Will you watch "Once Upon a Time"?

This new TV series, Once Upon a Time, premièred in the USA over the weekend. As readers of this blog will know, I simply adore fairy tales. And this is a creation from the makers of Lost so I expect it to be all sorts of intriguing and awesome. Now if only I can wish upon a star, or my Fairy Godmother, for this to get to South African television screens as fast as possible!

Chocolate Monday

I love the look of this pretty dessert. Considering that we are experiencing heat wave conditions now in Johannesburg, I would love to eat this right now. Picture sourced from Imgfave.
Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

When I hit the road

I live quite far from work so I spend a lot of time on one of South Africa's major highways. Here are a few thoughts, pet peeves, observations and what not:

• I hate it when trucks, vans, buses, lorries and any other big, heavy vehicle moves into the fast or second fast lane. They will inevitably slow down on an up hill. 
• If a car passes me really fast, my 'Lil One feels like it is going to veer off my driving lane. The same happens the minute the wind picks up.Yes I drive a very little car and it is very light, in comparison to other vehicles.
• People stare at the (fake) sun flower I attached to my aerial. It makes kids smile and wave at me, sometimes adults too!
• Said sun flower sometimes acts like a beacon for some drivers - I assume they get scared of a "girl" driver and stay far behind me. That actually suits me just fine. 
• Those who drive smart, expensive and fast cars (yes, you who drive BMWs, Mercs, Volvos, Lexus and 4x4s) tend to be very impatient and aggressive on the road. 
• Mini bus taxis really do stop anywhere on the road and at any time. And they make their own rules on the road and do not follow existing rules! They really do make me so damn mad. 
• That said, I think I suffer from, ahem, road rage - after all when you are driving, it is everyone else who is in the wrong. 
• Over taking metro cops makes me feel so guilty, even though I am within the speed limit. I irrationally feel they will want to pull me over and fine me on the spot!
• People rarely stick to the speed limit in the fast lane. 
• In cases of grid locked traffic, which happens very often in Johannesburg, I loath those who make the emergency lane an additional driving lane, then gap in at a later stage. Those assholes tend to make traffic only worse!
• In conclusion, I generally do not like driving. If Johannesburg had a wide network of safe and reliable public transport, I would be the first to use it. 

Chocolate Monday

If you're a Harry Potter fan, this will make you laugh...and eat loads of chocolate. Image found here.

If you need an explanation, here is how Remus Lupin explains it to Harry:

"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope, and happiness out of the air around them... Get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. If it can, the Dementor will feed on you long enough to reduce you to something like itself...soulless and evil. You will be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life." - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

If a person has a brief encounter with such a creature, chocolate proves to be a good antidote.
Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

Chocolate Monday

This weekend we held a surprise birthday party for S.O's* mum. S.O decided to order this heavenly Ferrero Rocher cake - and he specifically asked for it to be eggless so I could eat it too! I cannot count the amount of times I fell in love with it.

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  
*S.O - Significant Other

A tale of two bags

This beautiful, old Kodak bag was brought to work by a friend of mine. It was her grandfather's camera bag and even though the camera now makes for a lovely antique ornament, she uses the bag for her hard drive! I was instantly taken by it. Inside the flap, there is a cursive, calligraphy handwritten date and initials: "M.D.H.B.M 1914". These sort of old items carry such stories in them, even if we are unclear of what exactly they are. It's as if older items develop a more interesting personality as time marches on. And that makes it's beauty multi layered, mysterious, rugged and alluring.

This is the satchel I won from the lovely Being Brazen and AlexandraKate. This gorgeous bag made my knees weak and captivated me the minute I saw it. I also couldn't help but notice the striking similarities between the two bags, though the latter is new and it's history - only just beginning.

Chocolate Monday

I love the background of this picture. The cursive writing, the thicker pen used, and the older looking paper gives it a vintage feel I simply adore. And as for those truffles - oh yum!

Hope this week is kind to each of you...
Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  
 Image sourced from here: Imgfave

Happy Birthday Google

So this is the Google Doodle today. Happy 13th birthday! If it weren't for this search engine, we'd all be straggling the Internet - lost, alone, and very confused. Now that it is 13, I hope it doesn't get that "I know it all" teenage attitude.

Chocolate Monday plus a bit of a rant

These chocolate hearts look simple, happy and appetising - exactly what I need today. Picture found here: Imgfave.

In addition to Chocolate Monday - I will indulge myself in a bit of a rant. I hate over drinking, always did and always will. The last time drank bit too much was 2009. So, anyway, back to this incident. It was a public holiday in South Africa on Saturday - Heritage Day, and also National Braai* Day. S.O** decided to have a little braai. Much to my delight, he bought chocolate vodka. Needless to say I am in love with that drink and will voluntarily have more and more, simply because it tastes like chocolate cake in a shooter glass. But it done me in on Saturday. All my emotional baggage suddenly became hoards of luggage, and dare I say, it was not pretty. That is why I do not like to drink - you loose control and every fear, resentment, threads of hopelessness, dashed dreams and every other negative emotion bubbles to the surface and makes it's ugly self known. I hope to never get into that state again. And I do apologise to S.O for saying things that only stem from my deepest, darkest self. And no more to copious amounts of chocolate vodka!

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  
**S.O - Significant Other 
*Braai - South African term for barbecue

World Addiction Day 2011

Today is World Addiction Day. I have had experiences with addicts and continue to try and support someone close to me with an addiction, so this is a very important topic to me. I live the struggle everyday and it is not easy. And that is what people need to realise - addiction takes over your life. When you decide to stop whatever you're addicted to (be it gambling, drugs, alcohol), that is when the work begins. That is when you live with the consequences of your choices and cope with this mental illness. It becomes your life partner, in a way.

So to all those who have a problem, to those who have loved ones with an addiction, to all those who are clawing their way out of the addiction pit to live some semblance of a normal life, today is your day. Be proud, brave and wise. Let the cycle of lies, stigma, mistrust and dependence end. Start fresh, embrace honesty and be good to yourself. 

More info can be found here: World Addiction Day

Chocolate Monday

Is there a better way to eat banana? I think not. Pic found here: Imgfave. 

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

A quote that grabbed me

I got this emailed to me today. It sorta sums up a lot about life, don't ya think?

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you CHOOSE."

- Dr Seuss -  

Chocolate Mondays

If I can be anyone today, I would be this dog. This is exactly how I feel when I see a chocolate fountain. Pic found here: Imgfave.

On a different note, the Neighbourgoods Market opened up in Johannesburg this past weekend. I convinced the S.O* we should go and off we went. And I am so glad we did. After driving around and around to find the place (Braamfontein has too many confusing one ways) we finally found it. I gotta say - I loved it. Even though it was packed and there is not a lot I can eat being a strict vegetarian, the vibe was easy going, friendly, fashionable and fun! It reminded me of when South Africa hosted the Soccer World Cup in 2010, combined with the Greenwich Market in London. What I did get to eat was divine. With Johannesburg having such an entrenched mall culture, it was beyond amazing to walk outside a bit. Stalls actually ran out of food, and some out of business cards because they did not expect such a great turn out. Return trips are a must!


Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.
*S.O - Significant Other 

Chocolate Monday

I would like to jump into this picture and gobble this ice cream up. Maybe it is because weather wise, Johannesburg has jumped straight from winter into summer. Spring, what happened to you? Picture found here: Imgfave.

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.