27 weddings in 36 months

Rorie (or "Lorlly" as Cracka likes to call him) and the beautiful Claire were married this past Saturday. This ceremony takes the number of weddings Cracka and I have attended to 27 in the past 36 months.

What a lovely wedding. Rorie heralds from our circle of friends headed “hockey” so one can imagine that the Wanderers lads were well represented. Scraps of entertaining recollections meander back which include a suave young man and I swapping shoes for the duration of a song whilst having the dance-off to end all dance-offs. Yip, just general obligatory T A T T Y behaviour all around.

Dave and Lisa's wedding

We had Dave and Lisa's wedding last Sunday at Long Meadow in Fourways. Nothing quite like a garden wedding on a beau-di-full afternoon coupled with a good few cold Pims and lemonade. Fantastic. Great company, good food and a little dance off. All remarkably well behaved but then it was effectively a school night after all ...

Weapons of mass distruction

The culprits:

The victim:

(our poor unassuming box of pictionary ...)

For better, for worse

There has been a piece of paper lying upside down, on the floor, just behind the passenger’s seat of my car, for about a fortnight. Every now and then I catch a glimpse of it and concurrently wonder/think a) what it is and b) that I really must pick it up.

I finally picked it up this morning.

It turns out that it was Gareth and Kangi’s certificate they received upon completion of the little pig’s basic obedience course. Quite a cute little gimmick really. Look a little closer however...

Gareth Smith … not Gareth Murray.

This got me thinking. Having dated each other for over 5 years, the subject of marriage has inevitably come up on a few occasions. What I have never really given much thought to is the fact that the bride generally takes the groom’s surname for her own.

Leigh-Ann Smith. Leigh-Ann Murray. Smith. Murray. Smith. Murray.

Here is the thing however – I like my surname. I have been a Smith for 29 years now and can reliably say that we can add at least another 2 years to that for good measure.

There is nothing confusing about the surname Smith. Easy to spell, easy to pronounce. Hugs and Pookie clearly decided that Smith was such an easy surname that they complicated it with Leigh-Ann. Have you seen how many different ways there are to spell Leigh-Ann?

Please don’t misunderstand me … I like Murray. Let’s face it - there are far worse surnames to choose from out there. The thought which fills me with dread would be that I would have to change my signature, my ID book, my passport, my bank cards, all my department store cards, my medical aid card, my SAICA and Wanderers membership etc etc etc. What a hack!

Then there is the whole Miss/Ms/Mrs issue. Whether we like it or not, it’s still a man’s world out there. I cannot however, rationalize why a woman need distinguish her marital status. Does a letter of complaint carry greater weight if it is written by a married woman? Is it an embarrassment to be, say 34, and a Miss? Maybe I am just being ultra feminist on this issue.

Nevertheless, those are my ramblings for the day … and all because of a little pink certificate. Luckily it is something which I do not have to worry about any time soon!

And the heat???

Johannesburg has been nothing short of unpleasant over the past few days. Your first thought may be that the ANC Youth League are striking again (well actually they might be, one can never be sure) but nay. The reason for this unpleasantness can be directly attributed to the temperatures recorded of late. It has been H O T.

I had to pop out of the office yesterday for an errand (the Woolies Food Shop lunch run most definitely constitutes an errand in my books) and could only find parking in the sun. Shopping complete, I climbed into Alf and nearly had an apoplexy. The temperature inside my little car was incandescent and that was only after 5 minutes. I think I could have 2nd degree burns on the palms of my hands from my steering wheel. Luckily my office is mercifully close so was able to drive back safely using only the tips of my 2 index fingers to guide the aforementioned steering wheel and seek refuge next to my office air conditioner.

PS: the guys at the mine tell me it was 41˚ in Zululand on Tuesday. Beau-di-full … cant wait for next month’s management meeting. Not.

The engagement party

We had Jules and Jumbo's engagement party this past weekend. John is heading off to the soggy island of cucumber sarmies and pots of tea shortly so 'Mi Julie' is coming to live with us for a month or so before she joins him. The excitement is enormous!

Annual hockey diner

It’s taken the better part of a week and a weekend but I can finally say that I have recovered from the year end dinner. You know you have been out of varsity for too long when you replace the phrase “I am never drinking so much again” with “shoo, I just can’t drink the way I used to!!” Is it just me or do hangovers get worse the older you become??

The evening began with some dignified pre-drinks at Moyo in Melrose Arch where we accosted some unsuspecting waitress and requested that she adorn us with the traditional Moyo face paint.

Thereafter we sauntered over to the Wanderers Club, our venue for the evening’s shenanigans. Looking back, I think the downhill slide from sobriety began upon entrance with the free sherries which were being handed out.

The awards for the evening went as follows:
Player of the season (for the second year running) - Julz
Most improved player - Pips
Top goal scorer – Schmeezy
Yellow jersey - Marshy

I’m sure that the reason that I lost my certificate during the course of the evening must be attributed to bad karma … serve me right for fibbing about the number of goals I scored. Dont get me wrong, I was the top goal scorer of the side but 10 goals sounds so much better than 6 now doesn't it :o)

Apart from this, recollections of the evening include champers from Alli to celebrate the engagement of Jules and Jumbo (nice one Al), ordering a bottle of gin and a case of dry lemons and then promptly returning them when we saw that a bottle of gin was R255, the Mens’ 1st team collecting the “Team of the Year award” and, of course, some serious consumption of alcohol.

Recollections which surfaced the following morning included me doing the splits on the dance floor in my “pantoffels”, Megs endorsing some criminal activities, young Hughsy being left to fend for herself in the wee hours of the morn and a seriously dodgy, yet somewhat entertaining, trip home with our chauffeur who clearly has yet to master the art of clutch control.

Enough said – here are the photos:

Quote for the day

Grubby little pigs

With spring slowly easing into summer, Nuggi's new trick is to stand on the top step of the pool and have a wallow. This is all very cute up until the precise moment that she decides to hop out and go frolic with Kanga in the dirt. Grubby little pigs.

And she is back in da game

Hi guys. My apologies for the absence of enthusiastic communication from my side. I am sure you will all get over it – I’ve been busy. Anyway, I recently realised that my last post was over 2 months ago which really ain’t good enough so I shall, during the course of this week, endeavour to update my blog with the latest happenings. Watch this space …

Manic, manic, manic

Just a quick post to let those who care know that I am still alive and kicking. The past 6 weeks have been a bit of a blur, its been financial year end which = auditors which = late nights, chaos and madness!

International Financial Reporting Standards - 4 seemingly insignificant words which have created more mayhem than one could possibly imagine. I really think that the IASB did not have an anthracite coal mine in mind when the pin-striped bean counters sat down to draft these standards. Whilst some of the concepts are questionable, and others fair and well, the practicality of implementing the ruddy things are a nightmare. A nightmare I tell you!

One small consolation is that we have to report to the Australian Stock Exchange at the end of this month so there is a dim light at the end of this tunnel. At least at the end of this experience I shall be an acclaimed IFRS guru!!

Pics of the pooches

Jenni Broome

Jenni Broome, a member of our hockey side, was tragically killed in a car accident on Tuesday evening. Jen relocated to Jhb at the beginning of the season and joined the Wanderers Hockey Club fitting into the culture of our side from the start. Commitment, enthusiasm and a fun filled attitude are some of the many words I could use to describe this young lady. Kind would be another one.

Our heartache is with Jen’s family and Rory.

Jen, your death has made many of us take a step back and reprioritize the things that are really important. You have made us all realise that life is short and that our family and friends are there to be cherished and appreciated every minute of every day. Thank you for sharing your last few months with us, you have made more of an impact in our lives than you could possibly know. You will missed.

Rest in peace little one.

Vodacom Durban July

Last Friday saw Cracka and I hop on a flight and head to Durban (an all) to grace the infamous Durban July with our presence. After a desperate last minute shop-off for some appropriate clothing we hooked up with Mel, a school mate of mine, and her hubby Rob and headed to the races.

What a joll ... there really is nothing quite like a day in the winter sunshine, cold drinks, thumping tunes and talking a lot of shit with your chommies to make you feel like you are truly alive. We were stationed at the renowned and legendary "Pink Punters" picnic site organised by Warwick 'Wigsy' Bouwer who, once again, proved his prowess in event organisation. This notorious picnic site keeps growing in stature each and every year and is undisputedly the place to be and be seen at the July :o)

Synopsis of the day: won money on the horses, saw some very good old friends and definitely won the yellow jersey!

Nugget and Kanga

Wanderers Midlands Tour

This past weekend saw the Wanderers Mens' 1st, 2nd and Masters sides invade the Natal Midlands with hockey matches scheduled against Hilton College and Michaelhouse. I joined Cracka and the lads early Saturday morning and we moseyed through to Hilton for the scheduled match. A good result from all 3 teams with a high scoring ratio amongst some of the 'playas'.

The inevitable fines meeting later that afternoon saw the exhibition of some remarkable headgear. Special mention must go to Phil for his 'crab mousse' and Ann (can Ann can-can?) for their top drawer headgear efforts. Cracka made sure that there was serious consumption all round and tattyness & tigers prevailed.

Stix's 30th

Granny Stockles had a combined 30th birthday party last weekend at Cafe Ave in Greenside. Best, Mousey and I hit Cindrella's costume hire with serious intent on Sat morning to kit ourselves out with the appropriate 1920's Mafia fashion. Feather boa's, beads, headbands, fishnet stockings, the whole shebang! Perhaps I should just let the photos tell the story ...

Friend for Nugget

It was Cracka's birthday last week Monday, the old timer hit 32 without much celebration. As has been the plan all along, my present to him is a boerboel puppy - we pick her up this Wednesday. Hopefully this little girl will keep young Nugget distracted ... our garden and our socks are definitely starting to look a little worse for wear!

Nothing much to report back on

It has been a while since my last post, the reason being none other than I have very little to report back on. Went to Maritzburg last weekend to spend some time with my folks, my mum flies over to the soggy island this weekend for the rest of the year so thought it would be a good excuse to pop home and check in with my inheritance :o) Also managed to catch up with Scottles and Nix which, as usual, was like old times. I am so lucky to have such gr8 buddies.

This week I am at the mine for a few days then back to Jhb on Thursday. Zululand Anthracite Colliery, is a subsidiary of ours and (as the name implies) mines anthracite.

Cracka has been selected for the Southern Gauteng provincial hockey side and is down in Durban this week at tournament. Apparently, if Cracka is to be believed, the umpiring has been diabolical and the side has, as a result, not done too well. They lost to KZN (2-5) and WP (2-3) and beat EP (3-2). They play Northerns today and Peninsula tomorrow so hopefully both those games go their way. Final playoffs are on Sat and from there I'm sure it will be all-fall-down.

No real weekend plans at this point, have a hockey match on Sun morning and Lucy's farewell on Friday night at the Baron ... I think it could get T A T T Y ...

Latest photos of Nugget

Growing rapidly ... 3 months old now

Weekend roundup

Winter is definitely approaching Jhb fast and furiously, we went to watch Mousey's boyfriend Sean play rugby on Friday night and had to dress up like the proverbial eskimo! After a some sherries and a few ales, we decided to hit Manhattan's in Rivonia which turned out to be such a hack! We got there just before 2am and there was queue about 10m long. *Sigh* Gone are the days where I used to be a regular and could smile at the doorman and move swiftly to the front of the queue ... now I have been relegated to pleb status and have to stand in the minus 2 degree winter weather with everybody else! Clearly this didn’t fizz our bubbles AT all so we went to the News Cafe for a nightcap instead!

Sat was spent watching crickey, hockey and taking things very easy. Caught some of the Super 14 games at Bron and Mousey's house and then went and had dinner with Tanith & Vonnie, varsity/hockey friends.
Nugget also went to the vet and had her 10 week injections, I was very proud of the little girl, she didn’t even peep. We also bought her a new collar and matching lead, she clearly now thinks that she is the trendiest pooch in the Gauteng province.

The majority of Sunday was spent at the astro (for a change) - Cracka won his game 4-0, we went down 0-2. Spent the rest of the afternoon slothing on our couch watching the last few overs of the Test match ... thankfully the lads kept it together and we won the series against the Kiwis 2-0.

Other than that, not much to report back on ... watch this space!

Long weekend

We headed off to the Natal Midlands to attend wedding number 25. Getting there was a bit of a disaster as it seemed like the whole of Jhb decided to relocate to KZN as well. You can imagine how good the first gin and dry lemon tasted after 9 hours in the car!

Spent Friday on the beach in Umhlanga with Wilkie (one of Cracka's best mates who came out from England for the wedding) and took it very easy which was such a treat after the madness from the past few weeks at work. It was Nugget's first visit to the beach, she enjoyed it so much that I think we should seriously consider relocating to Dbn!

James & Jax's wedding was on Sunday evening at Granny Mouse's in the Natal Midlands. It has been nearly 3 years since Cracka and his school mates have been together so you can imagine the TATTYness which prevailed! Such fun!

Jax and JamCat - thanks for the fantastic wedding, Cracka and I know that you have a future filled with happiness ahead!