm so over this week. I am, would you believe, sick again. However, I'm not going to let that spoil my weekend.
I'm going to dose myself heavily on meds, and hopefully get an early night, so that I'm ready for my hectic Saturday.

Feeling a bit bleh...

2008-11-13T00:46:00.001-08:00

I don't quite know how it happened, but I seem to have caught a bit of a cold again. I think the cold was brought on by my sinus. Le stuffy head and sore throat is not a good thing to have two days before your birthday evening.

So this is the weekend round up as it stands, thus far:

Saturday:
Drop off album for printing in the morning
Veg in the afternoon until it's time to get ready
Head to Fluff and then Supper Theatre from about 6:00pm
Cocktails at BBB afterwards

Sunday:
Meet my client at the Pav to discuss her wedding, which is taking place the following weekend
Maybe waffle around Pav for a bit and see if there are any "stocking fillers" I can buy for my mom

Monday: (Yup, I've taken Monday off)
Wake up - open presents
Head to the shops after breakfast with mom
Mission around for a while
Head home, play with new stuff

And that's it... that's the weekend!

Hope ya'll have a good weekend too!
x

7 Days...

2008-11-10T07:56:00.001-08:00

Until my birthday

Ok... I give up...

2008-11-10T07:53:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I've totally given up with the whole G thing. I'm over trying to be friends. The outcome of the sms I sent was an sms back that said he'd phone me and we'd make a plan to fix my pc. Cool, that's a step forward, right? Wrong... I have yet to hear from him. I did make a single attempt to contact him via Skype, which he ignored... so I've officially given up. I don't care anymore, I'm over it all... My level of irritation out-weighs my wanting to be his friend.

It’s confirmed...

2008-11-10T06:02:00.001-08:00

...the big package wedding is booked! EEK!
I'm totally excited and totally terrified all at the same time.

The implications of this are huge though. If I can keep these packages coming in for 2 years I should have enough income to be able to do this full time.

No Freaking Way!

2008-11-10T03:50:00.001-08:00

I am getting a 13^th cheque this year.

Now, to some this is a norm, however, I have NEVER received one. NEVER!
Wow... I'm elated and shocked all at the same time. Wow...

I have new hair!!!

2008-11-08T04:55:00.000-08:00

Check it out... I had my hair cut and coloured :P
Ok, yeah, the webcam pics don't exactly do it justice, but it looks great. It's essentially red with blonde, and black streaks, and the bottom tips are black :D

Sorted out mah tax!

2008-11-07T01:43:00.001-08:00

What a mission. Next year I am delving into the realms of e-filing. I got to SARS in Mt. Edgecombe at about 9 this morning. I only got back to my office at 11:30. That is just INSANE! If you haven't sorted your tax out yet and need to go to the SARS office, do yourself a favour, get there at 6:30am and wait until they open at 7!

3 x booked...

2008-11-06T00:11:00.001-08:00

I've got 3 weddings booked for next year. Well, 2 confirmed and one on the brink of confirming. It's not as good as last year, but it's still good none-the-less.

Getting there...

Game-a-holic

2008-11-05T22:23:00.001-08:00

I think that next year one of my weddings is going to pay for an Xbox 360. By then all the bugs will be sorted, and the price of them will have dropped a fair bit.

Diet of Doom Update

2008-11-04T12:11:00.000-08:00

Oh, by the way... today was weigh-in day (actually every Tuesday is weigh-in day)

I've lost 15kilos in 11 weeks! Yes, I still have a "weigh" to go, but I'm getting there... one rabbit leaf at a time...

Oh hell...

2008-11-04T11:50:00.000-08:00

... I shouldn't be allowed a cell phone. I really shouldn't. I always talk myself into doing something stupid, then regret it afterwards.

I sent G an sms. It was ok... not soppy or anything, but I shouldn't have sent it. And I really shouldn't have sent it at this time of night.

*bangs head on desk*

Oh why do I do these things? WHY!?!?!!!

Sigh

2008-11-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

Been thinking a lot about G lately...
Why can't I do what I am so good at and just take a step past all of this? Put it behind me whilst I wave it goodbye...?

Ugh...

October... the crummiest of months...

2008-11-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

I hate October, and have always hated October since I was in high school. It's a terrible month. If anything is going to go wrong in your life, it normally happens in October.

To make my point - This October's events:

My mom went to 3 funerals
D's granny died :( I'm sorry Shnooks
And a friend's dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer

October... I'm so very thankful that you're over and done with for this year.
Now to pick up the pieces from the havoc you have wreaked.

No way…

2008-11-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

This weekend I met a couple who are getting married next year September. I showed them my storybook (block mount) album and told them about the new ones that I’m going to be offering next year. They’re the same as the one I showed them, but they’re bigger and hold more photos. The package is like… R7500… They’re taking it.

THEY HAVEN’T EVEN SEEN THE LARGER ALBUM!

I can’t believe that I sold that package. I’m shocked and stoked all at the same time!!!

… wow …

… like … just … wow …

Design Cuties...

2008-11-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

...that totally rock my socks...

All from www.fordesigner.com :)

Stressing somewhat...

2008-11-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

I have no idea where my Canon IXUS has disappeared to, which is a bit stressful, because it was a R3k camera. I’ll have to have another look at the office and hope (read: pray) it turns up.

Hairstyle and Colour Reference

2008-11-03T08:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know they're totally emo. I know this... But I can't help it! I just LOVE the look!!! My hairdresser is going to have such a wobble when I pull out the pics.

Shifting Paradigms

2008-11-03T02:19:00.001-08:00

I don't know whether it's because I'm turning 30, or because I'm just bored with life in general, but I've decided to make some drastic (albeit cosmetic) changes to my life. The first, of course, is my hair. Whenever I feel the need for a change in my life, my hair is the first to feel the force of that change. The second is my room. I'm so over the whole "oak" look. It's tired, and I'm tired of it. I'm going to slowly be replacing the pieces of furniture in my bedroom for darker wood, simpler designs, although form does need to follow function in my case. I have limited space, and copious amounts of stuff to fill that limited space. So step one is putting up box shelves for my books. Step two will be to build the TV stand / unit to replace the wall unit. Step 3 will be to put up a wall shelf above that for DVD's / my dragons / whatever I can find to fill the space. Step 4 will be to replace my current computer workstation, and finally step 5 will be to sort out my bed. I want a headboard for it. I have much work to do to get my room in a liveable space, but at least I'm making a start.

14 Days...

2008-11-03T01:25:00.001-08:00

Until my birthday

So tired...

2008-11-03T01:22:00.001-08:00

...and I have no idea why! I got a decent nights' sleep last night, and my weekend wasn't a late-night one. I have no idea why I feel so bleh...

Quick weekend catch-up

Saturday was "computer mission impossible" day. I bought BitDefender from Incredible Corruption on Friday night, and so Saturday was taken up babysitting my pc as it did all of the updates that I've been avoiding (read: Service Pack 3). So far so good though, nothing seems to have freaked out, and although the performance of my pc hasn't improved (BitDefender found no viruses, malware or spyware) it's at least up to date. I still need to figure out why the heck it's so slow, which is a bit of a tedious task.

On Sunday I showed my album to a woman at Pav, and after that spent the day wandering around the Pav with my mom and her bf. We had lunch at Yiroll (which I will never do again – the service was beyond shocking). The only thing I ended up buying was a birthday present for Fluff.

That was my weekend. I didn't get anything done, other than update my pc, which is atrocious.

Surprised

David (from Australia) sms'd me on Saturday to say hi.
And today is his birthday, so I sms'd him a happy b-day.

General Stuff

Going to get the hair cut on Saturday, as I'm starting to look like Shaggy from Scooby-Doo again :P
I'll post pics when I get a chance.

That's it from me

Sharing is caring...

2008-10-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share some of the Photoshop brushes that I've downloaded.

Download Brushes

Oh, yes... very cool site to visit... but a bandwidth killer of note is
For Designer

Hmmm...

2008-10-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Seeing G again tomorrow... Seems that the list of PC problems is getting longer.
I actually have butterflies. Why can't he look at me and just fall in love?

Oh... wait... life doesn't work like that, I forgot. My bad.

Why I have no life :P

2008-10-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ashley Campbell Photography

Birthday Madness

2008-10-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, well as you know I was quite determined that I wasn’t going to do anything for my birthday this year, because well, you know why so let’s no go down that road again. However! The Fluff, it would seem, had other plans in mind.

Seeing as it would be our last November together for a very, very long time she decided that this year the two of us are going to do something memorable, and so we, sans hubby, are heading to the Boho Theatre to watch Sleeping Beauty and the Little Prick. I kid you not. Afterwards, we are going to have cocktails at Bean Bag Bohemia and then see where the night takes us. Again, I kid you not. Now, bear in mind that neither of us really drink anymore… our days of finishing a bottle of tequila between the two of us are looooooong over, and so I can see us being quite plastered after a Strawberry Daiquiri and a Fuzzy Navel (hmmm, what the kids are drinking these days?)

So wish us luck!

Relief

2008-10-29T00:32:00.001-07:00

I've had an absolute mission with album boxes. Because the albums that I do aren't the standard sizes I've had to find a place that makes up custom boxes. After much searching I've finally found a place in Durban called Gifts 2 Go. They make up Wibalin boxes to your size specifications, and they're about the same price of the ones that you'd end up buying from FotoMax, but at least they're at the right size. So that's one less thing to worry about.

For my new large albums I'm going to get special boxes made up. I found a place in town that makes gorgeous boxes, and because the cost of them is quite high I can only offer them with my large storybook album, but I think that the box will help sell the album, because really, they are amazing. So I'm getting there. I just need to get the two albums that I have in production finished now. They don't seem to end! I suppose it is a lot of work, and quite frankly my costs are justified.

Check out my new website at www.acphotography.co.za

Yes, well I suppose webcams aren't all that bad...

2008-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

And YAY! I got paid...

I’m not an emo kid, am I?

2008-10-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

Looking back over this blog I’m beginning to wonder, quite frankly, wtf has been going through my head over this past year? If anyone actually keeps up with this blog, sheepers, what must you be thinking? I really am not the wreck that I appear to be. Sure, my relationships are ridiculous and inevitably end up imploding on themselves, and I go through bouts of emotional instability, but I promise, I’m actually quite a well-adjusted, relatively happy human being. Or at least I think I am... Hope I am...

Weird day for me...

2008-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

... So weird actually. G came to my office today. It was inevitable I guess, after all he is out IT support. It was just weird seeing him after our relationship ended so abruptly. I felt excited to see him, but sad at the same time. I’m glad I got to see him though, because at least this way we could be sure that there are no hard feelings between us. I hugged him goodbye, but what I really wanted to do was kiss him and just say “let’s just make this work.” But I can’t make something happen that isn’t meant to, so I just said goodbye and carried on. He is a really lovely guy... *sigh*

Meh...

2008-10-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

I'm sick of editing photos...

Sometimes ...

2008-10-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

... I just don't understand why ...

2008-10-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

I will never understand men...

For some reason I just got a very frosty reception from R. What have I done? Is it me, or is he just pissed off at the world in general??? *sigh*

More wedding photies :)

2008-10-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

In no particular order...

Wedding Photies :)

2008-10-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

And in no particular order...

Durban...

2008-10-19T21:42:00.000-07:00

... We have faaaar to go before we are ready for international visitors in 2010...

Eish...

What is it about Asian men...

2008-10-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

... that makes you want to purrrr?

If it looks like an apple...

2008-10-12T04:02:00.000-07:00

...and it smells like an apple, then surely it's an apple?

!!! Wrong !!!

It's an

Asian Pear

I kid you not. Yesterday my mom brought home this crazy fruit from Fruit and Veg City. Apparently it's an Asian Pear. It looks like an albino apple, and the texture of the flesh inside is kind of like a chunky watermelon. The fruit is juicy, although has a very mild, almost bland taste.

The term Asian pear describes a large group of pear varieties having crisp, juicy fruit. When mature, the fruit are good to eat when harvested or for several months after picking if held in cold storage. The crisp texture of an Asian pear remains unchanged after picking or storage, unlike the flesh of European pears such as Bartlett or Comice. There are three types of Asian pear: round or flat fruit with green to yellow skin; round or flat fruit with bronze-colored skin and a light bronze-russet; and pear-shaped fruit with green or russet skin.

It was just so... strange.

Make a wish...

2008-10-12T04:01:00.000-07:00

…when you see a falling star

I saw a falling star on my way home the other night. I happened to look up at the stars while I was driving, and in that moment, for just a split second a shooting star flew between the two stars I happened to look up at.

It was… amazing.

Very quick update

2008-10-07T23:05:00.001-07:00

I got the FLU! AGAIN! ... Fugg...
Diet of Doom is going really well... Have lost 13 kilos in 8 weeks. Yay!
I'm working my arse off, as usual.
I am going to be starting a new website... watch this space for details. It will be launching in the New Year.
Got a meeting this morning with my client, so at least I'll be out of the office for a bit.
Still stressing about my birthday, and turning 30.
Been playing flash games online instead of editing photos... bad Ash...

That's a wrap for now!

Drowning...

2008-09-30T00:50:00.001-07:00

I feel like I'm drowning, and I'm not sure why.
I feel like I'm about to hit panic mode.

Once again I feel like I'm running backwards. I met a great guy, and we had two great weeks together, and then out of the blue he decided that he wasn't ready for a relationship. So once again I'm sitting wondering wtf happened?

My birthday is in a month and a half. I'm turning 30... 30. Who turns 30, is single and still lives at home with their mom? Oh... wait... that would be me.

I actually don't feel like a person anymore. I feel like a work robot, devoid of hope and emotion. Once again I'm existing in a world that I just can't connect with.

So this year I'm not doing anything for my birthday. I've decided that I'd rather just stay home and play games.

*sigh*

sigh

2008-08-25T12:18:00.001-07:00

...

Beware the Bridezilla...

2008-08-21T06:16:00.001-07:00

If I've learned one thing in having my own business is that you never do a client a favour. NEVER!

I had a client who, upon telling me that they didn't really have any money to get photos done, and were having her parents pay for the album, I decided to do the thing that gets me into trouble every time... I decided to be a nice person and offered the woman an R800 discount on a package. Yes, that's right, you heard me... R800. Now, that's basically 80% of the profit that I make on an album, so I think I'm well within my rights to say that I was being generous. Very generous in fact.

Please note that on wedding day the couple had their reception at a very exclusive venue... and more than a fair amount of cash had gone into making the reception exquisite and damn nigh perfect.

But what happens when you're generous and do someone a favour? It comes around and bites you on the arse. So much for good karma...

This couple got extra photos, AND I delivered the albums (without payment at that stage I might add). The bride still sent me an OLD quote that I had sent her for half the price of the package, but the photos were also completely different. All that excludes the endless sms' that I got from the bride wanting to know when her album was going to be ready. So I had to go through that whole rigmarole. Then I had to wait just under a week to get paid... I wasn't sure I was going to get paid.

Then I get a call from the bride's husband last night...

He wanted to know if I had anymore photos, on top of the 108 (their package only included 60 photos) I had given them. Yeah, I am quite serious. AND he wanted the RAW files. UUUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!! Of course I very politely told him that there was no way on this earth he was getting those.

I feel cheated. If I had known that this was going to be this much hassle I would never have taken the job, and I certainly wouldn't have given her my profit's discount.

So we live and learn... No more discounts... Sorry.

Just a quick catch up...

2008-08-12T07:56:00.001-07:00

Hi! How are you! Long time no write! Yeah, I know, I've been scarce... very scarce... I've been busy, so sue me!

So what has been happening in Ashley-World?

Well, first up, I got sick. Really sick... don't you just love gastric flu? It's that special kind of flu that attacks you when you're least expecting it, and knocks you flat on your back for days. That lasted a whole week. Then let's see... oh yes! My car broke... badly. Apparently there was a leak in some oil thing or other that was dripping oil onto the clutch plate, which in turn meant that the clutch was slipping, and in the process, stressing me out big time; especially since I had just spent R650 to fix the carburettor. So R650 + R1350 = R2000 later I have a functioning car. Oh, let's not forget about the R3300 I spent earlier in the month to get the thing serviced. Yeah, my wallet was crying after that lot. Apparently it just needs two new front tyres, then it will be in perfect working order... well, until 6 months from now when it dies again, that is...

I started the diet of doom yesterday. Wish me luck...

What else... been playing CSI: Hard Evidence on the Wii (in between editing weddings of course).

The weddings seem to have picked up nicely. This weekend I booked another one for September. People seem to go for my block mount album, which is great, because quite frankly, I make more money out of them, and they're lovelier than the regular Henzo albums when they're done. I have 2 weddings to get out before my next wedding though, so I best pull my finger out my bum and get cracking with them.

David seems annoyed with me... or at least, I'm taking his lack of communication with me as annoyance. I don't really know how else to take it at this point. Actually, having a friend in another country can be frustrating, because instead of knocking down his door I have to sit and wait until he decides to either say "hi" or "F-off"... either way, it's a waiting game, and I'm not a patient person.

Other than that I don't really have any earth-shattering news. As soon as I've finished editing my last two weddings I'll post some pics for you to have a look at.

Have an awesome day!

Ah Jeepers...

2008-07-13T23:22:00.001-07:00

Well, it was inevitable I guess... everyone around me has the flu at the moment, so I guess it was bound to get me. I'm going to try killing it though... although; I have a very sore throat and nothing to take for it at work. Ugh.

Well, I spent my entire weekend working again. At least I managed to get through two albums. I'll be taking those in for print today at around lunch time. Then tonight I'll finish editing the last one and get those in to print tomorrow.

My throat is so sore :(

Meet You There - Simple Plan Lyrics

2008-07-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Now you're gone,
I wonder why
You left me here,
I think about it on, and on,
and on, and on, and on, again.
I know you're never coming back,
I hope that you can hear me,
I'm waiting to hear from you..

Until i do,
You're gone away,
I'm left alone,
A part of me is gone,
And I'm not moving on,
So wait for me,
I know the day will come..

I'll meet you there,
No matter where life takes me to,
I'll meet you there,
And even if I need you here,
I'll meet you there.

I wish I could have told you,
The things I kept inside,
But now I guess its just too late.
So many things remind me of you,
I hope that you can hear me,
I miss you,
This is goodbye,
One last time..

You're gone away,
I'm left alone,
A part of me is gone,
And I'm not moving on,
So wait for me,
I know the day will come..

I'll meet you there,
No matter where life takes me to,
I'll meet you there,
And even if I need you here,
I'll meet you there,
No matter where life takes me to,
I'll meet you there,
And even if I need you here,
I'll meet you there.

I'll meet you there....

And where I go you'll be there with me,
Forever you'll be right here with me..

I'll meet you there,
No matter where life takes me to,
I'll meet you there,
And even if I need you here,
I'll meet you there,
No matter where life takes me..
I'll meet you there,
And even if I need you..
I'll meet you there...

I'll meet you there...
I'll meet you there..

I'd Do Anything - Simple Plan

2008-07-13T08:40:00.001-07:00

Another day is going by
I'm thinking about you all the time
But you're out there
And I'm here waiting

And I wrote this letter in my head
'Cuz so many things were left unsaid
but now you're gone
And I can't think straight

This could be the one last chance
To make you understand

I'd do anything
Just to hold you in my arms
To try to make you laugh
Somehow I can't put you in the past
I'd do anything
Just to fall asleep with you
Will you remember me?
'Cuz I know I won't forget you

Together we broke all the rules
Dreaming of droping out of school
And leave this place to never come back

So now maybe after all these years
If you miss me have no fear
I'll be here
I'll be waiting

This could be the one last chance to make you understand
And I just can't let you leave me once again
I close my eyes
And all I see is you
I close my eyes
I try to sleep
I can't forget you nanana (...)
And I'd do anything for you

I'd do anything
To fall asleep with you
I'd do anything
There's nothing I won't do
I'd do anything
To fall asleep with you
I'd do anything
'Cuz I know I won't forget you

Debbie & Kyle's Wedding...

2008-07-13T03:47:00.000-07:00

It’s weddings like this that make you want to get married…

I’ve finally managed to get through Debbie & Kyle’s wedding photos. They ended up with a crap-load more than they should have, but I couldn’t help it. Their wedding was just so beautiful and so much fun that I went into happy-snapper mode.

I must be honest; I have very little faith in marriages. There are only a handful that I’ve seen work out the way they’re meant to, so when you see a couple like this get married it kind of gives you a reminder of what marriages are all about.

I found it both easy and difficult to edit their photos. Easy because they’re just such a good looking couple, and their wedding was just full of emotion and love and happiness. Difficult because I’d end up crying every 8 photos or so, because I can see how unbelievably happy they are and that’s very much the kind of happiness and love that I’m missing in my own life. But it’s all good.

I hope that they’re going to be happy with their album.

Musica sues pirate product supplier

2008-07-11T05:28:00.001-07:00

BUSINESS DAY:

Posted to the web on: 10 July 2008

Nicola Mawson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consumer Industries Correspondent
MUSIC and gaming chain Musica has instituted legal proceedings against Dolphin Enterprises after being found guilty of selling pirated Sony Playstation products it had bought from the Durban-based company.

Musica was found guilty last week in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court of selling counterfeit Sony Play-station 2 controllers and memory cards. The company was found to be negligent in not verifying the authenticity of the products. The magistrate found that it had "failed to take all reasonable steps to avoid engaging in the sale of counterfeit goods".

Sentencing was postponed to next month.

Musica's national game buyer told the court that SterKinekor did not have the exclusive rights to distribute Sony products nationwide.

However, Southern African Federation Against Copyright Theft (Safact) CE James Lennox claimed Dolphin conducted business out of a wooden Wendy house in a garden. He said this reflected the amount of attention Musica paid to the sourcing of its products. The charge against Musica was laid after Safact lodged a complaint against it.

National Prosecuting Au-thority spokeswoman Bulelwa Makeke said it was clear that Musica did not do a background check on Dolphin.

New Clicks, which owns Musica, said it believed the company had followed the correct procedures. CEO David Kneale said yesterday Musica believed it had followed due process in approving the credentials of the supplier, and trusted it to provide authentic product.

"The initial product purchased from Dolphin Enterprises was authentic Sony merchandise imported into the country. Some controllers and memory cards subsequently purchased turned out to be counterfeit."

Dolphin Enterprises has pleaded guilty and Musica will now sue the company and is awaiting a court date after instituting proceedings last October. With Sapa

The Ed's Comment:
Naughty, naughty Clicks...

Unbelievably Exhausted...

2008-07-10T03:51:00.001-07:00

I'm starting a new diet, but before I can start it I had to go to the doctor for a check up, and go for blood tests. Seems simple enough doesn't it? HAH! Because of those two simple little things I've had one traumatic morning.

The trip to the doctor wasn't too bad, although my appointment was for 9am and I only got to see her at 9:30am. Then on my way out of the doctor, walking down the concrete driveway my ankle gave way and I hit the ground, hard. My knees and my left leg are full of roasties, and let me tell you it's flippen sore. What makes it worse is that there were people around that didn't even bother to ask if I was ok. The human race as a whole is disgusting. And to top it all off, I had to have a needle stuck in my arm. Needles, like spiders are my downfall. I am terrified of them... hence it's taken me the better part of 10 years to get to the point of finding out how much a tattoo would cost.

So I'm not a happy camper today... I feel drained from my morning. I think I'm going to skip gym and have an early night.
x

Cosatu Protest

2008-07-09T06:56:00.001-07:00

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has warned of a "total shutdown" of all economic and public activity in KwaZulu-Natal as it embarks on a one-day nationwide stayaway on Wednesday to protest against the high cost of living.

Its Provincial Secretary, Zet Luzipo, said the federation would demonstrate against rising fuel costs, interest rates and electricity and food costs. He said the stayaway, which would include taxi associations, would be hard-hitting and bring major cities and towns to a standstill.

The stayaway comes amid escalating costs that have seen the petrol price increasing almost monthly to more than R10 a litre. "Cosatu has scheduled Wednesday as a day of unprecedented mass demonstration against the rising fuel costs, interest rates, electricity costs and food costs," Luzipo said.

"There shall be no public transport on that day since taxi associations and motorists will form part of the demonstration," said Luzipo. He said the stayaway would affect the criminal justice system, hospitals and clinics, and big marches would take place in Durban and Newcastle.

The Ed's Comment:
The drive to work was a bloody pleasant one this morning.
Quite frankly this isn't a South African problem, it's a global problem ya dumb shits. Get with the programme! The world is going to hell in a handbasket...

R1.74 & Muse

2008-07-09T05:36:00.001-07:00

What can you buy for R1.74? It seems a rather random figure, doesn't it? Well for R1.74 you can send an sms via Vodacom to an Australian mobile. My phone bill is a tad sad at the moment. By the time I've really gotten to know this gorgeous guy I'll have spent enough money to be able to have flown there!

Dale is killing me with "Muse"... his latest musical obsession. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them, but they're a tad melodramatic for me at the moment.

In other news I had a good meeting this morning, drank a Lindt hot chocolate with cream (so much for the diet) and am having second thoughts about the tattoo. The pain factor is starting to freak me out. *sigh*

And finally, the world is going to shit. I kid you not. We're all going to be lining up for food one of these days. Take it from someone who reads all the major SA newspapers... we're screwed!

"Keep Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', Keep Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', Keep Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', Keep Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'"

I Can Wait Forever – Simple Plan

2008-07-08T03:10:00.001-07:00

You look so beautiful today
When you're sitting there it's hard for me to look away
So i try to find the words that i could say
I know distance doesn't matter but you feel so far away
And I cant lie
Every time I leave my heart turns gray
And I want to come back home to see your face
And I
Cause I just cant take it

Another day without you with me
Is like a blade that cuts right through me
But I can wait
I can wait forever
When you call my heart stops beating
When you're gone it wont stop bleeding
But I can wait
I can wait forever

You look so beautiful today
It's like every time I turn around I see your face
The thing I miss the most is waking up next to you
When I look into your eyes, I wish that I could stay
And I cant lie
Every time I leave my heart turns gray
And I want to come back home to see your face
And I
Cause I just cant take it

Another day without you with me
Is like a blade that cuts right through me
But I can wait
I can wait forever
When you call my heart stops beating
When you're gone it wont stop bleeding
But I can wait
I can wait forever

I know it feels like forever
I guess that's just the price I gotta pay
But when I come back home to feel your touch
Makes it better
Till that day
Theres nothing else that I can do
And I just cant take it
I just cant take it

Another day without you with me
Is like a blade that cuts right through me
But i can wait
I can wait forever (I can wait forever)
When you call my heart stops beating
When you're gone it wont stop bleeding
But I can wait
I can wait forever
I can wait forever
I can wait forever...

UK retailers sell 18-rated games to minors

2008-06-30T00:19:00.001-07:00

PC Advisor

Investigations at Woolworths, Game & Maplin
Oliver Garnham

Woolworths, Game and Maplin have been slammed by Which Computing magazine and Trading Standards for selling 18-rated video games to a 15-year-old.

During an undercover investigation by Which, Woolworths sold Grand Theft Auto (GTA) – Vice City Stories, which shows scenes of sex and violence, while specialist shop Game sold Condemned 2, which is subtitled 'a terrifying descent into chaos', to the girl.

Meanwhile, in the Maplin store, the shop assistant asked the investigator's age, but didn't refuse the sale of the 18-rated Hitman, even though she admitted she was 15.

"It's shocking and surprising that 18-rated games have been sold to a child as young as 15 by household names," said Sarah Kidner, editor of Which Computing. "The jury's still out on whether violent video games have a negative influence on behaviour but, whatever your view, it's still illegal to sell 18-rated games to minors."

Retailers face a maximum £5,000 penalty and/or six months in jail for selling games to those who have not reached the age specified in the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) certificate. Woolworths, Game and Maplin told Which Computing they were looking in to the incidents.

"Staff should realise that they have a moral and legal duty to stop these sales from taking place," said Ash Shah, assistant head of Brent and Harrow Council trading standards.

"There is a mixed but growing body of evidence that very violent games like this can sometimes influence under-age players with reports of anti social behaviour linked to them, in extreme cases even fatalities."

Read the article at http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=13504

Oh dear...

2008-06-27T02:55:00.001-07:00

Well, life has become very interesting again. I had a call from a friend in Australia... Yes, I said Australia. Believe me; no one is more surprised than I am that he called me. We spoke for a fair bit of time, so I'd hate to think what that call cost, considering he called me on my cell from his cell. I appreciated the call though. Funny how your closest friends are too busy to pick up the phone and just give you a call, and vice versa of course, but someone you know from online will take 10 minutes out of their day to call you from a different country, just for the hell of it. Strange how that is hey? So, thank you Bradden, I did appreciate the call.

In other news I am ridiculously happy these days. I'm getting "that tingly" feeling again when I think about someone, which is and isn't a good thing. The last time I felt like this with someone overseas it ended rather abruptly and left me sad and hollow for a very, very long time. LOL! Thinking back on those days, I was so in love with Retro, and that feeling of being in love and pure bliss lasted 3 years. 3 YEARS! That's longer than all but one of my relationships I've had since. Am I still in love with Retro? No, but I remember what it's like to feel like that, and I feel that little spark of happiness growing inside me.

Also in other news I am a tad sad about my peppermint tea. It is fantastic except for this strange taste that comes through the peppermint... I checked the packaging... it's GREEN TEA! I think I'm going to cry. That is just EVIL! Trying to disguise that revolting green stuff with delicious, refreshing peppermint! The HORROR! So I'm in two minds as to whether or not I'm going to drink the remaining bags... we shall see.

Oh heavens... it should be illegal to be this happy, especially when that happiness comes from chatting to someone. He's on his way to a birthday party right now. I hope he has loads of fun.

Once again my car is in for a service. The thing is going to cost me the better part of R4k this time around. Every time I send it in it seems to cost me R500 more than the last time. It's frustrating because any money that I save up ends up going into my car, so saving for things like a new car, or a holiday in Australia is virtually impossible. So, I'm a sad panda when it comes to my car.

Otherwise life is carrying on.
Speak to you all soon.

xxx

Ashley is...

2008-06-26T02:10:00.001-07:00

...contemplating getting a tattoo, what you think?

A bit of everything

2008-06-25T00:58:00.001-07:00

Ok, where to begin. Well I guess I'm doing ok, from a general point of view. I got some money in that I wasn't expecting to get so instead of doing the practical thing like get my car fixed (which is happening tomorrow by the way) I decided to splurge and buy myself something which I've been wanting to buy for a very long time... a really good point-and-shoot digital camera. I picked up a Canon Ixus 80 IS from Makro. It's pink, but hey... it's a dusty, dirty pink, and it looks so beautiful.

The specs are:

Sensor

• 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 8.0 million effective pixels

Image sizes
(L) 3264 x 2448, (M1) 2592 x 1944, (M2) 2048 x 1536, (M3, Date Stamp) 1600 x 1200, (S) 640 x 480, (W) 3264 x 1832. Resize in playback (M3, S, 320 x 240)

Movie clips
• (L)640 x 480, 30fps/60fps
• (LP) (M)320 x 240, 30fps
• (S)160 x 120, 15fps
• Time Lapse 640 x 480, 0.5/1fps (Playback 15fps)

File formats
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
• AVI [Motion JPEG compression + WAVE (monaural)]

Lens
• 3x optical zoom
• 6.2 - 18.6 mm (35mm equivalent: 38–114mm)
• F2.8 - 4.9

Image stabilization
Yes (lens shift-type)

Digital zoom
up to 4x

Focus
TTL
autofocus

AF area mode
• AiAF (Face Detection / 9-point)
• 1-point AF (fixed to center or Face Select and Track)

AF assist lamp
Yes

Focus distance
• Normal: 12 in./30cm-infinity
• Macro: 1.2 in.-1.6 ft./3-50cm (W), 1.2 in.-1.6 ft./3-50cm (T)
• Digital Macro: 1.2-3.9 in./3-10cm (W)

Metering
• Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame)
• Center-weighted average
• Spot (center)

ISO sensitivity
• AUTO
• High ISO Auto (incorporating Motion Detection Technology)
• 80
• 100
• 200
• 400
• 800
• 1600

Exposure compensation
+/- 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments

Shutter speed
• 1/60 - 1/1500 sec (factory default)
• 15 - 1/1500 sec (total range - varies by shooting mode)

Aperture
F2.8 - 4.9

Modes
• Auto
• Manual
• Digital Macro
• Portrait
• Night Snapshot
• Color Accent
• Color Swap
• Stitch Assist
• Movie

Scene modes
• Kids & Pets
• Indoor
• Sunset
• Foliage
• Snow
• Beach
• Fireworks
• Aquarium
• Underwater

White balance
• Auto (including Face Detection WB)
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Tungsten
• Fluorescent
• Fluorescent H
• Custom

Self timer
2 or 10 sec
custom

Continuous shooting
Approx. 1.3 fps (Large/Fine)

Image parameters
My Colors (My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Positive Film, Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Custom Color)

Flash
• Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow sync, Red-Eye Reduction
• Face Detection flash exposure compensation
• Flash exposure lock
• Range: 30cm - 3.5m (w), 2.0m (t)

Viewfinder
Real-image zoom optical viewfinder

LCD monitor
• 2.5-inch TFT
• 230,000 pixels

The thing that I love most about this is that Canon has really thought about their end user. The functions are all easily accessible without having to trudge through the menu. Obviously, more custom settings are available through the menu, but the basic functions, ie: flash on or off, macro or standard zoom and ISO standard or high are all there at the push of a single button.

Moving on from the camera, I delivered the album of doom last night. Thankfully they (the couple and the bride's parents) loved it. I have to say though, all the work I put into it paid off, and it was a fantastic looking album in the end. I even took some photos of a few of the pages, which I will post at some point.

I'm going to wrap this post up with Starbright Girl. Megan has updated her website www.starbrightgirl.co.za with her new stock, and it's going quickly. So best you get in there and get buying. The thing that I really love about her jewellery is that it's not "cheap shit". Every item is beautifully crafted and the quality of the materials used is superb. I was initially sceptical about the resin, but let me tell you, it's lightweight and maintains its original look, unlike metals which lose their lustre after a while. Not only that, the jewellery is light weight, which is fantastic in our sunny climate, because it doesn't make you feel like you're wearing something heavy that is sticking to you. I am even wearing drop earrings now which I never did before because they are lightweight and look beautiful. It's very 80's movie/tv orientated jewellery, which is what makes it so appealing. If you wanna have a look at her latest items go visit her website... Here's the link again... www.starbrightgirl.co.za

Ordering is nice and easy, just do a direct deposit from your internet banking (if you're not on internet banking get out of the stone age), and then pop Megan an email with what you've ordered. I advise checking with her first though that the item is still available, as she isn't updating her site every 10 minutes. So check with her if the item is available, and then buy it ;)

Have a great day all!
xx

How Bizarre is Life?

2008-06-24T01:40:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I updated this thing, and although I'm going to try and avoid hurting feelings I have come to the realisation that I can't live my life trying to please the world.

Ok, so what is going on in the life of Ash?

Well, firstly I finished the album of doom. Thank heavens for small miracles. There is only so much time you can put into an album before it becomes a thorn in your side, and you end up drawing red horns on the bridal couple. I pray that I never get another wedding this size again. It's just too much stress, and the amount of money that I get back from it doesn't warrant the amount of time I put into it. That is something which Steven was trying to drill into me the other day.

Speaking of Steven, we had a mild fallout. Only a mild one though and seem to have made up and are friends again. I will never understand that man, but I guess that is part of his charm... his ability to piss you off one second and be friends with you the next.

Oh yeah, about men in general... why are the good ones married, live overseas or gay? I found the guy of my dreams online, but of course, he lives in an entirely different country. I mean, it would be impossible to find the guy of my dreams living in the same town as me, so ya... Life carries on hey. He is a lovely person though, and we have a fair amount in common, which makes it worse. It would be ok if we had nothing in common other than the internet, but we both enjoy the same music, and, oh happiness, he plays in a band... All my life I've wanted a rocker boyfriend :P No, that is not sarcasm... I love a man who is musically inclined. And by musically inclined I don't mean listens to music :P And he's good looking to boot. Why can't Australia be a couple hours away by car? I could live with that... not a whole freaking plane flight to another country! So is this motivation to get my life sorted out and get the heck out of this country? Can you spell Y.E.S...

Let's see, what else has been going on. Apart from work and weddings nothing much hey. I'm enjoying life in general, although I do seem to be having some serious down days lately. A friend suggested I go see someone because he thinks I could be suffering from depression and could need medication. My answer to that was I know I have my depression type days, but I'm not medicating myself. We all have bad days, yeah, mine can be a little harsh, but that is only because I'm 29 and single. The one thing I crave more than anything in life is to get married and have a family of my own. Until that happens I will never be a whole person, or at least, that's what I believe.

Anyways, I have work to do. Have a good day all...

xxx

Bully blocked

2008-06-18T00:41:00.001-07:00

Belinda Anderson, Finweek

17 June, 2008 01:26:00

If Telkom got away with being a bully in the past, it's less likely to be able to do so in future.

IF TELKOM GOT AWAY with being a bully in the past, it's less likely to be able to do so in future. That's because South Africa will soon amend the Electronic Communications Act in line with the proposed Competition Amendment Bill to ensure the Competition Tribunal - not regulator Icasa - has the ultimate jurisdiction to rule on competition matters with regard to telecommunications.

Deputy Telecommunications Minister Roy Padayachie announced that as part of the department's recent Budget vote speech in Parliament. He said the change was "likely to have a significant bearing on costs issues within the information and communication technology sector".

Outgoing Vodacom CEO Alan Knott-Craig welcomed the decision, describing SA's competition authorities as "one of the best regulatory bodies. They do a very competent job and are very experienced. Icasa doesn't have the resources to deal with competition issues."

However, while the legislators go about the business of changing the law as it will apply to future matters, there are a number of unresolved historical complaints that fell beneath the murky waters of the so-called "concurrent jurisdiction" between Icasa and the competition authorities.

Padayachie said in his speech that the Commission found this situation of concurrent jurisdiction to be "seriously problematic". For example, in 2004 the commission referred a complaint laid against Telkom by the SA Value Added Network Services Association (Sava) to the Competition Tribunal on the grounds that Telkom had abused its dominance by way of a number of practices.

Telkom essentially replied that the tribunal didn't have the authority to rule on competition matters in telecoms and the case recently went to court. The judge has yet to make a ruling. A "guilty" ruling by the tribunal could subject Telkom to a fine of 10% of turnover (excluding subsidiaries and joint ventures) in the year prior to the complaint.

However, Telkom said as part of its most recent results the commission had yet to impose the maximum penalty on any offender. Its statement in that regard preceded a long list of other complaints laid against it with the commission as part of note 21 to the financial statements on Telkom's contingencies. It doesn't set aside any money for any of the six complaints, among them the Sava matter, Omnilink, Orion, the Internet Service Providers Association (Ispa), M-Web and Internet Solutions, as well as a separate complaint by M-Web, in which Telkom is also challenging the tribunal's jurisdiction to rule on the matter.

Ispa representative Ant Brooks says the Communications Department's clarification on the matter was very welcome. Ispa represents Internet service providers and has also previously laid complaints against Telkom with the commission.

But even though the commission has teeth, it takes a very long time to obtain relief on a specific matter. For example, Sava's complaint was referred to the Competition Tribunal back in 2004 (Sava was subsumed into the Communications Users Association of South Africa (Cuasa) at some point).

Ispa's big success was in its role in opposing Telkom buying Business Connexion, which the tribunal blocked. Brooks says it had been resolved quickly because Telkom wanted it done.

But with regard to any of the other complaints against it, Brooks says Telkom hadn't paid a cent and was still engaging in some of the practices the commission had found it guilty of.

The Competition Amendment Bill was released in draft format on 27 May this year. It should still go through a process of public responses, which Deneys Reitz Attorneys said in a note at the time it hoped would be detailed, given the importance of the issues at stake.

Apart from clarifying concurrent jurisdiction matters for regulatory authorities such as Icasa, the Bill also proposes imposing criminal sanctions on directors and managers. Those include proposed fines of up to R500 000 and/or a prison sentence of up to 10 years for directors and managers responsible for, or who knowingly participate in, fixing prices and trading conditions, as well as market division and collusive tendering.

In the wake of the recent penalties imposed in the bread price-fixing and collusive tendering by Tiger Brands subsidiaries Albany and Adcock Ingram Critical Care, it's already clear the tribunal has significantly sharpened its teeth and is aggressively eliminating cartel behaviour.

The Bill, if implemented in its current form, should strike additional fear into the hearts of corporate bullies and at least prevent such behaviour.

If applied retrospectively (which isn't normally the case), I'd be a very worried Telkom shareholder.

Telkom Competition discussion

Finweek

Relationships… Ugh

2008-06-05T04:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is a bit of a rant about my love life, or rather, lack thereof… so please, if you don’t want to hear about it, the door’s that-a-way -->

----------

I think it’s because I’m sick that I’m having a bit of a pity party, but I am really feeling sorry for myself at the moment. The reason is my love life.

I know that there are wonderful men out there, really I do. However, the ones that I’ve come across are either married, live in another town, far, far away, are just way too young for me or have been so badly hurt by a woman that they are afraid to let themselves love again. Then again, I suppose I’m not really one to talk because the idea of being in a relationship again terrifies me, although I long for one. The problem is I would probably die of shock if I actually managed to get into one, and have it work for any period longer than 8 months.

I’ve had several relationships over the past 10 or so years, only two of which were actually worth something. Yes, I’m talking about Ian and Richard. Those are two of the most incredible men I’ve ever met, each for very different reasons.

So what is the solution to my problem… a shag buddy? “Fun while it lasts?” Maybe it’s the only solution. But what happens if you get attached to that shag buddy? Then what? No, sorry, I’m actually well on the way to wanting more of you in my life, so let’s end it now? What the hell do you do if you develop feelings for someone who sees you as nothing more than a toy to play with when needed?

Maybe only a handful of people are meant to find real happiness in a relationship whilst the rest of us enjoy what we can, while we can? Is that an awful thing to say?

I’m also going to say that I don’t think it’s good for a married person to answer that question either. If there’s a single person out there in the world that has the answer, let me know…

Ok, the pity party is over… I’m too busy to be feeling sorry for myself for any great period of time.

x

June!

2008-06-04T05:20:00.000-07:00

Oh my word it’s JUNE! What the heck happened to the beginning of the year? Where has it gone? WHERE!

Ok, quick catch up time!

I am working my tushie off. Between weddings and my 9 to 5 job I don’t know whether I’m Arthur, Martha or Martha’s Arthur… I can’t believe how insane my life is at the moment.

This Friday is my boss’s birthday party… So far the guest list is at around 150 people, and I’m one of them. EEEK! Thankfully I’m not one for drinking of late, so no throwing my name away this week, thank you.

What else can I tell you?

Oh, yes I ordered myself an MP3 Player. It’s a SanDisk Sansa. It looks very nice, so let’s hope that it works nicely. It’s only a 2gig, but that’s all I need for listening to music.

VISIT THE OFFICIAL SANSA WEBSITE

I have stuff to tell you, but now isn’t the right time, so it’s going to have to wait… Actually, I’m never sure there’s going to be a right time, so it may be waiting forever.

I’ll be adding new photos to my website one of these days… just have to catch up with the albums first!

I’ve got so much stuff going on in my head at the moment, so much so that this is coming out as a rather bitty update. Oh well, win some, lose some…

And Dante, if you call me emo once more you’re going to be in trouble.

Enjoy
x

UUUUGH!

2008-05-27T03:07:00.001-07:00

Personal hell thing again... don't mind me.

My brain is sore. Do you ever have those moments when you have so much going on in your head that you actually don't know where to start? The organised filing cabinet in my brain feels like it's been attached by a 3 year old with a pair of scissors...

"Silence! I KILL YOU!"

General Stuff

2008-05-27T00:17:00.001-07:00

I woke this morning to a quiet household... So quiet in fact that it was actually creepy, until my mother's hairdryer kicked in. My grandfather left at around 4am, taking his nutty girlfriend with him. My home will be returning to a state of stability again...

Ok, quick catch up time...

1)
I am still two albums behind and have a wedding this weekend. *insert McCauley Culkin, Home Alone screaming face -- Here --* Yes, stress has a face, and it's mine. I will actually be glad when wedding season is over, and I am finished will all my albums. I am in desperate need of a break.

2)
I am going to JHB on Thursday. Yeugh. I'm not complaining because of the work, I'm complaining because I just hate JHB. How anyone can live there is beyond me. The place is a grim, polluted wasteland... and yet still seems to breed money. Go figure.

3)
I seem to have acquired a basic understand of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), thanks to Wikipedia and Google. I'm going to stand by my initial thought of "bloodsport" though. *shivers*
It's scary shit if you don't know someone who actually does it, and who can explain bits of it to you.

4)
My newest saying is "I KILL YOU"... Thank you Achmed.

That's all I have time for.
Enjoy
x

Simple Plan on YouTube

2008-05-26T11:29:00.001-07:00

YAY! Simple Plan have their own page on YouTube. Check out the videos!

All kinds of yummy ... SIMPLE PLAN

Achmed the Dead Terrorist

2008-05-26T11:25:00.001-07:00

I just had to... it's such a ripper!

Take My Hand - Simple Plan

2008-05-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Hey
Hey Hey

Sometimes I feel like everybody's got a problem
Sometimes I feel like nobody wants to solve them
I know that people say we're never going to make it
But I know we're going to get through this
(Close your eyes and please don't let me go)
Don't, Don't, Don't, Don't let me go now
(Close your eyes don't let me let you go)
Don't, Don't, Don't

[Chorus]
Take my hand tonight
Let's not think about tomorrow
Take my hand tonight
We could find some place to go
Cause our hearts are locked forever
And our love will never die
Take my hand tonight
One last time

The city sleeps and we're lost in the moment
Another kiss says we're lying on the pavement
If they could see us they would tell us that we're crazy
But I know they just don't understand
(Close your eyes and please don't let me go)
Don't, Don't, Don't, Don't let me go now
(Close your eyes don't let me let you go)
Don't, Don't, Don't

[Chorus]
Take my hand tonight
Let's not think about tomorrow
Take my hand tonight
We could find some place to go
Cause our hearts are locked forever
And our love will never die
Take my hand tonight
One last time

Hey Hey
Hey Hey

The raindrops
The tears keep falling
I see your face and it keeps me going
If I get lost your light's going to guide me
And I know that you can take me home
You can take me home

[Chorus]
Take my hand tonight
Let's not think about tomorrow
Take my hand tonight
We could find some place to go
Cause our hearts are locked forever
And our love will never die
Take my hand tonight
One last time

[Chorus]
Take my hand tonight
Let's not think about tomorrow
Take my hand tonight
We could find some place to go
Cause our hearts are locked forever
And our love will never die (Love will never die)
Take my hand tonight
One last time

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....

2008-05-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am in my own personal hell at the moment...

I’m still in love with Simple Plan

2008-05-22T23:06:00.001-07:00

You know how you like a band, and then you listen to them too often, and then they just become awful? Well, I don't know if it happens to you, but it certainly happens to me, but it's never happened with Simple Plan. I can still listen to their music and love them, no matter how many times I've heard their songs.

So anyways, I have been listening to Simple Plan's NEW album... and you know what? They have just gotten better with age... They are still rocking out, but they've grown up and you can hear it in a) their sound and b) their lyrics.

I have fallen in love with "Save You" the 5^th track off of Simple Plan's new album, Simple Plan III. It, like many of SP's songs just makes you feel so amazing inside. It makes you want to dance and wish that the world would just fade away until there was nothing left but you and the music...

"Save You"

Take a breath
I pull myself together
Just another step till I reach the door
You'll never know the way it tears me up inside to see you
I wish that I could tell you something
To take it all away

Sometimes I wish I could save you
And there're so many things that I want you to know
I won't give up till it's over
If it takes you forever I want you to know

When I hear your voice
Its drowning in a whisper
It's Just skins and bones
There's nothing left to take
No matter what I do I can't make you feel better
If only I could find the answer
To help me understand

Sometimes I wish I could save you
And there're so many things that I want you to know
I wont give up till it's over
If it takes you forever I want you to know

That if you fall, stumble down
I'll pick you up off the ground
If you lose faith in you
I'll give you strength to pull through
Tell me you won't give up cause I'll be waiting if you fall
Oh you know I'll be there for you

(Ahahaha)
If only I could find the answer
To take it all away

Sometimes i wish i could save you
And there're so many things that I want you to know
I wont give up till it's over
If it takes you forever I want you to know
(Oh)

I wish I could save you
I want you to know
(Ohohh)

I wish I could save you (oh)

Freaking YAY!

2008-05-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Seeing as it’s flippen IMPOSSIBLE to get a whole Red Jumpsuit Apparatus CD, I got the Teen Spirit 3 today for Face Down from RJA. I’m not complaining about the buy, the TS3 CD is fantastic, but I’d really, really like to pick up a WHOLE RJA CD at some point.

Speaking of the TS3 CD, it’s gone one of my absolutely favourite songs on it… Dirty Little Secret by The All American Rejects. They really are a great band. Their slow songs can get a bit tiresome, but their fun, upbeat songs like this one, and Swing Swing are absolute great.

All American Rejects – Dirty Little Secret
Let me know that I've done wrong
When I've known this all along
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret

Who has to know
When we live such fragile lives
It's the best way we survive
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you've thrown away
Find out games you don't wanna play
You are the only one that needs to know

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret

Who has to know
The way she feels inside (inside)
Those thoughts I can't deny (deny)
These sleeping thoughts won't lie (won't lie)
And all I've tried to hide
It's eating me apart
Trace this life out

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret)

I'll keep you my dirty little secret
(Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret
Dirty little secret
Dirty little secret

Who has to know
Who has to know

LOLCatz...

2008-05-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd lighten the mood a tad...

My personal favourite

Xenophobia is a Crazy Man, with a Gun and a Lighter, Living in South Africa

2008-05-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

There are days that I am embarrassed to call myself a South African. At the moment the black communities in the Gauteng area seem to have turned into monsters and demons. I hesitate to call them animals, because I believe that animals wouldn’t do what they’re doing to each other.

So the “problem” is immigrants. People from our neighbouring countries, ie: Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Malawi, Namibia are coming into our country and finding employment and/or failing that, turning to a life of crime. Sure, as a white, female South African the crime in our country is a big issue for me. But then so is BEE… For those of you who have been living with your head in the sand BEE stands for Black Economic Equity or Empowerment. Meaning that in order to get a job in just about any large corporation in South Africa these days you have to be a black man or woman. Please note that BEE actually, in many cases, does not extend to Indians and/or Coloureds… So before you get on your high horse and call me a racist, I’m not. I’m simply stating the facts as they stand. However, the point I’m trying to make is that I am not about to go out and kill someone because I believe they are taking a job away from me…

I am disgusted at what has been happening in our country. Being the kind of person that I am I tend to avoid the news, because it is always full of doom and gloom but today the reality of the situation hit home for me when I picked up the Mercury sitting on my desk, and on the front page was a man kneeling on his hands and knees… burning to death. The image was worsened by the policeman standing behind him, smiling for the camera, instead of attempting to put the flames out.

What kind of person is sick enough to watch someone burn to death? Where is the spark of humanity that says “stop, this is wrong?” I can understand someone taking a gun and shooting a person, it’s an instant death. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not agreeing with it, or condoning it, but I understand it. I can’t understand, can’t process and certainly can’t accept someone pouring petrol on someone and setting them alight… watching as they scream and eventually murmur through the pain because they can’t do anything other than moan because their vocal cords have been burned away.

So as I sit here in tears, crying at the horror that I see on the news, I ask myself and the world, how far have we actually come in the 14 years since apartheid ended? We are a sick-to-the-core country. If you live in South Africa and you have the money… leave… Run as far and as fast as you can, because the question I ask after watching the news and reading the newspapers is… who’s next?

The following images come from News 24
There are more photos in the slideshow.

It's images like this that make me look to the heavens and ask "why?"

This is our only hope, isn't it?

I think I’m losing it...

2008-05-18T23:25:00.001-07:00

My grandfather is staying with us again, and if it were just my grandfather I'd be really happy, but he insists on bringing along his girlfriend. I'm sure he could leave her with her family when he comes to visit, but he doesn't...

Why is this such a drama in my life? Ok, well first of all it's my grandfather's girlfriend that he had whilst my grandmother was still alive. So I'm not about to start treating her like one of the family. She also has Alzheimer's which is probably the only reason I tolerate her, because I feel sorry for her, but due to her illness she does the craziest things that drive me up the freaking wall!

She talks to herself... constantly, but in like a loud whisper... but CONSTANTLY... I've started wearing my headphones permanently at home, because it just freaks me out. It's like she's possessed. And she sits on the couch and pulls her hair out... strand by strand until there's just hair all over the floor. She also doesn't flush the toilet, and talks to me about events in her life that I have no idea about... I think she thinks I'm someone else. She also goes to bed at 7pm at which time I'm not allowed to make any form of noise... Noise being talking or listening to music, or whatever else my mother can class as noise... I think I'm going to get some Godsmack from Ian and play it at 5:30am.

So my sense of humour is non-existent at the moment, and unfortunately they're here for another week and a half or so. They've been here since Friday and I've already lost it. Thankfully I have wedding albums to finish, so I will be putting on my headphones and focussing on editing and listening to music.

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a headache...

2008-05-15T23:44:00.001-07:00

I think I'm really catching the flu L Which totally sucks, because I have a wedding this weekend I have an album to finish, my grandfather and his girlfriend are coming to visit for a week and I'd like to get to see a couple of people at some point over the following week. So I'm busy.

I'm feeling strange today... I think it's caused by the headache, but who knows?

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

2008-05-15T05:05:00.001-07:00

In case you haven't noticed, I'm slightly obsessed with this band. Gareth Cliff from 5FM played their song Face Down this morning, which is on the Teen Spirit 3 album, and is also why I'm so surprised that it is impossible to get my hands on their CD. You'd swear I was asking for gold coins to come falling out of the sky! Their album "DON'T YOU FAKE IT" is available from Wal-Mart but not Musica... I mean, come on! SURELY if it's hit mainstream radio it would be available? Surely? But apparently not... so I've ordered Teen Spirit 3 for 1 song. Look, the album itself is very good, it's just that I really, really want RJA's full album L

Oh the FRUSTRATION! UUUUUUGH!

Stuff and Fluff

2008-05-15T03:45:00.001-07:00

Dear Mr Sandman

Please will you come and sprinkle your sand in my eyes tonight, so that I too can go to the land of sugar and dreams. – No, this is not a drug induced post. I am just so tired!

I don't seem to sleep well these days. I get to bed at a "reasonable" hour, normally sometime between 9:30 and 11:00 but I seem to be waking up every couple of hours, so I'm not getting a solid night's sleep which is making me slightly crazy. Crazy to the point that I'm actually avoiding people, in the event I end up saying something to offend them. So why am I not sleeping? I'm not sure... as always my life is complicated and confusing, but that's nothing new.

I've got stuff I'd like to talk about but at this point I just can't, which kinda sucks, but hey that's life.

I've started a new blog, no it's not a "life drama" blog :P It's all about the games that I'm playing at the moment, what I like / don't like, what's new that appeals to me, etc... It is also going to include little things like flash games and the odds and ends that I find on the net. You can find my gaming blog at http://non-gamer.blogspot.com

The wedding thing is still going strong, and I'm enjoying having the extra cash, which helps to a) make a dent in my debt and b) allows me to buy things like R500 Wii games.

My monthly newsletter seems to have gone down the drain. I don't know why but I have lost the inclination to talk about my life. At the moment it's pointless though as I really don't have much to report on that you can't get off my blog.

Yay, my Sims expansion is on its way. I ordered 2 x DVD's and the Sims 2 Bathroom & Kitchen Stuff Pack :D Yes, I am still a Sims addict...

Anyways, that's about as much as I have time for. Hope everyone is keeping well...

ROTFLMAO!!!!

2008-05-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Ah, the wonderful world of Facebook...

The Important Bits

2008-05-11T07:35:00.000-07:00

... Every now and then in your life something so profound happens that you either have to talk about it, or for whatever reason simply can't put it into words.

For those who are reading this and think I have lost my mind, don't worry, it's a bit of a private joke...

And for the person who insists that the Important Bits need to be mentioned, herewith is the mention ;)

Drowning…

2008-04-29T11:18:00.001-07:00

I’m actually drowning in all the work I have at the moment. I’m not just talking about my 7:30am – 6:00pm job (yes, it’s supposed to be 8:00am to 4:30pm), I’m talking about weddings too. I have two albums to edit and put together and another wedding in a couple of weeks. YIKES!

I am stressed.

Thank heavens it’s a long weekend again in a couple of days. I get to work through my long weekend… yay…

Photos of me...

2008-04-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

These are as raw as you're going to get... infact, they're not edited at all, which by the way, is something I never do. But I guess if you're going to read about my life you may as well see who I am under all the make up... I think... Try not to run away screaming...

Me in the morning - at this point I still have make-up on:

Me at around 9pm... As you can see, all make-up has virtually been rubbed off.

I have freaky eyes. The left one has a weird brown patch in it.

I see you! :P Yeah, I know... it's freaky :P

I love Martin Abel's Work

2008-04-10T01:50:00.000-07:00

He is an amazing artist. Visit Martin Abel's Website

A LEGAL QUESTION................

2008-04-10T01:19:00.001-07:00

Is this STATUEtory rape??

Yeah, I know, it's terribly corny... but there are some emails that you just gotta love. This one made my day :P

Wedding albums galore, it seems...

2008-04-10T00:53:00.001-07:00

My first wedding this year was shot on the 8^th of March. Now I managed to get the couple's album to them, including their two mother-of-the-bride albums, which came out quite nice. The bride has now ordered two more MOTB albums. Apparently she is very happy! I've put some pictures below of a few of the laid out pages of the block mount wedding album that I did for the bride and groom.

Must Love Dogs...

2008-04-09T23:56:00.001-07:00

There is a statement that I've often made that tends to draw attention to me, attention of the negative kind and that statement is "I don't like dogs." At this point the conversation normally goes like this:

Other Person: *look of horror* Why don't you like dogs? Did something happen to you?
Me: No, I just don't like them.
Other Person: *shocked silence*
Me: *smiles and walks away*

There are many reasons why I don't like dogs:

Dogs smell
Nothing is more putrefying than a wet dog.
Dogs bark
Constantly. I'd rather listen to a baby crying than a dog barking.
Dogs drool
Over absolutely everything! Yeugh!
Dogs have fleas
Totally unforgivable. I detest fleas.
Dogs jump on you
Mud and tears on my clothes are not something I would generally be happy about.
Dogs are stupid
Dogs damage themselves in so many ways purely because they are too stupid to have a sense of survival. No, don't lick the electric fence, it will hurt you... No, doggie... Don't lick tha... *bzzzzzzz* ... Stupid dog.

Man's best friend? I think it's a sad day when a dog is your best friend.

So to round this up, not everyone are dog lovers. There are those of us that do prefer cats over dogs. So please, if we come and visit your home don't be offended if we ask you to lock up your dog because it's chewing on our car tyres, or put it in the back yard because it's barking at its own shadow... the excuse, "he's just a dog" doesn't cut it, I'm afraid.

Apparently...

2008-04-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

... I am an angel, with horns ...

Somehow the image appeals to me :P My friends are truly bizarre, but I love them.

Hmmm...

2008-04-08T06:24:00.001-07:00

The urge to write seems to be leaving me slowly... I think I would be more motivated to write if I had more time and could relax and actually focus on what I wanted to say, instead of all the words being left to float aimlessly in my head. Not that I'm saying I'm any good at writing, I'm not, but I do get a mild sense of enjoyment out of writing something original.

Yet Another Inefficient Service in South Africa

2008-04-08T04:18:00.001-07:00

I'm so gatvol with South Africa's service industry. I paid a small fortune for a parcel to be sent via Speed Services, overnight, door-to-door. Which means that if I sent it on Saturday it should have gotten there Tuesday morning by 10:30am. It is now Tuesday 14:15pm... I called and after being cut off twice and having to hold for around 25 minutes I was told that the plane was delayed and my parcel would only arrive at its destination tomorrow. UUUUUUUUGH! Why did I pay for it to be sent overnight if it wasn't going overnight? I could have sent it normal snail mail and saved myself around about R100. *fumes*

My Life

2008-04-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

This month I’ve decided to give my newsletter a miss. What newsletter you may be asking? It’s the newsletter that I send out to my friends and family on a monthly basis, to let them know how I’m doing and what’s been going on in my life. As I’m sure you can see by my previous blog posts, March hasn’t been the most superb month for me, so I thought I’d give the April one a miss.

So instead, I’m going to do a quick catch up here…

I have the flu, which I caught at last weekend’s disastrous wedding. I can’t seem to shake it though, and I hope I’m completely over it by the end of the week as I need to get going with editing. I can’t edit with a stuffy head, it just makes me feel nauseous.

I’ve been playing Sims… a lot. So much so that I think I need to give the Sims a break for a while because I’m starting to feel like I’m part of my Sims family. I’m just really enjoying the new expansion pack Free Time, which not only opens your Sims up to new career paths and new hobbies, but also allows you to set second aspirations, and make wishes with a genie in a lamp. It’s a fantastic expansion.

Guitar lessons are going ok, although John seems to have abandoned us, but he assures us he will be back. I think Lee likes to rotate his teachers to give us the opportunity to benefit from all of their strengths. At the moment we’re learning Sea to Sea… yes, it’s as corny as it sounds, no it was never a chart topper :P Apparently it’s one of the songs written by the Berkley school of music (don’t quote me, I’m not sure) to learn scales. It’s one of those “ta ta ta ta taaaaa” songs :P

Other than that the only other couple of things that I have got going on this month are Emma’s birthday party on the 19th and next weekend we get to see Walt (Ramjet) for lunch. I love seeing Walt, but I get bored because the other people that will be there are gamers so I’d say 95% of the conversation will consist of gaming (PC gaming which, other than Sims, I don’t do), 4% will be music and movies, and 1% will be something interesting, like photography… Add to that, I have a very short attention span so I become bored and restless quickly.

Anyways, I’m afraid that’s it for the news… Hope ya’ll are keeping well 

x

Cat and Mouse - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

2008-04-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find a proper Cat and Mouse video by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, so I thought I'd post this one with Pon and Zi...

*softly we tremble tonight...*

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

2008-04-06T09:58:00.000-07:00

Currently one of my favourite bands, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus know how to rock. Lead singer Ronnie Winter is too gorgeous.

A bit of info on the band from Wikipedia:

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus started out as a local band in Middleburg, Florida, which is south of Jacksonville, according to The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' official website. The name, "Red Jumpsuit Apparatus", was chosen by placing random words on a wall, and then blindfolding one of the members and choosing three words. The band was started by Ronnie Winter and Duke Kitchens in high school, where they meet in a Musical Theory class, when Ronnie Winter was a senior and Duke Kitchens was a junior.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released their demo, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus in 2005. They then released a demo tour EP with "Ass Shaker", "Justify" and "Face Down" demo versions.[8] Later in 2006 they released their first LP, Don't You Fake It with the singles "Face Down", "False Pretense", "Your Guardian Angel", and "Damn Regret", which was certified gold on November 27, 2006 by the RIAA for sales shipments exceeding 500,000 copies.[9]In the summer of 2006 lead singer Ronnie Winter married his girlfriend of seven years, Staci, in Las Vegas while the band was on the Vans Warped Tour. Staci now sells merchandise for the band on tour. As of February 2007, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus took part in the US Take Action! Tour organized for the prevention of youth suicide, along with bands such as My Chemical Romance and Rise Against.[10] Their song "In Fate's Hands" (which is a remastered version of "Ass Shaker") is featured in the video game Madden NFL 07.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Don't You Fake It Deluxe Edition (CD/DVD) was released on April 3, 2007. The CD features the album and two exclusive songs, an acoustic version of "Face Down" and a never released out of Australia bonus track "Disconnected".

In a 2007 interview with the Florida Entertainment Scene, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus teamed up with Virgin Records to raise funds for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They also headlined the Take Action! Tour which sponsors awareness against teen suicide and against animal cruelty.

As of June 2007, according to Billboard.com, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus have begun work on a second album that should be released in the summer of 2008.[11] The band pulled out of their confirmed appearances at the Australian Soundwave Festival Tour 2008 citing recording commitments.

On 29 March 2008, the band began their latest tour during the University of Texas at Arlington's annual Springfest. Bassist Joey Westwood was taken away by the university police after crowd surfing, following the conclusion of the concert.

Check out Face Down by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Sims

2008-04-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

I thought it's about time I introduced the family I'm working on :P
Meet the Corr's...

This is Misha, posing for the camera :)

Misha and Josh got married and had TWINS!

Misha is a top notch cook, and won this cooking competition with her famous Grandma's Comfort Soup

Oh, this is Misha in her teenage years. She was a pretty good dancer :)

The twins in their sleigh cots

Lindy is a little older than Kevin, who is just about to grow into a child in this picture :)

Misha is "in the zone" which means that she's reached the top of her hobby enthusiasm, and is now able to do all sorts of things with her hobby. In this pic she is blogging about cuisine. Yes, I said blogging :P

Lindy is wearing one of the new dresses that came with the Free Time expansion

Lindy as a teenager. Again, she's wearing one of the new outfits that came with Free Time :)

Misha was bug hunting (another new hobby) and was attacked by BEES!

Oh dear... Josh spent too much time sunbathing and got roasted!

Local Haunts

2008-04-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

The Pond is one of the few forums that I visit, and only recently have actually started posting on it again. I left for various reasons (see: members) but I figured that it was time that I made an appearance again. The Pond has moved to a new home, and you get the link to it by clicking here >> In the Pond II

A few other websites I frequent are:

And more recently:

Ash at Home

Very Quick Update

I have decided to take up beading...

Oh my goodness!

Struggling...

My family are totally pathetic...

Weekend catch up

Dead again...

Very quick weekend catch up...

It’s FRIDAY!

Feeling a bit bleh...

7 Days...

Ok... I give up...

It’s confirmed...

No Freaking Way!

I have new hair!!!

Sorted out mah tax!

3 x booked...

Game-a-holic

Diet of Doom Update

Oh hell...

*Sigh*

October... the crummiest of months...

No way…

Design Cuties...

Stressing somewhat...

Hairstyle and Colour Reference

Shifting Paradigms

14 Days...

So tired...

Sharing is caring...

Hmmm...

Why I have no life :P

Birthday Madness

Relief

Yes, well I suppose webcams aren't all that bad...

I’m not an emo kid, am I?

Weird day for me...

Meh...

Sometimes ...

More wedding photies :)

Wedding Photies :)

Durban...

What is it about Asian men...

If it looks like an apple...

Make a wish...

Very quick update

Drowning...

*sigh*

Beware the Bridezilla...

Just a quick catch up...

Ah Jeepers...

Meet You There - Simple Plan Lyrics

I'd Do Anything - Simple Plan

Debbie & Kyle's Wedding...

Musica sues pirate product supplier

Unbelievably Exhausted...

Cosatu Protest

R1.74 & Muse

I Can Wait Forever – Simple Plan

UK retailers sell 18-rated games to minors

Oh dear...

Ashley is...

A bit of everything

How Bizarre is Life?

Bully blocked

Relationships… Ugh

June!

UUUUGH!

General Stuff

Simple Plan on YouTube

Achmed the Dead Terrorist

Take My Hand - Simple Plan

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU....

I’m still in love with Simple Plan

Freaking YAY!

LOLCatz...

Xenophobia is a Crazy Man, with a Gun and a Lighter, Living in South Africa

I think I’m losing it...

I have a headache...

Sigh

sigh