Just Breathe!

I actually don’t know where to begin, this week has taken everything I have to offer out of me and given me sweet flick all in return. Ok maybe I’m fibbing, its given me sleepless nights, sore limbs and shown me that when needs be I can make things happen.

So this week was shoot week for me, when we shoot our main fashion feature for the magazine, but first a little background, with no creative director I have had to coordinate a fashion shoot in Durban without me there.

Thank my lucky stars Super mom has been but a phone call away providing guidance and hooked me up with the fabulous Irish Stylist. So leading up to this week has been about 2 weeks worth of logistics… nightmare.

Monday and Tuesday were choc-a-block with sourcing of merchandise, styling up, taking inventory of stock and sorting out insurance to cover our re-donk-ulously expensive merchandise! So those were some good 12 hour days right there! To add to the sleepless nights is the fact that I am not on location at the shoot and cannot monitor the merchandise myself but have to put my trust in other people, which should be easy because I know I’m working with a great team. But it’s that fear of the unknown and if something goes wrong I cannot control it… eek

But by the sounds of it the shoot is going smoothly, I just look forward to 17h00 on Friday afternoon once I have completed my returns of all the merchandise and its been a clean run!

At the same time, I am also dealing with freelancers who are making mountains out of molehills, and whining about 30cents difference in commission rates… seriously do you have no life that 30cents is really going to make that huge an impact? Ok then fine have it… just don’t waist 3 hours of my life moaning about it! Some of us actually have work to do.

To add insult to injury the Plumber saga is still continuing, I’m at the point where if I had a spare second in my life, I would go get a plumbing degree and sort it out myself. I cannot believe the stupidity of some humans... and as the Kind Chiro says, “He’s a complete muppet”... Serioulsly some mothers children!

And this is just the icing on the cake, I don’t actually know where to turn or what to do… 
In life it never rains, it only pours and right now I’m soaked through my bones with the reality of life!

Yet there is some good news, I can now officially Congratulate one of my  bestest girl's, who would have Thunk it,  the Crazii Redhead, knocked Clark Kent and I off our feet when she told us she was getting married to her Prince Charming and would we be apart of her special day. Like DUH… It was a magical day and I wish the two of them all the happiness in the world!

~Just keep breathing and looking for the silver lining~

The Social Scene

Other than being completely rushed off my feet at work, I have been up to a few tricks on the social front too.

Starting with a most magical evening at Madame Zingara. We were a group of 13 and I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of people to have shared this wonderful experience with. We dressed the part in wigs, top hats and feather boa’s, shaked our bums, wined and dined ourselves!

I was completely astounded by some of the performances and watched in disbelief, who knew the human body could do such things… certainly not me!

The food was amazing, a real taste sensation. Not only is the Theater of Dreams a party for the body and soul but a party for your taste buds.  This all set in a staged South African Township, to give you that real proudly South African feeling.

Madame Zingara is a definite must see for all!

For more information check out their website here.

Following the high of Madame Zingara, the long weekend was a jumble of social engagements and good times, shared with good people. Which included these little gems found on sale at Nine West…

 completely perfect!

But to end it all off and in support of Woman’s day on Monday 9 August, Clark Kent, Gym Buddy, The lecturer and I ran a 10km race, supporting Woman’s day.

So we dragged ourselves out of bed at 06h15 trying to convince ourselves that it really isn’t that cold.

Well it didn’t work, it was bitterly cold and by the time we reached the start it was pouring with rain, with drops the size of golf balls. So we threw on some black bin bags for some slight protection from the elements.  However feeling was still lost in my hands and feet, and my legs were so cold they were stinging from my knee's down… we couldn’t help but think we were completely insane.

Non-the less we all did it and made it in good time. We didn’t set our personal best times but it was an enjoyable race once it was done. And we did our bit to support Woman’s day ☺

I must make special mention to Gym Buddy, who was really struggling with a boggy knee, Well done you did great and I’m proud of you.

~I’m proud of all four of us!~

Seriously!

WTF… why is it that at 16h00 on a Thursday I am busting my ass off at the office and it’s like a ghost town working on skeleton staff! Which leaves me to pick up the pieces of other people’s mess because they are not around to take responsibility for it!

Shit people I’m swamped as it is! But wait I still break my back getting everything done while you’re off sipping on cocktails or what ever it is you are doing!

Honestly there are like four people working on my floor, well that are here, whether they are working or not who knows… but I have more than enough work to go around!!! But alas I am the only person in my team at the moment, and that's not an option.

And secondly... I'M NOT YOUR BLOODY P.A!!!! Sales people are infuriating, do your own dirty work damn it!!!! But no I don't talk back I just do.. I sort it all out and they lap up the credit!

I feel like I’m drowning and no one is around to hear my screams!

PS: Still fighting with the Plumber... Yes, we going on two weeks now! If I never see another plumber again it will be too soon!

~ FML ~

The Geyser and The Plumber

Last week was a real test of my sense of humour, starting with a Blue Monday to top all Blue Mondays.

It started off as any other day, but at around 11h00 I got the phone call informing me there was water gushing out of my roof and into my neighbours back courtyard.
To which i could only respond, “Oh Right.”

I could feel all the blood draining from my face, as the thought runs through my head; “this is the last thing I need right now! Why do these things happen at the worse possible time… my sense of humour isn’t in need of a test right now… It might just fail.”

Cue Clark Kent, a mad panic phone call telling him to get to the house and turn off the water and to check for damage. Clark Kent arrives to find that my neighbour, the Kind Chiro, has found the water mains and turn it off and there seems to be no damage on the inside. Ah, I breathe a sigh of relief, it could have been worse.

Now for my next miracle I will perform the impossible task of getting the plumbing contractor to inspect the damage and diagnose the problem and offer a sound speedy solution… Yeah right.

As it turns out Monday’s are full of plumbing emergencies and they can only come and assess the problem on Tuesday at 13h00. So I take a deep breathe and agree to Tuesday’s appointment, knowing at least I have somewhere else I can stay for the night.

Now please keep in mind that work is manic crazy at the moment with my Creative Director having gone on Maternity leave and fulfilling her other roll as SuperMom. I am flying solo in the office for the next two issues of the magazine and have more work than one could even imagine. So not a great time to have admin issues of my own right now. But we have to roll with the punches.

Tuesday morning, I call twice to confirm the appointment for 13h00 with the plumber and they assure me they will be there. Guess what! They never showed, somehow I am not surprised. When I call to find out where they are, I am told an emergency came up and they are not sure when they can get through to me.  Well I consider my situation to be an emergency and I would like them to keep their commitments. I tell myself to remain calm as I count to ten in my head, because I realise I cannot do anything about it. We agree for them to call me when they are ready to come through even if that means after 18h00 that evening... So to cut a long story short, my whole cylinder has blown and needs to be replaced. Bugger!

Ok so what is the next step, as I have no running water to speak of and need this sorted out like, yesterday.

“Well we need to order the new geyser and parts and and and and…” all I’m hearing is bla bla bla,… we can only do it on Saturday and it takes 5 to 6 hours…

WHAT! You mean I have to wait another four days for water, eish, well at least I have somewhere else to stay in the meantime but what an inconvenience.

The appointment is set for Saturday at 10h00, by 10h30 I’m annoyed, I mean seriously I can’t even have a cup of coffee! After a few phone calls the plumbers arrive just after 11h00 and begin the banging, sawing, moving and shaking. Eventually just over five hours later, I have running water, hot and cold, I also have a damaged ceiling, which they tell me they will come back and fix next week.

Hooray I begin to celebrate, but alas it was in all too good to be true.

A little after 19h00 we hear it, and Clark Kent watches the smile and colour leave my face and immediately volunteers to check it out. Yes I have boiling hot water coming out of my roof, which would put Victoria Falls to shame.

Off with the water mains, off with the geyser mains and onto the phone.

Thunder: “Um, hi there you installed my brand new geyser today which isn’t working, I still have Victoria falls gushing out my roof”
Plumber: “But it’s all new parts”
Thunder: “So you keep saying, I’m still not caring as I once again have no water and want it fixed”
Plumber: “But everything is new”
Thunder: “Like is said, not caring, when can expect you to come fix it”
Plumber: “I can come out in the morning”\
Thunder: “Well the time is 19h45, I’ll expect you here just after 20h00, Thanks”
Plumber: “Um, well…”
Thunder: “I’ve put up with this for six days, I’ve had enough, you will come out now and fix it.”
Plumber: “ Um, ok”

So they arrive and give me some story about faulty factory parts, which I don’t care for I’m not a plumber and know nothing about valves, pipes, cylinders and thermostats, I just want running water that is hot and cold. So eventually at about 21h30 all seemed to be in working order. But I fear this is not the end of the geyser saga or the Plumber.

~Just Breathe and count to ten~

The Parking Saga

WOW, I simply must share this, because its so ridiculous that I almost don’t believe it really happened.

You see it all started on Monday when my geyser burst, (that’s a whole post on its own) leaving me stranded without any water at home, so I have spent the week living at Clark Kent’s

So I arrive back at his house just after 10pm on Tuesday evening after a wonderful dinner with some of the girls, to find a dirty silver Toyota Yaris parked in my (Clark Kent’s) parking bay.

First thoughts to go through my mind are, “WTF, who does this person think they are,” followed by some more colourful adjectives which I wont repeat. So Clark Kent does the decent thing and chats to the security guard, and finds out that the owner is in unit 48, and goes to ring the bell to ask them to move the car…. Ring, ring, ring, ring..

Thunder: “SO what’s the story”
Clark Kent: (shrugs his shoulders) “There is no answer”
Thunder: “WTF so now what???”
Hmmmmmmmm…
Thunder: “Stuff that, I’m parking her dirty ass in”
Clark Kent: “OK”

So I proceed to park right behind Ms Yaris and off we go. Fully expecting the door bell to ring at stupid o’clock in the morning with a very grumpy person hurling abuse at us.
As it turns out that is not the case, so on Wednesday Morning, it is business as usually and on my way out at 08h00 I leave a note on Ms Yaris’ windscreen which reads as follows:

Please Do Not Park Here!
This is a Private Reserved Parking Bay and you have Inconvenienced us, The Next time your car will be Clamped.
No.6

So at around 11h00 or so Clark Kent sets out and notices Ms Yaris still has not moved her car. So again he chats to the security guard who assures him that they are from unit 48 and they are home. So again Clark Kent rings the buzzer… ring, ring, ring, ring, ring… Nothing.

Clark Kent: “Well fine screw that”
He then gives the instruction to have the car clamped!

One his return home sometime around 14h00 or something, he is greeted by a little note sticking out of his post box which reads:

HELLO
First of all, I WAS TOLD TO PARK IN THIS BAY. I WAS TOLD by the security guard that it was fine to park here, so don’t put that shit on me, I was told to park there. Second of all, where would you like me to park? Sorry for the inconvenience number 6, BUT I WAS TOLD I COULD PARK THERE.
48

PS- Not paying for my car to be un-clamped either. Awesome.

Well, unfortunately I wasn’t around and Clark Kent doesn’t like confrontation much, so he kind of just let it slide, and thought we could compose something later should need be.
 BUT
I want my 2 cents said anyways so my response would have been along the lines of:

Dear Ms Yaris

If you were TOLD to jump off a bridge with no cords attached would you do that too?
Were you born without the part of your brain, which holds common sense, because I am assuming you can read as you are able to wright. And there is a lovely blue sign conveniently at eye level as you park your car that states the Bay is reserved for No.6
As for where I would like you to park, gee I don’t really care to be honest, but since you need to follow direction, I’ll give you this for free, how about the side of the road along with all the other visitors. And oh gosh if you can’t park there and you're in my parking, well I’d hate to state the obvious but where do you suppose I am to park.

Oh and as far as not getting the clamp removed and moving your car, no biggie, traffic department is down the road, it wont take them long to get here and move it for you.

Best
No. 6

Anyways moving on, we both returned home around 19h00 last night and were met by mixed emotions when we noticed Ms Yaris had indeed mover her car. But wait it isn’t over, we have yet another note waiting in the post box:

Dear Number 6

I am sorry to have inconvenienced you for ONE NIGHT.  It must have been aweful not having your parking for (once again) ONE NIGHT.
But, thanks to you and the security guard who Told Me I could park there, I am out R250 and wont eat for the rest of the week.
Good Job, (Thumbs up!!) Have a good week.

PS- My car wasn’t even parked there for a Full 24  hours, legally that’s not allowed. GOOD JOB! (Thumbs up!)

WOW, is this chick for real, I mean what you gonna do take legal action against us now…
get real Ms Yaris.

At least we were provided with some mild mid week entertainment ☺

~Here’s to Reserved Parking~

It’s Here!

Well I'm back in action and in the full swing of things, after a few relaxing day’s soaking up the sun, catching up on some really needed sleep, getting watered, fed and scratched, I’m back to tackle the challenges head on!

But First…I must gloat and blow my own trumpet as they say…I’m proud to announce the arrival of Private Edition Issue 8, isn’t it just amazing!

Click here for more info

It gives me a real sense of accomplishment to receive copies of each magazine once it's finished and printed. It makes all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears all worth it in the end.

And who would have thought, me in the magazine industry, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better place to end up. Especially because I knew my dreams of becoming a Rock Star weren’t going to ever come true. But honestly I had imagined myself in events management, or something along those lines, never once did magazines, fashion, writing or publishing ever enter my mind. But I have opened a door to a world or possibilities and loving every minute of experience I can get.

And people lets get one thing straight right from the beginning, the world of magazines is not what you see on ‘Ugly Betty’!

It is a lot of hard work, generally long hours and things don’t just work themselves out, there is someone slaving away trying to make it happen and to make deadline, going above and beyond. And no it's not all high fashion and cocktail parties, but every once in a while there just might be an invitation to a little something something.

But for now I will bask in the after glow of a job while done, just for a little longer, before putting my head down and getting to work on the next fabulous issue of Private Edition.

~It’s not what you know~

The Need to Woooooo Saaaaaa...

Life has been pretty hectic recently. Between moving into a new position at work, The World Cup soccer, and trying to maintain some form of a social life I’m feeling completely shattered!

Everything that is happening or going on is really positive and I am excited for what the future has to offer, I just wish I had time to catch up with myself. I feel like a walking time bomb ready to explode at any minute!

Firstly, work is really busy and stressful at the moment, I have moved full time onto Editorial and Production of the magazine, which is amazing and I’m really excited about it! This is over and above all my old PR and Marketing duties. Anyways we have frantically been finalizing our next issue, which should be hot off the press tomorrow, I’m so excited to see it!!! But then the distribution process begins. (A never ending cycle I tell you)

So along with my new responsibilities, just to top things off, my creative Director is leaving me to have her second Oompa Lompa, which is all very exciting for her and completely nerve racking for me. You see I will now be the only person working full time on the magazine for the next two issues… EEEEEK!

Yes that means taking on even more stuff while she is away, Woooooo Saaaaaaa, it will be fine, just breathe. Today I finally hit freaking out point as it is her last day tomorrow and reality is setting in… but I am trying to take the high road and embrace this new challenge and I intend to kick the shit out of it and produce two awesome issues. Obviously I can’t do it alone, and I’m very lucky to have some wonderful people on the team to help bring it all together!

Secondly, its been World Cup fever, which unfortunately means lots of late nights, filled with shouting, vuvuzela’s and lots of walking in the cold night air…Basically good times with good people, and experiencing our amazing city like never before! But these also happen to fall on a lot of weeknights and I’m a grumpy person when I don’t have enough sleep. Which on top of hectic workdays and stressing out, It’s a recipe for disaster, and just for good measure let’s throw in a cold, see how you like that!

And although I’ve managed to kick the sick-cold gremlins, I’m feeling completely D.U.N. Dun…. So on Saturday I am packing a bag, getting into Denny (my most awesome little blue Ferrari) and heading to my Parent’s for 5 days, to get watered, fed and scratched! And hopefully be rejuvenated and fully recharged to take on the challenges ahead!

~Time to Relax~