Month: June 2010

I cannot get over how much energy I have – even though I know theoretically I am bogging myself down with laden fats and proteins! AND – I have lost 4.1 kg – YIP, that is 9 pounds!

In reality we cannot keep this up, and it will only be another week, and then I am going to do low GI’s – but until then, I am going to enjoy all these wonderful avocado’s that I simply MUST eat. And might I add, (and Paul, you can’t give out to me too much) – this has been achieved without me having the time to go to the gym every day and do my weight training. But yes, I have religiously done my crunches, lunges and every other thing intensely for 20 minutes every morning before hitting the shower – so that must mean that the weight of my body being involved in a push up or twenty must be enough!!! Needless to say – that’s why I am doing this!

To think – that my body weight is actually enough to warrant me being my very own personal bench press. Interesting. The only worry I have is that at the end of this I might look like Angela Schwarzenegger – bootimuscilicious!

I digress as usual – for once my blog is completely on my new 40.40 challenge and less on my thoughts in general – so allow me to rectify this. We all get bombarded by lots of emails every day – I refer to them as those soppy sentimental types – that we simply delete, because we could not be bothered in a busy day to stop and read repeats of emails sent to us many times previously (and this one is for my mother – Ma, dit beteken NIE dat Ma nou weer kan begin vir my die email stuur nie!). So it happened that I opened one simply called 10/90.

And what I read, in short concise and easy to read from was: 10% of what happens to us in life is inevitable, 90% is how we interact/react to it. Think about it – it’s so simple really.

In my numerical quests, I am even happier to report that with all this new-found energy, I am also excercising the 10/90 principle – I am biting my tongue before I speak. OK – you’re right, I am somewhat biting my tongue, and being more careful of what my utterances are, and keeping myself aware of how my reaction can influence not only my day, but also those around me.

That said – I will leave you with this priceless little anecdote of me speaking BEFORE I think. I return your thoughts to Monday’s blog and my Luncheon on the Galley Cruise Ship. During conversation the topic of smoking came up, and I was very proud to say that I have quit, and that I have an app to assist me, called Cold Turkey. This app tells me how much money I have saved since the day I quit, and how much my life expectancy has increased. At the table were mostly men, and two very refined and most charming ladies.

Having heard about my savings, one lady (and I cannot stress enough how much they were ladies amongst all of us), asked if I actually put the money away, and what did I buy with the savings?

Without blinking an eye, I replied: “Condoms”

I leave the reaction to this inevitable foot in mouth event to your very accurate imagination. Blush.

For all intent and purpose, I should be promoting the wonders of this wonderful establishment that is called the Brandon House Hotel, and not squeak a word of anywhere else. However, I have to tell you about my most charming day!

My boss – lovingly referred to as “Big Chief” sent me on a mission today – a Fianna Fail mission at that, and I was the representative on the Galley Restaurant Cruise for a fund-raising luncheon.

Alas, before anyone asks, Fianna Fail is currently the ruling party in Ireland, and as I am not a citizen, I have no views on any party and cannot vote, so please take this writ in the spirit it is intended.

I had two marvelous surprises. The first was the Minister of Tourism and all other related portfolios, Mary Hanifin producing a very excellent speech. That of course from the Toastmaster in me. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a gregarious and well spoken woman as our tourism spokesperson (previous ministers did NOT enthuse me, I can assure you)

Secondly, and most importantly, the whole experience of spending the midday of the longest day of the year on the River Nore in some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable in Ireland. Wow. I cannot in pictures and words describe to you how amazingly beautiful it was – and relaxing, because you see, the signal also went about 20 minutes outside of New Ross – so I had no choice but to enjoy this absolute marvel.

YES – I hear you! What did I eat? Well, I can tell you that visually all the food was sumptuous – but I had to be content with a beautiful piece of fresh salmon and lettuce leaves whilst all others were scoffing on Rich Tomato Soups and Cheesecake. Believe it or not – I did not miss the dessert, and returned to the hotel to indulge in some serious roast lamb fat to complete the meal. Now that is what I call dessert.

Did I get much work done today? Nope! And I will have to sacrifice tomorrow by coming in at ungodly hours to do it and play catch up.

It was worth it though, an assignment that I am truly grateful for – because I ended up having the most expensive piece of Salmon in Irish post-Celtic history.

Sunshine on the waters and the breeze in my hair – wearing a suit has never been so comfortable, and life can only be good.

I was reliably informed that there is no scope for any extra hours being added to any particular day soon – unless you believe all the conspiracy theorists – then I only have two years left, because 2012 is going to see the end of it all!

That sounds like a perfectly reasonable alternative to me right now, a bit of Mad Max lifestyle. A case of survival of the fittest and everything back to basics and brass tacks. Until that day arrives though, I have to make do with only 24 measly hours, and no matter which way I turn them, twist them or rattle them – they simply are not doing the job.

Then I am also reliably informed that others like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Virgin Branson have far more demanding schedules, and they manage with the same amount of hours. Now this is where I need to be restrained, tied to the old oak tree down the Five Senses lane at the bottom of the hotel, and have all sharp objects removed from me within a 7 kilometre radius. ARGH!!!!!  Infuriating – I could also do that if I was surrounded by assistants and personal secretaries et al running out of my ears.

Hang on – it gets better! Then I am told – but you have to learn to delegate!!! Right now I would even like to delegate this blog, but who is there to delegate to? Did anyone not notice outside the public sector that most of us, including all those other normal people with 24 hour days, are busy double jobbing and are already trying do the work of two people.

Did I stick to an eating plan today? NO – there was no time to eat. Did I do 10 minutes worth of excercise? NO – I was too busy running up and down the stairs between meetings and ducking and divings and Spa’s and lost tourists and the list goes on. Either I need to get more organised (some will vehemently agree with that statement) – or learn to practice what I preach – simply say “NO”.

Or I can do what our Danish trainer did – simply hold up my hand in an almost militant way – say “Hold it” very authoritatively – walk away…… and forget to come back!

Either way – just Toastmasters, write-ups, web page designs layouts, glass of wine, house cleaning and washing to go…no bother. I mean really – according to my 25 hours day, I have a whole 6 hours left to do it in! Who’s stressed now?

Have you ever been in that place where the road is paved with the best intentions, yet you seem to feel that you are taking two steps forward and one step back on it? That sums up my day today!

In honesty I would battle to state what exactly I did today, except sit in meeting after meeting and bashing ideas. That said, I am absolutely exhausted. So I was chatting to the chief,and agreeing that when we use the ol’ noggin then we are exercising the most intense muscle of all. Or am I just fooling myself?

That said, I was definitely NOT exercising anything when I put a litre bottle of water in my handbag this morning with the nozzle open – upside down! And in hindsight, having taken that step back to see the bigger picture – that is probably where it all started going wrong.

As for my 40.40 challenge – yes the one that is the sole reason for me being here – I had a most interesting challenge put to me today. That if I eat lots of fat for 6 weeks, and do certain excercise, I will lose up to 3 stone? Mmmm, loosing weight whils teating what I like. Is that one step back too many and simply too good to be true? I smell a serious challenge though! Especially seeing I will have to urinate on a stick to measure my Kurtosis, which according to my cyber research is an economical graph – but in this case will measure my muscles. I have to be in a permanent state of Kurtosis. Interesting – and that without drugs?

What I did like about my day is being amazed that I have met a “public” servant that is worth her weight in gold. A breath of fresh air and a credit to Failte Ireland for getting something right.

And before I know it, I am standing in the lobby, chatting to Barbara and Co from the States and rushing out the door to come and write this. The day is done, never to be repeated. Where did it go?

I’m going to have to sit back and review doing things a little differently. Taking a step back and looking in to make some changes – not only to my lifestyle, but to my approach to some things.

With thanks to Bill Bailey and Kraftwerk – How about we just do the Hokey Kokey – put a right foot back and that’s what it’s all about! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay9k3KnsIeg&feature=related 

An aside – watching some of these clips – a good laugh and it’s all about “Move over Elvis, Bill Bailey is in the house” – and life is GOOD

Oh so VERY short and sweet! Need a serious session of relaxation with my new found friend….. online scrabble!

Sorry guys, but need to take a break today! XXX

What did Abu Dhabi pay HBO to have a whole film shot on location? Yes, I was very trepidatious going to see the latest rendition of what was one of my favourite tv series of all time. I was already a little let down by film numero “o no”, but after reading all the crits, assumed the worst.

My verdict is a bit undecided and confused. I mean – the phrase of the movie HAS to be: “Well hello, Laurence of the Labia” – but outside of that it was just a desert background to make the fashion  look more colourful, and most unnecessary costume changes. I mean talk about old colonial travel styles with truck loads of baggage – and not too few Middle Eastern stereotypes either.

Now Liza Minnelli was FABULOUS – and in my reconfirmed fag hag status I shall revel for the time being. And yes — I related to the distance that people will put between themselves and their loved ones for a job or a better future / prospects.

In a nutshell, maybe because I was expecting to be massively disappointed, I was pleasantly surprised. Two and a half hours of mindless amusement with a shocked giggle every once in a while,Low calorie popcorn, diet coke and one SMALL Ben & Jerry’s Cookie dough later, with a hint of pissy weather – and in all it equals a perfect bank holiday Monday.

What did I not like – HOW did they manage to get an Australian rugby team worked into the script? Truly – did they not realise that there might be a couple of southern hemisphere neighbours that would not relish in this overindulged attention… especially to their packages. And we ALL know the truth in that regard!

A part of me will always reflect on the series, but I have to allow for the natural process of aging that all us avid followers must surely be able to relate to. I appreciate that I could not spot too much Botox and implants – and in that I felt kindred and kindled. If not for the fashion, and the hint of a tryst on the beach – at least the wrinkle stayed true.

I mean – even to those iconic style icons, and straight talking geriatrics – aging can’t always be easy! Forty here we come, or what do you say, Samantha? All us golden girls must stick together!

I’m taken back to my childhood, where we had a vine in our garden, and “organic” to the roots. Grapes were really juicy, and they had big bitter seeds inside. What is a grape without seed? Ha Ha – I know – seedless. Yes I asked for that, but seriously – will we be destined to eat genetically modified, tasteless fruit for all eternity until we pop over the waters to France?

I recall with clarity how we never believed that we had to pick the apricots before they were ripe, and it had to be first thing in the morning, before they got too hot in the summer sun. Of course we knew better – so sympathy was far and in between when you were crawling with cramps on the floor, and echoes of “I told you so!”

My dislike for peaches stems from the fresh peaches picked from the tree behind my Wendy house that looked totally edible, until you tasted the furry skin on your tongue, and was put off the texture for life. The plums had no problem hanging to maturity, as you knew the reward would not only be juicy – but juicy to the core, so you did not have to mind biting into the stone.

And then there was the avocado tree, the Pomelo trees, the oranges and the loose skinned big yellow lemons. And most importantly – God how I miss Figs. Ripe, soft and kind figs.

Fruit were juicy – even though the trees struggled at times with severe droughts and too much sun. There has to be a way that we can get fruit over here that has had the patience and time provided them with juices and pips – fully seeded and sweet.

Yes, we had fruit this weekend, and Rose wine and brilliant company and lazy dinners, but it was the biting into that seedless grape that reminded me – sometimes we need to mix bitter pips with the sweetest juice to have the greatest experience in life.

Allow me to share this story with you – with permission from my astounded mother, of course.

I receive a frantic phone call: “Skype me please – quickly”! Now for those who do not know, my home town in Graaff-Reinet is about the size of New Ross, but quite isolated – so prostitution and soliciting  flesh would not be something that would make for an every day occurence.

Apparently…. and this is how it goes – in a shop in GRT today the first casualty of the World Cup hit the heart of our Karoo Town. Yip – a Frenchman (or someone with similarly suave accent) approached a lady that had just preceded him into the shop – and very bluntly enquired what R200 would get him.

That part is amusing enough – the reply even better – “You think I’m cheap?”

To which he replied “And R400 (about €40)?)”

To which there was no reply. My mother who of course had no need to eaves drop, as this conversation was well within ear shot – picked up her jaw of surprise off the ground, and watched as they left in the same direction…

I know in my heart she was wondering, as many in such small towns would as well – where di they go to?

Now I realise that this is verging on the amusing, but unfortunately there is a very tragic side to all this in SA as well at the moment. For some, the World Cup has brought nothing but a last-ditch opportunity to tap a couple of cents out of the tourist base that will visit – and at any cost. It is well-known that some parents would even resort to sell their own children – what is the true legacy that this tournament is going to leave behind?

That said – I am truly proud to know that such a magnificent event is hosted in SA – and hope to have many an Afro-Irish celebration over the next weeks.

Oh yes – due to my imbibition of Rose last night – I have picked up 100grams. Ahem – and there is a Bank Holiday weekend lying ahead as well!

Viva! Viva! Viva! Viva the best little WORLD CUP in the World!