Raven's Diary

…that’s all we ever hear these days. One in two for this, One in four for that, every two minutes….and it’s always bad news. There’s no such thing as winning the lottery or signing a business deal for the average man to take them out of poverty.

Today I got a call from a telesales lady, I hate speaking to these people not because of who they are but for the fast rambling off a script with no personal touch or even a breath taken in between type of conversing. The only reason I listened today is because it was about a very real and home hitting subject. The “C” word. Saying it out loud makes any strong woman shudder. We all know of someone who has passed. We all know of someone who is in remission. We all know of someone who’s had a scare. It’s all around us and that’s the scariest thought.

Now when you have someone offering insurance cover for this particular dreaded disease you sit up and listen a little, don’t you? You then ask though why should we get extra cover for this and not for an accident? Why does everyday life not come with a handbook….for this you need this and this and this. Heck no you’ve got to go through life with only a trial and error weapon to help you through. I suppose there’s even a statistic for that. Trial versus Error – who wins?

My head is still spinning wondering what to do….why is everything always so complicated or rather why do we insist on always complicating things???

…..is that how the song goes? I can’t remember and too lazy to go research for it. But what a mission I had in store for myself. I had told myself that I wouldn’t buy boots this winter and that I would wear the ones I have until they fall apart. Murphy’s law; I’m happily wearing my old boots and ta-dah they start falling apart so much that I can’t bear to wear them in public. They’re still good and if only I knew someone who could sew or replace the uppers I’d be willing to continue to wear them but I thought that would probably cost just as much as having a looksie at what’s out there this season. So off I go into a few key shops looking around and make notes about the ones I like alot with pricing, coz I told myself I won’t impulsively just buy, they have to be good quality and must last for at least three winters and above all go with everything. I rush from one store to another, my time is quite limited as I have another appointment to get to, traffic in store and out is hectic, like Christmas. Shelves are rather empty and of course true to form normal person shoes very scarce, stilletto’s in any colour of the rainbow in abundance; and while they look absolutely stunning and I’m so attracted to those high flying beauties I have to be practical at my already lengthy stature of just short of six foot.

Finally make it to my last destination. I say finally as traffic was so bad I was forced to take a detour which landed me up in an area which I did not know, which I thought I knew, in which the suburb runs in circles until I landed up in the opposite direction of where I was hoping to head. Anyways, I finally get to the store (note to self: always check queues first when in hurry) take a leisurely walk through as I see I still have at least half hour. Spot the shoe section and I hear a chorus singing (yes in my head) as I spot the perfect pair of boots. Check them out from all angles. Try them on. Walk about. Place them neatly in box. Hold onto box tightly….as it’s the last darn pair in the entire shop in my size. Walk around for few more minutes wondering if I really should. By the time I make my decision the queue is zigzagging across half the length of the store. I momentarily think I’ll be ok, until a full half hour goes by as there are only three till operators open out of the possible (and hopeful) nine till points. Yet I still clutch tightly to my beloved box like a precious baby. I start having a mind fight…leave them maybe they’re not meant to be you’re gonna be late….no ways I’m leaving them now it IS meant to be as they’re the last pair they were waiting for me….but you’re gonna be late….so what….come on for a pair of shoes….uhm yes. LOL!!! The shoe fairy trumped the conscientious fairy. Long live my new boots!!!!

Being up before dawn on any morning is just plain insane…but we braved the bitter cold to be driven in style by our best buddy, on his birthday no less, to go chase snow. We had heard previous day that it had snowed most high lying areas and we were off.  Kitted out in many layers of clothing we set off on our 250km journey. It was amazing to see the soft white puffiness covering the land. The boys darted out of the car and just started going ape playing around recapturing their youth. Snow man was made, sort of hijacked a prebuilt one and added some finishing touches. Snow ball fights were had. Snow angels were made. While I snapped away with camera in hand capturing the amazing scenary and the playing “adults”.

It was an amazing but extremely exhausting day, but so worth the drive and we had so much fun.

…unfortunately (for fans) but fortunately (for my sanity) I haven’t caught the  world wide bug. Never been a sports fan so this really doesn’t faze me in the least. And also anything to do with big crowds I avoid like the plague as I get a bit panicy especially if people bump up against me and invade my personal space. Even if I wanted to go to a live concert it would be very difficult.

But anyways, back to soccer. I think it’s great that a whole nation can get together about a collective vision, good for you. I however don’t like it that the serious fans get upset with non serious fans for not being in-your-face jump up and down crazy fans. With best intentions the opening concert which was anticipated by both super fans and non was a bit of a disspointment. They did such awesome marketing to get everyone excited about the line up and it was so boring, even the super stars didn’t give their best performance. Everyone’s attire left much to be desired, I was thinking PEP stores must’ve made a killing. Also wondered how the hundreds of thousands of party goers were going to get home safely. Actually how were they going to leave the stadium safely, it wasn’t built to house a full field of crowds plus stands. Oh and also wonder how the expensive grass looks today.

I naively thought that little ol PE wouldn’t get affected much. But as soon as I tried to organise a photoshoot, bang came the realisation of road closures and specific areas being changed into something else where huge crowds would flock to. To top it all off, every school and university is closed which means every cranny of delight and entertainment is going to be swarming with tiny young noisey people. Yes that does make me sound old but living a quiet life and then being bombarded with children is a shock to the system.

Cheers to all of you who have the fever! Hopefully everyone will have a safe and enjoyable experience. To those now sitting back and watching the moola stream in, I hate you as I’m jealous but good for you for having an idea which in a short space of time can make you rich, spend wisely. I’m off to go find something to entertain myself with for the next month….

….recently I’ve found myself in a position where I am looking for baby stuff. Ah, yes, NO not what you’re thinking. It’s for someone else’s baby. I am amazed at the amount of stuff available, especially knowing that a few years back there was no such items which seems to help make life easier, at a great cost though. I am constantly surrounded by mother’s or mothers-2-b, so here and there I pick up what is good and what is bad. Some of those fancy gadgets are actually just a load of crock but how are new (desperate) mothers supposed to know that?

Still those itty bitty teeny tiny little shoezie woozies are just too adorable for words. It’s rather enjoyable wandering through the stores, but I do wonder what other people are thinking when they see me very enthralled in the instructions of an item. I wonder if they think I’m planning or if I’m already a mother or what? If I were to see someone in the baby isle I wouldn’t think they’re only looking for someone else.

I’m waiting for that dreaded moment when someone taps me on the shoulder and asks the dreaded question, with a smile on their face….how far along are you????? aaaaaahhhhhh! Would it be rude to punch them in the face before I answer or should I do it afterwards???? ;p