Blog Update

I really don't like the new look of the blog "back office" stuff. That's this page where we go to when e want to write and post a new blog. It's not user friendly, I can't find half the stuff I want to, and it looks like a predecessor of the ark. Really backward stuff. Some things are best left alone, and this was one of them.

That said, there has been a whole lot going on here.
Matriarch, is settling in well in her apartment, and you can see improvement everyday in her walking and use of her arm. Added to that, she has started complaining about stupid little things again, so we know she's getting better.

Queenie is unchanged. Still drives me up the wall with her querkie things she does, but that's just who she is. I suppose we can't all be "normal"! Not that's she's abnormal, but she has "habits" which are just crazy. We think she's a bit OCD - and that explains a lot of why she does these little things she does!

GMan has decided he's going to the UK. Initially I thought it was a good thing, a) It would get him out of this bad environment he has got himself entrenched into, and away from the whole poker scene, and loan sharks, etc., b) It would get him away from the "girlfriend". Every other day he's telling us she's moving out, they have broken up, etc., but she's still there, still around.
So a) is on the button, b) is way off the mark. The girlfriends mom lives in the UK, with the new husband, and she's going to be going over to stay with them, and look for a job as well, and apply for a work permit / study permit / residency on the basis that her family are now resident in the UK. SO, instead of getting away from her, they going together. Ah well, it's his choice and his life. He plans to work as a dealer in the more legal gambling dens in London, London area. Apparently they pay quite well, and he will be staying (so he says) with another dealer friend who comes from there. Will see how that pans out. Ultimately, I think he's wasting his time, and hope he will find a real job once he's there.

LuckyL - well, where to start. Work wise he is really putting his everything into his job. So much so that he now has been told he's getting a 60% increase! it's not off a big base, but it was also not expected. Only worry I have is that come the end of the year he might not want to stop working, and go to varsity. But for now, I'm not giving him that option - and I plan to stick to that! He's also still enjoying the bikes (on and off road), but apart from me, does not have anyone to ride with him on-road.  So he's getting a bit disillusioned. It's no fun just riding to work every now and then on the bike. He wants to get out on a Sunday and burn up some miles, and it's not always fun doing it with Dad.

With GMan deciding to go overseas, they have given up their apartment, moved all of the girlfriends stuff into storage, and moved GMan's meager belongings into our place. Amongst his stuff is a big flat screen TV, a Playstation 3, and some other odds and ends. He also has a PVR Decoder. SO LuckyL and I installed the PVR into the lounge, and took my DSTV decoder up to our bedroom. We then, with much hassle, got the DSTV people to connect the second unit as a dual view so we have 2 x DSTV but only pay one subscription plus a nominal R60 a month for the second. It's worth it. We did all the rewiring through the roof ourselves, and had to redo, retry various options till we got it right. Then we split the cable going from the Lounge to the bedroom, and fed a line off it to LuckyL's bedroom. He has GMan's big flat screen set up there, and he has a "boom" channel changer. So, now when we go to bed at night, if the Princess wants to watch the end of a story, she can watch it in the room, with her own decoder, and can change channels there. LuckyL can watch DSTV from his room, via the downstairs decoder, and using the "Boom" channel changer, can change the channels from his room! Great stuff, especially for now with winter on our doorstep. Rather lie in a nice warm bed at night to watch a bit of TV, than sit downstairs in the lounge!!!

In the news recently has been quite a bit of interesting stuff. The Joe Public court case against the State and Sanral to stop the eTolling of our highways was successful! Well, to the point that they could not start tolling us yet, until further court action takes place, or the State find an alternative means to fund the "new" roads. And following this, the Sunday papers were full of information of who would be benefiting from the tolling - and it seems the ANC has more than just a small part in this. Talk about corruption! These Muther Farkrrs have taken it to a whole new level! And the way they plead ignorance to the fact is so pathetic. Just because the masses are too stupid to see through their act they think everyone will believe their drivel. Bunch of farking morons! From the president down to the sweeper in the Home affairs department. Complete farking morons.

Ok, go that off my chest.

Another interesting bit of news was some FHM model who was (again) sexually harassed by some kaffir! And the tweeted something about it, but used the word k@&&!r. And immediately the whole world took her on, FHM withdrew her position / nomination / status as MISS FHM 2011, and some of her sponsors withdrew their sponsorships as well. OK, they don't want to be associated with some one who uses the word k@&&!r. I get that. But nowhere has anyone said anything about that fucking k@&&!r that sexually harassed her! And to me that is the bigger issue here! You can sexually harass a woman, but she can't be calling you names, and especially not k@&&!r - because that's just not PC. Well fuck you very much world! It's like saying it's not rape if the attacker used a condom!!! Interestingly enough, another model (a darkie in this case) attacked her (tweeting - not physically) and made even more serious racial attackes!!! But I suppose because she's a previously disadvantaged k@&&!r, and was reacting to a "very serious racial slur" it will be accepted and forgiven!


Another interesting position in SA now is the Dept. of Education looking at banning cellphones from schools. There are many pro's and con's to this argument, which I am not going to expand on here, but suffice to say I think it goes against our constitutional rights to even consider this banning.  In today's time, communication and the ability to contact parents is a fundamental right, if not necessity, for any school pupil.

With regards the accident we were involved in in January, I have initiated talks with a friendly attorney who will assist us with the Road Accident Fund claim. This is more for Mom and her friend than myself. However, the amount of paper work required is frightening! Going to take me a few weeks to get it all together. But I know it's a long slow process, so will just keep at it.

With regards the new job, it's also slow going. Major problem is that the company cannot afford to pay me what I want at this time (want = need as a minimum). So for now I am doing some stuff for them in the background. I'm hoping to bring in a new client, who will buy a plant, that way I can earn a 10% commission (or more if I can wangle it) and use that to get rid of my bond, which means I can then work for a smaller salary! here's hoping I can pull this off!

This is my latest post on my facebook status:-

Interesting situation - You can get lambasted for Racism when reacting to a situation and posting a comment (defamatory I know) on it - But hey, nothing gets said about the Clown / Idiot / Previously Disadvantaged individual who sexually harassed her!!! So, in context, I understand that's it's OK to sexually harass a lady, but not be racist. That's a really severe crime! Tell you what - come and harass my Princess, and I'll show you racism, coupled with extreme violence, bad language, and if you really lucky, a 24" baton where it would hurt most!!!

 On the sporting front,  it looks like Chelsea are on a roll - here's hoping they beat BM. Locally, our rugby teams are performing dismally in the super 15 / 16 - what is it now? As for the rest, who cares. I know the SA mens hockey team beat the crap out of a lot of other teams to qualify for the Olympics, but I now hear that they will have to fund the trip themselves! WTF?!?!

Anyway, enough for now.

Salagatle!

Been a while

since I posted anything. Sorry. But I have been busy, and don't really have much to say.

So, Easter Sunday was lunch with the whole family (read in-laws), to celebrate both Easter and GMan's 21st. Went well, considering the number of people we had round.

Mom moved back into her apartment today. The last time she was in there was in the 7th January, at around 5.30pm, when I went to collect her to go to church. As you all will recall, we were involved in a serious accident on the way home, and she has been in hospital, rehab, and frail care since then. It's been a long, tiring haul, but we made it. it's not over yet though, she still has some way to go before she's fully recovered.
Next steps for me is to get a meeting with a friendly attorney, who is going to do the Road Accident Fund claim on our behalf. Not looking forward to that at all!

On the work front, nothing changes! But, good news is that the next job is getting closer by the day, interest in the product is growing by the hour, and we even have a request in for a meeting with Tokyo Sexwale (he's Minister of Human Settlements of South Africa), and has an interest in getting rid of all the shit that is accumulating in mainly informal settlements, and is aware of the disease that is caused by the current state of affairs! If we get his nod, we going to be building and selling a machine for every squatter camp in the country!!!


I have produced a standard proposal document (which looks a million times better than that currently used by my future employer) as well as a spreadsheet which does all the calculations automatically - after the client / salesman inputs minimal information. The "team" are impressed, and we will be refining it this coming weekend.


Talking about this coming weekend, I have a funeral to attend on Saturday morning. The interesting thing about it is that the deceased will be buried on the family farm! Only ever done one of those once before - in Koffiefontein. It's a friend of LuckyL's dad.
Speaking of LuckyL - last weekend (or was it the previous one) he went and did a day on an off-road track with some mates (out in Pretoria area somewhere). They all have relatively new motorbike, and he only has the 1980 Honda XR200R. And it was looking very sad. So the Saturday morning we wheeled it in to the garage, and a couple of tins of spray paint later it looked as good as new.


Bike runs well, so the motor is not a problem. This past weekend we took off the chain, sprockets, front wheel, and the mono-shock. Replacement chain and front and back sprockets from Honda - R1200. From a no-name dealer in Edenvale, WITH a new off-road front tyre, and tube, R1100! No brainer!
This weekend we got to fit it all.
The mono-shock has to go to Honda for a service - not sure when last it was done - if ever. Not sure what that's going to cost either.


At the end of April, they going off to Eastern Transvaal (Mpumalanga), where they going to do a couple of out-rides. Apparently the one trip takes them through some forests, and then 75 km along the Kruger park fence. Should be loads of fun!!!!

More later.....

Salagatle!

And then it exploded

So, I was looking at a better year than last year. I had decided I would be leaving my current employer, and was stoked to get involved in what would be my new place of employment. I had plans to get a whole lot of maintenance done at home......

Since the Matriarch moved into the retirement village, it has become my responsibility to pick her up every Saturday evening and take her to church. No problem. Saturday the 7th January was no different, except that she had offered a friend at the home a lift to church with us, as her usual transportation was not available.
i picked them up at about 5.30 pm, in my Toyota Corolla. Due to the fact that the friend has in the past had a massive stroke, it's easier for her to sit in front, with mom at the back. Off we go. Church is from 6 - 7. We left the church at between 6.55 and 7pm. Nice casual drive back to the village. As I am approaching an intersection, ans stop street, I do what I always do. Check speedo (60km/h), move foot to brake pedal, and at the same time check rearview mirror so that if there is someone following me, I can see if they note that I am slowing down. No car behind me. I look front - and the world ended!!!
Coming at me, in my lane, at a very high speed I see a car! WTF! is probably all that went through my mind, and I floored the brake pedal. And the whole world exploded. It's a fantastic thing that it all seems to be in slow motion, but is in fact a split second and the destruction that takes place is almost unbelievable!
The car stops, and there's this deadly silence. Mom is lying between the seats, with her head more or less on the gear lever. I try to lift her, but there is not response. I turn to open my door, it unlocks, but wont budge, so I kick the crap out of it - open. Get out, rune around the car to open the passenger doors. They are locked from inside. Run back around, get in the car - reach over, unlock both doors, try ans help mom again - nothing, get out run around - open both doors - check the lady in front, looks OK???? - look down at mom - not looking OK, reach in through the back door to see if I can help her up from there - and I see a steel pin stuck right through her left leg - ans I know I cant do anything.......

Run back around, feel around under her head where I remember putting my cellphone, find it, and dial the Princess! By now, people are coming to help, and two ladies ask me to stand aside, and I do. Light up a smoke (no, i didn't think of the tank full of petrol - WTF!).

Stepping back, I do a quick assessment of the situation. The driver of the other car has climbed out - no injuries that I can see. I ask the nearest to me to make sure he does not run away. i notice that from the point of impact, my car traveled backwards at least 20 meters! How fast was this fucker driving?
People have already called for assistance. ow truck drivers arrive - and pass out blankets, cushions, and first aid kits!! Awesome. Next to arrive - after a while - paramedics, that's good, cause I really need them to work on the two ladies in the car. The local Community Police Forum people arrive, and immediately one of them is tasked to attach themselves to the driver of the other car. Make sure he has nothing to eat or drink, and does not leave before the cops get there.

Next to arrive, ambulances - soon after the paramedics, then, later, the firebrigade, and much later, the SAPS. (Where the fuck were they?).

Anyway, after more than an hour of working on her, they got mom into an ambulance, her frined in another one, and we all went off to the hospital. GMan, summoned by the Princess had arrived, and between the teo of them they sorted out the stuff in the car, and arranged to have it towed. And then followed us to the hospital.

This was my Toyota Corolla

The other car - A VW Jetta, older model

At the scrap yard

Now I know why me chest hurts - check that steering wheel

Chest 1 - 0 Steering wheel

Mom's arm

So, overall I got off lightly. Cracked a bone in my left wrist, and have a hairline crack through the sternum. Not that it's not sore, going to take a while to heal. And I had bruises all over.
Mom shattered her wrist, hence the brace in the foto above,and broke her left leg, above the knee, steel pins and plates, and smashed the dashboard with her face - you have no idea how black and blue her face was, and loads of bruises etc. We now on day 20, and she is still in hospital.
Moms friend - Broken left wrist - has a brace similar to moms. Plenty broken ribs - rhs - And they had to insert a plate and a whole lot of screws to fix a bunch of broken ribs, and repair a hole in her lung ( caused by the ribs), and loads of bruises. The scariest was that she went into some kind of shock induced coma, and was non-responsive to any interaction at all for just over a week. But now she's doing great, and should be home soon. Mom has to do a week or so of rehab, after she leaves hospital, before she can go home.

I spoke to the cop who came to the scene that night. He says the other driver was not drunk. But, he quickly assesed that he was on drugs, and arrested him, and took him for a blood test. He would have spent the weekend in jail, and probably released on bail only Monday sometime. Now we wait for the results. I have to call the cop soon for an update, and so tat I can get some info to initiate the Road Accident Fund Claim.

We survived - I am very blessed to have come off so lighlty, but would gladly take all the injuries from my mom, and her friend if I could, to spare them the pain they have had to suffer the past 3 weeks.

More to follow as it unfolds.

Salagatle!

The end of an Era.

October 31, 1957. A recently arrived emigrant from the North of Italy to South Africa moves into her 'new" home.
October 31, 2011. The same person leaves this pace she has called home for 54 years.

Whats this about? Well, let me tell you.
When my dad emigrated to RSA in about 1954, he had already planned to marry my mom, and bring her out to this country. 3 years later, they got married by proxy. OK, what's that 1 of you are asking (so, only one out of my 4 readers, not bad). Mom went to a church in her home town, accompanied by her "father-in'law" to be. He stood in as proxy for my dad who was supposed to be in a church here in SA. (He was probably in a pub somewhere!) So they got married by proxy. The a few weeks later she was on the plane, those days it was probably a 3 day flight, what with all the stop overs for fuel etc. and arrived in SA at the beginning of October sometime. They stayed with an Italian family in Randfontein for a couple of weeks, while dad arranged for a house from his employers - Venterspost Mine. Those days everyone (white) who worked on the mines, and was married got a mine house. Very, very low rent, free water.

He got the house, and they moved in - with very little furniture - just the basic necessities. Dad didn't believe in buying on creit. So they bought stuff as they had the cash for it. First was a bedroom suite, and a fridge. Slowly they developed the house into their home. It was basic, and brand new.

Over time dad created flower beds, got lawns growing, created a vegetable garden, poured a concrete driveway.....

9 months later, in July, my sister was born. Their first child. Dad planted two palm trees in the front lawn to celebrate this event (probably a few days later, once he'd finished celebrating at the pub!!) 11 Months later, I came along. Not too sure if he planted anything then, or just went with the liquid celebrations!!!

And then in 1968, my brother came along. A "glipsie" as they say in RSA. but much loved by all.

Over the years much changed, was improved on. it has always been "home", even after we all got our own places - that was "home. I have so many incredible memories of home, and will at some point post some of them here.

Anyway, around 1995/6 dad got very ill, and was nursed for over 8 months at home till he passed, by mom. She was fine with stating on her own, and looking after the home, so we didn't consider any move. Soon after I build my place in 2004, I offered to build a flat / cottage for her on our property. There was no way she was moving! As far as she was concerned, she would die in her home.

But as time passes, things change. She is always complaining about her maid. Only comes in once a week, but she does not work like mom wants (think this is the 5th one she got). Thing is, mom always cleaned her home herself, and it's only in the past few years she has needed the maid, and it does not work.
She always is complaining about the garden services. I have spoken to them, I have explained to her what they are contracted to do, and what not. She is adamant they not doing their work. But then, she just wont listen.
Armed response - she gave them my number as the alternative contact person, in case something happens. So she gets pissed off every time they call me, and I call her to check if all's OK.......
But they have been good, and efficient.
And then there's the ongoing maintenance of the property, the fact that after 54 years as a member of the local Catholic church she's really pissed off with the black priest, the way the darkies are fucking it up, and the fact that they do not look after the people who, ultimately built, and kept going, this church
And she nearly did, a my earlier blog on her operation and recovery from it showed. This time we raised the option of her moving into a retirement village (something we have broached on and off over the years), and she agreed. We managed to get her a place in a Retirement village 3 km from where I live! It's a lovely develpoment, with varius sizes of accomodation, but also has high care, and frail care facilities. So, as you get older, and or sick, you can move into the part that you require to be for the care you need.

You buy the unit you going to live in, and furnish it. Then there is a monthly charge (currently ZAR5000 per month) which covers 3 meals a day, laundry, apartment cleaning, water and lights, security, garden services. Basically, she will not want for anything for day to day living, other than some stuff (snacks, coffee, tea) which she might want to keep in  her paratment.

It's a small place to move into after living in a 3 bed-roomed house for 54 years, but it's OK. A bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette / open plan living area. Ground floor so she has a "veranda (Covered) and access to the gardens. Nice. Cosy. Comfortable.

So, my brother is now driving up from the coast, and on Friday we will move mom into her new "digs". By Saturday evening, she will be settled.

For the past few weeks I have been going round to the house to clear out. Loads of stuff went to the dump. (It's amazing what "stuff" you keep for "in-case / one day"). Also moved some stuff to my place - temporary storage till she decides what she wants do do with it.

Furniture - we got the local pawn shop to come out and make an offer. The bedroom suite which my dad bought 54 years ago (laminated wood), consisting of two wardrobes, a double bed, and dressing table 0 they offered her ZAR2500!!!! Abut ZAR1500 more than I thought they would! Kitchen table, with 4 chairs, ZAR250. There's also a wonky book rack, and some other odds and ends which they will make an offer on in the next few days.

The house - this was a worry, as the market is flat / down. The house is in what is now the "old" area of Westonaria. Most of the people living there now are darkies (nice people though, ave been very good to mom). So the estate agent says market value is about ZAR450k. I am happy with that, as I had that figure in mind. Have been watching the market in that area for a few years anticipation this requirements. So mom gets 2 or 3 agencies on board to find a buyer. She has 3 couples come through the house in about 3 weeks. All want to buy. First couple - darkies - wife wants the house, husband says it's too much for a house in that area. Second couple, don't make a decision soon enough. Third couple - a white couple, walk in, like the place make an offer for ZAR440k, and are cash buyers. The deal gets closed today! Money is deposited (full amount) with the conveyancing lawyers, so there is no risk, and the deal is done! This is a big relief, as we didn't want a protracted sale situation. So we move mom over the weekend, and on presentation of proof of funds being deposited in the holding account, the new owners can  move in!!!

Then it's all the other stuff. Telephone account - new owners are transferring to their name. ADT armed response, they taking over the contract. All concerned parties have been notified of moms change of address. She has taken over the phone in the unit she has bough, so already has a new number.

Basically, everything is sorted, packed up, ready to go.  Although she's still driving, occasionally, she decided she didn't want to drive anymore after she moves. Not sure why, she said she's scared of the steep driveway to come out (it's not steep at all) but anyway, so she got a valuation from a local second hand dealership, and then I bought the car for the same amount. Not sure I will need it, but maybe GMan can use it, or I will sell it later. What I want to do is after she has moved in, I want to visit her in her car, then get her to go for a drive. But let her drive. a) She will see that the driveway is not as steep as she thinks it is. b) She wont get lost. c) She can get to the shops, and the church safely. Then maybe she will decide that she was a bit hasty in her decision, and I will give the car back to her. Let's hope!!!

Anyway, I'll post some more on this later, and some interesting pics to go with it.

Here is the first one -

Photo from some Google Earth function. In front are the two palm trees, now 53 years old.

The end of an era is is - and for me - old Mr. Sentimental - it's not an easy closeout!!!

Salagatle!

The weekend

OK, so for the past few weeks (months?) I have been going through what can only be a depression phase. (My personal assessment). Can't seem to get going on anything, no interest in getting stuff done around the house, etc. Not sure what the cause might be, but I have my own ideas on that.
Anyway, this weekend I decided that the only way to get the stuff needing doing done, is to just do it.
Friday, got home a bit earlier, and got into work clothes, and pressure cleaned the top, and ground floor decks. They need to be resealed before the rains come.

Done. Saturday morning, straignt into work clothes. Down to where I started to rebuild a Wendy hut (LIU) - with some modifications, a month or so ago, and decided that I was at the very least going to get the roof up. LuckyL joined me, and we did a sterling job, even if it took us all morning, and part of the afternoon to do it.
Then he went upstairs to wash and sweep the decks again.

Following this, I got out the sealer, and finished sealing the top deck, and 4/5 of the ground floor deck. Had to leave the last part as the patio furniture was standing on that.
Sunday afternoon, after the heat of the day, we moved the furniture and I finished off the deck. Two big jobs done! In no time at all. Now why did I leave it for so long?

So what still needs to be done? Next weekend I'm sealing the front door area and the steps coming up to the door, as well as those going down the other side. Ans if I really have courage, might just do the whole of the stairs and deck for Queenies flat!

Also need to make a plan with the sides of the now roofed Wendy Hut conversion, but I have some ideas around that. It's going to be the new garden shed, so that I can get some space where all the garden tools are now. Not that I need the space, it will just be neater. However, having said that, LuckyL is saying that the Wendy might make a nice parking place for his 2 x 250 XL Honda off roads... mmmmm... maybe.

Sunday, drove through to the Matriarch's home to see how she's doing (weekly visit). Took her to town to do some shopping, and had a few laughs with her. Just me and LuckyL as the Princess was working.
Mom's doing very well. Walking much stronger than she was before she went for her operation! And, she seems to have accepted the fact that the house is just too much for her to look after, so is considering our offer to move her into a retirement village. We have been to look at the place. It's nice, well planned, properly laid out for senior citizens, 3 km from where I live, and has all the amenities she would need. On her doorstep.
Also, included in the monthly fee is 3 meals a day, tea and coffee in the communal lounge all day. Apartment cleaning service, laundry service..... there is a 24x7 medical service. They have medical care (if you are ill, have had an operation) so that you can be looked after till you well enough to go back into your own apartment, and they have frail care, for them who's just too old / ill to look after themselves.
They have a panic button system installed so that for any event, the residents can call for assistance. And that's even for if you want someone to be around whilst you take a shower in care you not feeling well!

So, all round a nice place, and I think Mom will fit in OK.

Overall, a good weekend, and more of the same to come. Work, well, that's work. Say no more!

Salagatle

Back at the ranch

Last week Wednesday morning my mom called to say she was going to phone for an ambulance to take her to the hospital. I told her not to, and drove through and fetched her myself.
Arriving at the hospital, we ran into her doctor who was doing the rounds, and who was surprised to see here there. Seems like, as usual, there was a bit of a communication gap. The day before, mom had asked to see the doctor. When they called her back, she said she couldn't get to their rooms! (Don't know why she wont ask the neighbors). Any way, so they told her that if she felt bad during the night, she should call an ambulance to take her to hospital, otherwise they could see her the next morning at 10.
She assumed they meant if she felt crap during the night she should call the ambulance in the morning......

Anyway, so the hospital is full, no beds.
I have to take her around to casualty entrance, where they admit her, do the mandatory vitals check, and keep her there till a bed comes available - this happens at about 12 midday.

Then it's a whole bunch of tests, x-rays, scans. Friday they do another CT scan, and confirm she has an Abdominal aortic aneurysm.

So, having looked it up I know that this is serious shit. But no one says anything about doing an operation. Not Friday, nor Saturday! Eventually on Sunday afternoon they come to her to say she will be staying in hospital till Thursday, when they will do the operation.


Anyway, it's been a bit stressful, worrying about mom, running up and down between the office / home / hospital. Keeping all the family updated. Arranging stuff. But hey, I don't mind - it is my Mom!


Anyway, we hoping all will be well with her. But, the post op. recouperation period is quite long. So we have my brothers wife coming to stay with her for a few weeks after the op. And then, if need be, she will mve in with us.
In the mean time we looking at what we can do to get her into a senior citizens home, with care facilities. It's about time. And for a change, she's not insisting that she will stay at home...


My brother and his wife arrive tomorrow to see her before she goes under the knife. My sister has been to see her a couple of times. And she's had the usual process of visitors.


if nothing else, the hospital room is warmer than her house, she's getting 3 meals a day, and she's comfortable.


Salagatle!