Brain Overdrive

Of late, the brain has been tormented by stress. So much so that I have not been upto much with regards matters outside of the workplace. However, this morning it seems to have kicked back a notch, and the following are thoughts I had whilst driving to work, listening to the radio:-

Kempton park, also known as Kempton Dark, Kept in the Dark - this because for a week they were without any electricity due to a substation blowing up. Once that was fixed, they found wiring / cables that were faulty, and took another 2 - 3 days to sort that out. Over a week with no power!

President Bush has commented that Mad Bob Mugabe has disgraced his nation, and caused massive problems for his country! A case of the pot calling the kettle black?

On a highway this morning, in the south, there was a traffic accident involving 6 cars and a cow! A cow? My first though was "Is the cow alright?", and then, maybe it's a mi-steak! And then, prostitution on the highway could get you killed!

On another highway, Metro police and the SPCA (LIU) were on their way to assist with the capture and removal of a pig spotted jay walking? A pig? Is this like the Cops (pigs) or a real live bacon and gammon pig?

A local airline, nationwide, stopped flying yesterday, leaving hundreds of unhappy, stranded, out of pocket travelers country wide. They are now being refered to as NationLied - they were still offering special tickets to London as early as last week, NationHide, as no one seems to be able to get hold of the CEO on his cellphone, NationDied - self explanatory!

Zoo Lake, a public place close to the JHB zoo (obviously) has again been flooded with sewerage from overloaded / broken / leaking pipes. They are now looking at replacing all the pipes in the area. it's also been renamed Poo Lake!

And, our esteemed minister of Safety and Security, Charles Ngakula (I don't care if I spelt it wrong) is in Burundi to assist with mediation talks!! This while his own country is almost at war with itself due to the high levels of crime! Where are his priorities? DO we as South Africans really believe because we came through our transition 14 years ago relatively easily that we now have the expertise to help everyone in the world? WTF?

And finally, it seems that the up and coming, prospering . pull up our socks Mozambique is not looking so rosy anymore. Food riots, and militant police who have adopted the attitude of Judge, jury and hangman are rampant, and shoot to kill is becoming common place, especially against starving unarmed citizens....

Hell, and I thought I had problems..

Salagatle!

The past week

has been a hectic period. Apart from standing in for a colleague and doing two calls on his major customer, I have also had some serious calls with my own clients. I had hoped that for this week I could work from home, as I have my brother and his family visiting from Richards bay for 10 days - they arrived last week Thursday. But, as luck would have it, I have a 11.30 am appointment today with the client, and again tomorrow. Luckily, I'm just attending the one meeting in each instance, and then going back home.
Right now I'm at the VW dealer again, so they can strip the door panel and see what parts they need so that can order them to fix the damn sliding door. That's another story altogether. Damn, if we can't even buy good service today, whats left?
Anyway, yesterday me and bro went to Mom's place to do some handy man work. We fixed her gate - fitted a new running wheel, fixed a walking stick of hers, delivered and set up a new gas heater unit, and gave her the 5 minute training session. Then, in return, she rewarded us with a lunch of note. Fresh rolls, with slabs of imported Italian cheeses, and cold meats (all imported / good / real / Italian stuff!)
Have also been playing some online poker - yup, for real money. Finished 5 th in one tourney and won R500 (for an out lay of R80) and another last night finished 7th, won R210 (for an out lay of R50). I have no illusions though, I know that if I get into the big table / money games, I'll be coming up against some serious players. What I plan to do is win a seat in the All Africa Poker tourney, with a first prize of R1,000,000! And a seat to the Las Vegas Poker world champs. Hey, it costs R10 to play, and if I win the seat, I have a shot! It's worth R10,000!!
At home we have started to put together whats needed to protect the plants from what I expect will be another freezing winter. Now way am I going to lose half the plants to the damn frost again like last year. Also, it keeps my brother busy!
Have also made progress on the proposed "Granny flat" for Mom. Will be talking to the architect next week to do the final / municipal drawings, and will then submit them for approval. Then, when I have the funds, or if the price is right, I can get on with it. If Mom decides not to move in, I could always get a tenant.
It's really a good floor plan, with space for Domestic help quarters underneath, and a storeroom.
More later.
Salagatle!